bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes: captivity changes the gut microbiota composition and diversity in a social subterranean rodent
Authors: Bensch Hanna M. , Tolf Conny , Waldenström Jonas , Lundin Daniel , Zöttl Markus
Published: February 2023

Background

In mammals, the gut microbiota has important effects on the health of their hosts. Recent research highlights that animal populations that live in captivity often differ in microbiota diversity and composition from wild populations. However, the changes that may occur when animals move to captivity remain difficult to predict and factors generating such differences are poorly understood. Here we compare the bacterial gut microbiota of wild and captive Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis) originating from a population in the southern Kalahari Desert to characterise the changes of the gut microbiota that occur from one generation to the next generation in a long-lived, social rodent species.

Results

We found a clear divergence in the composition of the gut microbiota of captive and wild Damaraland mole-rats. Although the dominating higher-rank bacterial taxa were the same in the two groups, captive animals had an increased ratio of relative abundance of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes compared to wild animals. The Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) that were strongly associated with wild animals were commonly members of the same bacterial families as those strongly associated with captive animals. Captive animals had much higher ASV richness compared to wild-caught animals, explained by an increased richness within the Firmicutes.

Conclusion

We found that the gut microbiota of captive hosts differs substantially from the gut microbiota composition of wild hosts. The largest differences between the two groups were found in shifts in relative abundances and diversity of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes.
Probing the spatial structure of the Dirac vacuum via phase-controlled colliding laser pulses
Authors: Li C.K. , Su D.D. , Li Yingjun , Su Q. Charles , Grobe R.
Published: February 2023

A highly charged nucleus can induce spatial structures into the otherwise spatially homogeneous Dirac quantum vacuum state. We propose that the electron-positron pair creation process triggered by two counter-propagating laser pulses can be used to probe these structures. The particle yield can be controlled by the phase relationship between the beams. Once the pulses overlap, they form standing waves whose nodal patterns are determined by this laser phase. Due to the spatial deformation of the vacuum state, the maximal pair-creation yield is observed for those phases that lead to nodes (and not anti-nodes!) where the nucleus is located. This means rather counterintuitively that the particle yield is maximum, despite the fact that the intensity almost vanishes in the interaction zone.
Cooling flow regime of a plasma thermal quench
Authors: Zhang Yanzeng , Li Jun , Tang Xian-Zhu
Published: February 2023

A large class of Laboratory, Space, and Astrophysical plasmas is nearly collisionless. When a localized energy or particle sink, for example, in the form of a radiative cooling spot or a black hole, is introduced into such a plasma, it can trigger a plasma thermal collapse, also known as a thermal quench in tokamak fusion. Here we show that the electron thermal conduction in such a nearly collisionless plasma follows the convective energy transport scaling in itself or in its spatial gradient, due to the constraint of ambipolar transport. As a result, a robust cooling flow aggregates mass toward the cooling spot and the thermal collapse of the surrounding plasma takes the form of four propagating fronts that originate from the radiative cooling spot, along the magnetic field line in a magnetized plasma. The slowest one, which is responsible for deep cooling, is a shock front.
Are There Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Among Outcomes After Anterior Cranial Fossa Surgery? A Propensity Score-Matched American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Study
Authors: Findlay Matthew C. , Bauer Sawyer Z. , Khan Majid , Kim Robert B. , Park Seojin , Alexander Hepzibha , Karsy Michael
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND:

Race-based health care outcomes remain to be described in anterior cranial fossa (ACF) surgery.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether race predicts worse outcomes after ACF surgery.

METHODS:

A retrospective cohort study was performed using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data for 2005 to 2020. Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases-9 codes were used to identify ACF tumor cases. Propensity score matching was performed to compare White and minority patients to assess the robustness of unmatched findings. A subanalysis of pituitary adenoma (PA) resections was also performed.

RESULTS:

In an unmatched analysis of 1370 patients who underwent ACF surgery (67.9% White, 17.4% Black, 6.6% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 6.3% Hispanic), minority groups had higher rates of comorbidities. Unmatched multivariate analysis found Hispanic patients bore a 1.86 odds ratio (OR) of minor complications, Black and Asian and Pacific Islander patients bore 1.49 and 1.71 ORs, respectively, for extended length of stay, and Black patients bore a 3.78 OR for urinary tract infection (UTI). Matched analysis found that minority patients had higher UTI rates (P = .02) and a 4.11 OR of UTI. In PA cases specifically, minority groups had higher comorbidities and length of stay in addition to extended length of stay odds (1.84 OR).

CONCLUSION:

Although most ACF surgery outcomes were unaffected by race, minority groups had more minor postoperative complications than White patients, particularly UTI. Similar disparities were observed among PA cases. Higher rates of comorbidities may also have led to longer hospital stays. Further study is needed to understand what actions might be necessary to address any race-associated health disparities in ACF surgery.
Cell cycle-dependent palmitoylation of protocadherin 7 by ZDHHC5 promotes successful cytokinesis
Authors: Özkan Nazlı Ezgi , Yigit Berfu Nur , Degirmenci Beste Senem , Qureshi Mohammad Haroon , Yapici Gamze Nur , Kamacıoglu Altuğ , Bavili Nima , Kiraz Alper , Ozlu Nurhan
Published: February 2023

Cell division requires dramatic reorganization of the cell cortex, which is primarily driven by the actomyosin network. We previously reported that protocadherin 7 (PCDH7) gets enriched at the cell surface during mitosis, which is required to build up the full mitotic rounding pressure. Here, we report that PCDH7 interacts with and is palmitoylated by the palmitoyltransferase, ZDHHC5. PCDH7 and ZDHHC5 colocalize at the mitotic cell surface and translocate to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. The localization of PCDH7 depends on the palmitoylation activity of ZDHHC5. Silencing PCDH7 increases the percentage of multinucleated cells and the duration of mitosis. Loss of PCDH7 expression correlates with reduced levels of active RhoA and phospho-myosin at the cleavage furrow. This work uncovers a palmitoylation-dependent translocation mechanism for PCDH7, which contributes to the reorganization of the cortical cytoskeleton during cell division.
Εφαρμογή πρακτικών κυκλικής οικονομίας και βιώσιμης ανάπτυξης για αξιολόγηση και ενίσχυση της διαχείρισης περιβαλλοντικά ευαίσθητων περιοχών με ανθρωπογενή δραστηριότητα
Authors: Κακανής Ηλίας
Published: February 2023

Οι προστατευόμενες περιοχές αποτελούν χωρικές οντότητες μεγάλης σημασίας, υπεύθυνες για τη διατήρηση του φυσικού οικοσυστήματος, των εμβληματικών χερσαίων και θαλάσσιων τοπίων, καθώς και για την προστασία της απειλούμενης χλωρίδας και πανίδας. Πέραν αυτής της σημασίας για τη βιοποικιλότητα, αποτελούν ζωτικό παράγοντα ζωής και για τον ίδιο τον άνθρωπο. Οι προστατευόμενες περιοχές συμβάλουν στη ζωή των τοπικών κοινοτήτων, ενισχύουν τις τοπικές και εθνικές οικονομίες μέσω τουριστικών εσόδων, και αποτελούν κύριο παράγοντα μετριασμού των επιπτώσεων από την κλιματική αλλαγή. Ωστόσο, οι ανθρωπογενείς δραστηριότητες εντός των ορίων των προστατευόμενων περιοχών δημιουργούν προκλήσεις που μπορούν να προκαλέσουν σημαντική ζημιά στο οικοσύστημα και τη βιοποικιλότητα. Ειδικά σε περιπτώσεις όπου πραγματοποιούνται βαριές βιομηχανικές δραστηριότητες εντός ή κοντά στα όρια των προστατευόμενων περιοχών, η διατήρηση της φύσης διατρέχει υψηλό κίνδυνο. Πέραν των περιβαλλοντικών προβλημάτων που εγείρονται από την ανθρωπογενή δραστηριότητα, οι προστατευόμενες περιοχές έχουν να αντιμετωπίσουν και κοινωνικές και οικονομικές προκλήσεις. Σε μια προσπάθεια ποσοτικοποίησης, αξιολόγησης και μετριασμού των περιβαλλοντικών επιπτώσεων που προκύπτουν από τις ανθρωπογενείς δραστηριότητες, στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή αναπτύσσεται μια μεθοδολογία βασισμένη και στις τρεις διαστάσεις της Βιώσιμης Ανάπτυξης, με στόχο να αποτελέσει ένα εργαλείο ενίσχυσης της διαχειριστικής ικανότητας των προστατευόμενων περιοχών και των υπεύθυνων φορέων διαχείρισης τους. Οι λύσεις που προτείνονται ακολουθούν περιβαλλοντική, κοινωνική, και οικονομική προσέγγιση εφαρμόζοντας τις αρχές της Βιώσιμης Ανάπτυξης και Κυκλικής Οικονομίας.
Comparison of oral iron chelators in the management of transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia major based on serum ferritin and liver enzymes
Authors: Yusuf Sulaiman , Herdata Heru Noviat , Edward Eka Destianti , Khairunnisa Khairunnisa
Published: February 2023

Background: Excess iron deriving from a chronic transfusion and dietary intake increases the risk for cardiac complications in β-thalassemia major patients. Deferiprone and deferasirox are commonly prescribed to thalassemic patients who are at risk of iron overload. This study aimed to compare the performance and toxicity of deferiprone and deferasirox in β-thalassemia major patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional observation was performed on 102 patients with β-thalassemia major. Serum ferritin along with total, indirect, and direct bilirubin levels were measured. Levels of liver enzymes, transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST), were also determined. Ferritin correlations with serum ALT, AST, and total bilirubin were constructed based on Spearman’s rank correlation. Statistical differences based on the serum parameters were analyzed between deferiprone and deferasirox groups. The differences of iron chelators’ effects between those receiving short-term (≤7 years) and long-term (>7 years) blood transfusion were also analyzed.

Results: The averaged levels of bilirubin, ALT, AST, and ferritin were found to be high. Ferritin was positively correlated with ALT (r=0.508 andp<0.001) and AST ((r=0.569; p<0.001). There was no statistical difference in ferritin levels between the deferiprone and deferasirox groups (p=0.776). However, higher total bilirubin and ALT were observed in the deferasirox group than in the deferiprone group (p=0.001 and 0.022, respectively). Total (p<0.001), indirect (p<0.001), and direct bilirubin levels (p=0.015) were significantly higher in patients with long-term transfusions than those receiving short-term transfusions. Higher ferritin was found with a statistical significance ofp=0.008 in the long-term transfusions group.

Conclusions: Ferritin is high in people with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia major and positively correlated with ALT and AST. Deferasirox might pose a higher risk of developing hepatic injury as compared with deferiprone. Yet, no significant change of deferasirox efficacy (based on ferritin level) was found between those receiving short-term and long-term transfusions.
Socio-demographic correlates and trends in the timing of the onset of parenthood among women of reproductive age in Ghana: evidence from three waves of the demographic and health surveys
Authors: Baruwa Ololade Julius , Amoateng Yaw Acheampong
Published: February 2023

Background: Childbearing is one of the central events in a woman’s life and the age at which this event occurs has important health, socioeconomic and fertility implications for her.  

Methods: We used three waves of the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (GDHS) from the individual files of married women aged 15 to 49 years old to explore the trends in the timing of the onset of parenthood among women in Ghana. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the effect of socio-demographic factors on the birth experience of women.  

Results: Results showed the median age of the women increases from 17 years in 1998 to 19 years in 2014. Further, results showed that women with secondary education had 0.67, 0.89- and 0.77-times lower hazard risk of early birth than women without any formal education in 1988, 1998, and 2014 respectively. The hazard risk of early childbirth consistently decreased as age increased in all the years of surveys except in the case of the age group 40-44 in 1988, 1998 and 2014.  

Conclusions: This study showed that the timing of first childbirth is changing in the direction of a late childbirth regime in Ghana and could facilitate improvement on individual health, job stability and higher level of education. Efforts should be channeled to sensitizing women on the importance of delaying childbearing.
What works to recruit general practices to trials? A rapid review
Authors: Buckley Daire , McHugh Sheena M. , Riordan Fiona
Published: February 2023

Background: Recruitment challenges are a barrier to the conduct of trials in general practice, yet little is known about which recruitment strategies work best to recruit practices for randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We aimed to describe the types of strategies used to recruit general practices for trials and synthesize any available evidence of effectiveness.

Methods: We conducted a rapid evidence review in line with guidance from Tricco et al. Eligible studies reported or evaluated any strategy to improve practice recruitment to participate in clinical or implementation RCTs. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Library were searched from inception to June 22nd, 2021. Reference lists of included studies were screened. Data were synthesized narratively.

Results: Over 9,162 articles were identified, and 19 studies included. Most (n=13, 66.7%) used a single recruitment strategy. The most common strategies were: in-person practice meetings/visits by the research team (n=12, 63.2%); phone calls (n=10, 52.6%); financial incentives (n=9, 47.4%); personalised emails (n=7, 36.8%) or letters (n=6, 52.6%) (as opposed to email ‘blasts’ or generic letters); targeting practices that participated in previous studies or with which the team had existing links (n=6, 31.6%) or targeting of practices within an existing practice or research network (n=6, 31.6%).  Three studies reporting recruitment rates >80%, used strategies such as invitation letters with a follow-up phone call to non-responders, presentations by the principal investigator and study coordinator, or in-person meetings with practices with an existing affiliation with the University or research team. 

Conclusions: Few studies directly compared recruitment approaches making it difficult to draw conclusions about their comparative effectiveness. However, the role of more personalised letter/email, in-person, or phone contact, and capitalising on existing relationships appears important. Further work is needed to standardise how recruitment methods are reported and to directly compare different recruitment strategies within one study.

PROSPERO registration: CRD42021268140 (15/08/2021)
Nursing strikes: read between the picket lines
Authors: Osborne Claire
Published: February 2023

Claire Osborne, Paediatric Advanced Practitioner, Oxford University Hospitals ( Claire.Osborne@ouh.nhs.uk ), reflects on the reasons behind the nursing strikes and the level of support for action
Ensuring the necessity of best interests determinations
Authors: Griffith Richard
Published: February 2023

Richard Griffith, Senior Lecturer in Health Law at Swansea University, discusses the requirement that acts and decisions made in a person's best interests are a necessary and proportionate interference in their life
A step by step guide to a video otoscopic ear flush
Authors: Mason Carly
Published: February 2023

Video otoscopy is useful tool in the diagnosis and treatment of canine and feline otitis cases, providing many advantages over low magnification hand held otoscopes. This article provides a step by step practical guide to performing a video otoscopic ear flush.
Cannabidiol and naturalistic fallacy: it's natural so it's safe?
Authors: Lowe Robyn
Published: February 2023

The projected market value of the UK CBD industry looks to hit £1 billion by 2025. The statistics for its safety in animals are not easily obtainable. Many owners could be, and are suspected to be, using CBD products without a veterinary prescription. Many are using CBD as a ‘natural’ alternative, it is important to question and explore this relatively new trend to assess if natural really does mean safe and benign, and importantly if there is enough evidence base to warrant its use in veterinary medicine.
Just like home
Authors: Russell Meredith Jones
Published: February 2023

What can settings do to make their baby rooms as beneficial as possible for their youngest children, asks Meredith Jones Russell
The Shape of Sustainability
Authors: Sampson Ben
Published: February 2023

Martin Nüsseler, CTO of Deutsche Aircraft on how the company is transforming itself and the D328 into the future of sustainable aviation
TWO-HOLE DYNAMIC HIP SCREW (DHS) FIXATION OF GARDEN I AND II NECK OF FEMUR FRACTURES: RADIOLOGICAL OUTCOMES AND PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF AVASCULAR NECROSIS
Authors: Badurudeen A.A. , Mathai N. , Altaf D. , Mohamed W. , Deglurkar M.
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study is to analyse the radiological outcomes and predictors of avascular necrosis following 2-hole DHS in Garden I and II neck of femur fractures in patients more than 60 years with a minimum follow up of one year.

We retrospectively reviewed 51 consecutive patients aged more than 60 years who underwent DHS fixation for Garden I and II fractures. Demographics, fracture classification, time to surgery, pre-operative AMTS, preoperative posterior tilt angle, quality of reduction, pre and post-operative haemoglobin(hb), creatinine and comorbidities were analysed for correlation with AVN using Chi-Square test, Independent Sample and paired t test.

There were 40 (78.4%) females and the mean age of the cohort was 77 years. 28 and 23 were Garden I and II NOF fractures respectively. Union was observed in all our patients except one(kappa =1). 12/51(23.5%) developed AVN of the femoral head. Statistically significant higher incidence of AVN was noted in patients with a pre-op tilt angle > 200 (p = 0.006). The mean drop in Hb was higher in patients who developed AVN (21.5 g/L) versus the non-AVN group (15.9 g/L) (p = 0.001). There was no difference in AVN rates with respect to laterality, mean time to surgery, pre-op AMTS and Charlson comorbidity index. 4/52 (7.6%) had re-operations (one hardware prominence, two conversions to arthroplasty, one fixation failure during the immediate post-op period). The 30-day and one year mortality rates were 1.9 % and 11.7 % respectively.

2-hole DHS fixation in undisplaced NOF fractures has excellent union rates. A pre-operative posterior tilt angle of >200 and a greater difference in pre and post operative haemoglobin were found to correlate positively with the progression to AVN . No correlation was observed between AVN and time to surgery, laterality, quality of reduction and comorbidities.
ACTIVATED PROTEIN C (APC) PROMOTES A HEALING PHENOTYPE IN CULTURED MURINE TENOCYTES VIA PROTEASE-ACTIVATED RECEPTOR (PAR)-2, BUT NOT PAR-1
Authors: Fryer C. , Jackson C. , Mckelvey K. , Lin H. , Xue. M.
Published: February 2023

Tendinopathy is a tendon pathology often resulting from a failed healing response to tendon injury. Activated protein C (APC) is a natural anti-coagulant with anti-inflammatory and wound healing promoting functions, which are mainly mediated by its receptors, endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and protease activated receptors (PARs). This study aimed to determine whether APC stimulates tenocyte healing and if so, to assess the involvement of the receptors.

Mouse-tail tenocytes were isolated from 3-week-old wild type (WT), PAR- 1 knockout (KO) and PAR-2 KO mice. The expression of EPCR, PAR-1 and −2 and the effect of APC on tenocytes tendon healing and the underlying mechanisms were investigated by Reverse transcription real time PCR, western blot, 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, zymography, and scratch wound healing/ migration assay.

When compared to WT cells, PAR-1 KO tenocytes showed increased cell proliferation (3.3-fold, p<0.0001), migration (2.7-fold, p<0.0001) and wound healing (3-fold, p<0.0001), whereas PAR-2 KO cells displayed decreased cell proliferation (0.6-fold, p<0.05) and no change in cell migration or wound healing. APC at 1 μg/ml stimulated WT and PAR-1 KO tenocyte proliferation (~1.3, respectively, p<0.05) and wound healing (~1.3-fold, respectively, p<0.05), and additionally promoted PAR1-KO cell migration (1.4-fold, p<0.0001). APC only increased the migration (2-fold, p<0.05) of PAR-2 KO tenocytes. The activation of AKT, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-2, and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-β3, the intracellular molecules that are associated with cell survival/growth, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 that is related to cell migration and wound healing, were increased in all three cell lines in response to APC treatment.

These findings show that PAR-1 and PAR-2 act differentially in tenocyte proliferation/migration/wound healing. APC likely promotes tenocyte proliferation/ wound healing via PAR-2, not PAR-1.
EARLIER GAINS IN ACTIVE RANGE OF MOTION FOLLOWING ROBOTIC-ASSISTED TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY COMPARED WITH CONVENTIONAL INSTRUMENTATION
Authors: Fary C. , Tripuraneni K. , Klar B. , Ren A.N. , Abshagen S. , Verheul R.
Published: February 2023

We sought to evaluate the early post-operative active range-of-motion (AROM) between robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (raTKA) and conventional TKA (cTKA). A secondary data analysis on a global prospective cohort study was performed. A propensity score method was used to select a matched control of cTKA from the same database using 1:1 ratio, based on age, sex, BMI, and comorbidity index. This resulted in 216 raTKA and cTKA matched cases. Multivariable longitudinal regression was used to evaluate difference in ROM over time and values are reported as least squares means (95% confidence interval). The longitudinal model tested the treatment effect (raTKA vs cTKA), time effect, and their interaction with control on covariance of patients ‘s age, sex, BMI, comorbidity and pre-operative flexion. Logistic regression was used to analyze the active flexion level at one month (cut by 90°) and three months (cut by 110°).

At one-month postoperative the raTKA cases had more AROM for flexion by an average of 5.54 degrees (p<0.001). There was no difference at three months (p=0.228). The raTKA group had a greater improvement from pre-operative values at both one-month, with an average 7.07° (3.6°, 10.5°, p<0.001) more improvement, and at three-months with an average improvement of 4° more (1.61°, 7.24°, p=0.0115). AROM for extension was lower overall in the raTKA group by an average of 0.44° (p=0.029). The raTKA patients had higher odds of achieving ≥90° of flexion at one-month (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.16, 3.99).

raTKA resulted in greater AROM flexion gains in the early postoperative period than cTKA. Additional research is needed to understand if these earlier gains in AROM are associated with improved patient satisfaction and continued improvements with time.
TENDOACHILLES LENGTHENING IMPROVES BAROPODOMETRIC PRESSURES ONE YEAR AFTER SURGERY FOR IDIOPATHIC TOE WALKERS
Authors: Mortimer J. , Louis H. , Whiteman L. , Forouzandeh P. , Steiner A. , Gregg T. , De Ridder K.
Published: February 2023

Idiopathic Toe-walking (ITW) is a condition where children persistently walk on their toes in the absence of neurological or orthopaedic structural abnormalities. ITW affects 2% of children at the age of 5.5yr. This may eventually result in fixed ankle equinus. There is a paucity of long-term natural history studies in untreated ITW however persisting equinus contractures are implicated in common adult foot conditions.

The Aim of this study is to show if the percentage of contact pressure through the hindfoot during standing and walking improve following surgical tendoachilles lengthening one year after surgery in children with ITW when compared to a normative cohort

23 patients (46 feet) diagnosed with ITW between 2017-2022; were treated with open zone III Achilles lengthening. We reported patient demographics, clinical resolution, or revision. Passive dorsiflexion range and hindfoot pressure percentage when standing and walking were measured on a baropodometric walkway and compared pre-operatively and at 12-18months postoperatively. We compared this to data from a previously studied normative cohort

87% of children had compete resolution of toe-walking. 3 had recurrence with 1 patient having a revision surgery. Mean pre-operative static heel pressure percentage was 15.7%, this improved to 54.7% (p<0.001). This neared normative average of 70.6%. Mean pre-operative dynamic heel pressure percentage was 5.5%, this improved to 44.6% (p<0.001). This neared the normative mean of 52.0%. Mean Passive dorsiflexion in extension and 90˚ knee flexion was −5.8˚ and 0.5˚ respectively. This improved on average by 17.4˚ and 14.5˚ to a new mean of 11.6˚ and 15.0˚ (p<0.001).

Open Zone III Achilles lengthening for ITW has high resolution rates. Hindfoot contact pressures and passive ankle dorsiflexion show improvement at 1 year post operatively.
INTRAOPERATIVE COOLED RADIOFREQUENCY NERVE ABLATION DOES NOT IMPROVE POSTOPERATIVE TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY PAIN MANAGEMENT
Authors: Liew J. , Salmon L. , Mittal R. , Pinczewski L.
Published: February 2023

Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a successful treatment for end stage osteoarthritis of the knee joint. However, post-operative pain can lead to patient dissatisfaction and poorer outcomes. Cooled radiofrequency nerve ablation (CRNA) has reportedly been effective at treating pain osteoarthritic knee pain by targeting the periarticular nerves of the knee. We undertook a prospective, controlled pilot study to determine if CRNA provides effective post-operative analgesia when utilised intra-operatively during total knee arthroplasty.

Participants were recruited from January 2019 to February 2020. Those meeting inclusion criteria underwent TKA with intraoperative CRNA to 6 target sites prior to the cementing of implants. The primary outcomes were pain scores and opiate usage in the first 4 days post-operatively, then weekly up to 6 weeks. A total of 62 patients were screened and allocated sequentially; 18 were recruited to the control group and 12 recruited to the study group. The two groups did not have any significant difference in demographics.

There were no clinically significant differences between the two groups in terms of pain scores nor opiate usage. There were complications as a result of the intervention.

This study demonstrated no benefit of using intraoperative CRNA for improving post-operative pain scores or reducing opiate use after TKA.
Huff and Puff by Flue Gas for Tight Oil Recovery to Achieve Sustainable Energy Future
Authors: Chen Xu , Zhang Zubo , Liu Qingjie , Sun Linghui , Xiao Hanmin , Gao Jian , Kang Hao
Published: February 2023

Due to its distribution and reserve characteristics, tight oil has become one of the main targets for future oil and gas exploration. The use of waste flue gas for oil displacement can not only reduce carbon emissions but also enhance oil recovery, which is a technology with great prospects nowadays. In this paper, the pore structure of the tight reservoir core was first characterized by scanning electron microscopy and casting thin section test. Based on these foundations, the displacement experiment was carried out on the tight oil recovery modelling platform, and the pressure distribution and recovery percent of reserves by flue gas huff and puff were innovatively characterized. Study shows that the formation pressure can be maintained in a good level by this technology and the final recovery can be improved a lot than depletion exploitation method. Therefore, the flue gas huff and puff is an effective and advanced technology for tight oil recovery. In the end, specific suggestions are also provided concerning future studies on the field application of flue gas flooding for enhanced oil recovery.
Management of Neglected Patellar Tendon Rupture by Peroneus Longus Autograft and Suture Anchor: A Case Report
Authors: Patra Saroj Kumar , Nayak Manmatha , Patro Bishnu Prasad
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Patellar tendon rupture is a rare injury and is often missed in primary and secondary care centers because of non-visibility in X-rays. Neglected rupture is even rarer and gives rise to significant disability. These injuries are technically difficult to repair with invariably poor functional outcomes. This needs reconstruction with allograft or autograft with or without augmentation. We report such a case of neglected patellar tendon injury treated with peroneus longus autograft. Case Report: A 37-year-old male patient presented with limping and inability to do a full extension of the knee. There is a history of a lacerated wound over the knee following a bike accident. Reconstruction was done with peroneus longus auto graft by making a trans-osseous tunnel through the patella and tibial tuberosity in the Figure eight 8 manner and fixed by a suture anchor. Postoperatively, the patient was doing well at a 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: Good clinical outcomes can be achieved in neglected patellar tendon rupture by auto graft without augmentation.
Lipoma on the Sole of the Left Foot: Case Report
Authors: Tano Emile Kouakou , Tano Priscilla Felicia , Sonsomir Fiifi-Yankson Papa Kwesi , Buunaaim Alexis , Adu Emmanuel J K , Baidoo Paa Kwasi
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Lipomas are benign soft-tissue swelling commonly found on the neck, upper back, trunk, and shoulder but are rare in the foot and particularly in the sole. Case Report: This is a case of lipoma in a 49-year-old female teacher with 2 months history of painless swelling at the sole of the left foot which later became painful when it was traumatized. The patient was referred from a peripheral hospital to a teaching hospital in Ghana. Ultrasonography assessment revealed a hematoma, so our surgical team decided to do an excision biopsy under a popliteal block. Intraoperative findings revealed a lipoma and the mass was sent for histopathological assessment. The excised mass microscopically showed lobules of mature fat cells with areas of fibrous septae which have blood vessels and some nerves. The histopathological report revealed a diagnosis of fibro lipoma with no signs of malignancy. The surgery was uneventful and a 6-month follow-up period showed a healed wound and the patient can fully step on her left foot. Conclusion: The rare nature of a lipoma found at the plantar surface of the foot makes this case interesting and the creation of awareness can help heighten the index of skepticism among clinicians especially when patients present with a swelling on the sole which has been traumatized. The Doppler ultrasound findings were different from our surgical findings; therefore, lipoma should be a differential diagnosis of swelling on the sole of the feet associated with trauma. Keywords: Lipoma, benign tumor, popliteal block, histopathology, case report.
Giant Cell Tumor of the Patellar Tendon Sheath Mimicking a Meniscal Tear in Athletes.A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Kalinterakis Georgios , Vlastos Iakovos , Gianzina Elina , Karvountzis Athanasios , Mastrantonakis Konstantinos , Yiannakopoulos Christos K
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Giant cell tumors(GCT) are uncommon and benign tumors originating due to proliferation of the tendon synovial sheath. Most commonly are located in the fingers. Involvement of the patellar tendon in the knee is extremely rare. Case Report: We report two cases who presented with moderate swelling located in the anterior surface of the knee, localized anterior knee pain, and painful loss of flexion and catching and locking symptoms. Following detailed imaging evaluation, both cases were treated with open surgical excision and patellar tendon synovectomy. Histological examination revealed the presence of a giant cell tumor of the patellar tendon sheath in both cases. Conclusion: Despite the rarity to GCT, the importance of considering all possible tumors in cases where a soft-tissue tumor is present should be stressed out. Keywords: Giant cell tumor, patellar tendon, nodular synovitis, knee.
Lactococcus garvieae Periprosthetic Joint Infection in a Cattle Rancher with a Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Novel Reservoir Transmission
Authors: McPherson Edward J , Ishmael Chad R , Zukotynski Brian , Gallivan Robert E , Chowdhry Madhav
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a challenging complication of joint replacement surgery. With the more frequent use of immune modifying drugs and dietary changes in human populations, the resultant blunting of immune defenses allows for infections with less common organisms. Case Report: Lactococcus garvieae is an anaerobic, gram-positive coccus with reservoirs in fish and domesticated farm animals. Only two prior cases of PJI due to L. garvieae have been reported, both with reported marine transmission. We report a case of L. garvieae associated PJI in a cattle rancher with the first reported case of transmission from a bovine reservoir. The PJI was associated with intra-articular rice body formation, and the diagnosis confirmed with the aid of next generation DNA sequencing. A successful two stage exchange was performed. We propose a novel transmission mechanism with microbe entry via direct hematogenous inoculation during the patient’s duties as a rancher. Conclusion: When an unusual organism is detected in a PJI, the treatment team should research the host reservoir(s) of the organism and correlate with the patient’s exposure risk. While contamination of cultures is possible, a thorough investigation should be performed prior to that assumption. This reinforces the basic concept that a careful history remains vital when treating an unusual infection presentation. Next generation DNA sequencing is a useful confirmatory tool in establishing the offending organism. Lastly, the identification of rice bodies should raise suspicion for infection. Although not always associated with infection, efforts should be redoubled to identify or rule out a causative micro-organism(s). Keywords: Lactococcus garvieae, Periprosthetic Joint Infection, PJI, Total Knee Arthroplasty, TKA, Next Generation DNA Sequencing, Rice Bodies.
Accurate spectrogram restoration algorithm for an echelle spectrometer based on adaptive parameters
Authors: Wang Mingjia , Sun Ci , Chen Jiaqi , Feng Shulong , Song Nan , Zhao Zitong , Wang Jinyu , Yang Jin
Published: February 2023

The echelle spectrometer is a high-resolution spectrometer that can realize transient direct readings of a full spectrum. To improve the accuracy of the spectrogram restoration model in calibration, multiple-integral time fusion, and an improved adaptive-threshold centroid algorithm are used to overcome noise and improve the accuracy of calculating the light spot position. A seven-parameter pyramid-traversal method is proposed to optimize the parameters of the spectrogram restoration model. The deviation of the spectrogram model is significantly reduced after the parameters are optimized, and the deviation curve fluctuation becomes mild, which greatly improves the model's accuracy after curve fitting.The test results show that the accuracy of the spot position determination algorithm proposed in this paper is 0.1 pixels. In addition to this, the accuracy of the spectral restoration model is controlled within 0.3 pixels in a short-wave stage and 0.7 pixels in a long-wave stage. Compared with the traditional algorithm, the accuracy of spectrogram restoration is more than two times, and the spectral calibration time is less than 45 min.
Large dynamic strain measurement via slope-assisted Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry using a frequency equalizer
Authors: Liu Ge , Zou Dongjiang , Wei Ruoxue , Li Tian , Chen Guiguang , Hu Junhui
Published: February 2023

In this Letter, a method for measuring large dynamic strain via slope-assisted Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry (SA-BOTDR) is proposed. A linear artificial slope created by a frequency equalizer is used instead of the traditional slope of the Brillouin gain spectrum (BGS) as the linear response region between the Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) and signal intensity. This method makes the strain measurement range independent of the bandwidth of the BGS. The large dynamic strain with a maximum value of 3108 µε and the spatial resolution of 5 m along the ∼1.94-km single-mode fiber (SMF) are obtained by means of the proposed technique. Meanwhile, a strong linear relationship is also established between the signal strength and strain at the vibration frequencies of 10.3 and 13.1 Hz. The maximum measured errors of vibration frequency are 0.5 Hz@10.3 Hz and 0.8 Hz@13.1 Hz.
The “ready-to-hand” test: Diagnostic availability and usability in primary health care settings in Sierra Leone
Authors: Street Alice , Vernooij Eva , Koker Francess , Baxter Mats Stage , Bah Fatmata , Rogers James , Gbetuwa Momoh , Kohli Mikashmi , Ansumana Rashid
Published: February 2023

This article assesses the availability of essential diagnostic tests in primary health care facilities in two districts in Sierra Leone. In addition to evaluating whether a test is physically present at a facility, it extends the concept of availability to include whether equipment is functional and whether infrastructure, systems, personnel and resources are in place to allow a particular test to be “ready to hand”, that is, available for immediate use when needed. Between February 2019 and September 2019, a cross-sectional mixed-methods survey was conducted in all 40 Community Health Centres (CHCs) in Western Area, one of five principal divisions in Sierra Leone. The number of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) available ranged from 1–12, with 75% of facilities having 9 or less RDTs available out of a possible 17. While RDTs were overall more widely present than manual assays, there was wide variation between tests. The presence of RDTs at individual facilities was associated with having a permanent laboratory technician on staff. Despite CHCs being formally designated as providing laboratory services, no CHC fulfilled standard World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria for a laboratory. Only 9/40 (22.5%) CHCs had a designated laboratory space and a permanently employed laboratory technician. There was low availability of essential equipment and infrastructure. Supply chains were fragmented and unreliable, including a high dependency (>50%) on informal private sources for the majority of the available RDTs, consumables, and reagents. We conclude that the readiness of diagnostic services, including RDTs, depends on the presence and functionality of essential infrastructure, human resources, equipment and systems and that RDTs are not on their own a solution to infrastructural failings. Efforts to strengthen laboratory systems at the primary care level should take a holistic approach and focus on whether tests are “ready-to-hand” in addition to whether they are physically present.
How do people with disabilities in three regions of Guatemala make healthcare decisions? A qualitative study focusing on use of primary healthcare services
Authors: Hashemi Goli , Wickenden Mary , Santos Ana Leticia , Kuper Hannah
Published: February 2023

Research has demonstrated that persons with disabilities, despite their greater need for healthcare services, often experience greater barriers to accessing healthcare including primary healthcare. Data and interventions on access to primary healthcare for persons with disabilities to date appear to concentrate more on access and quality issues once the person with a disability has initiated the healthcare seeking process, with less emphasis on how healthcare decisions are made at the personal or household level when one identifies a healthcare need. The aim of this study was to investigate how healthcare decisions are made by people with disabilities when they first identify a healthcare need. It is anticipated that gaining a better understanding of how such decisions are made will facilitate the development of interventions and approaches to improve access to primary healthcare services for this group. A qualitative study was undertaken in Guatemala. In-depth interviews were undertaken with twenty-seven adults with disabilities, including men and women with a range of impairment types and ages. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify themes that influence the decision-making processes in accessing primary healthcare services for people with disabilities. Thematic analysis of the interviews along with exploration of three existing access to health frameworks and models, led to identification of four primary themes and development of a new conceptual framework highlighting the complex decision-making process undertaken by people with disabilities about whether to seek primary healthcare services or not when confronted with a healthcare concern. The themes include perceived severity of illness and need for treatment, personal attributes, societal factors, and health system characteristics. Using this new conceptual framework will facilitate the development of more effective policies and interventions to improve access to primary healthcare services for people with disabilities through greater understanding of the complex network of variables and barriers.
A year of pandemic: Levels, changes and validity of well-being data from Twitter. Evidence from ten countries
Authors: Sarracino Francesco , Greyling Talita , O’Connor Kelsey , Peroni Chiara , Rossouw Stephanié
Published: February 2023

We use daily happiness scores (Gross National Happiness (GNH)) to illustrate how happiness changed throughout 2020 in ten countries across Europe and the Southern hemisphere. More frequently and regularly available than survey data, the GNH reveals how happiness sharply declined at the onset of the pandemic and lockdown, quickly recovered, and then trended downward throughout much of the year in Europe. GNH is derived by applying sentiment and emotion analysis–based on Natural Language Processing using machine learning algorithms–to Twitter posts (tweets). Using a similar approach, we generate another 11 variables: eight emotions and three new context-specific variables, in particular: trust in national institutions, sadness in relation to loneliness, and fear concerning the economy. Given the novelty of the dataset, we use multiple methods to assess validity. We also assess the correlates of GNH. The results indicate that GNH is negatively correlated with new COVID-19 cases, containment policies, and disgust and positively correlated with staying at home, surprise, and generalised trust. Altogether the analyses indicate tools based on Big Data, such as the GNH, offer relevant data that often fill information gaps and can valuably supplement traditional tools. In this case, the GNH results suggest that both the severity of the pandemic and containment policies negatively correlated with happiness.
Validity and reliability of the left ventricular assist device self-care behaviour scale
Authors: Kato Naoko P. , Melnikov Semyon , Denfeld Quin E. , Casida Jesus , Strömberg Anna , Ben-Gal Tuvia , Lee Christopher S. , Jaarsma Tiny
Published: February 2023

Background

Adequate self-care behaviour is essential for patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to prevent complications, prolong life, and optimise quality of life. However, there were no valid and reliable measurements available to assess self-care behaviour among patients with LVAD. We have previously developed the 33-item LVAD self-care behaviour scale.

Objectives

To evaluate psychometric properties of the 33-item LVAD self-care behaviour scale.

Methods and results

Data on 127 patients with a LVAD in Israel, Japan, and the USA were analysed (mean age 51±14.3, 81% male). Exploratory factor analysis extracted three factors, and 13 items were excluded from the scale. Internal consistency assessed by Cronbach’s alpha was acceptable for the total scale (α = 0.80) and the three subscales: Factor 1: Monitoring (α = 0.81), Factor 2: Heart failure self-care (α = 0.67), and Factor 3: LVAD self-care (α = 0.63). The 20-item version of the LVAD self-care behaviour scale had sufficient convergent validity with another scale that assessed self-care related to the driveline of LVAD (r = 0.47, p<0.001). Test–retest reliability was adequate (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.58).

Conclusions

The 20-item version of the LVAD self-care behaviour scale showed adequate validity and reliability. The scale is ready for use in clinical practice and research. Additional testing might further optimise the scale.
SAR minimum entropy autofocusing based on Prewitt operator
Authors: Hou Xiaoze , Ma Yanheng
Published: February 2023

Current autofocus algorithms utilizing image criteria impose a significant computational burden. Therefore, this paper proposes a computationally efficient autofocus algorithm combined with SAR image feature points, employing the Prewitt operator to obtain the SAR image features. The range cell with the number of feature points in the front row as the input of the autofocus method to perform motion error estimation and compensation on SAR imagery. Our method’s key feature is to optimize the selection criteria of range cells by acquiring the feature points of SAR images,reduces the number of input range cell,reduce the computational complexity of the autofocus algorithm and ultimately enhance the focusing effect of SAR images. Trials involving simulation and measured data demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed method.
Effect of body tissue composition on the outcome of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors
Authors: Makrakis Dimitrios , Rounis Konstantinos , Tsigkas Alexandros-Pantelis , Georgiou Alexandra , Galanakis Nikolaos , Tsakonas George , Ekman Simon , Papadaki Chara , Monastirioti Alexia , Kontogianni Meropi , Gioulbasanis Ioannis , Mavroudis Dimitris , Agelaki Sofia
Published: February 2023

Obesity and sarcopenia have been reported to affect outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We analyzed prospective data from 52 patients with non-oncogene driven metastatic NSCLC treated with ICIs. Body tissue composition was calculated by measuring the fat and muscle densities at the level of 3rd lumbar vertebra in each patient computed tomography scan before ICI initiation using sliceOmatic tomovision. We converted the densities to indices [Intramuscular Fat Index (IMFI), Visceral Fat Index (VFI), Subcutaneous Fat Index (SFI), Lumbar Skeletal Muscle Index (LSMI)] by dividing them by height in meters squared. Patients were dichotomized based on their baseline IMFI, VFI and SFI according to their gender-specific median value. The cut-offs that were set for LMSI values were 55 cm2/m2 for males and 39 cm2/m2 for females. SFI distribution was significantly higher (p = 0.040) in responders compared to non-responders. None of the other variables affected response rates. Low LSMI HR: 2.90 (95% CI: 1.261–6.667, p = 0.012) and low SFI: 2.20 (95% CI: 1.114–4.333, p = 0.023) values predicted for inferior OS. VFI and IMFI values did not affect survival. Subcutaneous adipose and skeletal muscle tissue composition significantly affected immunotherapy outcomes in our cohort.