bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A practical trajectory tracking control of autonomous vehicles using linear time-varying MPC method
Authors: Pang Hui , Liu Nan , Hu Chuan , Xu Zijun
Published: June 2021

With the rapid development and implementation of autonomous vehicles (AVs), the simultaneous and accurate trajectory tracking problem for such AVs has become a popular research topic. This paper proposes a comprehensive linear time-varying model predictive controller (LTV-MPC) design for a type of AV, aiming to achieve good trajectory tracking in a practical driving scenario. First, a two-degree-of-freedom kinematic model of an AV is established. Next, an error model of the AV’s trajectory tracking system is constructed using linear time-varying theory. A successive linearization is introduced to linearize the nonlinear tracking error model, and a quadratic programming optimization problem is then formulated. Thus, the control sequence for this AV is incorporated into the predictive control framework, and the desired controller can be solved with a relatively higher computational efficiency and lower computational cost. Finally, the effectiveness and performance of the proposed controller are validated via a comparison of simulations conducted using MATLAB software and experiments conducted using a self-established test platform. The results demonstrate that the proposed LTV-MPC method can track the prescribed reference road trajectories with high precision and stability for an AV under various driving conditions.
Adaptive output feedback control for a class of uncertain stochastic nonlinear systems
Authors: Liu Ce , Zhai Junyong
Published: June 2021

This article concentrates on the output feedback controller design for a class of stochastic nonlinear systems with unknown homogeneous growth rates. First, a full-order observer is proposed coupling with a dynamic gain so as to obtain system state estimates. Then, an adaptive output feedback controller is put forward by the homogeneity theory and adding a power integrator technique. Combined with the stochastic Barbalat’s lemma, the signals of the closed-loop system are demonstrated to be bounded and all the system states are proved to converge to the origin in probability. Besides, the results are also expanded to the controller design of upper-triangular stochastic nonlinear system. Two simulation results indicate usefulness of the designed control algorithm.
The Effect of ShotBlocker Application on Intramuscular Injection Pain in Adults: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Şahan Seda , Yildiz Ayşegül
Published: June 2021

This meta-analysis study was conducted to determine the effects of ShotBlocker application during administration of intramuscular injections to adult patients for providing an evidence-based practice. The PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Ovid and Google Scholar databases were used for the literature review. The literature review was conducted by two researchers using the key phrases intramuscular injection AND ShotBlocker AND pain AND adults. According to the result of the meta-analysis, the pain levels in the experiment group in which ShotBlocker was used during IM injection to adult patients was found to be significantly different in comparison to the control group (SMD = −0.769, 95% CI = −1.449 to −0.090, p = .027). As a result of the meta-analysis, it was found that ShotBlocker application in IM injection in adult patients reduced patients’ pain intensity. High-quality studies conducted with appropriate research methods are required for achieving a more comprehensive and effective result.
Formulation and quality evaluation of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) gaertn.) flour incorporated biscuits
Authors: Jayawardana Sooriya Arachchige Sachini , Samarasekera Jayanetti Koralalage Ramani Radhika , Hettiarachchi Gardhi Hettiarachchige Chamari Madhu , Gooneratne Jaanaki
Published: June 2021

Replacing the ingredients used in biscuits with potential nutritive ingredients would be beneficial to improve the nutritional quality of the biscuits. Although, finger millet is highly nutritious when compared to other most commonly consumed cereals, limited availability of processed food products in ready-to-eat form has restricted the finger millet consumption. The present study was focused on formulating biscuits by replacing refined wheat flour with finger millet flour. Four biscuit samples were formulated by replacing different percentages of refined wheat flour with finger millet flour. Physicochemical and microbiological properties of the biscuits were evaluated. Nutritional and antioxidant properties of the biscuit, which was formulated by replacing 50% of refined wheat flour with finger millet flour, were evaluated and compared with a control biscuit which was prepared using refined wheat flour. The finger millet flour incorporated biscuit was nutritionally superior to the control biscuit in terms of dietary fibers and polyphenolic compounds including flavonoids. Besides, replacement of refined wheat flour with finger millet flour in biscuit formulation enhanced the antioxidant properties of the biscuit. Therefore, the finger millet flour incorporated biscuit can be considered as a good source of antioxidants.
Investigating the structure of trait rumination in autistic adults: A network analysis
Authors: Williams Zachary J , McKenney Erin E , Gotham Katherine O
Published: June 2021

Rumination, a form of passive, repetitive negative thinking, predicts the development of depressive disorders in non-autistic individuals, and recent work suggests higher levels of rumination may contribute to elevated rates of depression in the autistic population. Using psychological network analysis, this study sought to investigate the structure of rumination in autistic individuals and the relationships between rumination and individual depressive symptoms. Non-regularized partial correlation networks were estimated using cross-sectional data from 608 autistic adults who completed the Ruminative Responses Scale and Beck Depression Inventory–II. Node centrality indices were calculated to determine which specific symptoms may have a disproportionate influence on the network of repetitive negative thoughts. Nodes were also grouped into communities, and specific “bridge” nodes were identified that most strongly connected these different communities. Results demonstrated strong positive relationships between all facets of ruminative thinking, similar to a prior study in non-autistic adults. Self-directed negative cognitions appeared to be particularly central in this network. The depression symptoms most strongly related to rumination in autistic adults were sadness and guilt. Although these findings are preliminary, they highlight specific facets of rumination that warrant future study as depression risk factors and potential intervention targets in the autistic population.

Lay abstract

Autistic adults are substantially more likely to develop depression than individuals in the general population, and recent research has indicated that certain differences in thinking styles associated with autism may play a role in this association. Rumination, the act of thinking about the same thing over and over without a functional outcome, is a significant risk factor for depression in both autistic and non-autistic adults. However, little is known about how different kinds of rumination relate to each other and to depressive symptoms in the autistic population specifically. To fill this gap in knowledge, we recruited a large online sample of autistic adults, who completed questionnaire measures of both the tendency to ruminate and symptoms of depression. By examining the interacting network of rumination and depression symptoms, this study was able to identify particular aspects of rumination—such as thinking repetitively about one’s guilty feelings or criticizing oneself—that may be particularly important in maintaining these harmful thought patterns in autistic adults. Although further study is needed, it is possible that the symptoms identified as most “influential” in the network may be particularly good targets for future interventions for mood and anxiety disorders in the autistic population.
The tacit dimension of expertise: Professional vision at work in airport security
Authors: Bassetti Chiara
Published: June 2021

Whereas “professional vision” has been mostly analyzed in apprenticeship and other settings where knowledge is made explicit or reflected upon, I focus on how expertise tacitly plays out in task-oriented interaction among practitioners. The paper considers orientation both to the coworker’s (recipient design) and one’s own (expressive order) expertise in the collaborative accomplishment of airport security work. I show how screeners recruit action from colleagues in largely underspecified ways, based on shared access to the visibility field and expected professional vision. Requesting is tacitly accomplished via “highlighting,” which also accounts for one’s request. Accepting is silently achieved via locomotion, which also serves as a display of understanding. Embodied action is systematically preferred to verbal one. Talk is employed in larger proportions when the domain of scrutiny is not equally accessible to interactants, and when “face-work” is required.
Path planning for mobile robot using an enhanced ant colony optimization and path geometric optimization
Authors: Zhang Songcan , Pu Jiexin , Si Yanna , Sun Lifan
Published: June 2021

Path planning of mobile robots in complex environments is the most challenging research. A hybrid approach combining the enhanced ant colony system with the local optimization algorithm based on path geometric features, called EACSPGO, has been presented in this study for mobile robot path planning. Firstly, the simplified model of pheromone diffusion, the pheromone initialization strategy of unequal allocation, and the adaptive pheromone update mechanism have been simultaneously introduced to enhance the classical ant colony algorithm, thus providing a significant improvement in the computation efficiency and the quality of the solutions. A local optimization method based on path geometric features has been designed to further optimize the initial path and achieve a good convergence rate. Finally, the performance and advantages of the proposed approach have been verified by a series of tests in the mobile robot path planning. The simulation results demonstrate that the presented EACSPGO approach provides better solutions, adaptability, stability, and faster convergence rate compared to the other tested optimization algorithms.
A prediction model for atmospheric pollution reduction from urban traffic
Authors: Laouzai Abdelfettah , Ouafi Rachid
Published: June 2021

In order to reduce the atmospheric pollution in urban areas, an enhanced approach is proposed in this paper for the traffic congestion analysis. The approach is formulated as bi-level optimization program considering additional constraints in the traffic assignment problem. To respect the required eco-friendly threshold constraint, the travel demand between several origin–destination pairs was categorized in two classes: old polluting cars and modern (less) nonpolluting cars. The validity of the formulation was verified by optimality conditions. Two network examples are discussed to explain the properties and advantages of the suggested technique. It is found that for the both examples, the proposed optimal solution displays better results as compared to the common user equilibrium route choice policies. As a result, the enhanced approach leads to traffic network congestion relief with minimum air pollution and maximum use of routes network.
The use of hysteroscopic metroplasty with diode laser to increase endometrial volume in women with septate uterus: preliminary results
Authors: Nappi Luigi , Falagario Maddalena , Angioni Stefano , De Feo Vincenzo , Bollino Michele , Sorrentino Felice
Published: June 2021

Background

Septate uterus is a common Mullerian ducts anomaly. The aim of our pilot study was the evaluation of diode laser hysteroscopic metroplasty efficacy to increase endometrial volume in women with septate uterus.

Results

We prospectively enrolled 10 consecutive patients with septate uterus undergoing office hysteroscopic metroplasty with diode laser between February and November 2019. Endometrial volume was evaluated before and 3 months after surgery using 3D transvaginal ultrasound. The surgical procedure was uncomplicated in all patients, the endometrial volume increased at 3 months follow-up (the median increase was 1.9 cm3 (range 1.7–2.1), and there was a complete removal of septum with no intrauterine synechiae at follow-up hysteroscopy.

Conclusions

Office hysteroscopic metroplasty with diode laser is a safe procedure and has preliminary showed to increase endometrial volume. The increase in endometrial volume by 3D-TV US could be used as a prognostic factor for the reproductive outcomes.
Drought of early time in growing season decreases community aboveground biomass, but increases belowground biomass in a desert steppe
Authors: Li Xiangyun , Zuo Xiaoan , Yue Ping , Zhao Xueyong , Hu Ya , Guo Xinxin , Guo Aixia , Xu Chong , Yu Qiang
Published: June 2021

Background

Increasing drought induced by global climate changes is altering the structure and function of grassland ecosystems. However, there is a lack of understanding of how drought affects the trade-off of above- and belowground biomass in desert steppe. We conducted a four-year (2015–2018) drought experiment to examine the responses of community above-and belowground biomass (AGB and BGB) to manipulated drought and natural drought in the early period of growing season (from March to June) in a desert steppe. We compared the associations of drought with species diversity (species richness and density), community-weighted means (CWM) of five traits, and soil factors (soil Water, soil carbon content, and soil nitrogen content) for grass communities. Meanwhile, we used the structural equation modeling (SEM) to elucidate whether drought affects AGB and BGB by altering species diversity, functional traits, or soil factors.

Results

We found that manipulated drought affected soil water content, but not on soil carbon and nitrogen content. Experimental drought reduced the species richness, and species modified the CWM of traits to cope with a natural drought of an early time in the growing season. We also found that the experimental and natural drought decreased AGB, while natural drought increased BGB. AGB was positively correlated with species richness, density, CWM of plant height, and soil water. BGB was negatively correlated with CWM of plant height, CWM of leaf dry matter content, and soil nitrogen content, while was positively correlated with CWM of specific leaf area, CWM of leaf nitrogen content, soil water, and soil carbon content. The SEM results indicated that the experimental and natural drought indirectly decreased AGB by reducing species richness and plant height, while natural drought and soil nitrogen content directly affected BGB.

Conclusions

These results suggest that species richness and functional traits can modulate the effects of drought on AGB, however natural drought and soil nitrogen determine BGB. Our findings demonstrate that the long-term observation and experiment are necessary to understand the underlying mechanism of the allocation and trade-off of community above-and belowground biomass.
IPDfromKM: reconstruct individual patient data from published Kaplan-Meier survival curves
Authors: Liu Na , Zhou Yanhong , Lee J. Jack
Published: June 2021

Background

When applying secondary analysis on published survival data, it is critical to obtain each patient’s raw data, because the individual patient data (IPD) approach has been considered as the gold standard of data analysis. However, researchers often lack access to IPD. We aim to propose a straightforward and robust approach to obtain IPD from published survival curves with a user-friendly software platform.

Results

Improving upon existing methods, we propose an easy-to-use, two-stage approach to reconstruct IPD from published Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves. Stage 1 extracts raw data coordinates and Stage 2 reconstructs IPD using the proposed method. To facilitate the use of the proposed method, we developed the R package IPDfromKM and an accompanying web-based Shiny application. Both the R package and Shiny application have an “all-in-one” feature such that users can use them to extract raw data coordinates from published K-M curves, reconstruct IPD from the extracted data coordinates, visualize the reconstructed IPD, assess the accuracy of the reconstruction, and perform secondary analysis on the basis of the reconstructed IPD. We illustrate the use of the R package and the Shiny application with K-M curves from published studies. Extensive simulations and real-world data applications demonstrate that the proposed method has high accuracy and great reliability in estimating the number of events, number of patients at risk, survival probabilities, median survival times, and hazard ratios.

Conclusions

IPDfromKM has great flexibility and accuracy to reconstruct IPD from published K-M curves with different shapes. We believe that the R package and the Shiny application will greatly facilitate the potential use of quality IPD and advance the use of secondary data to facilitate informed decision making in medical research.
Baseline Xpert MTB/RIF ct values predict sputum conversion during the intensive phase of anti-TB treatment in HIV infected patients in Kampala, Uganda: a retrospective study
Authors: Namugenyi Juliet , Musaazi Joseph , Katamba Achilles , Kalyango Joan , Sendaula Emmanuel , Kambugu Andrew , Fehr Jan , Castelnouvo Barbara , Manabe Yukari C. , Ssengooba Willy , Sekaggya-Wiltshire Christine
Published: June 2021

Background

In resource-limited settings, sputum smear conversion is used to document treatment response. Many People living with HIV (PLHIV) are smear-negative at baseline. The Xpert MTB/RIF test can indirectly measure bacterial load through cycle threshold (ct) values. This study aimed to determine if baseline Xpert MTB/RIF could predict time to culture negativity in PLHIV with newly diagnosed TB.

Methods

A subset of 138 PLHIV from the ‘SOUTH’ study on outcomes related to TB and antiretroviral drug concentrations were included. Bacterial load was estimated by Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tubes (MGIT) culture time-to-positivity (TTP) and Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) colony counts. Changes in TTP and colony counts were analyzed with Poisson Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) and multilevel ordered logistic regression models, respectively, while time to culture negativity analysed with Cox proportional hazard models. ROC curves were used to explore the accuracy of the ct value in predicting culture negativity.

Results

A total of 81 patients (58.7%) were males, median age 34 (IQR 29  ̶ 40) years, median CD4 cell count of 180 (IQR 68  ̶ 345) cells/μL and 77.5% were ART naive. The median baseline ct value was 25.1 (IQR 21.0  ̶ 30.1). A unit Increase in the ct value was associated with a 5% (IRR = 1.05 95% CI 1.04  ̶ 1.06) and 3% (IRR = 1.03 95% CI 1.03  ̶ 1.04) increase in TTP at week 2 and 4 respectively. With LJ culture, a patient’s colony grade was reduced by 0.86 times (0R = 0.86 95% CI 0.74  ̶ 0.97) at week 2 and 0.84 times (OR = 0.84 95% CI 0.79  ̶ 0.95 P = 0.002) at week 4 for every unit increase in the baseline ct value. There was a 3% higher likelihood of earlier conversion to negativity for every unit increase in the ct value. A ct cut point ≥28 best predicted culture negativity at week 4 with a sensitivity of 91. 7% & specificity 53.7% while a cut point ≥23 best predicted culture negativity at week 8.

Conclusion

Baseline Xpert MTB/RIF ct values predict sputum conversion in PLHIV on anti-TB treatment. Surrogate biomarkers for sputum conversion in PLHIV are still a research priority.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors for poor prognosis among HIV patients with Talaromyces marneffei bloodstream infection
Authors: Sun Jianjun , Sun Weiwei , Tang Yang , Zhang Renfang , Liu Li , Shen Yinzhong , Wang Jiangrong , Chen Jun , Qi Tangkai , Wang Zhenyan , Song Wei , Lin Yixiao , Xu Shuibao , Lu Hongzhou
Published: June 2021

Background

Talaromyces marneffei (TM) bloodstream infection is common in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients with extreme immunodeficiency in Southeast Asia and South China, however, clinical case study on TM bloodstream infection is scarce. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of TM bloodstream infection in hospitalized AIDS patients and determined the outcomes of hospitalization after diagnosis in our hospital over the past 5 years.

Methods

From January 2015 to July 2020, 87 cases of TM detected by blood culture in patients admitted to our center were collected. The admission complaints, blood cells, biochemistry, CD4 and CD8 cell counts and 1,3-β-D-glucan (BDG), procalcitonin (PCT), CRP level on the day of blood culture test, and outcomes during hospitalization were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was performed for the risk factors for poor prognosis (60 cases). Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between peripheral blood cells, albumin and the time required for TM turnaround in blood culture. The difference was statistically significant when the P value was < 0.05.

Results

A total of 87 patients were collected, with a median age of 34 years, a median hemoglobin of 94 g/L and CD4 count of 7/μl. The rate of TM bloodstream infection among all in-hospital patients increased from 0.99% in 2015 to 2.09% in 2020(half year). Patients with TM bloodstream infection with CD8 count < 200/μl had a 12.6-fold higher risk of poor prognosis than those with CD8 count > 200/μl (p = 0.04), and those with BDG < 100 pg/mL had a 34.9-fold higher risk of poor prognosis than those with BDG > 100 pg/mL (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

TM bloodstream infection is becoming more common in advanced AIDS patients in endemic areas. For those patients with extremely low CD4 and CD8 cell counts below 200/μl is with an increased risk of poor prognosis.
Plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a prospective seropositive population
Authors: Chen Wen-Jie , Xu Wen-Na , Wang Hai-Yun , Chen Xiao-Xia , Li Xue-Qi , Xie Shang-Hang , Lin Dong-Feng , Cao Su-Mei
Published: June 2021

Objective

Plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA is considered a biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, its long-term role in NPC development is unclear.

Materials and methods

A total of 1363 participants seropositive for EBV VCA-IgA and EBNA1-IgA in a community-based NPC screening program in southern China were tested for plasma EBV DNA levels by real-time qPCR between 2008 and 2015. New NPC cases were confirmed by active follow-up approach and linkage to local cancer registry through the end of 2016. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) for NPC risk with plasma EBV DNA.

Results

Thirty patients were newly diagnosed during a median 7.5 years follow-up. NPC incidence increased with the plasma EBV DNA load ranging from 281.46 to 10,074.47 per 100,000 person-years in participants with undetectable and ≥ 1000 copies/ml levels; the corresponding cumulative incidence rates were 1.73 and 50%. Furthermore, plasma EBV DNA loads conferred an independent risk for NPC development after adjustment for other risk factors, with HRs of 7.63 for > 3–999 copies/ml and 39.79 for ≥1000 copies/ml. However, the HRs decreased gradually after excluding NPC cases detected in the first 2 to 3 years and became statistically nonsignificant by excluding cases detected during the first 4 years.

Conclusion

Elevated plasma EBV DNA can predict NPC risk over 3 years. Monitoring plasma EBV DNA can be used as a complementary approach to EBV serological antibody-based screening for NPC.
A Chinese patient with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) carrying a TRPM3 gene mutation: a paediatric case report
Authors: Kang Qingyun , Yang Liming , Liao Hongmei , Yang Sai , Kuang Xiaojun , Ning Zeshu , Liao Caishi , Chen Bo
Published: June 2021

Background

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a heterogeneous group of chronic encephalopathies characterized by epilepsy with comorbid intellectual disability that are frequently associated with de novo nonsynonymous coding variants in ion channels, cell-surface receptors, and other neuronally expressed genes. Mutations in TRPM3 were identified as the cause of DEE. We report a novel patient with DEE carrying a de novo missense mutation in TRPM3, p.(S1202T); this missense mutation has never been reported.

Case presentation

A 7-year and 2-month-old Chinese patient who had recurrent polymorphic seizures was clinically diagnosed with DEE. A de novo missense mutation in TRPM3, which has not yet been reported, was identified in this case. The patient had a clinical phenotype consistent with previous reports.

Conclusions

These findings could expand the spectrum of TRPM3 mutations and might also support that de novo substitutions of TRPM3 are a cause of DEE.
Promoting healthy foods among urban school children in Bangladesh: a qualitative inquiry of the challenges and opportunities
Authors: Hasan A. M. Rumayan , Smith George , Rashid Md Harunor , Selim Mohammad Abdus , Rasheed Sabrina
Published: June 2021

Background

In Bangladesh overweight and obesity among urban school children are on the rise. Urban school children tend to consume foods dense in calories and few fruits and vegetables which is associated with overweight and obesity. The current study explored the barriers and opportunities for promoting healthy diets among school children from the perspective of teachers and parents in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Methods

We conducted 14 key informant interviews with teachers and principals, six focus group discussions with 31 mothers of school children (5 to 15 year old) and 14 structured observations of the school food environment. Inductive thematic analysis was performed manually.

Results

Schools were important for development of food preferences of children, however, most school cafeterias provided foods based on profit rather than health considerations. A shift in food culture resulted in making eating out acquire many meanings beyond convenience. Mothers, especially those who were employed, struggled to prepare healthy foods due to time pressure. Mothers were generally concerned about chemicals added to raw foods in markets which led to limited fruit and vegetable consumption.

Conclusions

There were many challenges to promoting healthy foods to school children within and outside the school. It is important to formulate policies and guidance to create a supportive environment for healthy foods in and in the proximity of schools. It is also important to educate consumers about identifying and choosing healthy foods. Laws related to food safety should be adequately implemented to boost the population’s confidence in safety of available healthy foods in the food system.
Reliability of histopathologic diagnosis of fibrotic interstitial lung disease: an international collaborative standardization project
Authors: Camp Robert , Smith Maxwell L. , Larsen Brandon T. , Roden Anja C. , Farver Carol , Moreira Andre L. , Attanoos Richard , Pillappa Raghavendra , Sansano Irene , Fabro Alexandre Todorovic , Homer Robert J.
Published: June 2021

Background

Current interstitial lung disease (ILD) diagnostic guidelines assess criteria across clinical, radiologic and pathologic domains. Significant interobserver variation in histopathologic evaluation has previously been shown but the specific source of these discrepancies is poorly documented. We sought to document specific areas of difficulty and develop improved criteria that would reduce overall interobserver variation.

Methods

Using an internet-based approach, we reviewed selected images of specific diagnostic features of ILD histopathology and whole slide images of fibrotic ILD. After an initial round of review, we confirmed the presence of interobserver variation among our group. We then developed refined criteria and reviewed a second set of cases.

Results

The initial round reproduced the existing literature on interobserver variation in diagnosis of ILD. Cases which were pre-selected as inconsistent with usual interstitial pneumonia/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP/IPF) were confirmed as such by multi-observer review. Cases which were thought to be in the spectrum of chronic fibrotic ILD for which UIP/IPF were in the differential showed marked variation in nearly all aspects of ILD evaluation including extent of inflammation and extent and pattern of fibrosis. A proposed set of more explicit criteria had only modest effects on this outcome. While we were only modestly successful in reducing interobserver variation, we did identify specific reasons that current histopathologic criteria of fibrotic ILD are not well defined in practice.

Conclusions

Any additional classification scheme must address interobserver variation in histopathologic diagnosis of fibrotic ILD order to remain clinically relevant. Improvements to tissue-based diagnostics may require substantial resources such as larger datasets or novel technologies to improve reproducibility. Benchmarks should be established for expected outcomes among clinically defined subgroups as a quality metric.
How do reminder systems in follow-up screening for women with previous gestational diabetes work? - a realist review
Authors: Nielsen Jane Hyldgaard , Melendez-Torres G. J. , Rotevatn Torill Alise , Peven Kimberly , Fonager Kirsten , Overgaard Charlotte
Published: June 2021

Background

Women with previous gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Recommendations therefore urge these women to participate in follow-up screening, 4–12 weeks postpartum and every 1–3 years thereafter. We sought to theorize how reminder interventions to support early detection of diabetes work, for whom, and in what circumstances.

Methods

We used a method informed by realist review and synthesis. A systematic, iterative search in six electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE Ovid, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE) had a primary focus on experimental intervention studies and included additional information in relation to identified intervention studies. Analysis inductively identified context-mechanism-outcome configurations present in the evidence.

Results

We located 16 articles eligible for inclusion. A cross-case comparison identified seven grouped context-mechanism-outcome configurations leading to intervention mechanisms relating to changes in women’s reasoning and behavior. Configurations were thematically ordered in relation to Systems Resources, Women’s Circumstances, and Continuity of Care. These were mapped onto a socio-ecological model and discussed according to identified middle-range theories.

Conclusion

Our findings adds to the body of evidence, that reminders have the potential to be effective in increasing participation in the recommended follow-up screening. Our study may assist researchers and policy and decision makers to analyze and judge if reminders are feasible and/or likely to succeed in their specific context. Further research into the perspective of socially disadvantaged and overweight women is needed to avoid unintended consequences such as social inequality in service use and stigmatization in future programs.
The circular RNA circSPARC enhances the migration and proliferation of colorectal cancer by regulating the JAK/STAT pathway
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Zhang Yi , Song Hu , Yin Hang , Jiang Tao , Xu Yixin , Liu Lianyu , Wang Hongyu , Gao Hong , Wang Renhao , Song Jun
Published: June 2021

Background

Noncoding RNAs such as circular RNAs (circRNAs) are abundant in the human body and influence the occurrence and development of various diseases. However, the biological functions of circRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC) are largely unknown.

Methods

RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of circRNAs and mRNA in CRC cells and tissues. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to analyze the location of circSPARC. Function-based experiments were performed using circSPARC knockdown and overexpression cell lines in vitro and in vivo, including CCK8, colony formation, transwell and metastasis models. Mechanistically, luciferase reporter assay, western blots, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), Chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP) and immunohistochemical stainings were performed.

Results

CircSPARC was upregulated in both the tissues and plasma of CRC patients. High expression of circSPARC was associated with advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastases, and poor survival. Silencing circSPARC inhibited CRC cell migration and proliferation in vitro and vivo. Mechanistically, circSPARC sponged miR-485-3p to upregulate JAK2 expression and ultimately contribute to the accumulation of phosphorylated (p)-STAT3. Besides, circSPARC recruited FUS, which facilitated the nuclear translocation of p-STAT3.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that circSPARC might serve as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for CRC treatment by regulating JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
Treadmill running induces remodeling of the infrapatellar fat pad in an intensity-dependent manner
Authors: Zeng Ni , Liao Tao , Chen Xin-Yuan , Yan Zhi-Peng , Li Jie-Ting , Ni Guo-Xin
Published: June 2021

Objective

To investigate the response of the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) to running at different intensities and further explore the underlying mechanisms of these responses under different running-induced loadings.

Methods

Animals were randomly assigned into the sedentary (SED), low-intensity running (LIR), medium-intensity running (MIR), and high-intensity running (HIR) groups. The rats in the LIR, MIR, and HIR groups were subjected to an 8-week treadmill running protocol. In each group, the IFP was examined at the baseline and at the 8th week to perform histomorphology, immunohistochemistry, and mRNA expression analyses.

Results

Compared with LIR and MIR, HIR for 8 weeks led to a substantial increase in the surface cellularity (1.67 ± 1.15), fibrosis (1.29 ± 0.36), and vascularity (33.31 ± 8.43) of the IFP but did not increase IFP inflammation or M1 macrophage polarization. Low-to-medium-intensity running resulted in unchanged or decreased fibrosis, vascularity, and surface cellularity in the IFP compared to those of the SED group. Furthermore, serum leptin and visfatin levels were significantly lower in the LIR and MIR groups than in the SED group or the HIR group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The effect of running on IFP remodeling was intensity dependent. In contrast to LIR and MIR, HIR increased the fibrosis and vascularity of the IFP. HIR-induced IFP fibrosis was probably due to mechanical stress, rather than pathological proinflammatory M1/M2 polarization.
The effect of care transition pathway implementation on patients undergoing joint replacement during the COVID-19 pandemic: a quasi-experimental study from a tertiary care hospital orthopedic department in Beijing, China
Authors: Xu Ya-ping , Zhao Pei-yu , Bai Yi-tong , Li Shuang
Published: June 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a massive impact on individuals globally. The Chinese government has formulated effective response measures, and medical personnel have been actively responding to challenges associated with the epidemic prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the implementation of a care transition pathway on patients that underwent joint replacement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A quasi-experimental study was designed to evaluate the effect of implementing a care transition pathway for patients who underwent joint replacement during the COVID-19 pandemic in the orthopedic department of a tertiary care hospital in Beijing, China. Using a convenient sampling method, a total of 96 patients were selected. Of these, 51 patients who had undergone joint replacement in 2019 and received treatment via the routine nursing path were included in the control group. The remaining 45 patients who underwent joint replacement during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020 and received therapy via the care transition pathway due to the implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures were included in the observation group. The quality of care transition was assessed by the Care Transition Measure (CTM), and patients were followed up 1 week after discharge.

Results

The observation group was determined to have better general self-care preparation, written planning materials, doctor-patient communication, health monitoring, and quality of care transition than the control group.

Conclusions

A care transition pathway was developed to provide patients with care while transitioning through periods of treatment. It improved the patient perceptions of nursing quality. The COVID-19 pandemic is a huge challenge for health professionals, but we have the ability to improve features of workflows to provide the best possible patient care.
Correction to: Clinical disease progression and biomarkers in Niemann–Pick disease type C: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Mengel Eugen , Bembi Bruno , del Toro Mireia , Deodato Federica , Gautschi Matthias , Grunewald Stephanie , Grønborg Sabine , Héron Bénédicte , Maier Esther M. , Roubertie Agathe , Santra Saikat , Tylki-Szymanska Anna , Day Simon , Symonds Tara , Hudgens Stacie , Patterson Marc C. , Guldberg Christina , Ingemann Linda , Petersen Nikolaj H. T. , Kirkegaard Thomas , Dali Christine í
Published: June 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Correction to: Growth in ataxia telangiectasia
Authors: Natale Valerie A. I. , Cole Tim J. , Rothblum-Oviatt Cynthia , Wright Jennifer , Crawford Thomas O. , Lefton-Greif Maureen A. , McGrath-Morrow Sharon A. , Schlechter Haley , Lederman Howard M.
Published: June 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Assessing mental health literacy of primary health care workers in Kenya: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Marangu Elijah , Mansouri Fethi , Sands Natisha , Ndetei David , Muriithi Peterson , Wynter Karen , Rawson Helen
Published: June 2021

Aim

To assess mental health literacy of health workers in primary health care services in Kenya.

Background

Mental illness is common in Kenya, yet there are fewer than 500 specialist mental health workers to serve Kenya’s population of over 50 million. The World Health Organization recommends the integration of mental health care into primary health care services to improve access to and equity of this care, especially in low and middle-income countries. An important step to integrating mental health care into primary health care services is to determine mental health literacy levels of the primary health care workforce.

Method

A cross-sectional survey using Jorm’s Mental Health Literacy Instrument (adapted for the Kenyan context) was administered to 310 primary health care workers in four counties of Kenya.

Results

Of the 310 questionnaires distributed, 212 (68.3%) were returned. Of the respondents, 13% had a formal mental health qualification, while only 8.7% had received relevant continuing professional development in the five years preceding the survey. Just over one third (35.6%) of primary health care workers could correctly identify depression, with even fewer recognising schizophrenia (15.7%).

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary information about mental health literacy among primary health care workers in Kenya. The majority of respondents had low mental health literacy as indicated by their inability to identify common mental disorders. While identifying gaps in primary health care workers’ mental health knowledge, these data highlight opportunities for capacity building that can enhance mental health care in Kenya and similar low and middle-income countries.
An overview to process design, simulation and sustainability evaluation of biodiesel production
Authors: Pasha Mustafa Kamal , Dai Lingmei , Liu Dehua , Guo Miao , Du Wei
Published: June 2021

The overwhelming concerns due to over exploitation of fossil resources necessitate the utilization of alternative energy resources. Biodiesel has been considered as one of the most adaptable alternative to fossil-derived diesel with similar properties and numerous environmental benefits. Although there are various approaches for biodiesel production, development of cost-effective and robust catalyst with efficient production methods and utilization of a variety of feedstock could be the optimum solution to bring down the production cost. Considering the complexity of biodiesel production processes, process design, quantitative evaluation and optimization of the biodiesel from whole systems perspectives is essential for unlocking the complexity and enhancing the system performances. Process systems engineering offers an efficient approach to design and optimize biodiesel manufacturing systems by using a variety of tools. This review reflects state-of-the-art biodiesel research in the field of process systems engineering with a particular focus on biodiesel production including process design and simulation, sustainability evaluation, optimization and supply chain management. This review also highlights the challenges and opportunities for the development of potentially sustainable and eco-friendly enzymatic biodiesel technology.
Detection of cryptogenic malignancies from metagenomic whole genome sequencing of body fluids
Authors: Gu Wei , Talevich Eric , Hsu Elaine , Qi Zhongxia , Urisman Anatoly , Federman Scot , Gopez Allan , Arevalo Shaun , Gottschall Marc , Liao Linda , Tung Jack , Chen Lei , Lim Harumi , Ho Chandler , Kasowski Maya , Oak Jean , Holmes Brittany J. , Yeh Iwei , Yu Jingwei , Wang Linlin , Miller Steve , DeRisi Joseph L. , Prakash Sonam , Simko Jeff , Chiu Charles Y.
Published: June 2021

Background

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of body fluids is an emerging approach to identify occult pathogens in undiagnosed patients. We hypothesized that metagenomic testing can be simultaneously used to detect malignant neoplasms in addition to infectious pathogens.

Methods

From two independent studies (n = 205), we used human data generated from a metagenomic sequencing pipeline to simultaneously screen for malignancies by copy number variation (CNV) detection. In the first case-control study, we analyzed body fluid samples (n = 124) from patients with a clinical diagnosis of either malignancy (positive cases, n = 65) or infection (negative controls, n = 59). In a second verification cohort, we analyzed a series of consecutive cases (n = 81) sent to cytology for malignancy workup that included malignant positives (n = 32), negatives (n = 18), or cases with an unclear gold standard (n = 31).

Results

The overall CNV test sensitivity across all studies was 87% (55 of 63) in patients with malignancies confirmed by conventional cytology and/or flow cytometry testing and 68% (23 of 34) in patients who were ultimately diagnosed with cancer but negative by conventional testing. Specificity was 100% (95% CI 95–100%) with no false positives detected in 77 negative controls. In one example, a patient hospitalized with an unknown pulmonary illness had non-diagnostic lung biopsies, while CNVs implicating a malignancy were detectable from bronchoalveolar fluid.

Conclusions

Metagenomic sequencing of body fluids can be used to identify undetected malignant neoplasms through copy number variation detection. This study illustrates the potential clinical utility of a single metagenomic test to uncover the cause of undiagnosed acute illnesses due to cancer or infection using the same specimen.
Existence and multiplicity of solutions for a fractional p-Laplacian equation with perturbation
Authors: Zhi Zhen , Yan Lijun , Yang Zuodong
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we consider the existence of nontrivial solutions for a fractional p-Laplacian equation in a bounded domain. Under different assumptions of nonlinearities, we give existence and multiplicity results respectively. Our approach is based on variational methods and some analytical techniques.
Intraoperative indocyanine green video angiography (ICG–VA) with FLOW 800 software in complex intracranial aneurysm surgery
Authors: Xue Tao , Deng Ruming , Gao Bixi , Wang Zilan , Ma Chao , You Wanchun , Zhu Yun , Chen Zhouqing , Wang Zhong
Published: June 2021

Background

Indocyanine green video angiography (ICG–VA) is a safe and effective instrument to assess changes in cerebral blood flow during cerebrovascular surgery. After ICG-VA, FLOW 800 provides a color-coded map to directly observe the dynamic distribution of blood flow and to calculate semiquantitative blood flow parameters later. The purpose of our study is to assess whether FLOW 800 is useful for surgery of complex intracranial aneurysms and to provide reliable evidence for intraoperative decision-making.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with complex aneurysms that underwent microsurgical and intraoperative evaluation of ICG-VA and FLOW 800 color-coded maps from February 2019 to May 2020. FLOW 800 data were correlated with patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, and intraoperative decision-making.

Results

The study included 32 patients with 42 complex aneurysms. All patients underwent ICG-VA FLOW 800 data provided semiquantitative data regarding localization, flow status in major feeding arteries; color maps confirmed relative adequate flow in parent, branching, and bypass vessels.

Conclusions

FLOW 800 is a useful supplement to ICG-VA for intraoperative cerebral blood flow assessment. ICG-VA and FLOW 800 can help to determine the blood flow status of the parent artery after aneurysm clipping and the bypass vessels after aneurysm bypass surgery.
Somatic frameshift mutation in PIK3CA causes CLOVES syndrome by provoking PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Yan Wei , Zhang Bin , Wang Huijun , Mo Ran , Jiang Xingyuan , Qin Wen , Ma Lin , Lin Zhimiao
Published: June 2021

Background

CLOVES syndrome (OMIM# 612918) is a rare overgrowth disorder resulted from mosaic gain-of-function mutations in thePIK3CAgene. All the reported CLOVES-associatedPIK3CAmutations are missense mutations affecting certain residues. We aim to investigate underlying mutation and its pathogenicity in a patient with CLOVES syndrome and to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors.

Results

We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing to detect underlying somatic mutations in the skin lesion of the patient. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed to evaluate the mRNA abundance ofPIK3CAin the patient’s skin lesion. AKT phosphorylation level assessed by immunoblotting of lysates from transiently transfected cells was performed to evaluate thePIK3CAmutations and inhibitory effects of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors. A somatic frameshift mutation c.3206_3207insG (p.X1069Trpfs*4) inPIK3CAwas identified in the genomic DNA extracted from the vascular malformation sample of the patient. This mutation affects the canonical stop codon ofPIK3CA(NM_006218.4) and is predicted to produce a prolonged protein with four additional residues. qRT-PCR demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of the patient’s affected skin tissue were comparable compared to the normal control. In vitro studies revealed that p.X1069Trpfs*4 mutant exhibited increased AKT phosphorylation significantly to that of the wildtype, which could be inhibited by PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors.

Conclusions

We have identified the first frameshift mutation inPIK3CAthat causes CLOVES syndrome, which was confirmed to overactive PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by transient transfection assays. We also provided more evidence of ARQ092 to be a potential therapeutic option for PROS in vitro.