bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Dynamics Leading to the Decline in Enrolment of Grade 10 Accounting Learners in Selected Secondary Schools in the Mthatha Education District of South Africa
Authors: Gobingca Berington Zanoxolo , Kiva Odwa
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this research was to assess the dynamics leading to the decline in enrolment of grade 10 Accounting learners in selected secondary schools in the Mthatha Education District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The case study research design was employed as this research focused only on grade 10 learners in secondary schools in Mthatha. The qualitative approach was adopted. The purposive sampling technique was used to select six grade 10 learners from six participating secondary schools. The face-to-face interviews were used to gather data from sampled six grade 10 Accounting learners. The Constructivist Theoretical Framework was adopted. The thematic approach was employed to analyse the collected data. It emerged that learners dropped interest in studying Accounting because they lack therein to have sufficient and relevant content knowledge resulting from incompletion of the syllabus and few basic Accounting concepts in Economic Management Sciences (EMS) subject. It was recommended that EMS teachers should complete the syllabus and add some Accounting concepts in their annual teaching plans (ATPs) to familiarise themselves with and enhance the learners’ desire to enrol in their higher classes. It was also recommended that Accounting teachers should adopt user-friendly teaching pedagogics as well as professionalism that could inspire and empower learners to master the subject content. Lastly, the curriculum planners should re-visit the EMS syllabus to ensure that it prepares the learners for Accounting in higher grades. The findings will be of benefit to all secondary schools in South Africa experiencing the decline in enrolment of learners in their subjects.

Keywords: Accounting, Annual teaching plans, Decline enrolment, Economic and Management Sciences, Enrolment of learners, Secondary schools.
Assessing Chaplaincy Ministry as a Christ-Woven Nest in Times of Disaster
Authors: Mujinga Martin
Published: May 2024

The Chaplaincy Ministry is practised in most closed communities, such as uniformed forces, medical institutions, funeral homes, educational institutions and orphan and vulnerable communities. Its relevance in Zimbabwe has been critiqued as it has not been able to demonstrate itself as God’s presence during disasters such as cyclones. The displacement of people in Chimanimani and Chipinge communities in the Eastern side of Zimbabwe, the death of their relatives and the destruction of their properties brought some traumatic experiences that the Church was not able to deal with. Churches in Zimbabwe joined the government and civic organisations to provide humanitarian aid to the distressed communities but unfortunately missed the primary aim of the church journeying along with the distressed. This qualitative research paper argued that, unlike the government and civic organisations that give humanitarian aid and leave the devasted areas, the role of chaplaincy ministry was for the church to commit itself to the daily struggles of the traumatised populace. The paper challenged the churches in Zimbabwe to be like a Christ-woven nest that protects, provides, and prays for communities grappling with the omnipotence of God in times of disaster. The paper concluded by proffering a challenge to the church in Zimbabwe to either function as a centre of God’s presence in the shattered communities or be like a charity organisation in humanitarian aid alongside the non-governmental organisations and the government which is not her call. This paper contributes significantly to scholarship as there is limited literature on chaplaincy from an African genre and more importantly resources that define the role of the church in troubled communities. This paper provides a solution for churches struggling with the approach to take when disasters loom and people are questioning the omnipotence of God during a crisis.

Keywords: Chaplaincy Ministry, Woven Nest, Disaster, Cyclone Idai
African Piano Series Beginners Level 2
Authors: Gyebi-Tweneboah Kwasi
Published: May 2024

Music has always been an integral part of the life of the African. From the day a child is born, till the person’s death, music plays a critical role through the rites of passage and other important functions. Given this, learning about musical instruments is critical to African society. The piano, although not African in origin, has come to stay and has become part and parcel of African society since its introduction to Africa. Although the above statement in itself is true, few piano tutors focus on African centered rhythms. The book consists of short piano pieces to introduce beginners to the basic rhythms of African origin. All songs and arrangements unless otherwise stated were composed by the author. This book seeks to introduce the learner to very simple rhythms to begin the life of the African Musician on the piano. The Pieces are carefully composed to help the learner with the basics of piano playing. I hope that this book will help bring out the musical talents of young musicians in Africa and beyond.
Consensus statements for influenza awareness, prevention, and vaccination in Pakistan
Authors: Jamil Bushra , Ahmed Raeefuddin , Bashir Uzma , Luxmi Shobha , Kulsoom Samreen , Ashraf Saadia , Hamid Muhammad H , Farooq Fawad , Arshad Ainan , Hussain Altaf , Ali Tabrez
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Influenza is a serious underestimated viral infection in Pakistan and influenza vaccination and vaccination awareness are low. The current work aimed to develop consensus on influenza epidemiology, prevention, vaccination, and awareness in Pakistan.
Methodology: A systematic literature search was conducted to develop recommendations on influenza vaccines in Pakistan. Experts' feedback was incorporated using the modified Delphi method. A three-step process was used, with 18 experts from different specialties from Pakistan who participated in voting rounds to achieve a minimum 75% agreement level.
Results: Pakistan has a low-immunization-rate and is susceptible to serious influenza outbreaks and influenza-related complications. Influenza circulates year-round in Pakistan but peaks during January and February. The subtype A/H1N1 is predominant. The experts urged vaccination in all individuals ≥ 6 months of age and with no contraindications. They highlighted special considerations for those with comorbidities and specific conditions. The experts agreed that the inactivated influenza vaccine is safe and efficient in pregnant women, immunocompromised, and comorbid respiratory and cardiovascular patients. Finally, the experts recommended conducting promotional and educational programs to raise awareness on influenza and vaccination.
Conclusions: This is the first regional consensus on influenza and influenza vaccination in Pakistan with experts’ recommendations to increase influenza vaccination and decrease influenza cases and its associated detrimental effects.
Drug repurposing: identification of SARS-CoV-2 potential inhibitors by virtual screening and pharmacokinetics strategies
Authors: Rashid Zubia , Fatima Amal , Khan Areeba , Matthew Jennifer , Yousaf Muhammad Z , Nadeem Neha , Hasan Tarique N , Rehman Mati Ur , Naqvi Syed S , Khan Saad J
Published: May 2024

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused global health, economic, and population loss. Variants of the coronavirus contributed to the severity of the disease and persistent rise in infections. This study aimed to identify potential drug candidates from fifteen approved antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 (6LU7), SARS-CoV (5B6O), and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (6M0J) using virtual screening and pharmacokinetics to gain insights into COVID-19 therapeutics.
Methodology: We employed drug repurposing approach to analyze binding performance of fifteen clinically approved antiviral drugs against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (6LU7), SARS-CoV (5B6O), and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins bound to ACE-2 receptor (6M0J), to provide an insight into the therapeutics of COVID-19. AutoDock Vina was used for docking studies. The binding affinities were calculated, and 2-3D structures of protein-ligand interactions were drawn.
Results: Rutin, hesperidin, and nelfinavir are clinically approved antiviral drugs with high binding affinity to proteins 6LU7, 5B6O, and 6M0J. These ligands have excellent pharmacokinetics, ensuring efficient absorption, metabolism, excretion, and digestibility. Hesperidin showed the most potent interaction with spike protein 6M0J, forming four H-bonds. Nelfinavir had a high human intestinal absorption (HIA) score of 0.93, indicating maximum absorption in the body and promising interactions with 6LU7.
Conclusions: Our results indicated that rutin, hesperidin, and nelfinavir had the highest binding results against the proposed drug targets. The computational approach effectively identified SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. COVID-19 is still a recurrent threat globally and predictive analysis using natural compounds might serve as a starting point for new drug development against SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses.
Management of severe tetanus in Afghanistan: lessons from the field
Authors: Spagnolello Ornella , Aryan Ahmad K , Ahmadzai Muhebullah , Dost Arezo , Boosti Abdul G , Ceccarelli Giancarlo , Portella Gina , Baiardo Redaelli Martina
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Tetanus is a rather rare disease in the Western countries thanks to widespread vaccination programs and the availability of prophylactics for patients with tetanus-prone injuries. The few cases that do occur are promptly managed in intensive care units (ICUs). However, tetanus is not so rare in developing countries, where access to a suitable level of care is limited. An unstable political situation can be a significant factor influencing patient outcomes.
Case report: A ten-year-old boy presented at the EMERGENCY hospital in Lashkar-Gah (southern Afghanistan) with generalized tetanus after falling off his bicycle. In response to his rapidly deteriorating general conditions – respiratory failure and hemodynamic instability – the patient was urgently transferred by ambulance to the ICU at the EMERGENCY hospital in Kabul (northern Afghanistan). The patient was placed on mechanical ventilation while receiving intravenous sedation and pharmacologic paralysis for almost four weeks. A prolonged infusion of a high dose of magnesium sulphate and labetalol was also given to counteract autonomic dysfunction. Multiple complications related to the long stay in the ICU were observed and promptly addressed. During this period, several mass casualties took place in Kabul, which stretched the hospital’s surge capacity. The patient was discharged and accompanied back to Lashkar-Gah three months after his admission to the hospital.
Conclusion: This case report shows some of the many difficulties that arise when managing a patient with severe tetanus in a war zone where resources are limited.
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing confirmed a case of sporadic human infection with Streptococcus suis in an urban area
Authors: Ye Youwen , Gu Huajie , Li Tianyu , Dai Xiaoyong , Shi Bin
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Streptococcus suis (S. suis) disease is a zoonotic infection caused by invasive S. suis and can lead to meningitis, septic shock, arthritis, and endocarditis. Early treatment is the key to reducing mortality. However, clinical manifestations of most cases are atypical, severely limiting rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Case report: Here, we report a 74-year-old female patient diagnosed with S. suis infection. The main symptoms were hearing loss, lumbago, and scattered ecchymosis of the lower extremities and trunk. Blood non-specific infection indexes were significantly increased and platelets were significantly decreased; however, no pathogens were obtained from routine blood culture. Finally, the S. suis infection was confirmed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of blood and cerebrospinal fluid. After antibiotic treatment, the limb and trunk scattered ecchymosis and lumbago symptoms were significantly relieved, but the hearing did not recover.
Conclusions: Human infection with S. suis is rare in central cities, and it is easy to misdiagnose, especially in cases with atypical early symptoms. mNGS technology, combined with clinical observation, is helpful to clarify the direction of diagnosis and treatment, which is conducive to patient recovery.
Streptococcus pneumoniae among the children of Aden, Yemen: a cross-sectional report of post-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Authors: Matran Yasser M , Al-Haddad Ahmed M , Kour Avleen , Al-Shehabi Hussein , Sharma Sarika , Suttee Ashish , Sharma Sandeep
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae cause a significant global health challenge. We aimed to determine nasopharyngeal carriage, serotypes distribution, and antimicrobial profile of pneumococci among the children of Aden.
Methodology: A total of 385 children, aged 2-17 years, were included. Asymptomatic samples were randomly collected from children in selected schools and vaccination centers. Symptomatic samples were obtained from selected pediatric clinics. The nasopharyngeal swabs were tested for pneumococci using culture and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serotyping was done with a pneumotest-latex kit and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disc diffusion and Epsilometer test.
Results: The total pneumococcal carriage was 44.4% and 57.1% by culture and RT-PCR, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between carriage rate and living in single room (OR = 7.9; p = 0.00001), sharing a sleeping space (OR = 15.1; p = 0.00001), and low monthly income (OR = 2.02; p = 0.007). The common serotypes were 19, 1, 4, 5, 2, and 23. The proportion of non-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (non-PCV13) serotypes was 24%. Pneumococci were resistant to penicillin (96.5%), cefepime (15.8%), ceftriaxone (16.4%), and amoxicillin-clavulanate (0%). Erythromycin, azithromycin, and doxycycline had resistance rates of 48%, 31%, and 53.3%, respectively.
Conclusions: A high pneumococcal carriage rate was observed in Yemeni children, particularly in low-income households and shared living conditions. There was significant penicillin resistance at meningitis breakpoint. Furthermore, non-PCV13 serotypes were gradually replacing PCV13 serotypes. The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and stewardship to improve vaccination and antibiotic policies in Yemen.
A new species of Rhopalopsole (Plecoptera, Leuctridae) from Hainan Province, China
Authors: Yang Xiao , Du Yu-Zhou
Published: May 2024

Hainan Province is an island in the south of China and belongs to the Oriental Region. It has a unique geographical location and superior climatic conditions, providing a good living environment for Leuctridae insects. However, the species richness of the stonefly family Leuctridae in Hainan is low. Two species in total have been recorded, Rhopalopsole bawanglinga Li, Li & Yang, 2023 and Rhopalopsole hainana Li & Yang, 2010.

A new species of Leuctridae (Plecoptera) from Wuzhi Mountains, Hainan Province of south China, Rhopalopsole wuzhishana sp. nov. is described and illustrated. We summarised the Leuctridae in Hainan Province and provide supplemental description and colour plates of Rhopalopsole hainana Li & Yang, 2010.
Revision of the Austrelatus papuensis group with descriptions of 42 new species from New Guinea (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Copelatinae)
Authors: Shaverdo Helena , Hendrich Lars , Surbakti Suriani , Panjaitan Rawati , Balke Michael
Published: May 2024

TheAustrelatus papuensisgroup is the second species group of the New Guinean representatives of the recently described genusAustrelatusShaverdo et al., 2023. The group is mainly defined by distinct scale- and/or spinula-like surface structures of the dorsal sclerite of the median lobe. The species group already contains four described species and 42 new species and one subspecies treated here:Austrelatus aiyurensissp. nov.,A. asteiossp. nov.,A. bewaniensissp. nov.,A. bosaviensissp. nov.,A. bundunensissp. nov.,A. centralensissp. nov.,A. craterensissp. nov.,A. decorissp. nov.,A. dekaisp. nov.,A. epicharissp. nov.,A. flavocapitatussp. nov.,A. fuscussp. nov.,A. herzogensissp. nov.,A. inconstanssp. nov.,A. iriatoisp. nov.,A. kalibumisp. nov.,A. kebarensissp. nov.,A. kokodensissp. nov.,A. leptossp. nov.,A. lolokisp. nov.,A. lopintolensissp. nov.,A. madangensissp. nov.,A. maindaisp. nov.,A. mamberamosp. nov.,A. mianminensissp. nov.,A. miltokarenossp. nov.,A. noiadisp. nov.,A. normanbyensissp. nov.,A. ohusp. nov.,A. posmanisp. nov.,A. procerussp. nov.,A. pseudogestroisp. nov.,A. pseudomianminensissp. nov.,A. robustussp. nov.,A. sarartisp. nov.,A. sumokedisp. nov.,A. wanangensissp. nov.,A. wasiorensissp. nov.,A. wasurensissp. nov.,A. weigelisp. nov.,A. yamurensissp. nov.,A. yeretuarsp. nov.,A. xanthocephalus nabirensisssp. nov.A checklist and identification key to New Guinean species of the group are provided and important diagnostic characters are illustrated. Data on the species distributions and habiat preferences are given.
Collision detection and external force estimation for robot manipulators using a composite momentum observer
Authors: Ibari Benaoumeur , Hebali Mourad , Rezali Baghdadi , Bennaoum Menaouer
Published: May 2024

The collision detection and estimation of external forces for robot manipulators are essential to ensure compliance and safety in the interaction between the robot and the environment or humans. The focus of this paper was to design a hybrid approach for collision detection between robots and their environment, and further to estimate external forces acting on a robot manipulator without the need for additional sensors. The current collision detection methods using observers are still suffering from the problem of an unavoidable trade-off between the estimation sensitivity and the reduction of the peaking value at the initial time. To satisfy both robustness and avoid peaking phenomenon at the initial time, a composite observer was designed, consisting of both a momentum observer and an extended state observer. The first observer provides high-precision tracking, while the second one reduces the peak value at the start. Through their complementary roles, the composite observer achieves improved performance in terms of sensitivity and reducing the peaking value. Simulation results, conducted using a 2-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) robot manipulator, attest to the efficacy of the proposed approach.
Model averaging with causal effects for partially linear models
Authors: Zhang Xiaowei , Li Junliang
Published: May 2024

Treatment effects with heterogeneity and heteroskedasticity are widely studied and applied in many fields, such as statistics and econometrics. The conditional average treatment effect provides an excellent measure of the heterogeneous treatment effect. In this paper, we propose a model averaging estimation for the conditional average treatment effect with partially linear models based on the jackknife-type criterion under heteroscedastic error. Within this context, we provide theoretical justification for our model averaging approach, and we establish asymptotic optimality and weight convergence properties for our model under certain conditions. The performance of our proposed estimator is compared with that of classical estimators by using a Monte Carlo study and empirical analysis.
Asymptotic behavior of some differential inequalities with mixed delays on time scales and their applications
Authors: Wang Bingxian , Xu Mei
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we investigate the asymptotic stability of the trajectories governed by some delay differential inequalities on time scales. Based on time scale theory and the fixed-point theorem, some sufficient conditions are obtained for guaranteeing asymptotic stability. It is interesting that the inequalities studied in this paper include the generalized Halanay inequalities. Due to the fact that dynamic systems on a time scale unify discrete and continuous systems, the results of this paper have wider application value. Furthermore, some numerical examples verify the main results.
AttBiLFNet: A novel hybrid network for accurate and efficient arrhythmia detection in imbalanced ECG signals
Authors: Efe Enes , Yavsan Emrehan
Published: May 2024

Within the domain of cardiovascular diseases, arrhythmia is one of the leading anomalies causing sudden deaths. These anomalies, including arrhythmia, are detectable through the electrocardiogram, a pivotal component in the analysis of heart diseases. However, conventional methods like electrocardiography encounter challenges such as subjective analysis and limited monitoring duration. In this work, a novel hybrid model, AttBiLFNet, was proposed for precise arrhythmia detection in ECG signals, including imbalanced class distributions. AttBiLFNet integrates a Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) network with a convolutional neural network (CNN) and incorporates an attention mechanism using the focal loss function. This architecture is capable of autonomously extracting features by harnessing BiLSTM's bidirectional information flow, which proves advantageous in capturing long-range dependencies. The attention mechanism enhances the model's focus on pertinent segments of the input sequence, which is particularly beneficial in class imbalance classification scenarios where minority class samples tend to be overshadowed. The focal loss function effectively addresses the impact of class imbalance, thereby improving overall classification performance. The proposed AttBiLFNet model achieved 99.55% accuracy and 98.52% precision. Moreover, performance metrics such as MF1, K score, and sensitivity were calculated, and the model was compared with various methods in the literature. Empirical evidence showed that AttBiLFNet outperformed other methods in terms of both accuracy and computational efficiency. The introduced model serves as a reliable tool for the timely identification of arrhythmias.
Towards an Understanding of Cloud Computing Adoption in SMEs
Authors: Nagahawatta Ruwan , Warren Matthew , Salzman Scott , Lokuge Sachithra
Published: May 2024

The advent of digital technologies such as cloud computing has provided enormous opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to digitalise their businesses. However, with increasing cloud computing adoption, the security and privacy threats to the SMEs are on the rise. By conducting an extensive review of literature, this paper examines and identifies the security factors that influence cloud computing adoption specifically by SMEs. The literature review focused on papers published in ten years related to the security requirements and associated cloud computing adoption factors by SMEs. The framework focused on understanding socio-technical factors that influence the intent to adopt cloud computing by SMEs. The findings attest to the impacts of key security and privacy-related factors (including cloud security standard, data privacy concerns, data security concerns, skilled personnel, technology readiness, perceived cloud security benefits, legal compliance and trust in cloud service providers) on SMEs' intent to adopt cloud computing.
Shotgun metagenomic investigation of foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes in artisanal fermented meat products from the Mediterranean area
Authors: Indio Valentina , Olivieri Chiara , Lucchi Alex , Savini Federica , Gonzales-Barron Ursula , Skandamis Panagiotis , Achemchem Fouad , Manfreda Gerardo , Serraino Andrea , De Cesare Alessandra
Published: May 2024

In this pilot study, we compared the metagenomic profiles of different types of artisanal fermented meat products collected in Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Morocco to investigate their taxonomic profile, also in relation to the presence of foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes. In addition, technical replicates of the same biological sample were tested to estimate the reproducibility of shotgun metagenomics. The taxonomic analysis showed a high level of variability between different fermented meat products at both the phylum and genus levels. Staphylococcus aureus was identified with the highest abundance in Italian fermented meat; Escherichia coli in fermented meat from Morocco; Salmonella enterica in fermented meat from Greece; Klebsiella pneumoniae and Yersinia enterocolitica in fermented meat from Portugal. The fungi Aspergillus, Neosartoria, Emericella, Penicillum and Debaryomyces showed a negative correlation with Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus. The resistome analysis indicated that genes conferring resistance to aminoglycoside, macrolide, and tetracycline were widely spread in all the samples. Our results showed that the reproducibility between technical replicates tested by shotgun metagenomic was very high under the same conditions of analysis (either DNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing analysis, and bioinformatic analysis), considering both the degree of overlapping and the pairwise correlation.
Evaluation of the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of TotalFill and NeoSEALER flo bioceramic sealers
Authors: Sebastian Sabatiny , El-Sayed Walid , Adtani Pooja , Zaarour Rania Faouzi , Nandakumar Aswathy , Elemam Ranya F. , Eid Bassem , Elsewify Tarek
Published: May 2024

Aim:

Evaluation of the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of TotalFill and NeoSEALER Flo bioceramic sealers compared to AH Plus resin sealer.

Materials and Methods:

Modified direct contact test was used on three sets of sealers: Freshly mixed sealers, sealers that were 1-day old, and sealers that were 7-day old. After 24 h of incubation, the colony-forming units were digitally counted using Promega Colony Counter after 30 and 60 min of exposure to Enterococcus faecalis. For cytotoxic effect evaluation, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed at three different time points: 24 h, 48 h, and 120 h after adding the sealer eluates to human gingival fibroblasts, to assess cell viability. Data were analyzed using mixed model analysis of variance followed by post hoc test.

Results:

TotalFill bioceramic sealer showed the highest bacterial reduction against E. faecalis throughout all intervals. AH Plus showed great antibacterial activity initially which reduced drastically after 7 days. All the sealers showed a reduction in their antibacterial activity with time. TotalFill and NeoSEALER Flo showed very high cell viability in contrast to AH Plus.

Conclusion:

TotalFill and NeoSEALER Flo demonstrate superior antimicrobial properties against E. faecalis which reduces with time. TotalFill and NeoSEALER Flo demonstrate acceptable biocompatibility against human gingival fibroblasts, which decreased over time.
Pulp regeneration treatment using different bioactive materials in permanent teeth of pediatric subjects
Authors: Abdellatif Dina , Iandolo Alfredo , De Benedetto Giuseppina , Giordano Francesco , Mancino Davide , Euvrard Edouard , Pisano Massimo
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives:

The present systematic review aims to assess the success rate of the pulp regeneration treatment, according to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) criteria, using different bioactive materials in permanent teeth of pediatric subjects (6–17 years of age).

Materials and Methods:

The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. The question formulation was accomplished using the PICO model, and an electronic search was carried out on Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases till April 1, 2023. A total of 30 studies were established to fulfill the inclusion criteria of this systematic review.

Results:

A total of 273 teeth have been treated with pulp regeneration treatment. By comparing different biomaterials and the success criteria defined by the AAE, the material associated with a higher success rate was found to be the white mineral trioxide aggregate. However, the overall success rate of pulp regeneration treatment was reported for 248 out of 273 teeth (91.20%).

Conclusions:

Data obtained support the potential that regenerative endodontics aids in continuing root development in permanent immature teeth. Further studies are needed for a more extensive evaluation of the use of different biomaterials and the success rate in regenerative endodontics.
Effect of phytopigments on discoloration of nanohybrid composite: An in vitro study
Authors: Geethanjali R. , Krishnamurthy Madhuram , Natanasabapathy Velmurugan , Kumar V. Naveen , Leburu Ashok , Elangovan Selvendran Kasiswamy
Published: May 2024

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to comparatively evaluate the effect of discoloration of nanohybrid composite by four different phytopigments.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty disk-shaped samples of nanohybrid (3M Filtek Z350) resin composites were prepared using an acrylic template of dimension 5 mm × 3 mm. They were randomly divided into five groups and immersed in solutions of tomato powder, beetroot powder, java plum powder, and turmeric powder. Distilled water was used as the control group. The samples were placed in respective solutions for 3 h daily and stored in artificial saliva for the rest of the day for 28 days. Color values (L*, a*, b*) were measured by colorimeter using the CIE L*a*b* system at the end of the 7th and 28th days of immersion. Color differences ΔE*ab were statistically analyzed.

Results:

All the samples showed a change in color of nanohybrid composite resin to varying degrees. The mean ΔE*ab value obtained with beetroot solution was the highest among all the groups at the end of the 7th and 28th days, depicting that beetroot solution showed maximum mean color variation, followed by java plum solution, turmeric solution, and tomato solution.

Conclusion:

All the phytopigments used in this study have the potential to discolor the nanohybrid composite resin, with beetroot causing the most severe discoloration.
Comparative evaluation of remineralization potential of novel bioactive agents on eroded enamel lesions: A single-blinded in vitro study
Authors: Behl Mansi , Taneja Sonali , Bhalla Vidhi Kiran
Published: May 2024

Objective:

The escalating prevalence of noncarious tooth wear stands as a critical concern in the backdrop of evolving lifestyles and dietary patterns. Dental erosion, a progressive condition induced by both endogenous and exogenous acidic influences, directly impacts enamel integrity, resulting in surface loss. The contemporary surge in carbonated beverage consumption further exacerbates this erosive milieu, underscoring the urgency for dental practitioners to adopt meticulous treatment strategies. Existing literature underscores a noteworthy 94% reduction in tooth erosion risk for individuals abstaining from sweetened soft beverages, emphasizing the imperative for a well-devised remineralization protocol to counter demineralized surfaces.

Methodology:

Seventy-three enamel specimens were taken. Forty samples were subjected to pre-operative hardness testing, and five samples were subjected to baseline EDX evaluation followed by grouping of samples (Group 1 = control Group; Group 2 = casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride [CPP-ACPF] Group; Group 3 = Biomin F Group; and Group 4 = self-assembling peptide [SAP] P-114 Group). A demineralization–remineralization cycle was carried out for 5 days followed by testing through Vickers Microhardness Tester, EDX Evaluation, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Imaging. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance followed by intergroup analysis using Tukey’s post hoc test with SPSS software 25.0 version.

Results:

The mean percentage change in microhardness values was 30.05% in Group 1, 24.21% in Group 2, 18.85% in Group 3, and 12.08% in Group 4. The mean Ca/P ratio of samples tested through EDAX was 2.20 at baseline, 1.40 in Group 1 (Control Group), 1.62 in Group 2 (CPP-ACPF), 1.82 in Group 3 (Biomin F), and 2.01 in Group 4 (SAP-P114). Postintervention values were statistically significant from baseline values in both parameters.

Conclusion:

Curodont Protect exhibits superior efficacy, offering valuable insights for future in vivo studies and clinical applications. The multifaceted evaluation, encompassing microhardness testing, SEM analysis, and EDXS assessment, contributes to a nuanced interpretation of the agents’ impact, paving the way for informed decisions in clinical practice and future research endeavors.
Sealing of pulp chamber dentin in endodontics: Influence of bond strategy and time-point application
Authors: Puetate Cristian Fernando Sanchez , Girotto Aline Carvalho , Zaniboni Joissi Ferrari , Gelio Mariana Bena , Besegato João Felipe , Kuga Milton Carlos
Published: May 2024

Context:

Seal the dentin of the pulp chamber during endodontic treatment to avoid interfering with the restorative treatment performed afterward.

Aims:

The aim was to evaluate the effect of three adhesive systems applied in different bonding strategies (etch-and-rinse, self-etch, and universal adhesive) and time-point application (immediately after the cavity access preparation or after endodontic obturation) on the hybrid layer formation and dentinal penetrability.

Materials and Methods:

Forty-eight sound molars were randomly distributed into six groups (n = 10) according to the adhesive system used: Forty-eight sound molars were randomly distributed into six groups (n = 10) according to the adhesive system used and the time-point application: Adper Scotchbond Multi-purpose (AS), Clearfil SE (CF) and Scotchbond Universal (SU) in strategy of immediate endodontic sealing (IES) or delayed endodontic sealing (DES). In IES-AS, IES-CF, and IES-SU groups, dentin sealing was performed immediately after the cavity access, while in DES-AS, DES-CF, and DES-SU, after root canal obturation. The specimens were sectioned in the long axis, in a buccal-lingual direction, and the dentinal penetrability of the adhesive systems was evaluated using confocal microscopy images. Hybrid layer formation was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy images.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Dentinal penetrability data were analyzed with the ANOVA test and the Kruskal–Wallis test was performed for hybrid layer data (α = 0.05).

Results:

IES-CF showed the lowest dentinal penetrability (P < 0.05), while the other protocols were similar to each other (P > 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups regarding the hybrid layer formation (P > 0.05). Immediate and DES protocols do not influence the hybrid layer formation, regardless of the bond strategy used.

Conclusions:

Sealing the pulp chamber dentin before endodontic treatment can improve the bond strength of the final restoration but the formation of the hybrid layer was not influenced by the bond strategy.
Cleaning efficacy and debris extrusion of supplementary file systems XP-endo Finisher and XP-endo Finisher R in endodontic retreatment
Authors: Agarwal Divyanshi , Raghavendra Srinidhi Surya
Published: May 2024

Aim:

To evaluate cleaning efficacy and debris extrusion of supplementary file systems XP Endo Finisher (XPEF) and XP Endo Finisher R (XPEFR) in endodontic retreatment.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty single-rooted teeth with single canals were selected, canal preparation done till file #30 6% and obturation completed using lateral condensation technique with AH Plus sealer. The samples were stored at 37°C in a 100% humidity incubator for 7 days. The samples were distributed across the three groups according to the method of retreatment (n = 10): Group I: Neo Endo retreatment (NER) files, Group II: NER files + XPEF, and Group III: NER files + XPEFR. Removal of gutta percha using each file system according to the distributed groups was performed. The extruded debris was collected in an Eppendorf tube, dried in a hot air oven, and weighed. Teeth were sliced longitudinally using carborundum discs. Coronal, middle, and apical thirds were assessed for cleaning efficacy under a stereomicroscope. Results were tabulated and subjected to the statistical analysis using the Kruskal–Wallis H-test followed by post hoc turkey HSD test. All statistical tests were carried out at significance level P < 0.05.

Results:

It was seen that Group II (NER files + XPEF) exhibited better cleaning efficacy than Group III (NER files + XPEFR), although the results were not statistically significant. Greater debris extrusion was seen with Group III when compared to Group II.

Conclusion:

Supplementary files XPEF/XPEFR enhance the cleaning efficacy in endodontic retreatment, but the debris extrusion of XPEFR is more than XPEF.
Role of copper chelating agents: between old applications and new perspectives in neuroscience
Authors: Leuci Rosalba , Brunetti Leonardo , Tufarelli Vincenzo , Cerini Marco , Paparella Marco , Puvača Nikola , Piemontese Luca
Published: May 2024

The role of copper element has been an increasingly relevant topic in recent years in the fields of human and animal health, for both the study of new drugs and innovative food and feed supplements. This metal plays an important role in the central nervous system, where it is associated with glutamatergic signaling, and it is widely involved in inflammatory processes. Thus, diseases involving copper (II) dyshomeostasis often have neurological symptoms, as exemplified by Alzheimer’s and other diseases (such as Parkinson’s and Wilson’s diseases). Moreover, imbalanced copper ion concentrations have also been associated with diabetes and certain types of cancer, including glioma. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive overview of recent results that show the importance of these metal ions in several pathologies, mainly Alzheimer’s disease, through the lens of the development and use of copper chelators as research compounds and potential therapeutics if included in multi-target hybrid drugs. Seeing how copper homeostasis is important for the well-being of animals as well as humans, we shortly describe the state of the art regarding the effects of copper and its chelators in agriculture, livestock rearing, and aquaculture, as ingredients for the formulation of feed supplements as well as to prevent the effects of pollution on animal productions.
Phase retrieval on circles and lines
Authors: Chalendar Isabelle , Partington Jonathan R.
Published: May 2024

Let f and g be analytic functions on the open unit disk
${\mathbb D}$
such that
$|f|=|g|$
on a set A. We give an alternative proof of the result of Perez that there exists c in the unit circle
${\mathbb T}$
such that
$f=cg$
when A is the union of two lines in
${\mathbb D}$
intersecting at an angle that is an irrational multiple of
$\pi $
, and from this, deduce a sequential generalization of the result. Similarly, the same conclusion is valid when f and g are in the Nevanlinna class and A is the union of the unit circle and an interior circle, tangential or not. We also provide sequential versions of this result and analyze the case
$A=r{\mathbb T}$
. Finally, we examine the most general situation when there is equality on two distinct circles in the disk, proving a result or counterexample for each possible configuration.
Increasing dietary fiber intake for type 2 diabetes mellitus management: A systematic review
Authors: Nitzke Douglas , Czermainski Juliana , Rosa Carolina , Coghetto Chaline , Fernandes Sabrina Alves , Carteri Randhall B
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic, non-communicable disease with a substantial global impact, affecting a significant number of individuals. Its etiology is closely tied to imbalanced dietary practices and sedentary lifestyles. Conversely, increasing die-tary fiber (DF) intake has consistently demonstrated health benefits in numerous studies, including improvements in glycemic control and weight management.

AIM

To investigate the efficacy of DF interventions in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted to explore the association between DF intake and the management of T2DM. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 26 studies were included in this review.

RESULTS

The main strategies implied to increased DF intake were: High DF diet plus acarbose (2 studies); DF supplements (14 studies); and high DF diets (10 studies). Overall, most studies indicated that increased DF intake resulted in im-provements in glycemic control and weight management in T2DM patients.

CONCLUSION

DF represents a valuable strategy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, improving health outcomes. DF intake offers the potential to improve quality of life and reduce complications and mortality associated with diabetes. Likewise, through supplements or enriched foods, DF contributes significantly to the control of several markers such as HbA1c, blood glucose, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and body weight.
Disparate outcomes in Hispanic patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease/steatohepatitis and type 2 diabetes: Large cohort study
Authors: Gosnell Joseph Matthew , Golovko George , Arroyave Esteban , Moghe Akshata , Kueht Michael L , Saldarriaga Omar Abdul , McKinney Kevin H , Stevenson Heather L , Ferguson Monique R
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) are a growing health burden across a significant portion of the global patient population. However, these conditions seem to have disparate rates and outcomes between different ethnic populations. The combination of MASLD/MASH and type 2 diabetes increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and Hispanic patients experience the greatest burden, particularly those in South Texas.

AIM

To compare outcomes between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients in the United States, while further focusing on the Hispanic population within Southeast Texas to determine whether the documented disparity in outcomes is a function of geographical circumstance or if there is a more widespread reason that all clinicians must account for in prognostic consideration.

METHODS

This cohort analysis was conducted with data obtained from TriNetX, LLC (“TriNetX”), a global federated health research network that provides access to deidentified medical records from healthcare organizations worldwide. Two cohort networks were used: University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) hospital and the United States national database collective to determine whether disparities were related to geographic regions, like Southeast Texas.

RESULTS

This study findings revealed Hispanics/Latinos have a statistically significant higher occurrence of HCC, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and liver fibrosis/cirrhosis in both the United States and the UTMB Hispanic/Latino groups. All-cause mortality in Hispanics/Latinos was lower within the United States group and not statistically elevated in the UTMB cohort.

CONCLUSION

This would appear to support that Hispanic patients in Southeast Texas are not uniquely affected compared to the national Hispanic population.
Serum bile acid and unsaturated fatty acid profiles of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Feng Su-Su , Wang Si-Jing , Guo Lin , Ma Pan-Pan , Ye Xiao-Long , Pan Ming-Lin , Hang Bo , Mao Jian-Hua , Snijders Antoine M , Lu Yi-Bing , Ding Da-Fa
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

The understanding of bile acid (BA) and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) profiles, as well as their dysregulation, remains elusive in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) coexisting with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Investigating these metabolites could offer valuable insights into the pathophysiology of NAFLD in T2DM.

AIM

To identify potential metabolite biomarkers capable of distinguishing between NAFLD and T2DM.

METHODS

A training model was developed involving 399 participants, comprising 113 healthy controls (HCs), 134 individuals with T2DM without NAFLD, and 152 individuals with T2DM and NAFLD. External validation encompassed 172 participants. NAFLD patients were divided based on liver fibrosis scores. The analytical approach employed univariate testing, orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis, logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and decision curve analysis to pinpoint and assess the diagnostic value of serum biomarkers.

RESULTS

Compared to HCs, both T2DM and NAFLD groups exhibited diminished levels of specific BAs. In UFAs, particular acids exhibited a positive correlation with NAFLD risk in T2DM, while the ω-6:ω-3 UFA ratio demonstrated a negative correlation. Levels of α-linolenic acid and γ-linolenic acid were linked to significant liver fibrosis in NAFLD. The validation cohort substantiated the predictive efficacy of these biomarkers for assessing NAFLD risk in T2DM patients.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the connection between altered BA and UFA profiles and the presence of NAFLD in individuals with T2DM, proposing their potential as biomarkers in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.
Efficacy of Huangma Ding or autologous platelet-rich gel for the diabetic lower extremity arterial disease patients with foot ulcers
Authors: Wang Xue-Qin , Pu Dan-Lan , Leng Wei-Ling , Lei Xiao-Tian , Juan Jiang , La Zou , Yao Ding , Xi Jia-Zhuang , Jian Li , Miao Teng , Wu Qi-Nan
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Diabetes foot is one of the most serious complications of diabetes and an important cause of death and disability, traditional treatment has poor efficacy and there is an urgent need to develop a practical treatment method.

AIM

To investigate whether Huangma Ding or autologous platelet-rich gel (APG) treatment would benefit diabetic lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) patients with foot ulcers.

METHODS

A total of 155 diabetic LEAD patients with foot ulcers were enrolled and divided into three groups: Group A (62 patients; basal treatment), Group B (38 patients; basal treatment and APG), and Group C (55 patients; basal treatment and Huangma Ding). All patients underwent routine follow-up visits for six months. After follow-up, we calculated the changes in all variables from baseline and determined the differences between groups and the relationships between parameters.

RESULTS

The infection status of the three groups before treatment was the same. Procalcitonin (PCT) improved after APG and Huangma Ding treatment more than after traditional treatment and was significantly greater in Group C than in Group B. Logistic regression analysis revealed that PCT was positively correlated with total amputation, primary amputation, and minor amputation rates. The ankle-brachial pressure and the transcutaneous oxygen pressure in Groups B and C were greater than those in Group A. The major amputation rate, minor amputation rate, and total amputation times in Groups B and C were lower than those in Group A.

CONCLUSION

Our research indicated that diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) lead to major amputation, minor amputation, and total amputation through local infection and poor microcirculation and macrocirculation. Huangma Ding and APG were effective attreating DFUs. The clinical efficacy of Huangma Ding was better than that of autologous platelet gel, which may be related to the better control of local infection by Huangma Ding. This finding suggested that in patients with DFUs combined with coinfection, controlling infection is as important as improving circulation.