bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antisense oligonucleotides: recent progress in the treatment of various diseases
Authors: Gopi Chandravadivelu , Dhanaraju Magharla Dasaratha , Dhanaraju Kavitha
Published: February 2022

Background

Antisense oligonucleotides are a promising novel class of therapeutic agents to treat different diseases in living things. They provide an efficient method for making target-selective agents because they change gene expression sequences. Therefore, the malfunctioning protein could be stopped, and the source of disease would be obliterated. The existing reviews of antisense oligonucleotides are focusing on discovery, development and concept. However, there is no review paper concerning the latest development of antisense oligonucleotides and their different therapeutic uses. Therefore, the present work has been targeting a comprehensive summary of newly synthesized antisense oligonucleotides and their biological activities.

Main body

Antisense oligonucleotides are different from traditional therapeutic agents that are planned to interact with mRNA and modulate protein expression through a unique mechanism of action. In the last three decades, several researchers revealed the newer antisense oligonucleotides found with a high therapeutic profile due to more selective action on the drug target and thus producing a lesser side effect and low toxicity. This review emphasizes the research work on antisense oligonucleotides and their therapeutic activities.

Short conclusion

With the support of the literature review, here we enlisted various antisense oligonucleotides that were prepared by appropriate technique and explored their pharmacological activities. To the best of our knowledge, it is the right time to consider the antisense oligonucleotides as a perfect choice of treatment for different diseases due to conceptual simplicity, more selective action, lesser side effects, low toxicity and permanent cure.

Graphical abstract
Effects of multivitamin, mineral and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on aggression among long-stay psychiatric in-patients: randomised clinical trial
Authors: de Bles Nienke J. , Rius-Ottenheim Nathaly , Geleijnse Johanna M. , van de Rest Ondine , Bogers Jan P.A.M. , Schat Anke , Nijman Henk L.I. , van den Berg David , Joos Lucas , van Strater Annelies , de Ridder Tine , Stolker Joost J. , van den Hout Wilbert B. , van Hemert Albert M. , Giltay Erik J.
Published: February 2022

Background

Aggression and violent incidents are a major concern in psychiatric in-patient care. Nutritional supplementation has been found to reduce aggressive incidents and rule violations in forensic populations and children with behavioural problems.

Aims

To assess whether multivitamin, mineral and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation would reduce the number of aggressive incidents among long-stay psychiatric in-patients.

Method

The trial was a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Data were collected from 25 July 2016 to 29 October 2019, at eight local sites for mental healthcare in The Netherlands and Belgium. Participants were randomised (1:1) to receive 6-month treatment with either three supplements containing multivitamins, minerals and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, or placebo. The primary outcome was the number of aggressive incidents, determined by the Staff Observation Aggression Scale – Revised (SOAS-R). Secondary outcomes were patient quality of life, affective symptoms and adverse events.

Results

In total, 176 participants were randomised (supplements, n = 87; placebo, n = 89). Participants were on average 49.3 years old (s.d. 14.5) and 64.2% were male. Most patients had a psychotic disorder (60.8%). The primary outcome of SOAS-R incidents was similar in supplement (1.03 incidents per month, 95% CI 0.74–1.37) and placebo groups (0.90 incidents per month, 95% CI 0.65–1.19), with a rate ratio of 1.08 (95% CI 0.67–1.74, P = 0.75). Differential effects were not found in sensitivity analyses on the SOAS-R or on secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

Six months of nutritional supplementation did not reduce aggressive incidents among long-stay psychiatric in-patients.
Regulation of Wnt distribution and function by Drosophila glypicans
Authors: Waghmare Indrayani , Page-McCaw Andrea
Published: February 2022

The extracellular distribution of secreted Wnt proteins is crucial for their ability to induce a response in target cells at short and long ranges to ensure proper development. Wnt proteins are evolutionarily conserved ligands that are lipid-modified, and their hydrophobic nature interferes with their solubility in the hydrophilic extracellular environment. This raises the question of how Wnt proteins spread extracellularly despite their lipid modifications, which are essential for both their secretion and function. Seminal studies on Drosophila Wingless (Wg), a prototypical Wnt, have discovered multiple mechanisms by which Wnt proteins spread. A central theme emerges from these studies: the Wnt lipid moiety is shielded from the aqueous environment, allowing the ligands to spread and remain viable for signaling. Wnt distribution in vivo is primarily facilitated by glypicans, which are cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans, and recent studies have further provided mechanistic insight into how glypicans facilitate Wnt distribution. In this Review, we discuss the many diverse mechanisms of Wnt distribution, with a particular focus on glypican-mediated mechanisms.
Stopped-flow-optical Absorption and -ESR Detection of Rutin (Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) B-ring Catechol Aroxyl Radicals Generated during Redox Reaction between Rutin and O2−• Radical in DMSO
Authors: Kuwabara Keiko , Nishio Natsuki , Nakano Ryota , Sakurai Yasuhiro , Yamaguchi Tomoko , Miyake Yusuke , Kanaori Kenji , Tajima Kunihiko
Published: February 2022

Stopped-flow-optical absorption and -electron spin resonance spectroscopies were employed to analyze the kinetic behaviors of short-lived intermediate radicals in redox reactions between electrochemically generated O2−• radicals and rutin (Rut(OH)2) in DMSO. The results of both studies indicate the formation of a rutin B-ring catechol-derived aroxyl (Rut(OH)O•) radical in the presence of excess amounts of rutin.
Study of spinel oxide alloys Mn3O4 based for printed temperature sensors
Authors: Κατερινοπούλου Δήμητρα
Published: February 2022

Η θερμοκρασία αποτελεί σημαντικό παράγοντα στην καθημερινότητα του ανθρώπου και με τη χρήση αντίστοιχων αισθητήρων μπορεί να επιτευχθεί η καταγραφή και ο έλεγχος της. Υπάρχουν διάφορα είδη αισθητήρων θερμοκρασίας, μεταξύ των οποίων οι αισθητήρες τύπου θερμίστορ με αρνητικό συντελεστή αντίστασης (NTC). Συνήθως είναι κατασκευασμένοι από οξείδια σπινελίων και λόγω του μεγάλου εύρους θερμοκρασιών που καλύπτουν κατέχουν εξέχουσα θέση. Η ανάγκη για επιφάνειες που να μπορούν να καταγράφουν τη χωρική και χρονική μεταβολή της θερμοκρασίας κρίνεται σημαντική για πολλές εφαρμογές. Η υλοποίηση τέτοιων επιφανειών απαιτεί την εναπόθεση εκατοντάδων αισθητήρων σε μεγάλες περιοχές, και αυτό επιτυγχάνεται ιδανικά με τεχνολογίες εκτύπωσης. Ωστόσο, σημαντικό εμπόδιο στην χρήση τέτοιων τεχνολογιών είναι η πολυπλοκότητα και οι υψηλές θερμοκρασίες που απαιτούνται κατά την κατασκευή τους σε συνδυασμό με τα άκαμπτα υποστρώματα. Συνεπώς, κρίνεται δύσκολη η ενσωμάτωση τους σε μεγάλες ή/και εύκαμπτες επιφάνειες, σε συνδυασμό με την κατανόηση του μηχανισμού αγωγιμότητας τους.Σε αυτή τη διδακτορική διατριβή, μελετάμε το μηχανισμό αγωγιμότητας κραμάτων τριμερών οξειδίων των σπινελίων Zn0.5NixMn2.5-xO4 και ZnxNi0.5Mn2.5-xO4, με την περιεκτικότητα των νικελίου (Ni) και ψευδαργύρου (Zn) να κυμαίνεται μεταξύ 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25 αντίστοιχα. Η μελέτη ως προς την αγωγιμότητα των κραμάτων, κατέληξε σε μια ασυνήθιστη εκθετική εξάρτηση με τη θερμοκρασία, η οποία σχετίζεται κυρίως με τα δομικά χαρακτηριστικά τους. Ειδικότερα, για το σύστημα με την προσθήκη νικελίου, πραγματοποιήθηκαν και θεωρητικοί υπολογισμοί (DFT) εστιασμένοι στις δομικές και ηλεκτρονικές ιδιότητες. Συγκεκριμένα για τις ενδιάμεσες περιεκτικότητες Ni, παρατηρήθηκε τόσο μέσω των πειραματικών αποτελεσμάτων όσο και μέσω των θεωρητικών υπολογισμών η συνύπαρξη κυβικών και τετραγωνικών φάσεων μαζί με την παρουσία μετασταθών μαγνητικών διαμορφώσεων σε θερμοκρασία δωματίου. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τη μεταφορά πολαρονίου σε πλησιέστερο ιοντικό γείτονα (nearest-neighbor polaron) σε ένα ανομοιογενές ενεργειακό τοπίο, προτείνεται ένα νέο μοντέλο μηχανισμού αγωγιμότητας (τύπου hopping), το οποίο περιγράφει ακριβώς την εξάρτηση της αγωγιμότητας με τη θερμοκρασία σε αυτά τα υλικά.Επιπλέον, παρουσιάζεται ένας εκτυπώσιμος αισθητήρας θερμίστρ τύπου NTC ο οποίος κατασκευάστηκε με τη χρήση ενός μικτού υλικού. Αυτό αποτελείται από ένα σύνθετο οξείδιο σπινελίου με βάση το μαγγάνιο σε μορφή σκόνης, διασκορπισμένο σε πολυμερές υλικό, ρητίνη βενζοκυκλοβουτενίου (BCB). Ο εκτυπώσιμος αισθητήρας έδειξε εξαιρετική σταθερότητα σε διαφορετικές θερμοκρασίες περιβάλλοντος και η επιλογή του συγκεκριμένου πολυμερούς ανέδειξε την αντοχή του σε διαφορετικά επίπεδα υγρασίας, με μεταβολή στην αντίσταση λιγότερο από 1°C. Τέλος, η επιτυχής εναπόθεση των αισθητήρων πάνω σε μεγάλες επιφάνειες επιβεβαιώθηκε με την επίδειξη ενός χεριού τοποθετημένου πάνω σε ένα εύκαμπτο υπόστρωμα με εκτυπωμένους περισσότερους από 400 αισθητήρες, όπου το περίγραμμα του χεριού και οι αλλαγές της θερμοκρασίας αναδείχθηκαν εμφανώς.
Ο ρόλος της Μαίας και της συμβουλευτικής στο Μητρικό Θηλασμό σε περιστατικά παθολογίας κύησης στην Κεντρική Ελλάδα
Authors: Τρουβά Θεόνη-Ιωάννα
Published: February 2022

Στόχος: Στόχος της μελέτης ήταν να διερευνηθεί η επίδραση μιας δομημένης εξατομικευμένης εκπαιδευτικής παρέμβασης θηλασμού από μαία στην αύξηση των ποσοστών μητρικού θηλασμού σε γυναίκες με ενδοκρινικά νοσήματα κύησης και γυναίκες χαμηλού κινδύνου σε σύγκριση με τις γυναίκες που λαμβάνουν τυπική φροντίδα, 24 μήνες μετά τον τοκετό.Mέθοδοι: Διακόσιες γυναίκες αποτελούσαν τον πληθυσμό της μελέτης. Οι 100 γυναίκες με ενδοκρινικά νοσήματα κύησης και 100 γυναίκες που αποτελούσαν την ομάδα χαμηλού κινδύνου. Η παρέμβαση πραγματοποιήθηκε από μαία στο Τριτοβάθριο Πανεπιστημιακό Νοσοκομείο Λάρισας και αποτελούνταν από 1 εκτεταμένη προγεννητική συνέντευξη και συμβουλευτική, 1 επίσκεψη μετά τον τοκετό και προγραμματισμένες τηλεφωνικές συνεντεύξεις. Οι γυναίκες στην ομάδα ελέγχου έλαβαν την τυποποιημένη φροντίδα για το θηλασμό στην προγεννητική και μεταγεννητική περιόδο. Όλα τα δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια της προγεννητικής περιόδου, σε προγραμματισμένες επισκέψεις στο νοσοκομείο μετά τον τοκετό, και σε τηλεφωνική συνέντευξη στις 3 εβδομάδες, 4 μήνες, 6 μήνες, 1ο και 2ο έτος.Αποτελέσματα: Οι γυναίκες που θηλάζουν αποκλειστικά ήταν σημαντικά περισσότερες στην ομάδα παρέμβασης από μαία με ενδοκρινικά νοσήματα κύησης, συγκεκριμένα ο θηλασμός συνεχίστηκε στους τέσσερις μήνες (θηλασμός: 20% έναντι 12%, αποκλειστικός θηλασμός: 50% έναντι 26%, p = 0,0228) και σε έξι μήνες μετά τον τοκετό (θηλασμός: 54% έναντι 28%, αποκλειστικός θηλασμός: 32% έναντι 12%, p = 0,0011), σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα ελέγχου με ενδοκρινικά νοσήματα κύησης. Η ομάδα παρέμβασης από μαία χαμηλού κινδύνου θηλάζει στους τέσσερις μήνες (22% έναντι 14%, p=0, 0428) και στους έξι μήνες (52% έναντι 26%, p = 0, 0018) σε υψηλότερα ποσοστά σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα ελέγχου. Επιπλέον, ο αποκλειστικός θηλασμός ήταν σημαντικά υψηλότερος στην ομάδα παρέμβασης από μαία χαμηλού κινδύνου στους τέσσερις μήνες (46% έναντι 20%, p = 0, 0102) και έξι μήνες (38% έναντι 4%, p < 0, 0001) σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα ελέγχου.Συμπέρασμα: Η μελέτη αυτή ήταν η πρώτη προσπάθεια δομημένης εκπαίδευσης θηλασμού από μαία στην Ελλάδα και η σημαντική συμβολή της αντικατοπτρίζει σημαντικό θετικό αντίκτυπο στα ποσοστά θηλασμού όσον αφορά τη διάρκεια και την αποκλειστικότητα σε γυναίκες με ενδοκρινικά νοσήματα κύησης καθώς και σε γυναίκες χαμηλού κινδύνου, όπου θα μπορούσε ενδεχομένως να εφαρμοστεί και να θεσπιστεί στην καθημερινή κλινική πρακτική για την αύξηση των χαμηλών ποσοστών θηλασμού στην Ελλάδα.
Multi-objective algorithms for optimal product line design
Authors: Ζερβουδάκης Κωνσταντίνος
Published: February 2022

Οι τακτικές που υιοθετούν οι παραγωγικές μονάδες για την εισαγωγή νέων και καινοτόμων προϊόντων στην αγορά, αποτελούν σημαντικό παράγοντα οικονομικής ανάπτυξης, κυριαρχίας, και εν γένει, βασικό συντελεστή βιωσιμότητας της επιχειρησιακής τους δραστηριότητας. Στην κατεύθυνση αυτή, ο σχεδιασμός μιας γραμμής προϊόντων αποτελεί μια καίρια επιχειρησιακή λειτουργία, για την a priori εκτίμηση της πιθανής της επιτυχίας, μιας και συνδέεται άμεσα τόσο με την κερδοφορία της επιχείρησης όσο και με τη διαμόρφωση του μεριδίου σε ανταγωνιστικές συνθήκες αγοράς. Παρόλο που τα προϊόντα αυτά μπορεί να κατασκευαστούν σύμφωνα με πολλά κριτήρια, οι περισσότερες προσεγγίσεις επικεντρώνονται στη βελτιστοποίηση ενός μονάχα κριτηρίου. Υπό την οπτική αυτή, η παρούσα διδακτορική μελέτη διαπραγματεύεται το πρόβλημα του βέλτιστου σχεδιασμού γραμμών προϊόντων, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη περισσότερα από ένα κριτήρια, χρησιμοποιώντας 23 παραλλαγές από επτά μεθευρετικούς πολυκριτήριους αλγορίθμους μαθηματικής βελτιστοποίησης. Οι επτά αυτοί πολυκριτήριοι αλγόριθμοι βελτιστοποίησης είναι οι Γενετικοί Αλγόριθμοι, ο Αλγόριθμος Βελτιστοποίησης Σμήνους Σωματιδίων, ο Αλγόριθμος Πυγολαμπίδας, ο Αλγόριθμος Διαφορικής Εξέλιξης, ο αλγόριθμος Γκρίζων Λύκων, η Βελτιστοποίηση βάσει Διδασκαλίας-Μάθησης και ο αλγόριθμος βελτιστοποίησης Εφημεροπτέρων. Αυτοί οι επτά πολυκριτήριοι αλγόριθμοι προσαρμόζονται πλήρως στο πολυκριτήριο πρόβλημα του βέλτιστου σχεδιασμού, χρησιμοποιώντας δημοφιλείς μηχανισμούς ελέγχου ποικιλομορφίας μη-κυριαρχούμενων λύσεων, και αυτόματης παραμετροποίησης. Σκοπός της αυτόματης παραμετροποίησης, είναι ο υπολογισμός των παραμέτρων ανεξάρτητα για κάθε λύση, κατά τη διάρκεια της βελτιστοποίησης, για να βοηθήσει τους αλγόριθμους να ξεπεράσουν συγκεκριμένες δυσκολίες κατά την εκτέλεση σε διαφορετικά σύνολα δεδομένων. Οι 23 παραλλαγές αυτές συγκρίνονται μεταξύ τους, μέσω δημοφιλών μετρικών απόδοσης πολυκριτήριων αλγορίθμων, χρησιμοποιώντας δύο διαφορετικά σύνολα δεδομένων μέσα από πέντε διαφορετικά σενάρια, χωρίς να είναι γνωστός ο ακριβής αριθμός των προϊόντων. Επιπλέον, οι παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν την απόδοση των αλγορίθμων διερευνώνται χρησιμοποιώντας στατιστική ανάλυση. Τέλος, χρησιμοποιείται μια μέθοδος πολυκριτήριας λήψης αποφάσεων με σκοπό την κατάταξη των λύσεων σύμφωνα με τις ανάγκες και γίνεται προσπάθεια εκτίμησης των πιθανών κινήσεων των ανταγωνιστών.
Online harassment in Japan: Dissecting the targeting of a female journalist
Authors: Tonami Aki , Yoshida Mitsuo , Sano Yukie
Published: February 2022

Harassment on the Internet, particularly on social media such as Twitter, has reached a level where it can, without exaggeration, be characterised as a real-world societal problem in Japan. However, studies on this phenomenon in the Japanese language environment, especially adopting a victim-centric perspective, are rare. In this paper, we incorporated the concept of online harassment and reviewed existing studies about online harassment from Japan and abroad. We then conducted a detailed case analysis of the “flaming” of a female journalist and those who targeted her on Twitter. Based on our analysis, we observed that there were three layers of users who targeted the journalist: influencers, users who responded to the instigation by influencers, and trolls. Each harassed the journalist, but in a different manner. Given Japan’s particular difficulty of imposing domestic regulations on social media companies that are mostly from abroad, we propose and describe possible measures that individuals and their employers should consider taking.
Validation of a lithium-ion commercial battery pack model using experimental data for stationary energy management application
Authors: Foles Ana , Fialho Luís , Horta Pedro , Collares-Pereira Manuel
Published: February 2022

Background:A cost-effective solution for the design of distributed energy storage systems implies the development of battery performance models yielding a suitable representation of its dynamic behaviour under realistic operation conditions.

Methods:In this work, a lithium-ion battery (LIB) is tested to be further modelled and integrated into an existing energy management control system. This specific LIB (5.0 kW /9.8 kWh) is integrated with a commercial inverter and  solar photovoltaic (PV) system (3.3 kWp) as part of a microgrid that is also encompassing other storage technologies at the University of Évora, Pole of INIESC – National Research Infrastructure for Solar Energy Concentration. The battery and the inverter are fully characterized through the implementation of a testing protocol aiming at better describing the battery performance. Then, a battery model is built upon both the existent LIB description and experimental fitting regression, for real-time predictive optimization control development. Considering the pre-determined efficiency of the inverter, the model allows to obtain the voltage curve, the series resistance (i.e., to describe instantaneous voltage drop/rise and transients), and the state of charge (SOC) and/or energy capacity, based on the current input. The developed model is validated through the comparison with the experimental results.

Results:In discharge state, the model approach presented a higher voltage RMSE (root mean square error) of 5.51 V and an MRE (maximum relative error) of 5.68 %. Regarding SOC the MRE obtained was approximately 6.82 %. In charge state, the highest RMSE voltage was 5.27 V, with an MRE of 6.74 %. Concerning SOC, the MRE obtained was approximately 6.53 %. 

Conclusions:The developed setup allowed us to perform the necessary characterization tests under real operating conditions. Based on computational effort, simplicity of use, and the associated model error compared with the experimental data, generally, the model describes the battery behaviour.
A comparative analysis of the sense of optimism and life satisfaction among judo and brasilian jiu jitsu fighters
Authors: Rawat Kanupriya , Pujszo Ryszard , Wojdat Marta , Zając Magdalena
Published: February 2022

Background and Study Aim
 
The main aim of the study was to determine the level of optimism and life satisfaction among men of different ages who professionally or recreationally practice judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
 
Material and Methods
 
The study involved 43 judo athletes, 43 Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes (BJJ) and 42 persons in a control group (homogenously selected in terms of sex and age). The study used the SWLS scale to determine the satisfaction with life and the LOT-R test to determine the level of optimism. Descriptive parametric statistics were presented in order to show the analysed variables. Due to the number of subjects in groups, nonparametric statistics were used in the analysis – to analyse the differences, the Anova Kruskal-Wallis test; to analyse correlations between variables, the agglomerations method using Euclidean distances (single bond in space). In the analysis of the magnitude of the influence of variables on life satisfaction and optimism, parameter β was used – the significance of the parameter (p) was based on Wald's statistics.
 
Results
 
Analysis of intergroup differences for the judo, BJJ, and control groups revealed significant differences in education, social status, professional work, and health condition.
The compared psychological variables – quality of life and life orientation in terms of standardised results did not reveal significant differences; however, the dichotomous division of the quality of life allowed indicating the distinctness of the compared groups.
The analysis of multiple comparisons revealed that the differences only concerned the characteristics of the judo and the control groups, while the BJJ and the judo groups significantly differed in the quality and the length of their sports careers. Systems of characteristic features to explain the quality of life and life orientation were also searched for – the agglomerations method allowed indicating the distinctness of the BJJ and the judo groups in terms of the length of their sports careers.
Based on the conducted logistic regression analysis, the likelihood of high or low quality of life and of life orientation and optimism in both groups of athletes has been identified, and differences consistent with previous observations have been indicated.
 
Conclusions
 
The subjects involved in combat sports significantly differ from those who do not practice sports in terms of education, social status, work situation and health assessment. The presence of high or low life satisfaction differentiates the compared groups.
To Stem the Tide: Organizational Climate and the Locus of Knowledge Transfer
Authors: Di Stefano Giada , Micheli Maria Rita
Published: February 2022

Prior work has maintained that organizations benefit from managing the transfer of proprietary knowledge. Transfer is often advantageous within organizational boundaries but may be harmful across them, because it might erode competitive advantage. Hence, we ask: How can organizations affect the direction in which knowledge flows? We examine the role of organizational climate as a governing mechanism for knowledge transfer. Our empirical strategy consists of a mixed-methods approach leveraging qualitative and experimental data over two cycles of theory building and theory testing. We start with an extensive field study of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), leveraging the insights from desk research, field observations, 53 interviews, and a laboratory-in-the-field experiment involving 518 physicists. We then provide a causal test of the emerging framework by means of two laboratory experiments with 389 participants. Our findings suggest employees are more likely to transfer knowledge to their colleagues when they identify as an integral part of the organization, but they would rather transfer knowledge to outside competitors when their organization encourages them to outperform coworkers. In the presence of an organizational climate that is unfavorable to preventing knowledge spillovers, we argue, organizations can redirect the locus of knowledge transfer internally by acting upon an individual employee’s job design and socialization regime.

History: This paper has been accepted for the Organization Science Special Issue on Experiments in Organizational Theory.

Funding: The authors acknowledge generous financial support from Bocconi University, the HEC Foundation of HEC Paris, and IESEG School of Management.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2021.1551 .
Pityriasis Rosea Induced by COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Khattab Elina , Christaki Eirini , Pitsios Constantinos
Published: February 2022

It is increasingly recognized that SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with skin disorders, including pityriasis rosea. It has been reported that pityriasis rosea has been triggered by several vaccines, as a rare side-effect. We present two cases of COVID-19 vaccine-induced pityriasis rosea. Skin lesions appeared in a 49-year-old female 8 days after the first dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine and in a 53-year-old male 7 days after the second dose of the same vaccine. The exanthem was self-limited in both patients over a period of a month.
Medical students' experiences working with midwives on NHS labour wards: a qualitative study
Authors: Maclean Emily , Llamas Ana
Published: February 2022

Background

Multidisciplinary team collaboration has been identified as a key factor in optimising intrapartum care. The way future doctors feel about their undergraduate placements with midwives is worth considering, given that this might influence their behaviour in the long term. This study aimed to investigate the experience of medical students working with midwives on NHS labour wards.

Methods

Qualitative thematic analysis was done on transcripts of in-depth interviews with 10 medical students from across England. These students had clinical experiences with midwives or were seeking to work with midwives, and had experiences of training during or after 2010.

Results

Midwives were described as ‘gatekeepers’, with the power either to open or close the labour room door to medical students. Participants described mixed feelings about midwives; some reportedly provided pivotal learning experiences, particularly regarding physiological labour and birth. Others were perceived as unsupportive. The dynamic with midwives was often linked to wider multidisciplinary team culture.

Conclusions

Despite national calls to improve multidisciplinary team relations and undergraduate experiences, this sample of medical students shows that some still perceive tension with midwives. This may affect future obstetricians' exposure to physiological birth at an impressionable time and also influence their multidisciplinary team behaviour. Research into midwives' perspective is needed, given that collaboration is a key factor in providing safer, more personalised care.
CPR of complications
Authors: Singh Harry
Published: February 2022

In this article, Dr Harry Singh will look at both capillary refill (C) and patch testing (P) and review (R) their role in complications.
Research Roundup
Authors: McGloin Claudia
Published: February 2022

In this regular feature, aesthetic nurse Claudia McGloin presents a brief synopsis of a range of recently published articles on medical aesthetics. Research roundup aims to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary and critique, of the papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided at the end of each study summary
Reflecting on achievements and looking towards a positive future
Authors: King Sharon
Published: February 2022

Sharon King provides the first British Assocation of Cosmetic Nurses update of 2022 and sheds some light on the association's plans for the year ahead
Five entrepreneurial challenges to boost your entrepreneurship
Authors: Ratcliffe Jason
Published: February 2022

In this article, Jason Ratcliffe discusses how the entrepreneurial mind works and what can hold entrepreneurs back and sets five challenges to help stimulate business creativity
The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on 9th Grade Students’ Mathematics Achievement
Authors: Moliner Lidon , Alegre Francisco , Lorenzo-Valentin Gil
Published: February 2022

In this research, the influence of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on 9th grade students’ mathematics achievement is analyzed through quantitative and qualitative methods. A posttest only with control group design was used to compare the mathematics marks of 9th grade students from the previous school year (before the pandemic, control group) and the current school year (during the pandemic, experimental group). Seventy-three students from a public high school in Spain attending class on alternate days participated in the study. Three focus group sessions were held with students, and five semi-structured interviews were conducted—two with teachers and three with students’ families. Results show statistically significant differences in students’ mathematics achievement, with students enrolled in 9th grade the previous (pre-pandemic) year outscoring their peers currently enrolled in 9th grade (during the pandemic) by 22.17%. An overall negative effect size of Hedge’s g = -1.11 was reported. Although significant statistical differences between groups were reported for both male and female students, the effect was 42.31% larger for male students (Hedge’s g = -1.11) than for females (Hedge’s g = -0.78). The qualitative information supported the quantitative results. Changes in educational settings, students’ lack of motivation, monotony, and students’ level of responsibility were qualitatively reported as factors that may explain this phenomenon. The main conclusion of this study is that the COVID-19 pandemic may be significantly and negatively affecting 9th grade students’ mathematics achievement.
Positivity of Hadamard powers of a few band matrices
Authors: Panwar Veer Singh , Arikatla Satyanarayana Reddy
Published: February 2022

Let $\mathbb{P}_G([0,\infty))$ and $\mathbb{P}_G^{'}([0,\infty))$ be the sets of positive semidefinite and positive definite matrices of order $n$, respectively, with nonnegative entries, where some positions of zero entries are restricted by a simple graph $G$ with $n$ vertices. It is proved that for a connected simple graph $G$ of order $n\geq 3$, the set of powers preserving positive semidefiniteness on $\mathbb{P}_G([0,\infty))$ is precisely the same as the set of powers preserving positive definiteness on $\mathbb{P}_G^{'}([0,\infty))$. In particular, this provides an explicit combinatorial description of the critical exponent for positive definiteness, for all chordal graphs. Using chain sequences, it is proved that the Hadamard powers preserving the positive (semi) definiteness of every tridiagonal matrix with nonnegative entries are precisely $r\geq 1$. The infinite divisibility of tridiagonal matrices is studied. The same results are proved for a special family of pentadiagonal matrices.
CT estimation of glenoid bone loss in anterior glenohumeral instability
Authors: Green Gemma L. , Arnander Magnus , Pearse Eyiyemi , Tennent Duncan
Published: February 2022

Aims

Recurrent dislocation is both a cause and consequence of glenoid bone loss, and the extent of the bony defect is an indicator guiding operative intervention. Literature suggests that loss greater than 25% requires glenoid reconstruction. Measuring bone loss is controversial; studies use different methods to determine this, with no clear evidence of reproducibility. A systematic review was performed to identify existing CT-based methods of quantifying glenoid bone loss and establish their reliability and reproducibility

Methods

A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses-compliant systematic review of conventional and grey literature was performed.

Results

A total of 25 studies were initially eligible. Following screening, nine papers were included for review. Main themes identified compared 2D and 3D imaging, as well as linear- compared with area-based techniques. Heterogenous data were acquired, and therefore no meta-analysis was performed.

Conclusion

No ideal CT-based method is demonstrated in the current literature, however evidence suggests that surface area methods are more reproducible and lead to fewer over-estimations of bone loss, provided the views used are standardized. A prospective imaging trial is required to provide a more definitive answer to this research question. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(2):114–122.
Shock Waves and Radial Pressure Waves: Time to Put a Clear Nomenclature into Practice
Authors: Loske Achim M. , Moya Daniel
Published: February 2022

Extracorporeal focused shock wave therapy and radial pressure wave therapy are noninvasive approaches with high success rates that hold promise for treating a rapidly increasing number of clinical indications. However, reports, presentations at scientific meetings, and information published by manufacturers reflect confusion in the terminology used. This situation is worrisome because both desired and undesired biological effects depend on the pressure profile and the physical parameters used. Moreover, in many cases, the detailed biological mechanisms involved are yet not fully understood. Only a clear knowledge of the physical concepts can enable comparison among and improvement of treatment protocols and technology. Fortunately, specific definitions and recommendations have been agreed upon by scientific societies promoting international standardization. The main goal of this article is to raise awareness of the importance of having a clear nomenclature worldwide and explain some of the concepts based on the international consensus that has been accepted to date. Keywords: Shock waves, Radial pressure waves, Physical parameters .
Shockwave Therapy and Anesthesia: What Evidence is there?
Authors: Santos Paulo Roberto Dias , Santos Bruno Schiefer Dos , Mansur Nacime Salomao Barbachan
Published: February 2022

Introduction: The use of anesthetics on extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for musculoskeletal disorders is a matter of debate. Although widely performed, especially on focal procedures, its scientific background is sparse. This study aims to review the current evidence on the use of anesthetics in ESWT. Methods: A literature review of the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Studies assessing or comparing the use of any type of anesthetic in any form of shockwave therapy were collected. Results: After inclusion and exclusion criteria assessment, a total of seven studies were found to directly address the subject and only four were original articles. Conclusion: The produced evidence is small and lacks methodological quality. These facts support the necessity for new studies using the present technology to determine the real effect of anesthetics on ESWT. Level of Evidence: Level V. Literature Review Keywords: Shock waves, Radial pressure waves, Quality standards
Non Invasive Phisical Physical Regenerative Therapies: Laser therapy, Mechanism of Action and Results
Authors: Guiloff W. Leonardo , Prouza Ondrej , Žarković Dragana
Published: February 2022

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) have emerged as a therapeutic alternative suitable for a wide range of medical conditions. The main advantage of high-intensity laser over LLLT is its ability to deliver a much higher dose in a shorter time while achieving deeper penetration into the affected tissue and producing a thermal effect. Although HILT, provides very satisfactory clinical results, more clinical research is require to justify its massive use. Keywords: Low-level laser therapy, High-level laser therapy, Biostimulation, Phototherapy.
Keyhole morphology monitoring of laser welding based on image processing and principal component analysis
Authors: Lei Ting , Gu Shiyang , Yu Huiwen
Published: February 2022

The keyhole is a specific phenomenon produced by the intense interaction between laser and material. Keyhole morphology can reflect welding stability and welding quality to a certain extent. Nowadays, the keyhole is observed and image processed by a high-speed camera and related algorithms, respectively. However, the binarization threshold is fixed in keyhole extraction, and conventional binarization methods are not adaptive. This will affect the feature extraction of keyhole morphology. In this paper, a dynamic threshold adjustment method is proposed, which can combine the quick positioning of the Otsu method and the weight balance of the average method. Furthermore, seven defined features of the keyhole region are divided into dynamic parameters and shape parameters. The dimension of these parameters is reduced by principal component analysis (PCA). The first three PCs occupy more than 92%, which covers most of the keyhole information. At last, the influence of dynamic parameters and shape parameters on keyhole morphology is presented. This research plays a positive role in monitoring the keyhole morphology of laser welding.
Use of hospital care services by chronic patients according to their characteristics and risk levels by adjusted morbidity groups
Authors: Barrio Cortes Jaime , Cuevas María Martínez , Reguillo Almudena Castaño , Bandeira de Oliveira Mariana , Martín Miguel Martínez , Fernández Carmen Suárez
Published: February 2022

Background

In-hospital care of chronic patients is based on their characteristics and risk levels. Adjusted morbidity groups (AMG) is a population stratification tool which is currently being used in Primary Care but not in Hospitals. The objectives of this study were to describe the use of hospital services by chronic patients according to their risk levels assigned by AMG and to analyze influencing variables.

Material and methods

In this cross-sectional study, patients aged ≥18 years from a healthcare service area classified as chronically ill by the AMG classification system who used their referral hospital services from June 2015 to June 2016 were included. Predisposing and needs factors were collected. Univariate, bivariate and multiple linear regressions were performed.

Results

Of the 9,443 chronic patients identified (52.1% of the population in the selected area), 4,143 (43.9%) used hospital care services. Their mean age was 62.1 years (standard deviation (SD) = 18.4); 61.8% were female; 9% were high risk; 30% were medium risk, and 61% were low risk. The mean number of hospital service contacts was 5.0 (SD = 6.2), with 3.8 (SD = 4.3) visits to outpatient clinic, 0.7 (SD = 1.2) visits to emergency departments, 0.3 (SD = 2.8) visits to day hospital, and 0.2 (SD = 0.5) hospitalizations. The factors associated with greater service use were predisposing factors such as age (coefficient B (CB) = 0.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.01–0.05) and Spanish origin (CB = 3.9; 95% CI = 3.2–4.6). Among the needs factors were palliative care (CB = 4.8; 95% CI = 2.8–6.7), primary caregiver status (CB = 2.3; 95% CI = 0.7–3.9), a high risk level (CB = 2.9; 95% CI = 2.1–3.6), multimorbidity (CB = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.4–1.3), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (CB = 1.5, 95% CI = 0.8–2.3), depression (CB = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.3–1.3), active cancer (CB = 4.4, 95% CI = 3.7–5.1), and polymedication (CB = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.5–1.7).

Conclusions

The use of hospital services by chronic patients was high and increased with the risk level assigned by the AMG. The most frequent type of contact was outpatient consultation. Use was increased with predisposing factors such as age and geographic origin and by needs factors such as multimorbidity, risk level and severe diseases requiring follow-up, home care, and palliative care.
The effectiveness of scoring balloon angioplasty in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Takigami Masao , Tsubata Hideo , Nakanishi Naohiko , Matsubara Yuki , Wakana Noriyuki , Yanishi Kenji , Zen Kan , Nakamura Takeshi , Matoba Satoaki
Published: February 2022

Background

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an effective treatment for inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of the non-slip element percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (NSE PTA) scoring balloons in BPA.

Methods

108 pulmonary artery branches in 14 CTEPH patients who underwent BPA using NSE PTA scoring balloon (the NSE PTA group) or plain balloon (the POBA group) and pressure gradient evaluation were analyzed. We compared the improvement of the pressure ratios after BPA (Δ Pressure ratio) of both groups.

Results

There was no significant difference in the Δ Pressure ratios of the two groups (0.241 ± 0.196 POBA, 0.259 ± 0.177 NSE PTA, p = 0.63). No complications occurred in the NSE PTA group, while 3 episodes of hemoptysis were seen in the POBA group. This, however, was not found to be significant (p = 0.27). In the cases where balloon-to-vessel ratio exceeded 1.0 (n = 35), multivariate analysis showed that the use of NSE PTA scoring balloon and pressure ratio before BPA were significantly correlated with Δ Pressure ratio (β coefficient: 0.047, 95% CI: 0.0016 to 0.093, p = 0.043 and β coefficient: −0.60, 95% CI: −0.78 to −0.42, p < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusions

Although NSE PTA scoring balloon was safe, there was no significant pressure gradient improvement with NSE PTA scoring balloon compared to conventional BPA. Nevertheless, the NSE PTA scoring balloon showed effective blood-flow improvement in the case of large balloon-to-vessel ratio.
Absence of association between host genetic mutations in the ORAI1 gene and COVID-19 fatality
Authors: Shawer Heba , Cheng Chew W. , Bailey Marc A.
Published: February 2022

The calcium ion channel ORAI1 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19)-associated pneumonia, and a pharmacological inhibitor of ORAI1 has now reached clinical trials for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Whether ORAI1 itself is associated with an increased risk for severe COVID-19 presentation is still unknown. Here, we employed genetic association analysis to investigate the potential association of host genetic polymorphisms of ORAI1 with the risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and its associated COVID-19 fatality in UK Biobank participants from white British background. The analysis showed no significant association between ORAI1 variants and COVID-19 positivity or fatality, despite the well-established roles of ORAI1 in immune response and inflammation and the success of ORAI1 inhibition in clinical trials. Our results suggest that the host genetic polymorphisms of ORAI1 are unlikely to be implicated in the broad variability in symptoms severity among afflicted patients.
Inequalities in the progress of multiple chronic conditions: A systematic review of longitudinal studies
Authors: Mira Rolla , Newton Tim , Sabbah Wael
Published: February 2022

The objective of this review is to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors on the progress of multiple chronic health conditions (MCC) in Adults. Two independent investigators searched three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS) up to August 2021 to identify longitudinal studies on inequalities in progress of MCC. Grey literature was searched using Open Grey and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria were retrospective and prospective longitudinal studies; adult population; assessed socioeconomic inequalities in progress of MCC. Quality of included studies and risk of bias were assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for longitudinal studies. Nine longitudinal studies reporting socioeconomic inequalities in progress of MCC were included. Two of the studies had poor quality. Studies varied in terms of follow-up time, sample size, included chronic conditions and socioeconomic indicators. Due to high heterogeneity meta-analysis was not possible. The studies showed positive association between lower education (five studies), lower income and wealth (two studies), area deprivation (one study), lower job categories (two studies) and belonging to ethnic minority (two study) and progress of MCC. The review demonstrated socioeconomic inequality in progress of multiple chronic conditions.

trial registratiom: The review protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021229564).
More journal articles and fewer books: Publication practices in the social sciences in the 2010’s
Authors: Savage William E. , Olejniczak Anthony J.
Published: February 2022

The number of scholarly journal articles published each year is growing, but little is known about the relationship between journal article growth and other forms of scholarly dissemination (e.g., books and monographs). Journal articles are the de facto currency of evaluation and prestige in STEM fields, but social scientists routinely publish books as well as articles, representing a unique opportunity to study increased article publications in disciplines with other dissemination options. We studied the publishing activity of social science faculty members in 12 disciplines at 290 Ph.D. granting institutions in the United States between 2011 and 2019, asking: 1) have publication practices changed such that more or fewer books and articles are written now than in the recent past?; 2) has the percentage of scholars actively participating in a particular publishing type changed over time?; and 3) do different age cohorts evince different publication strategies? In all disciplines, journal articles per person increased between 3% and 64% between 2011 and 2019, while books per person decreased by at least 31% and as much as 54%. All age cohorts show increased article authorship over the study period, and early career scholars author more articles per person than the other cohorts in eight disciplines. The article-dominated literatures of the social sciences are becoming increasingly similar to those of STEM disciplines.
Controlling an effector with eye movements: The effect of entangled sensory and motor responsibilities
Authors: Schultz John R. , Slifkin Andrew B. , Schearer Eric M.
Published: February 2022

Restoring arm and hand function has been indicated by individuals with tetraplegia as one of the most important factors for regaining independence. The overall goal of our research is to develop assistive technologies that allow individuals with tetraplegia to control functional reaching movements. This study served as an initial step toward our overall goal by assessing the feasibility of using eye movements to control the motion of an effector in an experimental environment. We aimed to understand how additional motor requirements placed on the eyes affected eye-hand coordination during functional reaching. We were particularly interested in how eye fixation error was affected when the sensory and motor functions of the eyes were entangled due to the additional motor responsibility. We recorded participants’ eye and hand movements while they reached for targets on a monitor. We presented a cursor at the participant’s point of gaze position which can be thought of as being similar to the control of an assistive robot arm. To measure eye fixation error, we used an offline filter to extract eye fixations from the raw eye movement data. We compared the fixations to the locations of the targets presented on the monitor. The results show that not only are humans able to use eye movements to direct the cursor to a desired location (1.04 ± 0.15 cm), but they can do so with error similar to that of the hand (0.84 ± 0.05 cm). In other words, despite the additional motor responsibility placed on the eyes during direct eye-movement control of an effector, the ability to coordinate functional reaching movements was unaffected. The outcomes of this study support the efficacy of using the eyes as a direct command input for controlling movement.
Genosphobia: The signification of gender in the cultural logic of xenophobia
Authors: Gauna Aníbal
Published: February 2022

In general, xenophobia refers to fear or hatred of the ‘stranger’ and it is recognized as a multivocal term, largely overlapped with ethnocentrism, racism, nationalism, extremism or nativism. In this article, I show that it still has layers of meaning to be explored. Based on thirteen mixed interviews (semi-structured and in-depth) conducted in the city of Lima (Peru), in this work I argue that there is a stratum in the meaning of xenophobia that has not been explored in the academic literature: the overlapping of gender (both male and female) with the rejection of immigrants (in this case, Venezuelan immigrants in Lima), which I propose to call genosphobia. After describing the serendipitous discovery of this meaning stratum, I carry out an analysis of the cultural logic of xenophobia and a ‘thick’ description of the meaning construction of this phenomenon. The analysis leads to show the articulation of a ‘cultural libel’ by those who openly reject the immigrants, which in turn leads to an assimilationist mode of incorporation to the detriment of a lively multiculturalism.