bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constructing an Individual Socioeconomic Status Index for Analysing Inequalities in Colorectal Cancer Screening
Authors: Vanaclocha-Espi Mercedes , Martín-Pozuelo Javier , Romeo Paula , Pinto-Carbó Marina , Peiró-Pérez Rosana , Barona Carmen , Ortiz Francisco , Nolasco Andreu , Castan Susana , Salas Dolores , Molina-Barceló Ana
Published: March 2022

Objective: To construct an individual socioeconomic status (SES) index (ISESI) with information available in the Population Information System (PIS) of the Region of Valencia (RV), Spain, and use it to analyse inequalities in a colorectal cancer screening programme (CRCSP).Methods: Cross-sectional study. The study population was composed of men and women aged between 50 and 69 who were invited to participate in the most recently completed round of the RV CRCSP in 2020, n=1,150,684. A multiple correspondence analysis was performed to aggregate information in the Segmented, Integrated and Geographical Population Analysis Code (SIGPAC) from the RV PIS into an ISESI. Data from the 2016 RV Health Survey was used for validation. The relationship between CRCSP participation and the ISESI was analysed by logistic regression models.Results: The variables included in the index were nationality, employment status, disability, healthcare coverage, risk of vulnerability and family size. The most important categories for determining the highest SES were being employed and not being at risk of social vulnerability, and being unemployed and at risk of social vulnerability for determining the lowest SES . Index validation demonstrated internal and external coherence for measuring SES. The relationship between CRCSP participation and the ISESI categorised by quartile (Q) showed that Q4 (the lowest SES) was less likely to participate OR=0.769 (0.757-0.782) than Q1 (the highest SES), and the opposite was found for Q2 OR=1.368 (1.347-1.390) and Q3 OR=1.156 (1.137-1.175).Conclusions: An ISESI was constructed and validated using PIS data and made it possible to evaluate inequalities in CRC screening.
Differential effects of two NSAIDS on crayfish behavior and physiology: the need for multiple assays to quantify toxicological effects
Authors: Neal Alexandra , Moore Paul
Published: March 2022

The evaluation of pharmaceutical compounds using both sublethal and environmentally relevant concentrations is an understudied area within ecotoxicology. Additionally, studies assessing toxicity of these compounds often use a single measure to determine impact. There exists potential for a wide variety of complex and unpredictable effects in non-target organisms due to both the design of pharmaceutical compounds and the conservation of target receptors across different phyla. This study assessed the behavioral and physiological impacts of two common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications on crayfish using environmentally relevant concentrations (0.30, 1.5, 3, 30 µg/L). Male and female crayfish were exposed by submerging them in an aqueous solution of either ibuprofen or naproxen for a 24-hr period. Following exposure to either ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, there were no significant changes to crayfish consumptive behavior, however, physiology was significantly different. Oxygen consumption by exposed female crayfish was greater and occurred faster than non-exposed control female crayfish. Impacts of sublethal exposure from pharmaceuticals may lead to reduced fitness and alter community interactions or functions. The results of this study lead us to propose that further ecotoxicological studies utilize multiple measurements to investigate the effects of chemical exposure.
Evaluation of risk stratification and sepsis-related mortality in patients with positive blood cultures via procalcitonin, combined with the PIRO system in ED
Authors: Yang Long , Lin Yue , Zhang Xiangqun , Song Jianmei , Wei Bing , Ye Xinghua , Zeng Hong , Yang Jun , Wang Junyu , Liu Bo
Published: March 2022

Background
The aim of the study was to evaluate risk stratification and sepsis-related mortality in patients with positive blood cultures via procalcitonin (PCT) combined with the predisposition, infection, response, and organ dysfunction (PIRO) system in emergency departments (ED).
Methods
A total of 380 patients with positive blood cultures were admitted to Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital ED from December 2017 to October 2019. Their serum PCT was recorded, along with a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, and PIRO score to predict the prognosis of septic patients with positive blood culture in terms of ICU (Intensive care unit) admission, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) development, and 28-day mortality. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression analysis were used to assess the prognostic value of the scoring systems.
Results
On admission, 358 patients met the inclusion criteria. PCT, MEDS, APACHE II, and PIRO scores were found to independently predict ICU admission, MODS development, and 28-day mortality (P < 0.05), whereas SOFA did not. The AUC values of the PCT, MEDS, APACHE II, and PIRO scores for ICU admission were 0.620, 0.740, 0.780, and 0.751, respectively. For MODS, the AUC values of PCT, MEDS, APACHE II, and PIRO were 0.664, 0.701, 0.761, and 0.811, respectively. In the prediction of 28-day mortality, the AUC values of PCT, MEDS, APACHE II, and PIRO were 0.782,0.745,0.805, and 0.831, respectively. The AUC values combined PCT and PIRO system in predicting MODS and 28-day mortality were better than when predicting ICU admission. Meanwhile, the AUC values of PCT when combined with MEDS, APACHE II, or PIRO score were higher than that of any single predictor.
Conclusions
This study indicates that PCT combined with the PIRO scoring system has a higher predictive value and is superior in predicting MODS and 28-day mortality in septic patients with a positive blood culture.
Environments And Hosts Structure The Bacterial Microbiomes Of Fungus-Gardening Ants And Their Symbiotic Fungus Gardens.
Authors: Bringhurst Blake , Allert Mattea , Greenwold Matthew , Kellner Katrin , Seal Jon Nicholas
Published: March 2022

The fungus gardening-ant system is considered a complex, multi-tiered symbiosis, as it is composed of ants, their fungus, and microorganisms associated with either ants or fungus. We examine the bacterial microbiome of Trachymyrmex septentrionalis and Mycetomoellerius turrifex ants and their symbiotic fungus gardens, using 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing, over a large geographical region (east and central Texas). Typically microorganisms can be acquired from a parent colony (vertical transmission) or from the environment (horizontal transmission). Because the symbiosis is characterized by co-dispersal of the ants and fungus, elements of both ant and fungus garden microbiome could be characterized by vertical transmission. The goals of this study were to explore how both the ant and fungus garden bacterial microbiome are acquired. The main findings were that different mechanisms appear to explain the structure the microbiomes of ants and their symbiotic fungus gardens. Ant associated microbiomes had a strong host ant signature, which suggests vertical inheritance of the ant associated bacterial microbiome. On the other hand, the bacterial microbiome of the fungus garden was more complex in that some bacterial taxa appear to be structured by the ant host species, whereas others by fungal lineage or the environment (geographic region). Thus bacteria in fungus gardens appear to be acquired both horizontally and vertically.
Do Motorcycle Helmets Reduce Road Traffic Injuries, Hospitalizations and Mortalities in Low and Lower-Middle Income Countries in Africa? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Abdi Nadifa , Robertson Tara , Petrucka Pammla , Crizzle Alexander
Published: March 2022

Background: While there are a few studies have that examined the association between helmet use and injury prevention in Africa, there has been no systematic review to synthesize the literature within an African context nor has there been any study examining the effect of helmet use on injury prevention. Methods: We conducted the review in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute for Systematic Reviews protocols. Articles were searched using several databases (e.g. CINAHL, OVID Medline) and select grey literature (e.g. TRID). Articles were included if they were quantitative studies published in English between 2000-2019 and evaluated the association between motorcycle helmet use with head injuries, hospitalizations, and deaths in low- and lower-middle income countries in Africa with comprehensive motorcycle helmet laws. A meta-analysis was performed using pooled effect sizes assessing helmet use and head injuries. Results: After screening 491 articles, eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Helmet use ranged from 0-43%. The mean age of being involved in a crash was 30 years with males being two times as likely to be involved in motorcycle crashes than females. Drivers (riders) were more likely to be involved in a crash, followed by passengers and then pedestrians. Helmet use also reduced injury severity and mortality. The meta-analysis showed that helmet use resulted in an 88% reduction of head injuries (OR 0.118, 95% CI: 0.014-0.968, p= 0.049).Conclusions: In our study, helmet usage significantly reduced the likelihood of fatal head injuries. African countries with no helmet laws should consider adopting helmet use policies to reduce the number type and severity of injuries.
Risk Assessment Model of Residual Coal Spontaneous Combustion Based on Combination Weighting and SPA Method and Its Application
Authors: Qi Yun , Wang Wei , Ge Jiaqi , Yang Zebin , Qi Qingjie
Published: March 2022

In order to solve the problem of low accuracy about the autogenous risk assessment in minded-out area, which caused several kinds of risk factors like ambiguity, arbitrament, uncertainty, variability and diversity, a combination weighting set pair analysis (SPA) coupling evaluation should be put forward. Firstly, based on the mechanism and occurrence conditions of coal spontaneous combustion, There are 11 influencing factors identified and extracted from the three aspects, which are named as coal spontaneous combustion tendency, extraction conditions, air leakage and heat storage conditions; Then, euclidean measure should be introduced to make sure the degree in difference between the subjective and objective weights and compromising modulus, so the combined weights of each index were obtained. Based on SPA theory, a combined weighting spa coupling mining model was constructed; Finally, Setting three minded-out areas affected by gas drainage conditions in Ping Dingshan No.10 Coal Mine as an example, the set pair association degree expression of evaluation index and corresponding standard is obtained, and finally the risk level was determined. The results show that the prediction results of spontaneous combustion risk in No.1, No.2 and No.3 minded-out areas are consistent with the measured results, and the prediction accuracy of the model is high.
A Novel Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Strategy Using a Hybrid Emergency Room for Patients With PEA
Authors: Ijuin Shinichi , Inoue Akihiko , Ishihara Satoshi , Suga Masafumi , Nishimura Takeshi , Kikuta Shota , Nakayama Haruki , Igarashi Nobuaki , Matsuyama Shigenari , Doi Tomofumi , Nakayama Shinichi
Published: March 2022

Background: Whether extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is indicated for pulseless electrical activity (PEA) remains unclear. Pulmonary embolism with PEA was a good candidate for ECPR; however, PEA sometimes include an aortic disease and intracranial haemorrhage, with extremely poor neurological outcomes, and could not be a candidate. We have induced an ECPR strategy using the hybrid emergency room (ER) to perform computed tomography (CT) before extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) induction from January 2020. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of our ECPR strategy.Methods: Medical records of patients who transferred to our hybrid emergency room (ER) and required ECPR for PEA between January 2020 and November 2021 were reviewed.Results: Twelve consecutive patients (median age, 67 [range, 57-73] years) with PEA requiring ECPR were identified in our hybrid ER. Among them, nine were diagnosed through initial CT scan (intracranial haemorrhage, 3; cardiac tamponade due to aortic dissection, 3; aortic rupture, 2; and cardiac rupture, 1), and unnecessary ECMO was avoided. The remaining three patients underwent ECPR, and two of them survived with favourable neurological outcomes. All patients not indicated for ECPR were excluded before ECMO induction.Conclusion: Our ECPR strategy using the hybrid ER may be useful for the exclusion of patients with PEA non-indication for ECPR and decision making.
The influence of cognitive training on brain dynamics
Authors: Lv Guiyang , Xu Tianyong , Zhu Ping , Wang Miao , Chen Feiyan , He Guoguang
Published: March 2022

The human brain is highly plastic. Cognitive training can make a change in functional connections between brain regions. The structures of brain networks may determine its dynamic behavior which is related to human cognitive abilities. To study the effect of functional connectivity on the brain dynamics, a dynamic model is established based on functional connectivity of the brain and the Hindmarsh-Rose model in this work. The resting-state fMRI data from the experimental group undergoing abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) training and from the control group are used to construct the functional brain networks. The local efficiency and global efficiency of the functional brain networks of the experimental group are higher than those of the control group. The dynamic behavior of brain at the resting and task states for the AMC group and the control group are simulated based on above dynamic model. In the resting state, some different activated brain regions exist between the AMC group and the control group. A stimulus with sinusoidal signals to brain networks is introduced to simulate the brain dynamics in the task states. The dynamic characteristics are extracted by the excitation rates, the response intensities and the state distributions. The change in the functional connections of brain regions with the AMC training would in turn improve the brain response to external stimulus, and make the brain more efficient in processing related tasks.
The Temporal Clustering of Storm Surge, Wave Height, and High Sea Level Exceedances Around the UK Coastline
Authors: Jenkins Luke Joe , Haigh Ivan , Camus Paula , Pender Douglas , Sansom Jenny , Lamb Rob , Kassem Hachem
Published: March 2022

The temporal clustering of storms presents consecutive storm surge and wave hazards that can lead to amplified flood and erosional damages; thus, clustering is important for coastal stakeholders to consider. We analyse the prevalence of storm clustering around the UK coastline by examining the temporal and spatial characteristics of storm surge, wave height, and high still sea level exceedances at the 1 in 1- and 5-year return levels. First, at the interseasonal timescale, we show that there are periods of high/low exceedance counts on national and regional scales. Elevated seasonal counts of lower-magnitude exceedances can occur without a respective signal of higher-magnitude exceedances. Secondly, at the intraseasonal timescale, we show that high proportions of exceedances are clustering within seasons. Storm surge, wave height and still sea level exceedances occurring <50 days after the prior account for ~35-44% (~15-22%) of those at the 1 in 1- (5-) year return level. Still sea levels have the highest degree of clustering, with ~25% of 1 in 1-year exceedances occurring <2 days after the previous. Spatially, for UK storm surges and still sea levels, the North Sea has the lowest proportion of clustering, whereas the North Atlantic and Bristol Channel have the highest. For English wave records, the North Sea and English Channel have the highest proportion of clustered lower- and higher-magnitude exceedances, respectively. These findings illuminate the prevalence of the clustering of coastal hazards around the UK – helping coastal stakeholders evaluate the threat of surges, waves, and sea levels clustering over short periods.
Impact of Daratumumab on Anti-HLA Antibodies Level in Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Theves Floriane , Kheav David , Talbot Alexis , Peraldi Marie-Noelle , Villesuzanne Camille , Harel Stephanie , Royer Bruno , Lepretre Anne-Claire , Carmagnat Maryvonnick , Taupin Jean-Luc , Arnulf Bertrand
Published: March 2022

Daratumumab, a humanized anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated anti-plasma cell activity alone and in combination with other drugs in multiple myeloma (MM) and in light chain amyloidosis (AL). Allogenic anti-Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies are frequently encountered in patients awaiting kidney transplantation, complicating the access to a compatible transplant and represent a major risk factor of humoral rejection. Durably removing the antibodies or eliminating the producing cells is an objective that is currently out of reach. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the frequency of anti-HLA antibodies in MM and AL patients, and to determine the effect of daratumumab on them. Eligible patients with diagnosed MM or AL were selected (n = 182), among whom 84 had anti HLA antibodies (46%). Forty-nine patients (45 MM and 4 AL) were retrospectively included. Patients were treated with a combination of an alkylating agent, an immunomodulatory imide drug (IMiD), a Proteasome inhibitor, with (n = 22) or without (n = 22) daratumumab. Five patients received daratumumab alone. Treatment with daratumumab lowered anti-HLA antibodies in 85% (23/27) of cases including complete loss in 56% of cases (15/27) compared to 77% (17/22) and 45% (10/22) respectively, p = 0.8. This study couldn’t find a statistic impact of daratumumab to lower HLA antibody in this cohort. The association with chemotherapy could be an important bias and this hypothesis will be evaluated in ongoing studies enrolling patients undergoing kidney transplantation.
Latent Classes of Early Response Trajectories to Biologics Initiation in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: An Analysis of Four Trials
Authors: Lim Lily Siok Hoon , Shobhan Shamsia , Lokku Armend , Ringold Sarah , Pullenayegum Eleanor
Published: March 2022

Aims: 1) To delineate latent classes of treatment response to biologics in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients in the first 16 weeks after initiation. 2) To identify predictors of early disease response. Methods: The study population was drawn from four biologics trials in polyarticular course JIA: Etanercept 2000, Abatacept 2008, TRial of Early Aggressive Therapy (TREAT) 2012 and Tocilizumab 2014. The outcome was active joint counts (AJC). Semiparametric latent class trajectory analysis was applied to identify latent classes of response to treatment; AJC was transformed for this modelling. We tested baseline disease and treatment characteristics for their abilities to predict class membership of response. Results: There were 480 participants, 74% females. At baseline, 26% were rheumatoid factor positive. 67% were on methotrexate at enrollment. Three latent class solution provided the best fit. Baseline AJC was the sole best predictor of class membership. Participants classified by their highest membership probabilities into high baseline AJC (>30) and slow response (26.5%), low baseline AJC (<10), early and sustained response (29.7%), and moderate baseline AJC progressive response (43.8%). Participants were classified into the latent classes with a mean class membership posterior probability 0f 0.97. Those on methotrexate at baseline were less likely to belong to high baseline AJC class. Conclusions: Three latent classes of responses were detectable in the first 16 weeks of biologics therapy. Those with the highest baseline AJC demonstrated very slow response in this window and were less likely to be on concomitant methotrexate. Trials Registration: TREAT 2012 (NCT NCT00443430)(1), tocilizumab trial 2014 (NCT00988221), abatacept trial 2008 (NCT00095173). Etanercept 2000 from Amgen does not have a trial registration number.
IBD Patients Show a Unique Skin Microbiota Composition and a Correlation Pattern Between Serological Biomarkers and Clinical Aspects During Skin Adverse Events in the Setting of Anti-TNFα Therapy
Authors: Stehlikova Zuzana , Rob Filip , Kolar Martin , Schierova Dagmar , Kreisinger Jakub , Jackova Zuzana , Roubalova Radka , Coufal Stepan , Mihula Martin , Thon Tomas , Bajer Lukas , Novakova Michaela , Vasatko Martin , Kostovcikova Klara , Galanova Natalie , Lukas Milan , Kverka Miloslav , Hercogova Jana , Tlaskalova-Hogenova Helena , Zakostelska Zuzana Jiraskova
Published: March 2022

Background
Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are two forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where gut but not skin dysbiosis is well recognized. Tumor-necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) blockers have been successful in IBD treatment, but up to a quarter of patients suffer from skin adverse events (SkAE), for which we do not have a tool to predict them. Therefore, we examined the skin microbiota composition of IBD patients at several body sites by 16S bacterial profiling. Moreover, we quantified 22 serum markers of inflammation and epithelial barrier disruption in the setting of anti-TNFα therapy and SkAE manifestation by ELISA.
Results
The skin microbiota signature of IBD patients differed markedly from healthy subjects. In particular, skin microbiota of CD patients differed significantly from that of UC and HC at the retroauricular crease. CD patients showed high abundance of Corynebacterium (ASV86) and lower abundance of Actinomyces (ASV28), Cutibacterium (ASV212), Lawsonella (ASV87), and other taxa compared to HC. UC patients showed higher abundance of Delftia (ASV1039) and Pseudomonas (ASV1183), and lower abundance of Actinomyces (ASV28), Streptococcus (ASV607), or Haemophilus (ASV1150) than HC. Although microbiome changes were correlated at the ASV level in CD and UC patients compared to HC, we identified some bacterial ASV’s that exhibited changes typical of individual IBD forms. Manifestation of SkAE during anti-TNFα therapy was associated with a specific microbiota profile on the skin, and with a decrease in serum levels of L-FABP and I-FABP.
Conclusions
The overall proinflammatory effect of IBD might predispose for altered skin microbiota composition, hence promoting SkAE manifestation during anti-TNFα therapy. We identified specific serum markers associated with the incidence of SkAE during anti-TNFα therapy, however, further studies are needed to shed light on the impact of microbiota in this matter. Combining sequencing technology with search for serum biomarkers has opened up new opportunities in studying SkAE related to anti-TNFα therapy. Early detection of changes in microbiota-host equilibrium may have beneficial consequences in revealing the pathogenesis of SkAE in IBD.
Clinical Significance and Bioinformatics Analysis of SMC Family in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Mingxu , Zhong Chengcheng , Sun Dan , Fei Haoran , Hu Wei , Wang Yan , Wang Zhong
Published: March 2022

Objective: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a malignant digestive tract tumor with a dismal prognosis. The structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) gene family plays a role in various of human cancers. However, the function of SMC family members in PAAD remains unclear. This study explores the potential clinical significance of SMC family members in PAAD.Methods: We analyzed the differential expression, prognostic value and methylation levels of SMCs in PAAD patients using R language, Gene Expression Profile Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), University of Alabama Cancer Database (UALCAN). We used Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) to assess the correlation between SMC2 and six major tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of SMC2 in 72 PAAD tissues and 65 adjacent tissues. The relationship between SMC2 and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of PAAD was further analyzed according to the clinical data of the patients.Result: In TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and GSE16515, GSE15471 datasets, compared to normal tissue, the mRNA and protein expression levels of SMC1A, SMC2, SMC3, SMC4, and SMC6 were higher in PAAD. In addition, increased expression of SMC2 led to a poor prognosis, which could be a potential prognostic biomarker for PAAD patients in TCGA, GSE28735 and GSE21501. Cox univariate and multivariate analysis showed that SMC2 was a prognostic risk factor for PAAD patients in TCGA and GSE21501 dataset. In the 72 PAAD patients of our hospital, the expression level of SMC2 in PAAD tissues was significantly higher than in adjacent tissue, and patients with high expression had a shorter Overall Survival (OS); the expression of SMC2 was related to N stage (P=0.028) and Pathologic stage (P=0.048) of PAAD. Cox univariate and multivariate analysis suggested that SMC2 and N stage were closely related to the prognosis of PAAD patients. Using KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) and GO (Gene Ontology) analysis, we analyzed the gene expression enrichment of SMC2 in biological functions and pathways. Immune infiltration analysis showed that SMC2 was closely associated with B cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. Conclusions: Our study provides a new approach for selecting SMC family prognostic biomarkers in pancreatic cancer. These findings may provide a new direction for diagnosing and treating PAAD in the future.
A Qualitative Study into Perception, Experience, and Response of Intimate Partner Violence among Syrian Refugee Women in Heidelberg, Germany
Authors: Ahmad Arwa , Benson-Martin Janine , Jahn Albrecht , Beiersmann Claudia
Published: March 2022

Background
Intimate partner violence and domestic violence are the most prevalent forms of gender-based violence against women. They pose a significant public health concern with physiological and psychological impacts on women and the society as a whole. Asylum seekers, refugees and undocumented migrants tend to be more prone to psychological and mental distress and refugee women are an especially vulnerable group with regards to intimate partner violence.
Methods
We investigated the experiences, perceptions and attitudes towards IPV through interviews with Syrian refugee women, migrated to Germany. The qualitative study consisted of ten purposefully sampled Syrian women granted refuge within the city of Heidelberg.
Results
An ideological patriarchal and religious belief system condoned the use of violence towards women as punishment. Women highlighted challenges as well as advantages of living in a foreign culture in their post-settlement country. Men may become more violent as they lose their role as breadwinner and provider. The new social environment is perceived to provide more personal freedom and opportunities, but also to be rather destabilizing for matrimonial relationships.
Conclusions
We stress the importance of culturally sensitive approaches in resolving family conflict; the need to explore IPV amongst male refugees, and to further explore the fear behind the concept of “women empowerment” among the refugee community.
MedionRep: Medical Ontology Representation using Graph Embedding with Medical Text
Authors: Kim Young Hak , Song Jee Eun , Jun Tae Joon
Published: March 2022

Background: Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is an electronic record of a patient’s health information. Nowadays, the importance of EMR analysis is increasing in medical informatics. An EMR is multi-modal data containing medical text and medical concepts. Recent studies attempt to embed either medical text or medical concepts to analyze an EMR partially. However, no type of embedding understands an entire EMR, including both the medical text and the medical concepts. Moreover, most medical concept embeddings train concept sequences from the EMR. These embeddings do not reflect the ontology of the medical concepts, which contain medical semantics. Thus, this study proposes a novel medical ontology representation with medical text for understanding an entire EMR. Methods: First, we generated the International Classification of Disease (ICD)-10 graph using the ICD-10 graph dataset we created and initialized each node based on the pre-trained medical text embedding. Next, the ICD-10 nodes were trained by the code sequences sampled from the ontology using the encoder-decoder-based graph embedding. Lastly, we trained the ICD-10 nodes by the relation between the ICD code and the text.Results: For quantitative evaluation, we created similarity pairs of the ICD-10 codes dataset and compared the similarities of the ICD-10 code pairs. The average cosine similarity of ours is 0.87, which is the highest average among the comparison models. We also conducted a comparison of the similarity pairs using open datasets. The pearson correlation coefficients of ours are about 0.461 to 0.463, which is similar to the best model, 0.464. Both comparisons demonstrated that our medical ontology embedding performed well while maintaining the medical text embedding characteristics. Conclusions: In this study, we proposed a MedionRep which is a medical ontology representation method using graph embedding with medical text. MedionRep is a new medical concept embedding method with medical text and reflect the ontology of the medical concept including medical semantics. Our method could broaden the analysis of the EMR data, which includes several types of medical data.
Serum proteomics analysis from rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving combination therapy of imrecoxib, total glucosides of paeony and two DMARDs
Authors: Yu Haixia , Ma Xuejing , Fang Xing , Yang Chunlan , Fang Xianjun , Wang Tingting , Qin Lanxin , Xia Quan
Published: March 2022

Background：Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease. Imrecoxib, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and total glucosides of paeony (TGPs) are common clinical therapies for RA. However, the exact mechanism of combination therapy for rheumatoid arthritis is still unclear. This study aims to explore the potential mechanism of this combination therapy for RA.Methods：Five RA patients who used this combination drug therapy were enrolled. Serum was collected at the first visit and the second visit after 3 months of continuous use of the combination treatment. Label-free quantitative proteomics was used to perform a comparative analysis of protein expression in serum after depletion of high-abundance proteins. The GO database was used to annotate the functions of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs).Results： A total of 257 reliable proteins were identified. Six proteins (IGKV3-20, TTR, LRG1, SERPINA3, F10 and NMNAT3) were downregulated, and one protein (HBD) was upregulated after three months of continuous combination drug treatment. Bioinformatics analysis showed that DEPs were primarily involved in various biological processes, such as metabolic processes, cellular processes and biological regulation. The identified DEPs have been reported to be involved in inflammation, cell proliferation, angiogenesis and oxidative stress. Therefore, these proteins have played important roles in RA progression.Conclusion： This combination drug therapy could alleviate the symptoms of RA by regulating these DEPs associated with RA in different ways. The DEPs identified may help to predict the treatment outcome of therapy for RA in the future.
Transversus Abdominis Release (TAR) Procedure a retrospective analysis of an abdominal wall reconstruction group
Authors: Chaves Carlos Eduardo Rey , Girón Felipe , Conde Danny , Rodriguez Lina , Venegas David , Vanegas Marco , Pardo Manuel , Barato Felipe Vargas - , Navarro Jorge , Ricaurte Alberto
Published: March 2022

Background
Complex abdominal wall defects are important conditions with a high morbidity, leading to impairment of patients physical condition and quality of life. In the last decade, the abdominal wall reconstruction paradigm has changed due to formation of experienced and excellence groups, improving clinical outcomes after surgery. Therefore, our study shows the perspective and outcomes of an abdominal wall reconstruction group (AWRG) in Colombia, focused on transverse abdominis release (TAR) procedure.
Methods
A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted. All the patients older than 18 years old that underwent TAR procedure between January 2014 – December 2020 were included. Analysis and description of postoperative outcomes (recurrence, surgical site infection (SSI), seroma, hematoma, and re-intervention) was performed.
Results
50 patients underwent TAR procedure. 62% of patients were male. Mean age was 55 ± 13.4 years. Mean BMI was 27.8 ± 4.5 Kg/m2. Abdominal wall defects were classified with EHS ventral Hernia classification having a W3 hernia in 72% of all defects (Mean gap size of 11.49 cm ± 4.03 cm). Mean CeDAR preoperative risk score was 20.5% ± 14.5%. Protective association was established for SSI if the procedure was performed by the AWRG OR 0.7 (IC 95% 0.05–0.93). Higher risk of SSI was found in cases not performed by the abdominal wall reconstruction group OR 13.6 (CI 95% 9.12–15.5). In terms of hernia relapse, we have 12% of cases; all of them over a year after the surgery.
Conclusions
TAR procedure for complex abdominal wall defects under specific clinical conditions including emergency scenarios is viable. Specialized and experienced groups show lessen surgical site occurrences; further studies are needed to confirm our results.
Trapping effects in quantum atomic arrays
Authors: Zhang Pengfei
Published: March 2022

Quantum emitters, particularly atomic arrays with subwavelength lattice constant, have been proposed to be an ideal platform for studying the interplay between photons and electric dipoles. In this work, motivated by the recent experiment [1], we develop a microscopic quantum treatment using annihilation and creation operator of atoms in deep optical lattices. Using a diagrammatic approach on the Keldysh contour, we derive the cooperative scattering of the light and obtain the general formula for the S matrix. We apply our method to study the trapping effect, which is beyond previous treatment with spin operators. If the optical lattices are formed by light fields with magical wavelength, the result matches previous results using spin operators. When there is a mismatch between the trapping potentials for atoms in the ground state and the excited state, atomic mirrors become imperfect, with multiple resonances in the optical response. We further study the effect of recoil for large but finite trapping frequency. Our results are consistent with existing experiments.
Greywater reuse: an assessment of the Jordanian experience in rural communities
Authors: Al Arni Saleh , Elwaheidi Mahmoud , Salih Alsamani A. M. , Ghernaout Djamel , Matouq Mohammed
Published: March 2022

Water conservation is a critical issue, particularly in arid countries and countries that suffer a lack of natural water resources. Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world; this fact has forced the search for alternative sustainable solutions. With the support of several regional and international organizations, tens of projects were implemented across the country over the past 30 years that aimed to reuse greywater in rural communities. The current review provides a wide overview of Jordan's experience in greywater treatment and its reuse for non-potable purposes in rural areas. To the best knowledge of the authors, the present review is the first to assess the Jordanian experience in this field. Many governmental authorities and non-governmental organizations have been involved in Jordan's experience. The greywater reuse systems were established to achieve advantageous environmental and socio-economic consequences on the rural communities. The strategy of greywater treatment was based on a local on-site greywater treatment system in households or the so-called ‘autonomous water management’. The applied greywater treatment technologies in households were found efficient in rendering greywater adequate for agricultural uses. However, further improvements and territorial expansion of the experiment are needed.
LA FAMILIA Y LA VIDA DE FE EN TIEMPO DE CRISIS
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia, Velásquez Camelo Edgar Enrique
Published: March 2022

El objetivo de este artículo es reflexionar acerca de la experiencia de fe en la familia en el contexto de la crisis actual. Para ello, en la primera parte analizaremos las consecuencias de la pandemia en la experiencia de vida familiar. En la segunda parte, presentamos los resultados de la investigación documental acerca de la alegría del amor en la familia con el fin de destacar la importancia de la espiritualidad familiar; esto, desde san Juan Pablo II y el Papa Francisco. Y en la tercera parte, damos algunas ideas acerca de cómo fomentar la experiencia de fe en el seno del hogar. Todo esto para darnos cuenta de que la familia, como iglesia doméstica, es el escenario privilegiado y más importante en donde se puede fomentar la vida de fe de cada uno de sus miembros y, además, el apoyo en los tiempos de notables dificultades.
EL CUESTIONABLE REAPROVECHAMIENTO DE RECINTOS EN LA CREACIÓN DEL ESPACIO LITÚRGICO
Authors: García-Lozano Rafael Ángel
Published: March 2022

La creación de espacios celebrativos a partir del reaprovechamiento y transformación de recintos arquitectónicos que nunca fueron concebidos para esta finalidad ha sido una constante en la Iglesia, y más especialmente intensa con la reforma litúrgica que antecedió y consagró el Concilio Vaticano II. Sus resultados han sido diversos, pues han dependido directamente de la aplicación de la normativa litúrgica y sus bases teo-lógicas y pastorales, pero también de otro orden de circunstancias que resultaron de-terminantes y decisivas en algunos casos. El estudio de algunos ejemplos que pueden ser típicos nos ayuda a concretar esta reflexión que trata, precisamente, de aportar alguna consideración desde la teología sobre esta práctica común en toda la Iglesia.
Virtualización de la Experiencia Religiosa: Algunas Interpelaciones de la Cibercultura a la Acción Evangelizadora de la Iglesia
Authors:   Universidad Católica del Norte, Chile, Cerda Sanhueza Alejandro
Published: March 2022

Las nuevas tecnologías que han transformado la vida cotidiana de hombres y mujeres también han traído oportunidades e interrogantes a las diferentes instituciones de la sociedad, incluyendo a las religiosas, que tienen que ser capaz de anunciar la buena nueva del Evangelio a una nueva cultura, denominada cibercultura. Cuáles son los nuevos escenarios en la que se tiene que evangelizar, en qué consisten las transformaciones que se tendrán que implementar para llevar adelante la misión, cómo será el tránsito de una evangelización centrada en la presencia y lo territorial a lo digital y virtual. El presente trabajo pretende plantear interrogantes que surgen del encuentro de la misión evangelizadora con la cultura emergente, y a su vez esbozar algunas directrices a considerar en el quehacer pastoral. Se realizará un breve Itinerario por estos nuevos escenarios para dar cuenta del tránsito de lo presencial a lo virtual (2) para esbozar lo que es la nueva cibercultura (3) posteriormente exponer la virtualización de la experiencia religiosa (4) algunas tensiones entre lo tradicional y virtual (5) para ir concluyendo con algunas implicancias en el quehacer pastoral (6) y una breve conclusión. Es un tema nuevo e incipiente, que requiere ser pensado desde la perspectiva de la fe en diálogo abierto.
Sixteen Weeks of Aerobic Exercise does not Alter Resting-state Connectivity
of the Precuneus in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Musaeus Christian Sandøe , Johansen Louise Baruël , Hasselbalch Steen , Beyer Nina , Høgh Peter , Siebner Hartwig Roman , Frederiksen Kristian Steen
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

In healthy elderly persons and patients with mild cognitive impairment, physical
exercise can increase functional brain connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) measured by restingstate functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). However, no studies have so far investigated the
effect of physical exercise on functional resting-state connectivity in the DMN in patients with Alzheimer’s
disease (AD).

Objective:

In a single-blinded randomized controlled trial, we assessed the effects of an aerobic exercise
intervention of 16 weeks of physical exercise on DMN connectivity using rs-fMRI in patients with AD.

Methods:

Forty-five patients were randomly assigned to either a control or exercise group. The exercise
group performed 60-min of aerobic exercise three times per week for 16 weeks. All the patients underwent
whole-brain rs-fMRI at 3 T, at baseline, and after 16 weeks. Since the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and
adjacent precuneus constitute a central hub of the DMN, this parietal region was defined as region-ofinterest and used as the seed region for functional connectivity analysis of the rs-fMRI data treating age and
gender as covariates.

Results:

Neither seed-based analysis, seeded in the PCC/precuneus region nor ICA-based analyses, focusing
on components of the DMN network, showed any exercise-induced changes in functional resting-state connectivity from baseline to follow-up.

Conclusion:

16 weeks of aerobic exercise does not modify functional connectivity of the PCC/precuneus region in patients with AD. A longer intervention may be needed to show the effect of exercise on brain connectivity.

Clinical Trial Registration Number:

The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT01681602)
on September 10, 2012.
Polyethylene Glycol-400 Prompted an Efficient Synthesis of Thienyl Pyrazolo[
1,5‐a] Pyrimidines as Microbial Inhibitors
Authors: Konda Shankaraiah G. , Mandawad Gajanan G. , Chobe Santosh S. , Gosar Amit Kumar N. , Hote, Baliram S.
Published: March 2022

Aim:

The aim of this present work was to design and establish an efficient synthesis of new thienyl pyrazolo[1,5‐a] pyrimidines using an environmentally friendly reaction solvent. Further, the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for antimi-crobial activity.

Materials and Method:

A series of thienyl pyrazolo[1,5‐a] pyrimidines have been syn-thesized by the condensation reaction of 4‐(4’‐chloro‐phenylazo)‐5‐amino pyrazole with α, β‐ unsaturated carbonyl composites (chalcones) using NaOH in polyethylene glycol-400 as a green reaction solvent. The dissemination technique recommended by the Na-tional Clinical Laboratory Standards Committee was used to study the antimicrobial ac-tivities of synthesized compounds.

Results and Discussion:

Polyethylene glycol-400 prompting an efficient synthesis of thienyl pyrazolo[1,5‐a] pyrimidines have been discussed. Excellent yields of the prod-ucts were obtained in a shorter reaction time using PEG 400 as a green reaction solvent. The reaction solvent was recovered and reused without the loss of its activity. The syn-thesized compounds have shown interesting antibacterial activity. Hydroxyl and halo substitution with thienyl moiety emerged as an active antibacterial and antifungal study.

Conclusion:

The advantage of this methodology is that it incorporates the green method, has excellent yields, easy workup, avoids toxic solvents, and an expensive catalyst. The new dimension pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine derivatives with thienyl moiety exhibit prom-ising anti-microbial activity.
Apparent Diffusion Coefficient as a Noninvasive Biomarker for the Early
Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Transcatheter Arterial
Chemoembolization Using Drug-eluting Beads
Authors: Wang Nan , Li Basen , Zhou Lei , Xu Anhui , Li Qin , Xiang Huihua , Huang Yanrong , Peng Ling , Xiang Kun , Zhang Mingfeng
Published: March 2022

Background:

Prognostic evaluation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter
arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using drug-eluting beads (DEBs) is essential for guiding the personalized
treatment and follow-up strategy. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) has been reported as
a biomarker in conventional TACE.

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of ADCbaseline, ADC change, and ADCratio
in predicting the early objective response for HCC after DEB-TACE.

Methods:

This prospective single-center study included 32 consecutive patients undergoing dynamic
contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging before and 1
month after DEB-TACE. After DEB-TACE, patients were grouped based on the modified Response
Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria into responders (complete response [CR],
partial response [PR]) and nonresponders (stable disease [SD], progressive disease [PD]). The Mann–
Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed to assess the statistical
differences in ADCbaseline, ADC change, and ADCratio between responders and nonresponders.

Results:

At post-DEB-TACE follow-up MRI, 62.5% (n = 20, 11 CRs, and 9 PRs) of patients showed
objective response, and 37.5% (n = 12, 7 SDs, and 5 PDs) did not respond to chemoembolization. Nonresponders
had a significantly higher ADCbaseline value than responders (p < 0.001). The ROC for identifying
the response to chemoembolization demonstrated that the threshold ADCbaseline value of 0.920 ×
10−3 mm2/s had 100% sensitivity and 70% specificity. The ADC change and ADCratio of responders
were higher than that of nonresponders (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

ADCbaseline, ADC change, and ADCratio may be utilized as a noninvasive biomarker for
predicting the early response of HCC to DEB-TACE.
Selective Cytotoxic Constituents from Gardenia latifolia and their In Silico
Topoisomerase IIα Inhibition
Authors: Selim Asmaa M. , Bayoumi Soad A. L. , Mohammed Anber F. , Backheet Enaam Y. , Mohamed Shaymaa M.
Published: March 2022

Background:

The search for natural anticancer agents is a worthy scientific research goal, driven by the hope to lessen cancer's tremendous global burden.

Objective:

This study aimed at evaluating the cytotoxic activity of Gardenia latifolia Ait. (Rubiaceae) against lung (A549) and colon (HCT116) cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity-guided isolation of the bioactive phytochemicals was conducted, followed by various mechanistic validations of the appealing cytotoxic metabolites.

Methods:

The cytotoxic effects were determined using MTT assay. The two most cytotoxic compounds were further evaluated for their effects on cell cycle progression and apoptotic capabilities using flow cytometry approach. Additionally, we conducted a molecular docking analysis to reveal their potential interactions with the human topoisomerase IIα.

Results:

The phytochemical investigation led to isolation of nine compounds including a new one, (-) 1-acetyl 4,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid. The latter compound was the most cytotoxic against the colon cancer cell line (IC50 1.9 µg/ml) with a remarkable tumor-selectivity (SI ≈ 15). Moreover, the isolated glycoside, 1-O-[6-O-(5-O-vanilloyl-β-ᴅ-apiofuranosyl)-β-ᴅ-glucopyranosyl]-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzene, showed selective cytotoxicity towards A549 and HCT116 cells (IC50 values of 3.8 and 3.3 µg/ml, respectively). Both compounds considerably affected the cell cycle distribution. They caused G2/M cell cycle arrest, showed apoptotic capabilities, and displayed significant in silico topoisomerase IIα inhibition.

Conclusion:

Two cytotoxic and apoptotic compounds were reported from Gardenia latifolia. Subsequent in vivo studies and clinical trials should be conducted to substantiate their anticipated therapeutic values.