Analyzing fulminant myocarditis research trends and characteristics using the follower-leading clustering algorithm (FLCA): A bibliometric study.

BACKGROUND: Myocarditis can be classified into 2 categories: fulminant myocarditis (FM) and nonfulminant myocarditis. FM is the most severe type, characterized by its acute and explosive nature, posing a sudden and life-threatening risk with a high fatality rate. Limited research has been conducted on FM characteristics using cluster analysis. This study introduces the following-leading clustering algorithm (`) as a unique method and utilizes it to generate a dual map and timeline view of FM themes, aiming to gain a better understanding of FM. METHODS: The metadata were obtained from the Web of Science (WoS) database using an advanced search strategy based on the topic (TS= (("Fulminant") AND ("Myocarditis"))). The analysis comprised 3 main components: descriptive analytics, which involved identifying the most influential entities using CJAL scores and analyzing publication trends, author collaborations using the FLCA algorithm, and generating a dual map and timeline view of FM themes using the FLCA algorithm. The visualizations included radar plots divided into 4 quadrants, stacked bar and line charts, network charts, chord diagrams, a dual map overlay, and a timeline view. RESULTS: The findings reveal that the prominent entities in terms of countries, institutes, departments, and authors were the United States, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (China), Cardiology, and Enrico Ammirati from Italy. A dual map, based on the research category, was created to analyze the relationship between citing and cited articles. It showed that articles related to cells and clinical medicine/surgery were frequently cited by articles in the fields of general health/public/nursing and clinical medicine/surgery. Additionally, a visual timeline view was presented on Google Maps, showcasing the themes extracted from the top 100 cited articles. These visualizations were successfully and reliably generated using the FLCA algorithm, offering insights from various perspectives. CONCLUSION: A new FLCA algorithm was utilized to examine bibliometric data from 1989 to 2022, specifically focusing on FM. The results of this analysis can serve as a valuable guide for researchers, offering insights into the thematic trends and characteristics of FM research development. This, in turn, can facilitate and promote future research endeavors in this field.

Household airborne endotoxin associated with asthma and allergy in elementary school-age children: a case-control study in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

To evaluate the association between the presence of asthma and allergy, and airborne endotoxin in homes of school-age children in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, with a case-control study design by matching the age and class exposure. Data collection of home visits included an interviewer-administered questionnaire and air sampling of participants' homes for endotoxin, bacteria, and fungi, as well as temperature and relative humidity measurements. Endotoxin was detected in all air samples with a median value of 0.67 EU m-3. In the adjusted logistic regression model, household airborne endotoxin was associated with higher prevalence of asthma and allergy; OR = 4.88 (95% CI 1.16-20.55) for Q3 (between 0.67 and 1.97 EU m -3) vs. Q1 (< 0.31 EU m -3), with statistical significance. Airborne fungi were associated with higher prevalence of asthma and allergy; OR = 4.47 (95% CI 1.13-17.69) for Q3 (between 314 and 699 CFU m -3) vs. Q1 (< 159 CFU m -3) in adjusted logistic regression models. Airborne endotoxin and fungi were significantly associated with children's asthma and allergy.

Indoor ozone and particulate matter modify the association between airborne endotoxin and schoolchildren's lung function.

BACKGROUND: To date, the effect of household airborne pollutants on the association between airborne endotoxin and lung function of schoolchildren is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate whether indoor air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <10 and 2.5 µm (PM10, PM2.5) can modify the association between airborne endotoxin and school children's lung function in a heavy industrial city in Taiwan. METHODS: We recruited 120 elementary school-age children in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Aerosol samples were collected on a filter membrane for 24 h period and then analyzed for endotoxin. Air pollutants were measured for 24 h in living rooms while school children's lung function was measured. The modification of air pollutants on the relationship between airborne endotoxin and children's lung function was estimated after adjusting the gender, age, height, weight, and case-control status. RESULTS: We found that both O3 and PM10 concentrations significantly modified the relationships between airborne endotoxin and school children's lung function. Among children living in homes with O3 ≥ 0.01 ppm or PM10 ≥ 62 µg/m3, airborne endotoxin was negatively associated with lung functions, whereas among those living in homes with O3 < 0.01 ppm or PM10 < 62 µg/m3, airborne endotoxin was positively associated with lung functions. CONCLUSIONS: The indoor air pollutant concentration of O3 and PM10 modifies the association between airborne endotoxin and school children's lung function.

Gate effects on DNA translocation through silicon dioxide nanopore.

The effects of gate voltage on the translocation of DNA molecules through a nanopore are studied. A twenty-fold increase in the translocation time is observed with a positive gate voltage applied, without changing too much of the ionic current. The amplitude of the current blockage by the DNA molecules was reduced by roughly the same factor. At the same time, the number of the blocking events decreases significantly. The applied gate voltage also modulates the scatter plot of the amplitude of the current blockage against the dwell time. The observations are consistent with the recent theoretical results.