bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Study of Public Management in Europe and the United States. A Comparative Analysis of National Distinctiveness
Authors: Kickert Walter J.M.
Published: February 2022

This article presents an overview of the scientific study of public management, gathering together some of the most authoritative experts in this area of study in Europe and the United States. The national distinctiveness of the study of public management in various countries will be presented in the context of specific state and administration. It will be shown that not only the practice of public management reform, but also the academic study of public management is influenced by the particular institutional context of state, politics and administration.
Lehren aus dem internationalen Vergleich der Bildungsfinanzierung
Authors: Schmidt Manfred G.
Published: February 2022

Dieses Essay zieht Lehren aus dem Vergleich der öffentlichen und privaten Bildungsfinanzierung in 28 OECD-Staaten. Er erörtert insbesondere Lehren für die Theorie und die Methodologie der vergleichenden Staatstätigkeitsforschung, benennt die wichtigsten Bestimmungsfaktoren der Variation der Bildungsausgaben im internationalen Vergleich, wendet das Erklärungsmodell auf die Bundesrepublik Deutschland an, leitet aus ihm eine Prognose der zukünftigen Entwicklung der Bildungsausgaben ab und verortet die Verantwortung für die Malaise der Bildungsfinanzen in Deutschland bei den hauptzuständigen Ländern, aber auch beim Bund.
High-degree Compression Functions on Alternative Models of Elliptic Curves and their Applications
Authors: Wroński Michał , Kijko Tomasz , Dryło Robert
Published: February 2022

This paper presents method for obtaining high-degree compression functions using natural symmetries in a given model of an elliptic curve. Such symmetries may be found using symmetry of involution [–1] and symmetry of translation morphism τ T = P + T, where T is the n-torsion point which naturally belongs to the E(𝕂) for a given elliptic curve model. We will study alternative models of elliptic curves with points of order 2 and 4, and specifically Huff’s curves and the Hessian family of elliptic curves (like Hessian, twisted Hessian and generalized Hessian curves) with a point of order 3. We bring up some known compression functions on those models and present new ones as well. For (almost) every presented compression function, differential addition and point doubling formulas are shown. As in the case of high-degree compression functions manual investigation of differential addition and doubling formulas is very difficult, we came up with a Magma program which relies on the Gröbner basis. We prove that if for a model E of an elliptic curve exists an isomorphism φ : E → E M, where E M is the Montgomery curve and for any P ∈ E(𝕂) holds that φ( P) = ( φ x( P), φ y( P)), then for a model E one may find compression function of degree 2. Moreover, one may find, defined for this compression function, differential addition and doubling formulas of the same efficiency as Montgomery’s. However, it seems that for the family of elliptic curves having a natural point of order 3, compression functions of the same efficiency do not exist.
Grateful Med: Direct Access to MEDLINE for Health Professionals with Personal Computers
Authors: Dorsch Josephine L. , Faughnan John G. , Humphreys Betsy L.
Published: February 2022

Donald A.B. Lindberg M.D. arrived as Director, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) in late 1984 with the intention of implementing a physician-friendly interface to MEDLINE, a prime example of his interest in making NLM information services more directly useful in medical care. By early 1986, NLM’s Grateful Med, an inexpensive PC search interface to MEDLINE useful for health professionals, had joined the group of end-user systems for searching MEDLINE that emerged in the 1980s. This chapter recounts Grateful Med’s rapid iterative development and the subsequent campaign to bring it to attention of health professionals. It emphasizes Lindberg’s role, the challenges faced by those introducing and using the interface in a pre-Internet world, and some longer-term effects of the effort to expand health professionals’ use of MEDLINE during the decade from 1986 to 1996.
Providing Health Information for Patients, Families and the Public
Authors: Backus Joyce E.B. , Lacroix Eve-Marie
Published: February 2022

When Dr. Lindberg was sworn in as Director, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) was providing few resources with information useful to the public, having concentrated efforts towards health professionals and scientists. With his arrival, and that of the Internet in the 1990s, NLM embarked on a research and user-focused path towards providing authoritative health information for patients, families and the public. MedlinePlus, NIHSeniorHealth, and MedlinePlus en espanol delivered health information in a variety of formats using text, still images, audio and video. These resources were supported by NLM advisors and Dr. Lindberg’s strong belief that patients and families needed easy access to medical information to be able to effectively care for themselves in illness and maintain the best health possible throughout their lives.
Promoting New and Expanded Roles for Librarians and Information Specialists
Authors: Funk Carla J.
Published: February 2022

This chapter describes how the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), under the leadership of Donald A.B. Lindberg M.D., promoted new and expanded roles for librarians and information specialists in response to advances in technology and public policy. These advances brought information services directly to all potential users, including health professionals and the public and stimulated NLM to expand its programs, policies, and services to serve all. Dr. Lindberg included librarians and information specialists in all of NLM’s new endeavors, helping both to recognize and establish new or expanded roles. The involvement of librarians and information specialists in multidisciplinary healthcare research teams, in underserved communities, and in research data management and compliance has helped to redefine the health sciences information profession for the 21st century.
NLM’s Revolution in Consumer Health Information to Improve Patient Outcomes
Authors: Cravedi Kathleen
Published: February 2022

Under the leadership of NLM Director Donald A.B. Lindberg M.D., the National Library of Medicine (NLM) continued to promote its services to the nation’s health care professionals and scientists. With support of the U.S. Congress, it initiated new communications and outreach programs and services directed at the general public that revolutionized their access to information as well. Because effective health communication must be tailored for the audience and the situation, Lindberg supported the development of online health information tools designed to help consumers find free, comprehensive, timely, and trustworthy sources of health information that, ultimately, can improve patient outcomes. New and popular consumer-friendly websites were championed by Lindberg, including MedlinePlus, and ClincialTrials.gov, and he formed unique partnerships with national physician organizations to educate their patients about reliable sources of health information from the NLM. A new era of timely and trusted online health information for the general public began in 2006 under Lindberg’s tenure culminating in the development, publication and distribution of NIH’s first consumer magazine, NIH MedlinePlus, featuring the research and findings of the NIH. In his effort to improve patient outcomes, Dr. Lindberg revolutionized the Library’s outreach capabilities and successfully expanded its mission to serve not only health professionals and scientists, but also consumers nationwide.
Don Lindberg’s Home Library and Leadership Traits
Authors: Logan Robert A.
Published: February 2022

This chapter introduces the importance and some of the multidisciplinary diversity in Donald A.B. Lindberg M.D.’s home library. The latter collection minimally suggests his varied interests, which often inspired a multidisciplinary approach to tackling problems and managing the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). Dr. Lindberg converted the ideas he picked up from reading into administering projects as well as to set aspirational goals for NLM and for himself. The chapter suggests Dr. Lindberg’s home library was an enduring reservoir of knowledge, judgment, planning, and creativity. The chapter also discusses two of Dr. Lindberg’s leadership traits: the cultivation of discovery and project development in educational administration and the need for leaders to determine and act in the greater public interest. The chapter suggests the latter two traits defined Dr. Lindberg’s NLM leadership.
Post-processing calcium subtraction method to minimize stenosis-overestimation by blooming artifact
Authors: Kim Jung-Hun , Park Ji-Eun , Lee Jong-Min
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: CT images are often affected by blooming artifacts during the diagnosis that facilitate an overestimation of the expression of calcification stenosis, thereby impeding the accurate diagnosis of this condition. OBJECTIVE: Arterial calcification can act as a blooming artifact in computed tomography (CT) images, leading to overestimations of the blood vessel and the size of calcified plaque. This study proposes an improved CT post-processing method that accurately measures calcium and lumen size in blood vessels. METHODS: Six hundred and thirty calcium datasets were obtained from 63 patients diagnosed with a vascular disease. Patients were grouped into three sets corresponding to each image acquisition method used: G1, for the invasive coronary angiography (ICA); G2, for multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) imaging and post-processing; and G3, for the novel method of mixed Gaussian filter and K-mean clustering (GK). Results of GK were generated by adding Gaussian and k-mean clustering algorithms to the MPR post-processing procedure. The analysis of variance (ANOVA), linear regression, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to compare the accuracy and sensitivity of the different methods. All measurements were performed multiple times to mitigate human error. RESULTS: The ANOVA test revealed no significant differences between the G1 and G3 groups. Hence, linear regression was used to analyze the correlation between the G1 and G3 groups (p< 0.05, R2 = 0.885), and a higher correlation than G1 and G2 was reported (p> 0.05, R2 = 0.432). ICC was performed for reproducibility, wherein high correlation was identified among all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the study indicate that the GK method yields images that are very similar to ICA image measurements. This suggests that the GK can be used as a more effective post-processing method over the inaccurate MPR while remaining non-intrusive when determining the arterial stenosis degree, unlike the ICA.
Surface models and true-color sectioned images of hypothalamic nuclei and its neighboring structures
Authors: You Yaqian , Yoh Kim Chung , Yan Gen , Park Jin Seo
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: Knowledge regarding the hypothalamic nuclei is essential for understanding neuroanatomy and has substantial clinical relevance. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to contribute to elucidate the complex hypothalamic architecture for research and provide an anatomical basis for clinical brain operation. METHODS: In this research, high-resolution and true-color sectioned images from Visible Korean were employed for hypothalamic nuclei and neighboring structures surface modeling, and a high-resolution three-dimensional atlas of the hypothalamus was created. RESULTS: Surface models of 26 structures including the hypothalamic nuclei and its neighboring structures were produced, which contained 5 anterior hypothalamic areas’ nuclei, 4 intermediate hypothalamic areas’ nuclei, 3 lateral hypothalamic areas’ nuclei, and 2 posterior hypothalamic areas’ nuclei, as well as 12 hypothalamic neighboring structures. CONCLUSIONS: The study evaluated the topographical anatomy of the hypothalamic nuclei and its neighboring structures based on true-color and highresolution sectioned images of Visible Korean.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in binding site of miRNA-135a and targeted gene IRS2 are correlated with multiple clinical features of PCOS: A study in Chinese women
Authors: Gu Heng , Li Longyu , Zhou Bingyi , Li Mingzhen , Zhong Wenyao , Wei Xiangcai , Zhong Xingmin
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: The etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear with highly heterogeneous clinical manifestations, recently growing evidence revealing genetic variants play a crucial part in its pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the correlation between SNPs in miRNA-135a’s binding site of targeted gene IRS2 and clinical manifestations of PCOS in Chinese females. METHOD: A total of 126 Chinese women with PCOS and 109 healthy women were enrolled, divided into 4 groups based on different clinical features of hyperandrogenemia (HA), insulin resistance (IR), polycystic ovary morphology (PCOM) and obesity. We analyzed 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IRS2 gene (rs2289046 and rs1865434) and clinical features’ laboratory measurements such as sex hormone, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin (FINS). RESULTS: Located in miRNA-135a binding site of IRS2 gene, the rs2289046’s triple genotypes distribution showed a significant difference between PCOS/control group and PCOM/non-PCOM group (P< 0.05) while the rs1865434’s triple genotype distribution showed a significant difference between obesity/non-obesity group (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results revealed the two SNPs as rs2289046 and rs1865434 in the IRS-2 binding region of miRNA-135a have correlations with the clinical features of PCOS in Chinese population.
Optimizing cardiac CT angiography minimum detectable difference via Taguchi’s dynamic algorithm, a V-shaped line gauge, and three PMMA phantoms
Authors: Pan Lung-Fa , Chen Yi-Hua , Wang Chun-Chieh , Peng Bing-Ru , Kittipayak Samrit , Pan Lung-Kwang
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: Radiologists widely use the minimum detectable difference (MDD) concept for inspecting the imaging quality and quantify the spatial resolution of scans. OBJECTIVE: This study adopted Taguchi’s dynamic algorithm to optimize the MDD of cardiac CT angiography (CTA) using a V-shaped line gauge and three PMMA phantoms (50, 70, and 90 kg). METHODS: The phantoms were customized in compliance with the ICRU-48 report, whereas the V-shaped line gauge was indigenous to solidify the cardiac CTA scan image quality by two adjacent peaks along the V-shaped slit. Accordingly, the six factors A-F assigned in this study were A (kVp), B (mAs), C (CT pitch), D (FOV), E (iDose), and F (reconstruction filter). Since each factor could have two or three levels, eighteen groups of factor combinations were organized according to Taguchi’s dynamic algorithm. Three welltrained radiologists ranked the CTA scan images three times for three different phantoms. Thus, 27 (3 × 3 × 3) ranked scores were summed and averaged to imply the integrated performance of one specific group, and eventually, 18 groups of CTA scan images were analyzed. The unique signal-to-noise ratio (S/N, dB) and sensitivity in the dynamic algorithm were calculated to reveal the true contribution of assigned factors and clarify the situation in routine CTA diagnosis. RESULTS: Minimizing the cross-interactions among factors, the optimal factor combination was found to be as follows: A (100 kVp), B (600 mAs), C (pitch 0.200 mm), D (FOV 280 mm), E (iDose 5), and F (filter XCA). The respective MDD values were 2.15, 2.32, and 1.87 mm for 50, 70, and 90 kg phantoms, respectively. The MDD of the 90 kg phantom had the most precise spatial resolution, while that of the 70 kg phantom was the worst. CONCLUSION: The Taguchi static and dynamic optimization algorithms were compared, and the latter’s superiority was substantiated.
Age-related differences in the quantitative analysis of the finger tapping task
Authors: Kwon Yu-Ri , Ko Junghyuk , Lee Ryun-Hee , Eom Gwang-Moon , Kim Ji-Won
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: Quantitative measures of the finger tapping task is important for objective assessment of bradykinesia. However, age-related changes in quantitative measures are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantitatively investigate age-related group differences in finger tapping performance. METHODS: Eighty-three healthy normal subjects with age ranging from aged 20 to 89 years participated in this study. All subjects were instructed to tap their index finger and thumbs as rapidly as possible and with as large amplitude as possible. Angular velocity of the finger tapping movement was measured using a gyrosensor. Quantitative variables include root mean squared (RMS) angular velocity, RMS angular displacement, peak power and peak frequency derived from angular velocity signals. RESULTS: Significant age-related differences were observed in RMS angular velocity, peak power and peak frequency (P< 0.001). Specifically, the oldest age group had the slowest average speed, the lowest peak power and peak frequency. These results indicate deterioration in finger speed, intensity of the main movement component and tapping frequency due to aging. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the quantitative variables should be adjusted for age when clinicians assess Parkinsonian bradykinesia. The results contribute to the development of an accurate and quantitative assessment tool for bradykinesia.
Acne detection and severity evaluation with interpretable convolutional neural network models
Authors: Wen Hao , Yu Wenjian , Wu Yuanqing , Zhao Jun , Liu Xiaolong , Kuang Zhexiang , Fan Rong
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is one of the most prevalent skin conditions, which harms not only the patients’ physiological conditions, but also their mental health. Early diagnosis and accurate continuous self-monitoring could help control and alleviate their discomfort. OBJECTIVE: We focus on the development and comparison of deep learning models for locating acne lesions on facial images, thus making estimations on the acne severity on faces via medical criterion. METHODS: Different from most existing literature on facial acne analysis, the considered models in this study are object detection models with convolutional neural network (CNN) as backbone and has better interpretability. Thus, they produce more credible results of acne detection and facial acne severity evaluation. RESULTS: Experiments with real data validate the effectiveness of these models. The highest mean average precision (mAP) is 0.536 on an open source dataset. Corresponding error of acne lesion counting can be as low as 0.43 ± 6.65 on this dataset. CONCLUSIONS: The presented models have been released to public via deployed as a freely accessible WeChat applet service, which provides continuous out-of-hospital self-monitoring to patients. This also aids the dermatologists to track the progress of this disease and to assess the effectiveness of treatment.
Anti-inflammatory effect of baicalin in rats with adjuvant arthritis and its autophagy- related mechanism
Authors: Chen Xi , Wang Yingying , Cai Jiye , Wang Shuang , Cheng Zihao , Zhang Zhengxu , Zhang Chengyi
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: It has been found that baicalin have anti-inflammatory effects since it reduces the elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Meanwhile, it has also been shown that baicalin brings positive effects against rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, little is observed on its beneficial effects on adjuvant arthritis. OBJECTIVE: To consider the anti-inflammatory influence of baicalin on adjuvant arthritis rats and its related autophagy mechanism. METHODS: In this research, there are six groups of rats, each has 10 rats in it. These groups are normal group (normal saline), model group (normal saline), dexamethasone group (0.125 mg/kg dexamethasone), low-dose baicalin group (50 mg/kg baicalin), medium-dose baicalin group (100 mg/kg baicalin) and high-dose baicalin group (200 mg/kg baicalin). The degrees of adjuvant-induced swelling in rats’ feet were measured every 4 days and the arthritis scores were calculated every 7 days. The inflamed joint tissues were taken after rats were sacrificed. The rat’ joints showed pathological changes, which were observed by HE staining. The relative expression levels of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1, IL-17, TNF-α, COX2, and COX1 in the rats’ snovial tissues were detected by RT-PCR. As for the expression levels of autophagy markers Beclin1, Atg5, Atg7, Atg12, microtubule-associated protein-light chain3-II (LC3-II), Bcl-2, and Bax in the synovial tissue, they were discoverd by Western blot. RESULTS: Baicalin could significantly inhibit the inflammatory response of adjuvant arthritis rats. CONCLUSIONS: RT-PCR studies showed that the different doses of baicalin could inhibit the expression of TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1, IL-17, COX2 and COX1 in the synovial tissue (P< 0.05 or P< 0.01). Western blot studies showed that the different doses of baicalin could reduce the expression of Atg5, Atg7, Atg12, LC3-II, Beclin1 and Bcl-2 proteins, and increase the expression of Bax proteins in the synovial tissue.
Classification of fissured tongue images using deep neural networks
Authors: Hu Junwei , Yan Zhuangzhi , Jiang Jiehui
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: Tongue inspection is vital in traditional Chinese medicine. Fissured tongue is an important feature in tongue diagnosis, and primarily corresponds to three Chinese medicine syndromes: syndrome-related hotness, blood deficiency, and insufficiency of the spleen. Diagnosis of the syndrome is significantly affected by the experience of clinicians, and it is difficult for young doctors to perform accurate diagnoses. OBJECTIVE: The syndrome not only depends on the local features based on fissured regions but also on the global features of the whole tongue; therefore, a syndrome diagnosis framework combining the global and local features of a fissured tongue image was developed in the present study to achieve a quantitative and objective diagnosis. METHODS: First, we detected the fissured region of a tongue image using a single-shot multibox detector. Second, we extracted the global and local features from a whole tongue image and a fissured region using TongueNet (developed in-house). Third, we developed a classifier to determine the final syndrome. RESULTS: Based on an experiment involving 721 fissured tongue images, we discovered that TongueNet affords better feature extraction. The accuracy of TongueNet was 4% (p< 0.05) and 3% (p< 0.05) higher than that of InceptionV3 and ResNet18, respectively, for whole tongue images. Meanwhile, at local fissured regions, the accuracy of TongueNet was 3% (p< 0.05) higher than that of InceptionV3 and equal to that of ResNet18. Finally, the fusion features outperformed the global and local features with a 78% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that TongueNet designed with batch normalization and dropout is more suitable for uncomplicated images than InceptionV3 and ResNet18. In addition, compared with the global features, the fusion features supplement the detailed information of the fissures and improve classification accuracy.
Proteomic study of plaque fluid in high caries and caries free children
Authors: Chen Weixu , He Zhiyan , Ran Shujun , Liang Jingping , Jiang Wei
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: The occurrence and development of caries is a complex process affected by multiple factor. OBJECTIVE: The present study was envisaged to evaluate the plaque fluid in caries free children and children with high caries, in order to establish a data set of bacterial secretion proteomics. A non-labeled quantitative technique based on two-dimensional liquid chromatography-series mass spectroscopy was employed to detect plaque fluid. Based on the proteomics data, the database search, data processing and pathway analysis illuminated the function of these proteins, and clarified the role of plaque microecology in caries occurrence and development. METHODS: The study enrolled 8 caries free (CF) children, whose decayed-missed-filled surface of teeth is 0 (dmfs = 0), and caries sensitive (CS) children, whose decayed-missed-filled surface of teeth is > 10(dmfs > 10) (3 ∼ 5 years old) for the smooth tooth plaque and the plaque in the high caries group. The plaque protein was extracted using the unlabeled quantitative technique like liquid chromatography-series mass spectrometry, using DeCyderTM MS Differential Analysis Software (version 1.0, GE Healthcare) that detected and compared the spectra, and quantified the full scanning before series mass spectroscopy. After obtaining all peptides with quantitative information, significantly differential polypeptide molecules were obtained (p< 0.05), and a metabolic pathway analysis was performed. RESULTS: We identified 1,804 peptides with quantitative information, including 39 in CF, 30 in CS, and 1,735 similarly expressing peptides. After statistical analysis, 603 statistically different expression peptide data sets were obtained, including 202 high-expressed peptides in Group CF, 33 greater than 1.5 fold peptides, 401 high-expressed in Group CS and 199 greater than 1.5 fold peptide (173 nonredundant proteins). CONCLUSION: Our study obtained the largest known dataset of the bacterial secretion protein in children with high caries, and screened the data set of high caries state. 603 peptides were statistically rich in 101 pathways, including glycolysis pyruvate acid metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, pentyl phosphate pathway, fructose mannose metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and ABC transporters.
Comparative study on the effect of color spaces and color formats on heart rate measurement using the imaging photoplethysmography (IPPG) method
Authors: Zhang Chi , Tian Jing , Li Deyu , Hou Xiaoxu , Wang Li
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: The imaging photoplethysmography (IPPG) technology has been demonstrated to be an effective method for heart rate (HR) monitoring. However, some interference caused by the ambient illumination variation and facial motion severely influences the accuracy of the HR measurement. Some color spaces and color formats are assumed to reduce the interference, and enhance the accuracy of HR estimation. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to identify the optimal color space and format for IPPG based HR measurement. METHODS: Six color spaces and 3 color formats are compared in this study, based on an IPPG based HR measurement system. 424 pieces of videos captured by the system are used for the selection of the optimal color channel and color space; while 10 pieces of videos are for the identification of the optimal color format. RESULTS: The results shows that the green channel of RGB space is the optimal color channel, and RGB is the optimal color space, in respect of the mean squared error of HR estimation. BayerBG 8bit is found to be the optimal color format for video recording, which can significantly reduce the HR estimation error. CONCLUSIONS: BayerBG 8bit color format for video recording, and RGB color space for video analysis is suggested for the IPPG based HR measurement system. The suitable configuration of color space and format could enhance the accuracy of HR measurement.
Comparing digital and traditional guides in first molar implant surgery: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Yang Yajie , Hu Chen , Zhang Yanli , Wang Linlin , Shao Longquan , You Jie
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: There are few studies on the differences in clinical outcomes with implant guides made by different methods in cases with a single tooth loss and adjacent tooth support OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of digital and traditional implant guides in patients whose first molars are absent and who are undergoing implant restoration. METHODS: This study included 42 patients with first molars missing who were randomly divided into two groups: the digital group (n= 21) and the control group (n= 21). A CAD/CAM digital implant guide was used in the digital group, whereas a traditional impression was used in the control group. Then, the labor time, the intraoral fit of the implant guide, and the deviation of the screw access channel position were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The impression time and implant surgery time in the digital group were less than in the traditional group. The intraoral first fit of the guide in the digital group was higher than in the control group (P< 0.05). The one-time satisfaction rate of the digital group was 100%, while five cases in the control group needed to be redone. In the digital group, there was no significant difference in the deviation of the screw access channel position between implants on the left and right sides. In the control group, the deviation of the screw access channel position on the right side was significantly lower than on the left side. Overall, the deviation of the screw access channel position was significantly lower in the digital group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In a first molar implant, the digital implant guide can effectively reduce the clinical operative time and the screw access deviation and improve efficiency. The clinical results with the digital guide provide a basis for its use in implant therapy for single missing teeth.
Yes-associated protein gene overexpression regulated by β-catenin promotes gastric cancer cell tumorigenesis
Authors: Qiu Tianzhu , Zhang Diancai , Xu Jing , Li Xiao , Wang Deqiang , Zhao Fengjiao , Qian Yingying , Xu Jin , Xu Tongpeng , Zhang Hao , Chen Xiaofeng
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: Yes-associated protein (YAP) has been reported to act as a candidate human oncogene and played a critical role in the development of multiple cancer types. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the expression, function, and underlying mechanisms of YAP in gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: Expression levels of YAP in gastric tissues were tested. CCK8 assay, clonogenic assay, apoptosis assay, transwell assay, cell scratch assay and animal study were conducted to explore the function of YAP. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and luciferase reporter assay were performed to explore the underlying mechanism. Survival analysis was carried out to reveal the relationship between YAP and clinical outcome. RESULTS: YAP was upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and correlates with poor prognosis. YAP could promote GC cells proliferation, metastatic capacity, inhibit GC cells apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Bothβ-catenin and YAP were mainly localized withi the tumor cell nuclei. β-catenincould upregulate YAP expression by binding to the promotor region of YAP. Patients with both YAP and β-catenin negetive expression had a better prognosis than others. CONCLUSIONS: YAP overexpression is driven by aberrant Wnt β-catenin signalingand then contributed to the GC tumorigenesis and progression. Thus, YAP might be a potential target for GC treatment.
Boosting framework via clinical monitoring data to predict the depth of anesthesia
Authors: Liu Yanfei , Lei Pengcheng , Wang Yu , Zhou Jingjie , Zhang Jie , Cao Hui
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: Prediction of the depth of anesthesia is a difficult job in the biomedical field. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to build a boosting-based prediction model to predict the depth of anesthesia based on four clinical monitoring data. METHODS: Boosting is a framework algorithm that is used to train a series of weak learners into strong learners by assigning different weights according to their classification accuracy. The input of the boosting-based prediction model included four types of clinical monitoring data: electromyography, end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure, remifentanil dosage, and flow rate. The output was the depth of anesthesia. RESULTS: The boosting framework model built in this study achieved higher prediction accuracy and a lower discrete degree in predicting the depth of anesthesia compared with the DT-, KNN-, and SVM-based models. CONCLUSIONS: The boosting framework was used to set up a prediction model to predict the depth of anesthesia based on four clinical monitoring data. In the experiments, the boosting framework model of this study achieved higher prediction accuracy and a lower discrete degree. This model will be useful in predicting the depth of anesthesia.
Synchronized refixation saccades in enhanced VVOR test. A new application for PR score
Authors: Soriano-Reixach Maria Montserrat , Rey-Martínez Jorge , Altuna Xabier , Perez-Fernandez Nicolas
Published: February 2022

OBJECTIVE: Main objectives for this study were to develop a quantification method to obtain a Perez-Rey (PR) score adapted to the VVOR test and to evaluate the correlation of the PR score obtained with quantified VVOR with the PR score of the vHIT test. METHODS: A new PR score calculation method for quantified VVOR test was developed using the MATLAB computational software based on saccadic response time latency variability between each head oscillation cycle of the VVOR test. Retrospective correlation between PR scores in VVOR and vHIT tests, performed in the same vHIT testing session for patients with vestibular neuritis and vestibular neurectomy, was performed to correlate new PR (VVOR) score with the classic PR (vHIT) score. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included: 11 post-neurectomy and 19 subacute vestibular neuritis. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R2) for the overall sample was 0.92 (p < 0.001) and 95% confidence interval was 0.85 –0.96. In the linear mixed-effects statistical model developed, only PRVHIT and PRVVOR scores showed statistical association in Wald X2 test (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: The new developed PR score for synchronization measurement of saccadic responses in VVOR testing is a valid method that outputs synchronization values and highly correlates with PR score in vHIT test.
The effect of different doses of octenidine hexafluorosilicate on the development of dental caries in rats
Authors: Анісімов В. Ю. , Борисюк І. Ю. , Гельмбольдт В. О.
Published: February 2022

At present, ammonium hexafluorosilicate and hexafluorosilicates of organic amonium cations are actively studied as potential anticaries agents, which demonstrate certain advantages over traditional compounds of fluorine. Previously, it was shown that hexafluorosilicates with bactericidal cations of chlorhexidine, polyhexamethyleneguanidine and cetylpyridinium effectively reduce the number and depth of carious lesions of teeth in rats and at the same time significantly improve the biochemical parameters of the pulp of the teeth.

The aim of the work – to study the effect of different doses of octenidine hexafluorosilicate (OHFS) on the incidence of dental caries in rats fed a cariogenic diet (CD).

OHFC preparations were applied to the teeth and gums of rats in the composition of phytogels based on Na-salt of carboxymethylcellulose. In the incisor pulp, the activity of alkaline (ALP) and acidic (ACP) phosphatases, elastase, lysozyme was determined, and the mineralizing index (MI) was calculated. The number and depth of dental caries lesions were calculated and caries prophylactic efficacy (CPE) was calculated. The activity of elastase, catalase, lysozyme and urease was determined in the gums, and the degree of atrophy of the alveolar process was determined.

Determination of dental caries lesions shows that CD does not increase the number of carious lesions, and after the application of gels with OHFS, their number significantly decreases. The most effective was the concentration of the OHFS gel, equal to 2 mg/ml, although the concentration of the OHFS gel 1 mg/ml showed a decrease by 33.3%. The calculated CPE is 33.3% for a gel with 1 mg/ml OHFS, 36.4% for a gel with 2 mg/ml and 24.2% for a gel with 4 mg/ml. It has been shown that in rats receiving CD, the ALP activity significantly decreases and the ACP activity significantly increases, which gives a significant decrease in MI from 43.9 to 28.9. Application of gels with OHFS returns the activity of both phosphatases to the control level and almost completely normalizes MI, and the concentration of OHFS gel of 2 mg/ml turned out to be the most effective. Application of gels with 1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml OHFS reduced elastase activity by 6% and 12%, respectively, whereas application of a gel with 4 mg/ml OHFS did not result in a decrease in elastase activity. From the results of determining the degree of dysbiosis in the blood serum of rats, it can be seen that CD causes the development of generalized dysbiosis. Application of gels with OHFS significantly reduce the degree of dysbiosis, especially gels with OHFS concentrations of 1 and 2 mg/ml.

Oral application of gels containing OHFS reduces the incidence of caries on the teeth, increases the mineralizing activity of the pulp and reduces the degree of generalized dysbiosis. The most effective concentration of the OHFS gel is 2 mg/ml, which corresponds to a dose of 2.2 mg/kg.
Centroamérica y el acuerdo de asociación con la Unión Europea, una mirada al aprovechamiento del acuerdo en el comercio de bienes
Authors: Melara Carlos Alberto
Published: February 2022

El presente artículo pretende aportar al diagnóstico del aprovechamiento del Acuerdo de Asociación entre Centroamérica y la Unión Europea, tomando como base el análisis de las importaciones de bienes que los mercados europeos hacen desde cada uno de los países centroamericanos. Los resultados visibilizan algunas brechas que los países centroamericanos deben superar para mejorar el aprovechamiento del acuerdo, y es que, desde la entrada en vigor del mismo, cerca del 71% de todos los productos que se importan desde Centroamérica gozan de preferencias arancelarias, y menos de la mitad de estos tienen un valor mayor monetario elevado. Para algunos países centroamericanos menos del 28% del valor exportado a la Unión Europea está sujeto a preferencias arancelarias. Se considera oportuno el desarrollo de una estrategia regional en Centroamérica que permita alinear la oferta exportable centroamericana a la demanda de los mercados europeos como medio para potencializar el aprovechamiento del acuerdo.
Sustentabilidad y prácticas institucionales en los hábitos sostenibles de estudiantes universitarios de Puerto Rico
Authors: López Paláu Silvia , Rivera Cruz Beatriz
Published: February 2022

A partir de los años 90s se reclama que las instituciones de educación superior promuevan la sostenibilidad. En Puerto Rico hay una necesidad imperiosa de investigaciones conducentes a facilitar la comprensión de la educación de y para la sostenibilidad y el rol de las instituciones de educación superior en su contexto local. Este estudio utiliza como marco teórico el modelo transteórico de etapas de cambio de Prochaska & Di Clemente (1984) y las aportaciones de Mejía y Serna (2015) y Gudynas (2004, 2009, 2011), que describen los fundamentos de la sustentabilidad débil, fuerte y superfuerte, y la definición de Campus Sostenible de Castañeda & Quintero (2015). Los resultados revelan que el proceso de adopción de comportamientos sostenibles puede ser positivamente promovido por las prácticas institucionales.
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF CRESTAL BONE CHANGES IN IMMEDIATE PLACEMENT AND DELAYED PALCEMENT OF DENTAL IMPLANT : A CLINICO-RADIOGRAPHICAL STUDY
Authors: Shitole Akshara M , Shukla Pradeep , Kataria Prerna , Shukla Preeti , Dagar Mona
Published: February 2022

Background : To compare crestal bone changes after placement of immediate versus delayed dental implant

Aim and Objective : Comparative evaluation of crestal bone changes in immediate placement and delayed palcement of dental implant: A clinico-radiographical study.

Methods : A coparative study was conducted in total 20 implant sites in patients within the age group 20-60 years comprising both male and female visiting Out-patient Department of Periodontology and Implantology ,D J College of Dental Science and Research Modinagar (U.P). Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline ,3 months ,6 months; they included pain, mobility, radiographic assessment for crestal bone changes.

Results : On intergroup comparison, the mean difference of the pain and mobility between Group A and GroupB showed that there was  no significant result. On intergroup comparison, the mean difference of the crestal bone changes between Group A and Group B showed that Group B had slightly higher bone loss than Group A during baseline to 6th month period.

Conclusion : Within limitations of this study, it can be concluded that there was significant crestal bone loss in Group A (Immediate implantation) at both mesial and distal surface during baseline to 6th month observation period. Furthermore, a continuous bone resorption was observed over the time in both the groups. Due to small sample size, short duration, and CBCT assessment of crestal bone loss during follow-up in the study long?term survival of two?piece implants in both the groups cannot be determined; so, further studies are required to be done.

Keywords: Crestal bone loss, dental implant, osseointegration
Az ismert ismeretlenektől az ismeretlenek felé
Authors: Kovács Olivér
Published: February 2022

Az írás a Brexit. Ugrás az ismeretlenbe című kötetbe igyekszik betekintést engedni, hangsúlyozván, hogy a post-Brexit éra egyik meghatározó kérdése, hogy képes lesz-e a fejlett világ megzabolázni a populizmus hullámait.
Recent Trends in Transit Migration Routes Through Turkey to Europe
Authors: Aygün Erhan
Published: February 2022

Due to its geographical proximity to Western countries, Turkey is becoming one of the critical points of a complex migration system that includes asylum seekers, refugees, regular, irregular and transit migrants. For this reason, Turkey, regarded as a “transition country”, is a very important station on the way to European destinations. With this aspect, Turkey has become a key country in terms of the EU’s border security, and this feature has become the focal point of EU–Turkey relations.Despite the importance and insufficient opportunities for irregular migration to the EU, Turkey’s struggle with transit migration will be discussed in this study. Furthermore, the routes used by refugees to reach Europe through Turkey, as well as the statistics related with these routes, will be examined.
Physical Activity in Staff: Perceived Benefits, Barriers, and Self-efficacy
Authors:   School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Yarmohammadi Soudabeh , Rezaei Zahed ,   Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Science, Gonabad, Iran., Yarmohammadi Hamed ,   Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical sciences, Shiraz, Iran., Ranaei Vahid ,   Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran., Marashi Tayebeh ,   School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Published: February 2022

Background & Aims of the Study: A major factor affecting health is regular physical activity. Physical activity reduces the risk of infectious diseases. The current study aimed to investigate the Perceived benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy of physical activity of the administrative staff of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, a sample of 300 employees of the administrative staff of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran City, Iran, was selected by a convenience sampling method. The study variables included demographic information, perceived benefits and barriers, and self-efficacy physical activity. SPSS v. 16 was used to analyze the obtained data using the Chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal- Wallis test, and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: The collected results indicated a significant relationship between personal (P<0.03) and interpersonal (P<0.001) benefits and gender. Moreover, among the barriers, only environmental barriers had a significant relationship with gender (P<0.03). A significant association was observed between benefits and barriers and self-efficacy (P<0.01). The most common (environmental) barriers were the lack of sports space for men (51.6%) and women (62.9%), and being away from sports spaces for men (41.5%) and women (49.4%); the (personal) barriers were time-consuming for men (38.5%), women (43%). The most common benefits were better sleep for men (96.9%) and improved appearance for women (95.3%). The most general self-efficacy was exercising alone in men (61.5%) and women (56.5%). Conclusion: The staf﻿f expressed common barriers to physical activity. These barriers should be considered in designing health care policies and interventions such as providing sports facilities to promote physical activity.
Investigating the Combined Effects of Heat and Light Color Temperature on Precision and Speed in Female Students in Laboratory Conditions
Authors:   Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran., Habibi Ehsanollah , Dehghan Habibollah ,   Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran., Mousavi Seyed Mahdi ,   Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Ilbag Parnian ,   Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran., Jahadi Naeini Mahsa ,   Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Published: February 2022

Background & Aims of the Study: Cognitive functions, such as precision and speed, significantly affect human errors and incidents. The temperature of light color and heat can impact cognitive functions. Therefore, the present study examined the effect of heat and color temperature on the speed and precision of work in the laboratory. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 10 female students in the Laboratory of Atmospheric Medical School of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Isfahan City, Iran. Piron v-vibrometer and precision and target vibrometer devices were used to measure accuracy and speed. The test was held in 4 turns, each time for 1 hour. The first turn, 22°C, and color temperature 3000°K, the second turn 22°C and color temperature 6000°K, the third turn 36°C and color temperature 3000°K and the fourth turn 36°C and color temperature 6000°K, adjusted. Results: Based on the obtained results, precision measurement with precision and target vibrometer was significant in two cases with a color temperature of 3000 and temperatures of 22°C and 36°C (P<0.05); thus, with increasing temperature, the frequency of errors enhanced, and consequently the precision decreased. Furthermore, the speed measurement with the precision and target and Piron v-vibrometer in color temperature state 6000 and temperatures of 22°C and 36°C and the color temperature of 3000 and temperatures 22°C and 36°C were significant (P<0.05). In other words, with increasing temperature, the time of work decreased, and as a result, the speed of work increased, and in other cases, no significant relationship was observed (P>0.05). Conclusion: In general, the present study results indicated that the precision of work at 36°C is less than exposure to 22°C; the speed of work is higher, and changing the color temperature of light has no significant effect on increasing the precision of work. Therefore, it is suggested to use control strategies to reduce the temperature in environments with temperatures higher than comfort.