bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of individual allergen sensitization on omalizumab treatment outcomes in patients with severe allergic asthma determined using data from the Czech Anti-IgE Registry
Authors: Vaník Petr , Novosad Jakub , Kirchnerová Olga , Krčmová Irena , Teřl Milan ,   Czech Anti-IgE Registry collaborators
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Omalizumab is an efficient drug for patients with uncontrolled severe allergic asthma (SAA). However, little is known about the differences in omalizumab treatment outcomes among patients with different types of atopic sensitization. Here, we assessed the effect of sensitization to individual allergens or their combinations on the outcomes of anti-IgE therapy in patients with SAA.

Methods
We performed a post hoc analysis of data of subgroups of patients enrolled in the Czech Anti-IgE Registry (CAR). The patients were evaluated at baseline and 16 weeks and 12 months after omalizumab treatment initiation. We analyzed the dependence of primary treatment outcomes [global evaluation of treatment effectiveness (GETE) after 16 weeks of treatment, a reduction in severe exacerbation rate (ER), and an improvement in the asthma control test (ACT) result during 12 months of treatment] and secondary outcomes [a reduction in systemic corticosteroid (SCS) use, an improvement in lung functions, and a fraction of exhaled nitric oxide] of patients with SAA treated with omalizumab for 12 months on sensitization to different perennial aeroallergens. We assessed sensitization to house dust mites, molds, and pets at baseline using skin prick tests and/or specific IgE measurement (semiquantitative evaluation). We compared polysensitized patients (sensitized to all tested allergens) with monosensitized (single positivity) or partially polysensitized patients (combined positivity but not to all allergens).

Results
We enrolled 279 patients (58.3% women, mean age 52.9 years). Omalizumab treatment presented an 82.8% response rate (according to GETE). It significantly reduced severe asthma exacerbations and SCS use, and improved the ACT result in 161 responders. We identified a subgroup of responders with distinct sensitization patterns (polysensitization to all tested perennial allergens) with higher odds of being responders (OR = 2.217, p = 0.02) and lower tendency to improve ACT result (OR 0.398, p = 0.023) and reduce ER (OR 0.431, p = 0.034) than non-polysensitized patients.

Conclusions
The clinical benefit of sensitization for patients with SAA receiving omalizumab may be particularly dependent on sensitization pattern. Polysensitized patients showed a higher tendency to be responders (GETE), but a lower tendency to improve the ACT result and reduce ER than non-polysensitized patients.
Van Wyk-Grumbach syndrome and oligosyndactyly in a 6-year-old girl: a case report
Authors: Egodawaththe Niranjalee Samanthika , Seneviratne Sumudu Nimali , Gunasekara Suvini , Amarasekara Sathika Manori , Weerasekara Kumudu 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Van Wyk-Grumbach syndrome refers to the development of isosexual precocious pseudopuberty and multicystic enlarged ovaries in the presence of hypothyroidism and delayed bone age. It is a rare presentation of untreated hypothyroidism. The prepubertal response in Van Wyk-Grumbach syndrome is always isosexual and mediated by very high thyroid-stimulating hormone levels acting through the follicle-stimulating hormone receptors inducing a follicle-stimulating hormonal effect. Early recognition and thyroid hormone replacement can completely regress precocious puberty and ovarian enlargement, while improving the final height achievement.
Oligosyndactly is a congenital bony abnormality and can manifest either as an isolated malformation or as a component of a syndromic diagnosis. However, development of hypothyroidism in children with this peculiar bony deformity has rarely been described in the medical literature, with the exception of Cenani-Lenz Syndactyly syndrome.

Case presentation
We report the case of a 6-year-old Sri Lankan girl who presented with a 2-day history of vaginal bleeding and exertional dyspnea. She had marked short stature (well below −3 standard deviations) with an upper segment to lower segment ratio of 1.47. This girl had isolated breast development of Tanner stage 2. She was diagnosed to have acquired hypothyroidism secondary to autoimmune thyroiditis and also had macrocytic anemia, pericardial effusion, gonadotropin-releasing hormone-independent precocious puberty with radiological evidence of pubertal changes in the uterus, and multicystic ovaries. Interestingly, she also had post-axial oligosyndactyly in both feet and right-sided clubfoot. The diagnosis of Van Wyk-Grumbach syndrome was made based on the clinical and laboratory features. Her symptoms were successfully managed with L-thyroxine therapy.

Conclusions
Acquired hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrine disorder among children and early recognition is important to prevent serious complications like Van Wyk-Grumbach syndrome. Sexual precocity with delayed bone age and stunting should direct our minds toward this unique diagnosis. It is always necessary to identify the other associated anomalies in addition to the primary diagnosis since these features may direct to a syndromic diagnosis.
Some unity results on entire functions and their difference operators related to 4 CM theorem
Authors: Chen BaoQin , Li Sheng 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper is to consider the unity results on entire functions sharing two values with their difference operators and to prove some results related to 4 CM theorem. The main result reads as follows: Let $f(z)$
f
(
z
)
be a nonconstant entire function of finite order, and let $a_{1}$

a
1

, $a_{2}$

a
2

be two distinct finite complex constants. If $f(z)$
f
(
z
)
and $\Delta _{\eta }^{n}f(z)$

Δ
η
n

f
(
z
)
share $a_{1}$

a
1

and $a_{2}$

a
2

“CM”, then $f(z)\equiv \Delta _{\eta }^{n} f(z)$
f
(
z
)
≡

Δ
η
n

f
(
z
)
, and hence $f(z)$
f
(
z
)
and $\Delta _{\eta }^{n}f(z)$

Δ
η
n

f
(
z
)
share $a_{1}$

a
1

and $a_{2}$

a
2

CM.
Existence of solutions for subquadratic convex operator equations at resonance and applications to Hamiltonian systems
Authors: Song Mingliang , Chen Ping 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the existence of solutions to subquadratic operator equations with convex nonlinearities and resonance by means of the index theory for self-adjoint linear operators developed by Dong and dual least action principle developed by Clarke and Ekeland. Applying the results to subquadratic convex Hamiltonian systems satisfying several boundary value conditions including Bolza boundary value conditions, generalized periodic boundary value conditions and Sturm–Liouville boundary value conditions yield some new theorems concerning the existence of solutions or nontrivial solutions. In particular, some famous results about solutions to subquadratic convex Hamiltonian systems by Mawhin and Willem and Ekeland are special cases of the theorems.
Computation of certain integral formulas involving generalized Wright function
Authors: Khan Nabiullah , Usman Talha , Aman Mohd , Al-Omari Shrideh , Araci Serkan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe aim of the paper is to derive certain formulas involving integral transforms and a family of generalized Wright functions, expressed in terms of the generalized Wright hypergeometric function and in terms of the generalized hypergeometric function as well. Based on the main results, some integral formulas involving different special functions connected with the generalized Wright function are explicitly established as special cases for different values of the parameters. Moreover, a Gaussian quadrature formula has been used to compute the integrals and compare with the main results by using graphical representations.
Further explanations for the eq. (3) in “Estimating the daily trend in the size of the COVID-19 infected population in Wuhan”
Authors: Lin Qiu-Shi , Hu Tao-Jun , Zhou Xiao-Hua 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTo avoid possible confusions to the readers, we provide further explanations for the eq. (3) in the research article “Estimating the daily trend in the size of the COVID-19 infected population in Wuhan” published in the Infectious Diseases of Poverty.
Epigenetic based synthetic lethal strategies in human cancers
Authors: Gao Aiai , Guo Mingzhou 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOver the past decades, it is recognized that loss of DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways is an early and frequent event in tumorigenesis, occurring in 40-50% of many cancer types. The basis of synthetic lethality in cancer therapy is DDR deficient cancers dependent on backup DNA repair pathways. In cancer, the concept of synthetic lethality has been extended to pairs of genes, in which inactivation of one by deletion or mutation and pharmacological inhibition of the other leads to death of cancer cells whereas normal cells are spared the effect of the drug. The paradigm study is to induce cell death by inhibiting PARP in BRCA1/2 defective cells. Since the successful application of PARP inhibitor, a growing number of developed DDR inhibitors are ongoing in preclinical and clinical testing, including ATM, ATR, CHK1/2 and WEE1 inhibitors. Combination of PARP inhibitors and other DDR inhibitors, or combination of multiple components of the same pathway may have great potential synthetic lethality efficiency. As epigenetics joins Knudson’s two hit theory, silencing of DDR genes by aberrant epigenetic changes provide new opportunities for synthetic lethal therapy in cancer. Understanding the causative epigenetic changes of loss-of-function has led to the development of novel therapeutic agents in cancer. DDR and related genes were found frequently methylated in human cancers, including BRCA1/2, MGMT, WRN, MLH1, CHFR, P16 and APC. Both genetic and epigenetic alterations may serve as synthetic lethal therapeutic markers.
Effects of circadian clock and light on melatonin concentration in Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s Wort)
Authors: Chung Ming-Hsiu , Deng Tzu-Shing 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundMelatonin acts as a signaling hormone and entraining agent in many organisms. We studied the spatiotemporal regulation and influence of light (photoperiods, intensities, and spectral qualities) on melatonin concentration in the medicinal herbHypericum perforatumL. Furthermore, melatonin concentrations in the leaves of eight species of theHypericumgenus were compared and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.ResultsMelatonin concentration was found to be the highest in its flowers and leaves. The leaves exhibited a rhythmic variation in melatonin concentration of approximately 24 h under both light–dark entrained (Zeitgeber time) and constant light [circadian time (CT)] conditions, with melatonin concentration peaking at approximately CT6 in the middle of the subjective day. Melatonin concentration was influenced significantly by not only photoperiods but also applied light’s wavelength and intensity. It was approximately six times higher under long-day conditions (18-h light:6-h dark) than under short-day photoperiods (10-h light:14-h dark) and was the highest (131 μg/g fresh weight [FW]) under treatment with blue light at an intensity of 45 µmol·m2/s of photons. The melatonin concentration of the two examinedHypericum spp., namelyH. kouytchenseLev. andH. corisL., were approximately twice that ofH. perforatumL.ConclusionOur findings provide first insights on melatonin-related functions and mechanisms in the circadian system ofH. perforatumand useful resources for further melatonin-oriented research and possible applications in agriculture and pharmaceutical industries.
Double-gate thin film transistor with suspended-gate applicable to tactile force sensor
Authors: Nguyen An Hoang-Thuy , Nguyen Manh-Cuong , Cho Seongyong , Nguyen Anh-Duy , Kim Hyewon , Seok Yeongcheol , Yoon Jiyeon , Choi Rino 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper presents a straightforward, low-cost, and effective integration process for the fabrication of membrane gate thin film transistors (TFTs) with an air gap. The membrane gate TFT with an air gap can be used as the highly sensitive tactile force sensor. The suspended membrane gate with an air gap as the insulator layer is formed by multiple photolithography steps and photoresist sacrificial layers. The viscosity of the photoresist and the spin speed was used to modify the thickness of the air gap during the coating process. The tactile force was measured by monitoring the drain current of the TFT as the force changed the thickness of the air gap. The sensitivity of the devices was enhanced by an optimal gate size and low Young’s modulus of the gate material. This simple process has the potential for the production of small, versatile, and highly sensitive sensors.
Exploring differences in primary students’ geometry learning outcomes in two technology-enhanced environments: dynamic geometry and 3D printing
Authors: Ng Oi-Lam , Shi Lian , Ting Fridolin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis paper compares the effects of two classroom-based technology-enhanced teaching interventions, conducted in two schools in sixth (age 11–12) grade. In one school, the intervention involves the use of a class set of 3D Printing Pens, and in another school the use of dynamic geometry environments, for inquiry-based learning of the relations among the number of vertices, edges, and faces of prisms and pyramids. An instrument was designed as guided by the van Hiele model of geometric thinking and administered to the two groups in the form of pretests, posttests, and delayed posttests to assess students’ prior knowledge before the intervention started, the learning outcomes obtained immediately after intervention, and the retention of knowledge after the interventions had been completed for a sustained period of time. The purpose of this study is to explore differences in geometry learning outcomes in two technology-enhanced environments, one that involves dynamic, visual representations of geometry and another that involves embodied actions of constructing physical 3D solids.ResultsThe results show that students using dynamic geometry improved at a higher rate than those using 3D Pens. On the other hand, students with the aid of 3D Pens demonstrated better retention of the properties of 3D solids than their dynamic geometry counterparts. Namely, the posttest results show that the dynamic geometry environment (DGE) group generally outperformed the 3D Pen group across categories. The observed outperformance by the DGE group on “advanced” implies that the DGE technology had a stronger effect on higher levels of geometric learning. However, the results from the ANCOVA suggest that the retention effect was more significant with 3D Pens.ConclusionsThis study has established evidence that the DGE instructions produced strong but relatively temporary geometry learning outcomes, while 3D Pen instructions can help solidify that knowledge. The results of this study further shed light on the effect of visual and sensory-motor experiences on school mathematics learning and corroborate previous work showing that the effects of gesture are particularly good at promoting long-lasting learning.
Feasibility of the PalliSupport care pathway: results from a mixed-method study in acutely hospitalized older patients at the end of life
Authors: Flierman Isabelle , van Rijn Marjon , de Meij Marike , Poels Marjolein , Niezink Dorende M. , Willems Dick L. , Buurman Bianca M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundA transitional care pathway (TCP) could improve care for older patients in the last months of life. However, barriers exist such as unidentified palliative care needs and suboptimal collaboration between care settings. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of a TCP, named PalliSupport, for older patients at the end of life, prior to a stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial.MethodsA mixed-method feasibility study was conducted at one hospital with affiliated primary care. Patients were ≥ 60 years and acutely hospitalized. The intervention consisted of (1) training on early identification of the palliative phase and end of life conversations, (2) involvement of a transitional palliative care team during admission and post-discharge and (3) intensified collaboration between care settings. Outcomes were feasibility of recruitment, data collection, patient burden and protocol adherence. Experiences of 14 professionals were assessed through qualitative interviews.ResultsOnly 16% of anticipated participants were included which resulted in difficulty assessing other feasibility criteria. The qualitative analysis identified misunderstandings about palliative care, uncertainty about professionals’ roles and difficulties in initiating end of life conversations as barriers. The training program was well received and professionals found the intensified collaboration beneficial for patient care. The patients that participated experienced low burden and data collection on primary outcomes and protocol adherence seems feasible.DiscussionThis study highlights the importance of performing a feasibility study prior to embarking on effectiveness studies. Moving forward, the PalliSupport care pathway will be adjusted to incorporate a more active recruitment approach, additional training on identification and palliative care, and further improvement on data collection.
Sexual satisfaction among italian university students
Authors: Terzera Laura , Rimoldi Stefania Maria Lorenza , Barbiano di Belgiojoso Elisa 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper examines the determinants of sexual satisfaction among Italian young men and women at the beginning of their adulthood, taking into account the different stages of sentimental and sexual transitions. We based the analyses on the data collected in 2017 by the SELFY Survey on a sample of 7842 university students in Italy. Results of the logistic regression models highlight that, above all, sexual satisfaction is positively associated with the frequency of intercourse within a stable and exclusive relationship. Furthermore, results highlight the essential role of all transitions, sexual and sentimental, in enhancing sexual satisfaction, both in a positive and negative direction. Religion has a positive effect too, but only among students who have not yet had intercourse, expressing a protective effect of the adherence to beliefs. Significant differences between young men and women emerged mainly concerning performance, other conditions being equal.
Global health landscape challenges triggered by COVID-19
Authors: Nakatani Hiroki , Katsuno Kei , Urabe Hayato 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of every aspect of the globalized world, including R&D. Potentially critical R&D areas have been neglected because of the lack of market-driven incentives. However, new initiatives are emerging to address the present crisis of COVID-19 and possibly future similar incidents that will threaten humanity. In this paper, the global health landscape of R&D is discussed in terms of research focus and funding, illustrating under-funding in communicable diseases with the exception of three major infections: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The initiatives triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the novel emphasis on “access” are discussed. Finally, the authors propose a new funding model to address R&D in the case of market failure, by forming alliance between government, industry, and international philanthropic organization (GHIT model), and define clear strategy of enhancing access as the way forward.
Distribution of different morphological types of anterior epitympanic plate “cog” and Köerner’s septum in CT images of cholesteatomatous and non-cholesteatomatous CSOM: is it really significant?
Authors: Eissa Lamya , Mahmoud Walaa 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The anterior epitympanic plate (cog) and Köerner’s septum are gaining more importance since the introduction of transcanal mastoidectomy as these anatomical structures are serving landmarks for the attic. Moreover, different morphological types of cog and Köerner’s septum revealed embryological relation to the development of the isthmic membrane; the latter is linked to aeration of the attic and thus affects the pathological development of the cholesteatoma.

Results
A retrospective review of CT images of 86 patients proved by surgical biopsies revealed: 49 cholesteatomas and 37 non-cholesteatomatous CSOM. The type-I “cog” had a higher incidence (n = 40) and was statistically more prevalent in non-cholesteatomatous CSOM (n = 30, 81.1%). Type-II was the second commonest and was statistically more prevalent in cholesteatomatous CSOM (n = 22, 44.9%). Type-III was the third commonest, seen in (n = 18, 20.9%) and was statistically more prevalent in cholesteatomatous CSOM (n = 17, 34.7%). Köerner’s septum was more prevalent in non-cholesteatomatous CSOM (70.3%) with statistical significance (p value = 0.002).

Conclusions
The difference in the distribution of different morphological types of anterior epitympanic plate “cog,” as well as the difference in Köerner’s septum existence amongst cholesteatomatous and non-cholesteatomatous CSOM are suggested as risk factors for the development of cholesteatoma and may predict a cholesteatoma on CT images.
Stent patency and outcome of TIPS through the left versus the right portal branches
Authors: Alwarraky Mohamed S. , Elzohary Hasan A. , Melegy Mohamed A. , Mohamed Anwar 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Our purpose is to compare the stent patency and clinical outcome of trans-jugular intra-hepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS) through the left branch portal vein (TIPS-LPV) to the standard TIPS through the right branch (TIPS-RPV). We retrospectively reviewed all patients (n = 54) with refractory portal hypertension who were subjected to TIPS-LPV at our institute (TIPS-LPV) between 2016 and 2018. These patients were matched with 56 control patients treated with the standard TIPS-RPV (TIPS-RPV). The 2 groups were compared regarding the stent patency rate, encephalopathy, and re-interventions for 1 year after the procedure.

Results
TIPS-LPV group showed 12 months higher patency rate (90.7% compared to 73.2%) (P < 0.005). The number of the encephalopathy attacks in the TIPS-LPV group was significantly lower than that of the TIPS-RPV group at 6 and 12 months of follow-up [P = 0.012 and 0.036, respectively]. Re-bleeding and improvement of ascites were the same in the two groups [P > 0.05]. Patients underwent TIPS-LPV needed less re-interventions and required less hospitalizations than those with TIPS-RPV [P = 0.039 and P = 0.03, respectively].

Conclusion
The new TIPS approach is to extend the stent to LPV. This new TIPS-LPV approach showed the same clinical efficiency as the standard TIPS-RPV in treating variceal bleeding and ascites. However, it proved a better stent patency with lower rates of re-interventions, encephalopathy, and hospital admissions than TIPS through the right branch.