bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular characterization of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV2) reveals a high prevalence of the CPV2c genotype among dogs suffering from diarrhea
Authors: Umar Sajid , Gao Di , Kim Semin , Cheng Yixi , Fang Zhenkun , Zhongqi Qiu , Yu Weidong , Anderson Benjamin D.
Published: January 2024

Canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2) is a highly contagious virus in dogs that typically causes hemorrhagic enteritis and a high mortality rate in unvaccinated puppies. The genetic variability and antigenic diversity of CPV-2 hinder its effective prevention of infection by vaccination. To investigate the epidemiology and genetic characteristics of CPV-2 in China, rectal swabs from affected dogs were collected from different animal clinics in Kunshan from 2022 to 2023. Preliminary detection and capsid gene sequencing of CPV-2 were performed using previously described primers and protocols. The overall detection rate for CPV-2 was 16.5% (33/200). A significant association was found between the CPV-2-positivity and clinical signs, age, breed and vaccination status. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of CPV-2c genotypes in all positive samples, which were genetically similar to other Asian CPV-2c strains. Notably, four key mutations (A5G, F267Y, Y324I and Q370R) were detected in all isolates, and one novel mutation (I447M) was detected in three CPV-2 isolates. These mutations in the CPV-2 strains could impact vaccine efficacy and the effectiveness of the virus immune evasion. Surprisingly, no recombination events were observed between the identified CPV-2c strains and reference strains from China. Our data revealed that amino acid residues 324, 426 and 440 of VP2 may under strong selection pressure. This pattern of genetic variation in the CPV-2 lineage warrants continuous laboratory-based surveillance programs in other parts of China to better understand the pattern of seasonal distribution and association between emerging genotypes and the intensity of disease severity.
A service provider’s experience providing telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic in a community-based opioid substitution clinic in Bangladesh
Authors: Shafiq Tanveer Khan Ibne , Shaikh Kamruzzaman , Rahman Ferdous , Sarwar Golam , Hemel Muhammad Manwar Morshed , Khan Tasdik Hyet , Chowdhury Sujan , Khan Sharful Islam
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic incurred numerous impediments on day-to-day emergency medical services including Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) for People Who Inject Drugs (PWID). To prevent treatment cessation and lost to follow-up, we tried to implement an alternate mitigating intervention like telehealth.

Methodology

This research was conducted on a cohort of OST clients during the COVID-19 pandemic ( from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021) in Narayanganj, a port city adjacent to the capital Dhaka and one of the most COVID-affected districts, with a high PWID and HIV burden. The participants were male, female and transgender women who were all ex-PWID and were under OST services. A telehealth intervention model was designed and implemented in the OST clinic at Narayangonj. Quantitative data were collected during pre and post-intervention of telehealth services.

Results

A total of 297 OST clients of Narayangonj were provided with telehealth services from April 2020 to March 2021. The participants were predominantly male (98.7%), 37.7% were between 30–39 years of age. 39.4% of the telephone calls were related to COVID-19-related symptoms followed by 21.7% for opioid withdrawal, 12.5% for COVID-19 & vaccine-related information, 11.3% for chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and asthma, 9.3% for Skin and Soft Tissue Infection (SSTI), and 5.8% for methadone-related effects. There was an improvement in treatment retention (14.4% to 87%), loss to follow-up (20% to 8%), and overdose-related death (1.3% to 0%) from pre to post intervention of telehealth services.

Conclusion

From our experience, we found that the telehealth intervention is beneficial for the OST clients and thus ensures treatment continuity and retention, both of which serve as crucial success indicators of the OST programme. Using simply the mobile phone, this intervention can reduce structural and logistical needs like clinic spaces and fewer human resources, ensuring cost-effectiveness and value for money.
Iatrogenic Pituitary Shutdown: A Rare Adverse Event of Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Inhibitor
Authors: Al-Hiari Mohammed , Workman Anthony , Ezeh Ebubechukwu , Teka Samson
Published: January 2024

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are one of the novel treatment strategies for malignancies, and their wide use has led to the emergence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Most of them have been reported in patients taking cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 inhibitors and are rarely reported among those taking programmed cell death-ligand protein 1 inhibitors. Here is a 74-year-old man who underwent treatment with atezolizumab for 33 weeks for hepatocellular carcinoma before presenting with chronic symptoms and laboratory results consistent with central adrenal insufficiency. Brain imaging did not show a possible culprit. He was incidentally found to have low thyrotropin (TSH) and low thyroxine prior to his presentation and began replacement with no further workup prior. We advocate keeping a low threshold for the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency among patients taking ICIs and monitoring their pituitary hormones on a regular basis. Also, it is crucial to rule out pituitary hormonal deficiency among patients with central hypothyroidism prior to initiating replacement.
Thermal regimes of lakes in the southern and eastern part of the Baltic Sea catchment area during the period of climate change
Authors: Skowron Rajmund , Jaszczyk Tomasz
Published: January 2024

The study covered eleven lakes located in northern Poland and Belarus, aiming to determine the degree and trends of surface water temperature changes for the years 1971–2020 and lake ice cover  for  the  period  of  1961–2020  under  the  influence  of  ongoing  climate  changes.  The  analysis focused on changes and trends in average monthly surface water temperatures (SWT), as well as changes  in  the  onset  and  end,  duration  and  maximum  thickness  of  ice  cover.  The  average  annual surface water temperature increased in the lakes by an average of 0.044°C per  year. The lake with the highest trend is Chervonoe, at with 0.066°C per year, while the lowest is 0.029°C per year in Lake Hańcza. The ice  cover duration  showed a decrease of 0.6 days per year, and there was a reduction in maximum ice thickness of 0.27 cm per year
The impact of competencies on employability in Poland
Authors: Topolewska Kamila
Published: January 2024

Motivation: Employee competencies are some of the most important elements of human resources management. Their value is clear even at an early stage of an employee selecting process because the hiring of a qualified employee can significantly reduce the costs related to training. Although the remuneration of qualified workers is usually higher, there is one key balancing aspect at play here, namely the fact that high level of knowledge and skills of a team allows for easier adaptation to changing market conditions. These competencies also have a similar value in case of other processes, such as: assessment, motivation, and employee development. Thus, considering their importance, it seemed worthwhile to analyse the impact of competencies on employability, both from the point of view of an organization and the labor market.Aim: The aim of the work is to determine the impact of individual characteristics and professional competencies on the likelihood of employment.Results: Based on the logit model estimates, it might be concluded that the following factors have the greatest positive impact on employability: age 41–50, having a driving license, higher education, readiness to work unusual hours required by the employer, and the ability to operate machines, tools and technical devices. The features that adversely affect the employability of the surveyed individuals include: lack of readiness to work unusual hours required by the employer, female gender, and lack of the ability to analyse information and draw conclusions.
A Monadic Second-Order Version of Tarski’s Geometry of Solids
Authors: Barlatier Patrick , Dapoigny Richard
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we are concerned with the development of a general set theory using the single axiom version of Leśniewski’s mereology. The specification of mereology, and further of Tarski’s geometry of solids will rely on the Calculus of Inductive Constructions (CIC). In the first part, we provide a specification of Leśniewski’s mereology as a model for an atomless Boolean algebra using Clay’s ideas. In the second part, we interpret Leśniewski’s mereology in monadic second-order logic using names and develop a full version of mereology referred to as CIC-based Monadic Mereology (λ-MM) allowing an expressive theory while involving only two axioms. In the third part, we propose a modeling of Tarski’s solid geometry relying on λ-MM. It is intended to serve as a basis for spatial reasoning. All parts have been proved using a translation in type theory.
Paradoxes versus Contradictions in Logic of Sentential Operators
Authors: Walicki Michał
Published: January 2024

Classical logic, of first or higher order, is extended with sentential operators and quantifiers, interpreted substitutionally over unrestricted substitution class. Operators mark a single layered, consistent metalanguage. Self-reference, arising from substitutional quantification over sentences, allows to express paradoxes which, unlike contradictions, do not lead to explosion. Semantics of the resulting language, using semi-kernels of digraphs, is non-explosive yet two-valued and has classical semantics as a special case for clasically consistent theories. A complete reasoning is obtained by extending LK with two rules for sentential quantifiers. Adding (cut) yields a complete system for the explosive semantics.
PERCEPCJA DUCHOWIEŃSTWA KATOLICKIEGO, JAKO GRUPY ZAWODOWEJ W ŚWIETLE MATERIAŁÓW OPERACYJNYCH I SZKOLENIOWYCH SB ZA LATA 1963–1989
Authors: Białecki Daniel
Published: January 2024

Perymetrem mechanizmów ingerencji przez Służbę Bezpieczeństwa w autentyczność percepcji duchowieństwa są socjotechniczne zabiegi przy manipulacji techniką operacyjną. Z problemem kreowania wizerunku przychodzi mierzyć się na niwie narracji historycznej w obrębie aspektu operacyjnej inwigilacji kapłana, która relatywizuje jego społeczną rolę, jaką ma do spełnienia w realiach PRL. Zjawisko to odcisnęło swoje piętno, erodujące ład sytemu ustrojowego, jak też konsolidujące siły mu przeciwne w czasach kryzysów władzy. Formuła analitycznej kompilacji ma na celu określenie etykiet przypisanych duchownym z użyciem schematu rozpracowywania przy rozwijaniu rudymentów pracy funkcjonariuszy SB. Upatrywanie czynników destabilizacji społecznej wśród księży warunkowało epatowanie propagandą „tropienia wroga”. Zestawiane przez autora studium przypadków stanowi propozycję interpretacyjną dla hermeneutyki źródeł. Badanie zabezpieczenia operacyjnego księży, weryfi kują odsłaniane instrukcje aparatu represji.
NIEBO NA ZIEMI WEDŁUG ŚWIĘTEJ ELŻBIETY OD TRÓJCY PRZENAJŚWIĘTSZEJ OCD
Authors: Kricka Anna
Published: January 2024

Artykuł przedstawia doktrynę nieba na ziemi, którą, pod wpływem własnych doświadczeń mistycznych, rozwinęła w swoich pismach święta Elżbieta od Trójcy Przenajświętszej OCD. W pierwszej części została zarysowana idea nieba w chrześcijaństwie. W drugiej części przedstawiono kontur krótkiego życia francuskiej świętej i stopniowe kształtowanie się wizji nieba w jej duchowości. Część ostatnia to rozwinięcie koncepcji doświadczenia nieba na ziemi według świętej karmelitanki, które opisała w swoich tekstach, głównie w listach. Podsumowanie prowadzi do konkluzji, że niebo zaczyna się w wierze, już na ziemi, a odczuwaniu obecności Trójcy Świętej w duszy każdego człowieka sprzyja między innymi modlitwa, ufność, cisza i kontemplacja. Święta Elżbieta proponuje tę duchowość głównie osobom świeckim.
ZABURZENIA OSOBOWOŚCI WIĄZKI TYPU „B” ANTYSPOŁECZNE, HISTRIONICZNE, BORDERLINE, NARCYSTYCZNE – JAKO PRZYCZYNA NATURY PSYCHICZNEJ W NIEWAŻNOŚCI MAŁŻEŃSTWA KANONICZNEGO, W OPARCIU O SPRAWY STWIERDZENIA NIEWAŻNOŚCI MAŁŻEŃSTWA SĄDU BISKUPIEGO DIECEZJI TORUŃSKIEJ
Authors: Kraiński Wiesław
Published: January 2024

Artykuł ze swej natury ma charakter interdyscyplinarny i przedstawia podstawy prawne oraz zaburzenia osobowości w opiniach psychologicznych skutkujących wyrażeniem ważnej zgody na małżeństwo w aspekcie konsensualnym przedmiotowym. Artykuł prezentuje instytucje zgody małżeńskiej jako przyczyny sprawczej małżeństwa i ukazuje jej nieważność konsensualną przedmiotową w analizie zaburzeń osobowości wiązki typu „B” antyspołeczne, histrioniczne, borderline, narcystyczne. Wyszczególnione przyczyny natury psychicznej, powodujące nieważność małżeństwa, zostały pogrupowane według płci, etiologii zaburzeń, dysfunkcyjności. Artykuł opiera się na analizie wybranych spraw w Sądzie Biskupim Diecezji Toruńskiej SBDT z lat 2012–2016. Analiza została zaprezentowana przez autora w zakresie wszystkich zaburzeń osobowości, wraz z wnioskami psychologicznymi, prawnymi i statystycznymi w następujących artykułach: Personality disorders as a cause of the invalidation of Catholic Marriage in Poland, „The Person and the Challenges”, vol.10 (2020) n 1, ss. 193–213 oraz Zaburzenia osobowości jako przyczyna niezdolności konsensualnej do zawarcia małżeństwa kanonicznego, „Kultura i Edukacja” 2020 nr 1 (127), ss. 125–146. Wszelkie dane i przypadki spraw wykorzystane do powyższych analiz zostały użyte zgodnie z zasadą RODO o przetwarzaniu danych osobowych w celach badań naukowych, które podlegają ochronie i zabezpieczeniom wynikającym z Rozporządzenia, a w szczególności zasadzie minimalizacji i anonimizacji danych.
FUNDACJE EREMÓW KONGREGACJI KAMEDUŁÓW EREMITÓW GÓRY KORONNEJ W DAWNEJ RZECZYPOSPOLITEJ
Authors: Łupiński Józef
Published: January 2024

Kongregacja Eremitów Kamedułów Góry Koronnej założona przez błog. Pawła Giustinianiego na początku XVI wieku we Włoszech, o charakterze eremickim, czyli pustelniczym stała się jednym z prężnych centrów odnowy Kościoła katolickiego w dobie reformacji. Istotą reformy założyciela był powrót do pierwotnego ducha eremickiego polegającego na wycofaniu się ze świata, aby w samotności, kontemplacji i milczeniu zjednoczyć się z Bogiem. Członkowie kongregacji na początku XVII wieku dotarli na ziemie polskie i litewskie na zaproszenie możnowładców oraz królów Władysława IV i Jana II Kazimierza, aby ocalić Rzeczpospolitą od nieszczęść, które ją dotykały. Fundatorzy mieli decydujący wpływ na zakładanie eremów, ich architekturę i przekazane posiadłości ziemskie. Kryzys, jaki nastąpił w okresie zaborów, dotknął boleśnie kamedułów. Zaborcy pozbawili kamedułów ich posiadłości i skasowali poszczególne eremy, z których zachowały się do dzisiaj tylko dwa: na Bielanach koło Krakowa oraz w Bieniszewie. Niniejszy artykuł ma na celu prześledzenie zakładania fundacji eremów kamedulskich na ziemiach dawnej Rzeczypospolitej oraz respektowanie przepisów i zaleceń władz Kongregacji Eremitów Kamedułów Góry Koronnej, odnoszących się do założeń architektonicznych nowo wybudowanych fundacji.
ENERGEIA AND ENTELECHEIA – FIRST AND SECOND ACT. OPERARI SEQUITUR ESSE IN ARISTOTLE AND AQUINAS
Authors: Stepień Tomasz
Published: January 2024

The term “act” is difficult to grasp since it is one of the simple notions which can be comprehended only by analogy. But it is also one of the most important concept in Aristotle and Aquinas. This paper attempts to have a closer look to the termin peripatetic perspective, especially dealing with the connection of the act with the demonstration of immortality of the soul. The first part discusses the two terms energeia and entelecheia, concentrating on the diff erence between them which can be seen in the text of Aristotle. Second part deals with the application of those two types of acts in philosophy of Aquinas, especially when he uses them to demonstrate that the existence of action per se must point at existence per se. It also shows that Aquinas seems to link those two terms with the concepts of first and second act, to cover the gap which occurred when two Greek terms (energeia and entelecheia) were rendered by one Latin term actus.
KOŚCIÓŁ A SPOŁECZEŃSTWO PO PANDEMII
Authors: Szulist Janusz
Published: January 2024

Artykuł prezentuje wizję społeczeństwa po pandemii Covid-19 nakreśloną w nauczaniu Kościoła, nade wszystko: w dokumentach papieskich oraz Konferencji Episkopatu Polski. Pojawienie się masowych zachorować na koronawirusa wywołała reakcję ze strony instytucji państwa oraz hierarchów kościelnych, mające na celu ochronę zdrowia obywateli a także określenie warunków realizacji zadań rodzinnych, zawodowych i in. w obliczu zagrożenia epidemicznego. Reakcje instytucji społecznych na pandemii nasiliło również oddziaływanie trendów negatywnie wpływających na religijność. Stąd też w kształtowaniu społeczeństwa popandemicznego należy w pierwszej kolejności upodmiotowić jednostki i grupy. Następnie istnieje konieczność wykorzystania współczesnych rozwiązań medialnych w budowaniu solidarnych więzi, mając na uwadze ryzyko absolutyzacji współczesnych środków społecznego przekazu. Zadaniem Kościoła jest wreszcie zmodyfikowania form obecności w strukturach społecznych, sprzyjających skutecznemu realizowaniu postulatów humanizmu chrześcijańskiego.
Wychowanie chrześcijańskie jako integralna część (nowej) ewangelizacji w ujęciu Benedykta XVI
Authors: Kaczorowski Grzegorz
Published: January 2024

Według Benedykta XVI wychowanie młodzieży jest integralną częścią ewangelizacji. W obliczu wielu problemów współczesności istotna jest odpowiedzialność za wychowanie młodzieży. W nową ewangelizację wpisują się: nawrócenie jako rewizja własnego życia; głoszenie Królestwa Bożego, które przypomina, że Bóg istnieje i żyje; osoba Jezusa Chrystusa, który jest drogą człowieka; życie wieczne, które nie pozbawia znaczenia życia ziemskiego.
Chrześcijańska wizja wychowania w swej integralności i szerokości odpowiada idealizmowi młodych ludzi, którzy mają prawo, aby spotkać wiarę w całym jej pięknie, bogactwie intelektualnym i radykalnych wymaganiach. Można więc powiedzieć, że funkcja wychowawcza, o której w swoim nauczaniu mówił papież Benedykt XVI, koncentruje się przede wszystkim na wychowaniu w wierze, które jest ważnym elementem procesu ewangelizacji. Nowa ewangelizacja ma prowadzić do przyjęcia daru wiary i wyznania Jezusa jako Pana i Zbawcy.
A noniterative reconstruction method for the inverse potential problem for a time-fractional diffusion equation
Authors: BenSalah Mohamed
Published: January 2024

This paper is concerned with the reconstruction of the support of the potential
term for a time-fractional diffusion equation from the final measured data.
The aim of this paper is to propose an accurate approach based on the topological
derivative method. The idea is to formulate the reconstruction problem as
a topology optimization one minimizing a given cost function. We derive
a topological asymptotic expansion for the fractional model. The unknown support is
reconstructed using the level-set curve of the topological gradient.
We finally make some numerical examples proving the efficiency and accuracy
of the proposed algorithm.
Exponential attractor for the Cahn-Hilliard-Oono equation in R^N
Authors: Cholewa Jan W. , Czaja Radosław
Published: January 2024

We consider the Cahn-Hilliard-Oono equation in the whole of $\mathbb{R}^N$, $N\leq 3$.
We prove the existence of an exponential attractor in $H^1\big(\mathbb{R}^N\big)$,
which contains a global attractor. We also estimate from above fractal dimension of the attractors.
A direct proof of existence of weak solutions to elliptic problems
Authors: Chlebicka Iwona , Karppinen Arttu , Li Ying
Published: January 2024

We provide a direct proof of existence and uniqueness of weak solutions to a broad
family of strongly nonlinear elliptic equations with lower-order terms. The leading
part of the operator satisfies general growth conditions settling the problem in the
framework of fully anisotropic and inhomogeneous Musielak-Orlicz spaces generated
by an $N$-function \linebreak
$M\colon \Omega\times\mathbb R^d\to [0,\infty)$.
Neither $\nabla_2$
nor $\Delta_2$ conditions are imposed on $M$. Our results cover among others
problems with anisotropic polynomial, Orlicz, variable exponent, and double phase growth.
Multiple solutions of nonlinear Neumann inclusions
Authors: Cianciaruso Filomena , Pietramala Paolamaria
Published: January 2024

We prove new results on the existence of multiple solutions for elliptic inclusions
with nonlinear boundary conditions of Neumann type. Our approach is topological
and relies on the fixed point index for multivalued map.
Editorial. Estudios sobre imágenes en el nuevo ecosistema mediático
Authors: Porto Renó Denis , Galan Fajardo Helena
Published: January 2024

Editorial. Volumen 13, Número 2 (Julio-diciembre 2020)
Más allá de roles y normas periodísticas
Authors: González Vázquez Jorge
Published: January 2024

Reseña de Beyond Journalistic Norms. Role Performance and News in Comparative Perspective, editado por Claudia Mellado.
Development of e-worksheet based on ExPRession learning model to train critical thinking skills
Authors: Fadilah Nisa , Herlina Kartini , Permadi Dimas , Suana Wayan
Published: January 2024

Education plays an important role in a country, so in the 21st century, education requires students to have skills that support them in facing global challenges. One of these skills is critical thinking skills. However, in learning, especially physics, critical thinking skills have not been widely applied. This Research aimed to develop e-worksheets based on external physical representation (ExPRession). This development research used the Design and Development Research (DDR) approach. The data analyzed are data from validity tests, namely language and design validity tests and Material and construct validity tests. In addition, the analysis data is also on the results of the practicality test consisting of readability, teacher perception, and student responses. The results of this study indicate that the results of the validity test for the media and design tests obtained a score of 3.50 with a very valid category, and for the material and construct validation test, a score of 3.38 was obtained with a very valid category. The practicality test results obtained a score of 83.8% in the very high practical category.
How did problem-based learning with the TPACK approach (PBL-TPACK) enhance physics learning outcomes?
Authors: Hasanah Daimul , Prihatni Yuli , Lisdayanti Lisdayanti , Purwanto Joko
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to determine the average score category of students’ physics learning outcomes and the effect of the PBL-TPACK on students’ physics learning outcomes. This research is a type of quantitative research with a comparative approach. The research design used was a randomized pretest-posttest design. The sample was randomly selected, and two class groups were chosen as the research sample. The data collection technique was carried out using a test technique. The data collection instrument was a test instrument with multiple choice questions of 30 test items with five alternative answers. The results showed that the average score of students’ physics learning outcomes taught by the PBL-TPACK was included in the high category. In contrast, the DI-TPACK was included in the low sort, and there is a significant difference in average physics learning outcomes between students taught through the PBL-TPACK and those taught through the DI-TPACK. The PBL-TPACK has a positive effect on students’ physics learning outcomes.
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR SLOVAK STUDENTS IN LEARNING THE SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD IN PORTUGUESE
Authors: Benková Marcelliová Jana , Slaničková Silvia , Tupý Ján
Published: January 2024

The subjunctive mood is a particularly challenging issue for Slovak users of Portuguese, primarily because it doesn't exist in our language. Although university students learn subjunctive mood tenses for several years, we know from teaching experience that even students in their final semesters who have a good knowledge of Portuguese often have doubts about its correct use, and even try to avoid it in oral discourse out of fear of making mistakes. In this article, we therefore highlight the most prominent problems that Slovak students encounter when acquiring the subjunctive mood. We also provide a series of example sentences to help students better understand the particularities and subtleties of this verbal mood, and present exercise types that will help consolidate the knowledge they have acquired in practice.
CONTEXTOS DE ENSINO-APRENDIZAGEM DE LÍNGUA PORTUGUESA NA REPÚBLICA TCHECA: UMA ENTREVISTA COM IVA SVOBODOVÁ /PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONTEXTS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC: AN INTERVIEW WITH IVA SVOBODOVÁ
Authors: Svobodová Iva , De Aguiar Milena Torres , Da Costa do Rosário Ivo
Published: January 2024

O presente texto é uma entrevista realizada pelos professores doutores Milena Torres de Aguiar (UERJ/FFP) e Ivo da Costa do Rosário (UFF) com a professora doutora Iva Svobodová (Universidade de Mararyk). Os três professores em questão são os organizadores deste dossiê 29 da Pensares em Revista.
Why, when and how to successfully extract a deciduous tooth
Authors: Williams Tom Rhys
Published: January 2024

Deciduous teeth should erupt and exfoliate in the few months before a dog enters adulthood. For this reason, there is often reluctance or a lack of knowledge as to why these teeth may need to be extracted. However, there are three main indications for the extraction of deciduous teeth; injury or fracture; persistence of a deciduous tooth; or to manage a malocclusion with extractions, which is also known as ‘interceptive orthodontics’. The extractions for all three indications are time sensitive. They should be viewed as urgent in the case of fractures, and procedures to perform as soon as possible for the other indications. Extraction should be done with a careful open approach; they need to be complete, and radiographs are essential.
Understanding feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia
Authors: Černá Petra
Published: January 2024

Feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia is a recently described disease in cats that presents as eosinophilic masses that are associated with the gastrointestinal tract and associated abdominal lymph nodes, often localised near the pylorus or ileocaecocolic junction. Feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia is seen predominantly in middle-aged cats, with Ragdoll cats being overrepresented. Clinical signs are often chronic, typically including weight loss, hyporexia and vomiting. Bloodwork abnormalities most frequently documented in cats with feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia are eosinophilia, anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia. The diagnosis of feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia is usually confirmed on histopathology and infectious organisms are identified in about one-to two-thirds of cases in different studies. Corticosteroids are important in the treatment of cats with feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia, with cats being treated by surgery alone having a significantly shorter survival time than those cats treated with surgery and corticosteroids combined.
Endophthalmitis in silicone oil-filled eye: A case report
Authors: Yan Hui-Chao , Wang Ze-Lu , Yu Wen-Zhen , Zhao Ming-Wei , Liang Jian-Hong , Yin Hong , Shi Xuan , Miao Heng
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Endophthalmitis occurring in silicone oil-filled eyes is a very rare occurrence, with reported incidence rates ranging between 0.07% and 0.039%. Traditional methods of management of infectious endophthalmitis include the removal of silicone oil, washout of the vitreous cavity, administration of intravitreal antibiotics, and re-injection of silicone oil.

CASE SUMMARY

Herein, we report the case of a 39-year-old man with unilateral endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade. Intravitreal injections of full-dose antibiotics and anterior chamber washout were used to treat the patient. No signs of retinal toxicity were observed during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal full-dose antibiotic injections and anterior chamber washout are promising alternatives to traditional therapies for endophthalmitis in silicone oil-filled eyes.
Pleural empyema with endobronchial mass due to Rhodococcus equi infection after renal transplantation: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Liang Guo-Fu , Chao Sheng , Sun Zhou , Zhu Ke-Jing , Chen Qian , Jia Lei , Niu Yu-Lin
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation is the best option for patients with end-stage renal disease. However, the need for lifelong immunosuppression results in renal transplant recipients being susceptible to various infections. Rhodococcus equi (R. equi ) is a rare opportunistic pathogen in humans, and there are limited reports of infection with R. equi in post-renal transplant recipients and no uniform standard of treatment. This article reports on the diagnosis and treatment of a renal transplant recipient infected with R. equi 21 mo postoperatively and summarizes the characteristics of infection with R. equi after renal transplantation, along with a detailed review of the literature.

CASE SUMMARY

Here, we present the case of a 25-year-old man who was infected with R. equi 21 mo after renal transplantation. Although the clinical features at the time of presentation were not specific, chest computed tomography (CT) showed a large volume of pus in the right thoracic cavity and right middle lung atelectasis, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed an endobronchial mass in the right middle and lower lobe orifices. Bacterial culture and metagenomic next-generation sequencing sequencing of the pus were suggestive of R. equi infection. The immunosuppressive drugs were immediately suspended and intravenous vancomycin and azithromycin were administered, along with adequate drainage of the abscess. The endobronchial mass was then resected. After the patient’s clinical symptoms and chest CT presentation resolved, he was switched to intravenous ciprofloxacin and azithromycin, followed by oral ciprofloxacin and azithromycin. The patient was re-hospitalized 2 wk after discharge for recurrence of R. equi infection. He recovered after another round of adequate abscess drainage and intravenous ciprofloxacin and azithromycin.

CONCLUSION

Infection with R. equi in renal transplant recipients is rare and complex, and the clinical presentation lacks specificity. Elaborate antibiotic therapy is required, and adequate abscess drainage and surgical excision are necessary. Given the recurrent nature of R. equi , patients need to be followed-up closely.
Interaction between adolescent sleep rhythms and gender in an obese population
Authors: Wu Nan-Nan , Yan Guo-Li , Zhang Hong-Yu , Sun Ling , Hou Min , Xu Guang-Ming
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

The obesity rate of adolescents is gradually increasing, which seriously affects their mental health, and sleep plays an important role in adolescent obesity.

AIM

To investigate the relationship between sleep rhythm and obesity among adolescents and further explores the interactive effect of sleep rhythm and gender on adolescent obesity, providing a theoretical basis for developing interventions for adolescent obesity.

METHODS

Research data source Tianjin Mental Health Promotion Program for Students. From April to June 2022, this study selected 14201 students from 13 middle schools in a certain district of Tianjin as the research subject using the convenient cluster sampling method. Among these students, 13374 accepted and completed the survey, with an effective rate of 94.2%.The demographic data and basic information of adolescents, such as height and weight, were collected through a general situation questionnaire. The sleep rhythm of adolescents was evaluated using the reduced version of the morningness-eveningness questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 13374 participants (6629 females, accounting for 49.56%; the average age is 15.21 ± 1.433 years) were analyzed. Among them, the survey showed that 2942 adolescent were obesity, accounting for 22% and 2104 adolescent were overweight, accounting for 15.7%. Among them, 1692 male adolescents are obese, with an obesity rate of 25.1%, higher than 18.9% of female adolescents. There is a statistically significant difference between the three groups (c 2 =231.522, P < 0.000). The obesity group has the smallest age (14.94 ± 1.442 years), and there is a statistical difference in age among the three groups (F = 69.996, P < 0.000).Obesity rates are higher among individuals who are not-only-child, have residential experience within six months, have family economic poverty, and have evening-type sleep (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis shows a correlation between sleep rhythm and adolescent obesity. Evening-type sleep rhythm can increase the risk of obesity in male adolescents [1.250 (1.067-1.468)], but the effect on female obesity is not remarkable. Further logistic regression analysis in the overall population demonstrates that the interaction between evening-type sleep rhythm and the male gender poses a risk of adolescent obesity [1.122 (1.043-1.208)].

CONCLUSION

Among adolescents, t he incidence of obesity in males is higher than in females. Evening-type sleep rhythm plays an important role in male obesity but has no significant effect on female obesity. Progressive analysis suggests an interactive effect of sleep rhythm and gender on adolescent obesity, and the combination of evening-type sleep and the male gender promotes the development of adolescent obesity. In formulating precautions against adolescent obesity, obesity in male adolescents with evening-type sleep should be a critical concern.
OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS DEVELOP AN AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION
Authors: Sohn R. , Assar T. , Braun S. , Brenneis M. , Kaufhold I. , Zaucke F. , Pongratz G. , Jenei-Lanzl Z.
Published: January 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disorder. Its multifactorial etiology includes age, sex, joint overloading, genetic or nervous influences. In particular, the autonomic nervous system is increasingly gaining in importance. Its two branches, the sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system, are well-balanced under healthy conditions. OA patients seem to be prone to an autonomic imbalance and therefore, we analyzed their autonomic status.

More than 200 participants including patients with early and late stage knee OA (before and 1 year after knee replacement surgery) and healthy probands (age-matched) were analyzed. Heart rate variability was measured via electrocardiogram to assess long-term sympathetic (low-frequency=LF) and parasympathetic (high-frequency=HF, pRR50) activities or general variability (RMSSD, SDRR). Serum cortisol concentrations were measured by ELISA. Perceived chronic stress (PSQ) was assessed via questionnaire. Multivariant regression was performed for data analysis. LF/HF value of early OA was slightly increased compared to healthy controls but significantly higher compared to late OA patients before (p>0.05) and after TKR (p>0.01). HF in late OA patients before TKR was significantly decreased compared to patients after TKR (p>0.001) or healthy controls (p>0.05). Healthy probands exhibited the highest SDRR values, early OA patients had slightly lower levels and late OA patients before TKR displayed significantly reduced SDRR (p>0.001). The same differences were observed in pRR50 and RMSSD. Serum cortisol concentrations and PSQ scores increased in late OA patients before TKR. At the time point of TKR, women with beta blocker medication had significantly higher age (71 ± 9 years) than those without (63 ± 12 years)(p>0.01). An autonomic dysfunction with sympathetic dominance occurs in OA patients. The fact that beta blocker medication in women delayed the need of TKR indicates that SNS inhibition might counteract OA. Future therapeutic interventions for OA should consider a systemic approach with special regard on the ANS.
RESULTS OF BIPHASIC CALCIUM PHOSPHATE BONE GRAFT WITH SUBMICRON-SIZED NEEDLE-SHAPED SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY AS STANDALONE ALTERNATIVE TO AUTOGRAFT ARE FAVOURABLE IN A PROSPECTIVE, MULTICENTRE, RANDOMIZED, INTRA-PATIENT CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Kucko NW. , Sage K. , Delawi D. , Hoebink E. , Kempen DHR. , Van Susante J. , de Bruijn J. , Kruyt M.
Published: January 2024

Pseudoarthrosis after spinal fusion is an important complication leading to revision spine surgeries. Iliac Crest Bone Graft is considered the gold standard, but with limited availability and associated co-morbidities, spine surgeons often utilize alternative bone grafts.

Determine the non-inferiority of a novel submicron-sized needle-shaped surface biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP<µm) as compared to autograft in instrumented posterolateral spinal fusion.

Adult patients indicated for instrumented posterolateral spinal fusion of one to six levels from T10-S2 were enrolled at five participating centers. After instrumentation and preparation of the bone bed, the randomized allocation side of the graft type was disclosed. One side was grafted with 10cc of autograft per level containing a minimum of 50% iliac crest bone. The other side was grafted with 10cc of BCP<µm granules standalone (without autograft or bone marrow aspirate). In total, 71 levels were treated. Prospective follow-up included adverse events, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and a fine-cut Computerized Tomography (CT) at one year. Fusion was systematically scored as fused or not fused per level per side by two spine surgeons blinded for the procedure.

The first fifty patients enrolled are included in this analysis (mean age: 57 years; 60% female and 40% male). The diagnoses included deformity (56%), structural instability (28%), and instability from decompression (20%). The fusion rate determined by CT for BCP<μm was 76.1%, which compared favorably to the autograft fusion rate of 43.7%. Statistical analysis through binomial modeling showed that the odds of fusion of BCP<μm was 2.54 times higher than that of autograft. 14% of patients experienced a procedure or possible device-related severe adverse event and there were four reoperations. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score decreased from a mean of 46.0 (±15.0) to a mean of 31.7 (±16.9), and 52.4% of patients improved with at least 15-point decrease.

This data, aiming to determine non-inferiority of standalone BCP<μm as compared to autograft for posterior spinal fusions, is promising. Ongoing studies to increase the power of the statistics with more patients are forthcoming.
PREVALENCE AND SEVERITY OF INTRA-DISCAL VACUUM PHENOMENON IN A NORMAL AGEING POPULATION
Authors: Habash M. , Cawley D. , Devitt A.
Published: January 2024

Intra-Discal Vacuum Phenomenon (IDVP) represents an intradiscal nitrogen gas accumulation where a cavity opens in a supine position, lowering intra-discal pressure and generating a bubble. IDVP has been observed in up to 20% of elderly patients and reported in almost 50% of chronic LBP patients. With a highly accurate detection on CT, its significance lacks clarity and consideration within normative data. IDVP occurs with patterns of lumbar and/or lumbopelvic morphology and associated diagnoses. Over-60s population based sample of 2020 unrelated CT abdomen scans without acute spinal presentations, with sagittal reconstructions, inclusive of T12 to femoral heads, were analyzed for IDVP and pelvic incidence (PI). Subjects with diagnostic morphological associations of the lumbar spine, including previous fracture, autofusion, transitional vertebra and listhesis, were selected out and analyzed separately. Subjects were then equally grouped into low, medium and high PI. Prevalence of lumbar spine IDVP is 41.3%. 125 cases were excluded. 1603 subjects yielded 663 IDVP. This was increased in severity towards the lumbosacral junction (L1L2 9.4%, L2L3 10.9%, L3L4 13.7%, L4L5 19.9%, L5S1 28.5%) and those with low PI, while distribution was more even with high PI. 292 had positive diagnostic associations, which were more likely to occur at the level of isthmic spondylolisthesis, adjacent to a previous fracture or suprajacent to lumbosacral transitional vertebra (p<0.05).

This study has identified normative values for prevalence and severity of IDVP in a normal aging population. Morphological patterns that influence the pattern of IVDP such as pelvic incidence and diagnostic associations provide novel insights to the function of the aging spine.
3D BIOMIMETIC CONSTRUCTS STEER STEM CELL COMMITMENT BY SYNERGISTIC MODULATION OF BIOPHYSICAL CUES AND GROWTH FACTOR SIGNALLING
Authors: Teixeira S.P.B. , Pardo A. , Bakht S.M. , Gomez-Florit M. , Reis R.L. , Gomes M.E. , Domingues R.M.A.
Published: January 2024

Tendon diseases are prevalent health concerns for which current therapies present limited success, in part due to the intrinsically low regenerative ability of tendons. Therefore, tissue engineering presents a potential to improve this outcome. Here, we hypothesize that a concurrent control over both biophysical and biochemical stimuli will boost the tenogenic commitment of stem cells, thus promoting regeneration. To achieve this, we combine molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (MINPs), which act as artificial amplifiers for endogenous growth factor (GF) activity, with bioinspired anisotropic hydrogels2 to manufacture 3D tenogenic constructs. MINPs were solid phase-imprinted using a TGF-β3 epitope as template and their affinity for the target was assessed by SPR and dot blot. Magnetically-responsive microfibers were produced by cryosectioning electrospun meshes containing iron oxide nanoparticles. The constructs were prepared by encapsulating adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs), microfibers, and MINPs within gelatin hydrogels, while aligning the microfibers with an external magnetostatic field during gelation. This allows an effective modulation of hydrogel fibrillar topography, mimicking the native tissue's anisotropic architecture. Cell responses were analyzed by multiplex immunoassay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunocytochemistry. MINPs showed an affinity for the template comparable to monoclonal antibodies. Encapsulated ASCs acquired an elongated shape and predominant orientation along the alignment direction. Cellular studies revealed that combining MINPs with aligned microfibers increased TGF-β signaling via non-canonical Akt/ERK pathways and upregulated tendon-associated gene expression, contrasting with randomly oriented gels. Immunostaining of tendon-related proteins presented analogous outcomes, corroborating our hypothesis.

Our results thus demonstrate that microstructural cues and biological signals synergistically direct stem cell fate commitment, suggesting that this strategy holds potential for improving tendon healing and might be adaptable for other biological tissues. The proposed concept highlights the GF-sequestering ability of MINPs which allows a cost-effective alternative to recombinant GF supplementation, potentially decreasing the translational costs of tissue engineering strategies.

Acknowledgements: The authors acknowledge the funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 under grant No. 772817; from FCT/MCTES for scholarships PD/BD/143039/2018 & COVID/BD/153025/2022 (S.P.B.T.), and PD/BD/129403/2017 (S.M.B.), co-financed by POCH and NORTE 2020, under the Portugal 2020 partnership agreement through the European Social Fund, for contract 2020.03410.CEECIND (R.M.A.D.) and project 2022.05526.PTDC; and from Xunta de Galicia for grant ED481B2019/025 (A.P.).
THE POTENTIAL OF MAGNESIUM-BASED MICRO CYLINDER FOR CARTILAGE AND BONE REGENERATION UTILIZING AN IN VITRO OSTEOARTHRITIS MODEL
Authors: Helmholz H. , Chathoth B. Mavila , Angrisani N. , Reifenrath J. , Willumeit-Römer R.
Published: January 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammatory disease affecting the complete synovial joint including the cartilage layer and the subchondral bone plate. Due to the multifactorial causes and the not yet completely resolved molecular mechanisms, it lacks a gold standard treatment to mitigate OA. Hence, biomaterials capable of delaying or preventing OA are a promising alternative or supplement to antiphlogistic and surgical interventions. Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys are among the promising biomaterials with osteoinductive effects. This work investigated the impact of Mg micro cylinders (length ≈of 1.0 mm and width of 0.5 mm) in vitro, in favoring joint regeneration together with preventing OA progression. Therefore, a mesenchymal stem cell line (SCP-1) was applied in order to assess the compatibility of the degradable material. Furthermore, an in vitro OA model utilizing SCP-1 cells based on the supplementation of the cytokines; IL-1β, TNF-α was established and disclosed the capability of Mg microparticles in differentiating SCP-1 cells into chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages proven through extracellular matrix staining and gene marker analysis. A concentration above 10 mM revealed a reduction in the cell viability by 50 %. An increase in the expression of collagens especially and proteoglycans (COL2A1, Aggrecan) as extracellular matrix proteins as well as an increase in osteogenic marker (ALP, BMP2) favoring the mineralization process were observed. The inflammatory condition reduced the viability and productivity of the applied stem cell line. However, the application of Mg microparticles induced a cell recovery and reduction of inflammation marker such as MMP1 and IL6. The cytocompatible and the ability of Mg microparticles in supporting bone and cartilage repair mechanisms in vitro even under inflammatory conditions make biodegradable Mg microparticles a suitable implant material to treat OA therapy.

Acknowledgements: This project OAMag was funded by the German Research Foundation (project number 404534760). The author thank Dr. Björn Wiese (hereon) for the production of Mg based material and Prof. Böcker (MUM Musculoskeletal University Center Munich) for the provision of SCP-1 cell line.
IMPLANTS: DON'T LET THE BACTERIA GROW!
Authors: Wildemann B.
Published: January 2024

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 showed a 33.4% increase in fractures and a 65.3% increase in Years lived with disability (YLD) since 1990. Although the overall rate of fracture related infection (FRI) is low, it increases to 30% in complex fractures. In addition, the implantation of foreign materials, such as fracture stabilizing implants, decreases the number of bacteria needed to cause an infection. Then, when infections do occur, they are difficult to treat and often require multiple surgeries to heal. The bacteria can persist in the canaliculi of the bony tissue, in cells, in a biofilm on material or necrotic bone or in abscess communities. In the last decades, different approaches have been pursued to modify biomaterials as well as implant surface and to develop antimicrobial surfaces or local drug release strategies. This talk will give an introduction to the problem of bony and implant associated infections and presents the development and preclinical (as well as clinical) studies of two approaches for local drug delivery.