bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A nineteen-year report of serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility of enteric non-typhoidal Salmonella from humans in Southern India: changing facades of taxonomy and resistance trend
Authors: Jacob Jobin John , Solaimalai Dhanalakshmi , Muthuirulandi Sethuvel Dhiviya Prabaa , Rachel Tanya , Jeslin Praveena , Anandan Shalini , Veeraraghavan Balaji
Published: October 2020

Background

The steady increase in the proportion of Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections in humans represents a major health problem worldwide. The current study investigated the serovar distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility trends of NTS isolated from faecal samples during the period 2000–2018.

Methods

Faecal specimens of patients were cultured according to standard lab protocol. The isolates were serotyped and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) were performed according to CLSI guidelines.

Results

A total of 1436 NTS isolates were obtained from faeces samples mostly comprising of S. Typhimurium (27.3%), S. Weltevreden (13%), S. Bareilly (11%), S. Newport (4.2%), S. Cholerasuis (4%), S. Infantis (3.4%), and S. Enteritidis (2.4%). Resistance to nalidixic acid (26%) was most common among the tested NTS, followed by ampicillin (18.5%), cotrimoxazole (13.5%), ciprofloxacin (12%), ceftriaxone (6.3%) and chloramphenicol (3.6%). Multidrug resistance was observed in 5% of NTS isolates with the highest rate (10.52%) in 2014. The incidence of NTS infection was maximum in children < 5 years of age with an average 19.3% of the total affected patients during the time period.

Conclusions

Based on this study, the faecal NTS isolates have high resistance rates against first line antimicrobial agents except chloramphenicol. The gradual but consistent increase in resistance to fluoroquinolones, third generation cephalosporins and macrolide may restrict future treatment options. Hence periodic monitoring of NTS infections, serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance trend is recommended.
Clinical efficacy and molecular biomarkers in a phase II study of tucidinostat plus R-CHOP in elderly patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Zhang Mu-Chen , Fang Ying , Wang Li , Cheng Shu , Fu Di , He Yang , Zhao Yan , Wang Chao-Fu , Jiang Xu-Feng , Song Qi , Xu Peng-Peng , Zhao Wei-Li
Published: October 2020

Background

Elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) present with poor clinical outcome and intolerance to intensive chemotherapy. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) show anti-lymphoma activities and can be applied to treat DLBCL. This study aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of oral HDACI tucidinostat (formerly known as chidamide) plus R-CHOP (CR-CHOP) in elderly patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL (International Prognostic Index ≥ 2).

Results

Among 49 patients, the complete response rate was 86%, with overall response rate achieving 94%. The 2-year progression survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 68% (95% CI 52–79) and 83% (95% CI 68–91). Comparing with historical control (NCT01852435), the 2-year PFS and OS rates of double-expressor lymphoma phenotype (DEL) were improved, and negative prognostic effect of histone acetyltransferasesCREBBP/EP300mutations was also mitigated by CR-CHOP. Grade 3–4 neutropenia was reported in 171, grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia in 27, and grade 3 anemia in 11 of 283 cycles. No grade 4 non-hematological adverse event was reported.

Conclusion

CR-CHOP is effective and safe in elderly patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL. Relevance of DEL phenotype and molecular biomarkers on CR-CHOP response warrants further investigation in DLBCL.

Trial registrationClinicalTrial.gov, NCT02753647. Registered on April 28, 2016.
Regenerative medicine approaches for the management of respiratory tract fistulas
Authors: Trivisonno Angelo , Nachira Dania , Boškoski Ivo , Porziella Venanzio , Di Rocco Giuliana , Baldari Silvia , Toietta Gabriele
Published: October 2020

Respiratory tract fistulas (or fistulae) are abnormal communications between the respiratory system and the digestive tract or the adjacent organs. The origin can be congenital or, more frequently, iatrogenic and the clinical presentation is heterogeneous. Respiratory tract fistulas can lead to severely reduced health-related quality of life and short survival. Therapy mainly relies on endoscopic surgical interventions but patients often require prolonged hospitalization and may develop complications. Therefore, more conservative regenerative medicine approaches, mainly based on lipotransfer, have also been investigated. Adipose tissue can be delivered either as unprocessed tissue, or after enzymatic treatment to derive the cellular stromal vascular fraction. In the current narrative review, we provide an overview of the main tissue/cell-based clinical studies for the management of various types of respiratory tract fistulas or injuries. Clinical experience is limited, as most of the studies were performed on a small number of patients. Albeit a conclusive proof of efficacy cannot be drawn,the reviewed studies suggest that grafting of adipose tissue-derived material may represent a minimally invasive and conservative treatment option, alternative to more aggressive surgical procedures. Knowledge on safety and tolerability acquired in prior studies can lead to the design of future, larger trials that may exploit innovative procedures for tissue processing to further improve the clinical outcome.
Epidermal stem cell-derived exosomes promote skin regeneration by downregulating transforming growth factor-β1 in wound healing
Authors: Duan Mengna , Zhang Yan , Zhang Haiyang , Meng Yupeng , Qian Ming , Zhang Guokun
Published: October 2020

Background

Scar formation, which may be caused by myofibroblast aggregations, is the greatest challenge during skin wound healing in the clinical setting. Studies have indicated that epidermal stem cells (EPSC) improve wound healing and reduce scar formation.

Methods

We investigated the therapeutic effects of EPSC-derived exosomes (EPSC-Exos) on skin wound healing in a skin-defect rat model. We also examined the roles of EPSC-Exos-specific microRNAs in inhibiting the differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) into myofibroblasts.

Results

We found that EPSC-Exos increased the wound healing rate and reduced scar formation in rats. Also, EPSC-Exos improved the regeneration levels of skin appendages, nerves and vessels, as well as the natural distribution of collagen. Furthermore, we found these functions may be achieved by inhibiting the activity of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and its downstream genes. The results showed that some specific microRNAs, including miR-16, let-7a, miR-425-5p and miR-142-3p, were enriched in EPSC-Exos. EPSC-Exos-specific microRNAs, especially miR-425-5p and miR-142-3p, played vital roles in inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation via reducing the TGF-β1 expression in dermal fibroblasts.

Conclusion

We found a novel function of EPSC-Exos-specific microRNAs, suggesting that EPSC-Exos might represent a strategy to prevent scar formation during wound healing in the clinical setting.
Threshold dynamics and threshold analysis of HIV infection model with treatment
Authors: Chen Zhimin , Liu Xiuxiang , Zeng Liling
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection model that includes a protease inhibitor (PI), two intracellular delays, and a general incidence function is derived from biologically natural assumptions. The global dynamical behavior of the model in terms of the basic reproduction number$\mathcal{R}_{0}$R0is investigated by the methods of Lyapunov functional and limiting system. The infection-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if$\mathcal{R}_{0}\leq 1$R0≤1. If$\mathcal{R}_{0}>1$R0>1, then the positive equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to illustrate the main results and to analyze thre effects of time delays and the efficacy of the PI on$\mathcal{R}_{0}$R0.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Hermite–Hadamard-type inequalities for $\eta _{h}$-convex functions via ψ-Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals
Authors: Park Choonkil , Chu Yu-Ming , Saleem Muhammad Shoaib , Mukhtar Sana , Rehman Nasir
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we establish some new Hermite–Hadamard type inequalities involving ψ-Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals via $\eta _{h}$

η
h

-convex functions. Finally, we give some applications to the special means of real numbers.
An efficient and secure data sharing scheme for mobile devices in cloud computing
Authors: Lu Xiuqing , Pan Zhenkuan , Xian Hequn
Published: October 2020

With the development of big data and cloud computing, more and more enterprises prefer to store their data in cloud and share the data among their authorized employees efficiently and securely. So far, many different data sharing schemes in different fields have been proposed. However, sharing sensitive data in cloud still faces some challenges such as achieving data privacy and lightweight operations at resource constrained mobile terminals. Furthermore, most data sharing schemes have no integrity verification mechanism, which would result in wrong computation results for users. To solve the problems, we propose an efficient and secure data sharing scheme for mobile devices in cloud computing. Firstly, the scheme guarantees security and authorized access of shared sensitive data. Secondly, the scheme realizes efficient integrity verification before users share the data to avoid incorrect computation. Finally, the scheme achieves lightweight operations of mobile terminals on both data owner and data requester sides.
Uptake of Nutri-Score during the first year of implementation in Belgium
Authors: Vandevijvere Stefanie
Published: October 2020

Background

Front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labeling has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of a suite of measures needed to improve population diets. The voluntary Nutri-Score FOP labeling system, which was first implemented in France, was approved for implementation in Belgium by the Minister of Public Health in August 2018 and has been officially adopted in Belgium since April 1st 2019. We assessed the uptake of Nutri-Score by food retailers and manufacturers during the first year of implementation in Belgium.

Main body

In November–December 2019, pictures for 1781 products displaying Nutri-Score on the FOP were collected from the five biggest retailers, representing about 10% of products on the market in Belgium. About 90% of products displaying Nutri-Score on the FOP in 2019 were own-brand products from two major food retailers, while the few remainder were branded products. About 56% of products displayed Nutri-Score A or B while 26% of products displayed Nutri-Score D or E.

Conclusion

During the first year of implementation, > 1700 food products displayed Nutri-Score on the FOP in Belgium. While the majority of those products were healthier foods (Nutri-Score A&B), about one quarter of less healthy products (Nutri-Score D&E) already displayed Nutri-Score as well. In the meantime, all five biggest retailers, including discounters, have committed to display Nutri-Score on the FOP from 2020 onwards, which may increase pressure on other food manufacturers to improve uptake of Nutri-Score for branded products.
A qualitative study of microaggressions against African Americans on predominantly White campuses
Authors: Williams Monnica T. , Skinta Matthew D. , Kanter Jonathan W. , Martin-Willett Renée , Mier-Chairez Judy , Debreaux Marlena , Rosen Daniel C.
Published: October 2020

Background

Pierce’s (The Black seventies: an extending horizon book, 1970) conception of “subtle and stunning” daily racial offenses, or microaggressions, remains salient even 50 years after it was introduced. Microaggressions were defined further by Sue and colleagues (Am Psychol 62:271, 2007), and this construct has found growing utility as the deleterious effects of microaggressions on the health of people of color continues to mount. Microaggressions are common on campuses and contribute to negative social, academic, and mental health outcomes.

Method

This paper explores how Black college students’ experiences correspond to or differ from the microaggression types originally proposed by Sue et al. (Am Psychol 62:271, 2007). Themes were identified from focus group data of students of color (N = 36) from predominately White institutions (PWIs) of higher learning (N = 3) using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results

We identified 15 categories of racial microaggressions, largely consistent with the original taxonomy of Sue et al. but expanded in several notable ways. New categories in our data and observed by other researchers, included categories termed Connecting via Stereotypes, Exoticization and Eroticization, and Avoidance and Distancing. Lesser studied categories identified included Sue et al.’s Denial of Individual Racism, and new categories termed Reverse Racism Hostility, Connecting via Stereotypes, and Environmental Attacks.

Discussion

While previous literature has either embraced the taxonomy developed by Sue and colleagues or proposed a novel taxonomy, this study synthesized the Sue framework in concert with our own focus group findings and the contributions of other researchers. Improving our understanding of microaggressions as they impact people of color may better allow for improved understanding and measurement of this important construct.
A systematic literature review of personalized learning terms
Authors: Shemshack Atikah , Spector Jonathan Michael
Published: October 2020

Learning is a natural human activity that is shaped by personal experiences, cognitive awareness, personal bias, opinions, cultural background, and environment. Learning has been defined as a stable and persistent change in what a person knows and can do. Learning is formed through an individual’s interactions, including the conveyance of knowledge and skills from others and experiences. So, learning is a personalized experience that allows one to expand their knowledge, perspective, skills, and understanding. Therefore, personalized learning models can help to meet individual needs and goals. Furthermore, to personalize the learning experience, technology integration can play a crucial role. This paper provides a review of the recent research literature on personalized learning as technology is changing how learning can be effectively personalized. The emphasis is on the terms used to characterize learning as those can suggest a framework for personalized and will eventually be used in meta-analyses of research on personalized learning, which is beyond the scope of this paper.
The allocation between egg size and clutch size depends on local nest survival rate in a mean of bet-hedging in a shorebird
Authors: Song Zitan , Lin Xin , Que Pinjia , Halimubieke Naerhulan , Huang Qin , Zhang Zhengwang , Székely Tamás , Liu Yang
Published: October 2020

Background

The allocation of resources between offspring size and number is a central question of life-history theory. Although several studies have tested the existence of this trade-off, few studies have investigated how environmental variation influences the allocation of resources to offspring size and offspring number. Additionally, the relationship between population dynamics and the offspring size and number allocation is far less understood.

Methods

We investigate whether resource allocation between egg size and clutch size is influenced by the ambient temperature and whether it may be related to apparent nest survival rate. We measured 1548 eggs from 541 nests of two closely related shorebird species, the Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) and the White-faced Plover (C. dealbatus) in China, in four populations that exhibit contrasting ambient environments. We weighed females, monitored nest survival, and calculated the variance of ambient temperature.

Results

Although we found that egg size and clutch size were all different between the four breeding populations, the reproductive investment (i.e. total clutch volume) was similar between populations. We also found that populations with a high survival rate had relatively larger eggs and a smaller clutch than populations with a low nest survival rate. The latter result is in line with a conservative/diversified bet-hedging strategy.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that plovers may increasing fitness by investing fewer, larger or many, small according local nest survival rate to make a similar investment in reproduction, and thereby may have an impact on population demography.
Improving precision of field inventory estimation of aboveground biomass through an alternative view on plot biomass
Authors: Kleinn Christoph , Magnussen Steen , Nölke Nils , Magdon Paul , Álvarez-González Juan Gabriel , Fehrmann Lutz , Pérez-Cruzado César
Published: October 2020

We contrast a new continuous approach (CA) for estimating plot-level above-ground biomass (AGB) in forest inventories with the current approach of estimating AGB exclusively from the tree-level AGB predicted for each tree in a plot, henceforth called DA (discrete approach). With the CA, the AGB in a forest is modelled as a continuous surface and the AGB estimate for a fixed-area plot is computed as the integral of the AGB surface taken over the plot area. Hence with the CA, the portion of the biomass of in-plot trees that extends across the plot perimeter is ignored while the biomass from trees outside of the plot reaching inside the plot is added. We use a sampling simulation with data from a fully mapped two hectare area to illustrate that important differences in plot-level AGB estimates can emerge. Ideally CA-based estimates of mean AGB should be less variable than those derived from the DA. If realized, this difference translates to a higher precision from field sampling, or a lower required sample size. In our case study with a target precision of 5% (i.e. relative standard error of the estimated mean AGB), the CA required a 27.1% lower sample size for small plots of 100 m2 and a 10.4% lower sample size for larger plots of 1700 m2. We examined sampling induced errors only and did not yet consider model errors. We discuss practical issues in implementing the CA in field inventories and the potential in applications that model biomass with remote sensing data. The CA is a variation on a plot design for above-ground forest biomass; as such it can be applied in combination with any forest inventory sampling design.
Social origin and educational attainment in China: a historical analysis of 70 birth cohorts
Authors: Fang Changchun , Feng Xiaotian
Published: October 2020

The impact of social origin on educational attainment is conditioned on the social context in which people live. In recent decades, with changes in the Chinese society, how has the impact of social origin on educational inequality changed? Based on an analysis of 70 birth cohorts, this study details the effect of social origin on educational inequality and its trends over the past 70 years. The results of this study also indicate that the historical stages hypothesis (HSH) and model-shift hypothesis (MSH) emphasized in previous studies cannot fully describe the historical changes in educational inequality. In addition to macrosocial processes, there may exist other structural factors that also affect educational inequality but are neglected. The social context and its transformation, which shaped the relationship between social origin and educational inequality, need to be examined in more detail.
Synthesis and characterization of conductive flexible cellulose carbon nanohorn sheets for human tissue applications
Authors: Paneer Selvam Karthik , Nagahata Taichi , Kato Kosuke , Koreishi Mayuko , Nakamura Toshiyuki , Nakamura Yoshimasa , Nishikawa Takeshi , Satoh Ayano , Hayashi Yasuhiko
Published: October 2020

Background

Conductive sheets of cellulose and carbon nanomaterials and its human skin applications are an interesting research aspect as they have potential for applications for skin compatibility. Hence it is needed to explore the effects and shed light on these applications.

Method

To fabricate wearable, portable, flexible, lightweight, inexpensive, and biocompatible composite materials, carbon nanohorns (CNHs) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) were used as precursors to prepare CNH-HEC (Cnh-cel) composite sheets. Cnh-cel sheets were prepared with different loading concentrations of CNHs (10, 20 50,100 mg) in 200 mg cellulose. To fabricate the bio-compatible sheets, a pristine composite of CNHs and HEC was prepared without any pretreatment of the materials.

Results

The obtained sheets possess a conductivity of 1.83 × 10
− 10
 S/m and bio-compatible with human skin. Analysis for skin-compatibility was performed for Cnh-cel sheets by h-CLAT in vitro skin sensitization tests to evaluate the activation of THP-1 cells. It was found that THP-1 cells were not activated by Cnh-cel; hence Cnh-cel is a safe biomaterial for human skin. It was also found that the composite allowed only a maximum loading of 100 mg to retain the consistent geometry of free-standing sheets of < 100 μm thickness. Since CNHs have a unique arrangement of aggregates (dahlia structure), the composite is homogeneous, as verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and other functional properties investigated by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), conductivity measurement, tensile strength measurement, and skin sensitization.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that cellulose and CNHs sheets are conductive and compatible to human skin applications.
Genetic analysis diagnosed Bardet–Biedl syndrome in a patient with a clinical diagnosis of Senior–Løken syndrome
Authors: Fujii Yuko , Matsumura Hideki , Shirasu Akihiko , Nakakura Hyogo , Yamazaki Satoshi , Morisada Naoya , Iijima Kazumoto , Ashida Akira
Published: October 2020

Background

Senior–Løken syndrome (SLS) and Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS) are ciliopathies. SLS is characterized by retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and familial nephronophthisis, leading to end-stage kidney disease, while BBS is characterized by six major symptoms: RP, polydactyly, obesity, genital abnormalities, learning difficulties, and renal defects. Ciliopathies have been diagnosed on a phenotypic basis, but diagnosis can now be established by genetic testing, using techniques such as next-generation sequencing. Here, we report a patient clinically diagnosed with SLS but diagnosed with BBS 13 years later using next-generation sequencing.

Case presentation

The patient was diagnosed with RP at the age of 6 years. She had some difficulty in social interactions and pre-obesity, but no polydactyly. At the age of 8 years, she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, anemia, and liver dysfunction. Kidney and liver biopsy revealed renal tubule cysts, tubule membrane disruption, and liver fibrosis. Therefore, SLS was diagnosed but no NPHP1 mutations were detected. Peritoneal dialysis was started at the age of 9 years, and she underwent kidney transplantation with a graft from her father at the age of 13 years. At the age of 21 years, she again underwent genetic testing for most of the mutations associated with ciliopathy. This revealed a homozygous frameshift mutation in intron 11 of SDCCAG8.

Conclusions

Mutations in SDCCAG8 are known to be causative of SLS and BBS without polydactyly. The fact that the patient had RP, some difficulty in social interactions, pre-obesity, juvenile nephronophthisis, liver fibrosis, bronchial asthma, and otitis media suggested BBS. However, some of these are not specific symptoms for BBS and she had few typical symptoms of BBS. Therefore, a definitive diagnosis of BBS was difficult without genetic analysis. Because many more patients with SDCCAG8 mutations have extrarenal manifestations like the current patient than standard nephronophthisis patients, careful monitoring of extrarenal manifestations is needed to improve patient management.
Low cost 3D printed clamps for external fixator for developing countries: a biomechanical study
Authors: Landaeta Felix J. , Shiozawa Jose Nauaki , Erdman Arthur , Piazza Cara
Published: October 2020

Background

External fixation is a mainstream limb reconstruction technique, most often used after a traumatic injury. Due to the high rates of trauma in developing countries, external fixation devices are often utilized for immediate fracture stabilization and soft tissue repair. Proper external fixation treatment too often still fails to be adopted in these regions due to the high cost and trauma complexity. A novel, inexpensive, unilateral fixator was constructed using 3D printed clamps and other readily available supporting components. ASTM standard F1541 tests were used to assess the biomechanical properties of this novel external fixator.

Methods

Applicable sections of ASTM standard F1541 were used to determine the biomechanical properties of the novel external fixator. 3D printed clamps modeled using SolidWorks and printed with chopped carbon fibers using a fuse deposition modeling (FDM) based 3D printer by Markforged (Boston, MA) were used. This study included 3 different testing configurations: axial compression, anterior-posterior (AP) bending, and medial-lateral (ML) bending. Using the novel unilateral fixator with 3D printed clamps previously sterilized by autoclave, an input load was applied at a rate of 20 N/s, starting at 0 N via a hydraulic MTS tester Model 359. Force and deformation data were collected at a sampling rate of 30 Hz. There was a load limit of 750 N, or until there was a maximum vertical deformation of 6 mm. Also, 4 key dimensions of the 3D printed clamps were measured pre and post autoclave: diameter, width, height and length.

Results

The novel external fixator had axial compression, AP and ML bending rigidities of 246.12 N/mm (σ = 8.87 N/mm), 35.98 N/mm (σ = 2.11 N/mm) and 39.60 N/mm (σ =2.60 N/mm), respectively. The 3D printed clamps shrunk unproportionally due to the autoclaving process, with the diameter, width, height and length dimensions shrinking by 2.6%, 0.2%, 1.7% and 0.3%, respectively.

Conclusion

Overall, the biomechanical properties of the novel fixator with 3D printed clamps assessed in this study were comparable to external fixators that are currently being used in clinical settings. While the biomechanics were comparable, the low cost and readily available components of this design meets the need for low cost external fixators in developing countries that current clinical options could not satisfy. However, further verification and validation routines to determine efficacy and safety must be conducted before this novel fixator can be clinically deployed. Also, the material composition allowed for the clamps to maintain the appropriate shape with minimal dimensional shrinkage that can be accounted for in clamp design.
Individual differences in strategy use and performance during fault diagnosis
Authors: Shreeves Michael , Gugerty Leo , Moore DeWayne
Published: October 2020

Background

Research on causal reasoning often uses group-level data analyses that downplay individual differences and simple reasoning problems that are unrepresentative of everyday reasoning. In three empirical studies, we used an individual differences approach to investigate the cognitive processes people used in fault diagnosis, which is a complex diagnostic reasoning task. After first showing how high-level fault diagnosis strategies can be composed of simpler causal inferences, we discussed how two of these strategies—elimination and inference to the best explanation (IBE)—allow normative performance, which minimizes the number of diagnostic tests, whereas backtracking strategies are less efficient. We then investigated whether the use of normative strategies was infrequent and associated with greater fluid intelligence and positive thinking dispositions and whether normative strategies used slow, analytic processing while non-normative strategies used fast, heuristic processing.

Results

Across three studies and 279 participants, uses of elimination and IBE were infrequent, and most participants used inefficient backtracking strategies. Fluid intelligence positively predicted elimination and IBE use but not backtracking use. Positive thinking dispositions predicted avoidance of backtracking. After classifying participants into groups that consistently used elimination, IBE, and backtracking, we found that participants who used elimination and IBE made fewer, but slower, diagnostic tests compared to backtracking users.

Conclusions

Participants’ fault diagnosis performance showed wide individual differences. Use of normative strategies was predicted by greater fluid intelligence and more open-minded and engaged thinking dispositions. Elimination and IBE users made the slow, efficient responses typical of analytic processing. Backtracking users made the fast, inefficient responses suggestive of heuristic processing.
The impact of team preferences on soccer offside judgments in laypersons: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Wühr Peter , Fasold Frowin , Memmert Daniel
Published: October 2020

The present study uses a quasi-experimental design to investigate the impact of team preferences on the accuracy of offside judgments. In Experiments 1 and 2, supporters of two German soccer clubs (i.e., Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04) judged offsides in artificial scenes from a match between the clubs. We expected that supporters of both clubs would less frequently report the offside position of a forward from the preferred team. The results of Experiment 1 partly confirmed the predictions. Both groups reported the offside position of a yellow forward less frequently than that of a blue forward, and this effect was much larger for supporters of Borussia Dortmund than for supporters of Schalke 04. The difference between groups could be attributed to team preferences. The weaker effect of team preference in supporters of Schalke 04 was attributed to an unexpected perceptual effect that increased the accuracy of offside judgments for blue forwards in both groups. Experiments 2 and 3 showed the presumed effect of team preferences and the perceptual effect, respectively, in isolation. In summary, the results of our experiments provide evidence for (a) an effect of team preferences and (b) an effect of shirt–background contrast on offside judgments in soccer.
Body mass index (BMI) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level correlate with the severity of HCV-induced fibrosis in a cohort of Egyptian patients with chronic HCV
Authors: Mohamed Amal Ahmed , Hemeda Amr Ali , Aziz Ramy Karam , Abdel-Hakeem Mohamed Salaheldin , Ali-Tammam Marwa
Published: October 2020

Background

Viral hepatitis is the seventh leading cause of mortality globally, and half of this mortality is attributed to hepatitis C virus (HCV). Egypt has the highest HCV prevalence worldwide, with an estimated 14.7% of the population being HCV-positive. HCV infection is the primary cause of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver fibrosis varies in severity during chronic HCV infection, and 10–20% of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with severe fibrosis develop cirrhosis. The goal of this work was to assess the clinico-demographic predictors of severity of HCV-induced fibrosis in a cohort of Egyptian patients.

Results

A cohort of Egyptian patients with chronic HCV genotype 4a infection showed significant association between severe fibrosis stages and obesity, represented by a higher body mass index (BMI), low albumin level, high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, and high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level. Multivariate analysis delineated BMI, TSH, and ALP as independent significant variables that could predict the risk of fibrosis severity in HCV infections.

Conclusion

This study argues in favor of using the biomarker profile of CHC patients infected with HCV genotype 4a to identify patients at higher risk of developing severe fibrosis, which is a necessary first step towards precision medicine via patient stratification.
Formation of the modern scenic city of Hangzhou: towards conservation integrated urban planning, 1950s–1990s
Authors: Fu Shulan , Jin Panpan
Published: October 2020

From the 1950s to the 1990s, China underwent a significant transformation of its political system and economy, from socialism to rapid development after the reform and opening up. In the 1980s and 1990s, to meet the demand for housing and urban modernization under the rapid growth of cities, almost all Chinese cities underwent large-scale urban construction, transformation and expansion. With this background of rapid advancement, many cities have lost their traditional urban features and characteristics. However, it was during this period that Hangzhou not only restored the historical scenery of West Lake through multiple projects but also explored overall planning of the city and introduced conservation ideas, making West Lake, which was originally located outside the city, part of the city. This period also shaped the contemporary urban characteristics of Hangzhou with traditional landscape features. To explore Hangzhou’s positive experience and determine the critical junctures and influencing factors, this study observed the entire historical process using morphological methods. Based on a summary of the characteristics of each development stage, this study further focuses on the key issue of how conservation ideas are gradually introduced into urban planning and affect the development process.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a guide for psychiatrists
Authors: Wadoo Ovais , Ouanes Sami , Firdosi Mudasir
Published: October 2020

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare and potentially fatal adverse reaction to drugs. In psychiatric practice, it is mainly associated with antipsychotics. The classic presentation is that of hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, mental state changes and autonomic instability. Subtle forms are difficult to recognise owing to symptom overlap with other conditions. This article discusses the clinical presentation of the syndrome, its differential diagnosis and use of supportive care, medication and electroconvulsive therapy in its treatment. It also explores prevention of NMS and reinstatement of treatment after an episode. It is stressed that all but the mildest forms of NMS should be considered a medical emergency that is properly managed in an acute hospital.
Neural crest lineage analysis: from past to future trajectory
Authors: Tang Weiyi , Bronner Marianne E.
Published: October 2020

Since its discovery 150 years ago, the neural crest has intrigued investigators owing to its remarkable developmental potential and extensive migratory ability. Cell lineage analysis has been an essential tool for exploring neural crest cell fate and migration routes. By marking progenitor cells, one can observe their subsequent locations and the cell types into which they differentiate. Here, we review major discoveries in neural crest lineage tracing from a historical perspective. We discuss how advancing technologies have refined lineage-tracing studies, and how clonal analysis can be applied to questions regarding multipotency. We also highlight how effective progenitor cell tracing, when combined with recently developed molecular and imaging tools, such as single-cell transcriptomics, single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization and high-resolution imaging, can extend the scope of neural crest lineage studies beyond development to regeneration and cancer initiation.
A Requirement for p120-catenin in the metastasis of invasive ductal breast cancer
Authors: Kurley Sarah J. , Tischler Verena , Bierie Brian , Novitskiy Sergey V. , Noske Aurelia , Varga Zsuzsanna , Zürrer-Härdi Ursina , Brandt Simone , Carnahan Robert H. , Cook Rebecca S. , Muller William J. , Richmond Ann , Reynolds Albert B.
Published: October 2020

We have examined the effects of targeted p120 KO in a PyMT mouse model of invasive ductal (mammary) cancer (IDC). Mosaic p120 ablation had little effect on primary tumor growth but caused significant pro-metastatic alterations in the tumor microenvironment leading ultimately to a marked increase in the number and size of pulmonary metastases. Surprisingly, although early effects of p120-ablation included decreased cell-cell adhesion and increased invasiveness, cells lacking p120 were almost entirely unable to colonized distant metastatic sites in vivo. The relevance of this observation to human IDC was established by analysis of a large clinical dataset of 1126 IDCs. As reported by others, p120 downregulation in primary IDC predicted worse overall survival. However, as in the mice, distant metastases were almost invariably p120 positive, even in matched cases where the primary tumors were p120 negative. Collectively, our results demonstrate a strong positive role for p120 (and presumably E-cadherin) during metastatic colonization of distant sites. On the other hand, downregulation of p120 in the primary tumor enhanced metastatic dissemination indirectly via pro-metastatic conditioning of the tumor microenvironment.
Influence of a novel deep-learning based reconstruction software on the objective and subjective image quality in low-dose abdominal computed tomography
Authors: Steuwe Andrea , Weber Marie , Bethge Oliver Thomas , Rademacher Christin , Boschheidgen Matthias , Sawicki Lino Morris , Antoch Gerald , Aissa Joel
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

Modern reconstruction and post-processing software aims at reducing image noise in CT images, potentially allowing for a reduction of the employed radiation exposure. This study aimed at assessing the influence of a novel deep-learning based software on the subjective and objective image quality compared to two traditional methods [filtered back-projection (FBP), iterative reconstruction (IR)].

Methods:

In this institutional review board-approved retrospective study, abdominal low-dose CT images of 27 patients (mean age 38 ± 12 years, volumetric CT dose index 2.9 ± 1.8 mGy) were reconstructed with IR, FBP and, furthermore, post-processed using a novel software. For the three reconstructions, qualitative and quantitative image quality was evaluated by means of CT numbers, noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in six different ROIs. Additionally, the reconstructions were compared using SNR, peak SNR, root mean square error and mean absolute error to assess structural differences.

Results:

On average, CT numbers varied within 1 Hounsfield unit (HU) for the three assessed methods in the assessed ROIs. In soft tissue, image noise was up to 42% lower compared to FBP and up to 27% lower to IR when applying the novel software. Consequently, SNR and CNR were highest with the novel software. For both IR and the novel software, subjective image quality was equal but higher than the image quality of FBP-images.

Conclusion:

The assessed software reduces image noise while maintaining image information, even in comparison to IR, allowing for a potential dose reduction of approximately 20% in abdominal CT imaging.

Advances in knowledge:

The assessed software reduces image noise by up to 27% compared to IR and 48% compared to FBP while maintaining the image information.

The reduced image noise allows for a potential dose reduction of approximately 20% in abdominal imaging.
Impact of 1.5 oC and 2 oC global warming scenarios on malaria transmission in East Africa
Authors: Ogega Obed Matundura , Alobo Moses
Published: October 2020

Background: Malaria remains a global challenge with approximately 228 million cases and 405,000 malaria-related deaths reported in 2018 alone; 93% of which were in sub-Saharan Africa. Aware of the critical role than environmental factors play in malaria transmission, this study aimed at assessing the relationship between precipitation, temperature, and clinical malaria cases in East Africa and how the relationship may change under 1.5 oC and 2.0 oC global warming levels (hereinafter GWL1.5 and GWL2.0, respectively).

Methods: A correlation analysis was done to establish the current relationship between annual precipitation, mean temperature, and clinical malaria cases. Differences between annual precipitation and mean temperature value projections for periods 2008-2037 and 2023-2052 (corresponding to GWL1.5 and GWL2.0, respectively), relative to the control period (1977-2005), were computed to determine how malaria transmission may change under the two global warming scenarios.

Results: A predominantly positive/negative correlation between clinical malaria cases and temperature/precipitation was observed. Relative to the control period, no major significant changes in precipitation were shown in both warming scenarios. However, an increase in temperature of between 0.5 oC and 1.5 oC and 1.0 oC to 2.0 oC under GWL1.5 and GWL2.0, respectively, was recorded. Hence, more areas in East Africa are likely to be exposed to temperature thresholds favourable for increased malaria vector abundance and, hence, potentially intensify malaria transmission in the region.

Conclusions: GWL1.5 and GWL2.0 scenarios are likely to intensify malaria transmission in East Africa. Ongoing interventions should, therefore, be intensified to sustain the gains made towards malaria elimination in East Africa in a warming climate.
Relationship and career challenges faced by people infected with HIV in Malaysia
Authors: Tuan Abdullah Tuan Norbalkish , Mat Min Ruhani , Hossain Mosharaf , Abdullah Siti Salina
Published: October 2020

Background: In Malaysia, there are still lack of studies  related to the challenges of people infected with HIV (PIWH). Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the experiences of PIWH and how they cope with HIV.

Methods: This qualitative study was based on a social constructivist and grounded theory approach. A total of 12 PIWH were selected by purposive sampling, all of whom participated in semi-structured and audio-recorded interviews, which were supported with non-participant observations and diary entries on three occasions for each participant. The interviews and diaries were transcribed and analysed using the grounded theory approach, which was assisted by utilizing NVIVO-8 to identify the themes related to the experiences of the participants.

Results: PIWH experienced challenges related to their career and relationships with family and others. These challenges led to difficulties in gaining employment and career development, as well as feelings of denial, being uncomfortable, rejection, and labelling. They found that their lives were totally and dramatically changed after being tested positive for HIV.

Conclusions: Among PIWH, HIV impacted relationships with significant others and career development. The absence of support and acceptance from significant others affected the ability of PIWH to cope with their daily challenges. The results of this study have implications for policymakers in terms of gaining sufficient knowledge and awareness to provide prevention programmes for HIV/AIDS.
Comparison of temporal fine structure sensitivity and concurrent vowel perception between children with and without reading disability
Authors: Pitchaimuthu Arivudainambi , Ananth Eshwari , Bhat Jayashree S , Haralakatta Shivananjappa Somashekara
Published: October 2020

Background: Children with reading deficits (RD) exhibit difficulty in perceiving speech in background noise due to poor auditory stream segregation. There is a dearth of literature on measures of temporal fine structure sensitivity (TFS) and concurrent vowel perception abilities to assess auditory stream segregation in children with reading deficits. Hence the present study compared temporal fine structure sensitivity (TFS) and concurrent vowel perception abilities between children with and without reading deficits.

Method: The present research consisted of a total number of 30 participants, 15 children with reading deficits (RD) and fifteen typically developing (TD) children within the age range of 7-14 years and were designated as Group 1 and Group 2 respectively. Both groups were matched for age, grade, and classroom curricular instructions. The groups were evaluated for TFS and concurrent vowel perception abilities and the performance was compared using independent ‘t’ test and repeated measure ANOVA respectively.

Results: Results revealed that the children with RD performed significantly (p < 0.001) poorer than TD children on both TFS and concurrent vowel identification task. On concurrent vowel identification tasks, there was no significant interaction found between reading ability and F0 difference suggesting that the trend was similar in both the groups.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the children with RD show poor temporal fine structure sensitivity and concurrent vowel identification scores compared to age and grade matched TD children owing to poor auditory stream segregation in children with RD.
Quality of reporting acupuncture interventions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Review of adherence to the STRICTA statement
Authors: Fernández-Jané Carles , Solà-Madurell Mireia , Yu Mingkun , Liang Changhao , Fei Yutong , Sitjà-Rabert Mercè , Úrrutia Gerard
Published: October 2020

Background: The quality of reporting of acupuncture interventions is critical to ensure the applicability and reproducibility of acupuncture clinical trials. In the past, different publications have evaluated the quality of reporting of acupuncture interventions for different clinical situations, such as knee osteoarthritis, neurological diseases or cancer. However, this has not been done for acupuncture trials for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective: To assess the quality of reporting of acupuncture interventions in trials for COPD.

Methods: A total of 11 English and Chinese databases were screened up until May 2019 for randomised or quasi-randomised control trials of acupuncture for COPD. The STRICTA checklist was used to determine the quality of the reporting of acupuncture interventions.

Results: A total of 28 trials were included in our review. Out of the 16 STRICTA checklist subitems analysed, only 3 were considered appropriately reported in more than 70% of the trials, while 7 were correctly reported in less than 40%.

Conclusion: The adherence to STRICTA guidelines of acupuncture trials for COPD is suboptimal, and future efforts need to be addressed to improve the quality of reporting.
Case Report: Secondary bilateral parkinsonism and dystonia treated with dronabinol
Authors: Szejko Natalia , Burger Florian , Sidoroff Victoria , Wenning Gregor K.
Published: October 2020

Drug abuse may damage basal ganglia that are essential for planning and execution of movements. We report a 38-year old patient with ischemic lesions of the basal ganglia presenting with bilateral painful dystonia and parkinsonism caused by polyintoxication. Dronabinol resulted in improvement of pain and gait disturbance, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy in these challenging patients.
POTENCIALIDADES DAS HUMANIDADES PARA A CONSTRUÇÃO DE UMA SOCIEDADE DEMOCRÁTICA
Authors: Habowski Adilson Cristiano
Published: October 2020

RESENHA DA OBRA: NUSSBAUM, M. Sem fins lucrativos: por que a democracia precisa das humanidades. São. Paulo: WMF Martins Fontes, 2015.[1][1] Do original: NUSSBAUM, Martha C. Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2010.