bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional-Type Caristi–Kirk Theorem on Menger Space and Application
Authors: Chaira Soumia , Dahmouni Mohammed , Eladraoui Abderrahim , Kabil Mustapha
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we extend Caristi’s fixed point theorem in metric spaces to probabilistic metric spaces, and also, we prove some common fixed point theorems for a pair of mappings satisfying a system of Caristi-type contractions in the setting of a Menger space. Two examples are given to support the main results. Furthermore, we have functional equations as an application for the main theorem.
Serratia marcescens Endocarditis with Perivalvular Abscess Presenting as Atrioventricular Block
Authors: Richardson Aaron , Martinez Andres , Ghetiya Shreya , Missov Emil , Percy Robert , Sattiraju Srinivasan
Published: June 2020

Serratia marcescens is an aerobic, Gram-negative bacillus first identified in 1819 (Yeung et al. 2018). S. marcescens infective endocarditis is extremely rare accounting for only 0.14% of all cases (Phadke and Jacob 2016, Hadano et al. 2012, Nikolakopoulos et al. 2019). We present the case of a 33-year-old male with a past medical history of Hodgkin lymphoma, nonischemic cardiomyopathy ejection fraction of 25–30%, severe aortic stenosis, hepatitis C, and active intravenous (IV) drug abuse who was admitted following a motor vehicle accident. Approximately 10 days into his admission, he developed a 39.5 degree Celsius fever, which prompted collection of blood cultures. These cultures were positive (2 out of 2) for S. marcescens for which he was treated with intravenous cefepime. Soon after this diagnosis, patient developed a complete AV block. Given the instability of the patient, he required emergent placement of a temporary pacing wire. Transesophageal echocardiogram was ordered and revealed an aortic root abscess. Given the comorbidities and active IV drug use, conservative management was pursued. Although rare, trends suggest that this pathogen may be on the rise. Further research is needed to better understand how to effectively manage this pathogen.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Massage Intervention for the Treatment of Poststroke Constipation: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wang Qiu-Shuang , Liu Ya , Zou Xiang-Ni , Ma Yan-Ling , Liu Gen-Li
Published: June 2020

Background. It is essential to determine a safe and effective method for treating constipation after stroke. Massage has been widely used in recent years. However, meta‐analysis data on the efficacy of massage for the treatment of constipation experienced after stroke are almost nonexistent. Objective. This review aimed to examine the effectiveness of using massage therapy to treat constipation in patients who suffered a stroke event. Methods. This systematic review adhered to the reporting guidelines for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses. Electronic databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine, Wan Fang Data, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and National Knowledge Infrastructure, were searched for relevant studies on the efficacy of massage for the treatment of poststroke constipation. Rev‐Man 5.3 software was used to analyze the study data. Results. A total of 11 randomized controlled trials with 1045 patients were included. A statistically significant difference in the total effective rates was found between the massage and control groups (OR = 4.96; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.81, 8.76; P < 0.001). Compared with the control groups, the massage group had markedly reduced incidences of constipation (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.47; P < 0.001) and of four symptoms of discomfort (P < 0.001). The frequency of defecation on day two and day three in the massage group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion. Our results strongly suggest that massage can effectively reduce the incidence and severity of constipation after stroke. However, large, multicenter, long‐term, and high‐quality randomized controlled trials need to be conducted to establish a definitive conclusion.
Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Its Determinants among Pregnant Women in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Alemu Addisu Alehegn , Zeleke Liknaw Bewket , Aynalem Bewket Yesarah , Kassa Getachew Mullu
Published: June 2020

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an infectious and a global public health problem. The prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women is between 2.3% and 7.9%. HBV infection during pregnancy is associated with prenatal transmission to the fetus. HBV has an effective vaccine which reduces up to 96% of the transmission. Although different studies were conducted in Ethiopia, none of them showed the national prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the pooled prevalence of HBV and its associated factors in Ethiopia. Methods. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for articles. All observational published studies were retrieved using relevant search terms in Google Scholar, African Online Journal, CINAHL, and PubMed databases. Newcastle-Ottawa assessment checklist for observational studies was used for critical appraisal of the included articles. The meta-analysis was done with STATA version 14 software. The I2 statistics were used to test heterogeneity whereas Begg’s and Egger’s tests were used to assess publication bias. Odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was presented using the forest plot. Results. A total of twenty-three studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of HBV in Ethiopia was 4.75% (95% CI: 4.06, 5.44). The subgroup analysis showed a higher prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women in Gambella (7.9%) and the lowest in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) (2.3%). Associated factors with HBV infection include history of multiple sexual partner (OR=6.02 (95%CI=3.86, 9.36)), blood transfusion history (OR=5.71 (95%CI=3.25, 10.04)), abortion history (OR=3.58 (95%CI=2.10, 6.09)), and history of body tattoo (OR=2.83 (95%CI=1.55, 5.17)). Conclusions. HBV infection among pregnant women is a common public health problem in Ethiopia. Multiple sexual partners, abortion history, blood transfusion history, and body tattoo were significantly associated with HBV infection. Policies and strategies should focus on factors identified in this study to improve the prevention of HBV among pregnant women.
HDAC3 Is Required for XPC Recruitment and Nucleotide Excision Repair of DNA Damage Induced by UV Irradiation
Authors: Nishimoto Koji , Niida Hiroyuki , Uchida Chiharu , Ohhata Tatsuya , Kitagawa Kyoko , Motegi Akira , Suda Takafumi , Kitagawa Masatoshi
Published: June 2020

Recent studies have demonstrated that lysine acetylation of histones is crucial for nucleotide excision repair (NER) by relaxing the chromatin structure, which facilitates the recruitment of repair factors. However, few studies have focused on the contribution of histone deacetylases (HDAC) to NER. Here, we found that histone H3 Lys14 (H3K14) was deacetylated by HDAC3 after UV irradiation. Depletion of HDAC3 caused defects in cyclobutene pyrimidine dimer excision and sensitized cells to UV irradiation. HDAC3-depleted cells had impaired unscheduled DNA synthesis, but not recovery of RNA synthesis, which indicates that HDAC3 was required for global genome NER. Moreover, xeroderma pigmentosum, complementation group C (XPC) accumulation at the local UV-irradiated area was attenuated in HDAC3-depleted cells. In addition to the delay of XPC accumulation at DNA damage sites, XPC ubiquitylation was inhibited in HDAC3-depleted cells. These results suggest that the deacetylation of histone H3K14 by HDAC3 after UV irradiation contributes to XPC recruitment to DNA lesions to promote global genome NER.

Implications:

Involvement of histone deacetylation for XPC accumulation after UV irradiation indicates conversion of chromatin structure is essential for nucleotide excision repair in human cancer cells.
Attenuation of mTOR Signaling Is the Major Response Element in the Rescue Pathway of Chronic Kidney Disease in Rats
Authors: Wang Jing , Chai Lichao , Lu Yi , Lu Hua  , Liu Yanling , Zhang Yingying
Published: June 2020

Background: Modern lifestyle changes and the interlinking of non-communicable diseases result in the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). While research has focused on attenuating the CKD, the role of mTOR in the progression of CKD is still unclear. Objectives: The current investigation was undertaken to study the role of mTOR-mediated signaling in CKD using Wistar male rats and adenine-induced CKD as an experimental model. Method: The animals were divided into 3 groups, representing control, CKD, and rapamycin-pretreated rats. At the end of the experimental period, blood biochemical indexes on kidney function and expression levels of fibrotic markers, including TGF-β, PAI-1, α-smooth muscle action, fibronectin, CTGF, and collagen-1, were analyzed. In addition, kidney injury markers such as kim-1, cystatin-C, NAG, and NGAL, indicating a progressive fibrotic response, were also studied. Results: The results suggest that mTOR inhibition significantly attenuated the induction of fibrosis, with restored serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Intriguingly, the microRNA (miRNA) analysis revealed an increased expression of miR-193–5p, miR-221, miR-212, and miR-183–5p in CKD, while an increased mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and reduced level of pS6K with attenuated miRNA was found in rapamycin-treated rats compared to the CKD animals. Conclusion: Activation of mTOR is the major responsive element with activation of miRNAs as an elementary role in the progression of kidney disease. Hence, targeting mTOR would be a possible strategy of treatment for CKD.
Are Genetic Variants Associated with the Location of Cerebral Arterial Lesions in Stroke Patients?
Authors: Kim Yeon-Jung , Kim Bum Joon , Lee Min Hwan , Lee Han-Bin , Lee Ji Sung , Chang Dae-il , Choi-Kwon Smi , Chun Sail , Lee Jong-Keuk , Kang Dong-Wha , Kwon Sun U. , Kim Jong S.
Published: June 2020

Background: Genetic variants may play a role in determining the location of cerebral atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate the association between RNF213, MMP2, and genetic polymorphisms linked to vascular tortuosity with the location of cerebral arterial atherosclerosis. Methods: A prospective case-control study was conducted on patients with ischemic stroke and age- and sex-matched stroke-free controls. The stroke patients were categorized into those with intracranial artery atherosclerosis (ICAS), extracranial artery atherosclerosis (ECAS), and small vessel occlusion (SVO). Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including rs2118181 (FBN1), rs2179357 (SLC2A10), rs1036095 (TGFBR2), rs243865 (MMP2), rs1800470 (TGFB1), and rs112735431 (RNF213) were analyzed with the TaqMan Genotyping Assay, and the distribution of genotypes across groups was compared. Results: None of the 6 SNPs were associated with stroke on comparing the 449 stroke patients (71 with ECAS, 169 with ICAS, and 209 with SVO) to the 447 controls. In the subgroup analysis, the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for age and sex indicated a significant association between rs112735431 and ICAS in the allele comparison analysis and in the additive and dominant model analyses. rs112735431 was associated with anterior circulation involvement and increased burden of cerebral atherosclerosis. rs2179357 was significantly associated with ICAS in the recessive model analysis, and rs1800470 was significantly associated with ECAS in the recessive model analysis when compared to controls. Conclusion: rs112735431 was associated with ICAS and increased atherosclerosis burden in Korean stroke patients. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of rs112735431 and to confirm the association of rs2179357 and rs1800470 with cerebral atherosclerosis.
Consequentializing Moral Dilemmas
Authors: Suikkanen Jussi
Published: June 2020

The aim of the consequentializing project is to show that, for every plausible ethical theory, there is a version of consequentialism that is extensionally equivalent to it. One challenge this project faces is that there are common-sense ethical theories that posit moral dilemmas. There has been some speculation about how the consequentializers should react to these theories, but so far there has not been a systematic treatment of the topic. In this article, I show that there are at least five ways in which we can construct versions of consequentialism that are extensionally equivalent to the ethical theories that contain moral dilemmas. I argue that all these consequentializing strategies face a dilemma: either they must posit moral dilemmas in unintuitive cases or they must rely on unsupported assumptions about value, permissions, requirements, or options. I also consider this result’s consequences for the consequentializing project.
Beyond Atoms and Accidents
Authors: Ibrahim Bilal
Published: June 2020

This article explores a novel approach to the analysis of the external world in postclassical Ashʿarite kalām. While discussions of physical reality and its fundamental constituents in the classical period of Islamic thought turned chiefly on the opposing views of kalām atomism and Aristotelian hylomorphism, in the postclassical period kalām thinkers in the Ashʿarite tradition forge a new frame of inquiry. Beginning most earnestly with the philosophical works of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, a critical approach is developed addressing received views in ontology, including the relation of substance to accident, the status of Aristotelian form and matter, and part-to-whole relations. Drawing on Rāzī’s al-Mulakhkhaṣ and al-Mabāḥith, kalām thinkers develop several concepts to distinguish arbitrary or mind-dependent (iʿtibārī) composites (‘man-plus-stone’) from non-arbitrary composites (e.g., tree, paste, and house). Most notably, they adopt a substance-plus-accident ontology in opposition to the Aristotelian hylomorphism of falsafa. The mutakallimūn will conceive of composites as possessing ‘real unity’ (ḥaqīqa muttaḥida) while dispensing with the explanatory and causal role of Aristotelian substantial forms.
Ṣadrā’s Use of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s al-Mabāḥith al-mashriqiyya in the Asfār
Authors: Bonmariage Cécile
Published: June 2020

The aim of this paper is to show that, in several chapters of the Asfār, Ṣadrā’s use of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s al-Mabāhith al-mashriqiyya is far more extensive than what a superficial reading, focusing only on explicit quotations, might indicate, and to explore what knowing this can bring to our reading of Ṣadrā’s text. It analyzes what Ṣadrā does with his source and examines a few examples to illustrate why it matters to know.
New species of Echinoderma and Lepiota (Agaricaceae) from China

Authors: HOU YA-JUN , GE ZAI-WEI
Published: June 2020

Three species of Lepiota sensu lato from China are described and illustrated based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. Echinoderma flavidoasperum and Lepiota omninoflava are new to science, while Lepiota echinacea is newly reported from China. Echinoderma flavidoasperum is characterized by a yellow pileus, nearly smooth stipe that discolors light red when bruised, and subcylindrical basidiospores. Lepiota omninoflava, so far only found in the tropics, is characterized by the yellow basidiomata, ellipsoid basidiospores and the absence of cheilocystidia. All three of the Chinese species are discussed and placed within a phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the large subunit (LSU) of the ribosomal DNA, the translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α) and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2).
Pouteria kossmanniae (Sapotaceae): a new species from Central Amazonia, Brazil

Authors: VASCONCELOS CAROLINE C. , ADRIANZÉN MARISABEL U. , CAMARGO JOSÉ LUÍS C. , TERRA-ARAUJO MÁRIO H.
Published: June 2020

Pouteria kossmanniae (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae), a new species from Central Amazonia, is here described. It is known from the Manaus region, Amazonas, Brazil, and is found in non-flooded upland forests, known as terra firme. Illustrations are provided in addition to geographic distribution, with a comparison of the morphological and spectral (near-infrared) differences between P. kossmanniae and its very similar species Pouteria macrophylla, Pouteria manaosensis, and Pouteria rodriguesiana. The species is naturally common in some urban forest fragments, but since only a low number of subpopulations is known, we assign P. kossmanniae the preliminary conservation status of “Endangered”.
Taxonomy of Ecuadorian water beetles in the genus Hydrochus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera: Hydrochidae)
Authors: PERKINS PHILIP D.
Published: June 2020

The taxonomy of Ecuadorian water beetles in the genus Hydrochus Leach, 1817 is presented. The known fauna now consists of 12 species, six of which are described as new species. The new species are diagnosed, and high-resolution images of the habitus and male genitalia of each species are given. The following new species are described: H. armatus n. sp., H. hamulus n. sp., latipennis n. sp., H. lobissimus n. sp., H. maximus n. sp., and H. simplicatus n. sp. Habitus and male genitalia illustrations are also presented for H. choennii Makhan 1992, and H. hellmani Perkins 2019. New locality data are provided for H. argutus Knisch 1921, H. bicarinatus Perkins 2019, H. bituberculatus Perkins 2019, H. choennii Makhan 1992, H. hellmani Perkins 2019, and H. piroei Makhan 1992.
Paramathes evdomo, a new species from Sichuan, southwestern China (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae)
Authors: SALDAITIS AIDAS , VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , GYULAI PETER
Published: June 2020

Paramathes Boursin, 1954 is a Noctuinae genus closely related to Xestia Hübner and distributed in high mountain regions of West and Central China. Paramathes and the Xestia—complex (the Palaearctic and Oriental species have never been revised) show a lot of synapomorhies, which indicate the close relationship, particularly in the male genitalia: lanceolate or spatulate uncus, the presence of apical process and pseudopollex on the valvae, carinal thorn or bulb. However, these characters are not present all in most of the Xestia; e. g. most of them have long, narrow uncus, no apical process on the valvae, absent carinal thorn or bulb; or are without being combined these. In the females, the differences are more conspicuous; the postero - bilateral lobes of the strongly sclerotized antrum are very large in Paramathes (these are not present in most of the Xestia, or much smaller), the corpus bursae short and ample, the appendix bursae prominent. The autapomorhies of the Paramathes are the Eugnorisma—like forewing pattern, the slightly dentate, ribbon shaped sclerotization extending from the carina onto the basal section of the vesica in the males, while those are in the females the very large postero - bilateral lobes of the strongly sclerotized antrum and the presence of the four signa in the corpus bursae. A revision of Paramathes was recently published by Varga et al. (2015), who included in the genus five species, such as P. tibetica Boursin, 1954, P. perigrapha (Püngeler, 1900), P. amphigrapha Boursin, 1954, P. pulchrisigna Boursin, 1954, P. xestioides Varga, Ronkay, Ronkay, Gyulai, 2015 and one subspecies P. perigrapha simonyisandori Varga, Ronkay, Ronkay, Gyulai, 2015. Paramathes daochengi was described a year later by Saldaitis & Gyulai (2016). During a lepidopterological expedition to the northwestern part of China’s Sichuan Province in June of 2019, a short series of Paramathes specimens (Figs 1, 2) similar to Paramathes daochengi Saldaitis & Gyulai, 2016 (Fig. 3) was collected. However, after examining their genitalia by second author, it was concluded by the authors, that they belong to an undescribed species which is described below.
Four new species of Amynthas earthworms in southeastern Vietnam (Annelida, Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae)
Authors: NGUYEN TUNG T. , TRAN BINH T.T. , LAM DANG H. , NGUYEN ANH D.
Published: June 2020

Four new earthworm species of the genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867 are described from southeastern Vietnam, named A. longiprostaticus sp. nov., A. dorsomorrioides sp. nov., A. minhdam sp. nov., and A. ocularius sp. nov. A. longiprostaticus sp. nov. belongs to the A. minimus group of species, characterized by spermathecal pores in 5/6. It is distinguished by small body size with length 5–7 cm, and by elongate prostate glands, which extend over more than 10 segments. A. dorsomorrioides sp. nov. belongs to the A. morrisi group, characterized by holandry and spermathecal pores in 5/6/7. It is distinguished by a dorsal location of these pores, by one pair of large genital markings presetal in xvii, and by the absence of genital markings in the spermathecal region. A. minhdam sp. nov. also belongs to the A. morrisi group, and is distinguished by a pair of genital markings located medially in xviii and by the spermathecal diverticula, which have a small seminal chamber sub-divided by constrictions into 4 or 5 parts, in chain-form. A. ocularius sp. nov. belongs to the A. gracilis group by virtue of holandry and spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8. It is distinguished by numerous small genital markings in the male region, postsetal in xviii and presetal in xix, and arranged in a peculiar fashion reminiscent of eyeglasses connected by a bridge. With these descriptions, there are now 119 species of Amynthas known in Vietnam.
3D target localization based on multi–unmanned aerial vehicle cooperation
Authors: Xu Cheng , Yin Chanjuan , Huang Daqing , Han Wei , Wang Dongzhen
Published: June 2020

Ground target three-dimensional positions measured from optical remote-sensing images taken by an unmanned aerial vehicle play an important role in related military and civil applications. The weakness of this system lies in its localization accuracy being unstable and its efficiency being low when using a single unmanned aerial vehicle. In this paper, a novel multi–unmanned aerial vehicle cooperative target localization measurement method is proposed to overcome these issues. In the target localization measurement stage, three or more unmanned aerial vehicles simultaneously observe the same ground target and acquire multiple remote-sensing images. According to the principle of perspective projection, the target point, its image point, and the camera’s optic center are collinear, and nonlinear observation equations are established. These equations are then converted to linear equations using a Taylor expansion. Robust weighted least-squares estimation is used to solve the equations with the objective function of minimizing the weighted square sum of re-projection errors from target points to multiple pairs of images, which can make the best use of the effective information and avoid interference from the observation data. An automatic calculation strategy using a weight matrix is designed, and the weight matrix and target-position coordinate value are updated in each iteration until the iteration stopping condition is satisfied. Compared with the stereo-image-pair cross-target localization method, the multi–unmanned aerial vehicle cooperative target localization method can use more observation information, which results in higher rendezvous accuracy and improved performance. Finally, the effectiveness and robustness of this method is verified by numerical simulation and flight testing. The results show that the proposed method can effectively improve the precision of the target’s localization and demonstrates great potential for providing more accurate target localization in engineering applications.
Interplay and Cooperation in Environmental Conservation: Building Capacity and Responsive Institutions Within and Beyond the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Canada
Authors: Orozco-Quintero Alejandra , King Leslie , Canessa Rosaline
Published: June 2020

Although protected areas (PAs) have become pivotal components in the pursuit of environmental sustainability, they have had mixed success in achieving environmental goals, in part due to internal factors such as governance design and insufficient ability to operate within, and connect to, wider social, economic, and institutional frameworks. A growing body of scholarship reveals that there are fundamental mismatches between rhetoric and practice in state-driven “participatory” conservation, and that state–community cooperation is extremely challenging. This study draws on data from qualitative research on institutions and interactions in conservation planning and management to examine factors influencing collaboration between Parks Canada and Nuu-chah-nulth communities adjacent to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. We consider the evolution of policies, institutional arrangements, state-community interactions, and socio-cultural and legal frameworks within which state-led conservation takes place to assess progress in multilevel cooperation. We found that despite differences in degrees of authority and decision-making power, and a land tenure framework that favors the state, there is a shift from domination toward negotiation in the interplay between the federal government and grassroots actors. That shift is linked to the recognition of First Nations’ ancestral tenure and custodianship, and the particularities of grassroots and state leadership. The findings suggest significant progress in sustaining the PA as a multilevel effort, and that cooperation in conservation helps all parties to build capacity for environmental stewardship beyond the PA and to fashion conservation institutions that are responsive to changing social–ecological conditions.
The effect of 10-min dispatch-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation training: a randomized simulation pilot study
Authors: Fukushima Hidetada , Asai Hideki , Seki Tadahiko , Takano Keisuke , Bolstad Francesco
Published: June 2020

Background

Immediate bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential for survival from sudden cardiac arrest (CA). Current CPR guidelines recommend that dispatchers assist lay rescuers performing CPR (dispatch-assisted CPR (DACPR)), which can double the frequency of bystander CPR. Laypersons, however, are not familiar with receiving CPR instructions from dispatchers. DACPR training can be beneficial for lay rescuers, but this has not yet been validated. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of simple DACPR training for lay rescuers.

Methods

We conducted a DACPR simulation pilot study. Participants who were non-health care professionals with no CPR training within 1 year prior to this study were recruited from Nara Medical University Hospital. The participants were randomly assigned to one of the two 90-min adult basic life support (BLS) training course groups: DACPR group (standard adult BLS training plus an additional 10-min DACPR training) or Standard group (standard adult BLS training only). In the DACPR group, participants practiced DACPR through role-playing of a dispatcher and an emergency caller. Six months after the training, all subjects were asked to perform a 2-min CPR simulation under instructions given by off-duty dispatchers.

Results

Out of the 66 participants, 59 completed the simulation (30 from the DACPR group and 29 from the Standard group). The CPR quality was similar between the two groups. However, the median time interval between call receipt and the first dispatch-assisted compression was faster in the DACPR group (108 s vs 129 s, p = 0.042).

Conclusions

This brief DACPR training in addition to standard CPR training can result in a modest improvement in the time to initiate CPR. Future studies are now required to examine the effect of DACPR training on survival of sudden CA.
A flexible network-based imputing-and-fusing approach towards the identification of cell types from single-cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Qi Yang , Guo Yang , Jiao Huixin , Shang Xuequn
Published: June 2020

Background

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provides an effective tool to investigate the transcriptomic characteristics at the single-cell resolution. Due to the low amounts of transcripts in single cells and the technical biases in experiments, the raw scRNA-seq data usually includes large noise and makes the downstream analyses complicated. Although many methods have been proposed to impute the noisy scRNA-seq data in recent years, few of them take into account the prior associations across genes in imputation and integrate multiple types of imputation data to identify cell types.

Results

We present a new framework, NetImpute, towards the identification of cell types from scRNA-seq data by integrating multiple types of biological networks. We employ a statistic method to detect the noise data items in scRNA-seq data and develop a new imputation model to estimate the real values of data noise by integrating the PPI network and gene pathways. Meanwhile, based on the data imputed by multiple types of biological networks, we propose an integrated approach to identify cell types from scRNA-seq data. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed network-based imputation model can estimate the real values of noise data items accurately and integrating the imputation data based on multiple types of biological networks can improve the identification of cell types from scRNA-seq data.

Conclusions

Incorporating the prior gene associations in biological networks can potentially help to improve the imputation of noisy scRNA-seq data and integrating multiple types of network-based imputation data can enhance the identification of cell types. The proposed NetImpute provides an open framework for incorporating multiple types of biological network data to identify cell types from scRNA-seq data.
Exact solving and sensitivity analysis of stochastic continuous time Boolean models
Authors: Koltai Mihály , Noel Vincent , Zinovyev Andrei , Calzone Laurence , Barillot Emmanuel
Published: June 2020

Background

Solutions to stochastic Boolean models are usually estimated by Monte Carlo simulations, but as the state space of these models can be enormous, there is an inherent uncertainty about the accuracy of Monte Carlo estimates and whether simulations have reached all attractors. Moreover, these models have timescale parameters (transition rates) that the probability values of stationary solutions depend on in complex ways, raising the necessity of parameter sensitivity analysis. We address these two issues by an exact calculation method for this class of models.

Results

We show that the stationary probability values of the attractors of stochastic (asynchronous) continuous time Boolean models can be exactly calculated. The calculation does not require Monte Carlo simulations, instead it uses graph theoretical and matrix calculation methods previously applied in the context of chemical kinetics. In this version of the asynchronous updating framework the states of a logical model define a continuous time Markov chain and for a given initial condition the stationary solution is fully defined by the right and left nullspace of the master equation’s kinetic matrix. We use topological sorting of the state transition graph and the dependencies between the nullspaces and the kinetic matrix to derive the stationary solution without simulations. We apply this calculation to several published Boolean models to analyze the under-explored question of the effect of transition rates on the stationary solutions and show they can be sensitive to parameter changes. The analysis distinguishes processes robust or, alternatively, sensitive to parameter values, providing both methodological and biological insights.

Conclusion

Up to an intermediate size (the biggest model analyzed is 23 nodes) stochastic Boolean models can be efficiently solved by an exact matrix method, without using Monte Carlo simulations. Sensitivity analysis with respect to the model’s timescale parameters often reveals a small subset of all parameters that primarily determine the stationary probability of attractor states.
Incremental prognostic value of aortic stiffness in addition to myocardial ischemia by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Kaolawanich Yodying , Boonyasirinant Thananya
Published: June 2020

Background

Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality. However, no data exists for the prognosis of combined aortic stiffness and myocardial ischemia. Using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, we assessed the association of aortic stiffness by pulse wave velocity (PWV), myocardial ischemia, and CV events in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

Velocity-encoded CMR was performed in 520 patients who had undergone adenosine stress CMR. The PWV was determined between the mid-ascending and mid-descending thoracic aorta. Patients were divided into 4 groups by PWV (higher or lower PWV) and myocardial ischemia (positive or negative ischemia). Combined CV events including mortality, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, coronary revascularization, and stroke were analyzed among the 4 groups.

Results

The median follow-up period was 46.5 months, and the median PWV was 10.54 m/sec. Myocardial ischemia was positive in 199 patients (38.3%). The group with a higher PWV and positive ischemia had the most CV events (hazard ratio 8.94, p <  0.001). The group with a higher PWV and negative ischemia also was significantly associated with CV events (HR 2.19, p = 0.02). Groups with a lower PWV-positive ischemia and a higher PWV-negative ischemia showed no difference in terms of CV events (HR 0.60, p = 0.08). Patients with myocardial ischemia who had higher PWV demonstrated significantly higher event rates than those who had lower PWV (HR 2.41, p <  0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that myocardial ischemia and PWV were independent predictors for combined CV events (HR 2.71, p <  0.001 and HR 2.42, p <  0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Stress perfusion CMR provided prognostic utility in patients with known or suspected CAD. Adding aortic stiffness to stress perfusion CMR could improve risk assessment and prediction for future CV events.
Feasibility and behavioral effects of prolonged static and dynamic standing as compared to sitting in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Marusic Uros , Müller Martijn L. T. M. , Alexander Neil B. , Bohnen Nicolaas I.
Published: June 2020

Background

Physical inactivity is prevalent in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and may exacerbate their clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of 4-h regular versus more dynamic standing sessions while performing routine desktop activities as a non-exercise physical activity intervention in older adults with T2DM to increase non-exercise activity.

Methods

Twelve older adult patients with T2DM (3 female; age 71 ± 4 years; Body mass index 34 ± 5 kg/m2) completed three sessions (baseline sitting followed by “static” or “dynamic” desktop standing sessions). Participants stood behind a regular height-adjustable desk in the “static” standing session. An upright dynamic standing desk, which provides cues to make small weight-shifting movements, was used for the “dynamic” standing session. Oxygen consumption, cognitive performance, as well as net standing duration, total movement activity, and musculoskeletal discomfort were assessed during all three sessions.

Results

All participants were able to complete all sessions. Oxygen consumption and overall movements progressively increased from sitting to static and dynamic standing, respectively (p < 0.001). The duration of breaks during standing (p = 0.024) and rate of total musculoskeletal discomfort development (p = 0.043) were lower in the dynamic standing compared to static standing sessions. There was no evidence of executive cognitive worsening during either standing session compared to sitting.

Conclusions

Prolonged 4-h standing as a simple non-exercise physical intervention is feasible in older adults with T2DM and may have metabolic (oxygen consumption) benefits. Increasing movement during desktop standing may offer incremental benefits compared to regular standing. Prolonged desktop standing might provide an effective intervention in T2DM older participants to target sedentariness.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04410055), retrospectively registered May 27, 2020.
Understanding the holistic experiences of living with a kidney transplant: an interpretative phenomenological study (protocol)
Authors: McKeaveney C. , Noble H. , Courtney A. E. , Gill P. , Griffin S. , Johnston W. , Maxwell A. P. , Teasdale F. , Reid J.
Published: June 2020

Background

Currently very little is known about the perceptions and experiences of kidney transplant recipients from a qualitative perspective. As highlighted by the European Kidney Health Alliance recommendations, providing holistic care to kidney patients is important however this is currently an unmet care need in renal disease. It is imperative to understand patient experiences to ensure that they are included in key strategies and future renal service planning. Ignoring these important patient views means that there is a significant risk of inappropriate renal service provision and lack of adequate support impacting on overall health.

Method

A purposive sampling strategy will recruit individuals currently living with a kidney transplant, 6 months to 5 years post-transplant. A maximum of 30 patients will be recruited between two Regional Nephrology units within the United Kingdom via clinical gatekeepers. In-depth interviews will be undertaken with participants living with a kidney transplant across the two sites. Interviews will be digitally-recorded, transcribed verbatim and subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Discussion

Renal healthcare professionals need to understand more than the biological impact of receiving a kidney transplant. Understanding the holistic and multi-domain experiences that these patients experience will help healthcare professionals to recognize the needs of this group and ensure more responsive care.
Prediction of generalization of ocular myasthenia gravis under immunosuppressive therapy in Northwest China
Authors: Ding Jiaqi , Zhao Sijia , Ren Kaixi , Dang Dan , Li Hongzeng , Wu Fang , Zhang Min , Li Zhuyi , Guo Jun
Published: June 2020

Background

It is well demonstrated that immunosuppressants can reduce, but not eliminate the risk of generalized development in ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG). In this study, we aimed to explore the predictive factors of generalized conversion of OMG patients who received immunosuppressive treatments.

Methods

OMG patients under immunosuppressive treatments in Tangdu Hospital from June 2008 to June 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline clinical characteristics were documented. Patients were followed up regularly by face-to-face interview and the main outcome measure was generalized conversion. The logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictive factors of generalization of OMG.

Results

Two hundred twenty-three eligible OMG patients completed the final follow-up visit and 38 (17.0%) progressed to generalized MG (GMG) at a median time to generalization of 0.9 year. Patients with adult onset and positive repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) of facial or axillary nerve had higher conversion rate than those with juvenile onset and negative RNS (p = 0.001; p = 0.019; p = 0.015, respectively). Adult-onset patients converted earlier than juvenile-onset OMG patients (p = 0.014). Upon multivariate logistic regression analysis, age of onset (Odds ratio [OR] 1.023, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.006–1.041, p = 0.007) and positive facial nerve RNS (OR 2.826, 95%CI 1.045–5.460, p = 0.038) were found to be positively associated with generalized development. Moreover, an obviously negative association was found for disease duration (OR 0.603, 95%CI 0.365–0.850, p = 0.019).

Conclusions

Age of onset, disease duration and facial nerve RNS test can predict generalized conversion of OMG under immunosuppressive therapy. Adult-onset, shorter disease duration and facial nerve RNS-positive OMG patients have a higher risk of generalized development.
Metrics of perineal support (MOPS) study
Authors: Kalis Vladimir , Rusavy Zdenek , Havelkova Linda , Zitka Tomas , Tolar David , Ismail Khaled M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Manual perineal protection (MPP) is an intrapartum intervention suggested to protect perineal integrity during childbirth. Proper execution of MPP is complex and evaluation of its true contribution is difficult in the clinical setting because of the large number of obstetric variables, some of which are hardly quantifiable. In this study we aimed to gather initial data on the forces executed by the accoucheur’s thumb, index and middle fingers during MPP at the time of fetal head expulsion, quantify the duration of the intervention and investigate the timely interaction of the different components of MPP.

Methods

Two bespoke right-handed measurement gloves (MG), with built in sensors, were designed and produced. The MG allowed the electronic real-time measurement of applied forces during MPP and transferred this data wirelessly to an integrated computer system. Sterile gloves were worn over the MG when used at the time of birth. The study was undertaken between January and December 2019. Singleton, term pregnant women having their first vaginal birth who provided a valid written consent were enrolled into this prospective pilot study. All deliveries were undertaken by one of two obstetricians experienced in MPP.

Results

Twenty women were enrolled. The mean duration of execution of MPP during the last contraction was 13.6 s. In 20% it lasted < 5 s. The overall mean values of the average and maximum forces of the thumb, index and middle fingers were 26.7 N; 25.5 N; 20.2 N and 34.3 N; 32.6 N; and 27.6 N respectively. The onset of fingers and thumb activity was simultaneous in 13 cases (65%), while in seven (35%) deliveries the middle finger’s force activity was initiated later.

Conclusions

MPP during fetal head expulsion happens over a short period of time. In the majority of cases the thumb and fingers actions started simultaneously. There were differences in the duration of application and the forces executed by the fingers and thumb between the two practitioners, however this was only significant for thumb measurements. The results obtained will aid in improving further MPP modeling studies to optimize the technique.
Innovative health care mobility services in the US
Authors: Wolfe Mary K. , McDonald Noreen C.
Published: June 2020

Background

Transportation barriers prevent millions of people from accessing health care each year. Health policy innovations such as shared savings payment models (commonly used in accountable care organizations) present financial incentives for providers to offer patient transportation to medical care. Meanwhile, ridesourcing companies like Uber and Lyft have entered the market to capture a significant share of spending on non-emergency health care transportation. Our research examines the current landscape of innovative health care mobility services in the US.

Methods

We conducted an environmental scan to identify case examples of utilization of ridesourcing technology to facilitate non-emergency health care transportation and developed a typology of innovative health care mobility services. The scan used a keyword-based search of news publications with inductive analysis. For each instance identified, we abstracted key information including: stakeholders, launch date, transportation provider, location/service area, payment/booking method, target population, level of service, and any documented outcomes.

Results

We discovered 53 cases of innovation and among them we identified three core types of innovation or collaboration. The first and most common type of innovation is when a health care provider leverages ridesourcing technology to book patient trips. This involves both established and nascent transportation companies tailoring the ridesourcing experience to the health care industry by adding HIPAA-compliance to the booking process. The second type of innovation involves an insurer or health plan formally partnering with a ridesourcing company to expand transportation offerings to beneficiaries or offer these services for the first time. The third type of innovation is when a paratransit provider partners with a ridesourcing company; these cases cite increased flexibility and reliability of ridesourcing services compared to traditional paratransit.

Conclusions

Ridesourcing options are becoming a part of the mode choice set for patients through formal partnerships between ridesourcing companies, health care providers, insurers, and transit agencies. The on-demand nature of rides, booking flexibility, and integration of ride requests and payment options via electronic medical records appear to be the strongest drivers of this innovation.
DNA steganography: hiding undetectable secret messages within the single nucleotide polymorphisms of a genome and detecting mutation-induced errors
Authors: Na Dokyun
Published: June 2020

Background

As cell engineering technology advances, more complex synthetically designed cells and metabolically engineered cells are being developed. Engineered cells are important resources in industry. Similar to image watermarking, engineered cells should be watermarked for protection against improper use.

Results

In this study, a DNA steganography methodology was developed to hide messages in variable regions (single nucleotide polymorphisms) of the genome to create hidden messages and thereby prevent from hacking. Additionally, to detect errors (mutations) within the encrypted messages, a block sum check algorithm was employed, similar to that used in network data transmission to detect noise-induced information changes.

Conclusions

This DNA steganography methodology could be used to hide secret messages in a genome and detect errors within the encrypted messages. This approach is expected to be useful for tracking cells and protecting biological assets (e.g., engineered cells).