bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eosinophilic lung disease as a sequela of MSSA pneumonia
Authors: Zubair Syed Muhammad , Hussain Muhammad Zaid Hamid , Zubairi Ali Bin Sarwar
Published: March 2021

Eosinophilic lung diseases are a rare group of lung disorders with multiple known and unknown aetiologies and the diagnosis is often challenging. We present a case of a young man who was admitted with pneumonia due to methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureusand was discharged on antibiotics. He presented to the emergency department approximately 2 weeks after discharge with high-grade fever, cough and shortness of breath associated with serum and bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophilia. He was then treated with steroids with complete resolution of disease process.
Brain-lung-thyroid syndrome in a neonate with argininosuccinate lyase deficiency
Authors: Ediger Krystyna , Hicks Anne , Siriwardena Komudi , Joynt Chloe
Published: March 2021

Argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive urea cycle disorder. The severe neonatal-onset form is characterised by hyperammonaemia in the first days of life and manifests with a variety of severe symptoms. However, an index of suspicion for additional or alternative diagnoses must be maintained when the patient’s presentation is out of keeping with expected manifestations and course. We present a case of a neonate with ASL deficiency and concomitant hypotonia, severe respiratory distress, pulmonary hypertension, systemic hypotension and congenital hypothyroidism. The patient was investigated and subsequently diagnosed with brain-lung-thyroid syndrome, caused by a mutation in the NKX2-1 gene.
Utility of venous blood gases for the assessment of traumatic shock: a prospective observational study
Authors: Coggins Andrew R , Vivekanandamoorthy Nurojan , Byth Karen , Aleemullah Tabish , Selvendran Selwyn T , Watkins Rachel J , Shetty Amith L , Devjak Lorraine , Hsu Jeremy M
Published: March 2021

Background

ABG samples are often obtained in trauma patients to assess shock severity. Venous blood gas (VBG) sampling, which is less invasive, has been widely used to assess other forms of shock. The study aim was to determine the agreement between VBG and ABG measurements in trauma.

Methods

Patients were enrolled at an Australian trauma centre between October 2016 and October 2018. Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LOA) between paired blood gas samples taken <30 min apart were used to quantify the extent of agreement. The impact of using only VBG measurements was considered using an a priori plan. Cases where venous sampling failed to detect ‘concerning levels’ were flagged using evidence-based cut-offs: pH ≤7.2, base deficit (BD) ≤−6, bicarbonate <21 and lactate ≥4. Case summaries of these patients were assessed by independent trauma clinicians as to whether an ABG would change expected management.

Results

During the study period 176 major trauma patients had valid paired blood gas samples available for analysis. The median time difference between paired measurements was 11 min (IQR 6–17). There was a predominance of men (81.8%) and blunt trauma (92.0%). Median Injury Severity Score was 13 (range 1–75) and inpatient mortality was 6.3%. Mean difference (ABG−VBG) and LOA between paired arterial and venous measurements were 0.036 (LOA −0.048 to 0.120) for pH, −1.27 mmol/L (LOA −4.35 to 1.81) for BD, −0.64 mmol/L (LOA −1.86 to 0.57) for lactate and −1.97 mmol/L (LOA −5.49 to 1.55) for bicarbonate. Independent assessment of the VBG ‘false negative’ cases (n=20) suggested an ABG would change circulatory management in two cases.

Conclusions

In trauma patients VBG and ABG parameters displayed suboptimal agreement. However, in cases flagged as VBG ‘false negative’ independent review indicated that the availability of an ABG was unlikely to change management.
Pan-ERBB kinase inhibition augments CDK4/6 inhibitor efficacy in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Jin , Wu Zhong , Zhang Zhouwei , Goss Louisa , McFarland James , Nagaraja Ankur , Xie Yingtian , Gu Shengqing , Peng Ke , Zeng Yong , Zhang Xiaoyang , Long Henry , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Rustgi Anil , Diehl J Alan , Meyerson Matthew , Wong Kwok-Kin , Bass Adam
Published: March 2021

Objective

Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), like other squamous carcinomas, harbour highly recurrent cell cycle pathway alterations, especially hyperactivation of the CCND1/CDK4/6 axis, raising the potential for use of existing CDK4/6 inhibitors in these cancers. Although CDK4/6 inhibition has shown striking success when combined with endocrine therapy in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer, CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib monotherapy has not revealed evidence of efficacy to date in OSCC clinical studies. Herein, we sought to elucidate the identification of key dependencies in OSCC as a foundation for the selection of targets whose blockade could be combined with CDK4/6 inhibition.

Design

We combined large-scale genomic dependency and pharmaceutical screening datasets with preclinical cell line models, to identified potential combination therapies in squamous cell cancer.

Results

We identified sensitivity to inhibitors to the ERBB family of receptor kinases, results clearly extending beyond the previously described minority of tumours with EGFR amplification/dependence, specifically finding a subset of OSCCs with dual dependence on ERBB3 and ERBB2. Subsequently. we demonstrated marked efficacy of combined pan-ERBB and CDK4/6 inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that squamous lineage transcription factor KLF5 facilitated activation of ERBBs in OSCC.

Conclusion

These results provide clear rationale for development of combined ERBB and CDK4/6 inhibition in these cancers and raises the potential for KLF5 expression as a candidate biomarker to guide the use of these agents. These data suggested that by combining existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved agents, we have the capacity to improve therapy for OSCC and other squamous cancer.
Liver involvement in patients with coeliac disease: proof of causality using IgA/anti-TG2 colocalisation techniques
Authors: Dutta Rimlee , Iqbal Asif , Das Prasenjit , Palanichamy Jayanth Kumar , Singh Alka , Mehtab Wajiha , Chauhan Ashish , Aggarwal Ashish , Sreenivas Vishnubhatla , Ahuja Vineet , Datta Gupta Siddhartha , Makharia Govind K
Published: March 2021

Aims

Despite clinical evidence of liver involvement in patients with coeliac disease (CeD), there is a lack of a method to prove this association.

Methods

Of 146 treatment-naive patients with CeD, 26 had liver dysfunction. Liver biopsies and corresponding small intestinal biopsies were obtained from these 26 patients. Multicolour immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence confocal microscopic studies were performed on paraffin-embedded tissue to detect the IgA/anti-TG2 deposits. Follow-up liver biopsies were taken after a gluten-free diet.

Results

Twenty-six out of the 146 patients (17.8%) with suspected coeliac-associated liver disease on histological examination revealed irregular sinusoidal dilatation in 15 (57.6%), steatohepatitis in 4 (15.3%), non-specific chronic hepatitis in 3 (11.5%), autoimmune hepatitis in 2 (7.6%) biopsies, including cirrhosis in one of them, irregular perisinusoidal fibrosis and changes of non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis in one biopsy each (3.8%). IgA/anti-tTG deposits were observed in 22 (84.6%) liver biopsies by dual immunohistochemistry technique, and in 24 (92.3%) by confocal immunofluorescence technique and in all corresponding duodenal biopsies (100%). Overall, IgA/anti-tTG deposits showed 100% sensitivity, 77% specificity and 85% positive predictive value for establishing an association of extraintestinal pathology and CeD using archived tissues. Follow-up liver biopsies could be obtained in five patients; four of them showed not only resolution of the histological lesions but disappearance of IgA/anti-tTG co-localisation.

Conclusions

Data of the present study adds to the body of evidence that liver lesions in patients with CeD are disease related and may have been caused by a similar pathogenic mechanism that causes intestinal changes.
Prognostic predictors relevant to end-of-life palliative care in Parkinson’s disease and related disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Akbar Umer , McQueen Robert Brett , Bemski Julienne , Carter Julie , Goy Elizabeth R , Kutner Jean , Johnson Miriam J , Miyasaki Janis M , Kluger Benzi
Published: March 2021

Parkinson’s disease and related disorders (PDRD) are the second most common neurodegenerative disease and a leading cause of death. However, patients with PDRD receive less end-of-life palliative care (hospice) than other illnesses, including other neurologic illnesses. Identification of predictors of PDRD mortality may aid in increasing appropriate and timely referrals. To systematically review the literature for causes of death and predictors of mortality in PDRD to provide guidance regarding hospice/end-of-life palliative care referrals. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL databases (1970–2020) of original quantitative research using patient-level, provider-level or caregiver-level data from medical records, administrative data or survey responses associated with mortality, prognosis or cause of death in PDRD. Findings were reviewed by an International Working Group on PD and Palliative Care supported by the Parkinson’s Foundation. Of 1183 research articles, 42 studies met our inclusion criteria. We found four main domains of factors associated with mortality in PDRD: (1) demographic and clinical markers (age, sex, body mass index and comorbid illnesses), (2) motor dysfunction and global disability, (3) falls and infections and (4) non-motor symptoms. We provide suggestions for consideration of timing of hospice/end-of-life palliative care referrals. Several clinical features of advancing disease may be useful in triggering end-of-life palliative/hospice referral. Prognostic studies focused on identifying when people with PDRD are nearing their final months of life are limited. There is further need for research in this area as well as policies that support need-based palliative care for the duration of PDRD.
Why appeals to the moral significance of birth are saddled with a dilemma
Authors: Bobier Christopher A , Omelianchuk Adam
Published: March 2021

In ‘Dilemma for Appeals to the Moral Significance of Birth’, we argued that a dilemma is faced by those who believe that birth is the event at which infanticide is ruled out. Those who reject the moral permissibility of infanticide by appeal to the moral significance of birth must either accept the moral permissibility of a late-term abortion for a non-therapeutic reason or not. If they accept it, they need to account for the strong intuition that her decision is wrong as well as deny the underlying normative principle that killing a viable fetus requires good reason, and not wanting to care for the child when the child could be easily placed for adoption is not a good enough reason to abort. If they reject the moral permissibility of the late-term abortion, they need to explain why her decision is wrong. Doing so, however, will undermine their own project of denying infanticide by appeal to birth. Walter Veit argues that the dilemma relies too much on intuition and does not live up to biological continuity. We explain why his criticisms are unconvincing.
Factors associated with neck pain in fighter aircrew: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wallace James B , Newman Phil M , McGarvey Aoife , Osmotherly Peter G , Spratford Wayne , Gabbett Tim J
Published: March 2021

Neck pain is a common complaint among fighter aircrew, impacting workforce health and operational capability. This systematic review aimed to identify, evaluate and synthesise the current evidence for factors associated with the occurrence of neck pain among fighter aircrew. Six electronic databases were searched in June 2019 and updated in June 2020 utilising the maximum date ranges. Included studies were appraised for methodological quality, ranked according to level of evidence and relevant data extracted. Where methods were homogeneous and data availability allowed, meta-analyses were performed. A total of 20 studies (16 cross sectional, one case–control, one retrospective cohort and two prospective cohort) were eligible for inclusion. Of the 44 factors investigated, consistent evidence was reported for greater occurrence of neck pain among aircrew operating more advanced aircraft and those exposed to more desk/computer work, while another 12 factors reported consistent evidence for no association. Of the 20 factors where meta-analyses could be performed, greater occurrence of neck pain was indicated for aircrew: flying more advanced aircraft, undertaking warm-up stretching and not placing their head against the seat under greater +Gz. Despite many studies investigating factors associated with neck pain among fighter aircrew, methodological limitations limited the ability to identify those factors that are most important to future preventive programmes. High-quality prospective studies with consistent use of definitions are required before we can implement efficient and effective programmes to reduce the prevalence and impact of neck pain in fighter aircrew. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019128952.

Neck pain is a common complaint among fighter aircrew, impacting workforce health and operational capability. This systematic review aimed to identify, evaluate and synthesise the current evidence for factors associated with the occurrence of neck pain among fighter aircrew.
Multi-indicator evidence for habitat use and trophic strategy segregation of two sympatric forms of Arctic char from the Cumberland Sound region of Nunavut, Canada
Authors: Ulrich Kendra L. , Tallman Ross F.
Published: March 2021

We analyzed Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus, 1758)) stable isotope ratios and fatty acid composition from two geographically proximal Nunavut lakes, Qasigiyat and Iqalugaarjuit, to determine if anadromous and resident Arctic char occupied different trophic niches. Resident Arctic char had lower δ13C and δ34S, indicative of freshwater feeding, compared with anadromous individuals. Significantly lower δ15N of residents suggests the ecotypes feed at different trophic levels. Significantly wider δ13C and δ15N ranges in residents implied a broader trophic niche or a wider range in baseline prey isotope values. Results also provide further evidence for resident use of the estuarine environment in Qasigiyat. Immature Arctic char occupy a different trophic niche than both resident and anadromous fish within Iqalugaarjuit, but this relationship is less clear in Qasigiyat. Distinct stable isotope and fatty acid profiles indicate that resident and anadromous Arctic char have distinct trophic niches: marine for anadromous, freshwater for resident. Immature Arctic char seem to occupy a distinct niche from both anadromous and resident fish, which likely relates to use of both freshwater and estuarine environments, depending on developmental stage. We show the first evidence of the fatty acid differences and niche segregation between sympatric anadromous and resident ecotypes in Arctic char.
Improving estimate at completion (EAC) cost of construction projects using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)
Authors: Dastgheib Seyedeh Razieh , Feylizadeh Mohammad Reza , Bagherpour Morteza , Mahmoudi Amin
Published: March 2021

Earned value management (EVM) is a well-known technique for measuring project performance and progress. Owing to the EVM's attitude to simultaneously combine cost and time performance, project performance can be forecasted accurately, and this plays a vital role in the future of the projects. In the current study, the authors employed an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) as a powerful prediction tool to forecast the completion cost of the projects considering the percentage of risk for qualitative variables and comparing it with other types of neural networks. Because the network structure is usually tuned based on the obtained results, a network optimization procedure is applied using a conventional method for estimating the cost-caused project breakdown. The results showed that ANFIS had a suitable performance (MSE = 0.0003), and based on the sensitivity analysis, the earned value is recognized as the most sensitive factor in the project. This study improves the general estimate of the completion formula by considering the uncertain conditions.
Decoding Saccade Intention From Primate Prefrontal Cortical Local Field Potentials Using Spectral, Spatial, and Temporal Dimensionality Reduction
Authors: Johnston Renée , Doucet Guillaume , Boulay Chadwick , Miller Kai , Martinez-Trujillo Julio , Sachs Adam
Published: March 2021

Most invasive Brain Computer Interfaces (iBCIs) use spike and Local Field Potentials (LFPs) from the motor or parietal cortices to decode movement intentions. It has been debated whether harvesting signals from other brain areas that encode global cognitive variables, such as the allocation of attention and eye movement goals in a variety of spatial reference frames, may improve the outcome of iBCIs. Here, we explore the ability of LFP signals, sampled from the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) of macaque monkeys, to encode eye-movement intention during the pre-movement fixation period of a delayed saccade task. We use spectral dimensionality reduction to examine the spatiotemporal properties of the extracted non-rhythmic broadband activity and explore its usefulness in decoding saccade goals. The dynamics of the broadband signal in low spatial dimensions across the pre-movement fixation period uncovered saccade target separation; its discriminative potential was confirmed using support vector machine classifications. These findings reveal that broadband LFP from the LPFC can be used to decode intended saccade target location during pre-movement periods. We further provide a general workflow that can be implemented in iBCIs and it is relatively robust to the loss of spikes in individual electrodes.
First result of orbit verification of Taiji-1 hall micro thruster
Authors: Xu Shu-Yan , Xu Lu-Xiang , Cong Lin-Xiao , Li Yong-Gui , Qiao Cong-Feng ,   On behalf of The Taiji Scientific Collaboration
Published: March 2021

The Hall Micro Thrusters (HMTs) use cold gas or accelerated plasma dual mode to provide ultra-precise spacecraft altitude control. They were operated in space for the first time as part of the demonstration payloads on Chinese Academy of Science’s (CASs) Taiji-1 spacecraft since September 2019. Hall Micro Thruster Assemblies (HMTAs) were the actuators in drag-free control, and will compensate the nonconservative force for gravity wave observatories. The HMTAs meet the requirements of operating at 5–100 [Formula: see text] N of thrust with 0.7 [Formula: see text] N resolution and [Formula: see text]0.6 [Formula: see text] N/Hz[Formula: see text] (0.01–1 Hz) noise to deliver the nanometer-level precision control as fast as 30 ms measured by Gravitational Reference Sensor (GRS). A transfer function model in z-domain was fit and used to filter HMTs cathode voltage to predict GRSs thrust noise response. Simulations of a single or dual-frequency disturbance and the corresponding compensation demonstrated that HMTAs could deliver the required thrust profile expected. The capability to meet the requirements of thruster noise in drag-free control is critical for future missions because the acceleration noise on test mass directly relates to the gravity wave signa l. Preliminary in-orbit verification of Taiji-1 has showed HMTAs’ great potential in future, and the data in the experiments are presented in this paper.
N-soliton solutions and localized wave interaction solutions of a (3 + 1)-dimensional potential-Yu–Toda–Sasa–Fukuyamaf equation
Authors: Ma Hongcai , Cheng Qiaoxin , Deng Aiping
Published: March 2021

[Formula: see text]-soliton solutions are derived for a (3 + 1)-dimensional potential-Yu–Toda–Sasa–Fukuyama (YTSF) equation by using bilinear transformation. Some local waves such as period soliton, line soliton, lump soliton and their interaction are constructed by selecting specific parameters on the multi-soliton solutions. By selecting special constraints on the two soliton solutions, period and lump soliton solution can be obtained; three solitons can reduce to the interaction solution between period soliton and line soliton or lump soliton and line soliton under special parameters; the interaction solution among period soliton and two line solitons, or the interaction solution for two period solitons or two lump solitons via taking specific constraints from four soliton solutions. Finally, some images of the results are drawn, and their dynamic behavior is analyzed.
SURFACE MODIFICATION OF COMMERCIALLY PURE TITANIUM BY GOLD-ION IRRADIATION FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: FAROOQ AMEEQ , MAIRAJ DEEN KASHIF , RIZWAN MUHAMMAD , AHMAD AKHLAQ
Published: March 2021

This research work’s aim was to enhance the biocompatibility of the commercially pure titanium (cpTi-2) surface via Au-ion irradiation. Various ion dosages, i.e. [Formula: see text] (Au-11), [Formula: see text] (Au-12) and [Formula: see text] (Au-13) ions[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], were produced by exposing the polished cpTi-2 samples to Au-ion beam at room temperature. The surface topographic features of cpTi-2 and the effects of Au-ion-implanted surfaces were examined by atomic force microscopy and XRD analysis. Open-Circuit Potential (OCP), Potentiodynamic Polarization Scans (PPS) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were used to compare the electrochemical behavior of the cpTi-2 and Au-ion-implanted samples in Ringer’s lactate (RL) solution at 37∘C. The effects of Au-ion irradiation on the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were estimated during 24[Formula: see text]h and 48[Formula: see text]h of exposure. Based on the experimental results, Au-12 samples presented more positive OCP and lower corrosion rate in RL solution than the Au-11 and Au-13 samples. No significant change in the morphology of the MSCs was observed after exposure to the Au-ion-implanted samples. Similar to the controlled medium, the percentage of viability of the cells of the cells on Au-12 increased from 75% to 165% on the surface of Au-13 samples during 48[Formula: see text]h of incubation indicating the positive effects of Au-ion irradiation for biocompatibility.
A Refined Structure Preserving Image Abstraction Framework as a Pre-Processing Technique for Desire Focusing on Prominent Structure and Artistic Stylization
Authors: Pavan Kumar M. P. , Poornima B. , Nagendraswamy H. S. , Manjunath C. , Rangaswamy B. E.
Published: March 2021

This work identifies the strong dominant features by its location and extracts the image features for the purpose of automatic desire focusing on prominent structure and artistic stylization of images. At the pre-processing level, dataset image is treated using refined structure preserving image abstraction framework which can deliver the best effectual structure preserved abstracted results by utilizing visual attributes from 2D color image. The presented framework efficiently conserves the structural characteristics in the foreground of an input image by exhaustively amalgamate the series of non-photorealistic rendering image filters over meticulous investigational work and it also reduces the background substance of an image. The framework assesses image and object space details to generate structure preserved image abstraction thus distinguishing the accentuated elements of an enhanced structures using Harris key-point feature detector and chooses the 100 major unique dominant feature locations among available features. This work automatically selects the unique location from the extracted features using polynomial region of interest and unselected image regions and its background are blurred using Gaussian motion blurring with point spread function. Deblurring the selected region using wiener filtering to get the desire focusing on prominent structure followed by color quantization and flow-based bilateral filtering is applied over focused structural region to achieve artistic stylization. Efficiency of the framework has been validated by carrying out the trials on the selected Flickr repository, David Mould and Ruixing Wang dataset. In addition, user’s visual opinion and the image quality estimation methods were also utilized to appraise the proposed pre-processing framework. This work lists the structure preserving image abstraction framework applications, limitation, execution difficulties and future work in the field of Non-photorealistic rendering domain.
Pigeon-Inspired Circular Formation Control for Multi-UAV System with Limited Target Information
Authors: Huo Mengzhen , Duan Haibin , Fan Yanming
Published: March 2021

The problem of cooperative circular formation with limited target information for multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system is addressed in this paper. A pigeon-inspired circular formation control method is proposed to form the desired circular distribution in a plane based on the intelligent pigeon behavior during hovering. To reach the goal of prescribed radius and angular distribution, the controller is designed consisting of a circular movement part and a formation distribution part. Therein, the circular movement part is designed to make each UAV rotate around the specified circle at the same angular speed only using the relative position between the UAV and the target. The formation distribution part could adjust the angular distance between each UAV and its neighbors with the jointly connected network to reduce communication cost. To smooth the speed variation, nonlinear PID-type method is delivered throughout the evolution of the system. The convergence analysis of the proposed control protocol is presented using Lyapunov theory and graph tools. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategies is demonstrated through numerical simulations.
Emerging Software Engineering Research Networks in (East) Africa
Authors: Bainomugisha Engineer , Hebig Regina , R. V. Chaudron Michel
Published: March 2021

Software engineering (SE) researchers and research networks from emerging communities are often not visible in already established Software Engineering venues for a multitude of reasons. This limits the opportunities and mutual bene ts that can arise from collaborations between global and emerging Software Engineer- ing networks. This article focuses on a rst attempt to provide a map of the African software engineering research community with focus on the networks of two big East African Universities. We hope that this very initial mapping e ort will help to raise aware- ness in the international community about the variety of software engineering research in Africa. We formulate some suggestions for making our academic Software Engineering community more inclusive.
Stories from an autodidact
Authors: Long Lisa
Published: March 2021

What does it mean to have a career that has been shaped by luck and learning? With no formal training in the software industry, the author shares a personal story of the ups, downs, and sometimes sideways moments in her career.
Man on the moon (1969), women on the web (1991 and still going strong)
Authors: Paay Jeni
Published: March 2021

Whatever you do in your life, you can bring it all together to find your place. This is a story about the twists and turns of life---from architecture to HCI.
HCI education of choice
Authors: Lazem Shaimaa
Published: March 2021

This article is from the perspective of an Egyptian HCI educator who explores "designing" inclusive designers, and how decolonial thinking can address inclusion in HCI education as one possible critical lens.
Generalized Sparse Polarization Array for DOA Estimation Using Compressive Measurements
Authors: Chen Tao , Yang Jian , Wang Weitong , Guo Muran
Published: March 2021

The compressive array method, where a compression matrix is designed to reduce the dimension of the received signal vector, is an effective solution to obtain high estimation performance with low system complexity. While sparse arrays are often used to obtain higher degrees of freedom (DOFs), in this paper, an orthogonal dipole sparse array structure exploiting compressive measurements is proposed to estimate the direction of arrival (DOA) and polarization signal parameters jointly. Based on the proposed structure, we also propose an estimation algorithm using the compressed sensing (CS) method, where the DOAs are accurately estimated by the CS algorithm and the polarization parameters are obtained via the least‐square method exploiting the previously estimated DOAs. Furthermore, the performance of the estimation of DOA and polarization parameters is explicitly discussed through the Cramér‐Rao bound (CRB). The CRB expression for elevation angle and auxiliary polarization angle is derived to reveal the limit of estimation performance mathematically. The difference between the results given in this paper and the CRB results of other polarized reception structures is mainly due to the use of the compression matrix. Simulation results verify that, compared with the uncompressed structure, the proposed structure can achieve higher estimated performance with a given number of channels.
Experimental Study on Delivery Performance of an Automated Preloaded Intraocular Lens Injector System for Corneal and Sclerocorneal Incisions
Authors: Oshika Tetsuro , Sasaki Noriyuki
Published: March 2021

Purpose. To evaluate delivery performance of an automated preloaded intraocular lens (IOL) injector systems (AutonoMe) in the porcine eyes. Methods. In the freshly excised porcine eyes, lens removal and IOL implantation were performed. There were 4 groups (10 eyes per group) with different incision site and size: 2.2-mm and 2.4-mm corneal incisions and 2.2-mm and 2.4-mm sclerocorneal incisions. Delivery performance and wound enlargement of AutonoMe were analyzed and compared with those of iTec and iSert from a previous study. Results. There were a few minor troubles associated with AutonoMe, such as overriding plunger within cartridge and trapped trailing haptic during IOL insertion, but the incidence was low. Other interactions were not observed, such as IOL adherence to plunger, sudden ejection of IOL, intrawound lens manipulation, IOL behavior, and gross damage to IOL. AutonoMe caused significantly less wound enlargement for both corneal and sclerocorneal incisions than other injector devices. Wound enlargement by using AutonoMe was significantly smaller with 2.4-mm corneal incision than with 2.2-mm corneal incision, but the final incision size was still smaller with 2.2-mm corneal incision. For sclerocorneal incisions, the amount of wound stretch was not different between 2.2 and 2.4 mm incisions. Conclusion. The wound enlargement caused by the automated preloaded insertion system, AutonoMe, was smaller than that of other preloaded injectors for both corneal and sclerocorneal incisions. There were a few minor technical events during IOL insertion, but the overall incidence was low.
Differential Expression Profiles and Function Prediction of Transfer RNA‐Derived Fragments in High‐Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Chen Buze , Liu Sicong , Wang Haihong , Li Guilin , Lu Xiaoyuan , Xu Hao
Published: March 2021

Background. The present study is aimed at providing systematic insight into the composition and expression of transfer RNA (tRNA) derivative transcription in high‐grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Methods. tRNA derivative expression profiles in three pairs of HGSOC and adjacent normal ovarian tissues were conducted by tRNA‐derived small RNA fragment (tRF) and tRNA half (tiRNA) sequencing. The differentially expressed tRFs and tiRNAs between HGSOC and paired adjacent normal samples were screened. The targeted genes of differentially expressed tRFs and tiRNAs were screened. The Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) of target genes of tRFs and tiRNAs were analyzed. Results. There are a total of 20 significantly upregulated and 15 significantly downregulated tRFs and tiRNAs between the cancer group and the paracarcinoma group. The upregulated tRFs and tiRNAs are mucin‐type O‐glycan biosynthesis, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, the glucagon signaling pathway, the AMPK signaling pathway, maturity‐onset diabetes of the young, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, the insulin signaling pathway, insulin resistance, leukocyte transendothelial migration, starch, and sucrose metabolism. The downregulated tRFs and tiRNAs are other glycan degradation, vitamin digestion and absorption, fatty acid elongation, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. Conclusions. There are significantly expressed tRFs and tiRNAs in HGSOC tissues, and these may provide potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HGSOC.
COVID-19: No Guaranteed Protection from Future Infection after the Initial Diagnosis
Authors: Chew Christopher , Mannepalli Supriya
Published: March 2021

The world of microbiology is vast in nature, and viruses continue to be a subset containing a lot of unknowns. Initial infection with certain viruses, such as varicella zoster virus and measles, allows for development of lifelong immunity; on the other hand, the influenza virus requires yearly vaccination, which may not provide adequate immunity. This can be attributed to antigenic shift and drift, rendering previously made antibodies ineffective against new strains of influenza. This article describes six cases of patients who presented with mild acute respiratory symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19 virus. After recovering from initial illness and being asymptomatic for several months, they developed recurrence of acute respiratory symptoms and, again, tested positive for COVID-19 virus, in more severe form than initial presentation. In the current state of the world, COVID-19 has created a lot of unknowns in the medical community, including patient presentation and treatment. COVID-19 research is evolving daily, but many questions remained unanswered. “Will a sufficient antibody response be created by the human body in those infected with COVID-19 and how long will that immunity last?” “Will antigenic drift occur quickly allowing the virus to evade previously made antibodies?” During initial surveillance of the COVID-19 virus, we were expecting development of an immune response comparable to SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, given the viral similarities. Unfortunately, based on our observations, this may not necessarily be true and will be further discussed in the presented article.
The Design of Deploying RIS for Millimetre‐Wave Signal in Outdoor Environment
Authors: Shi Wenming , Liu Yang , Peng Zhangyou , Xu Mengnan , Zhang Zhonghao
Published: March 2021

The power coverage of wireless communication is crucial for the quality of communication and cell network evaluation. In this letter, by taking the layout of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) into count, the power coverage area is proposed for a typical outdoor scenario, which has many rectangular buildings. In this approach, via designing the deploying angle, we introduce finding the optimal horizontal and elevation angles of RIS; we adjust RIS so as to get more power coverage. Since the computational complexity of the optimal solution is very high, a low‐complexity method is proposed for solving the optimization problem. More specifically, the coverage is showed in the urban environment with RIS assisting. Presenting the numerical results, we can find the power coverage notably improved. It clearly indicates that our experiment is useful to solve the coverage problem for wireless communication.
A SCI Analysis Model: Research on Influencing Factors of Local E-Government Responsiveness in China
Authors: Tian Shaoqing , He Rongrong , Huang Chongli , Feng Qiong , Jiang Fan
Published: March 2021

In order to explore the influencing factors of the e-government responsiveness in China, the System-Competition-Interaction analysis model was proposed to reflect the ability of e-government to respond to citizens’ demands. 960 pieces of information were collected from 480 local e-government websites in China, and field experiments were conducted on how local governments responded to citizens’ demands. The results show that there are regional differences in e-government responsiveness in China. The response probability of Northeast China is the lowest, and that of western region is the slowest. The response system and neighborhood effect are the core elements that affect e-government responsiveness. The interaction demands of citizens can not significantly affect government responsiveness. According to the research results, the practical enlightenment is that the future should change from “system-driven response” and “competition-driven response” to “citizen-driven response,” which is of a certain practical significance for improving the response level of e-government of local governments in China.
A Patient with an Ileocecal MiNEN and a Synchronous Squamous Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Teran Santiago , Camara Jurado Maria , Nuñez Sobrino Juan Antonio
Published: March 2021

Mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) are rare tumors composed of two different histological components, one of which is of a neuroendocrine origin. Given its suggested underdiagnosis and consequent low prevalence, no clear diagnostic and treatment guidelines are available, and treatment usually follows regimens similar to that of the most aggressive component. On the other hand, multiple primary tumors (MPTs) are also rare neoplastic entities that usually confer a challenge regarding treatment options, for a regimen that comprises both the primary and the synchronous/metachronous malignancy should be used. Here, we discuss the challenging diagnostic and therapeutic management of a patient with an ileocecal MiNEN that presented along with a synchronous squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (SQ-NSCLC). The patient presented with intestinal obstruction symptoms for which he underwent an emergency resection of the ileocecal MiNEN. An initial CT scan showed an additional lung mass later identified as an SQ-NSCLC after bronchoscopy biopsy analysis. Given the rapid hepatic metastatic progression, palliative platinum-based chemotherapy was initiated, with an adequate response of the local and metastatic lesions of the MiNEN, but suggested platinum resistance and progression of the pulmonary neoplasm. Second-line treatment with pembrolizumab directed for the SQ-NSCLC was initiated; however, it was stopped after immune-mediated toxicities developed. A third-line chemotherapy scheme with carboplatin/gemcitabine was initiated, but central nervous system (CNS) progression developed, with the patient dying 11 months after initial diagnosis.
MicroRNA-520a Suppresses Pathogenesis and Progression of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer through Targeting the RRM2/Wnt Axis
Authors: Xie Yi , Xue Congyu , Guo Shuai , Yang Lei
Published: March 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate multiple cellular behaviors, and their aberrant expression is frequently associated with disease progression. This research focused on the effects of miR-520a on the development of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the molecules involved. Tumor and normal tissues from 24 patients with NSCLC were collected. Differentially expressed miRNAs between tumor tissues and normal tissues were screened using microarrays, and miR-520a was screened to be significantly poorly expressed in tumor samples. Artificial upregulation of miR-520a reduced proliferation, migration and invasion, and resistance to death of NSCLC A549 and H460 cells according to the MTT, EdU labeling, transwell, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. miR-520a upregulation suppressed growth and metastasis of xenograft tumors in vivo. The integrated bioinformatic analysis and dual luciferase assays suggested that miR-520a targeted ribonucleotide reductase subunit 2 (RRM2) mRNA and inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in NSCLC cells. Upregulation of RRM2 enhanced the malignant behaviors of NSCLCs, but the oncogenic effects of RRM2 were blocked upon miR-520a overexpression. To conclude, this study evidenced that miR-520a inhibits NSCLC progression through suppressing RRM2 and the Wnt signaling pathway. This paper may offer novel insights into NSCLC treatment.
Empatía delegada
Authors: Torres-Gómez Francisco Javier
Published: March 2021

Son múltiples los artículos, conferencias y tratados que abordan, desde distintos puntos de vista, un tema tan trascendente y tan actual como es la empatía entre el médico y el enfermo (Ramiro & Cruz 2017) (García-Solís 2015) (Trujillo 2013). Todos ellos suelen hacer hincapié en el concepto de empatía y en la despersonalización de la Medicina, proponiendo fórmulas para que la tan deseada empatía no se pierda. Evidentemente, se trata de un tema que, no por candente, es nuevo pues su propia idiosincrasia entronca con el Humanismo e incluso con el mismo Juramento Hipocrático. No obstante, la experiencia me ha demostrado que existe una importante laguna en el mismo seno de cada proclama y es por ello por que pretendo poner sobre la mesa un nuevo término médico en este tan apreciado y foro de discusión.
Incongruencia de género en niñas, niños y adolescentes: intervenciones transafirmativas en Hospital las Higueras Talcahuano
Authors: Retamal Maria dorca , Hermosilla Rubio Wladimir , Arancibia Cabalá Mónica , Medel Arriagada Miguel , Retamal Vargas Catalina
Published: March 2021

Introducción: incongruencia de género (IG) en niñas, niños y adolescentes (NNA), es un tema que se ha ido visibilizando cada vez más y es definida como una marcada discordancia entre la identidad de género y el sexo asignado al nacer. El objetivo es realizar una revisión de la evidencia en relación a la IG en NNA, las intervenciones recomendadas basadas en evidencia y finalmente dar a conocer la experiencia local en el Hospital las Higueras de Talcahuano. Métodos: se realizó una búsqueda en PUBMED artículos en inglés y español, desde 2011 a 2019. De los artículos encontrados, se revisó además la bibliografía de ellos, sumando a la revisión las publicaciones que fueran pertinentes. En la revisión práctica se realizó una sistematización de las intervenciones que se llevan a cabo a nivel endocrinológico y en salud mental. Resultados: los resultados indican que la prevalencia ha ido en aumento, al igual que la prevalencia hombre trans. Existen indicadores específicos para poder diferenciar la desistencia o persistencia de la IG. Las condiciones asociadas tales como ansiedad, depresión, ideación y conducta suicidas son generadas por el estrés de minorías y la intervención más apropiada es la afirmativa. Existe alta varianza de género en personas de condición trastorno de espectro autista (TEA), siendo mayor en las niñas que en los niños. Desde marzo 2019 Hospital las Higueras de Talcahuano inicia intervención transafirmativa con IG en NNA. Conclusiones: es necesario visibilizar el tema y despatologizarlo para que las(os) NNA tengan mayor acceso a apoyo transafirmativo.
Prognostic value of mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and reverse telomerase transcriptase (TERT) in Argentine patients` gliomas
Authors: Funes Pedro Tomás , Moggia Daniela , Parma Diana Lidia , Ferrer Marcela , Giliberto Florencia , Szijan Irene
Published: March 2021

Background and aim: Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors, and they are classified according to their histopathological and genetic features. Tumorigenesis depends on alterations in different genes. The aim of this study was to identify mutations in IDH1 and TERT genes in gliomas of Argentine patients and to correlate them with clinical features.
Methods. DNA was isolated from 19 biopsies with different glioma grades matched with blood samples. IDH1 and TERT mutations were identified by PCR amplification and sequencing.
Results. Six out of seven patients with low-grade glioma (grade II) harbor IDH1 mutations, mainly without tumor growth and an overall survival of more than 12 months. Eleven out of twelve patients with high-grade gliomas (grade III/IV) showed wild type IDH1, mainly with tumor growth and shorter survival than low-grade gliomas. Mutated TERT promoter was present in 5 out of 11 high-grade gliomas, showing the prevalence of polymorphic C allele, whereas, low-grade gliomas showed mutated TERT in 1 out of 5 gliomas and a predominance of T allele. TERT and IDH1 mutations were mutually exclusive in most gliomas.
Conclusions: Our results show that genetic tests provided more accurate diagnosis than histopathological analysis. Evolution of gliomas can be predicted primarily by the mutational status of IDH1 and secondarily by other markers, such as TERT mutational status, and the patient´s age.
Pandemia, precios y el desafío monetario
Authors: González Pablo
Published: March 2021

Aún no tenemos certezas sobre cuánto llevará superar la etapa crítica de la pandemia del COVID-19, pero en el plano de la política económica se comienzan a vislumbrar algunos interrogantes para la normalización de la actividad productiva y el desarrollo del quehacer económico. En este escenario, el desafío 2021 para el Banco Central no es menor. Continuar leyendo...
Knobloch Syndrome, a Rare Cause of Occipital Encephalocele and Seizures: A Case Report
Authors: Venkateshappa Bhaskar Madivala , Raju Bharath , Rallo Michael S. , Jumah Fareed , Suresh Sumatha Channapatna , Gupta Gaurav , Nanda Anil
Published: March 2021

Background: Knobloch syndrome (KS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder associated with multiple ocular and cranial abnormalities. Occult occipital skull defect or encephalocele should raise suspicion of this disease. It is never reported in neurosurgical literature, possibly due to a lack of clinician familiarity, leading to underdiagnosis and inadequate management. Our patient also had seizures, which is a sporadic presentation of this syndrome. Case Description: Here, we report a clinico-radiologic finding of a 7-year-old boy who presented with seizures, cataracts, and an occipital bone defect along with bilateral subependymal heterotopias and polymicrogyria. Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of consideration of this syndrome in children with a midline occipital bone defect with or without encephalocele and seizures. Early recognition of this presentation is critical for obtaining access to appropriate genetic counseling and subsequent monitoring and prevention of complications by surgical intervention.