bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and functional results after implantation of the bonebridge, a semi-implantable, active transcutaneous bone conduction device, in children and adults
Authors: Seiwerth Ingmar , Fröhlich Laura , Schilde Sebastian , Götze Gerrit , Plontke Stefan K. , Rahne Torsten
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Aim of the study was to evaluate the surgical, clinical and audiological outcome of 32 implantations of the Bonebridge, a semi-implantable transcutaneous active bone conduction implant.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data for 32 implantations in 31 patients (one bilateral case; seven age < 16 years) with conductive or mixed hearing loss, malformations, after multiple ear surgery, or with single-sided deafness as contralateral routing of signal (CROS).

Results

Four implantations were done as CROS. Five cases were simultaneously planned with ear prosthesis anchors, and 23 implantations (72%) were planned through three-dimensional (3D) “virtual surgery.” In all 3D-planned cases, the implant could be placed as expected. For implant-related complications, rates were 12.5% for minor and 3.1% for major complications. Implantation significantly improved mean sound field thresholds from a preoperative 60 dB HL (SD 12) to 33 dB HL (SD 6) at 3 postoperative months and 34 dB HL (SD 6) at > 11 postoperative months (p < 0.0001). Word recognition score in quiet at 65 dB SPL improved from 11% (SD 20) preoperatively to 74% (SD 19) at 3 months and 83% (SD 15) at > 11 months (p < 0.0001). The speech reception threshold in noise improved from − 1.01 dB unaided to − 2.69 dB best-aided (p = 0.0018).

Conclusion

We found a clinically relevant audiological benefit with Bonebridge. To overcome anatomical challenges, we recommend preoperative 3D planning in small and hypoplastic mastoids, children, ear malformation, and simultaneous implantation of ear prosthesis anchors and after multiple ear surgery.
Efficacy of three BCG strains (Connaught, TICE and RIVM) with or without secondary resection (re-TUR) for intermediate/high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancers: results from a retrospective single-institution cohort analysis
Authors: Del Giudice Francesco , Busetto Gian Maria , Gross Martin S. , Maggi Martina , Sciarra Alessandro , Salciccia Stefano , Ferro Matteo , Sperduti Isabella , Flammia Simone , Canale Vittorio , Chung Benjamin I. , Conti Simon L. , Eisenberg Michael L. , Skinner Eila C. , De Berardinis Ettore
Published: March 2021

Purpose

(I) To evaluate the clinical efficacy of three different BCG strains in patients with intermediate-/high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). (II) To determine the importance of performing routine secondary resection (re-TUR) in the setting of BCG maintenance protocol for the three strains.

Methods

NMIBCs who received an adjuvant induction followed by a maintenance schedule of intravesical immunotherapy with BCG Connaught, TICE and RIVM. Only BCG-naïve and those treated with the same strain over the course of follow-up were included. Cox proportional hazards model was developed according to prognostic factors by the Spanish Urological Oncology Group (CUETO) as well as by adjusting for the implementation of re-TUR.

Results

n = 422 Ta-T1 patients (Connaught, n = 146; TICE, n = 112 and RIVM, n = 164) with a median (IQR) follow-up of 72 (60–85) were reviewed. Re-TUR was associated with improved recurrence and progression outcomes (HRRFS: 0.63; 95% CI 0.46–0.86; HRPFS: 0.55; 95% CI 0.31–0.86). Adjusting for CUETO risk factors and re-TUR, BGC TICE and RIVM provided longer RFS compared to Connaught (HRTICE: 0.58, 95% CI 0.39–0.86; HRRIVM: 0.61, 95% CI 0.42–0.87) while no differences were identified between strains for PFS and CSS. Sub-analysis of only re-TUR cases (n = 190, 45%) showed TICE the sole to achieve longer RFS compared to both Connaught and RIVM.

Conclusion

Re-TUR was confirmed to ensure longer RFS and PFS in intermediate-/high-risk NMIBCs but did not influence the relative single BCG strain efficacy. When routinely performing re-TUR followed by a maintenance BCG schedule, TICE was superior to the other strains for RFS outcomes.
The nucleocapsid protein of rice stripe virus in cell nuclei of vector insect regulates viral replication
Authors: Zhao Wan , Zhu Junjie , Lu Hong , Zhu Jiaming , Jiang Fei , Wang Wei , Luo Lan , Kang Le , Cui Feng
Published: March 2021

Rice stripe virus (RSV) transmitted by the small brown planthopper causes severe rice yield losses in Asian countries. Although viral nuclear entry promotes viral replication in host cells, whether this phenomenon occurs in vector cells remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we systematically evaluated the presence and roles of RSV in the nuclei of vector insect cells. We observed that the nucleocapsid protein (NP) and viral genomic RNAs were partially transported into vector cell nuclei by utilizing the importin α nuclear transport system. When blocking NP nuclear localization, cytoplasmic RSV accumulation significantly increased. In the vector cell nuclei, NP bound the transcription factor YY1 and affected its positive regulation to FAIM. Subsequently, decreased FAIM expression triggered an antiviral caspase-dependent apoptotic reaction. Our results reveal that viral nuclear entry induces completely different immune effects in vector and host cells, providing new insights into the balance between viral load and the immunity pressure in vector insects.
Influence of competing notches on the fatigue strength of cut plate edges
Authors: Diekhoff P. , Drebing J. , Hensel J. , Nitschke-Pagel Th. , Dilger K.
Published: March 2021

Material fatigue is one of the elementary causes of damage in steel construction besides corrosion and abrasion. Design recommendations require that weld seams are placed in less stressed areas due to the crack-sensitive nature of the welded areas. As a result, unwelded areas of the components such as free cut plate edges gain technical and economic relevance as locations for potential fatigue cracks. In the metal processing industry, different thermal cutting processes are frequently used. During the process, unwanted boundary conditions can lead to undesired cuts in the component geometry during the cutting process. These process dysfunctions lead to incorrect components and to rejects. This article presents results of fatigue test data of oxy-fuel thermal cut edges of defect-free and faulty repair-welded samples to investigate the influence of competing notches on the cut edge. Specimens are made from construction steels S355N and S690Q of a 20-mm-thick plate. The presented data shows that the fatigue strength of the damaged cut edges can be recovered by the repair procedure and does not show any reduction of the fatigue strength due to the determined pores or other metallurgical notches of the repaired section.
Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acid-Based Delivery of Resveratrol Alleviates Insulin Resistance: From Innate to Adaptive Immunity
Authors: Li Yanjing , Gao Shaojingya , Shi Sirong , Xiao Dexuan , Peng Shuanglin , Gao Yang , Zhu Ying , Lin Yunfeng
Published: March 2021

Obesity-induced insulin resistance is the hallmark of metabolic syndrome, and chronic, low-grade tissue inflammation links obesity to insulin resistance through the activation of tissue-infiltrating immune cells. Current therapeutic approaches lack efficacy and immunomodulatory capacity. Thus, a new therapeutic approach is needed to prevent chronic inflammation and alleviate insulin resistance. Here, we synthesized a tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA) nanoparticle that carried resveratrol (RSV) to inhibit tissue inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity in obese mice. The prepared nanoparticles, namely tFNAs-RSV, possessed the characteristics of simple synthesis, stable properties, good water solubility, and superior biocompatibility. The tFNA-based delivery ameliorated the lability of RSV and enhanced its therapeutic efficacy. In high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, the administration of tFNAs-RSV ameliorated insulin resistance by alleviating inflammation status. tFNAs-RSV could reverse M1 phenotype macrophages in tissues to M2 phenotype macrophages. As for adaptive immunity, the prepared nanoparticles could repress the activation of Th1 and Th17 and promote Th2 and Treg, leading to the alleviation of insulin resistance. Furthermore, this study is the first to demonstrate that tFNAs, a nucleic acid material, possess immunomodulatory capacity. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that tFNAs-RSV alleviate insulin resistance and ameliorate inflammation in HFD mice, suggesting that nucleic acid materials or nucleic acid-based delivery systems may be a potential agent for the treatment of insulin resistance and obesity-related metabolic diseases.
Forensic analysis of open-source XMPP/Jabber multi-client instant messaging apps on Android smartphones
Authors: Akinbi Alex , Ojie Ehizojie
Published: March 2021

In the quest for a panacea to ensure digital privacy, many users have switched to using decentralized open-source Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol multi-client instant messaging (IM) apps for secure end-to-end communication. In this paper, we present a forensic analysis of the artefacts generated on Android smartphones by Conversations and Xabber apps. We identified databases maintained by each app and external Secure Digital card directories that store local copies of user metadata. We analysed each app’s storage locations for forensic artefacts and how they can be used in a forensic investigation. The results in this paper show a detailed analysis of forensic files of interest which can be correlated to identify the local user’s multiple IM accounts and contact list, contents of messages exchanged with contacts, deleted files, time, and dates in the order of their occurrence. The contributions of this research include a comprehensive description of artefacts, which are of forensic interest, for each app analysed.
Impact of round edge on the duct fluid flow: analytical investigation
Authors: Khaki Jamei Mehran , Heydari Alashti Mohsen , Abbasi Morteza , EbrahimNejad Aliosat , Taheri Mohammad Hasan
Published: March 2021

The present study aims to investigate the effect of the round edge on the laminar Newtonian fluid that flows through a channel. As an innovation, the sine and cosine transform functions are employed to solve the momentum governing equation in Cartesian and Cylindrical coordinates. Owing to the duct symmetric, only the quarter of the cross-section (θ = 0 to π/2) is analyzed. The analytical correlations for velocity distribution in both coordinates are provided; afterward, the effect of the round edge on the velocity profile has been investigated. It can be concluded that if a circular cross-section is replaced with a non-circular cross-section, the velocity profile becomes more uniform and less velocity variation is observed. Further, with a constant pressure gradient, among rectangular, round edge and circular cross-sections, the maximum velocity in a circular cross-section becomes minimum. In addition, it is observed that for the same pressure difference, an increase of m value leads to the higher average velocity and mass flow.
Frequency selective superstrate absorber for wideband RCS reduction of metal‐backed antennas
Authors: Gonçalves Machado Gabriel , Cahill Robert , Fusco Vincent , Conway Gareth
Published: March 2021

The use of a resistively loaded frequency selective surface (FSS) superstrate is reported as a means to reduce the radar cross‐section (RCS) of metal‐backed antennas. The design methodology is demonstrated by creating a low‐profile absorber which exhibits a transmission window covering the working frequency band (10–10.2 GHz) of a 4 × 4 microstrip patch array. Placing the structure λ/2 above the radiating aperture is shown to reduce the antenna gain by less than 2 dB and have minimal impact on the shape of the beams which are directed at 0° and tilt angles of 22.5° and 45°. Moreover 90% radar backscatter suppression is achieved over 92% of the frequency range 8.85–24 GHz. The perforated metal‐backed FSS superstrate was inkjet printed on a 140 μm thick polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet and the conductivity of the silver plating adjusted to achieve the required 40 Ω/sq surface resistance. The experimental results obtained for the standalone microwave absorber, and when integrated with the antenna, are shown to be in close agreement with the computed reflectivity and far field patterns.
Helpers, professional authority, and pathologized bodies
Authors: Sheneman Naomi , Robinson Octavian E.
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we examine how ableism,
undergirded by interlocking systems of oppression mediated by our
social locations, exists in this profession with interpreters and
translators acting as professional authorities-cum-helpers for
pathologized bodyminds. The intersections of the nature of
interpretation, professional authority, and inherent powers of
influence granted to nondisabled people result in violence masked
by a veneer of benevolence (Kent
2007; Mole
2018; Robinson,
Sheneman, and Henner 2020). In this chapter, we highlight
how Chapman and Withers’
(2019) concept of toxic benevolence in social work can be
applied to interpretation. We explore and suggest
cripping as a means of mediating power
relations in interpretation work through a critical disability
framework.
Responsibility, powerlessness, and conflict
Authors: Risku Hanna , Milosevic Jelena , Rogl Regina
Published: March 2021

A growing body of research shows the existence of
tensions, frictions, and conflicts in translation production
networks, pointing to the key role therein of agency, trust,
communication, and technology. However, there are few empirical
investigations that include the different actors in one and the same
network and analyse the perspectives and practices of both clients
and vendors. This paper draws on an ethnographic field study in
which participant observation and qualitative interviews were used
to study translation clients in a major international corporation as
well as a translation agency with which they collaborate. The
research looks at conflicts in their areas of contact, how these are
handled and their consequences. The analysis yields rich, emotional
narratives on how the different actors perceive each other and deal
with power asymmetries. It reveals conflicting and ambiguous
expectations regarding mutual responsibilities that lead to
mistrust, power plays, fear, and frustration.
EU institutional websites
Authors: Biel Łucja
Published: March 2021

This chapter uses corpus methods to explore how
distance and power asymmetries are mediated by EU institutions in
their website netspeak – the digital Eurolect – and subsequently
reflected in Polish translations against the background of Polish
domestic institutions’ websites. At the policy level, the selective
translation of EU content into only procedural languages builds
asymmetries between official languages. The study analysed two
dimensions of translations: (1) grade of specialisation (EU
terminology, EUese), and (2) engagement strategies
positioning institutions and citizens in a discourse. EU and
domestic websites show preferences for different types of engagement
strategies, with the former oriented at downplaying power but
maintaining a respectful distance while the latter decreasing
distance through directness, personalisation, and
informalisation.
Citizens as agents of translation versions
Authors: Floros Georgios
Published: March 2021

The prospects of a solution to the Cyprus issue
have led to a revived interest in the fate of Famagusta, which,
after more than 40 years of abandonment due to the Turkish invasion
of Cyprus, has turned into a ghost city and a strong symbol both of
the island’s division and the prospect of reunification.
Hands-on-Famagusta, an architectural project (2015a) by a bi-communal team (Greek
Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) aiming to explore prospects of
reunifying the city, also becomes important through its trilingual
website (English-Greek-Turkish). More specifically, the involvement
of various translation agents co-shaped the translation product and
led to the creation of what will be termed a polyphonic translation
(following Bakhtin 1986),
as this trilingual output allowed not merely for a simple
coexistence of conflicting discourses, but for a quasi-interaction,
aiming at highlighting them as constituting elements of a potential
cohabitation of Famagusta. All parties involved negotiated their
memory and bypassed officially established language and translation
policies and challenged dominant discourses of both sides. Their
action prompts new ways of thinking about translation politics in
terms of (a) citizens emerging as active agents of translation
because, through or despite their memories and in contrast to
official power centers, and (b) the reevaluation of “accuracy” and
“sameness” in particularly polyphonic translation situations, where
opposing discourses converge to necessary “amnesia.”
Agency and social responsibility in the translation of the
migration crisis
Authors: Bennett Karen
Published: March 2021

This paper looks at translator agency and ethics
in the light of the current migration crisis, focusing on two
concrete situations, one from the legal sphere and one from news
translation-reportage. The first discusses how irresponsible choices
in the translation of legal documents can proliferate in the online
environment, generating a kind of “lexicoprudence” (Guia 2016) that produces
alarming consequences in the real world. The second looks at the
reportage in the British press of speeches by foreign politicians
concerning the problem of unaccompanied “child migrants” in the wake
of the dismantling of the Calais “Jungle.” Both will be discussed in
the light of recent debates about translation agency and ethics.
Ambulatory heart rate variability in overweight and obese men after high‐intensity interval exercise versus moderate‐intensity continuous exercise
Authors: Dias André Rodrigues Lourenço , de Souza Katrice Almeida , dos Santos Kamila Meireles , de Miranda Romulo Mariano , Serra Andrey Jorge , Peçanha Tiago , Ferreira Jacielle Carolina , Cambri Lucieli Teresa , Arsa Gisela
Published: March 2021

Despite the growing evidence for the beneficial effects of high‐intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on vascular health of overweight and obese individuals, it is not clear whether the autonomic stress promoted by HIIE during the ambulatory period is higher than that by moderate‐intensity continuous exercise (MICE). Therefore, this study compares the 24 hour (h) ambulatory heart rate variability (HRV) following HIIE and MICE in young overweight and obese men. Eleven untrained men aged 23.2 ± 1.9 years, with average body mass index (BMI) of 31.6 ± 3.9 kg/m² (three overweight and eight obese), underwent three exercise sessions: HIIE, MICE and Control (CT). HRV was recorded in the laboratory and for the next 24 h following laboratory recovery. There were no differences in HRV indices in the rest period between the sessions (p > .05). During the ambulatory period, the area under the curve (AUC) of the low‐frequency band transformed into natural logarithm (Ln‐LF) during sleep was higher after HIIE than after CT (43.31 ± 8.59 vs. 41.11 ± 7.28 ms²*h, p = .034). The HRV followed by MICE did not differ from other sessions (p > .05). In conclusion, the 24 h ambulatory HRV did not differ after HIIE and MICE. However, despite the small effect, HIIE increased the cardiac autonomic modulation during the sleep period, as a protector of cardiovascular system.

Highlights

24 h ambulatory HRV could add important information about the cardiovascular safety of the exercise protocols in overweight and obese individuals.

There was no disturbances in the cardiac autonomic modulation during the awake period, regardless of the exercise protocol.

LnLF index was higher in HIIE compared to CT in the sleep period.

24 h ambulatory HRV did not differ between the HIIE and MICE sessions.
Choosing an Effective PCR-Based Approach for Diet Analysis of Insect Herbivores: A Systematic Review
Authors: Avanesyan Alina , Sutton Hannah , Lamp William O
Published: March 2021

Identification of ingested plant species using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods is an increasingly useful yet challenging approach to accurately determine the diet composition of insect herbivores and thus their trophic interactions. A typical process of detection of DNA of ingested plants involves the choice of a DNA extraction method, a genomic target region, and/or the best approach for an accurate plant species identification. The wide range of available techniques makes the choice of the most appropriate method for an accurately and timely identification of ingested plants from insect guts difficult. In our study, we reviewed the commonly used PCR-based approaches in studies published from 1977 to 2019, to provide researchers with the information on the tools which have been shown to be effective for obtaining and identifying ingested plants. Our results showed that among five insect orders used in the retrieved studies Coleoptera and Hemiptera were prevalent (33 and 28% of all the records, respectively). In 79% of the studies a DNA barcoding approach was employed. In a substantial number of studies Qiagen DNA extraction kits and CTAB protocol were used (43 and 23%, respectively). Of all records, 65% used a single locus as a targeted plant DNA fragment; trnL, rbcL, and ITS regions were the most frequently used loci. Sequencing was the dominant type of among DNA verification approaches (70% of all records). This review provides important information on the availability of successfully used PCR-based approaches to identify ingested plant DNA in insect guts, and suggests potential directions for future studies on plant–insect trophic interactions.
Energy estimation of high-energy particles associated with the SS 433/W 50 system through radio observation at 1.4 GHz
Authors: Sakemi Haruka , Omae Rikuto , Ohmura Takumi , Machida Mami
Published: March 2021

The radio nebula W 50 is a unique object interacting with the jets of the microquasar SS 433. The SS 433/W 50 system is a good target for investigating the energy of cosmic-ray particles accelerated by galactic jets. We report observations of the radio nebula W 50 conducted with the National Science Foundation’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array in the L band (1.0–2.0 GHz). We investigate the secular change of W 50 on the basis of the observations in 1984, 1996, and 2017, and find that most of its structures were stable for 33 yr. We revise the upper-limit velocity of the eastern terminal filament by half to 0.023 c, assuming a distance of 5.5 kpc. We also analyze observational data from the Arecibo Observatory 305 m telescope and identify the H i cavity around W 50 in the velocity range 33.77–55.85 km s−1. From this result, we estimate the maximum energy of the cosmic-ray protons accelerated by the jet terminal region to be above 1015.5 eV. We also use the luminosity of the gamma-rays in the range 0.5–10 GeV to estimate the total energy of accelerated protons below 5.2 × 1048 erg.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE FACTORS AND THE RISK OF EXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Authors: Hwang Sungsoon , Kang Se Woong , Han Jisang , Han Kyungdo , Kim Dahye , Lee Kyu Na , Jeon Keun Hye , Yoo Jung Eun , Lee Dong-Yun , Shin Dong Wook , Lim Dong Hui
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

To evaluate the association between female reproductive factors and the incidence of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods:

A total of 1,297,388 postmenopausal women over 50 years of age who participated in both national health screening and cancer screening in 2009 were identified using the Korea National Health Insurance System database. Data on female reproductive factors were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Patients were followed up until 2018, and the incident cases of exudative AMD were identified. The hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for exudative AMD were estimated using the multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard model.

Results:

During a mean follow-up of 7.27 years, 4,086 patients were newly diagnosed with exudative AMD. The hazard ratio (95% confidence intervals) for exudative AMD was 1.14 (1.01–1.31) for a reproductive period ≥40 years compared with a reproductive period <30 years, 1.72 (1.48–2.00) for patients with ≥5 years of hormone replacement therapy, and 1.29 (1.09–1.52) for those with 2 to 5 years of hormone replacement therapy compared with those who never underwent hormone replacement therapy.

Conclusion:

Female reproductive factors were associated with the risk of exudative AMD. Greater lifetime exposure to endogenous and exogenous estrogen was associated with a higher incidence of exudative AMD.
Increased Near Activities Function Associated With Increased Glaucoma Medication Adherence Among Support, Educate, Empower (SEE) Participants
Authors: Cho Juno , Niziol Leslie M. , Heisler Michele , Newman-Casey Paula A.
Published: March 2021

Precis:

Higher levels of near vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) were associated with higher adherence to glaucoma medications after adjusting for important confounding variables among participants in the Support, Educate, Empower (SEE) personalized glaucoma coaching pilot study.

Purpose:

To investigate the association between VRQoL and glaucoma medication adherence.

Materials and Methods:

Subjects were recruited for the SEE program, a prospective noncontrolled cohort study examining the impact of a personalized coaching program on glaucoma medication adherence. Glaucoma patients seen at the University of Michigan over 40 years old, taking ≥1 glaucoma medication, and self-reported poor adherence on 2 validated scales were recruited. Demographic details and VRQoL using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) were collected. Participants’ medication use for each prescribed glaucoma medication was captured electronically using a medication events monitoring system. The association between VRQoL and medication adherence was assessed with Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and linear regression.

Results:

Among the 95 eligible participants 49.5% were female, 55.3% were Caucasian, and mean age (±SD) was 63.8±10.5 years. Mean adherence to glaucoma medication was 73.8%±21.0%. Mean NEI VFQ-25 composite score was 81.6±14.5. Better medication adherence was significantly and positively correlated with better functioning in domains of ocular pain (r=0.20, P=0.048), near activities (r=0.29, P=0.004), and role difficulties (r=0.22, P=0.036). Linear regression models adjusting for known correlates of medication adherence (age, sex, race, income), showed a 10-unit increase in self-perceived near activities function was associated with a 2.2% increase in medication adherence (95% confidence interval, 1.0%–5.4%; P=0.0056).

Conclusion:

Better self-perceived near activities function was associated with increased glaucoma medication adherence.
Digital Design and Application of 3D Printed Surgical Guide for Long Screw Fixation of Condylar Sagittal Fracture
Authors: Zhang Chi , Li Zubing , Yang Rongtao
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To explore a digital solution for long screw fixation of condylar sagittal fracture, and to achieve accurate positioning of the long screw.

Methods:

The CT data of the patient with condylar sagittal fracture was imported into Materialise Mimics, and the fractures were reduced by virtual surgery. The surgical guide for long screw fixation was designed in Materialise 3-matic, and then 3D printed for intraoperative assistance.

Results:

With the help of the 3D printed surgical guide, the long screw used to fix condylar sagittal fracture was accurately positioned, which was completely consistent with the preoperative design.

Conclusion:

The digitally designed 3D printed surgical guide is an effective way to achieve accurate positioning of the long screw fixation of condylar sagittal fracture.
Sharps Injuries Related to Subdermal Needles in the Orbicularis Oris During Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring
Authors: Joshi Aditya , Aissa Youbirt , Le Scheherazade , Cho S. Charles , Lee Leslie , Lopez Jaime R.
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

Little is known about the incidence and nature of sharps injuries caused by subdermal intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) needle electrodes. In their institution, the authors observed a series of sharps injuries attributed to placement of needles in the orbicularis oris (OO).

Methods:

One large academic institution's sharps injury monitoring database was queried for all reported events over 3 years. The de-identified list was filtered for sharps events occurring in the operating room, and the descriptions of the sharps injuries were individually evaluated. Interventions were performed to attempt to decrease the number of sharps injuries from IONM needles, particularly those placed in OO. Similar data were then collected for 3 months post-intervention.

Results:

Pre-intervention, 327 sharps injuries were reported over the span of 3 years, of which 13 (4.0%) were attributed to IONM needles not in OO and 5 (1.5%) were attributed to IONM needles in OO. Post-intervention, 41 sharps injuries were reported in 3 months, of which 5 (12.2%) were attributed to IONM needles not in OO and 1 (2.4%) was attributed to needles in OO.

Conclusions:

The placement of subdermal needles in the OO presents a disproportionately high risk of sharps injury. Interventions were performed to attempt to decrease the rate of sharps injuries from needles in OO; the post-intervention increase in events was likely skewed by small sample sizes. The implementation of these changes and the ongoing surveillance of injury cases may be important data to help decrease the number of sharps injuries attributed to IONM needles.
Astrocyte dystrophy in ageing brain parallels impaired synaptic plasticity
Authors: Popov Alexander , Brazhe Alexey , Denisov Pavel , Sutyagina Oksana , Li Li , Lazareva Natalia , Verkhratsky Alexei , Semyanov Alexey
Published: March 2021

Little is known about age‐dependent changes in structure and function of astrocytes and of the impact of these on the cognitive decline in the senescent brain. The prevalent view on the age‐dependent increase in reactive astrogliosis and astrocytic hypertrophy requires scrutiny and detailed analysis. Using two‐photon microscopy in conjunction with 3D reconstruction, Sholl and volume fraction analysis, we demonstrate a significant reduction in the number and the length of astrocytic processes, in astrocytic territorial domains and in astrocyte‐to‐astrocyte coupling in the aged brain. Probing physiology of astrocytes with patch clamp, and Ca2+ imaging revealed deficits in K+ and glutamate clearance and spatiotemporal reorganisation of Ca2+ events in old astrocytes. These changes paralleled impaired synaptic long‐term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal CA1 in old mice. Our findings may explain the astroglial mechanisms of age‐dependent decline in learning and memory.
Definition of no‐fishing zones and fishing effort limits to reduce franciscana bycatch to sustainable levels in southern Brazil
Authors: Prado J. H. , Kinas P. G. , Pennino M. G. , Seyboth E. , Silveira F. R. G. , Ferreira E. C. , Secchi E. R.
Published: March 2021

Franciscana dolphin Pontoporia blainvillei bycatch has been high for near six decades in western South Atlantic, with large regional variation. In 2012, the Brazilian Government‐regulated gillnet fisheries in south and southeast Brazil by reducing fishing effort and establishing no‐fishing zones. However, there is evidence that the magnitude of franciscana bycatch remains high and unsustainable. The aims of this study were to identify hotspot areas of franciscana bycatch associated with two main gillnet fisheries and to propose no‐fishing zones combined with limited total allowable fishing effort (i.e. total net length per season) in order to meet management objectives in southern Brazil. A hierarchical Bayesian model using integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) was employed based on 1427 reported settings from 1999 to 2003 and 2006 to 2009. Hotspot zones were detected and are proposed as no‐fishing zone during the white croaker Micropogonias furnieri and striped weakfish Cynoscion guatucupa gillnet fishing seasons. Their extents represent 6% (1466.8 km2) and 19% (4493.7 km2) of the fishing ground (23 204.1 km2) during croaker and weakfish fishing seasons respectively. The total allowable fishing effort estimated outside the no‐fishing zones were estimated at 541 km (95% credible interval (CrI) [339; 940]) during croaker and 688 km (CrI [312; 2,166]) during weakfish fishing seasons, one order of magnitude lower than the current total fishing effort. The drastic reduction of total fishing effort estimated in this study is largely due to weak protection measures since the gillnet fisheries became the major conservation concern for franciscana by the end of 1970s in southern Brazil. Although the implementation of the proposed exclusion zones and limiting fishing effort will strongly impact the status quo, they were based on the best scientific evidence and on a clearly defined management goal to reduce the risk of the franciscana population’s collapse in southern Brazil.
The use of eye‐movement recording in patients with anti‐Hu antibody–associated paraneoplastic neurological syndromes to objectively determine extent and course of disease
Authors: Janssen Malou , van Broekhoven Flip , Sillevis Smitt Peter , Frens Maarten , van der Geest Jos
Published: March 2021

Background and purpose

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes with Hu‐antibodies (Hu‐PNS) are immune‐mediated disorders in patients with malignancies, most frequently small cell lung cancer, affecting both the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS). In Hu‐PNS, brainstem and cerebellar involvement are common. Here, we assessed whether eye‐movement disturbances can be used for diagnosis and monitoring of CNS involvement in Hu‐PNS.

Methods

Twenty‐nine patients with Hu‐PNS (17 females; mean age, 63.2 years,) and 14 healthy age‐matched controls (seven females; mean age, 60.2 years) were included. Saccadic and smooth pursuit eye movements in response to visual stimuli were recorded with video‐oculography. Eye movements were scored quantitatively (number of correction saccades, saccadic intrusions, and saccades during fixation period) and qualitatively by two eye‐movement experts. In 20 patients, up to three follow‐up measurements were made during subsequent hospital visits with fixed 4‐week intervals. Disease course was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale.

Results

Eye movements were disturbed in 26 of 29 Hu‐PNS patients, with horizontal eye movements being in general more impaired. Moreover, in 12 of the 14 Hu‐PNS patients without clinical CNS involvement, eye movements were disturbed. Changes in eye‐movement control over a period of up to 12 weeks were significantly correlated with the clinical response to treatment (ρ = 0.52, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Hu‐PNS often affects eye‐movement control, also in the absence of CNS signs or symptoms. Eye‐movement recordings in Hu‐PNS patients might be a useful tool to objectively monitor progression and treatment efficacy in Hu‐PNS patients.
Emotion, embodiment, and reproductive colonialism in the global human egg trade
Authors: Tober Diane , Kroløkke Charlotte
Published: March 2021

In the transnational fertility industry, individuals have differently positioned bodies, ranked by race, class, education, socioeconomic status, gender, and citizenship. Different forms of labor support the transnational fertility market, bringing geopolitical, and social inequities to the fore. While some people need wombs, eggs, or sperm to create their families—and have the means to pay for third‐party reproductive services—others emerge as suppliers of reproductive labor, and still others as coordinators or service agents in the international fertility industry. Building upon contemporary feminist social science and postcolonial research on reproductive travel and labor, this article explores three intersecting components: the forces that influence reproductive travel and cross‐border egg donation; how emotion and meaning are framed in clinical settings to recruit a young, healthy, able‐bodied workforce; and the embodied experiences of women who travel across borders to provide eggs for pay. Drawing upon donor and professional interviews, and multisited online and ethnographic fieldwork in fertility clinics, we explore the linkages between emotional choreography and the creation of a bioavailable workforce for the global fertility trade. Here, we examine how local and cross‐border egg provision illuminate global reproductive hierarchies—what we call “reproductive colonialism”—in transnational reproduction.
Properties of magnesium‐aluminate spinel derived from bauxite and magnesia
Authors: Xuan Songtong , Wang Xiaojun , Tian Yuming , Hao Jianying
Published: March 2021

The synthesis of magnesium‐aluminate spinel divided from bauxites and magnesias, the starting materials with different molar mass ratios (Al2O3: MgO) of 3, 1, and 0.6 were developed using solid‐state reaction sintering at 1350‐1500°C. The effects of different mass ratios and sintering temperatures on the phase composition, densification behavior, shrinkage, flexural strength, and microstructure of the synthetic materials were studied. It was found that as the relative content of bauxite decreased, the flexural strength first decreased before increasing. When n(Al2O3)/n(MgO) was 1, the spinel was the primary phase and the sample was dense. When the temperature became 1450°C, the flexural strength became maximized at 106.48 MPa.
Effect of thermal stability of Mn+1AXn phases on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mn+1AXn/ZA27 composites
Authors: Li Hai‐Yan , Tian Yuan , Wan Detian , Bao Yiwang , Zhou Yang
Published: March 2021

Special layered structure endows ternary Mn+1AXn phase ceramics with good electrical and thermal conductivity, excellent abrasive resistance, and perfect thermal shock resistance. In this work, three kinds of Mn+1AXn phase ceramics (Ti3SiC2, Ti3AlC2, and Ti2SnC) were chosen to reinforce the ZA27 alloys, respectively. By employing “two‐step sintering” technology which is pressureless sintered at 870°C for 1 h firstly and then hot pressed at 500°C for 1 h, Mn+1AXn/ZA27 composites were successfully fabricated. The effects of thermal stability of the above Mn+1AXn on microstructure, mechanical properties, and friction performance of the three Mn+1AXn/ZA27 composites were investigated. The different reaction degrees between the three Mn+1AXn reinforcements and the ZA27 matrix were ascribed to the differences of chemical bond energy. The results demonstrated that at the sintering temperature of 870°C, Ti2SnC was completely reacted in Ti2SnC/ZA27 composite, and Ti3AlC2 partially reacted in ZA27 matrix, while no reaction happened between Ti3SiC2 and ZA27 matrix. Hence, the order of thermal stability for the three Mn+1AXn phases in ZA27 matrix is Ti3SiC2 > Ti3AlC2 > Ti2SnC. Besides, Ti3AlC2/ZA27 composites possess the best mechanical properties and wear resistance, which was attributed to interfacial reaction improved the boding between matrix and reinforcement.
Development and sensibility assessment of a health‐related quality of life instrument for adults with severe disabilities who are non‐ambulatory
Authors: Zalmstra Trees A. L. , Elema Agnes , van Gils Willemijn , Reinders‐Messelink Heleen A. , van der Sluis Corry K. , van der Putten Annette A. J.
Published: March 2021

Background

Insight in health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of adults with severe disabilities who are non‐ambulatory is important, but a measure is lacking. The aim was to develop a HRQoL measure for this group.

Method

The developmental process consisted of the adaptation process of a proxy HRQoL measure for children with severe disabilities who are non‐ambulatory and the assessment of the sensibility of the developed instrument. A three‐step process was used: focus groups, e‐survey and interviews.

Results

In total, 72% of the items remained unchanged. Three new items and one element to an existing item were added. In ten items, the formulation of the items was adapted to the target group. Concerning the sensibility, respondents suggested minor changes to the instruction and the output scales.

Conclusions

This study has yielded a proxy HRQoL measure for adults with severe disabilities who are non‐ambulatory, the CPADULT, with good sensibility.
Identification of immune microenvironment subtypes that predicted the prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer
Authors: Wang Xinjing , Li Xiaoduan , Wang Xipeng
Published: March 2021

Ovarian cancer (OC) is associated with high mortality rate. However, the correlation between immune microenvironment and prognosis of OC remains unclear. This study aimed to explore prognostic significance of OC tumour microenvironment. The OC data set was selected from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA), and 307 samples were collected. Hierarchical clustering was performed according to the expression of 756 genes. The immune and matrix scores of all immune subtypes were determined, and Kruskal‐Wallis test was used to analyse the differences in the immune and matrix scores between OC samples with different immune subtypes. The model for predicting prognosis was constructed based on the expression of immune‐related genes. TIDE platform was applied to predict the effect of immunotherapy on patients with OC of different immune subtypes. The 307 OC samples were classified into three immune subtypes A‐C. Patients in subtype B had poorer prognosis and lower survival rate. The infiltration of helper T cells and macrophages in microenvironment indicated significant differences between immune subtypes. Enrichment analyses of immune cell molecular pathways showed that JAK–STAT3 pathway changed significantly in subtype B. Furthermore, predictive response to immunotherapy in subtype B was significantly higher than that in subtype A and C. Immune subtyping can be used as an independent predictor of the prognosis of OC patients, which may be related to the infiltration patterns of immune cells in tumour microenvironment. In addition, patients in immune subtype B have superior response to immunotherapy, suggesting that patients in subtype B are suitable for immunotherapy.
National profile of the growing population of older adults who access community health centers
Authors: Nothelle Stephanie , Colburn Jessica , Boyd Cynthia
Published: March 2021

Background

Community health centers (CHCs) are federally funded safety‐net clinics that provide care to low income and medically underserved persons. The proportion of CHC patients aged ≥65 doubled in the last ten years, yet little is known about this population. We aim to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of the older adult CHC population.

Design

Cross sectional analysis.

Setting

The nationally representative 2014 Health Center Patient Survey.

Participants

CHC patients ≥55 years.

Measures

We used descriptive statistics to characterize older adults across demographic and clinical variables. To determine differences by age, we stratified into three groups (55–64, 65–74, 75+ years). We used t‐tests and chi‐squared to calculate p values and survey weights to make national estimates.

Results

We included 1875 older adults ≥55 years, representing over 4.2 million people. Older adults were mostly aged 55–64 (60%), female (51%), and white (60%). The majority (73%) had Medicare or Medicaid and 47% reported fair or poor health. Regardless of age, older adults had an average of three chronic conditions and 0.6 impairments in activities of daily living (ADL). Healthcare utilization was not significantly different across age groups with most taking ≥5 prescription medications (54%) and one in five reporting ≥2 emergency department visits or ≥1 hospitalization in the last year.

Conclusions

Adults 55–64 who attend CHCs have similar disease burden as adults ≥65. As the population of older adults who access CHCs grow, our findings highlight the opportunity to enhance focus on key principles of geriatric medicine, such as measurement of functional impairment for those who are <65 while also addressing underlying health disparities.
The association between bullying‐victimisation and sleep disturbances in adolescence: Evidence from a twin study
Authors: Shakoor Sania , M.S Zavos Helena , Gregory Alice M. , Ronald Angelica
Published: March 2021

Bullying‐victimisation has been associated with sleep disturbances. This study investigated the degree to which subtypes of bullying‐victimisation in adolescence are linked with sleep disturbances. Genetic and environmental contributions underlying bullying‐victimisation and sleep disturbances were investigated. Participants (3,242–5,076 pairs) from a longitudinal community twin study reported on their bullying‐victimisation at the age of 14 years, and sleep quality and insomnia symptoms at age 16. Regression analyses were used, accounting for the role of individual and family factors. Structural equation twin model fitting was conducted. Bullying‐victimisation was modestly associated with sleep quality and insomnia symptoms (r = 0.22–0.23) and a similar strength of associations was found across bullying‐victimisation subtypes (r = 0.11–0.22). Bullying‐victimisation, sleep quality and insomnia symptoms were predominantly influenced by genes (25–59%) and non‐shared environments (40–62%). The association between bullying‐victimisation and sleep quality was explained by genetic and non‐shared environmental influences. For insomnia symptoms and sleep quality, the association with bullying‐victimisation was in part explained by a genetic overlap. Associations between bullying‐victimisation and sleep disturbances are not limited to specific aspects of bullying‐victimisation but appear to exist for all subtypes. These findings stimulate research questions regarding the mechanisms underlying these links. For example, could certain heritable traits, such as temperament, increase vulnerability to experiencing sleep disturbances and being bullied? Research on bullying and sleep should aim to take the role of genetic predisposition into account, while also noting that it is not the only causal influence. Understanding more about these pathways could strengthen the development of techniques to prevent these difficulties from occurring.
Determination of texture properties of banana fruit cells with an atomic force microscope: A case study on elastic modulus and stiffness
Authors: Khodabakhshian Rasool , Naeemi Asal , Bayati Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2021

Characterization of biological materials with their elasto‐mechanical properties is considered essential for understanding their nature. In addition, elasto‐mechanical studies at the macroscale are frequently used to determine these characteristics by a resistance measurement such as the Magness‐Taylor penetration test or compression test using an Instron Universal Mechanical Testing Machine. In this regard, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) was presented as a new method for identifying the alterations of elasto‐mechanical properties at a nanoscale. Therefore, the present study estimated the elastic modulus and stiffness of the cell walls which were isolated from the banana mesocarp with AFM‐based nanoindentation. Then, the elastic modulus of a cell and stiffness were determined by analyzing the force‐separation curves using the theory of Hertz and the mechanics of Sneddon. Using two tips of the distinct radius of the curvature (10 and 10,000 nm), it was revealed that the tip geometry significantly affected the measured elasto‐mechanical properties. Further, the elastic modulus was around 95 ± 45 and 18.5 ± 12.5 kPa for the sharper tip (R = 10 nm) and a bead (R = 10,000 nm) tips, respectively. Furthermore, a large variability was considered regarding the elasto‐mechanical property (>100%) among the cells which were sampled from the same region in the fruit. Therefore, the AFM can be highly suitable for evaluating the structure‐related properties of biological materials at the cellular and subcellular scales by combining nano elasto‐mechanical properties with topography imaging.