bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THEMS: an automated thermal and hyperspectral proximal sensing system for canopy reflectance, radiance and temperature
Authors: Woodgate William , van Gorsel Eva , Hughes Dale , Suarez Lola , Jimenez-Berni Jose , Held Alex
Published: July 2020

Background

Earth Observation ‘EO’ remote sensing technology development enables original insights into vegetation function and health at ever finer temporal, spectral and spatial resolution. Research sites equipped with monitoring infrastructure such as flux towers operate at a key bridging scale between satellite platform measurements and on-the-ground leaf-level processes.

Results

This paper presents the technical details of the design and operation of a proximal observation system ‘THEMS’ that generates unattended long-term high quality thermal and hyperspectral images of a forest canopy on a short (sub-daily) timescale. The primary purpose of the system is to measure canopy temperature, spectral reflectance and radiance coincident with a highly instrumented flux tower site for benchmarking purposes. Basic system capability is demonstrated through low level data product descriptions of the high-resolution multi-angular imagery and ancillary data streams. The system has been successfully operational for more than 2 years with little to no intervention.

Conclusions

These data can then be used to derive remotely sensed proxies of canopy and ecosystem function to study temporal forest dynamics over a wide range of wavelengths, spatial scales (individual trees to canopy), and temporal scales (minutes to multiple years). The multi-purpose system is intended to provide unprecedented spatio-temporal ecophysiological insight and to underpin upscaling of remotely sensed dynamic ecosystem water, CO2, and energy exchange processes.
Analysis of risk factors in thoracic trauma patients with a comparison of a modern trauma centre: a mono-centre study
Authors: Beshay Morris , Mertzlufft Fritz , Kottkamp Hans Werner , Reymond Marc , Schmid Ralph Alexander , Branscheid Detlev , Vordemvenne Thomas
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Thoracic trauma (TT) is the third most common cause of death after abdominal injury and head trauma in polytrauma patients. Its management is still a very challenging task. The purpose of this study was to analyse the risk factors affecting the outcome in a high-volume trauma centre and the efficacy of a specialised trauma team in level 1 trauma centres.

Patients and methods

Between January 2003 and December 2012, data of all patients admitted to the accident and emergency (A&E) department were prospectively collected at the German Trauma Registry (GTR) and thereafter retrospectively analysed.

Patients with chest trauma, an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 18 and an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) > 2 in more than one body region were included. Patients were divided into two groups: group I included patients presenting with thoracic trauma between January 2003 and December 2007. The results of this group were compared with the results of another group (group II) in a later 5-year period (Jan. 2008–Dec. 2012). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, and differences with p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

There were 630 patients (56%) with thoracic trauma. A total of 540 patients (48%) had associated extrathoracic injuries. Group I consisted of 285 patients (197 male, mean age 46 years). Group II consisted of 345 patients (251 male, mean age 49 years). Overall 90-day mortality was 17% (n = 48) in group I vs. 9% (n = 31) in group II (p = 0.024). Complication rates were higher in group I (p = 0.019). Higher Injury Severity Scores (ISSs) and higher Abbreviated Injury Acale (AIS) scores in the thoracic region yielded a higher rate of mortality (p < 0.0001). Young patients (< 40 years) were frequently exposed to severe thoracic injury but showed lower mortality rates (p = 0.014). Patients with severe lung contusions (n = 94) (15%) had higher morbidity and mortality (p < 0.001). Twenty-three (8%) patients underwent emergency thoracotomy in group I vs. 14 patients (4%) in group II (p = 0.041). Organ replacement procedures were needed in 18% of patients in group I vs. 31% of patients in group II (p = 0.038).

Conclusions

The presence of severe lung contusion, a higher ISS and AISthoracic score and advanced age are independent risk factors that are directly related to a higher mortality rate. Management of blunt chest trauma with corrective chest tube insertion, optimal pain control and chest physiotherapy results in good outcomes in the majority of patients. Optimal management with better survival rates is achievable in specialised centres with multidisciplinary teamwork and the presence of thoracic surgical experience.
A surgical reduction technique for posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture in total knee arthroplasty: a comparison study
Authors: Lin Wei , Niu Jinghui , Dai Yike , Zhang Huaxing , Zhu Jing , Wang Fei
Published: July 2020

Background

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fracture of the tibia is an uncommon but serious complication during primary cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The first objective of this report was to conduct a retrospective cohort study to investigate the incidence and potential risk factors of PCL avulsion fracture in primary cruciate-retaining TKA. The second objective was to assess the functional outcomes of the knee after reduction of PCL avulsion fracture.

Methods

From January 2014 to January 2016, 56 patients who experienced PCL avulsion fracture of the tibia in primary cruciate-retaining TKA were included in the study group. Patients in this group underwent reduction of avulsion fracture. In this period, we selected 224 patients (control group) for comparison. Patients in this group also underwent the same TKA, but no PCL avulsion fracture occurred. The range of motion of the knee and Knee Society Scores were assessed. The Forgotten Joint Score was used to analyze the ability to forget the joint. Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.

Results

In our series, the incidence of PCL avulsion fracture was 4.6%. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) with regard to the preoperative or postoperative range of motion of the knee, final 4-year mean clinical score in the study and control groups 92.4 ± 2.7 and 93.6 ± 1.9, respectively, and mean functional scores of 85.1 ± 1.8 and 87.1 ± 1.2, respectively.

Conclusions

The incidence of PCL avulsion fracture of the tibia is relatively high. Older age and female gender were the two risk factors of fracture in primary cruciate-retaining TKA. Reduction of PCL avulsion fracture with a high-strength line can achieve good stability and function of the knee.
Increases in soil and woody biomass carbon stocks as a result of rangeland riparian restoration
Authors: Matzek Virginia , Lewis David , O’Geen Anthony , Lennox Michael , Hogan Sean D. , Feirer Shane T. , Eviner Valerie , Tate Kenneth W.
Published: July 2020

Background

Globally, vegetation in riparian zones is frequently the target of restoration efforts because of its importance in reducing the input of eroded sediment and agricultural nutrient runoff to surface waters. Here we examine the potential of riparian zone restoration to enhance carbon sequestration. We measured soil and woody biomass carbon stocks, as well as soil carbon properties, in a long-term chronosequence of 42 streambank revegetation projects in northern California rangelands, varying in restoration age from 1 to 45 years old.

Results

Where revegetation was successful, we found that soil carbon measured to 50 cm depth increased at a rate of 0.87 Mg C ha−1year−1on the floodplain and 1.12 Mg C ha−1year−1on the upper bank landform. Restored sites also exhibited trends toward increased soil carbon permanence, including an increased C:N ratio and lower fulvic acid: humic acid ratio. Tree and shrub carbon in restored sites was modeled to achieve a 50-year maximum of 187.5 Mg C ha−1in the channel, 279.3 Mg ha−1in the floodplain, and 238.66 Mg ha−1on the upper bank. After 20 years of restoration, the value of this carbon at current per-ton C prices would amount to $US 15,000 per km of restored stream.

Conclusion

We conclude that revegetating rangeland streambanks for erosion control has a substantial additional benefit of mitigating global climate change, and should be considered in carbon accounting and any associated financial compensation mechanisms.
Multisystemic manifestations in a cohort of 75 classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patients: natural history and nosological perspectives
Authors: Ritelli Marco , Venturini Marina , Cinquina Valeria , Chiarelli Nicola , Colombi Marina
Published: July 2020

Background

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are rare connective tissue disorders consisting of 13 subtypes with overlapping features including joint hypermobility, skin and generalized connective tissue fragility. Classical EDS (cEDS) is principally caused by heterozygousCOL5A1orCOL5A2variants and rarely by theCOL1A1p.(Arg312Cys) substitution. Current major criteria are (1) skin hyperextensibility plus atrophic scars and (2) generalized joint hypermobility (gJHM). Minor criteria include additional mucocutaneous signs, epicanthal folds, gJHM complications, and an affected first-degree relative. Minimal criteria prompting molecular testing are major criterion 1 plus either major criterion 2 or 3 minor criteria. In addition to these features, the clinical picture also involves multiple organ systems, but large-scale cohort studies are still missing. This study aimed to investigate the multisystemic involvement and natural history of cEDS through a cross-sectional study on a cohort of 75 molecularly confirmed patients evaluated from 2010 to 2019 in a tertiary referral center. The diagnostic criteria, additional mucocutaneous, osteoarticular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, uro-gynecological, neuropsychiatric, and atopic issues, and facial/ocular features were ascertained, and feature rates compared by sex and age.

Results

Our study confirms that cEDS is mainly characterized by cutaneous and articular involvement, though none of their hallmarks was represented in all cases and suggests a milder multisystemic involvement and a more favorable natural history compared to other EDS subtypes. Abnormal scarring was the most frequent and characteristic sign, skin hyperextensibility and gJHM were less common, all without any sex and age bias; joint instability complications were more recurrent in adults. Some orthopedic features showed a high prevalence, whereas the other issues related to the investigated organ systems were less recurrent with few exceptions and age-related differences.

Conclusions

Our findings define the diagnostic relevance of cutaneous and articular features and additional clinical signs associated to cEDS. Furthermore, our data suggest an update of the current EDS nosology concerning scarring that should be considered separately from skin hyperextensibility and that the clinical diagnosis of cEDS may be enhanced by the accurate evaluation of orthopedic manifestations at all ages, faciocutaneous indicators in children, and some acquired traits related to joint instability complications, premature skin aging, and patterning of abnormal scarring in older individuals.
Prediction of the development of acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery by machine learning
Authors: Tseng Po-Yu , Chen Yi-Ting , Wang Chuen-Heng , Chiu Kuan-Ming , Peng Yu-Sen , Hsu Shih-Ping , Chen Kang-Lung , Yang Chih-Yu , Lee Oscar Kuang-Sheng
Published: July 2020

Background

Cardiac surgery–associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is a major complication that results in increased morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. Most established prediction models are limited to the analysis of nonlinear relationships and fail to fully consider intraoperative variables, which represent the acute response to surgery. Therefore, this study utilized an artificial intelligence–based machine learning approach thorough perioperative data-driven learning to predict CSA-AKI.

Methods

A total of 671 patients undergoing cardiac surgery from August 2016 to August 2018 were enrolled. AKI following cardiac surgery was defined according to criteria from Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). The variables used for analysis included demographic characteristics, clinical condition, preoperative biochemistry data, preoperative medication, and intraoperative variables such as time-series hemodynamic changes. The machine learning methods used included logistic regression, support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGboost), and ensemble (RF + XGboost). The performance of these models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). We also utilized SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) values to explain the prediction model.

Results

Development of CSA-AKI was noted in 163 patients (24.3%) during the first postoperative week. Regarding the efficacy of the single model that most accurately predicted the outcome, RF exhibited the greatest AUC (0.839, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.772–0.898), whereas the AUC (0.843, 95% CI 0.778–0.899) of ensemble model (RF + XGboost) was even greater than that of the RF model alone. The top 3 most influential features in the RF importance matrix plot were intraoperative urine output, units of packed red blood cells (pRBCs) transfused during surgery, and preoperative hemoglobin level. The SHAP summary plot was used to illustrate the positive or negative effects of the top 20 features attributed to the RF. We also used the SHAP dependence plot to explain how a single feature affects the output of the RF prediction model.

Conclusions

In this study, machine learning methods were successfully established to predict CSA-AKI, which determines risks following cardiac surgery, enabling the optimization of postoperative treatment strategies to minimize the postoperative complications following cardiac surgeries.
Association between delirium in the intensive care unit and subsequent neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Brown Kyla N. , Soo Andrea , Faris Peter , Patten Scott B. , Fiest Kirsten M. , Stelfox Henry T.
Published: July 2020

Background

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are known to be at increased risk of developing delirium, but the risk of subsequent neuropsychiatric disorders is unclear. We therefore sought to examine the association between the presence of delirium in the ICU and incident neuropsychiatric disorders (including depressive, anxiety, trauma-and-stressor-related, and neurocognitive disorders) post-ICU stay among adult medical-surgical ICU patients.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study utilizing clinical and administrative data from both inpatient and outpatient healthcare visits to identify the ICU cohort and diagnostic information 5 years prior to and 1 year post-ICU stay. Patients ≥ 18 years of age admitted to one of 14 medical-surgical ICUs across Alberta, Canada, January 1, 2014–June 30, 2016, and survived to hospital discharge were included. The main outcome of interest was a new diagnosis of any neuropsychiatric disorder 1 year post-ICU stay. The exposure variable was delirium during the ICU stay identified through any positive delirium screen by the Intensive Care Unit Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) during the ICU stay.

Results

Of 16,005 unique patients with at least one ICU admission, 4033 patients were included in the study of which 1792 (44%) experienced delirium during their ICU stay. The overall cumulative incidence of any neuropsychiatric disorder during the subsequent year was 19.7% for ICU patients. After adjusting for hospital characteristics using log-binomial regression, patients with delirium during the ICU stay had a risk ratio (RR) of 1.14 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98–1.33) of developing any neuropsychiatric disorder within 1 year post-ICU compared to those who did not experience delirium. Delirium was significantly associated with neurocognitive disorders (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.08–2.35), but not depressive disorders (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.92–1.45), anxiety (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.92–1.47), and trauma-and-stressor-related (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.53–1.28) disorders.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of new onset of neurocognitive disorders is associated with ICU-acquired delirium. In this study, significant associations were not observed for depressive, anxiety, and trauma-and-stressor-related disorders.
The single recombinant M. tuberculosis protein DPPD provides enhanced performance of skin testing among HIV-infected tuberculosis patients
Authors: Badaro Roberto , Machado Bruna. A. S. , Duthie Malcolm S. , Araujo-Neto C. A. , Pedral-Sampaio D. , Nakatani Maria , Reed Steven G.
Published: July 2020

Diagnostic testing for M. tuberculosis infection has advanced with QuantiFERON and GeneXpert, but simple cost-effective alternatives for widespread TB screening has remained elusive and purified protein derivative (PPD)-based tuberculin skin testing (TST) remains the most widely used method. PPD-based tests have reduced performance, however, in BCG vaccinees and in individuals with immune deficiencies. We compared the performance of skin testing with the recombinant DPPD protein against that of a standard PPD-based skin test. Our data indicates similar performance of DPPD and PPD (r2 = 0.7689) among HIV-negative, active TB patients, all of whom presented greater than 10 mm induration following administration. In contrast to results demonstrating that PPD induced indurations greater than 5 mm (i.e., the recommended threshold for positive results in this population) in only half (19 of 38) of the HIV positive TB patients, 89.5% (34 of 38) of these participants developed indurations greater than 5 mm when challenged with DPPD. Importantly, none of the patients that were positive following PPD administration were negative following DPPD administration, indicating markedly improved sensitivity of DPPD among HIV-infected individuals. Our data indicate that DPPD has superior performance in skin testing than the current TST standard.
Motor data-regularized nonnegative matrix factorization for ego-noise suppression
Authors: Schmidt Alexander , Brendel Andreas , Haubner Thomas , Kellermann Walter
Published: July 2020

Ego-noise, i.e., the noise a robot causes by its own motions, significantly corrupts the microphone signal and severely impairs the robot’s capability to interact seamlessly with its environment. Therefore, suitable ego-noise suppression techniques are required. For this, it is intuitive to use also motor data collected by proprioceptors mounted to the joints of the robot since it describes the physical state of the robot and provides additional information about the ego-noise sources. In this paper, we use a dictionary-based approach for ego-noise suppression in a semi-supervised manner: first, an ego-noise dictionary is learned and subsequently used to estimate the ego-noise components of a mixture by computing a weighted sum of dictionary entries. The estimation of the weights is very sensitive against other signals beside ego-noise contained in the mixture. For increased robustness, we therefore propose to incorporate knowledge about the physical state of the robot to the estimation of the weights. This is achieved by introducing a motor data-based regularization term to the estimation problem which promotes similar weights for similar physical states. The regularization is derived by representing the motor data as a graph and imprints the intrinsic structure of the motor data space onto the dictionary model. We analyze the proposed method and evaluate its ego-noise suppression performance for a large variety of different movements and demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method compared to an approach without using motor data.
Area double cluster head APTEEN routing protocol-based particle swarm optimization for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Zhang Bowen , Wang Shubin , Wang Minghao
Published: July 2020

APTEEN is a typical routing protocol for wireless sensor networks, but when clustering, cluster heads are randomly selected, which makes it easy to select nodes with low residual energy as cluster heads, thus forming network holes. At the same time, in multi hop transmission, the cluster head near the sink node is overloaded due to forwarding a large amount of data. Aiming at these problems, this paper introduces PSO algorithm and proposes ADCH-EPE-APTEEN routing protocol. In order to make the particle swarm optimization algorithm more suitable for routing protocol, this paper first proposes DCA-PSO based on particle swarm optimization algorithm. DCA-PSO uses the classification adaptive change inertia weight for different states of particles in the optimization process. At the same time, dynamic learning factor is used to improve the influence of particle experience and other particle experience on convergence speed and to improve the optimization accuracy and speed of the algorithm. Secondly, when APTEEN routing protocol is networked, the cluster head is selected by DCA-PSO, in which the residual energy of nodes, the location of nodes, and the energy distribution around nodes are fully taken into consideration. Thirdly, considering the distance between nodes and the sink node, the residual energy and the energy distribution around nodes, a front area is set up in the cluster located in the upper half and the assistant cluster head is selected in the front area through the DCA-PSO algorithm. The simulation results show that the DCA-PSO algorithm can significantly improve the search speed and precision compared with the PSO algorithm. Compared with APTEEN routing protocol, the ADCH-EPE-APTEEN routing protocol can reduce the network energy consumption rate and extend network lifetime by 173%.
Weak and strong convergence Bregman extragradient schemes for solving pseudo-monotone and non-Lipschitz variational inequalities
Authors: Jolaoso Lateef Olakunle , Aphane Maggie
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we introduce Bregman subgradient extragradient methods for solving variational inequalities with a pseudo-monotone operator which are not necessarily Lipschitz continuous. Our algorithms are constructed such that the stepsizes are determined by an Armijo line search technique, which improves the convergence of the algorithms without prior knowledge of any Lipschitz constant. We prove weak and strong convergence results for approximating solutions of the variational inequalities in real reflexive Banach spaces. Finally, we provide some numerical examples to illustrate the performance of our algorithms to related algorithms in the literature.
Existence and uniqueness of solutions for a class of higher-order fractional boundary value problems with the nonlinear term satisfying some inequalities
Authors: Wang Fang , Liu Lishan , Wu Yonghong
Published: July 2020

This paper focuses on a class of hider-order nonlinear fractional boundary value problems. The boundary conditions contain Riemann–Stieltjes integral and nonlocal multipoint boundary conditions. It is worth mentioning that the nonlinear term and the boundary conditions contain fractional derivatives of different orders. Based on the Schauder fixed point theorem, we obtain the existence of solutions under the hypothesis that the nonlinear term satisfies the Carathéodory conditions. We apply the Banach contraction mapping principle to obtain the uniqueness of solutions. Moreover, by using the theory of spectral radius we prove the uniqueness and nonexistence of positive solutions. Finally, we illustrate our main results by some examples.
Risk factors for mortality among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients registered for drug-resistant treatment in Amhara region, Ethiopia: a historical cohort study
Authors: Ketema Daniel Bekele , Alene Muluneh , Assemie Moges Agazhe , Yismaw Leltework , Merid Mehari Woldemariam
Published: July 2020

Background

The emergency of drug resistant tuberculosis is a major public health concern worldwide including Ethiopia. However, little is known about risk factors of mortality among drug resistant tuberculosis patients in the study site. Thus, this study was aimed to estimate the risks factors for mortality among drug resistant tuberculosis patients registered for drug-resistant treatment in Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional-based retrospective cohort study was carried out among laboratory-confirmed drug-resistant tuberculosis patients (n = 498) who were initiated treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis between September 1, 2010, and December 31, 2017. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were obtained from the register of patients treated for drug-resistant tuberculosis. The data were entered using EpiData version 4.2 and exported to Stata Version 14.1 for further analysis. Descriptive measures were used to characterize the study participants. Kaplan-Meier was used to estimate the survival time of the patients. Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify risk factors for mortality. Hazard Ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval was used to report the strength of association between risk factors and mortality.

Results

Death was observed among 14.2% (n = 70) of the 498 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The incidence rate of death was 8.20 (95% CI: 7.62, 20.50) per 1000 Person-months in the course of follow-up. The median age was 29.30 years (IQR:23–41). Age 45 years and above (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 1.28: 95% CI: 1.10, 1.68), smoking cigarette (AHR = 1.39: 95% CI:1.27,3.18), tuberculosis related complication (AHR = 9.31:95% CI:5.11,16.97), anemia (AHR = 3.04:95% CI:1.14, 9.20), HIV/AIDS (AHR = 1.34:95% CI:1.25, 3.35), previous tuberculosis treatment history (AHR = 1.37:95% CI:1.16, 1.86), and diabetes mellitus (AHR = 1.85:95% CI:1.24,5.71) were identified risk factors for mortality.

Conclusions

This study concluded that drug-resistant tuberculosis mortality remains high in the study site. Age 45 years and above, smoking cigarette, tuberculosis related clinical complication, being anemic at baseline, HIV/AID, previous tuberculosis treatment history, and diabetes mellitus were identified risk factors for mortality. Continual support of the integration of TB/HIV service with emphasis and working on identified risk factors may help in reducing drug-resistant tuberculosis mortality.
Treating infections with ionizing radiation: a historical perspective and emerging techniques
Authors: van Dijk B. , Lemans J. V. C. , Hoogendoorn R. M. , Dadachova E. , de Klerk J. M. H. , Vogely H. C. , Weinans H. , Lam M. G. E. H. , van der Wal B. C. H.
Published: July 2020

Background

Widespread use and misuse of antibiotics have led to a dramatic increase in the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria, while the discovery and development of new antibiotics is declining. This has made certain implant-associated infections such as periprosthetic joint infections, where a biofilm is formed, very difficult to treat. Alternative treatment modalities are needed to treat these types of infections in the future. One candidate that has been used extensively in the past, is the use of ionizing radiation. This review aims to provide a historical overview and future perspective of radiation therapy in infectious diseases with a focus on orthopedic infections.

Methods

A systematic search strategy was designed to select studies that used radiation as treatment for bacterial or fungal infections. A total of 216 potentially relevant full-text publications were independently reviewed, of which 182 focused on external radiation and 34 on internal radiation. Due to the large number of studies, several topics were chosen. The main advantages, disadvantages, limitations, and implications of radiation treatment for infections were discussed.

Results

In the pre-antibiotic era, high mortality rates were seen in different infections such as pneumonia, gas gangrene and otitis media. In some cases, external radiation therapy decreased the mortality significantly but long-term follow-up of the patients was often not performed so long term radiation effects, as well as potential increased risk of malignancies could not be investigated. Internal radiation using alpha and beta emitting radionuclides show great promise in treating fungal and bacterial infections when combined with selective targeting through antibodies, thus minimizing possible collateral damage to healthy tissue.

Conclusion

The novel prospects of radiation treatment strategies against planktonic and biofilm-related microbial infections seem feasible and are worth investigating further. However, potential risks involving radiation treatment must be considered in each individual patient.
Indirect comparison of efficacy between different antibiotic prophylaxis against the intracranial infection after craniotomy
Authors: Cao Yulong , Wang Bin , Shan Jiao , Gong Zhizhong , Kuang Jiqiu , Gao Yan
Published: July 2020

Background

Many studies had shown that prophylactic use of antibiotics could significantly reduce the intracranial infection (ICI) rate of craniotomy. However, there has been no comparison of these antibiotics.

Methods

An electronic database search was performed, from inception to June 102,020. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) using different intravenous antibiotics (IVA) against the ICIs after craniotomy were considered. The primary outcome was the incidence rates of ICIs. An indirect treatment comparison (ITC) was conducted to compare the protective effect among the diverse antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent ICIs after craniotomy. Risk of potential bias was assessed.

Results

A total of 3214 patients after craniotomy in 11 studies were included, 159 patients experienced postoperative ICI, including 33 patients in the antibacterial group and 126 in the control group. The calculate results of meta-analysis showed that except fusidic acid, preoperative intravenous injection of cephalosporin, clindamycin, vancomycin, and penicillin can significantly reduce the incidence of ICI after craniotomy, and ITC showed there was no statistically significance difference in the rates of post craniotomy ICI between the various antibiotics.

Conclusion

The current evidence shows that low-grade antibacterial drugs can be selected to prevent ICI after craniotomy, but this may be due to the limited number of studies per antibiotic. It still needs more high-quality, large sample RCT to confirm.

Systemic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019133369.
Macroeconomic, institutional and financial determinants of current account balances: a panel data assessment
Authors: Altayligil Yasin Baris , Çetrez Murat
Published: July 2020

This study aims to find out the fundamental macroeconomic, institutional and financial determinants of current account balances by using panel data analysis method. The analysis is carried out by using the data for the period between 1986 and 2013 of 97 developing and developed countries. We find that the determinants of current account balances can be related to the factors such as fiscal balance, growth, terms of trade, exchange rate, trade openness, stage of economic development, oil dependency, financial market development, macroeconomic stability and institutional quality. A rise in growth rate, real effective exchange rate, fiscal deficit, trade openness, institutional quality, financial market development and stage of development generates larger current account deficits. A rise in terms of trade, inflation rate (representing macroeconomic stability), crude oil export reduces the current account deficits. For industrial countries, macroeconomic stability and growth also have the opposite effect on current account balances compared with other groups. The legal system and property rights, voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence, political risks are identified as the institutional determinants of current account balances.
Design of an interface for teaching cardiovascular physiology to anesthesia clinicians with a patient simulator connected to a minimally invasive cardiac output monitor (LiDCO rapid®)
Authors: Chaló Daniela , Marques Joana , Mendes Henrique , Sancho Consuelo
Published: July 2020

Cardiovascular physiology can be simulated in patient simulators but is limited to the simulator monitor curves and parameters, missing some important data that today is known as essential to fluid management and therapeutic decision in critical ill and high-risk surgical patients. Our main objective was to project and implement a unidirectional communication channel between a pre-existing patient simulator and a minimally invasive cardiac output monitor (LiDCO rapid®); a monitor that connects to real patients and interprets the arterial wave. To connect the patient simulator to the hemodynamic monitor, firstly, we had to assess both systems and design a communication channel between them. LiDCO monitor accepts as an input an analog voltage varying between 0 V and 5 V and that every volt is directly proportional to a blood pressure (mmHg) value ranging from 0 mmHg (0 V) to 500 mmHg (5 V). A Raspberry Pi 0 (Rpi0) with a WIFI chip integrated was needed and added to a digital analogue converter connected to the board. We designed a system that allowed us to collect, interpret and modify data, and feed it to the LiDCO rapid® monitor. We had developed a Python® script with three independent threads and a circular buffer to handle the data transmission between both systems. The LiDCO hemodynamic monitor successfully received data sent from our setup like a real patient arterial wave pulse and interpreted it to estimate several hemodynamic parameters, as cardiac output, stroke volume, systemic vascular resistance, pulse pressure variation, and stroke volume variation. The connection between the patient simulator and the LiDCO monitor is being used to create arterial curves and other hemodynamic parameters for clinical scenarios where residents and anesthesiologists can simulate a variety of unstable hemodynamic conditions, preparing them to face similar situations with real patients in a safe environment and with their own monitors.
Tsetse distribution, trypanosome infection rates, and small-holder livestock producers’ capacity enhancement for sustainable tsetse and trypanosomiasis control in Busia, Kenya
Authors: Adungo Ferdinard , Mokaya Tom , Makwaga Olipher , Mwau Matilu
Published: July 2020

Background

Tsetse flies are the cyclical vectors of both human and animal diseases. Kenya’s commitment to eradicate tsetse and trypanosomiasis dates to the 1980s through various control approaches which were spearheaded by the African Union. The aggressive control programmes together with climatic, land-use, and socio-economic changes immensely contributed to the reduction of African trypanosomiasis. Since 2012, Kenya has not recorded a case of human trypanosomiasis. However, African animal trypanosomiasis remains a major challenge to livestock production in 38 out of 47 counties. We aimed to determine the prevalence of tsetse flies and trypanosome infection rate and to build the capacity of small-holder livestock producers in vector control activities in Busia county.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2018 and December 2018 in Busia county, a beneficiary of the previous African Union-led trypanosomiasis and tsetse control initiatives. Odour-baited biconical traps were deployed for 48 h in five sampling areas. Captured tsetse flies were analysed by microscopy for trypanosome infections. Additionally, training and field demonstrations were conducted as part of capacity building to enhance participation of small-holder livestock producers in tsetse control activities.

Results

A total of 94 tsetse flies mainlyGlossina fuscipes fuscipeswere captured from the five sampling areas. The apparent fly densities range from 0.08 to 1.55 tsetse per trap per day. Additionally, 75 biting flies mainlyStomoxysspp. were also trapped. An overall tsetse infection rate of 1.39% and 4.17% was observed forTrypanosoma congolenseandTrypanosoma vivax, respectively. Regarding capacity building, a total of 26 small-holder livestock producers were trained on tsetse and trypanosomiasis control activities. Out of which, five were selected as focal persons and were further trained on integrated vector management techniques and tsetse survey methods.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed the existence of trypanosome-infected tsetse flies which could potentially spread to other parts of the county. Training of small-holder livestock producers in tsetse and trypanosomiasis control activities should be supported and integrated in the county animal health and veterinary services. Given the observed low tsetse densities and trypanosome infection rates, the elimination of trypanosomiasis in Busia county is feasible.
In vitro study of Praecitrulus fistulosus (Stocks) Pangalo (Cucurbitaceae) fruit – A potential candidate of Anthelmintic activity
Authors: Ishnava Kalpesh B. , Patel Karishma S.
Published: July 2020

Background

Helminthiasis infestation is one of the most widespread and severe public health problems in the world. These parasites cause several diseases like anemia, malnutrition, pneumonia, eosinophilia, and malaria. This disease is also preventable and treatable, but still, it is the major cause of death worldwide.

Results

The present study was undertaken to evaluate petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol extract of Praecitrullus fistulosus for anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma. Three concentrations (1%, 2%, 5%) of each extract were taken, and these concentrations involved the determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worms. Normal saline and albendazole were used as control and standard, respectively. The result revealed that 5% of methanol extracts of the P. fistulosus exhibited significant anthelmintic activity. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of crude methanol extract showed the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, and glycosides. The methanolic extract was fractionated by column chromatography and the anthelmintic activity was evaluated for the different fractions and active fraction was characterization using TLC.

Conclusion

These results show the isolation of active phytochemical constituent phenol, 3,5-bis (1,1-dimethyl)- responsible for anthelmintic activity. Using the Pheretima posthuma as the animal models, we have shown that isolated compound from methanolic extract of fruit of P. fistulosus has potential to act against helminthiasis.

Graphical abstract
Anti-annexin V autoantibodies and vascular abnormalities in systemic sclerosis: a longitudinal study
Authors: Horimoto Alex Magno Coelho , de Jesus Laize Guerreiro , de Souza Albert Schiaveto , Rodrigues Silvia Helena , Kayser Cristiane
Published: July 2020

Background

Annexins are a group of conserved proteins which exert several regulatory functions on various cellular activities. Increased frequency and levels of antibodies against annexin V have already been observed in several autoimmune diseases including systemic sclerosis (SSc), but their role as a vascular biomarker is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels and the dynamical behavior of anti-annexin V antibodies over a 24 months follow-up in patients with SSc.

Methods

In this bicentric cross-sectional study, 70 patients with SSc were consecutively selected from March 2016 to April 2017. Demographic and clinical features, including the presence of active DUs, were collected. Serum anti-annexin V IgG and IgM antibodies were measured at baseline and after 6, 12 and 24 months of follow-up. Videocapillaroscopy was performed in all patients.

Results

Among the 70 SSc patients included anti-annexin V IgG was found in 11 patients (15.7%) (range of 15.88–39.48 U/mL) and anti-annexin V IgM in 10 patients (14.3%) (range of 14.16–22.69 U/mL) at baseline. During follow-up, the number of patients who were positive for anti-annexin V IgG and IgM remained stable over 24 months. Among the patients with positive anti-annexin V IgG at baseline the frequency of patients with necrosis or amputation of extremities, forced vital capacity less than 70% and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was significantly higher than in patients with negative anti-annexin V IgG antibodies. Patients with anti-annexin V IgG had also a higher Raynaud’s Condition Score and a higher Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) than patients without these antibodies at baseline. Patients with positive anti-annexin V IgM at baseline presented a higher frequency of PAH, compared to those with negative anti-annexin V IgM at baseline.

Conclusions

Anti-annexin V antibodies are stable and do not change their positivity during a 24 month follow-up in SSc patients. Anti-annexin V IgG was associated with more severe interstitial lung involvement and digital microangiopathy, and patients with anti-annexin V IgG or IgM had a higher occurrence of PAH indicating an association of these biomarker with more severe disease.
Pain catastrophizing is associated with the Val66Met polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in fibromyalgia
Authors: da Silveira Alves Camila Fernanda , Caumo Wolnei , Silvestri Joana Morez , Zortea Maxciel , dos Santos Vinicius Souza , Cardoso Dayane Favarin , Regner Andrea , de Souza Alessandra Hübner , Simon Daniel
Published: July 2020

Background

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a musculoskeletal chronic pain syndrome that impacts negatively patient’s daily lives. Its pathogenesis is characterized by a complex relationship between biological and psychosocial factors not fully understood yet. Pain catastrophizing is associated with FM and is an important predictor of outcomes. This study aimed to answer two questions: (i) whether the allele and genotype frequencies of BDNF Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism differs between FM patients and healthy controls (HC); and (ii) if the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is a factor that predicts pain catastrophizing in FM.

Methods

In a cross-sectional design, 108 FM patients and 108 HC were included. FM patients responded to the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (BP-PCS) to assess pain catastrophizing, as well as other validated tools for anxiety (The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI), depression (Beck Depression Inventory II – BDI-II) and functional aspects (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire - FIQ; Central Sensitization Inventory validated and adapted for Brazilian population - CSI-BP; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - PSQI; and Resilience Scale). All subjects were genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism.

Results

Val allele was significantly more frequent in FM patients compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Also, FM patients with Val/Val genotype showed more pain catastrophizing thoughts, and this genotype was significantly associated with magnification and rumination dimensions of BP-PCS (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there were significant differences in levels of anxiety and symptoms of depression, years of education, and the functional situation between the FM and control groups.

Conclusions

The findings show an association of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism with pain catastrophizing in FM, which opens new avenues to comprehend the interplay between molecular genetic characteristics and neuroplasticity mechanisms underpinning FM.
Addressing the worldwide shortages of face masks
Authors: Ji Dongxiao , Fan Li , Li Xiaoxia , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: July 2020

The year 2020 will be punctuated by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the history of human civilization. Within four months, COVID-19 has become a public healthcare crisis in all nations around the world. Until a suitable vaccine is found and made widely available, the immediate solutions to protect individuals and to control the spread of the pandemic include wearing a face mask, maintaining personal hygiene, and social distancing. Certified face masks have become national essentials, and countries have imposed restrictions on exports, which has increased the worldwide shortages of masks and raw materials. This situation has also led to confusion and misinformation about face masks. This paper aims to provide quality information on face masks to alleviate the shortages. Disinfecting used masks and making homemade masks are discussed as emergency solutions. The development and manufacture of innovative masks (such as reusable masks, antivirus masks, and degradable masks) have become essential needs of society and involve both opportunities and challenges during this unprecedented time. In this prospective study, we provide the definitions, basic requirements, materials, possible preparation methods, and challenges of these innovative masks and highlight their important role in preventing epidemics similar to COVID-19.
Electrospun Solid Formulation of Anaerobic Gut Microbiome Bacteria
Authors: Vass Panna , Pantea Eszter , Domokos András , Hirsch Edit , Domján Júlia , Németh Áron , Molnár Mónika , Fehér Csaba , Andersen Sune K. , Vigh Tamás , Verreck Geert , Csontos István , Marosi György , Nagy Zsombor K.
Published: July 2020

A model anaerobic bacterium strain from the gut microbiome (Clostridium butyricum) producing anti-inflammatory molecules was incorporated into polymer-free fibers of a water-soluble cyclodextrin matrix (HP-β-CD) using a promising scaled-up nanotechnology, high-speed electrospinning. A long-term stability study was also carried out on the bacteria in the fibers. Effect of storage conditions (temperature, presence of oxygen) and growth conditions on the bacterial viability in the fibers was investigated. The viability of the sporulated anaerobic bacteria in the fibers was maintained during 12 months of room temperature storage in the presence of oxygen. Direct compression was used to prepare tablets from the produced bacteria-containing fibers after milling (using an oscillating mill) and mixing with tableting excipients, making easy oral administration of the bacteria possible. No significant decrease was observed in bacterial viability following the processing of the fibers (milling and tableting).
Seeing and Feeling in a Life In-Between
Authors: Burton Antoinette
Published: July 2020

This article introduces a roundtable that consists of short reflections on Stuart Hall’s posthumously published memoir, Familiar Stranger: A Life between Two Islands. Written in collaboration with Bill Schwarz and completed after his death, the genre-defying text recounts aspects of a diasporic life lived “between two islands.” The essays take in-betweenness in Familiar Stranger seriously, treating it as symptomatic of Hall’s locative position and as an indispensable feature of his thought. Approaching the book from the perspective of varying fields and concerns, the authors draw attention to how it opens a space between past and present; metropole and colony; high and low cultural forms; Jamaica and Britain; history and memory; seeing and knowing.
Stereochemical Effects on the Self-Assembly of Pyrenylalanine-Phenylalanine Dipeptide
Authors: Mijiddorj Batsaikhan , Shirakata Hiroki , Nakagawa Tetsuya , Ueda Kazuyoshi , Yokoyama Yasushi , Kawamura Izuru
Published: July 2020

The design and control of self-assembling biomaterials have significantly attracted attention over the last decades because of their broad ranges of applications. Here, we introduce the self-assembled fibers of the pyrene connected dipeptides, l-pyrenylalanine-l-phenylalanine (l-Pyr-l-Phe) and d-pyrenylalanine-l-phenylalanine (d-Pyr-l-Phe), and their structural analysis using experimental and computational techniques. While l-Pyr-l-Phe self-assembled into solid fibers, d-Pyr-l-Phe self-assembled into hydrogels with different morphologies. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed monomer and red-shifted excimer emissions of the self-assembled l-Pyr-l-Phe and d-Pyr-l-Phe dipeptide nanostructures, respectively. This result was related to different 13C and 15N solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data on the backbone and side-chains of the self-assembled dipeptides. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated detailed information about the chirality effects of the dipeptides on their self-assembled structures.