bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alkaloid profiling and antimicrobial activities of Papaver glaucum and P. decaisnei
Authors: Jafaar Hawraz Jawdat , Isbilen Ovgu , Volkan Ender , Sariyar Gunay
Published: September 2021

Objective

Papaver decaisnei Hochst. & Steud. Ex Elkan and Papaver glaucum Boiss. & Hausskn. growing wild in Northern Iraq have been historically used for medicinal purposes. In this study, both species were evaluated for their alkaloid content and antimicrobial activities.

Results

Alkaloids were extracted and isolated by preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Identification was carried out by comparing spectral data (UV and 1H-NMR) and TLC Rf values with those of authentic samples. Two alkaloids, proapaorphine-type mecambrine and aporphine-type roemerine were isolated from P. decaisnei. Two benzylisoquinoline type alkaloids papaverine (major alkaloid) and palaudine as well as aporphine-type N-methylasimilobine have been obtained in P. glaucum. Both P. glaucum and P. decaisnei extracts revealed strong antimicrobial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. Collectively these results indicate that P. glaucum and P. decaisnei are promising sources of alkaloids that could further be investigated for medicinal purposes.
Sun-health behaviours and attitudes towards sun safety amongst Australian teenagers: a qualitative update
Authors: Gamage Nisali , Nguyen Rebecca , Clare Isabelle M. , Lucas Robyn M. , Strickland Mark , Granich Joanna , Gorman Shelley
Published: September 2021

Objective

This study aimed to explore current attitudes towards sun protection, and sun-seeking behaviour among young Australian adolescents. It was done as part of a larger project aiming to develop a digital resource to support young people in making informed sun-health decisions.

Results

Ten (4 male, 6 female) adolescents (12–13 years of age) living in Perth (Western Australia) were recruited through a social media-based strategy. Each participant engaged in a semi-structured telephone interview which explored their sun-health decision-making, with interview transcripts assessed qualitatively using NVivo. Three major themes (and eight sub-themes) were identified: (1) ‘personal sun health considerations’; (2) ‘attitudes towards sun protection’; and (3) ‘recommendations’. The importance of sun protection was appreciated by participants. However, females were more diligent in the use of sun protection while males were indifferent. Behaviours were influenced by parental input, the school environment and engagement in sport. Adolescents had limited knowledge of the UV Index and its implications for sun protection, and the health importance of sun-derived vitamin D. Overall, the importance of sun protection was acknowledged but did not consistently translate into sun protective behaviours.
Phlegmonous gastritis: a case series
Authors: Yakami Yoshikazu , Yagyu Toshihiko , Bando Tomoki
Published: September 2021

Background

Phlegmonous gastritis is a rare and fatal infectious disease of the stomach, presenting varied and nonspecific endoscopic images, which are therefore difficult to diagnose. This report discusses three cases of phlegmonous gastritis, each with unique endoscopic images, and considers the differential diagnosis of this disease. These cases were initially suspected of scirrhous gastric cancer, gastric syphilis, and acute gastric mucosal lesion.

Case presentation

Case 1 A 32-year-old Asian man visited our hospital complaining of upper abdominal pain. Endoscopy raised suspicion of scirrhous gastric cancer. However, a histopathological examination showed no malignant cells, thus leading to the diagnosis of phlegmonous gastritis. The patient was started on antibiotic therapy, which was effective.

Case 2 A 33-year-old Asian man visited our hospital complaining of epigastralgia. Endoscopy raised suspicion of gastric syphilis. However, the serum test for syphilis was negative, and Streptococcus viridans was detected in the biopsy specimen culture, which led to the diagnosis of phlegmonous gastritis.

The patient was started on antibiotic therapy, resulting in significant improvement in the endoscopic image after 2 weeks.

Case 3 A 19-year-old Asian man visited our hospital complaining of epigastric pain. Endoscopy raised suspicion of acute gastric mucosal lesion. A gastric juice culture showed Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus viridans, thus leading to the diagnosis of phlegmonous gastritis. The patient was started on antibiotic therapy, resulting in the disappearance of the gastric lesions.

Conclusion

In severe cases of phlegmonous gastritis, immediate surgical treatment is generally required. However, the endoscopic images are varied and nonspecific. These three cases suggest that clinicians need to consider the differential diagnosis of phlegmonous gastritis and make accurate diagnoses at an early stage.
Strongly regular points of mappings
Authors: Abbasi Malek , Théra Michel
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we use arobust lower directional derivativeand provide some sufficient conditions to ensure thestrong regularityof a given mapping at a certain point. Then, we discuss the Hoffman estimation and achieve some results for the estimate of the distance to the set of solutions to a system oflinear equalities. The advantage of our estimate is that it allows one to calculate the coefficient of the error bound.
Limited impact of a top-down approach to improve enhanced recovery programme in French university hospitals: a before-after retrospective survey
Authors: Harkouk Hakim , Capmas Perrine , Derridj Nawal , Belbachir Anissa , Nkam Lionelle , Aegerter Philippe , Battaglia Eva , Tharel Laure , Fletcher Dominique
Published: September 2021

Background

Enhanced recovery programme (ERP) after surgery needs development in Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP).

Methods

A retrospective before-and-after study was performed in 2015 and 2017 on three surgical models (total knee arthroplasty (TKA), colectomy and hysterectomy) in 17 hospitals including 29 surgical departments. Data were collected in one control intervention (total hip arthroplasty (THA), gastrectomy and ovariectomy). In 2016, Massive Open Online Course on ERP and a day meeting information were developed by APHP. A national update on ERP was also organized by HAS and a regional professional partnership programme was started. Primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS) and complications after surgery. Data on ERP items were collected in the patients’ chart and in anaesthetist and surgeon interview. Seventy percent application rate reflects application of ERP procedure.

Results

1321 patient’s files were analysed (812 in 2015 and 509 in 2017). The LOS (mean (SD)) is reduced by 1.6 day for TKA (2015, 8.7 (6.7) versus 7.1 (3.4) in 2017; p<0.001) but stable for colectomy and hysterectomy. Incidence of severe complications after surgery is unchanged in all types of surgical models. For TKA and hysterectomy respectively applied items of ERP (i.e. >70% application) increased respectively from 5 to 7 out of 17 and 16 in 2015 and 2017. For colectomy, they were stable at 6 out of 21 in 2015 and 2017. The mean application rates of ERP items stayed below 50% in all cases in 2017. The LOS was negatively correlated with ERP items’ application when data collected in 2015 and 2017 were analysed together.

Conclusion

ERP application did not significantly improved between 2015 and 2017 for three surgical models after an institutional information and diffusion of recommendations in 29 surgical departments of seventeen French University hospitals underlining the limit of a top-down approach.
ESPED survey on newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia in childhood: how much treatment do we give?
Authors: von Lukowicz Hannah , Schlegel Paul-Gerhardt , Härtel Christoph , Morbach Henner , Haubitz Imme , Wiegering Verena
Published: September 2021

Background

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease associated with isolated thrombocytopenia, which is caused by an imbalance between platelet production and platelet destruction. Petechial and mucous membrane hemorrhages are characteristic of ITP, but life-threatening bleeding rarely occurs. Depending on the bleeding symptoms, ITP can be treated with glucocorticoids (GC), intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), or in severe cases, platelet transfusions. Mild bleeding does not necessarily require therapy. Using the German Surveillance Unit for rare Pediatric Diseases (ESPED) we conducted a prospective survey on ITP patients in all German Children's Hospitals between September 2018 and August 2019. We collected data on ITP, including the clinical course, therapy implementation recommendations (according to the Association of German Scientific Medical Societies guidelines), outcome, and influence of treatment regimens depending on the treating physician´s experience with ITP patients.

Results

Of the 287 recorded cases of children with ITP, 268 questionnaires were sent to the authors. Two hundred seventeen of the questionnaires fulfilled the inclusion criteria. ITP affected boys and girls similarly, and the median age of manifestation was 3.5 years. The main reasons for hospitalization were thrombocytopenia, bleeding signs, hematomas, and/or petechiae. Bleeding scores were ≤ 3 in 96% of children, which corresponded to a low-to-moderately low risk of bleeding. No life-threatening bleeding was documented. The most common therapies were IVIG (n = 59), GC (n = 33), or a combination of these (n = 17). Blood products (i.e., red blood cells, platelet concentrate, and fresh frozen plasma) were given to 13 patients. Compared to the established guidelines, 67 patients were over-treated, and 2 patients were under-treated.

Conclusions

Adherence to German ITP treatment guidelines is currently limited. To improve patient safety and medical care, better medical training and dissemination of the guidelines are required in line with targeted analyses of patients with serious bleeding events to identify potential risk constellations.
Non-invasive methods for the assessment of biomarkers and their correlation with radiographic maturity indicators — a scoping review
Authors: GV Veena , Tripathi Tulika
Published: September 2021

Background

Detection of skeletal maturity is vital in orthodontic treatment timing and planning. Traditional methods include hand-wrist radiography and cervical vertebral maturation index (CVMI). Though the radiographic methods are well established and routinely used to assess skeletal maturation, they carry the drawback of subjective perception and low reproducibility. With evolving concepts, skeletal maturation has been assessed quantitatively through biomarkers obtained from saliva, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and urine. The scoping review aims to explore the various biomarkers assessed through non-invasive methods and their correlation with radiographic skeletal maturity.

Methodology

The literature search was carried out on MEDLINE via Pubmed, Cochrane Library (Cochrane database of systematic reviews), Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL), Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Opengrey.eu for articles up to and including November 2020. Pertinent articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results were tabulated based on the type of sample collected, the biomarker assessed, method of sample collection, and the radiographic method used.

Results

The literature search resulted in 12 relevant articles. Among all the studies, 10 studies showed that the concentration of biomarkers increases during the pubertal growth peak. On the contrary, 2 articles showed no significant difference between the levels of biomarkers and pubertal growth peak.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the level of biomarkers increases during the pubertal growth spurt and can provide a quantitative way of assessing skeletal maturity.
Computer-assisted implant placement and full-arch immediate loading with digitally prefabricated provisional prostheses without cast: a prospective pilot cohort study
Authors: Makarov Nikolay , Pompa Giorgio , Papi Piero
Published: September 2021

Background

Immediate loading of implant-supported full-arch rehabilitations has become routine practice when treating edentulous patients. The combination of static computer-aided implant surgery (s-CAIS) and digital prosthetic workflow could eliminate several treatment steps and facilitate prostheses delivery.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the 1-year results of digitally prefabricated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) provisional prostheses without a cast for full-arch computer-assisted immediate loading.

Materials and methods

A digital pre-operative treatment planning was realized for all patients: dental implants and screw-retained abutments were selected in the planning software and two surgical templates were fabricated for each patient. The first template was mucosa or teeth-supported to drill the holes for fixating pins, while the second template was placed after raising a full-thickness flap and was supported by pins as well as soft or hard tissue distal support. Furthermore, based on the surgical planning, interim prostheses were digitally designed and milled of PMMA resin blocks with subsequent pink resin veneering. Osteotomies and implant placement were performed through the surgical guides and all implants were immediately loaded with prefabricated full-arch interim prostheses directly connected to titanium copings with a flowable resin.

Results

A total of 55 dental implants were placed in ten patients. In all cases, interim prostheses allowed the insertion of titanium copings without the need of access hole enlargement or adaptation. All the prostheses had 1 year of functional loading to simulate the long provisional phase. No screw loosening occurred at the first removal of the prostheses after implant osseointegration. No fracture occurred during the whole period. After 1 year, the mean marginal bone loss level was 0.37 ± 0.06 mm, while the implant survival rate was 98.18% (n=54/55), with just one implant failing but not affecting final prosthesis delivery to the patient.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of the present study, the authors concluded that digitally prefabricated provisional prostheses for full-arch immediate loading with s-CAIS could be a valid alternative treatment modality. Milled PMMA restorations proved to be durable enough during the long provisional phase, without prosthetic complications.
Investigating dose homogeneity in radiotherapy of oral cancers in the presence of a dental implant system: an in vitro phantom study
Authors: Khaleghi Goli , Mahdavi Hoda , Mahdavi Seied Rabi , Khajetash Benyamin , Nikoofar Alireza , Hosntalab Mohammad , Sadeghi Mahdi , Reiazi Reza
Published: September 2021

Background

Materials with high atomic numbers are part of the composition of dental implant systems. In radiotherapy of oral cavity cancers, an implant can cause dose perturbations that affect target definition, dose calculation, and dose distribution. In consequence, this may result in poor tumor control and higher complications. In this study, we evaluated dose homogeneity when a dental implant replaced a normal tooth. We also aimed to evaluate the concordance of dose calculations with dose measurements.

Materials and methods

In this study, 2 sets of planning CT scans of a phantom with a normal tooth and the same phantom with the tooth replaced by a Z1 TBR dental implant system were used. The implant system was composed of a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown and titanium with a zirconium collar. Three radiotherapy plans were designed when the density of the implant material was corrected to match their elements, or when all were set to the density of water, or when using the default density conversion. Gafchromic EBT-3 films at the level of isocenter and crowns were used for measurements.

Results

At the level of crowns, upstream and downstream dose calculations were reduced when metal kernels were applied (M-plan). Moreover, relatively measured dose distribution patterns were most similar to M-plan. At this level, relative to the non-implanted phantom, mean doses values were higher with the implant (215.93 vs. 192.25), also, new high-dose areas appeared around a low-dose streak forward to the implant (119% vs. 95%).

Conclusions

Implants can cause a high dose to the oral cavity in radiotherapy because of extra scattered radiation. Knowledge of the implant dimensions and defining their material enhances the accuracy of calculations.
Risk of anaemia among women engaged in biomass-based fish smoking as their primary livelihood in the central region of Ghana: a comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Armo-Annor Daniel , Colecraft Esi K. , Adu-Afarwuah Seth , Christian Aaron Kobina , Jones Andrew D.
Published: September 2021

Background

Fish smoking using biomass fuel is an important livelihood for women living in the coastal regions of Ghana and may contribute to anaemia risk. We assessed whether women who smoke fish as their primary livelihood are at increased risk of anaemia compared to women in other livelihoods in the Central Region of Ghana.

Methods

We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of 330 randomly selected adult women (18–49 years) whose primary livelihood was either fish smoking (FSL) involving the burning of biomass fuel (n = 175) or other livelihoods (OL) not involving burning of firewood (n = 155). Data on participants’ recent diet were collected from a single, quantitative 24-h dietary recall and qualitative 7-day food frequency questionnaire of animal-source food (ASF) consumption. We further assessed participants’ haemoglobin concentration using the Urit 12 Hemocue system. We compared total iron intakes, the proportion of dietary iron from animal and plant sources, mean haemoglobin concentrations, and anaemia prevalence between FSL and OL women.

Results

Fish was the most frequently consumed ASF by both groups of women. Although OL women consumed more diverse ASFs in the past week compared with the FSL women (3.4 ± 1.2 vs. 2.7 ± 1.3; p < 0.001), the contribution of ASFs to total iron intake in the past day was greater for the FSL women (49.5% vs. 44.0%; p = 0.030). Estimated total dietary iron intake in the past day was generally low (5.2 ± 4.7 mg) and did not differ by group. The unadjusted prevalence of anaemia was 32 and 27.1% among the FSL and OL women, respectively (p = 0.33). After covariates adjustment, the FSL women had statistically higher anaemia prevalence (36.4% vs. 20.5%; p = 0.032) and 80% greater risk of being anemic (RR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1, 3.0) than the OL women.

Conclusion

Women who use biomass fuel to smoke fish as their primary livelihood had an increased risk of anaemia. Furthermore, the average 24-h dietary iron intake among both the FSL and OL women was below their daily iron requirement. Interventions to enhance women’s dietary iron intake and reduce their livelihood related biomass smoke exposure may be warranted in this population.
Implied volatility estimation of bitcoin options and the stylized facts of option pricing
Authors: Zulfiqar Noshaba , Gulzar Saqib
Published: September 2021

The recently developed Bitcoin futures and options contracts in cryptocurrency derivatives exchanges mark the beginning of a new era in Bitcoin price risk hedging. The need for these tools dates back to the market crash of 1987, when investors needed better ways to protect their portfolios through option insurance. These tools provide greater flexibility to trade and hedge volatile swings in Bitcoin prices effectively. The violation of constant volatility and the log-normality assumption of the Black–Scholes option pricing model led to the discovery of the volatility smile, smirk, or skew in options markets. These stylized facts; that is, the volatility smile and implied volatilities implied by the option prices, are well documented in the option literature for almost all financial markets. These are expected to be true for Bitcoin options as well. The data sets for the study are based on short-dated Bitcoin options (14-day maturity) of two time periods traded on Deribit Bitcoin Futures and Options Exchange, a Netherlands-based cryptocurrency derivative exchange. The estimated results are compared with benchmark Black–Scholes implied volatility values for accuracy and efficiency analysis. This study has two aims: (1) to provide insights into the volatility smile in Bitcoin options and (2) to estimate the implied volatility of Bitcoin options through numerical approximation techniques, specifically the Newton Raphson and Bisection methods. The experimental results show that Bitcoin options belong to the commodity class of assets based on the presence of a volatility forward skew in Bitcoin option data. Moreover, the Newton Raphson and Bisection methods are effective in estimating the implied volatility of Bitcoin options. However, the Newton Raphson forecasting technique converges faster than does the Bisection method.
Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (uses, limitations, and potentials): a review article
Authors: Ali Mohammed F.A
Published: September 2021

Background

The additional information that transcranial Doppler can provide as part of a multimodal imaging protocol in many clinical settings has not been evaluated.

Main body

Transcranial Doppler is a bedside procedure used to assess cerebral blood flow velocity via cerebral circulation and pulsatility index (PI). Many diseases can lead to cerebral vessels vasospasm as in subarachnoid hemorrhage and trauma. Cerebral vessels vasospasm represented by abnormal elevation of cerebral blood flow velocity. Intracranial pressure can be monitored by pulsatility index which reflects blood flow resistance in cerebral vessels. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography is also the unique modality for detection of micro emboli in high-risk patients. Also, it can be used for evaluation of circulatory arrest with subsequent confirmation of brain death

Conclusion

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography is the only diagnostic modality that provides a reliable assessment of cerebral blood flow patterns in real time. The physiological information obtained from TCD is complementary to the anatomical details obtained from other neuroimaging modalities. TCD is relatively cheap, can be performed bedside, and allows monitoring in acute emergency settings.
Genetic and biochemical studies on some Egyptian wheat genotypes under drought stress
Authors: Heiba Samy A. A. , Osman Samira A. , Eldessouky Sara E. I. , Haiba Atef A. A. , Ali Rania T.
Published: September 2021

Background

Strategic crops need to be screened from time to time to select the most tolerant and stable genotypes incompatible with environmental conditions. This research experiments were carried out to screen thirteen Egyptian wheat genotypes under water regime stress to select the most tolerant genotypes to drought conditions in two successive seasons. The studied genotypes were cultivated in rows, and the irrigation duration period between any two successive irrigations was elongated to double period to supply these genotypes with only 50% of the water needed in well watering conditions. This evaluation concerned on some yield production indexes such as spike weight, spike length, spike number, grains number/spike the 100 grains weight and stress susceptibility index and the cytogenetic evaluation index of the pollen grains viability on two successive seasons (2017–2018 and 2018–2019). This screening also carried out some biochemical and molecular analysis on the wheat genotypes at the seedling stage by the end of 2018 (the first season of water regime) targeting total protein profile, proline amino acid accumulation and Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 enzyme gene expression via semiquantitative RT-PCR.

Results

Sids 12 genotype recorded the highest SW, SL and SN. Considering the number of grains/plant and the number of spikes/plant are the principal yield components, and 100 grains weight is the principal yield quality, Sids 12 also declared its tolerance to water regime on regarding the plant productivity to grains’ number/plant and scored the lowest SSI. Pollen viability and protein profile were also affected as a response to the water regime. Proline concentration in fresh leaves emphasizes the tolerance of Sids 12, Misr 2 and Gemmieza 9 genotypes to the water deficit.

Conclusion

Among the examined genotypes, Sids 12, Misr 2, Shandaweel1 and Gemmieza 9 and line 20 are recommended to be cultivated in water shortage conditions as they show high performance under water regime conditions.
Burnout in medical undergraduate students in Qassim, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alqifari Abdullah , Alghidani Mashael , Almazyad Ruba , Alotaibi Aljowharah , Alharbi Wijdan A. , Aljumail Entisar , Alqefari Ghaida , Alkamees Abdulmajed , Alqifari Hana
Published: September 2021

Background

Burnout, defined as mental and physical exhaustion, has been an issue for many medical students. Medical student burnout is associated with many factors such as academic pressure, sleep deprivation, exposure to patient suffering, and high academic demand. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of burnout symptoms among preclinical and clinical medical students studying at Qassim University in Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

Results

Three hundred thirty-six subjects entered the final data analysis with a majority between 18 and 24 years of age, of whom 56.5% was females and 43.5% was males. The overall burnout prevalence was 8%. The female gender was a significant predictor of emotional exhaustion and personal efficacy, (OR = 2.510; 95% Cl [1.845–3.415];pvalue 0.000) and (OR = 1.434; 95% Cl [1.086–1.866];pvalue 0.010), respectively.

Conclusion

Among medical students, burnout is common. The impact of gender on burnout was noticed; female gender was a significant predictor of emotional exhaustion and personal efficacy. Medical education style had no impact on burnout levels among medical students.
Prognostic value of TERF1 expression in prostate cancer
Authors: dos Santos Gabriel Arantes , Viana Nayara Izabel , Pimenta Ruan , Guimarães Vanessa Ribeiro , de Camargo Juliana Alves , Romão Poliana , Reis Sabrina T. , Leite Katia Ramos Moreira , Srougi Miguel
Published: September 2021

Background

Telomere dysfunction is one of the hallmarks of cancer and is crucial to prostate carcinogenesis. TERF1 is a gene essential to telomere maintenance, and its dysfunction has already been associates with several cancers. TERF1 is a target of miR-155, and this microRNA can inhibit its expression and promotes carcinogenesis in breast cancer. We aim to analyze TERF1, in gene and mRNA level, involvement in prostate cancer progression.

Results

Alterations in TERF1 DNA were evaluated using datasets of primary tumor and castration-resistant tumors (CRPC) deposited in cBioportal. The expression of TERF1 mRNA levels was assessed utilizing TCGA datasets, clinical specimens, and metastatic prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, DU145, and PC3). Six percent of localized prostate cancer presents alterations in TERF1 (the majority of that was amplifications). In the CRPC cohort, 26% of samples had TERF1 amplification. Patients with TERF1 alterations had the worst overall survival only on localized cancer cohort (p = 0.0027). In the TCGA cohort, mRNA levels of TERF1 were downregulated in comparison with normal tissue (p = 0.0013) and upregulated in tumors that invade lymph nodes (p = 0.0059). The upregulation of TERF1 is also associated with worst overall survival (p = 0.0028) and disease-free survival (p = 0.0023). There is a positive correlation between TERF1 and androgen receptor expression in cancer tissue (r = 0.53, p < 0.00001) but not on normal tissue (r = − 0.16, p = 0.12). In the clinical specimens, there is no detectable expression of TERF1 and upregulation of miR-155 (p = 0.0348). In cell lines, TERF1 expression was higher in LNCaP and was progressively lower in DU145 and PC3 (p = 0.0327) with no differences in miR-155 expression.

Conclusion

Amplification/upregulation of TERF1 was associated with the worst prognostic in localized prostate cancer. Our results corroborate that miR-155 regulates TERF1 expression in prostate cancer. TERF1 has the potential to become a biomarker in prostate cancer.
Aligning implementation science with improvement practice: a call to action
Authors: Leeman Jennifer , Rohweder Catherine , Lee Matthew , Brenner Alison , Dwyer Andrea , Ko Linda K. , O’Leary Meghan C. , Ryan Grace , Vu Thuy , Ramanadhan Shoba
Published: September 2021

Background

In several recent articles, authors have called for aligning the fields of implementation and improvement science. In this paper, we call for implementation science to also align with improvement practice. Multiple implementation scholars have highlighted the importance of designing implementation strategies to fit the existing culture, infrastructure, and practice of a healthcare system. Worldwide, healthcare systems are adopting improvement models as their primary approach to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes. The prevalence of improvement models raises the question of how implementation scientists might best align their efforts with healthcare systems’ existing improvement infrastructure and practice.

Main body

We describe three challenges and five benefits to aligning implementation science and improvement practice. Challenges include (1) use of different models, terminology, and methods, (2) a focus on generalizable versus local knowledge, and (3) limited evidence in support of the effectiveness of improvement tools and methods. We contend that implementation science needs to move beyond these challenges and work toward greater alignment with improvement practice. Aligning with improvement practice would benefit implementation science by (1) strengthening research/practice partnerships, (2) fostering local ownership of implementation, (3) generating practice-based evidence, (4) developing context-specific implementation strategies, and (5) building practice-level capacity to implement interventions and improve care. Each of these potential benefits is illustrated in a case study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network.

Conclusion

To effectively integrate evidence-based interventions into routine practice, implementation scientists need to align their efforts with the improvement culture and practice that is driving change within healthcare systems worldwide. This paper provides concrete examples of how researchers have aligned implementation science with improvement practice across five implementation projects.
Docking and dynamic simulation study of Crizotinib and Temozolomide drug with Glioblastoma and NSCLC target to identify better efficacy of the drug
Authors: Younus Saleena , Vinod Chandra S. S. , Nair Achuth Sankar S.
Published: September 2021

Background

Crizotinib and Temozolomide are the two major chemotherapy drugs used for the treatment of cancers. Crizotinib is used as a target chemotherapy drug in many cancers. It mainly binds on the ATP binding regions of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) targets and inhibits protein phosphorylation, which has already been reported. Temozolomide drug is known as the alkylating agent. Its mechanism of action is the methylation of DNA and thereby inhibiting DNA replication. However, the Temozolomide drug with protein level interaction of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) and Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) of RTKs targets has not been reported so far. In the proposed work, we investigated the molecular level interaction of the Temozolomide drug in C-MET, C-ROS1, and ALK RTKs targets of GBM and NSCLC using an in silico study. We performed comparative analysis studies in both drugs' docked complexes based on their drug properties and complex energy (CE) to identify the better efficacy of the drug.

Results

From the docking studies,
we could identify that the Temozolomide drug bounded protein complexes showed the least complex energy. The most stable complexes were identified from these docking studies by Molecular Dynamic simulation. In the proposed study, we found that the docked complex attained a stable conformation and least energy via solid hydrogen bond interactions between the amino acid residues and the drug at the binding sites of the proteins. The least energy and the hydrogen bond interaction of Temozolomide drug with the amino acid residues of the protein complexes of C-MET, C-ROS1 and ALK protein with their id name are: 2WGJ is − 11305.0830 (PRO1158, MET1160), 3ZBF is − 11,659.6814 (MET2029, GLU2027), and 2XP2 is − 11,734.7565 (ARG1275, ASP 1160, GLU1167).

Conclusion

Our studies revealed that the Temozolomide drug bounded protein complex showed the least energy when compared to Crizotinib. So it will give better interaction on the binding sites of proteins and thereby provide better inhibition in the treatment of target therapy of GBM and NSCLC.
Antiangiogenic role of natural flavonoids and their molecular mechanism: an update
Authors: Subbaraj Gowtham Kumar , Kumar Yasam Santhosh , Kulanthaivel Langeswaran
Published: September 2021

Background

Angiogenesis is the development of new blood vessels from the existing vasculature, which is important in normal developmental processes. Angiogenesis is a key step in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Angiogenesis is necessary for the proper nourishment and removal of metabolic wastes from tumor sites. Therefore, modulation of angiogenesis is considered a therapeutic strategy of great importance for human health.

Main body

Numerous bioactive plant compounds are recently tested for their antiangiogenic potential. Among the most frequently studied are flavonoids which are abundantly present in fruits and vegetables. Flavonoids inhibit angiogenesis and metastasis through the regulation of multiple signaling pathways. Flavonoids regulate the expression of VEGF, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), EGFR, and inhibit NFB, PI3-K/Akt, and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, thereby causing strong antiangiogenic effects. This present review aimed to provide up-to-date information on the molecular mechanisms of antiangiogenic properties of natural flavonoids.

Conclusion

Presently developed antiangiogenic drugs in malignant growth treatment do not meet assumptions about adequacy and safety. So further investigations are needed in this field in the future. More recently, flavonoids are the most effective antiangiogenic agent, by inhibition of signaling pathways.
Pictorial Statistics
Authors: Boumans Marcel
Published: September 2021

This essay discusses Francis Galton’s method of inductive inference where the data are photographs of human faces. His aim of induction was to determine the typical characteristics of the natural class to which the individuals belong by composing the relevant photographs in a specific photographic way. The three populations studied by Galton were people suffering tuberculosis, Jews, and criminals. This essay argues that despite the fact that Galton aimed at mechanical objectivity, subjective judgements nevertheless appear to be a necessary part of this kind of inductive inference. At first sight, this seems very much in the line of Lorraine Das-ton and Peter Galison’s account of objectivity. They argue that in the twentieth century the awareness arose that mechanical-objective pictures still could contain errors that should be erased by trained judgement. Gal-ton’s case of inductive reasoning, however, departs from this account by showing that the correct composites were achieved by a combination of mechanical procedures and untrained judgements. To arrive at the typical characterizations one first has to familiarize oneself with the data, but the familiarization should be done by someone who is not an expert on the cases under study.
Producing Philosophes in Oceania: Enlightenment through Pacific Spaces
Authors: Fullagar Kate
Published: September 2021

The belated European rediscovery of the Pacific helped to test, modify, extend, or otherwise realize the critical, collecting, and conjecturing ethos of the Enlightenment. Whether official philosophers or not, voyagers found in the “new” space of the Pacific more data about the natural and social worlds than they had known before, which led to more empirical comparing, more systematic speculation, and more secular self-questioning. Most scholarship on Enlightenment and Pacific voyaging, however, focuses on relatively elite or well-educated thinkers who were already on the path toward an Enlightenment mindset before they even saw the southern hemisphere. A different story about Enlightenment and the Pacific emerges for less-obviously philosophical voyagers. For these travelers—most of them destined for a maritime but not necessarily an intellectual life—the Pacific could prove to be the primary or originary field for creating an Enlightenment disposition. More particularly, interactions with Pacific people were the means by which some Europeans apprehended what their “philosophical betters” typically discovered via texts. Pacific spaces prompted Enlightenment practices in ordinary mariners more readily or more evidently than they originated them in the educationally advantaged. This article surveys the experiences of a handful of ordinary voyagers to the Pacific Ocean. It aims to move forward discussions about the role the Pacific region and Pacific people played in developing so-called Western modernity.
Patient-Related Prognostic Factors for Anastomotic Leakage, Major Complications, and Short-Term Mortality Following Esophagectomy for Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Authors: van Kooten Robert T. , Voeten Daan M. , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Hartgrink Henk H. , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I. , van Hillegersberg Richard , Tollenaar Rob A. E. M. , Wouters Michel W. J. M.
Published: September 2021

Objective

The aim of this study is to identify preoperative patient-related prognostic factors for anastomotic leakage, mortality, and major complications in patients undergoing oncological esophagectomy.

Background

Esophagectomy is a high-risk procedure with an incidence of major complications around 25% and short-term mortality around 4%.

Methods

We systematically searched the Medline and Embase databases for studies investigating the associations between patient-related prognostic factors and anastomotic leakage, major postoperative complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ IIIa), and/or 30-day/in-hospital mortality after esophagectomy for cancer.

Results

Thirty-nine eligible studies identifying 37 prognostic factors were included. Cardiac comorbidity was associated with anastomotic leakage, major complications, and mortality. Male sex and diabetes were prognostic factors for anastomotic leakage and major complications. Additionally, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score > III and renal disease were associated with anastomotic leakage and mortality. Pulmonary comorbidity, vascular comorbidity, hypertension, and adenocarcinoma tumor histology were identified as prognostic factors for anastomotic leakage. Age > 70 years, habitual alcohol usage, and body mass index (BMI) 18.5–25 kg/m2were associated with increased risk for mortality.

Conclusions

Various patient-related prognostic factors are associated with anastomotic leakage, major postoperative complications, and postoperative mortality following oncological esophagectomy. This knowledge may define case-mix adjustment models used in benchmarking or auditing and may assist in selection of patients eligible for surgery or tailored perioperative care.
Satisfaction with care in patients with schizophrenia treated in a pilot-program model and traditional care
Authors: Hat Marta , Arciszewska-Leszczuk Aleksandra , Cechnicki Andrzej
Published: September 2021

Cel pracy

Celem badania było porównanie satysfakcji z opieki u pacjentów chorujących na schizofrenię w dwóch modelach ZLŚ: tradycyjnym i pilotażowym z równoczesną oceną nasilenia objawów i funkcjonowania społecznego.

Metoda

Badaniem objęto 90 pacjentów z rozpoznaniem schizofrenii leczonych w ZLŚ, 60 w modelu tradycyjnym, 30 w modelu pilotażowym. Użyto kwestionariusza danych demograficznych, skali objawów pozytywnych i negatywnych (PANSS), Skali Werońskiej oceniającej satysfakcję z leczenia (VSSS-54), kwestionariusza oceny niepełnosprawności (WHODAS), wskaźnika sieci społecznej (SNI) i skali samotności (UCLA Loneliness Scale).

Wyniki

Grupa pilotażowa charakteryzowała się istotnie niższym wiekiem badanych (p=0,048), mniejszą liczbą zażywanych leków psychiatrycznych (p=0,027), większym nasileniem objawów całkowitych (p<0,001) i pozytywnych (p<0,001) w PANSS, mniejszą siecią społeczną (p=0,003), mniejszą aktywnością w rolach w sieci społecznej (p<0,001), wyższym poziomem samotności (p=0,001) i wyższym poziomem niepełnosprawności (p<0,001). W grupie pilotażowej uzyskano istotnie wyższą satysfakcję z włączenia rodzin w proces terapeutyczny (p = 0,024).

Wnioski

W grupie pilotażowej objęto leczeniem pacjentów młodszych, ciężej chorujących o większym nasileniu objawów, gorszym funkcjonowaniu społecznym przy równoczesnym braku różnic w liczbie hospitalizacji między grupami. Wstępnie można wnioskować, że ZLŚ w centrach pilotażowych chroni tę grupę pacjentów przed hospitalizacją. Stwierdzono też wyższa satysfakcje z włączenia rodziny w proces terapeutyczny w grupie pilotażowej. Wartościową kontynuacją badania byłaby ocena wyników leczenia we wszystkich ZLŚ działających w ramach pilotażowych CZP.
Developing Appreciative Teams: A Latin American Perspective
Authors: Pavez Ignacio , Varona Federico
Published: September 2021

Como editores del presente número, creemos firmemente en el potencial del enfoque apreciativo para generar sistemas humanos más apreciativos, creativos, efectivos, vibrantes y florecientes en todas las culturas; incluyendo las culturas hispanoparlantes de América Latina y España. El proveer contenido en español también puede ofrecer herramientas efectivas con las que generar sistemas humanos y ecológicos más resilientes y florecientes. As the editors of this issue, we fully believe in the potential of the appreciative approach to create more appreciative, creative, effective, vibrant and thriving human systems in all cultures, including the Spanish-speaking cultures of Latin America and Spain. Providing content in Spanish can offer specific tools with which to generate more resilient and flourishing human and ecological systems.
Microstructure Analysis of Magnesium Alloy Electrodes in Seawater Batteries
Authors: Ruzuqi Rezza , Waas Victor Danny , Ulath Muhammad Ali
Published: September 2021

Microstructural analysis has been performed on magnesium alloy electrodes, the material used for saltwater lantern batteries. This research aims to obtain detailed and accurate information needed to support the analysis of magnesium alloy corrosion resistance caused by the electrolysis process using various analytical methods in SEM(Scanning Electron Microscopy). It is a tool that uses an electron beam to display the surface structure and composition of a test material. The test carried out on this magnesium alloy electrode is to crush the electrode into a fine powder. Then the powder is put into a container for SEM-EDS testing. Magnifications start from 1,000xuntil 15,000x. The results showed that the greater the magnification on the microscope, the more it was seen that the lumps looked brittle. Then on the surface of the magnesium alloy electrodes, 58.00 wt% magnesium material is contained.
Hydrostatic Stress and Fatigue Crack Growth of Notched Ti6Al4V in Aggressive Media
Authors: Baragetti Sergio
Published: September 2021

The behavior of structures, machine or components made of composite materials or light high-performance alloys is still a great concern for applications in which high strength-to-mas-ratio is a fundamental requirement. Procedures to detect flaws of small initial cracks and evaluate fatigue crack growth are nowadays essentials for high performance flying or ground machines (airplanes, automobiles,...). Structural reliability and structural health monitoring are considered in this paper and the surface replica method is deepened. Numerical FEM models were developed to assist the surface replica method analysis of the results. Ti6Al4V alloy was considered. This paper is a short technical communication.
Drill splatter in orthopaedic procedures and its importance during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kabariti Rakan , Green Natalie , Turner Robert
Published: September 2021

Aims

During the COVID-19 pandemic, drilling has been classified as an aerosol-generating procedure. However, there is limited evidence on the effects of bone drilling on splatter generation. Our aim was to quantify the effect of drilling on splatter generation within the orthopaedic operative setting.

Methods

This study was performed using a Stryker System 7 dual rotating drill at full speed. Two fluid mediums (Videne (Solution 1) and Fluorescein (Solution 2)) were used to simulate drill splatter conditions. Drilling occurred at saw bone level (0 cm) and at different heights (20 cm, 50 cm, and 100 cm) above the target to simulate the surgeon ‘working arm length’, with and without using a drill guide. The furthest droplets were marked and the droplet displacement was measured in cm. A surgical microscope was used to detect microscopic droplets.

Results

Bone drilling produced 5 cm and 7 cm droplet displacement using Solutions 1 and 2, respectively. Drilling at 100 cm above the target produced the greatest splatter generation with a 95 cm macroscopic droplet displacement using Solution 2. Microscopic droplet generation was noticed at further distances than what can be macroscopically seen using Solution 1 (98 cm). Using the drill guide, there was negligible drill splatter generation.

Conclusion

Our study has shown lower than anticipated drill splatter generation. The use of a drill guide acted as a protective measure and significantly reduced drill splatter. We therefore recommend using a drill guide at all times to reduce the risk of viral transmission in the operative setting. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(9):752–756.
Implicit tracking approach for X-ray phase-contrast imaging with a random mask and a conventional system
Authors: Quénot Laurène , Rougé-Labriet Hélène , Bohic Sylvain , Berujon Sebastien , Brun Emmanuel
Published: September 2021

X-ray phase contrast imaging (PCI) has shown great potential for clinical investigation of soft tissues. However, most of the existing X-ray PCI modalities require either a partially coherent source such as a synchrotron or complex setups that are barely compatible with low-dose and patient tomography. This work demonstrates the possibility to efficiently achieve PCI on a low coherence system with a conventional X-ray tube and a detector compatible with a clinical routine. This was accomplished by adapting the speckle-based imaging setup and the numerical phase retrieval processing methods to the low coherence and the low resolution of the experiment.