bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid creation of an emergency department telehealth program during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Heslin Samita M , Nappi Michael , Kelly Gerald , Crawford Joan , Morley Eric J , Lingam Veena , Henry Mark , Viccellio Peter
Published: September 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread to nearly every continent, with over 2.6 m cases confirmed worldwide. Emergency departments care for a significant number of patients who are under investigation for COVID-19 or are COVID-19-positive. When patients present in the emergency department, there is an increased risk of spreading the virus to other patients and staff. We designed an emergency department telehealth program for patients physically in the emergency department, to reduce exposure and conserve personal protective equipment. While traditional telehealth is designed to be patient-specific and device-independent, our emergency department telehealth program was device-specific and patient-independent. In this article, we describe how we rapidly implemented our emergency department telehealth program, used for 880 min of contact time and 523 patient encounters in a 30-day period, which decreased exposure to COVID-19 and conserved personal protective equipment. We share our challenges, successes and recommendations for designing an emergency department telehealth program, building the technological aspects, and deploying telehealth devices in the emergency department environment. Our recommendations can be adopted by other emergency departments to create and run their own emergency department telehealth initiatives.
Capturing Conflicting Accounts of Domestic Labour: The Household Portrait as a Methodology
Authors: Christopher Emily
Published: September 2020

Drawing on data from a UK study conducted in 2014/2015, based on qualitative interviews with 25 working parent, heterosexual couples on their domestic division of labour, I argue that the interactive methodology of the ‘Household Portrait’ not only provides data on the distribution of household labour but also reveals gender differences in how domestic labour is conceptualised and measured. Disagreements and inconsistencies between couples over who ‘mostly’ does various tasks embody gendered perceptions of the meaning of doing domestic tasks and the appropriate temporal frame for evaluating individual contributions. Partners’ joking competition over their respective contributions highlight not just the normative expectations guiding what women and men feel they should do but also the criteria that they think should be used to measure their contributions.
Social sanctions of leisure and tourism constraints in Nepal
Authors: Bhandari Kalyan
Published: September 2020

This study deals with the role of social sanctions in exploring the leisure-tourism engagement in Nepal. It then examines how people respond to societal norms and partake in leisure tourism vacations. The study applies the qualitative method and data is collected through in-depth interviews of purposely selected samples of 18 individuals in Kathmandu. The findings identify that the Nepali conception of leisure is subject to a degree of negative social sanctions, which people negotiate through their religious values and obligations. The paper establishes the centrality of social sanctions on leisure in understanding the incentives for tourism in a non-western society.
The discursive construction of participation: Assigning and justifying responsibility in management meetings
Authors: Tavella Elena
Published: September 2020

This article explores the discursive mechanisms by which managers include and exclude others from the broader strategizing process in the context of management meetings. Based on a longitudinal, inductive case study at a Scandinavian university, this article shows how managers construct participation by (1) assigning responsibility for project tasks to different actors and in different ways, and by (2) justifying responsibility assignments. As managers use different sets of discursive practices, the justifications remain straightforward or evolve over time, thereby creating different patterns of participation. This study contributes to the literature on the construction of participation by showing how managers use discursive mechanisms to enable alternative means to top-down strategizing, and demonstrating how participation is linked to the interpretation of issues in conversation.
The design of social and cultural orientated urban tissues through evolutionary processes
Authors: Choi Jason , Nguyen Phat Chi Thanh , Makki Mohammed
Published: September 2020

The research examines how social and cultural properties can be utilised as an alternative planning scheme to improve urban morphology and enhance the overall experience of individuals within the city. The aim is for these socio-cultural properties to be translated into quantitative data sets that define the morphological characteristics of the urban tissue. Through the use of evolutionary optimisation methods, the process of urban growth is simulated through a series of individuals that adapt and optimise for multiple design criteria. The experiment presented quantifies the social and cultural properties of a superblock within the city of Kyoto to generate an urban tissue that is susceptible to future growth.
One-Year Single-Center Results of the Multilayer Flow Modulator Stents for the Treatment of Type B Aortic Dissection
Authors: Costache Victor S. , Meekel Jorn P. , Costache Andreea , Melnic Tatiana , Bucurenciu Cristian , Chitic Anca , Candea Gabriela , Solomon Crina , Yeung Kak K.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To report a single-center series of patients with type B aortic dissection treated with the Multilayer Flow Modulator (MFM).

Materials and Methods

Over a 36-month period, 23 patients (median age 53 years; 20 men) with complicated type B aortic dissections (2 acute, 5 subacute, and 16 chronic) were treated with the MFM. Primary endpoints of rupture or dissection-related death, overall mortality, and reintervention were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method; estimates for freedom from the endpoints are reported with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Secondary outcomes included technical success, adverse events, and aortic remodeling. Clinical and imaging data were collected preoperatively, directly postoperatively, and annually to 36 months for analysis using computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Results

Initial technical success was 91.3%. The estimates of the endpoints at 12 months were 100% for freedom from rupture or aortic-related death, 95.7% for freedom from overall mortality, and 91.3% for freedom from reintervention. No device-related neurological or systemic complications occurred, and no additional reinterventions were needed during follow-up. A total of 144 branches overstented by the MFM remained patent. Morphologic analysis of the aortic dissection showed progressive true lumen volume increase (75.9%, p<0.001) with concomitant false lumen volume decrease (42.8%, p<0.001); the CFD analyses showed increased laminar flow.

Conclusion

In the current series, the MFM provided a safe and feasible treatment option for complicated acute, subacute, and chronic type B aortic dissections, with high technical success, low mortality, and active aortic remodeling. Further studies should elucidate the long-term safety of the MFM and its effectiveness in a larger patient cohort.
DropSafe safety pen needle helps to prevent accidental needlesticks after injections: results of a simulated clinical study
Authors: Malinowski Mariusz , Serafin Anna , Prazmowska-Wilanowska Aleksandra
Published: September 2020

Background:

Most needlestick injuries (NSIs) result from unsafe needle devices. DropSafe safety pen needle (SPN) was designed to help prevent such injuries before, during and after use through a built-in sharps injury prevention feature (SIPF).

Methods:

A two-phase study was undertaken. For the pilot study, five non-healthcare users (NHCUs) performed evaluations. For the validation study, 30 evaluators comprising 10 healthcare professionals (HCPs) and 20 NHCUs performed evaluations. The aim of the study was to validate the performance of the SIPF of the SPN and to collect feedback from the evaluators on several aspects of the safety device. Participants performed simulated injections into an orange.

Results:

The results show that no device failures were observed, and all manipulations were performed without a needlestick or without contact with the needle after injection. The safety feature of the SPN was activated successfully. It was shown that: the label on the seal was legible; the SPNs were easy to attach to the pen injector; injections were easy to perform; it was clear when safety feature was activated; removing the SPN from the injection pen was easy; and the written instructions were easy to understand.

Conclusion:

The performance of the safety feature of SPN was successfully evaluated in terms of the prevention of NSIs. User feedback demonstrate that the device’s ease of use, handling and instructions for use ensure safety and effectiveness of the SPN when used as intended.
Dangerous Arms and Everyday Activism: A Dialogue Between Two Researchers with Lived Experience of Self-Harm
Authors: Stirling Fiona J. , Chandler Amy
Published: September 2020

Using the format of dialogue, this paper is a collaborative exploration of navigating academia in self-harm scarred bodies. Prompted by the proposal of social media regulators to blur and ban self-harm scars, thus communicating such bodies as “dangerous,” our dialogue considers personal notions of activism, researcher identity, emotional labor, future potential, and the importance of finding and building communities for embodied solidarity. Structured as a single flowing discussion, the dialogue itself is (re)constituted from conversation, follow-up emails, and reviewer feedback. Explorations rely predominantly on personal experience and are supported in places by literature which has informed and shaped our ideas. In itself, this paper will be an “everyday act of defiance” in being seen, as well as advocating for spaces such as ECQI where meaningful connections can be instigated and maintained, and dialogues continued.
Postfeminist, engaged and resistant: Evangelical male clergy attitudes towards gender and women’s ordination in the Church of England
Authors: Fry Alex
Published: September 2020

Despite the introduction of female bishops, women do not hold offices on equal terms with men in the Church of England, where conservative evangelical male clergy often reject the validity of women’s ordination. This article explores the gender values of such clergy, investigating how they are expressed and the factors that shape them. Data is drawn from semi-structured interviews and is interpreted with thematic narrative analysis. The themes were analyzed with theories on postfeminism, engaged orthodoxy and group schism. It is argued that participants’ gender values are best understood as postfeminist and that the wider evangelical tradition, as well as a perceived change in Anglican identity with the onset of women’s ordination, shape their postfeminism. Moreover, whilst evangelical gender values possess the potential to foster greater gender equality within the Church of England, gender differentiation limits this possibility, a limitation that could be addressed by increasing participants’ engagement beyond the Church.
Grappling With Race: The Performance of Identity in Prizefighting Promotion
Authors: Davis Warren M. , Riles Julius M.
Published: September 2020

This content analysis explores the world of the most mass-audience prizefighting events (i.e., boxing and mixed martial arts) over a recent five-year span in terms of social identity patterns related to the pursuit of positive distinctiveness. Specifically, social identity related to race/ethnicity is examined with regard to three categories of behavior associated with positive distinctiveness: (1) aggression, (2) ego-enhancement acts, and (3) embracing sociocultural cues. A number of positive distinctiveness behavior patterns were observed to be significant, indicating systematic differences in how these fighters chose to bolster their self-image and social identity as a function of racial/ethnic representation. Implications of observed patterns are discussed with reference to social cognitive theory, cultivation theory, and critical race theory.
Venous thromboembolism associated with CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy in large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Hashmi Hamza , Mirza Abu-Sayeef , Darwin Alicia , Logothetis Constantine , Garcia Franco , Kommalapati Anuhya , Mhaskar Rahul S. , Bachmeier Christina , Chavez Julio C. , Shah Bijal , Pinilla-Ibarz Javier , Khimani Farhad , Lazaryan Aleksandr , Liu Hien , Davila Marco L. , Locke Frederick L. , Nishihori Taiga , Jain Michael D.
Published: September 2020

Key Points

VTE developed in 11% of lymphoma patients after CAR T-cell therapy and was managed safely with anticoagulation. Coagulation abnormalities after CAR T-cell therapy occur but do not commonly lead to bleeding events.
Hematological reference intervals among full-term newborns in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tiruneh Tegenaw , Kiros Teklehaimanot , Getu Sisay
Published: September 2020

Background

Hematological reference intervals are used for medical decision tools for interpretation of numerical test results. Establishing of hematological interval among newborn babies is very important for the diagnosis of malignancy, anemia, bleeding disorders, and various infections. There are no locally established hematological reference intervals in Ethiopia. Thus, the aim of this study is to establish locally determined hematological reference interval among full-term newborns.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to July 30 2019 among 151 apparently healthy full-term newborns at Gondar University Hospital. About 3 ml of cord blood was obtained for analysis of Hematological parameters and determined by using Sysmex KX-21N (Sysmex Corporation Kobe, Japan) automated analyzer. Median, 2.5th and 97.5th percentile were computed.

Result

Male to female ratio was almost equal. All hematological parameter had no statistically significant difference between males and females. The delivery types were not influenced its hematological values. The reference interval of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume, and mean cell hemoglobin were (7.64–22.16) x109/l, (3.69–5.47)x1012/l, (132.74–413.4) x109/l, (13.32–19.64) g/dl and (39.42–58.06)%, (91.6-113.22)fl, and (30.48–38.02 pg), respectively.

Conclusions

All hematological reference intervals were established from full-term newborns at University of Gondar hospital was different from other studies in Nigeria, Iraq, Pakistan, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Therefore, own determined reference value is very important for the clinicians to correctly diagnosis the patients at health facility levels.
K-wire fixation vs 23-gauge percutaneous hand- crossed hypodermic needle for the treatment of distal phalangeal fractures
Authors: Senesi Letizia , Marchesini Andrea , Pangrazi Pier Paolo , De Francesco Marialuisa , Gigante Antonio , Riccio Michele , De Francesco Francesco
Published: September 2020

Background

Distal Phalanx (DP) fractures are the most common hand injuries. Bone fixation associated with soft tissue reconstruction, is often required to ensure more effective outcomes. The aim of the present study is to compare functional outcomes of DP fractures surgically treated with crossed manual drilled 23 Gauge needles vs crossed Kirschner-wires (k-wire).

Methods

Clinical data included analysis of patient demographics, range of motion (ROM), and complications. Radiographic assessment considered fracture type, location, fracture displacement, and radiographic union. Functional outcomes analysis was performed.The statistical significance was assessed at the level of probability lower than 5%.

Results

A total of 60 patients from 2012 to 2015 were retrospectively enrolled and among them 12 patients suffering from diabetes or current smokers. A total of 60 DP fractures were treated, 32 with needles (group A) and 28 with k-wire fixation (group B). Time to union, showed in different time points, was significantly lower in group A (≤ 40 days, p = 0.023*) compared to group B. ROM of the distal interphalangeal joint at six months follow-up was 60° in group A and 40° in group B. A significant improvement was observed (p = 0.001*) in the 23 G needle treated group. Functional outcome analysis showed that VAS was significantly lower in group A compared to group B (p = 0.023*).

Conclusion

Our study showed that the 23 G needle yielded satisfactory results in terms of time to union and range of motion compared to k-wire fixation especially for tuft and shaft DP fractures. Therefore, should be a valid alternative to k-wire fixation in selected patients.
High-viscosity bone cement for vertebral compression fractures: a prospective study on intravertebral diffusion and leakage of bone cement
Authors: Wang Meiyong , Jin Qunhua
Published: September 2020

Background

Bone cement leakage causes severe complication following percutaneous vertebroplasty. This study probed the diffusion and leakage status of bone cement injected within diverged time duration, so as to find the optimal injection time for bone cement.

Methods

A total of 70 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with a symptom of low back pain, who underwent treatment at hospital were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized into three groups: < 180 s, 180–300, and > 300 s of injection time duration from the beginning to the completion of the injection. The scenarios of vertebral bone cement leakage and diffusion were inspected using postoperative CT.

Results

The diffusion coefficient was higher in group A than in group B whereas it was higher in group B than in group C, but without statistical significance among the three groups. The leakage rate was without statistical significance among the three groups. The injection time of bone cement was negatively correlated with the diffusion coefficient, at the correlation coefficient of − 0.253.

Conclusions

The diffusion coefficient of high-viscosity bone cement is negatively correlated with the injection time, and the leakage rate of high-viscosity bone cement does not reduce with the prolongation of injection time.
The potential roles of exosomes in pancreatic cancer initiation and metastasis
Authors: Sun Wei , Ren Ying , Lu Zaiming , Zhao Xiangxuan
Published: September 2020

Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is an insidious and highly metastatic malignancy, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. So far, the pathogenesis and progression mechanisms of PaCa have been poorly characterized. Exosomes correspond to a class of extracellular nanovesicles, produced by a broad range of human somatic and cancerous cells. These particular nanovesicles are mainly composed by proteins, genetic substances and lipids, which mediate signal transduction and material transport. A large number of studies have indicated that exosomes may play decisive roles in the occurrence and metastatic progression of PaCa. This article summarizes the specific functions of exosomes and their underlying molecular mechanisms in mediating the initiation and metastatic capability of PaCa.
Prevalence, genetic diversity and implications for public health of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in various rodents from Hainan Province, China
Authors: Zhao Wei , Zhou Huanhuan , Yang Ling , Ma Tianming , Zhou Jingguo , Liu Haiju , Lu Gang , Huang Huicong
Published: September 2020

Background

Rodents, globally overpopulated, are an important source for zoonotic disease transmission to humans, including Enterocytozoon bieneusi (one of the most prevalent zoonotic pathogens). Here, we studied the prevalence and performed genetic analyses of E. bieneusi in rodents from the Hainan Province of China.

Methods

A total of 603 fresh fecal samples were gathered from 369 wild rats, 117 bamboo rats, 93 Asiatic brush-tailed porcupine and 24 red-bellied squirrels. The wild rats were identified to the species level by amplification of a 421-bp region of the cytb gene from fecal DNA using PCR. Genotype analysis was performed by amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of E. bieneusi using PCR.

Results

Seven wild rat species were identified. The average rate of infection with E. bieneusi was 15.8% (95/603) with 18.7% (69/369) in wild rats, 11.9% (25/210) in farmed rodents and 4.2% (1/24) in red-bellied squirrels. Sixteen E. bieneusi genotypes were identified, including 9 known genotypes (D, Type IV, PigEBITS7, Peru8, Peru11, ESH02, S7, EbpA and CHG5), and 7 novel genotypes (HNR-I to HNR-VII). Genotype D (44.2%, 42/95) predominated, followed by PigEBITS7 (20.0%, 19/95), HNR-VII (15.8%, 15/95), Type IV (5.3%, 5/95), HNR-III (2.1%, 2/95), HNR-VI (2.1%, 2/95) and each of the remaining 10 genotypes (1.1%, 1/95). The phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region of E. bieneusi divided the identified genotypes into the following four groups: Group 1 (n = 13), Group 2 (n = 1), Group 12 (n = 1), and the novel Group 13 (n = 1).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first report on the identification of E. bieneusi in rodents from Hainan, China. The zoonotic potential of the identified E. bieneusi genotypes suggested that the rodents poses a serious threat to the local inhabitants. Thus, measures need to be taken to control the population of wild rats in the areas investigated in this study, along with identification of safe methods for disposal of farmed rodent feces. Additionally, the local people should be made aware of the risk of disease transmission from rodents to humans.
Analysis of brain region-specific co-expression networks reveals clustering of established and novel genes associated with Alzheimer disease
Authors: Lancour Daniel , Dupuis Josée , Mayeux Richard , Haines Jonathan L. , Pericak-Vance Margaret A. , Schellenberg Gerard C. , Crovella Mark , Farrer Lindsay A. , Kasif Simon
Published: September 2020

Background

Identifying and understanding the functional role of genetic risk factors for Alzheimer disease (AD) has been complicated by the variability of genetic influences across brain regions and confounding with age-related neurodegeneration.

Methods

A gene co-expression network was constructed using data obtained from the Allen Brain Atlas for multiple brain regions (cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brain stem) in six individuals. Gene network analyses were seeded with 52 reproducible (i.e., established) AD (RAD) genes. Genome-wide association study summary data were integrated with the gene co-expression results and phenotypic information (i.e., memory and aging-related outcomes) from gene knockout studies in Drosophila to generate rankings for other genes that may have a role in AD.

Results

We found that co-expression of the RAD genes is strongest in the cortical regions where neurodegeneration due to AD is most severe. There was significant evidence for two novel AD-related genes including EPS8 (FDR p = 8.77 × 10−3) and HSPA2 (FDR p = 0.245).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that AD-related risk factors are potentially associated with brain region-specific effects on gene expression that can be detected using a gene network approach.
Elevated CA 125 level in a mucinous cystadenoma and a teratoma: a case report
Authors: Ekanayake Chanil Deshan , Munasinghe Nayoman , Kumarasinghe Iranthi , Rasnayake Sachini
Published: September 2020

Background

The presence of a suspicious ovarian cyst with elevated cancer antigen 125 level in a woman of reproductive age poses a serious therapeutic dilemma. Mature cystic teratomas and mucinous cystadenomas may also cause an increase in cancer antigen 125.

Case presentation

A 43-year-old Sinhalese woman with a history of anovulatory subfertility for 5 years presented with heavy menstrual bleeding and secondary dysmenorrhea of 6 months’ duration. Imaging (pelvic ultrasound and computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis) revealed a hemorrhagic cyst (6 × 4 cm) on the right side and a multilocular cyst with solid areas (10 × 7 cm) on the left side. Her cancer antigen 125 level was 2715 U/ml. Following a multidisciplinary team meeting, a fertility-sparing staging laparotomy was performed, which included right cystectomy, left oophorectomy, infracolic omentectomy, and peritoneal washings. Histology revealed a mucinous cystadenoma of the right ovary and a mature cystic teratoma on the left ovary. No malignant cells were observed in peritoneal washings. The patient’s cancer antigen 125 level dropped to 74.8 U/ml 1 month after surgery.

Conclusion

Rarely, teratomas and mucinous cystadenomas may also give rise to an extremely high cancer antigen 125 level. The risk of malignancy index and risk of malignancy algorithm may both be misleading in these instances. Therefore, multidisciplinary input, fertility-sparing surgery, and follow-up are paramount to achieve optimal treatment and patient satisfaction.
Advances in myopia research anatomical findings in highly myopic eyes
Authors: Jonas Jost B. , Wang Ya Xing , Dong Li , Guo Yin , Panda-Jonas Songhomitra
Published: September 2020

Background

The goal of this review is to summarize structural and anatomical changes associated with high myopia.

Main text

Axial elongation in myopic eyes is associated with retinal thinning and a reduced density of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in the equatorial region. Thickness of the retina and choriocapillaris and RPE cell density in the macula are independent of axial length. Choroidal and scleral thickness decrease with longer axial length in the posterior hemisphere of the eye, most marked at the posterior pole. In any eye region, thickness of Bruch’s membrane (BM) is independent of axial length. BM opening, as the inner layer of the optic nerve head layers, is shifted in temporal direction in moderately elongated eyes (axial length <26.5 mm). It leads to an overhanging of BM into the intrapapillary compartment at the nasal optic disc side, and to an absence of BM at the temporal disc border. The lack of BM at the temporal disc side is the histological equivalent of parapapillary gamma zone. Gamma zone is defined as the parapapillary region without BM. In highly myopic eyes (axial length >26.5 mm), BM opening enlarges with longer axial length. It leads to a circular gamma zone. In a parallel manner, the peripapillary scleral flange and the lamina cribrosa get longer and thinner with longer axial length in highly myopic eyes. The elongated peripapillary scleral flange forms the equivalent of parapapillary delta zone, and the elongated lamina cribrosa is the equivalent of the myopic secondary macrodisc. The prevalence of BM defects in the macular region increases with longer axial length in highly myopic eyes. Scleral staphylomas are characterized by marked scleral thinning and spatially correlated BM defects, while thickness and density of the choriocapillaris, RPE and BM do not differ markedly between staphylomatous versus non-staphylomatous eyes in the respective regions.

Conclusions

High axial myopia is associated with a thinning of the sclera and choroid posteriorly and thinning of the retina and RPE density in the equatorial region, while BM thickness is independent of axial length. The histological changes may point towards BM having a role in the process of axial elongation.
Cerebral abscesses of tuberculosis origin: study of 8 cases at the University Hospital of Conakry
Authors: Fatoumata Barry Louncény , Sory Souare Ibrahima , Abass Cissé Fodé , Bachir Djibo Hamani A. , Ghislain Atakla H. , Youssouf Condé Alpha , Mamoudou Barry , Djigué Barry Souleymane , Ansoumane Donzo , Sory Barry Ibrahima , Souaré Ibrahima Sory , Sény Youla , Mamadi Camara , Amara Cissé
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Tuberculosis of the central nervous system (CNS) remains endemic in developing countries with high morbidity and mortality despite advances in imaging and treatment. The objective of our work was to describe the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties of this pathology in the context of a country with limited health resources.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively studied 8 cerebral tuberculosis abscess files, collected in the archives of the neurosurgery department of the Conakry University Hospital over a 5-year period (January 2013–December 2017). The diagnosis was made by scanning and by isolation of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) by direct examination of pus.

Results

Mean age was 33 years (9–56 years), sex, 5H 5 men/3F 3 women. History of pulmonary TB, 3 cases; TB contagious, 5 cases; TST ITR positive, 5 cases; associated visceral TB, 5 cases; HIV positive serology, 2 cases. The clinic was dominated by altered consciousness, 7 cases; focal signs, 7 cases; and fever, 5 cases. The site was hemispherical in 7 cases and one case in the posterior brain fossa. Treatment was medico-surgical in all patients. The evolution was favorable in 3 cases, the neurological sequelae in 3 cases, 2 cases of death, and 2 cases of recurrence.

Conclusion

Cerebral tuberculous abscesses constitute a medico-surgical emergency. Despite their rarity, morbidity and mortality remains high in the context of developing countries due to diagnostic and therapeutic delays.
Development of polyclonal antisera against movement proteins from three poleroviruses infecting cucurbits
Authors: Zhang Shao-Kang , Zhao Tian-Yu , Shi Xing , Liu Yu-Zi , Wang Ying , Zhang Zong-Ying , Li Da-Wei , Yu Jia-Lin , Shang Qiao-Xia , Han Cheng-Gui
Published: September 2020

Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV), melon aphid-borne yellows virus (MABYV) and suakwa aphid-borne yellows virus (SABYV) are three poleroviruses that infect cucurbit crops. Developing specific antisera against such viruses is crucial for their detection and functional understanding of related genes. However, no studies have yet reported viral detection using antisera against movement proteins (MP) in these three viruses. In this study, we generated plasmids expressing three viral MP genes, and transformed them into the Escherichia coli strain, Rosetta, to recombinantly express and purify fusion proteins. Then, polyclonal antisera were derived by immunizing New Zealand white rabbits, after which western blotting was used to determine the titer, sensitivity and specificity of the antisera. The antisera titers against MPCABYV, MPMABYV and MPSABYV were 1:512000, 1:256000 and 1:256000, respectively. The optimized working concentrations for the three antisera ranged between 1:10000 and 1:64000. Additionally, antisera against MPCABYV and MPMABYV only reacted with their corresponding MP proteins. Antiserum against MPSABYV not only had the strongest reaction with its MP, but also reacted weakly with MPCABYV and MPMABYV. All three antisera exerted no serological reactions with other poleroviruses. Furthermore, our data showed that all antisera specifically detected MPs in both Nicotiana benthamiana and cucumber leaves. Thus, we have established a system that sensitively detects three poleroviruses infecting cucurbits, using antisera against MPs. We provide a foundation for future research on the serological detection of these viruses, and interaction mechanisms between viruses and host plants.
A unified gas-kinetic scheme for micro flow simulation based on linearized kinetic equation
Authors: Liu Chang , Xu Kun
Published: September 2020

The flow regime of micro flow varies from collisionless regime to hydrodynamic regime according to the Knudsen number Kn, which is defined as the ratio of the mean free path over the local characteristic length. On the kinetic scale, the dynamics of a small-perturbed micro flow can be described by the linearized kinetic equation. In the continuum regime, according to the Chapman-Enskog theory, hydrodynamic equations such as linearized Euler equations and Navier-Stokes equations can be derived from the linearized kinetic equation. In this paper, we are going to propose a unified gas kinetic scheme (UGKS) based on the linearized kinetic equation. For the simulation of small-perturbed micro flow, the linearized scheme is more efficient than the nonlinear one. In the continuum regime, the cell size and time step of UGKS are not restricted to be less than the particle mean free path and collision time, and the UGKS becomes much more efficient than the traditional upwind-flux-based operator-splitting kinetic solvers. The important methodology of UGKS is the following. Firstly, the evolution of microscopic distribution function is coupled with the evolution of macroscopic flow quantities. Secondly, the numerical flux of UGKS is constructed based on the integral solution of kinetic equation, which provides a genuinely multiscale and multidimensional numerical flux. The UGKS recovers the solution of linear kinetic equation in the rarefied regime, and converges to the solution of the linear hydrodynamic equations in the continuum regime. An outstanding feature of UGKS is its capability of capturing the accurate viscous solution in bulk flow region once the hydrodynamic flow structure can be resolved by the cell size even when the cell size is much larger than the kinetic length scale, such as the capturing of the viscous boundary layer with a cell size being much larger than the particle mean free path. Such a multiscale property is called unified preserving (UP) which has been studied in (Guo, et al. arXiv preprint arXiv:1909.04923, 2019). In this paper, a mathematical proof of the UP property for UGKS will be presented and this property is applicable to UGKS for solving both linear and nonlinear kinetic equations.
The feasibility of urethral plate preservation in proximal and mid-penile hypospadias: sequential and anatomical approach to the repair
Authors: Sarma Vivek Parameswara
Published: September 2020

Background

The assessment of a child having hypospadias with chordee/ventral curvature (VC) and meatal position that appears to be proximal/mid-penile can be challenging with regard to the choice of chordee correction and type of urethroplasty. The feasibility of preservation of native urethral plate is dependent on these choices. Classically, urethral plate resection of the corpora is performed to correct severe VC, whenever VC is presumed to be due to short urethral plate. But VC is seen to persist in many such cases, in spite of this maneuver that commits the patient to a more complex reconstruction. The aim of the study was to analyze the variation in preoperative and intraoperative assessment of proximal and mid-penile hypospadias, with respect to severity and possible surgical options, in patients treated by a standard protocol of sequential and anatomical approach to repair. The other objective was to ascertain if “extensive ventral urethral detethering” (in all cases) and “urethral plate augmentation” (in select cases) could facilitate more anatomical repair in these cases, with urethral plate preservation and utilization for repair wherever feasible.

Results

Fifty-two children who underwent the specific protocol of repair during the 5-year period from January 2014 to December 2018 at a tertiary teaching institution were included in the study. The essential principles adopted for the surgery were as follows: (i) urethral plate preservation in all possible situations; (ii) “extensive ventral urethral detethering” up to the bulb, as a preliminary step, (iii) sequential correction of VC with urethral plate augmentation (in select cases); and (iv) selecting the optimal repair based on the following principles: (a) urethral plate tubularization, (b) urethral plate augmentation, and (c) urethral plate substitution. There was considerable difference in the preoperative and intraoperative assessment of meatal position, with 12 of the apparently mid-penile hypospadias being reclassified as distal penile after preliminary dissection. Three of the penoscrotal variants were regrouped as proximal penile and 6 of the proximal penile were regrouped as mid-penile type. Majority of cases which were deemed to require complex reconstruction on preoperative assessment could be treated by a single-stage procedure.

Conclusion

The meatal position is seen to shift distally in select cases of proximal or mid-penile hypospadias after thorough degloving, dartos release, and detethering of Buck’s fascia over ventral urethra. Urethral plate can be preserved for utilization in repair in many of these cases by augmenting the urethral plate, enabling a more anatomical neourethral reconstruction. Resection of urethral plate can be thus restricted to the most severe cases of VC.
Families of victims of homicide: qualitative study of their experiences with mental health inquiries
Authors: Ng Lillian , Merry Alan F. , Paterson Ron , Merry Sally N.
Published: September 2020

Background

Investigations may be undertaken into mental healthcare related homicides to ascertain if lessons can be learned to prevent the chance of recurrence. Families of victims are variably involved in serious incident reviews. Their perspectives on the inquiry process have rarely been studied.

Aims

To explore the experiences of investigative processes from the perspectives of family members of homicide victims killed by a mental health patient to better inform the process of conducting inquiries.

Method

The study design was informed by interpretive description methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five families whose loved one had been killed by a mental health patient and where there had been a subsequent inquiry process in New Zealand. Data were analysed using an inductive approach.

Results

Families in this study felt excluded, marginalised and disempowered by mental health inquires. The data highlight these families’ perspectives, particularly on the importance of a clear process of inquiry, and of actions by healthcare providers that indicate restorative intent.

Conclusions

Families in this study were united in reporting that they felt excluded from mental health inquiries. We suggest that the inclusion of families’ perspectives should be a key consideration in the conduct of mental health inquiries. There may be benefit from inquiries that communicate a clear process of investigation that reflects restorative intent, acknowledges victims, provides appropriate apologies and gives families opportunities to contribute.
“Moving Away From Cancer” Prospective Exercise Trial for Female Rural Cancer Survivors: How Can We Step It Up?
Authors: Modesitt Susan C. , Eichner Natalie , Penberthy J. Kim , Horton Bethany J. , Stewart Martha E. , Lacy Rachel , Weltman Arthur L.
Published: September 2020

PURPOSE:

This prospective trial’s objective was to determine feasibility and outcomes of an exercise-based intervention for rural overweight/obese female cancer survivors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Survivors of endometrial, breast, or ovarian cancer enrolled in a 6-month program of increased aerobic activity (30 minutes daily walking) and strength-training exercises using exercise bands (THERABAND; Akron, OH) with personalized telephone motivational coaching. Baseline demographics, anthropomorphic measurements, quality of life (QOL), fitness, and readiness to adopt exercise changes were assessed; daily steps, band use, and follow-up measurements were assessed at 3 and 6 months. Study completion was modeled using logistic regression.

RESULTS:

The mean age of the 99 women was 59.9 years, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 35.9 kg/m2, 88.9% were white, and 41.4% reported current exercise. Fifty-five women (55.6%) completed the 6-month program, and 36 (36.4%) completed exercise interventions. Using logistic regression to model study completion, only baseline QOL scores (physical component summary) and mental component summary) remained significant predictors. The mean weight change was a gain (0.88 kg). Higher MCS baseline scores and prior regular exercise predicted continued exercise and increased step counts, whereas higher BMI and baseline sleep predicted decreased QOL. Top walking barriers were feeling unwell and weather; barriers to strength exercises were band dislike and pain.

CONCLUSION:

The most significant predictor of trial completion and improved exercise outcomes was a higher baseline mental QOL. Motivation, belief in the importance of exercise, and prescribed/monitored exercise regimens were not sufficient; supportive and cognitive behavioral therapy interventions for survivors are needed to sustain uptake.
An Integrated Genomic Approach Identifies HOXC8 as an Upstream Regulator in Ovarian Endometrioma
Authors: Mihara Yumiko , Maekawa Ryo , Sato Shun , Shimizu Natsuko , Doi-Tanaka Yumiko , Takagi Haruka , Shirafuta Yuichiro , Shinagawa Masahiro , Tamura Isao , Taketani Toshiaki , Tamura Hiroshi , Abe Takeshi , Asai Yoshiyuki , Sugino Norihiro
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To identify the upstream regulators (URs) involved in the onset and pathogenesis of ovarian endometrioma.

Methods

Recently, a method called Significance-based Modules Integrating the Transcriptome and Epigenome (SMITE) that uses transcriptome data in combination with publicly available data for identifying URs of cellular processes has been developed. Here, we used SMITE with transcriptome data from ovarian endometrioma stromal cells (ovESCs) and eutopic endometrium stromal cells (euESCs) in combination with publicly available gene regulatory network data. To confirm the URs identified by SMITE, we developed a Boolean network simulation to see if correcting aberrant expressions of the identified genes could restore the entire gene expression profile of ovESCs to a profile similar to that of euESCs. We then established euESCs overexpressing the identified gene and characterized them by cell function assays and transcriptome analysis.

Results

SMITE identified 12 potential URs in ovarian endometrioma that were confirmed by the Boolean simulation. One of the URs, HOXC8, was confirmed to be overexpressed in ovESCs. HOXC8 overexpression significantly enhanced cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and fibrotic activities, and altered expression statuses of the genes involved in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling. HOXC8 overexpression also increased the expression levels of phosphorylated SMAD2/SMAD3. The increased adhesion and fibrosis activities by HOXC8 were significantly inhibited by E-616452, a selective inhibitor of TGF-β receptor type I kinases.

Main conclusions

Integrated genomic approaches identified HOXC8 as an UR in ovarian endometrioma. The pathological features of ovarian endometrioma including cell proliferation, adhesion, and fibrosis were induced by HOXC8 and its subsequent activation of TGF-β signaling.
Moral Geometries
Authors: Petel Adir H.
Published: September 2020

The literary and critical discourse about characters and characterization in Anglophone drama and fiction since the Renaissance shows a persistent but underrecognized presence of three idioms and vocabularies, two highly developed and one nascent, that either derive from the rhetoric of mathematics in classical antiquity or participate in its modern afterlife. Those discourses—which this article studies in detail—are, first, an explicitly Theophrastan one, in which taxonomies of character are constructed; second, an explicitly Euclidean one, in which characterization is discussed and accomplished in relatively conventional or commonsensical geometric terms; and third, a non- or post-Euclidean one, in which characterization is discussed and inchoately accomplished in the terms of the “new geometries” that emerged during the nineteenth century. What taxonomy in the Aristotelian mode (Theophrastus was Aristotle’s student) and geometry in the Euclidean mode have in common is that when their vocabularies are applied to characterization, they delimit characters in terms of established categories—whether of ideal shapes or statistically probable types—while discounting whatever features may be unique to individuals. An obliviousness to these three discourses can limit seriously what can be said about, and what can be said on behalf of, the literary and critical texts framed in their terms and also, most importantly, what can be said about the nature of literary characters.
Topical insulin application accelerates diabetic wound healing by promoting anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization
Authors: Yang Peilang , Wang Xiqiao , Wang Di , Shi Yan , Zhang Meng , Yu Tianyi , Liu Dan , Gao Min , Zhang Xiong , Liu Yan
Published: September 2020

Besides regulating glucose levels, insulin has been reported to participate actively in many other functions such as modulating inflammatory reaction. In this study we investigated how insulin application topically would effort the diabetic wound healing process. We found that the excessive expression of insulin degrading enzyme in diabetic skin led to the insufficient insulin level in diabetic skin during the wound healing, which ultimately reduced the recovery rate of diabetic wounds. We confirmed the topical insulin application could reverse the impaired inflammation reaction in diabetic wound environment and promote diabetic wounds healing. Our study revealed that insulin promoted neutrophils apoptosis and following triggered macrophages phenotype polarization. Both in vivo and in vitro studies verified that insulin reestablished the damaged neutrophils phagocytosis function and promoted the process of phagocytosis induced apoptosis of neutrophils. Furthermore, we found that the insulin treatment also promoted macrophages efferocytosis of the apoptosed neutrophils and thus induced macrophages polarized from M1 to M2. In conclusion, our studies proved that the exogenous application of insulin could improve the diabetic wound healing via the normalization of inflammatory response.
Co2(CO)8-Catalyzed Reactions of Acetals or Lactones with Hydrosilanes and Carbon Monoxide. A New Access to the Preparation of 1,2-Diol Derivatives through Siloxymethylation
Authors: Chatani Naoto , Fujii Satoru , Kido Yoichi , Nakayama Yasuhide , Kajikawa Yasuteru , Tokuhisa Hideo , Fukumoto Yoshiya , Murai Shinji
Published: September 2020

The Co2(CO)8-catalyzed reaction of acetals with hydrosilanes and CO under mild reaction conditions (an ambient temperature under an ambient CO pressure), leading to the production of vicinal diols is reported. A siloxymethyl group can be introduced via the cleavage of one of two alkoxy groups in the acetal. The effects of the types of hydrosilanes, acetals, solvents, and reaction temperatures on the yield of siloxymethylation products were examined in detail. The reactivity for hydrosilanes is as follows; HSiMe3 > HSiEtMe2 > HSiEt2Me > HSiEt3. Hemiacetal esters are more reactive than dimethyl acetals. The polarity of the solvent used also has a significant effect on both the course of the reaction as well as the reaction rate. The site-selective siloxymethylation can be achieved in the case of cyclic acetals such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) and tetrahydropyrane (THP) derivatives, depending on the nature of the oxygen substituent attached adjacent to the oxygen atom in the ring. When 2-alkoxy THF or THP derivatives are used as substrates, the siloxymethylation takes place with cleavage of the ring C-O bond. In contrast, the reaction of 2-acetoxy THF or THP derivatives results in siloxymethylation with the cleavage of C-OAc bond. The ring-opening siloxymethylation of lactones was also examined.