bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of pharmacy in the management of cardiometabolic risk, metabolic syndrome and related diseases in severe mental illness: a mixed-methods systematic literature review
Authors: Sud Dolly , Laughton Eileen , McAskill Robyn , Bradley Eleanor , Maidment Ian 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Individuals with severe mental illness, e.g. schizophrenia have up to a 20% shortened life expectancy compared to the general population. Cardiovascular disease, due to cardiometabolic risk and metabolic syndrome, accounts for most of this excess mortality. A scoping search revealed that there has not been a review of published studies on the role of pharmacy in relation to cardiometabolic risk, metabolic syndrome and related diseases (e.g. type 2 diabetes) in individuals with severe mental illness.

Methods
A mixed-methods systematic review was performed. Eleven databases were searched using a comprehensive search strategy to identify English-language studies where pharmacy was involved in an intervention for cardiometabolic risk, metabolic syndrome or related diseases in severe mental illness in any study setting from any country of origin. First, a mapping review was conducted. Then, implementation strategies used to implement the study intervention were classified using the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Taxonomy. Impact of the study intervention on the process (e.g. rate of diagnosis of metabolic syndrome) and clinical (e.g. diabetic control) outcomes were analysed where possible (statistical tests of significance obtained for quantitative outcome parameters reported). Quality assessment was undertaken using a modified Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results
A total of 33 studies were identified. Studies were heterogeneous for all characteristics. A total of 20 studies reported quantitative outcome data that allowed for detailed analysis of the impact of the study intervention. The relationship between the total number of implementation strategies used and impact on outcomes measured is unclear. Inclusion of face-to-face interaction in implementation of interventions appears to be important in having a statistically significantly positive impact on measured outcomes even when used on its own. Few studies included pharmacy staff in community or general practitioner practices (n = 2), clinical outcomes, follow up of individuals after implementation of interventions (n = 3). No studies included synthesis of qualitative data.

Conclusions
Our findings indicate that implementation strategies involving face-to-face interaction of pharmacists with other members of the multidisciplinary team can improve process outcomes when used as the sole strategy. Further work is needed on clinical outcomes (e.g. cardiovascular risk reduction), role of community pharmacy and qualitative studies.

Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42018086411
Using concave optimization methods for inexact quadratic programming problems with an application to waste management
Authors: Mahajan Sumati , Gupta S. K. , Ahmad Izhar , Al-Homidan S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractQuadratic programming is potentially capable of strategic decision making in real world problems. However, practical problems rarely conform to crisp parameters, and hence the prospects of these problems with inexact parameters are inevitably higher. The existing studies regarding public welfare schemes/ organizations reveal that their objectives end up as minimization of cost functions and are governed by linear or concave quadratic programming problems. The present study proposes a method that can be applied to concave type quadratic objective function subject to linear constraints with inexact parameters. A comparison is also drawn with existing methods to establish its simplicity and efficiency. Further, a numerical example is illustrated, and finally, a waste management problem is formulated and solved using the proposed method.
Biochar’s effect on the ecosystem services provided by sandy-textured and contaminated sandy soils: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Bekchanova Madina , Campion Luca , Bruns Stephan , Kuppens Tom , Jozefczak Marijke , Cuypers Ann , Malina Robert 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Biochar is a relatively new soil amendment method in agricultural practices that can improve the ecosystem services of soils. Biochar has commonly been applied to less fertile or contaminated soils, specifically sandy-textured and contaminated sandy soils, to improve their properties. However, the available literature indicates that not all sandy-textured and contaminated sandy soils show the same response to biochar applications, as the sign and size of the effect vary across studies. More specifically, primary studies show heterogeneous and potentially conflicting impacts of biochar application on a set of ecosystem services provided by these types of soils; namely, biomass production, water cycle, nutrient cycle, and climate regulation. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to systematically review the available evidence base to synthesise the impact and drivers of biochar amendments on four specific ecosystem services provided by sandy-textured and contaminated sandy soils.

Methods
This review follows the guideline of the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence and corresponds to the ROSES (RepOrting standards for Systematic Evidence Synthesis) reporting standard. A comprehensive search strategy will be employed to cover peer-reviewed and gray literature through bibliographic databases, organizational and institutional websites, and web searches. Search terms and strategies have been developed to identify the impact of biochar on the ecosystem services of sandy-textured soils. The search results will be screened first by their title and abstract, and then by their full text. Two literature reviewers will do this based on eligibility criteria. A validity assessment will be conducted to critically appraise and assess the validity of studies using a common validity framework for environmental studies. Data will be extracted from the studies that are found to be valid for the review. Narrative synthesis and meta-analysis will be employed to synthesise the review results.
ANCA-associated vasculitis overlaps with systemic sclerosis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wu Rui , Su Jiang , Zou Yu-rong , Zhu Jing 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) both affect the kidney and may cause renal failure. Treatment of AAV is dramatically different from that of SSc renal crisis (SRC). Kidney biopsy is not recommended for diagnosing SRC, but it is the only reliable diagnostic method for AAV.

Case presentation
Here, a 49-year-old male patient with diffuse SSc presented with acute renal insufficiency and detectable ANCA with myeloperoxidase-specific antibodies. A renal biopsy revealed necrotizing glomerulonephritis and was consistent with AAV. This finding confirms the existence of AAV and SSc overlap syndrome. The patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, intravenous cyclophosphamide, tandem membrane plasma exchange, and hemodialysis. After treatment, his clinical symptoms remained stable, and his creatinine and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have remained normalized as of his most recent follow-up after hospital discharge.

Conclusions
AAV can overlap with SSc; although this condition is rare, it is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is critical to recognize AAV in the setting of worsening renal function due to SSs and provide appropriate treatment. Several clinical features are suggestive of AAV rather than SRC, but renal biopsy is required for accurate diagnosis.
PCSK9 promotes tumor growth by inhibiting tumor cell apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Shi-Zhe , Zhu Xiao-Dong , Feng Long-Hai , Li Xiao-Long , Liu Xue-Feng , Sun Hui-Chuan , Tang Zhao-You 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), one of the key enzymes in the process of lipid transport, is involved in the disease progression of various types of tumors. This article is to study the role of PCSK9 in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods
Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of PCSK9 in tumor specimens from 105 HCC patients who underwent curative resection. Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR were used to test the protein and mRNA expression levels in HCC cell lines. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and clone formation assays were performed to evaluate the proliferation ability of different kinds of cells in vitro. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate. A xenograft model was established to study the effect of PCSK9 on HCC growth in vivo. TUNEL and immunofluorescence assays were used to detect cell apoptosis.

Results
High expression of PCSK9 in tumor tissues was related to microvascular invasion (p = 0.036) and large tumor size (p = 0.001) in HCC patients. Overall survival and disease-free survival after surgery were poor in patients with high expression of PCSK9 (p = 0.035 and p = 0.007, respectively). In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that PCSK9 promoted the growth of HCC by inhibiting cell apoptosis. A mechanistic study revealed that PCSK9 increases FASN expression, thereby inhibiting apoptosis of HCC cells via the Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase9/Caspase3 pathway.

Conclusions
PCSK9 expression level in HCC is an indicator of poor prognosis for patients with HCC. FASN-mediated anti-apoptosis plays an important role in PCSK9-induced HCC progression.
The impact of social complexity on the visual exploration of others' actions in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Robain F. , Kojovic N. , Solazzo S. , Glaser B. , Franchini M. , Schaer M. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Typical development of socio-communicative skills relies on keen observation of others. It thus follows that decreased social attention negatively impacts the subsequent development of socio-communicative abilities in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In addition, studies indicate that social attention is modulated by context and that greater social difficulties are observed in more socially demanding situations. Our study aims to investigate the effect of social complexity on visual exploration of others’ actions in preschoolers.

Methods
To investigate the impact of social complexity, we used an eye-tracking paradigm with 26 typically developing preschoolers (TD, age = 3.60 ± 1.55) and 37 preschoolers with ASD (age = 3.55 ± 1.21). Participants were shown videos of two children engaging in socially simple play (parallel) versus socially complex play (interactive). We subsequently quantified the time spent and fixation duration on faces, objects, bodies, as well as the background and the number of spontaneous gaze shifts between socially relevant areas of interest.

Results
In the ASD group, we observed decreased time spent on faces. Social complexity (interactive play) elicited changes in visual exploration patterns in both groups. From the parallel to the interactive condition, we observed a shift towards socially relevant parts of the scene, a decrease in fixation duration, as well as an increase in spontaneous gaze shifts between faces and objects though there were fewer in the ASD group.

Limitations
Our results need to be interpreted cautiously due to relatively small sample sizes and may be relevant to male preschoolers, given our male-only sample and reported phenotypic differences between males and females.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that similar to TD children, though to a lesser extent, visual exploration patterns in ASD are modulated by context. Children with ASD that were less sensitive to context modulation showed decreased socio-communicative skills or higher levels of symptoms. Our findings support using naturalistic designs to capture socio-communicative deficits in ASD.
The future of meniscus science: international expert consensus
Authors: DePhillipo Nicholas N. , LaPrade Robert F. , Zaffagnini Stefano , Mouton Caroline , Seil Romain , Beaufils Philippe 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the main focus areas for research and development for furthering the state of meniscus science in 2021.

Methods
An electronic survey including 10 questions was sent in a blind fashion to the faculty members of the 5th International Conference on Meniscus Science and Surgery. These faculty served as an expert consensus on the future of research and development areas of meniscus science. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ranking weighted averages were calculated to score survey questions.

Results
Of the 82 faculty, 76 (93%) from 18 different countries completed the survey (84% male, 16% female). The highest ranked future research and development focus areas were meniscus repair, biologics, osteotomy procedures, addressing meniscus extrusion, and the development of new therapies for the prevention of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Currently, the most ‘valuable’ type of biologic reported for meniscus treatment was platelet-rich plasma. The main reported global research limitation was a lack of long-term clinical outcomes data. The most promising emerging medical technologies for improving meniscus science were 3-D printing, personalized medicine, and artificial implants.

Conclusions
This survey suggests that the future of meniscus science should be focused on meniscal preservation techniques through meniscus repair, addressing meniscal extrusion, and the use of orthobiologics. The lack of long-term clinical outcomes was the main reported research limitation globally for meniscus treatment. Future product development utilizing emerging medical technologies suggest the use of 3-D printing for meniscal transplants/scaffolds, personalized treatment, and bioengineering for artificial implants.

Level of Evidence
Level V.
Cybersecurity challenges in energy sector (virtual power plants) - can edge computing principles be applied to enhance security?
Authors: Venkatachary Sampath Kumar , Alagappan Annamalai , Andrews Leo John Baptist 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDistributed generators (D.G.’s) enable us to generate, supply and be self-reliant on power while also allows us to supply power to meet the demand through virtual power plants. The virtual power plants also help us analyse, control, optimise, and help bridge the gap of demand and supply in these vast energy requirements. With this also comes challenges associated with securing physical systems, data protection and information privacy. Recent technological advancements have aided cybercriminals to disrupt operations by carrying out deliberate attacks on the energy sector. Though security researchers have tried to mitigate the risks, vulnerabilities, and it remains a challenge. This paper aims to present a comprehensive Edge-based security architecture to help reduce the risks and help secure the physical systems and ensure privacy and data protection.
Precision time protocol attack strategies and their resistance to existing security extensions
Authors: Alghamdi Waleed , Schukat Michael 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe IEEE 1588 precision time protocol (PTP) is very important for many industrial sectors and applications that require time synchronization accuracy between computers down to microsecond and even nanosecond levels. Nevertheless, PTP and its underlying network infrastructure are vulnerable to cyber-attacks, which can stealthily reduce the time synchronization accuracy to unacceptable and even damage-causing levels for individual clocks or an entire network, leading to financial loss or even physical destruction. Existing security protocol extensions only partially address this problem. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of strategies for advanced persistent threats to PTP infrastructure, possible attacker locations, and the impact on clock and network synchronization in the presence of security protocol extensions, infrastructure redundancy, and protocol redundancy. It distinguishes between attack strategies and attacker types as described in RFC7384, but further distinguishes between the spoofing and time source attack, the simple internal attack, and the advanced internal attack. Some experiments were conducted to demonstrate the impact of PTP attacks. Our analysis shows that a sophisticated attacker has a range of methodologies to compromise a PTP network. Moreover, all PTP infrastructure components can host an attacker, making the comprehensive protection of a PTP network against a malware infiltration, as for example exercised by Stuxnet, a very tedious task.
Stopping “transient ischemic attacks” by antiplatelet withdrawal
Authors: Palaiodimou Lina , Theodorou Aikaterini , Lachanis Stefanos , Paraskevas George P. , Papathanasiou Matilda , Zompola Christina , Voumvourakis Konstantinos I. , Tsivgoulis Georgios 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is considered to be an important risk factor for the development of ischemic stroke and requires complete etiopathogenic evaluation and prompt initiation of secondary prevention treatment. In addition, an accurate differential diagnosis should be performed in order to exclude other disorders mimicking TIA.

Methods
In this case report, we describe the clinical and neuroimaging evaluation and the differential diagnosis of a patient with suspected crescendo TIAs.

Results
A 79-year-old man presented with recurrent episodes of right-sided numbness over the past 7 months, despite different single and dual antiplatelet therapies that were sequentially prescribed for suspected TIAs. Brain MRI revealed cortical superficial siderosis, symmetrical periventricular leukoencephalopathy and enlarged perivascular spaces. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy was considered in the differential diagnosis of the patient. Antiplatelet withdrawal was recommended and led to complete remission of the patient’s transient focal neurological episodes (TFNE) that were initially misdiagnosed as TIAs.

Discussion
Cortical superficial siderosis has been implicated as a key neuroimaging feature of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a diagnosis which can be supported by the additional radiological findings of symmetrical white matter hyperintensities and enlarged perivascular spaces. Antiplatelet treatment in patients with cortical superficial siderosis may increase the frequency and severity of TFNE, while it increases exponentially the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. The present case highlights that recognition of cortical superficial siderosis is crucial in the management of patients presenting with transient focal neurological symptoms that can be misdiagnosed as recurrent TIAs.
Non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes; clinical landscape, management strategy and in-hospital outcomes: an age perspective
Authors: Dakhil Zainab Atiyah , Farhan Hasan Ali 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
As the elderly represent a substantial proportion of medical care beneficiaries, and there is limited data about age disparity in emerging countries, this study sought to investigate the impact of age on the management in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS).

Results
Two hundred patients with NSTE-ACS enrolled prospectively, patients’ data, pharmacotherapy, management strategy as well timing to catheterization were documented. Patients grouped into ≥ 65 years versus < 65 years; 32.5% were ≥ 65-year-old. The older group presented as high GRACE risk (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) (67.7% versus 15.6%). Elderly patients were less likely to be referred for catheterization compared with younger counterparts (55.4% versus 76.3%, p = 0.003). Within low risk class patients, none of the elderly versus 9.33% of younger patients were catheterized within 2 h; in the same line, none of the elderly versus 16% of younger patients were catheterized within 24 h. Alternatively, at high risk class, 6.81% of the elderly and none of the younger patients were catheterized within 2 h. On the univariate analysis of variables to predict invasive strategy, presence of history of prior IHD, diabetes, absent in-hospital acute heart failure or atrial fibrillation/flutter, higher haemoglobin and lower creatinine levels predicted the use of invasive strategy, while on multivariate analysis, acute heart failure (95% CI − 0.38 to − 0.41, p = 0.01), lower haemoglobin (95% CI 0.002–0.07, p = 0.03), and atrial fibrillation/flutter (95% CI − 0.48 to − 0.02, p = 0.03) predicted conservative strategy. The elderly were more likely to have acute heart failure (32.3% versus 14.8%, p = 0.004), same as stroke (3.1% versus none, p = 0.04).

Conclusions
Less-invasive strategy used in the elderly with NSTE-ACS compared with younger counterparts, yet age was not a predictor of catheterization underuse on multivariate analysis. It is crucial to bridge the age gap in the healthcare system in setting of ACS management by grasping the attention of decision makers and emphasizing on the adherence of healthcare providers to the guidelines to improve cardiovascular care and outcomes.
Coronary tortuosity relation with carotid intima-media thickness, coronary artery disease risk factors, and diastolic dysfunction: is it a marker of early atherosclerosis?
Authors: Elamragy Ahmed , Yakoub Samuel , AbdelGhany Mohamed , Ammar Waleed 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Coronary tortuosity (C-Tor) is a common finding in coronary angiography (CAG). There are conflicting data about its link to atherosclerosis: one study found a negative relationship with coronary artery disease (CAD), although it had been linked to age and hypertension (HTN), which are CAD risk factors. Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) is a measure of early atherosclerosis and a surrogate for CAD, diastolic dysfunction is also associated with CAD risk factors. In this retrospective case-control study, we investigated the relationship between C-Tor, C-IMT, diastolic dysfunction, and the other risk factors in patients undergoing CAG in a tertiary hospital between July 2017 and June 2018, after excluding patients with significant CAD. C-Tor was defined as the presence of ≥ 3 bends (≥ 45°) along the trunk of at least one main coronary artery in CAG.

Results
After excluding 663 patients due to exclusion criteria, 30 patients with C-Tor were compared with age and gender-matched controls. HTN was significantly more common in the C-Tor group (86.7% vs. 30%, p < 0.002); other clinical characteristics were similar. The C-IMT was abnormal in the C-Tor group only (p: 0.007). The diastolic dysfunction parameters differed between the two groups: the E/A ratio was < 1 in the C-Tor group and > 1 in the normal group (p: < 0.001); the E velocity and deceleration time were significantly lower in the C-Tor group (p: 0.001 and < 0.001 respectively); the E/E′ ratio, A, and A′ velocities were significantly higher (p: 0.005, < 0.001, < 0.001 respectively); while the S′ velocity was similar in the 2 groups (p: 0.078). The C-Tor group had higher total cholesterol and LDL (p: 0.003 and 0.006 respectively). All C-Tor patients undergoing stress tests had positive results. The only independent C-Tor predictors in a regression analysis were HTN, total cholesterol, A-wave velocity, and deceleration time (DT) (odds ratio: 14.7, 1.03, 1.15, and 0.95, all p: < 0.05). A-wave velocity had the best area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity for C-Tor prediction (0.88, 73.3%, and 96.7% respectively) followed by DT (0.86, 66.67%, and 96.6% respectively).

Conclusion
C-Tor is associated with increased C-IMT, HTN, hyperlipidemia, and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction; all contributing to an ongoing atherosclerotic process. A-wave velocity and DT were independent predictors of C-Tor. C-Tor may cause microvascular ischemia that merits further investigation.