bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Postoperative Use of Diuretics After Kidney Transplantation Showed Increase in Delayed Graft Function
Authors: Baar Wolfgang , Kaufmann Kai , Silbach Kai , Jaenigen Bernd , Pisarski Przemyslaw , Goebel Ulrich , Kalbhenn Johannes , Heinrich Sebastian , Knoerlein Julian
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

In acute renal injury, diuretics are widely considered to be harmful. Nevertheless, they are used frequently after kidney transplantation. We hypothesized that diuretics administered in the early postoperative treatment after kidney transplantation increase the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF).

Methods:

In this monocentric, retrospective cohort analysis, we screened the closed files of all consecutive patients who underwent kidney transplantation from 2011 to 2017. The outcome variable was DGF, defined as at least 1 hemodialysis within 7 days postoperatively. To stratify for baseline characteristics such as waiting time or cold ischemic period, we employed a propensity score-matched analysis. Further statistical processing included basic descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, and binary logistic regression analysis.

Results:

The unmatched cohort included 445 patients and showed a significantly increased rate of DGF for patients who received either furosemide or mannitol or a combination of both (5% vs 25%; P < .001). Mannitol (odds ratio [OR]: 4.094) and furosemide (OR: 2.915) showed a significant correlation with DGF in the multivariate regression analysis. Propensity score-based matching resulted in a matched cohort of 214 patients with balanced baseline risk variables. In this matched cohort, the rate of DGF was significantly increased in patients who received diuretics in the early postoperative treatment (7% vs 16%; P = .031).

Conclusion:

Our results show that postoperatively administered diuretics are associated with an increased rate of DGF even in a cohort with balanced preoperative risk variables. This study supports recently published reviews, which call diuretics in the transplantation process into question.
A Multisite Study on Using Symptom-Targeted Interventions to Improve Mental Health Outcomes of Solid Organ Transplant Patients
Authors: Greene Gracie Moore , Merighi Joseph R. , Voorhes Patricia , McCool Melissa
Published: April 2020

Introduction:

Depression and anxiety are common affective experiences during the first year following a solid organ transplant. This study examined the degree to which an evidenced-based clinical intervention implemented by social workers—Symptom Targeted Intervention—can alter self-reported depression and anxiety in heart, kidney, liver, and lung transplant recipients.

Research Questions:

This investigation explored 2 questions: (1) Can symptom-targeted interventions significantly reduce posttransplant recipients’ self-reported depression and anxiety at the conclusion of treatment and at 1-month follow-up? and (2) Does the response differ by gender?

Design:

A 1-group pretest–posttest design with a 1-month follow-up was used to test for changes in anxiety and depression after transplantation. Forty-eight patients at 2 US transplant centers were enrolled between January 2016 and May 2017. Data were collected using an online platform and analyzed to assess for differences over time and by gender.

Results:

Anxiety decreased significantly between pretest and posttest using the General Anxiety Disorder-2 ( P < .05). Comparisons by gender indicated that women had a significant decrease in anxiety between pretest and posttest ( P < .001); however, there was no significant decrease in anxiety for men. Analyses by gender and time yielded no significant differences for depression.

Discussion:

Symptom-targeted interventions have the potential to reduce anxiety in solid organ transplant patients and enhance their psychosocial adjustment after surgery.
Preoperative C-Peptide Predicts Weight Gain After Pancreas Transplantation
Authors: Torabi Julia , Rocca Juan P. , Kestenbaum Elizabeth , Ajaimy Maria , DeFeo Monica , Konicki Athena , Liriano-Ward Luz , Azzi Yorg , Pynadath Cindy , Akalin Enver , Kinkhabwala Milan , Graham Jay A.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Transplant recipients are susceptible to cardiovascular complications, obesity, and increased insulin resistance after transplant. Here we assess weight gain in diabetic recipients after pancreas transplantation.

Methods:

This is a single-center study of 32 simultaneous pancreas and kidney and 5 pancreas after kidney transplant recipients from 2014 to 2018. Starting C-peptide levels ≤ 0.1 ng/mL were used to denote insulin nondetectability (n = 25) and C-peptide levels > 0.1 ng/mL as insulin detectability (n = 12). Hemoglobin A1c, body mass index (BMI), and weight following transplantation were assessed.

Results:

Hemoglobin A1c at 1 year was 5.9% in the insulin nondetectable recipients and 5.6% in the insulin detectable group ( P = .56). Average BMI after transplant was higher in the insulin detectable group 28.6 versus 24.4 kg/m2 ( P = .03) despite no difference in starting BMIs (24.9 versus 24.0 kg/m2, P = .42). The insulin detectable group also had a larger percentage weight change from their starting weight 13.1% versus 0.9 % at 1 year ( P = .02). Linear regression demonstrated that starting C-peptide was a significant predictor of weight gain posttransplant.

Conclusions:

Patients with elevated C-peptides at time of transplant are susceptible to rapid weight gain postoperatively. These patients may benefit from aggressive nutritional management.
Trust information network in social Internet of things using trust-aware recommender systems
Authors: Son Juyeon , Choi Wonyoung , Choi Sang-Min
Published: April 2020

Social Internet of things is one of the most up-to-date research issues in the applications of Internet of things technologies. In social Internet of things, accuracy and reliability are standard features to discerning decisions. We assume that decision support systems based on social Internet of things could leverage research from recommender systems to achieve more stable performance. Therefore, we propose a trust-aware recommender systems suitable for social Internet of things. Trust-aware recommender systems adapt the concept of social networking service and utilize social interaction information. Trust information not only improves recommender systems from opinion spam problems but also more accurately predicts users’ preferences. We confirm that the performance of a recommender system becomes more improved when implicit trust is able to satisfy the properties of trust in the social Internet of things environment. The structure and amount of social link information are context-sensitive, so applying the concept of trust into social Internet of things environments requires a method to optimize implicit and explicit trust with minimal social link information. Our proposed method configures an asymmetric implicit trust network utilizing user–item rating matrix and transforms trust propagation metrics for a directional and weighted trust network. Through experiments, we confirm that the proposed methods enable higher accuracy and wider coverage compared to the existing recommendation methods.
Impacting Quadruple Aim Through Sustainable Clinical-Community Partnerships: Best Practices From a Community-Based Organization Perspective
Authors: Rosen Marc
Published: April 2020

Health reform initiatives have caused disruptive change throughout the US health care system. A key driver of change is the adoption of alternative payment models that apply financial risk on physicians and hospital systems. Success in these value-based payment models requires health care provider and payor organizations to continue developing population-based approaches, including partnerships with community-based organizations that provide services within a community setting. Community-based organizations are positioned to serve as an extension of the care continuum because they provide desired access points to upstream services that address nonclinical factors. Yet many health care providers fail to enter into sustainable contracts with community organizations. This limits their ability to treat patients’ social needs and widens the clinic-to-community gap, both of which must be addressed for success in value-based contracts. Future cross-sector collaboration will require stakeholders to abandon transactional partnership arrangements primarily concerned with referral systems in favor of transformational arrangements that better align partnership aims and more equally distribute ownership in solving for capacity building, evaluation, and sustainability. The following practices are based on the experience of local YMCAs and YMCA of the USA in establishing clinic-to-community partnerships throughout the country that can influence clinical cost and quality measures.
A Whole Food Plant-Based Diet Is Effective for Weight Loss: The Evidence
Authors: Greger Michael
Published: April 2020

What does the best available balance of scientific evidence show is the optimum way to lose weight? Calorie density, water content, protein source, and other components significantly influence the effectiveness of different dietary regimes for weight loss. By “walling off your calories,” preferentially deriving your macronutrients from structurally intact plant foods, some calories remain trapped within indigestible cell walls, which then blunts the glycemic impact, activates the ileal brake, and delivers prebiotics to the gut microbiome. This may help explain why the current evidence indicates that a whole food, plant-based diet achieves greater weight loss compared with other dietary interventions that do not restrict calories or mandate exercise. So, the most effective diet for weight loss appears to be the only diet shown to reverse heart disease in the majority of patients. Plant-based diets have also been found to help treat, arrest, and reverse other leading chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension, whereas low-carbohydrate diets have been found to impair artery function and worsen heart disease, the leading killer of men and women in the United States. A diet centered on whole plant foods appears to be a safe, simple, sustainable solution to the obesity epidemic.
Application of the Taguchi method for finite element analysis of a shear-type magnetorheological fluid damper
Authors: Chen Dyi-Cheng , Chen Li-Ren
Published: April 2020

A magnetorheological fluid damper is a device in which a magnetorheological fluid is filled in a damper. In this device, the magnetic field is controlled by an external current (voltage) so that the magnetic force of a piston inside the damper changes like an electromagnet. The damping force of the damper is controlled by changing the magnetic force of the piston. With the increasing magnetic force of the piston, the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid in the damper increases. The primary aim of this study was to maximize the magnetic flux density and identify the following influencing factors from the relevant literature: piston and outer tube materials, piston length, piston diameter, cylinder wall thickness, damper channel clearance, gap channel length, current, and magnetorheological fluid. A magnetic circuit analysis was performed using ANSYS Maxwell, and the optimal parameter combination was identified using the Taguchi method. The analysis of variance was used to examine the influence of various factors on quality characteristics. This study helps understand the relation between structure size, material, and magnetic flux density and contributes to future generations of magnetorheological fluid damper design analysis.
Numerical study on the cavitation phenomenon for the head drop and unsteady bubble patterns with a difference in the incidence angle of a mixed-flow pump
Authors: Kim Yong-In , Yang Hyeon-Mo , Suh Jun-Won , Kim Sung , Lee Kyoung-Yong , Choi Young-Seok
Published: April 2020

In this study, two types of mixed-flow pump models exhibiting different suction performances were investigated to understand the cavitation characteristics of head drop gradients due to the decrease in inlet pressure. Both models were designed with the same specifications except for the shroud inlet blade angle and inlet radius which directly affect the incidence angle. The steady- and unsteady-state analyses were performed using ANSYS CFX, and the results of both models were compared. Bubble generation and patterns were systemically represented at the design flow rate to observe their influence on suction performance. Furthermore, experimental tests were performed to validate the numerical results. From the results, the head drop gradient can determine the suction performance of mixed-flow pumps. The amount and shape of the bubbles concerning the suction performance of a mixed-flow pump exhibit significant differences with the changes in time and inlet pressure. The patterns of generated bubble are not stable even for each blade.
Modeling technology of curved surface development for puffer fish
Authors: Zhou Honggen , Cui Jie , Tian Guizhong , Zhu Yesheng , Jia Changfeng
Published: April 2020

The drag reduction mechanism of puffer epidermis was closely related to its real geometry. In order to solve the modeling problem of epidermal spines on the puffer surface, a modeling method for the expansion of puffer shape was proposed. The three-dimensional scanning and non-uniform rational B-spline surface modeling technology was used to reconstruct the puffer model. According to the curvature characteristics, the surface mathematical equations including exponential, logarithmic, and sinusoidal functions were established based on the multinomial function. The surface was generated by a mathematical equation, and the surface was divided into several non-uniform rational B-spline patches according to curvature. After discretization, the point cloud Gaussian curvature and average value were calculated based on the implicit equation of moving least square surface, and whether the surface is approximately extensible or not was judged. Finally, the puffer surface was divided into 46 curved patches. In this article, the surface expansion algorithm gave priority to ensure the area unchanged, and four feature surfaces were selected according to the epidermal spines arrangement of the puffer surface. The results showed that the technique can simply and efficiently unfold the curved surface of the puffer fish, thus the mapping relationship between the epidermal spines on the surface and the plane was determined, which established a foundation for the accurate arrangement and modeling of the epidermal spines on the surface.
Boundary shape design of planar membrane structures based on an airy stress model
Authors: Liu Mingjun
Published: April 2020

Maintaining surface accuracy is crucial to realizing the required performance of membrane structure. However, compressive stress inevitably leads to wrinkling, and the accurate analysis of the stresses becomes significant. The present study analyzed membrane structures with discrete loads. First, a simple method was proposed and the stress field was accurately described using an Airy stress model. The first and second principal stresses were obtained, and regions of wrinkling with negative stress were predicted. Second, for a square membrane structure, vertical tensions around the boundary were applied such that in-plane stresses were more evenly distributed. Finally, to reduce the wrinkling areas more effectively, an arc-edge structure was designed by removing some areas of low-stress. Simulation results showed that the in-plane stress field distribution was described accurately and the wrinkling regions were diminished effectively with the proposed method.
Robust composite nonlinear feedback control for uncertain robot manipulators
Authors: Jiang Yuan , Lu Ke , Gong Chenglong , Liang Hao
Published: April 2020

On the basis of the classical computed torque control method, a new composite nonlinear feedback design method for robot manipulators with uncertainty is presented. The resulting controller consists of the composite nonlinear feedback control and robust control. The core is to use the robust control for online approximation of the system’s uncertainty as a compensation term for the composite nonlinear feedback controller. The design method of the new controller is given, and the convergence of the closed-loop system is proved. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme can make the uncertain robot system have strong robustness and anti-interference ability.
Model-free control algorithms for micro air vehicles with transitioning flight capabilities
Authors: Barth Jacson MO , Condomines Jean-Philippe , Bronz Murat , Moschetta Jean-Marc , Join Cédric , Fliess Michel
Published: April 2020

Micro air vehicles with transitioning flight capabilities, or simply hybrid micro air vehicles, combine the beneficial features of fixed-wing configurations, in terms of endurance, with vertical take-off and landing capabilities of rotorcrafts to perform five different flight phases during typical missions, such as vertical takeoff, transitioning flight, forward flight, hovering and vertical landing. This promising micro air vehicle class has a wider flight envelope than conventional micro air vehicles, which implies new challenges for both control community and aerodynamic designers. One of the major challenges of hybrid micro air vehicles is the fast variation of aerodynamic forces and moments during the transition flight phase which is difficult to model accurately. To overcome this problem, we propose a flight control architecture that estimates and counteracts in real-time these fast dynamics with an intelligent feedback controller. The proposed flight controller is designed to stabilize the hybrid micro air vehicle attitude as well as its velocity and position during all flight phases. By using model-free control algorithms, the proposed flight control architecture bypasses the need for a precise hybrid micro air vehicle model that is costly and time consuming to obtain. A comprehensive set of flight simulations covering the entire flight envelope of tailsitter micro air vehicles is presented. Finally, real-world flight tests were conducted to compare the model-free control performance to that of the Incremental Nonlinear Dynamic Inversion controller, which has been applied to a variety of aircraft providing effective flight performances.
Social Class and Children’s Prosociality: A Study in the Context of China’s Dual Urban–Rural Structure
Authors: Kuang Yi , Wang Fei , Wang Zuo-Jun
Published: April 2020

China’s dual urban–rural structure has resulted in rural residents with a lower social rank vis-à-vis urban residents. This research examined prosociality between lower class individuals (rural children) and higher class individuals (urban children), operationalized using the dictator game, which focuses on sharing resources with others. Two studies consistently showed that both rural and urban children were more likely to share more resources with rural partners than with urban partners. This tendency was more pronounced among urban, higher class children. This effect occurred in both within- and between-subject designs, when the allocated resources were money and notebooks, and in situations with and without a short period of social contact. The findings did not provide evidence for the view that lower class is associated with higher prosociality. Rather, the prosociality depended on the social class of both the actor and the target. This has implications for integrating migrant children into city life.
A Multilab Replication of the Ego Depletion Effect
Authors: Dang Junhua , Barker Paul , Baumert Anna , Bentvelzen Margriet , Berkman Elliot , Buchholz Nita , Buczny Jacek , Chen Zhansheng , De Cristofaro Valeria , de Vries Lianne , Dewitte Siegfried , Giacomantonio Mauro , Gong Ran , Homan Maaike , Imhoff Roland , Ismail Ismaharif , Jia Lile , Kubiak Thomas , Lange Florian , Li Dan-yang , Livingston Jordan , Ludwig Rita , Panno Angelo , Pearman Joshua , Rassi Niklas , Schiöth Helgi B. , Schmitt Manfred , Sevincer A. Timur , Shi Jiaxin , Stamos Angelos , Tan Yia Chin , Wenzel Mario , Zerhouni Oulmann , Zhang Li-wei , Zhang Yi-jia , Zinkernagel Axel
Published: April 2020

There is an active debate regarding whether the ego depletion effect is real. A recent preregistered experiment with the Stroop task as the depleting task and the antisaccade task as the outcome task found a medium-level effect size. In the current research, we conducted a preregistered multilab replication of that experiment. Data from 12 labs across the globe ( N = 1,775) revealed a small and significant ego depletion effect, d = 0.10. After excluding participants who might have responded randomly during the outcome task, the effect size increased to d = 0.16. By adding an informative, unbiased data point to the literature, our findings contribute to clarifying the existence, size, and generality of ego depletion.
Self-Referential Processing Predicts Social Cognitive Ability
Authors: Dinulescu Stejara , Alvi Talha , Rosenfield David , Sunahara Cecile S. , Lee Junghee , Tabak Benjamin A.
Published: April 2020

Self-referential processing is critical for making sense of others. However, there remains surprisingly little research examining associations between behavioral assessments of self-referential processing and social cognition (i.e., tasks assessing one’s understanding of others’ thoughts and emotions). This study ( n = 396) examined this link by associating accuracy in a self-referential processing task with two assessments of social cognition (i.e., theory of mind and empathic accuracy). Exploratory analyses included an examination of the relationship between self-referential processing and autism-related traits, as well as depression symptoms, both of which have been previously associated with decreased social cognitive ability. Self-referential processing was positively related to performance in both social cognition tasks, and these relationships were not valence-specific or moderated by gender. Moreover, no associations were found between self-referential processing and autism-related traits or depressive symptoms. Our findings provide behavioral evidence for a relation between self-referential processing and social cognition.
A case report of Adult-onset Still’s disease presenting with acute fibrinous and organising pneumonia
Authors: Perry Robert , Christidis Dimitrios , Nicholson Andrew G , Schomberg Lucy , Cheent Kuldeep
Published: April 2020

Adult-onset Still’s disease is a rare inflammatory disorder characterised by fever, arthritis and rash. It can present in a number of ways and is associated in 5% of cases with parenchymal lung involvement. We present the case of a 37-year-old man who initially presented with fever, weight loss and pancytopaenia. He gradually deteriorated requiring non-invasive ventilation with a Computerised tomography of his chest showing bilateral nodular infiltrates. An open lung biopsy showed acute fibrinous organising pneumonia, which responded well to corticosteroid treatment. He then re-presented over three years later with a similar systemic illness although with less severe lung involvement. Following extensive further investigations, he was diagnosed with Adult-onset Still’s disease fulfilling the Yamaguchi criteria. We feel this case is important due to the rare association of Adult-onset Still’s disease and interstitial lung disease. More specifically, we are not aware of any published cases of Adult-onset Still’s disease with acute fibrinous organising pneumonia.
A Conversation with Nancy Baym, Author of Playing to the Crowd
Authors: Lingel Jessa
Published: April 2020

How has digital technology changed the relationship between musicians and their fans? What can the experiences of performers teach the rest of us about technology, self-promotion, and community? This bookcast describes key themes from Playing to the Crowd, discusses the methods behind the book, and addresses theoretical frameworks.
Public Penitence: Facebook and the Performance of Apology
Authors: Hall Kimberly
Published: April 2020

This article explores the 2018 apology campaign launched by Facebook in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. While the campaign has largely been read as a failure, this article reads the five key moments of apology against the broader cultural discourse produced by the social media giant in order to argue that the campaign is actually quite successful. Facebook uses the performance of apology to create a divided perception of the company that allows it to reroute the expected transformation of the penitent into a strengthening of its brand identity, pointing to the immense discursive power of Facebook.
The 12th International Conference of Students of Systematic Musicology (SysMus19)
Authors: Kirk Rory , Bresler Zachary
Published: April 2020

At the 12th International Conference of Students of Systematic Musicology (SysMus19), students from all over the world came together to share and discuss their work spanning this interdisciplinary and diverse field. As a student-led conference, the SysMus series aims to provide a platform whereby early-stage researchers can hone their skills and gain experience in an open and friendly environment. Additionally, keynotes held by Dr. Klaus Frieler (Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt, Weimar) and Dr. Helga de la Motte-Haber (Technische Universität Berlin), as well as workshops on different research tools and approaches, added to the depth and variety of the event. This report provides an overview of the conference and a summary of the work presented.
Relationship Among Economic Growth, Energy Consumption, CO2 Emission, and Urbanization: Evidence From MINT Countries
Authors: Odugbesan Jamiu Adetola , Rjoub Husam
Published: April 2020

This study aimed at examining the synergy among economic growth, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, urbanization, and energy consumption in MINT (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey) countries. Yearly data from 1993 to 2017, which were sourced from World Bank Development Indicators, were employed, and the analysis was performed by employing the ARDL Bounds test approach. The findings from the study reveal that the energy–growth hypothesis that assumed unidirectional causality from energy consumption was true for Nigeria and Indonesia, whereas Mexico and Turkey followed the feedback hypothesis, which indicates a bidirectional relationship. Meanwhile, all the MINT countries show a long-run relationship from economic growth, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions to urbanization. The study suggests that the policymakers in MINT countries should develop an energy conservation policy that will enhance the potential growth of their economy. More so, there is a need to promote green industries. Finally, to ensure sustainable urbanization in MINT countries, concerted efforts need to be made to ensure the reduction in the urbanization level, so as to ensure the sustainability of the urbanization, but without compromising the economic growth, through the formulation of policies that will ensure the decrease in CO2 emissions to achieve quality environment.
Ensuring Quality in Interdisciplinary Inpatient Chronic Care
Authors: Romeyke Tobias , Noehammer Elisabeth , Stummer Harald
Published: April 2020

Pay for Quality (P4Q) concepts are discussed as solution for ensuring quality in health care in the context of budgetary concerns. However, little is known regarding the application to and effectiveness for complex chronic treatments. This article describes the incentivization approach taken in Germany, where complex codes requiring specific quality criteria were implemented into the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) system. Using two examples (early complex geriatric rehabilitation, multimodal rheumatological complex treatment), we analyze the quality indicators according to the Donabedian Model and contrast the effects regarding compensation to traditional treatments. In total, the approach allows taking into account treatment and financial requirements.
A Study of the Influence of Intellectual Property on China–U.S. Trade Relations
Authors: Li Wei , Chen Yichao
Published: April 2020

Recent investigations into China–U.S. trade relations have revealed that intellectual property plays an increasingly important role. A vector auto-regression model (VAR model) was established in this study to depict the relation among intellectual property protection, intellectual property trade barriers, and China–U.S. trade. Furthermore, Granger causality was utilized to formulate how intellectual property affects China–U.S. trade relations. As demonstrated by the relevant results, on one hand, intellectual property protection influences China–U.S. trade relations through the China–U.S. trade structure. On the other hand, China–U.S. trade relations may act on the intellectual property trade barrier for the same reason.
Blended Learning Is a Feasible and Effective Tool for Basic Pediatric Spinal Deformity Training
Authors: Senkoylu Alpaslan , Senkoylu Berkay , Budakoglu Irem , Coskun Özlem , Acaroglu Emre
Published: April 2020

Study Design:

Descriptive study.

Objective:

Assessing the applicability of blended learning to specific domains of spine surgery.

Methods:

After the needs assessment, a blended pediatric spine deformity course program was designed. A total of 33 participants, including orthopedic and neurosurgeons, registered for the course and all of them completed an online entrance quiz. Thus, they were eligible to have online part of course, which included the theoretical part of the course and also a discussion forum where the discussions about the topics facilitated by faculty. Thirteen of 33 subjects participated second part of the blended pediatric spine deformity course. This face-to-face (F2F) part consisted of case discussions for each topic and discussions facilitated by faculty members. The same quiz was also taken before and after the F2F part. All quiz results were compared statistically.

Results:

There were 11 lectures within the online part and 6 case discussions in the F2F part. The quiz scores were improved significantly by having a complete blended pediatric deformity course ( P < .05).

Conclusions:

The current study has demonstrated that blended learning format, including online and F2F, is feasible and effective in training for a domain of spine surgery, pediatric deformity in this specific context.
Debonding characteristics of orthodontic brackets subjected to intraoral stresses under different adhesive regimes: An in-vitro study
Authors: Abdelaziz Khalid M , Alshahrani Ibrahim , Kamran Muhammad Abdullah , Alnazeh Abdullah
Published: April 2020

Aim:

To evaluate the effect of simulated intraoral hydraulic, thermal, and mechanical stresses on the debonding characteristics of orthodontic brackets under different adhesive regimes.

Materials and methods:

Groups of pre-coated (G1) and non-coated (G2) orthodontic metal brackets were bonded onto the buccal surfaces of 96 premolars using etch-and-rinse (SG1, n = 24) and self-etch (SG2, n = 24) primers. Twelve specimens (C1) from each subgroup were subjected to early debonding resistance tests, while the other twelve (C2) were used to test delayed debonding resistance after exposure to conditions simulating intraoral hydraulic, thermal, and mechanical stresses. The debonding resistance of the brackets was evaluated using a universal testing machine and the debonding patterns were micro-visualized to determine the adhesive remnant indexes of subgroups of specimens.

Results:

Within each group, the etch-and-rinse primer (SG1) resulted in higher debonding resistance than self-etch primers (SG2) ( p < 0.05), while there was no difference between non-stressed and stressed specimens ( p > 0.05). Within each category of test specimens, there was no difference between pre-coated (G1) and non-coated (G2) brackets ( p > 0.05). The tested specimens in all categories showed comparable adhesive remnant indexes. However, higher percentages of favorable scores (0 and 1) were obtained for all stressed specimens.

Conclusions:

Short-term cumulative intraoral stresses have no adverse effect on the debonding values of either pre-coated or non-coated brackets when either etch-and-rinse or self-etch primer is used for bonding. Exposure of the bonded brackets to different types of stress reflects favorable debonding patterns.
Structural and mechanical analysis of three orthodontic adhesive composites cured with different light units
Authors: Yılmaz Berza , Bakkal Meltem , Zengin Kurt Belma
Published: April 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of three different curing units on the physical and mechanical features of three different orthodontic adhesive resin materials.

Material and Methods:

45 specimens (5 mm in diameter, and 2 mm in thickness) of each of the three different adhesive composite resin materials (Transbond XT, Grēngloo™ Adhesive and Light Bond Paste) were cured with three different light units (a polywave third generation (Valo), a monowave (DemiUltra), and a second-generation LED (Optima 10)). To quantify degree of conversion (DC), the Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was used in transmission mode (ALPHA FT-IR Spectrometer, Bruker Optics, Germany). Vickers hardness value was recorded under constant load 100 g for 10 s with a microhardness tester (HMV M-1, Shimadzu Corp., Kyoto, Japan). The data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests. The level of significance was considered p < 0.05.

Results:

The highest DC values were obtained as a result of curing with Optima 10. This rate was followed by Demi Ultra and Valo, respectively. Transbond XT samples showed a lower level of conversion than the samples of Light Bond Paste and Grēngloo™ Adhesive. The top surfaces of each material showed higher hardness values than the bottom surfaces ( p < 0.05). The Light Bond Paste showed the highest hardness values both on the top and bottom surfaces among the three materials, followed by Grēngloo™ Adhesive. While the hardness values of the top surfaces of the samples cured with Demi Ultra and Valo light units were similar, higher hardness values are recorded with Valo on the bottom surfaces (Valo; 85.200/75.200 (top/bottom) versus Demi Ultra; 86.100/66.000 (top/bottom)).

Conclusions:

The different DC and the surface hardness properties were recorded for the resin as orthodontic adhesives depending on different light units. Shorter radiation time caused lower DC and surface hardness values.
Role of Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Oro-Facial Tissue Regeneration: A Narrative Review
Authors: Deeb Modhi Al
Published: April 2020

Background and Aim:

Regeneration potential of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in oral tissues regeneration has revolutionized the clinical dentistry in recent years. The in vivo and in vitro research on PRP and PRF has opened a new avenue in the dentistry and medicinal care. It is a minimally invasive and cost-effective technique that will raise the bar of clinical dentistry. The results presently documented are overwhelming; the potential to use PRF and PRP in the clinical dentistry have improved dental quality, satisfaction, and clinical outcome. The aim of the review was to recapitulate the regenerative and healing potential of platelet extracts in different disciplines of clinical dentistry.

Materials and Methods:

The attempt was to answer the following question: what are the various clinical oral health applications for PRF and PRP available in the published literature? The dual functions (tissue sealants and drug delivery systems to carry biomolecules and chemotactic growth factors) have helped the practitioners to treat the complicated oral conditions and tissues regeneration. The PRF and plasma has emerged as a powerful therapeutic tool for management of soft and hard tissue healing and regenerative procedures, including implant osseointegration. More research is mandatory to use these platelets concentrate to their full potential in various clinical applications.

Conclusion:

PRF is an emerging therapeutic tool in the management of oral soft and hard tissue healing and regenerative procedures.
Clinical-based Scenario Questionnaire About Dentists’ Awareness of Tooth Avulsion Management in Riyadh City
Authors: Riyahi Abdullah Mahmoud , Myman Turki Al , Jarbou Fahd Al
Published: April 2020

Aim:

To evaluate the knowledge of general dentists in Riyadh city regarding tooth avulsion using a questionnaire that contained case-based questions.

Materials and Methods:

Case-based questionnaires were distributed amongst 128 dentists. The questionnaire contained 5 items on demographic data and 10 items on clinical cases. Participants selected the most appropriate answer on the basis of the American were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 22, IBM Corp., New York).

Results:

The survey was completed with 74 percent males and 26 percent females. Most participants had freshly graduated and had not experienced any accident involving tooth avulsion. The overall mean score was 5.13 (standard deviation = 1.73). There were no significant differences in scores among the demographic categories.

Conclusion:

Freshly graduated dentists in Riyadh city demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge on management of avulsed teeth. Close adherence to AAE guidelines for traumatic dental injuries could result in further improvement.
Quiescent Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration After Endophthalmitis
Authors: Robbins Cason B. , Feng Henry L. , Fekrat Sharon
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

This article describes eyes that achieved extended remission of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD) following acute endophthalmitis.

Methods:

Adults who presented to the Duke Eye Center with acute endophthalmitis over a 9-year period and had at least 3 months of follow-up were identified. A retrospective review of medical records was performed to collect clinical data including demographic information, examination findings, etiology, treatment, and outcomes.

Results:

A total of 133 eyes of 130 patients with endophthalmitis were identified. Of these, 15 eyes of 14 patients (11.3%) were receiving intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections for NVAMD. Six of these 15 eyes (40%) did not require an anti-VEGF injection after endophthalmitis for a mean of 36.2 months. Endophthalmitis was injection-related in 5 of 6 eyes (83%) and Baerveldt glaucoma drainage device–related in 1 of 6 eyes (17%). Two of the 6 (33%) had culture-proven infectious endophthalmitis, whereas 4 of 6 (67%) had culture-negative endophthalmitis. Five of 6 eyes have required no anti-VEGF therapy to date; the remaining eye restarted intravitreal aflibercept therapy 9.3 months after endophthalmitis.

Conclusions:

Acute endophthalmitis may be associated with reduced activity of choroidal neovascularization in a subset of eyes with NVAMD.
Mepolizumab in a population with severe eosinophilic asthma and corticosteroid dependence: results from a French early access programme
Authors: Taillé Camille , Chanez Pascal , Devouassoux Gilles , Didier Alain , Pison Christophe , Garcia Gilles , Charriot Jeremy , Bouée Stéphane , Gruber Alina , Pribil Celine , Bourdin Arnaud , Humbert Marc
Published: April 2020

Background

Mepolizumab was available in France as part of an early access programme for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (nominativeautorisation temporaire d'utilisation[temporary use authorisation] (nATU)) before its commercialisation. This study aimed to characterise patients who received mepolizumab in the nATU.

Methods

This retrospective, observational study analysed data from the hospital medical records of patients up to 24 months after treatment initiation. Study objectives were to describe patient baseline characteristics, the evolution of disease severity and treatment modifications during follow-up; safety was also investigated.

Findings

Overall, 146 patients who received ≥1 dose of mepolizumab were included. At inclusion, patients had a mean age of 58.2 years with a mean severe asthma duration of 13.4 years, and 37.0% had respiratory allergies. Patients experienced, on average, 5.8 exacerbations per patient per year at baseline, 0.6 and 0.5 of which required hospitalisation and emergency department visits, respectively. These values improved to 0.6, 0.1 and 0.1 exacerbations per patient per year, respectively, at 24 months of follow-up. Most patients (92.8%) were using oral corticosteroids at baseline, compared with 34.7% by 24 months of follow-up. Moreover, mean blood eosinophil counts improved from 722 cells·µL−1at baseline to 92 cells·µL−1at 24 months of follow-up; lung function and asthma control followed a similar trend.

Interpretation

Results confirm findings from clinical trials, demonstrating that mepolizumab is associated with important improvements in several clinically meaningful outcomes and has a favourable safety profile in a population with severe eosinophilic asthma, outside of the controlled environment of a clinical trial.
Correction to: Expressive language sampling as a source of outcome measures for treatment studies in fragile X syndrome: feasibility, practice effects, test-retest reliability, and construct validity
Authors: Abbeduto Leonard , Berry-Kravis Elizabeth , Sterling Audra , Sherman Stephanie , Edgin Jamie O. , McDuffie Andrea , Hoffmann Anne , Hamilton Debra , Nelson Michael , Aschkenasy Jeannie , Thurman Angela John
Published: April 2020

In the original publication of this article [1], the author name Leonard Abbeduto was misspelled as Leonardkk Abbeduto. The original article has been corrected.
Effect of the parasympathetic vasodilation on temperature regulation via trigeminal afferents in the orofacial area
Authors: Ohke Hanako , Sato Toshiya , Mito Kohei , Terumitsu Makoto , Ishii Hisayoshi
Published: April 2020

The skin temperature (Tm) of the orofacial area influences orofacial functions and is related to the blood flow (BF). Marked increases in BF mediated by parasympathetic vasodilation may be important for orofacial Tm regulation. Therefore, we examined the relationship between parasympathetic reflex vasodilation and orofacial Tm in anesthetized rats. Electrical stimulation of the central cut end of the lingual nerve (LN) elicited significant increases in BF and Tm in the lower lip. These increases were significantly reduced by hexamethonium, but not atropine. VIP agonist increased both BF and Tm in the lower lip. The activation of the superior cervical sympathetic trunk (CST) decreased BF and Tm in the lower lip; however, these decreases were significantly inhibited by LN stimulation. Our results suggest that parasympathetic vasodilation plays an important role in the maintaining the hemodynamics and Tm in the orofacial area, and that VIP may be involved in this response.
Intraoperative ventilator settings and their association with postoperative pulmonary complications in neurosurgical patients: post-hoc analysis of LAS VEGAS study
Authors:   FERS for the LAS VEGAS investigators, Robba Chiara ,   the PROtective VEntilation Network and the Clinical Trial Network of the European Society of Anaesthesiology, Hemmes Sabrine N. T. , Serpa Neto Ary , Bluth Thomas , Canet Jaume , Hiesmayr Michael , Hollmann M. Wiersma , Mills Gary H. , Vidal Melo Marcos F. , Putensen Christian , Jaber Samir , Schmid Werner , Severgnini Paolo , Wrigge Hermann , Battaglini Denise , Ball Lorenzo , Gama de Abreu Marcelo , Schultz Marcus J. , Pelosi Paolo
Published: April 2020

Background

Limited information is available regarding intraoperative ventilator settings and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures. The aim of this post-hoc analysis of the ‘Multicentre Local ASsessment of VEntilatory management during General Anaesthesia for Surgery’ (LAS VEGAS) study was to examine the ventilator settings of patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures, and to explore the association between perioperative variables and the development of PPCs in neurosurgical patients.

Methods

Post-hoc analysis of LAS VEGAS study, restricted to patients undergoing neurosurgery. Patients were stratified into groups based on the type of surgery (brain and spine), the occurrence of PPCs and the assess respiratory risk in surgical patients in Catalonia (ARISCAT) score risk for PPCs.

Results

Seven hundred eighty-four patients were included in the analysis; 408 patients (52%) underwent spine surgery and 376 patients (48%) brain surgery. Median tidal volume (VT) was 8 ml [Interquartile Range, IQR = 7.3–9] per predicted body weight; median positive end–expiratory pressure (PEEP) was 5 [3 to 5] cmH20. Planned recruitment manoeuvres were used in the 6.9% of patients. No differences in ventilator settings were found among the sub-groups. PPCs occurred in 81 patients (10.3%). Duration of anaesthesia (odds ratio, 1.295 [95% confidence interval 1.067 to 1.572]; p = 0.009) and higher age for the brain group (odds ratio, 0.000 [0.000 to 0.189]; p = 0.031), but not intraoperative ventilator settings were independently associated with development of PPCs.

Conclusions

Neurosurgical patients are ventilated with low VT and low PEEP, while recruitment manoeuvres are seldom applied. Intraoperative ventilator settings are not associated with PPCs.
Predicting hospitalisation-associated functional decline in older patients admitted to a cardiac care unit with cardiovascular disease: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Van Grootven Bastiaan , Jeuris Anthony , Jonckers Maren , Devriendt Els , Dierckx de Casterlé Bernadette , Dubois Christophe , Fagard Katleen , Herregods Marie-Christine , Hornikx Miek , Meuris Bart , Rex Steffen , Tournoy Jos , Milisen Koen , Flamaing Johan , Deschodt Mieke
Published: April 2020

Background

Up to one in three of older patients who are hospitalised develop functional decline, which is associated with sustained disability, institutionalisation and death. This study developed and validated a clinical prediction model that identifies patients who are at risk for functional decline during hospitalisation. The predictive value of the model was compared against three models that were developed for patients admitted to a general medical ward.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed on two cardiac care units between September 2016 and June 2017. Patients aged 75 years or older were recruited on admission if they were admitted for non-surgical treatment of an acute cardiovascular disease. Hospitalisation-associated functional decline was defined as any decrease on the Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living between hospital admission and discharge. Predictors were selected based on a review of the literature and a prediction score chart was developed based on a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results

A total of 189 patients were recruited and 33% developed functional decline during hospitalisation. A score chart was developed with five predictors that were measured on hospital admission: mobility impairment = 9 points, cognitive impairment = 7 points, loss of appetite = 6 points, depressive symptoms = 5 points, use of physical restraints or having an indwelling urinary catheter = 5 points. The score chart of the developed model demonstrated good calibration and discriminated adequately (C-index = 0.75, 95% CI (0.68–0.83) and better between patients with and without functional decline (chi2 = 12.8, p = 0.005) than the three previously developed models (range of C-index = 0.65–0.68).

Conclusion

Functional decline is a prevalent complication and can be adequately predicted on hospital admission. A score chart can be used in clinical practice to identify patients who could benefit from preventive interventions. Independent external validation is needed.