bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bayesian variable selection and survival modeling: assessing the Most important comorbidities that impact lung and colorectal cancer survival in Spain
Authors: Rubio Francisco Javier , Alvares Danilo , Redondo-Sanchez Daniel , Marcos-Gragera Rafael , Sánchez María-José , Luque-Fernandez Miguel Angel
Published: April 2022

Cancer survival represents one of the main indicators of interest in cancer epidemiology. However, the survival of cancer patients can be affected by several factors, such as comorbidities, that may interact with the cancer biology. Moreover, it is interesting to understand how different cancer sites and tumour stages are affected by different comorbidities. Identifying the comorbidities that affect cancer survival is thus of interest as it can be used to identify factors driving the survival of cancer patients. This information can also be used to identify vulnerable groups of patients with comorbidities that may lead to worst prognosis of cancer. We address these questions and propose a principled selection and evaluation of the effect of comorbidities on the overall survival of cancer patients. In the first step, we apply a Bayesian variable selection method that can be used to identify the comorbidities that predict overall survival. In the second step, we build a general Bayesian survival model that accounts for time-varying effects. In the third step, we derive several posterior predictive measures to quantify the effect of individual comorbidities on the population overall survival. We present applications to data on lung and colorectal cancers from two Spanish population-based cancer registries. The proposed methodology is implemented with a combination of the R-packages and . We provide the code for reproducibility at https://github.com/migariane/BayesVarImpComorbiCancer.
Development and validation of a nomogram for prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis in middle and lower thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yan Zhaoyang , Xu Xinjian , Lu Juntao , You Yang , Xu Jinsheng , Xu Tongxin
Published: April 2022

Background

Estimates of cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis in patients with middle and lower thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are important. A nomogram is a useful tool for individualized prediction.

Methods

A total of 235 patients were enrolled in this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to screen for independent risk factors and construct a nomogram to predict the risk of cervical LN metastasis. The nomogram performance was assessed by discrimination, calibration, and clinical use.

Results

Totally, four independent predictors, including the maximum diameter of tumor, paraesophageal lymph node status, recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node status, and the CT-reported cervical LN status, were enrolled in the nomogram. The AUC of the nomogram model in the training and validation dataset were 0.833 (95% CI 0.762–0.905), 0.808 (95% CI 0.696–0.920), respectively. The calibration curve demonstrated a strong consistency between nomogram and clinical findings in predicting cervical LN metastasis. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the nomogram was clinically useful.

Conclusion

We developed a nomogram that could be conveniently used to predict the individualized risk of cervical LN metastasis in patients with middle and lower thoracic ESCC.
Whole blood GBP5 protein levels in patients with and without active tuberculosis
Authors: Yao Xiangyang , Liu Wei , Li Xiaofei , Deng Chenxi , Li Tingdong , Zhong Zhouyue , Chen Shuping , Ge Zhitan , Zhang Xuejie , Zhang Shiyin , Wang Yingbin , Liu Yongliang , Zheng Chao , Ge Shengxiang , Xia Ningshao
Published: April 2022

Background

The host blood transcriptional levels of several genes, such as guanylate binding protein 5 (GBP5), have been reported as potential biomarkers for active tuberculosis (aTB) diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whole blood GBP5 protein levels in aTB and non-tuberculosis patients.

Methods

An in-house immunoassay for testing GBP5 protein levels in whole blood was developed, and suspected aTB patients were recruited. Whole blood samples were collected and tested at enrolment using interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) and the GBP5 assay.

Results

A total of 470 participants were enrolled, and 232 and 238 patients were finally diagnosed with aTB and non-TB, respectively. The GBP5 protein levels of aTB patients were significantly higher than those of non-tuberculosis patients (p < 0.001), and the area under the ROC curve of the GBP5 assay for aTB diagnosis was 0.76. The reactivity of the GBP5 assay between pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients was comparable (p = 0.661). With the optimal cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity of the GBP5 assay for diagnosing aTB were 78.02 and 66.81%, respectively, while those of IGRA were 77.59 and 76.47%. The combination of the GBP5 assay and IGRA results in 88.52% accuracy for diagnosing aTB in 63.83% of suspected patients with a positive predictive value of 89.57% and a negative predictive value of 87.59%.

Conclusions

Whole blood GBP5 protein is a valuable biomarker for diagnosing of aTB. This study provides an important idea for realizing the clinical application of whole blood transcriptomics findings by immunological methods.
Differential gene expression of 3D primary human airway cultures exposed to cigarette smoke and electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) preparations
Authors: Rayner Rachael E. , Makena Patrudu , Liu Gang , Prasad G. L. , Cormet-Boyaka Estelle
Published: April 2022

Background

Acute exposure to cigarette smoke alters gene expression in several biological pathways such as apoptosis, immune response, tumorigenesis and stress response, among others. However, the effects of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) on early changes in gene expression is relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the early toxicogenomic changes using a fully-differentiated primary normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) culture model after an acute exposure to cigarette and ENDS preparations.

Results

RNA sequencing and pathway enrichment analysis identified time and dose dependent changes in gene expression and several canonical pathways when exposed to cigarette preparations compared to vehicle control, including oxidative stress, xenobiotic metabolism, SPINK1 general cancer pathways and mucociliary clearance. No changes were observed with ENDS preparations containing up to 28 µg/mL nicotine. Full model hierarchical clustering revealed that ENDS preparations were similar to vehicle control.

Conclusion

This study revealed that while an acute exposure to cigarette preparations significantly and differentially regulated many genes and canonical pathways, ENDS preparations containing the same concentration of nicotine had very little effect on gene expression in fully-differentiated primary NHBE cultures.
Low cholesterol is not associated with depression: data from the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Zhang Qun , Liu Ziping , Wang Qian , Li Xiaoqian
Published: April 2022

Background

Although high serum cholesterol is widely recognized as a major risk factor for heart disease, the health effects of low cholesterol are less clear. Several studies have found a correlation between low cholesterol and depression, but the results are inconsistent.

Methods

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2018 were utilized in this cross-sectional study. The analysis of the relationship between cholesterol and depression was performed at three levels: low total cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) people with low (<4.14 mmol/L) or normal (4.14-5.16 mmol/L) total cholesterol for Sample 1; people with low (<1 mmol/L) or normal (≥1 mmol/L) HDL cholesterol levels for Sample 2; and people with low (<1.8 mmol/L) or normal (1.8-3.4 mmol/L) LDL cholesterol levels for Sample 3; and (2) people who completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression scale. Age, sex, educational level, race, marital status, self-rated health, alcohol status, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), poverty income ratio, physical function, comorbidities, and prescription use were considered potential confounders. The missing data were handled by multiple imputations of chained equations. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between low cholesterol and depression.

Results

After controlling for potential confounding factors in the multivariate logistic regression, no association was observed between depression and low total cholesterol (OR=1.0, 95% CI: 0.9-1.2), low LDL cholesterol (OR=1.0, 95% CI: 0.8-1.4), or low HDL cholesterol (OR=0.9, 95% CI: 0.8-1.1). The results stratified by sex also showed no association between low total cholesterol, low LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol and depression in either men or women.

Conclusion

This population-based study did not support the assumption that low cholesterol was related to a higher risk of depression. This information may contribute to the debate on how to manage people with low cholesterol in clinical practice.
In vitro evaluation of probiotic properties and antioxidant activities of Bifidobacterium strains from infant feces in the Uyghur population of northwestern China
Authors: Cai Jingjing , Bai Ji , Luo Baolong , Ni Yongqing , Tian Fengwei , Yan Wenli
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Bifidobacterium is an important probiotic used in food and medicine production. The probiotic properties of bifidobacteria are strain specific, so it is necessary to evaluate the probiotic properties of bifidobacteria isolated from specific populations, especially when developing products suitable for specific populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the probiotic potential and safety of bifidobacteria isolated from healthy Uyghur infants from northwestern China.

Methods

In this study, antimicrobial activity, antibiotic sensitivity, hemolytic, acid and bile tolerance, hydrophobicity, co-aggregation, auto-aggregation, and antioxidant activity were evaluated.

Results

Based on antagonistic activity spectrum against seven intestinal pathogenic bacteria, 14 excellent strains were initially selected. Among 14 strains, four bifidobacteria strains (BF17-4, BF52-1, BF87-3, and BF88-5) were superior to strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in cell surface hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation percentages and close to strain GG in co-aggregation with Escherichia coli EPEC O127: K63 (CICC 10411). The antioxidant activities of each of the 14 bifidobacteria strains varied with the cell components. Most of the strains were sensitive to all the antimicrobials tested, except kanamycin and amikacin.

Conclusion

BF17-4 and BF52-1 are good candidates for further in vivo studies and further used in functional foods.
Effects of straw and straw-derived biochar on bacterial diversity in soda saline-alkaline paddy soil
Authors: Li Hongyu , Xia Yuying , Zhang Gongliang , Zheng Guiping , Fan Mingyu , Zhao Haicheng
Published: April 2022

Purpose

In order to provide a scientific basis for the improvement of soda saline-alkaline paddy soil, the pot experiment was performed to explore the effects of rice straw and straw-derived biochar on the diversity of soil bacteria and community structure in soda saline-alkaline soil.

Methods

The experiment was four gradients of straw return (3 (RS1), 7.5 (RS2), 12 (RS3), and 16.5 (RS4) t/hm2) and four gradients of biochar return (3 (RB1), 7.5 (RB2), 12 (RB3), and 16.5 (RB4) t/hm2), using 0 t/hm2 as a control (CK). After 5 consecutive years of measuring straw returns, high-throughput sequencing was used to determine the relative abundance, alpha diversity, and changes in the community structure of soil bacteria.

Result

Our results demonstrated that straw return significantly increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Sphingomonas and significantly reduced the relative abundance of Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Parcubacteria, Anaeromyxobacter, Pontibacter, uncultured_bacterium_f_Draconibacteriaceae, and Bryobacter. Straw-derived biochar return significantly increased the relative abundance of uncultured_bacterium_f_Draconibacteriaceae and significantly reduced the relative abundances of Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Thiobacillus, and Anaeromyxobacter, indicating that both straw and its associated biochar return changed the relative abundance of the phyla and genera of some bacteria. Straw return affected bacteria phylum and genus more than straw-derived biochar. With the exception of the 16.5 t/hm2 straw return, which reduced bacterial richness, the treatments did not significantly impact alpha diversity. Compared with straw-derived biochar return, straw return significantly changed the bacterial community structure, and the higher the straw return, the higher the impact on the bacterial community structure. Redundancy analysis (RDA) demonstrated that there was a significant correlation between the physicochemical properties of the soil and the community structure of its bacteria. A Mantel test demonstrated that the content of available phosphorus, available potassium, and organic matter was all important environmental factors affecting community structure.

Conclusion

We speculate that straw return regulates the physicochemical properties of the soil, which affects the bacterial community structure.
Tykhonov well-posedness of fixed point problems in contact mechanics
Authors: Sofonea Mircea
Published: April 2022

We consider a fixed point problem $\mathcal {S}u=u$
S
u
=
u
where ${\mathcal {S}:C(\mathbb{R}_{+};X)\to C(\mathbb{R}_{+};X)}$
S
:
C
(

R
+

;
X
)
→
C
(

R
+

;
X
)
is an almost history-dependent operator. First, we recall the unique solvability of the problem. Then, we introduce the concept of Tykhonov triple, provide several relevant examples, and prove the corresponding well-posedness results for the considered fixed point problem. This allows us to deduce various consequences which illustrate the stability of the solution with respect to perturbations of the operator $\mathcal {S}$
S
. Our results provide mathematical tools in the analysis of a large number of history-dependent problems which arise in solid and contact mechanics. To give some examples, we consider two mathematical models which describe the equilibrium of a viscoelastic body in frictionless contact with a foundation. We state the mechanical problems, list the assumptions on the data, and derive their associated fixed point formulation. Then, we illustrate the use of our abstract results in order to deduce the continuous dependence of the solution with respect to the data and parameters. We also provide the corresponding mechanical interpretations.
Modern plant biotechnology as a strategy in addressing climate change and attaining food security
Authors: Munaweera T. I. K. , Jayawardana N. U. , Rajaratnam Rathiverni , Dissanayake Nipunika
Published: April 2022

Global warming causes a range of negative impacts on plants especially due to rapid changes in temperatures, alterations of rainfall patterns, floods or drought conditions, and outbreaks of pests and diseases. These, in turn, affect crop production reducing the quality and quantity of agricultural produce. Climatic extremes and high population growth significantly increase the world’s food demand. Therefore, fulfilling the goal of attaining food security for the present and future generations is of prime importance. Biotechnology enables creating dramatic alterations on crops to withstand stress which is difficult to attain using conventional breeding approaches. It is a viable tool used to improve agricultural production. The development of biotechnological approaches such as genetic engineering, genome editing, RNA-mediated gene silencing armored with next-generation sequencing, and genome mapping have paved the way for precise and faster genetic modifications of plants. Such intensive efforts are currently underway creating desirable crop cultivars to meet the food demand and to support sustainable agricultural productivity for climate change adaptation.
Young people’s technological images of the future: implications for science and technology education
Authors: Rasa Tapio , Laherto Antti
Published: April 2022

Modern technology has had and continues to have various impacts on societies and human life in general. While technology in some ways defines the ‘digital age’ of today, discourses of ‘technological progress’ may dominate discussions of tomorrow. Conceptions of technology and futures seem to be intertwined, as technology has been predicted by experts to lead us anywhere between utopia and extinction within as little as a century. Understandably, hopes and fears regarding technology may also dominate images of the future for our current generation of young people. Meanwhile, global trends in science and technology education have increasingly emphasised goals such as agency, anticipation and active citizenship. As one’s agency is connected to one’s future perceptions, young people’s views of technological change are highly relevant to these educational goals. However, students’ images of technological futures have not yet been used to inform the development of science and technology education. We set out to address this issue by investigating 58 secondary school students’ essays describing a typical day in 2035 or 2040, focusing on technological surroundings. Qualitative content analysis showed that students’ images of the future feature technological changes ranging from improved everyday devices to large-scale technologisation. A variety of effects was attributed to technology, relating to convenience, environment, employment, privacy, general societal progress and more. Technology was discussed both in positive and negative terms, as imagined technological futures were problematised to differing extents. We conclude by discussing the potential implications of the results for the development of future-oriented science and technology education.
Improvement of osseointegration of Ti–6Al–4V ELI alloy orthodontic mini-screws through anodization, cyclic pre-calcification, and heat treatments
Authors: Im Changkyun , Park Je-Hyeok , Jeon Young-Mi , Kim Jong-Ghee , Jang Yong-Seok , Lee Min-Ho , Jeon Woo-Yong , Kim Jun-Min , Bae Tae-Sung
Published: April 2022

Background

Mini-screws are widely used as temporary anchorages in orthodontic treatment, but have the disadvantage of showing a high failure rate of about 10%. Therefore, orthodontic mini-screws should have high biocompatibility and retention. Previous studies have demonstrated that the retention of mini-screws can be improved by imparting bioactivity to the surface. The method for imparting bioactivity proposed in this paper is to sequentially perform anodization, periodic pre-calcification, and heat treatments with a Ti–6Al–4V ELI alloy mini-screw.

Materials and methods

A TiO2 nanotube-structured layer was formed on the surface of the Ti–6Al–4V ELI alloy mini-screw through anodization in which a voltage of 20 V was applied to a glycerol solution containing 20 wt% H2O and 1.4 wt% NH4F for 60 min. Fine granular calcium phosphate precipitates of HA and octacalcium phosphate were generated as clusters on the surface through the cyclic pre-calcification and heat treatments. The cyclic pre-calcification treatment is a process of immersion in a 0.05 M NaH2PO4 solution and a saturated Ca(OH)2 solution at 90 °C for 1 min each.

Results

It was confirmed that the densely structured protrusions were precipitated, and Ca and P concentrations, which bind and concentrate endogenous bone morphogenetic proteins, increased on the surface after simulated body fluid (SBF) immersion test. In addition, the removal torque of the mini-screw fixed into rabbit tibias for 4 weeks was measured to be 8.70 ± 2.60 N cm.

Conclusions

A noteworthy point in this paper is that the Ca and P concentrations, which provide a scaffold suitable for endogenous bone formation, further increased over time after SBF immersion of the APH group specimens. The other point is that our mini-screws have a significantly higher removal torque compared to untreated mini-screws. These results represent that the mini-screw proposed in this paper can be used as a mini-screw for orthodontics.
Discovering top-weighted k-truss communities in large graphs
Authors: Habib Wafaa M. A. , Mokhtar Hoda M. O. , El-Sharkawi Mohamed E.
Published: April 2022

Abstract﻿

Community Search is the problem of querying networks in order to discover dense subgraphs-communities-that satisfy given query parameters. Most community search models consider link structure and ignore link weight while answering the required queries. Given the importance of link weight in different networks, this paper considers both link structure and link weight to discover top-r weighted k-truss communities via community search. The top-weighted k-truss communities are those communities with the highest weight and the highest cohesiveness within the network. All recent studies that considered link weight discover top-weighted communities via global search and index-based search techniques. In this paper three different algorithms are proposed to scale-up the existing approaches of weighted community search via local search. The performance evaluation shows that the proposed algorithms significantly outperform the existing state-of-the-art algorithms over different datasets in terms of search time by several orders of magnitude.
A cross-sectional survey of patient’s perception and knowledge of dental implants in Japan
Authors: Ho Kailing , Bahammam Shaima , Chen Chia-Yu , Hojo Yasushi , Kim David , Hisatomo Kondo  , Da Silva John , Nagai Shigemi
Published: April 2022

Background

This study aimed to collect data regarding patient perception and knowledge of dental implants. It was conducted with the hope that the data would provide dental professionals and policymakers with a better understanding of ways to promote implant therapy.

Methods

 An anonymous online survey with 10 questions was distributed through 12 dental offices in Tokyo and provincial cities in Japan to assess patient perception and knowledge of dental implants. Harvard Medical School’s IRB approved this study.

Results

We collected data from 1172 patients (59% female, 41% male). The most common perceptions of implant therapy were that it was “expensive,” “advanced,” and “scary”. Patients’ implant knowledge came primarily from magazines or books, while professional dental societies/associations were the least sought out source of information. Patients believed that the purpose of dental implants was to avoid dentures and improve chewing function. Their primary concerns about dental implants were the cost and longevity. Approximately 12% of patients with dental implants and 61% of patients without implants did not know that bone grafts may be required and that sedation during surgery was an option. For patients who experienced sedation during the procedure, 60% of them want it for future surgeries. Patients also had limited knowledge of bone-graft materials and the effects of CBCT radiation; 75% of the patients expressed concerns over the safety of graft materials and radiation exposure. For patients with a history of dental implant therapy, 80% of them would recommend dental implants to their family and friends.

Conclusions

Overall, patients’ experiences with dental implant therapy were positive, but there was a lack of patient education regarding dental implants and their associated procedures. Dental professionals need to take the initiative to improve patient education.
Usefulness of criteria for intraoperative Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Authors: Nagase Satoshi , Imaura Masaharu , Nishimura Mizuki , Takeda Kohei , Takahashi Mari , Taniguchi Hideki , Sato Tomoyuki , Kanno Hiroshi
Published: April 2022

Background

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) delays postoperative recovery, prolongs hospital stays, and hinders patients’ return to society, thus making it a major cause of increased healthcare costs. It is also the most troubling postoperative complication in female patients undergoing surgery. However, in Japan, guidelines for the management of PONV have not been established, and the management protocol for PONV is left to each institution and anesthesiologist. Therefore, we developed criteria for intraoperative management of PONV.

Methods

In female surgical patients, the usefulness of the criteria was evaluated by comparing the implementation rate of intraoperative management and PONV incidence before and after the establishment of the criteria. An Apfel simplified score (Apfel score) ≥2 was set as an indication for intraoperative management of PONV.

Results

The implementation rate of intraoperative management increased from 91.2 to 96.0% after the introduction of the criteria. In patients with an Apfel score of 2, the intraoperative management implementation rate significantly increased from 81.1 to 94.7% (p = 0.016), while PONV incidence significantly decreased from 44.6 to 34.1% after the introduction of the criteria (p = 0.040).

Conclusions

The criteria for intraoperative management of PONV increased the implementation rate of intraoperative management and decreased PONV incidence, indicating the usefulness of the criteria.
Immune-instructive copolymer scaffolds using plant-derived nanoparticles to promote bone regeneration
Authors: Suliman Salwa , Mieszkowska Anna , Folkert Justyna , Rana Neha , Mohamed-Ahmed Samih , Fuoco Tiziana , Finne-Wistrand Anna , Dirscherl Kai , Jørgensen Bodil , Mustafa Kamal , Gurzawska-Comis Katarzyna
Published: April 2022

Background

Age-driven immune signals cause a state of chronic low-grade inflammation and in consequence affect bone healing and cause challenges for clinicians when repairing critical-sized bone defects in elderly patients.

Methods

Poly(l-lactide-co-ɛ-caprolactone) (PLCA) scaffolds are functionalized with plant-derived nanoparticles from potato, rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I), to investigate their ability to modulate inflammation in vitro in neutrophils and macrophages at gene and protein levels. The scaffolds’ early and late host response at gene, protein and histological levels is tested in vivo in a subcutaneous rat model and their potential to promote bone regeneration in an aged rodent was tested in a critical-sized calvaria bone defect. Significant differences were tested using one-way ANOVA, followed by a multiple-comparison Tukey’s test with apvalue ≤ 0.05 considered significant.

Results

Gene expressions revealed PLCA scaffold functionalized with plant-derived RG-I with a relatively higher amount of galactose than arabinose (potato dearabinated (PA)) to reduce the inflammatory state stimulated by bacterial LPS in neutrophils and macrophages in vitro.LPS-stimulated neutrophils show a significantly decreased intracellular accumulation of galectin-3 in the presence of PA functionalization compared to Control (unmodified PLCA scaffolds). The in vivo gene and protein expressions revealed comparable results to in vitro. The host response is modulated towards anti-inflammatory/ healing at early and late time points at gene and protein levels. A reduced foreign body reaction and fibrous capsule formation is observed when PLCA scaffolds functionalized with PA were implanted in vivo subcutaneously.PLCA scaffolds functionalized with PA modulated the cytokine and chemokine expressions in vivo during early and late inflammatory phases. PLCA scaffolds functionalized with PA implanted in calvaria defects of aged rats downregulating pro-inflammatory gene markers while promoting osteogenic markers after 2 weeks in vivo.

Conclusion

We have shown that PLCA scaffolds functionalized with plant-derived RG-I with a relatively higher amount of galactose play a role in the modulation of inflammatory responses both in vitro and in vivo subcutaneously and promote the initiation of bone formation in a critical-sized bone defect of an aged rodent. Our study addresses the increasing demand in bone tissue engineering for immunomodulatory 3D scaffolds that promote osteogenesis and modulate immune responses.
Extended trochanteric osteotomy in revision hip arthroplasty: a case series study and systematic literature review
Authors: Hamad Khalid , Konan Sujith
Published: April 2022

Background

Extended trochanteric osteotomy (ETO) in revision hip arthroplasty provides direct access to the femoral medullary canal and facilitates removal of implants and re-implantation. This study looks at objective outcomes of ETO from a systematic review of the literature and a case series of revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) cases with ETOs from the authors’ local institution.

Methods

(1) The National Institutes of Health (NIH) national library of medicine was searched for studies related to ETO and the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) technique were followed.

(2) Case series of 23 revision THAs with ETOs from University College London Hospital (UCLH) were retrospectively analyzed with a minimum of 2-year follow-up for radiological outcomes.

Results

(1) The main revision THAs diagnoses were aseptic loosening (880/1,386; 63.4%), prosthetic joint infection (PJI) (301/1,386; 21.7%) and periprosthetic THA fractures (78/1,386; 5.6%). Other diagnoses, including non-specified reasons for THA revision in the chosen studies, accounted for 9.2% (127/1,386). The total mean was a union rate of 95.2%, an infection eradication rate of 91.6%, a femoral stem subsidence rate of 16.6%, with the rate of subsidence more than 5 mm being 10.7%. ETO proximal migration was reported in 7.8% of ETOs; however, it rarely required re-attachment (0.9%). Intraoperative fracture during revision THA with ETO was reported to be at a rate of 5%; while postoperative femoral fracture rate was at 7.8%.

(2) All 24 cases had radiographic union at 3 to 6 months and there was no reported femoral stem subsidence.

Conclusion

The overall outcome of this literature review provides moderate-quality evidence indicating that ETO provides safe outcome for revision THAs in single and 2-stage revision surgeries with low ETO non-union, femoral stem subsidence, greater trochanter (GT) proximal migration and fracture rates in the different diagnoses groups of revision THA at over 2-year follow up. In the case series group, there was radiographic union of all ETOs with no reported femoral stem subsidence or periprosthetic fractures.
Laparoscopic-assisted anorectal pull-through vs. posterior sagittal anorectoplasty for treating high anorectal malformations: a single-center experience
Authors: AlShawa Mohammad Anas , Al Wusaibie Ahmed , Al Shanafey Saud
Published: April 2022

Background/purpose

Surgical management of high-type anorectal malformations (ARM) has evolved over the years with the widespread of the laparoscopic approach over the last two decades. This study aims to compare the outcome of patients with high anorectal malformation (ARM) managed with laparoscopic-assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP) vs. the open posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) at a single Institution.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients, who were managed for high-type ARM at our institution, was performed for the period 2000–2015. Nine were excluded because of a lack of important data. Demographic data, surgical approach, associated anomalies, and complications were collected. Functional outcome was measured using the modified clinical scoring for the defecation function of the Japanese study group of anorectal anomalies. Comparison between groups was done using the T test for continuous variables and the Fisher-exact test for proportions. P < 0.05 is considered statistically significant.

Results

There were 82 patients with high type imperforate anus (59 males and 23 females) 73% had laparoscopy vs. 27% open. Type of fistulae were rectourethral (36), rectovesical (12), no fistula (19), and (15) cloaca anomalies. Patients underwent surgery at a mean age 8.4 (laparoscopy) vs. 10.1 (open) months (P value = 0.14). There was no difference between the two groups regarding weight at the surgery or associated anomalies, except for VACTRAL and genitourinary malformations which were more among the laparoscopic group (8 vs. 1).

There was no statistical significance for all elements of defecation function score: sensation, constipation, and soiling (P values 0.17, 0.6, 0.07, respectively). There was no difference between the two groups regarding rectal prolapse (P = 0.06), whereas rectal stenosis is more in PSARP compared to LAARP (P = 0.03). The hospital stay was significantly shorter in LAARP 7.1 vs. 9.4 (P = 0.006).

Conclusions

The defecation function and complication rate for both laparoscopic and open groups were almost similar. This may justify the preference of the laparoscopic approach over the open one, given its minimally invasive nature.
Long-term Safety of Growth Hormone in Adults With Growth Hormone Deficiency: Overview of 15 809 GH-Treated Patients
Authors: Johannsson Gudmundur , Touraine Philippe , Feldt-Rasmussen Ulla , Pico Antonio , Vila Greisa , Mattsson Anders F , Carlsson Martin , Korbonits Márta , van Beek André P , Wajnrajch Michael P , Gomez Roy , Yuen Kevin C J
Published: April 2022

Context

Data on long-term safety of growth hormone (GH) replacement in adults with GH deficiency (GHD) are needed.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the safety of GH in the full KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Database) cohort.

Methods

The worldwide, observational KIMS study included adults and adolescents with confirmed GHD. Patients were treated with GH (Genotropin [somatropin]; Pfizer, NY) and followed through routine clinical practice. Adverse events (AEs) and clinical characteristics (eg, lipid profile, glucose) were collected.

Results

A cohort of 15 809 GH-treated patients were analyzed (mean follow-up of 5.3 years). AEs were reported in 51.2% of patients (treatment-related in 18.8%). Crude AE rate was higher in patients who were older, had GHD due to pituitary/hypothalamic tumors, or adult-onset GHD. AE rate analysis adjusted for age, gender, etiology, and follow-up time showed no correlation with GH dose. A total of 606 deaths (3.8%) were reported (146 by neoplasms, 71 by cardiac/vascular disorders, 48 by cerebrovascular disorders). Overall, de novo cancer incidence was comparable to that in the general population (standard incidence ratio 0.92; 95% CI, 0.83-1.01). De novo cancer risk was significantly lower in patients with idiopathic/congenital GHD (0.64; 0.43-0.91), but similar in those with pituitary/hypothalamic tumors or other etiologies versus the general population. Neither adult-onset nor childhood-onset GHD was associated with increased de novo cancer risks. Neutral effects were observed in lipids/fasting blood glucose levels.

Conclusion

These final KIMS cohort data support the safety of long-term GH replacement in adults with GHD as prescribed in routine clinical practice.
Expression of recombinant porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus nucleocapsid protein with antigenicity and immunogenicity study
Authors:   Virology Laboratory, National Institute of Animal Health, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand, Suwankitwat Nutthakarn , Starrat Wachareeporn ,   Pathology laboratory, National Institute of Animal Health, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand, Sagumpung Preeyanuch ,   Pathology laboratory, National Institute of Animal Health, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand, Ratthanophart Jadsada R ,   Pathology laboratory, National Institute of Animal Health, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Published: April 2022

Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes significant economic losses in the swine industry worldwide. Nucleocapsid protein (NP) encoded by ORF7 is the most abundant and high immunogenicity. However, there were only few studies on recombinant NP expression with antigenicity and immunogenicity from PRRSV in Thailand. The aim of this study was to express rNP from PRRSV found in Thailand and evaluate its antigenicity and immunogenicity. ORF7 gene was amplified by RT-PCR. The PCR products were cloned into pGEM®-T Easy vector, and subcloned into pET-24a (+) expression vector and transformed into E. coli. The rNP properties were proved by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The antigenicity of rNP was evaluated by indirect ELISA comparing to a commercial test kit. The immunogenicity of rNP was proved by rabbit immunization. Then, the antiserum was tested with tissues from PRRSV-infected swine by immunohistochemistry (IHC). In addition, amino acid sequence of the rNP was analyzed and compared to PRRSV reference strains. The PCR products of a whole ORF7 gene were 388 bp. The rNP size was 18 kDa. The indirect ELISA assay showed high antigenicity of the rNP with 100% sensitivity and 93.33% specificity at 0.25 O.D. cutoff value. The rNP could induce specific antibody production in the rabbit, which reacted specifically to PRRSV in tissues by IHC. The amino acid sequence of the rNP had similarities to US, HP-PRRSV and EU PRRSV at 95.93-99.19%, 96.75%, and 57.03-61.47%, respectively. Our rNP can be used for PRRSV diagnosis and test kit development.
Usefulness of 2D shear wave elastography for the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis and treatment response in patients with autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Soh Eun Gyu , Lee Young Hwan , Kim Youe Ree , Yoon Kwon-Ha , Choi Keum Ha
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D SWE) in the assessment of liver stiffness (LS) and dispersion slope (DS) to evaluate hepatic fibrosis and the treatment response in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).Methods: Patients diagnosed with AIH who underwent 2D SWE between June 2014 and June 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were classified into four groups according to the histologic stage of fibrosis (F1-F4). The baseline characteristics, laboratory test results, histologic results, and 2D SWE results were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of LS measurements in hepatic fibrosis staging was investigated, and variables were compared before and after steroid treatment for AIH.Results: In total, 69 patients were analyzed. The LS values differed according to the stage of liver fibrosis (P<0.001). The area under the curve for LS was 0.903, 0.815, and 0.854 for ≥F2, ≥F3, and F4, respectively. The diagnostic performance of LS measurements was significantly greater than that of serum biomarkers, except for fibrosis index-4 for F4 (P<0.05). Significant differences were observed in follow-up examinations in both the LS value and DS in patients who received steroid therapy (P=0.012 and P=0.011, respectively).Conclusion: In conclusion, 2D SWE is a useful method for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis in patients with AIH. In follow-up examinations, LS and DS can be used as reliable parameters to evaluate the treatment response of AIH.
Carpenter syndrome: cone beam computed tomography pictorial review
Authors: Delroisse Adrien , Olszewski Raphael
Published: April 2022

Objective: To describe dentoalveolar findings in one pediatric patient with a very rare Carpenter syndrome or acrocephalopolysyndactyly type II, and using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Case report: We found a syndromic oligodontia, upper canine transmigration, and an exceptional agenesis of four lateral incisors. We also described the fourth case in the literature of a single solitary lower incisor on the midline, and the first case ever illustrated on CBCT.

Conclusions: We proposed and illustrated the use of the system of progressive numbering of teeth on CBCT axial views to better understand complex dental clinical situations such as syndromic oligodontia.
Isachne veldkampii var. malabarica (Poaceae) - a new wetland variety from Northern Kerala, India
Authors: Lekshmi P. A Dhanya , Biju P , Kumar V.S.Anil
Published: April 2022

Isachne veldkampii var. malabarica, a new variety is described from the wetlands of Kasaragod, Kerala. It can be distinguished from Isachne veldkampii Bhat & Nagendran by the presence of two types of leaves - ligulate and non-ligulate,1–4 spikelets in each panicle branch and 2 florets which are either both pistillate, both bisexual or upper pistillate and lower bisexual. Description along with figures, illustrations and distribution map are provided.
Solutions for nonhomogeneous fractional (p,q)-Laplacian systems with critical nonlinearities
Authors: Tao Mengfei , Zhang Binlin
Published: April 2022

In this article, we aimed to study a class of nonhomogeneous fractional (p,q)-Laplacian systems with critical nonlinearities as well as critical Hardy nonlinearities inRN{{\mathbb{R}}}^{N}. By appealing to a fixed point result and fractional Hardy-Sobolev inequality, the existence of nontrivial nonnegative solutions is obtained. In particular, we also consider Choquard-type nonlinearities in the second part of this article. More precisely, with the help of Hardy-Littlewood-Sobolev inequality, we obtain the existence of nontrivial solutions for the related systems based on the same approach. Finally, we obtain the corresponding existence results for the fractional (p,q)-Laplacian systems in the case ofN=sp=lqN=sp=lq. It is worth pointing out that using fixed point argument to seek solutions for a class of nonhomogeneous fractional (p,q)-Laplacian systems is the main novelty of this article.
Die vier Elemente der Architekturtheorie des Francesco di Giorgio: spirienza, dottrina, ingegno und scienzia
Authors: Wolf Sophie Elaine
Published: April 2022

Four central concepts of the writings of Francesco di Giorgio (1439 –1501) are discussed: spirienza, dottrina, ingegno, and scienzia. The spirienza can be both »autoptic study« and »experimentation«. It is rooted in Francesco di Giorgio’s original training and has had a lasting influence on his method. The dottrina, »erudition«, serves both Francesco di Giorgio personally and architects in general to move from practitioner to learned architect. The ingegno, talent, is interpreted as the innate creativity and ability to find innovative solutions, it thus plays a central role as a counterpart to the dottrina. Finally, scienzia means a systematic method in the practice of architecture. This gains great importance, especially in the later Treatise, when Francesco di Giorgio emphasizes that in architecture two methods must complement each other: archaeological investigation and the study of (ancient) literature.
Das »Haus aus Glas« und sein langer Schatten
Authors: Kossel Elmar
Published: April 2022

Using examples from the period of Italian fascism and the National Socialist era in Germany, the relationship of modernism and modern architects to power is examined. The focus is on the changing and in part contradictory connotations to which modernism was exposed. The field of state architecture in both totalitarian regimes provide the occasion to discuss a basic problem of modernism: The instrumentalisation of its formal language for any ideology. For the Italian context, Giuseppe Terrgani’s Casa del Fascio in Como and the Florentine railway station of the Gruppo Toscano are used as examples; for Nazi Germany, the positions of Wilhelm Pinder and the system-relevant role of industrial building, as well as the myth of the flight into industrial building as an outlook into the time after 1945.
Statistical investigation of pivotal physical and chemical factors on the performance of ceramic-based microbial fuel cells
Authors: Yousefi Vajihe
Published: April 2022

The performance of four different commercial ceramic separators is inspected using response surface methodology (RSM). The thickness (A), porosity (B), SiO2 (C), and Al2O3 (D) contents of ceramics are statistically significant (P-value<0.05) for both responses of the maximum power density (MPD) and the coulombic efficiency (CE). The interactions of AB and AC have significant influences on the MPD. For highly porous ceramics, including the unglazed wall ceramic (MFC-UGWC, 30.45% porosity) and Yellow ceramic (MFC-Y, 28.9% porosity), the MPD and CE are boosted by raising the thickness of membranes. The MPD and CE values have been enhanced from 225.07 to 321.11 mW/m2 and from 51 to 68%, respectively, by thickening the UGWC from 3 to 9 mm. Similarly, the power performance and CE of the MFC-Y have been grown by 32% and 148.6%, respectively. However, both the MPD and CE responses have been reduced from 106.89 to 57.65 mW/m2 and from 29 to 18.3% for the denser unglazed floor ceramic (UGFC, 11% porosity) as a consequence of thickness increment from 3 to 6 mm. Furthermore, the chemical composition of ceramics has a crucial impact on the overall performance. Richer ceramics in SiO2 are utilized, the higher performance is achieved.
Trapped morphology and the rise of the Slavic definite adjective inflection: a reexamination
Authors: Wandl Florian
Published: April 2022

Slavic and Baltic show a curious way of overt definiteness marking by means of a specific type of adjective inflection. It arose when the adjective merged with a definiteness marker of pronominal origin. This paper aims at a comprehensive explanation of the rise of the definite adjective morphology in the former branch. First of all, it is argued that contrary to what has been claimed, there is no need to posit loss of trapped morphology to plausibly account for the definite adjective inflection. It can be explained by a series of well-established processes, i.e., sound change, reanalysis, and analogy. An interplay of these processes led to an increase in the phonological fusion of the adjective and the definiteness marker and ultimately resulted in their merger. In discussing the involved changes and in identifying factors that may have motivated them, the paper contributes to the general study of how new inflectional morphology emerges from the coalescence of two formerly independent elements.
Reevaluating the etymology of Latin reflexives
Authors: Toro Francisca , Orqueda Verónica , Inostroza Demian
Published: April 2022

This paper offers a synchronic and diachronic analysis of the diverse forms in Old Latin (third–second century BCE) that can be connected to Proto-Indo-European (PIE) *s(w)e-:se, sibi, sum, sam, sos, sas, sis, ipse. We classify our sample according to different grammatical, semantic, and pragmatic values, such as the construction type, animacy, and topicality of their referents. Among the results, we show thatseandsibiare not primarily used as reflexives and that they share remarkably similar grammatical, semantic, and pragmatic features with the rest of the studied forms. These findings lead us to support the hypothesis of a single etymological origin in the PIE *s- + vowel (*sV) root and to further claim that this root was not a reflexive or a simple anaphoric marker, but a demonstrative pronoun that ranked high in a referential hierarchy.