bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and clinical verification of immune-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma to aid prognosis evaluation and immunotherapy
Authors: Qu Jialin , Sun Fenghao , Hou Yichen , Qi Haoran , Sun Xiaorong , Xing Ligang
Published: June 2023

Background

Immune-related genes (IRGs) have been confirmed to play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor microenvironment formation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated how IRGs regulates the HCC immunophenotype and thus affects the prognosis and response to immunotherapy.

Methods

We investigated RNA expression of IRGs and developed an immune-related genes-based prognostic index (IRGPI) in HCC samples. Then, the influence of the IRGPI on the immune microenvironment was comprehensively analysed.

Results

According to IRGPI, HCC patients are divided into two immune subtypes. A high IRGPI was characterized by an increased tumor mutation burden (TMB) and a poor prognosis. More CD8 + tumor infiltrating cells and expression of PD-L1 were observed in low IRGPI subtypes. Two immunotherapy cohorts confirmed patients with low IRGPI demonstrated significant therapeutic benefits. Multiplex immunofluorescence staining determined that there were more CD8 + T cells infiltrating into tumor microenvironment in IRGPI-low groups, and the survival time of these patients was longer.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the IRGPI serve as a predictive prognostic biomarker and potential indicator for immunotherapy.
Reducing infant and child mortality: assessing the social inclusiveness of child health care policies and programmes in three states of India
Authors: Bango Madhumita , Ghosh Soumitra
Published: June 2023

Background

Even though the overall infant mortality rate and child mortality rate have considerably declined in India, the marginalised groups-Scheduled Caste, and Scheduled Tribe, continue to have higher mortality rates. This study looks at the changes in IMR and CMR amongst disadvantaged and advanced social groups at the national level and in three states of India.

Data and methods

Data from five rounds of National Family Health Survey spanning nearly three decades have been used to measure IMR and CMR according to the social groups for India and for selected states-Bihar, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. The relative hazard curves were drawn to understand which social group’s children face a higher risk of dying in the first year of birth and between first year and age four in those three states. Further, a log-rank test was applied to examine whether the differences between the survival curves or distributions of the three social groups are statistically significant. Finally, the binary logit regression model was applied to investigate the effect of ethnicity, and other socio-economic and demographic covariates on the risk of infant and child deaths (1–4 years) in the country and in selected states.

Results

Hazard curve shows the probability of death within one year of birth was highest among the children belonging to the ST families, followed by SCs in India. And, the CMR was found to be higher amongst the STs compared to all other social groups as well at the national level. While Bihar had a remarkably high infant and child mortality rates, Tamil Nadu possessed the lowest child death rates irrespective of class, caste, and religion. The regression model revealed that most of the caste/tribe gaps in infant and child deaths might be attributed to the place of residence, mother’s level of education, economic status, and the number of children in a family. Notably, the multivariate analysis showed that ethnicity was an independent risk factor, when controlled for socioeconomic status.

Conclusion

The study detects the persistence of significant caste/tribe differentials in infant and child mortality in India. Poverty, education and health care access issues could be the possible reasons for the premature deaths of the children from deprived castes and tribes. There is a need to critically analyse the current health programmes aimed at reducing IMR and CMR to make them attuned to the needs of the marginalised communities.
Association of cigarette smoking habits with the risk of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Xiangwei , Chen Hong , Zhang Shiqiang , Chen Xianju , Sheng Yiyu , Pang Jun
Published: June 2023

Background

Association of cigarette smoking habits with the risk of prostate cancer is still a matter of debate. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between cigarette smoking and prostate cancer risk.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science without language or time restrictions on June 11, 2022. Literature search and study screening were performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Prospective cohort studies that assessed the association between cigarette smoking habits and the risk of prostate cancer were included. Quality assessment was conducted using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. We used random-effects models to obtain pooled estimates and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals.

Results

A total of 7296 publications were screened, of which 44 cohort studies were identified for qualitative analysis; 39 articles comprising 3 296 398 participants and 130 924 cases were selected for further meta-analysis. Current smoking had a significantly reduced risk of prostate cancer (RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.68–0.80; P < 0.001), especially in studies completed in the prostate-specific antigen screening era. Compared to former smokers, current smokers had a significant lower risk of PCa (RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.65–0.75; P < 0.001). Ever smoking showed no association with prostate cancer risk in overall analyses (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93–1.00; P = 0.074), but an increased risk of prostate cancer in the pre-prostate-specific antigen screening era (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.00–1.10; P = 0.046) and a lower risk of prostate cancer in the prostate-specific antigen screening era (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91–0.99; P = 0.011) were observed. Former smoking did not show any association with the risk of prostate cancer.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the lower risk of prostate cancer in smokers can probably be attributed to their poor adherence to cancer screening and the occurrence of deadly smoking-related diseases, and we should take measures to help smokers to be more compliant with early cancer screening and to quit smoking.

Trial registration

This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022326464).
Clinical efficacy of bioactive restorative materials in controlling secondary caries: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Pinto Noeleni Souza , Jorge Gabriela Rebouças , Vasconcelos Jader , Probst Livia Fernandes , De-Carli Alessandro Diogo , Freire Andrea
Published: June 2023

Background

This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of bioactive and conventional restorative materials in controlling secondary caries (SC) and to provide a classification of these materials according to their effectiveness.

Methods

A search was performed in Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, BBO, Lilacs, Cochrane Library, Scopus, IBECS and gray literature. Clinical trials were included, with no language or publication date limitations. Paired and network meta-analyses were performed with random-effects models, comparing treatments of interest and classifying them according to effectiveness in the permanent and deciduous dentition and at 1-year or 2/more years of follow-up. The risk of bias and certainty of evidence were evaluated.

Results

Sixty-two studies were included in the qualitative syntheses and 39 in the quantitative ones. In permanent teeth, resin composite (RC) (RR = 2.00; 95%CI = 1.10, 3.64) and amalgam (AAG) (RR = 1.79; 95%CI = 1.04, 3.09) showed a higher risk of SC than Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC). In the deciduous teeth, however, a higher risk of SC was observed with RC than with AAG (RR = 2.46; 95%CI = 1.42, 4.27) and in GIC when compared to Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (RMGIC = 1.79; 95%CI = 1.04, 3.09). Most randomized clinical trials studies showed low or moderate risk of bias.

Conclusion

There is a difference between bioactive restorative materials for SC control, with GIC being more effective in the permanent teeth and the RMGIC in the deciduous teeth. Bioactive restorative materials can be adjuvants in the control of SC in patients at high risk for caries.
Transition to the ultimate turbulent regime in a very wide gap Taylor-Couette flow (η = 0.1) with a stationary outer cylinder
Authors: Hamede M. H. , Merbold S. , Egbers C.
Published: June 2023

The boundary layers in turbulent Taylor-Couette flow are exposed to transitions from laminar to turbulent states if the flow is sufficiently sheared. The present study examines this particular transition from the so-called “classical” to “ultimate” regime experimentally for a very wide-gap Taylor-Couette flow with a radius ratio of

and shear Reynolds numbers of up to

. In order to determine the transition, the angular momentum transport is measured by using torque sensors at the inner wall. This is complemented by measuring the radial and azimuthal velocities via a time-resolved Particle-Image-Velocimetry (PIV). The transition to the ultimate regime is found at

. The dimensionless angular momentum flux showed an effective scaling of

for

and is in agreement with the scaling laws used for the ultimate regime in narrow-gap Taylor-Couette flows. In addition, a spectral analysis was performed showing the existence of highly energetic small-scale and large-scale patterns in the classical regime whereas only highly energetic large-scale patterns were observed in the ultimate regime.
MPOWERED Trial Open-Label Extension: Long-term Efficacy and Safety Data for Oral Octreotide Capsules in Acromegaly
Authors: Fleseriu Maria , Molitch Mark , Dreval Alexander , Pokramovich Yulia , Bondar Irina , Poteshkin Yury , Macut Djuro , Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara , Gilgun-Sherki Yossi , Haviv Asi , Biermasz Nienke , Strasburger Christian J
Published: June 2023

Context

The MPOWERED core trial (NCT02685709) and open-label extension (OLE) phase investigated long-term efficacy and safety of oral octreotide capsules (OOC) in patients with acromegaly. Core trial primary endpoint data demonstrated noninferiority to injectable somatostatin receptor ligands (iSRLs). Core trial completers were invited to participate in the OLE phase.

Objective

To assess long-term efficacy and safety of OOC in patients with acromegaly who previously responded to and tolerated both OOC and injectable octreotide/lanreotide and completed the core phase.

Methods

The unique study design of transitioning between OOC and iSRLs allowed within-patient evaluations. The proportion of biochemical responders (insulin-like growth factor I < 1.3 × upper limit of normal) at end of each extension year who entered that year as responders was the main outcome measure.

Results

At year 1 extension end, 52/58 patients from both the monotherapy and the combination therapy groups were responders (89.7%; 95% CI 78.8-96.1), 36/41 (87.8%; 95% CI 73.8-95.9) in year 2, and 29/31 (93.5%; 95% CI 78.6-99.2) in year 3. No new or unexpected safety signals were detected; 1 patient withdrew owing to treatment failure. Patients who transitioned from iSRLs in the core trial to OOC in the OLE phase reported improved treatment convenience/satisfaction and symptom control.

Conclusion

Patient-reported outcome data support for the first time that transitioning patients randomized to iSRL (who previously responded to both OOC and iSRLs) back to OOC had a significant effect on patients’ symptoms score in a prospective cohort. The MPOWERED OLE showed long-term maintenance of response and sustained safety with OOC.
Anterior Transpetrosal Approach: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Kawase Takeshi , Jean Walter C.
Published: June 2023

INDICATIONS: CORRIDOR AND LIMITS OF EXPOSURE:

The anterior transpetrosal approach uses the subtemporal corridor to access the Meckel cave and the upper petroclival region from the dorsum sellae down to the cerebellopontine angle.

ANATOMIC ESSENTIALS: NEED FOR PREOPERATIVE PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT:

The boundaries of posteromedial triangle of the middle fossa must be adequately visualized for the anterior petrosectomy. They are V3 anteriorly, the petrous ridge medially, GSPN laterally, and the meatal plane posteriorly.

ESSENTIALS STEPS OF THE PROCEDURE:

The position is supine with the head fully turned. After a temporal craniotomy, the dura is stripped off the floor of the middle fossa. The middle meningeal artery is coagulated and cut, and the greater superficial petrosal nerve is released to allow access to the petrous apex. The extent of the anterior petrosectomy is case-specific, tailored to the exposure needed. The posterior fossa dura is cut where exposed by the petrosectomy and the middle fossa dura just above level of the tentorium and parallel to it. The superior petrosal sinus is ligated and with tentorial incision up to the incisura, the approach is complete.

PITFALLS/AVOIDANCE OF COMPLICATIONS:

The contents of the petrous temporal bone, such as the cochlea and labyrinthine, and the point of crossing of the carotid artery under V3 must be examined preoperatively to avoid injury during drilling.

VARIANTS AND INDICATIONS FOR THEIR USE:

The anterior transpetrosal approach can be combined with other approaches to expand surgical access. Two examples of this are included in this video.

The patients consented to the surgery and to publication of their images.

Image at 0:36 from Kawase T, Toya S, Shiobara R, Mine T, Transpetrosal approach for aneurysm of the lower basilar artery, J Neurosurg, 1981;63(6):857-861, with permission from JNSPG; Image at 1:03 from Jean, Skull Base Surgery: Strategies, edition 1 (9781626239579), with permission from Thieme Publishers.
Comparative study on the accuracy, safety and clinical effect of CT navigation and traditional open screw placement in the Treatment of Thoracic Fracture
Authors: Song Yang , Ma Yue , Li Fan
Published: June 2023

Objective: To explore the accuracy, safety and clinical effect of descending thoracic pedicle screw fixation assisted by computer CT three-dimensional navigation in the treatment of single segmental compression thoracic fracture.

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis. From June 2020 to June 2022, eighty patients with thoracic vertebral fractures admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Beihua University were were divided into observation group and control group according to different methods of screw placement, with 40 cases in each group. The navigation system was used to insert pedicle screws, and the control group used traditional open X-ray to insert pedicle screws by hand. Further comparison was carried out in terms of the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, perioperative complications, accuracy and safety rate of screw placement, and vertebral compression ratio between both the groups.

Results: The average intraoperative blood loss in the observation group was significantly less than the control group, the average screw insertion time was significantly shorter than the control group, the postoperative average vertebral body compression ratios was significantly better than the control group, the excellent rate of screw insertion was better than the control group, while the incidence of complications was lower than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05).

Conclusion: Intraoperative CT navigation for pedicle screw placement can reduce the time of screw placement and intraoperative blood loss, improve the excellent rate of screw placement and the compression ratio of the anterior edge of the injured vertebra, the complication rate was low.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.3925

How to cite this: Song Y, Ma Y, Li F. Comparative study on the accuracy, safety and clinical effect of CT navigation and traditional open screw placement in the Treatment of Thoracic Fracture. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(4):1140-1143. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.3925

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Jalons pour une historiographie de l’aire traductologique francophone
Authors: Gambier Yves
Published: June 2023

MILESTONES FOR A HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE FRANCOPHONE TRANSLATION STUDIES FIELDFirst, we identify the period before traductologie and then the issues of a historiography of translation studies, before grasping the debates around the term “translation studies” in the 1970s, in particular the motivations of the various equivalents suggested for Translation Studies (TS). In a second step, we refer to the precursors (1950s-1960s) and the pioneers (1980s and 1990s) of this French-language translation studies: what names emerge from this recent period and how have they advanced the reflection? Then we turn our attention to the problem of the translation of TS into French and translation studies into English. Finally, in order to define the socio-institutional dimension of the discipline, we study the parameters and factors that have favored and still favor this French-speaking translation studies, such as associations, training places and programs, recruitment bodies, as well as certain channels of dissemination (doctoral schools, research teams, journals, collections). Our final question focuses on the direct and indirect influences of French-speaking researchers in the humanities and social sciences on TS and translation studies. In conclusion, we focus on the notion of a “French-speaking translation area” and consider its relevance for a historiography in the making.
Henri Meschonnic : un maître sans école
Authors: Brzozowski Jerzy
Published: June 2023

HENRI MESCHONNIC: A MASTER WITHOUT A SCHOOL
Henri Meschonnic’s international reputation in the field of the Translation Studies hasn’t been properly assessed, as we can judge by the translations of his theoretical works to English: few and late. The author of the paper above discusses the causes of this phenomenon of “non-translation” indicating, first of all, the belligerent temperament of the great French scholar, his propension to the polemic offending his opponents, including his admirers, some of which, e.g. George Steiner, could have been his translators to English. Secondly, the author shows which elements of Meschonnic’s work have been revolutionary in the 1970-ies and claims that the impact of his work was gradually eclipsed by his lack of the academical rigour, namely in defining the key notion of his work, the poetics, instead of very promising attempts in his early studies.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) Basic Competency Training to improve Building Construction Service Design Products in Banyumas Regency
Authors: Nugroho Saputro Dani , Intang Setyo Hermanto Nor , Pamudji Gandjar , Widyaningrum Arnie , Susanto Heryawan
Published: June 2023

Background: Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a technology in the field of Architecture, Engineering and Construction that is capable of simulating all information in a development project into a three-dimensional (3D) model. One of the government's efforts in dealing with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 is implementing the use of BIM, and construction technology innovations in each project cycle. By applying the BIM method, both managers, consultants and contractors are able to save processing time, costs incurred and the required workforce. The application of BIM technology can minimize the impact of work delays, increased costs, and construction failures.
Contribution: The results of the analysis of the needs of partners show that not all construction service businesses, especially in Banyumas, know and implement BIM. This community service activity is intended to provide basic training to construction service businesses regarding the operation of BIM using Tekla Structures.
Method: The method used is a partner needs analysis survey, lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and mentoring.
Results: The results of this dedication show that as many as 81% of participants understand the BIM concept after participating in this activity.
Conclusion: The holding of this training will provide an overview, improve skills for construction services in Banyumas. Furthermore, it can be applied to the construction process (planning, implementation and maintenance), so that it will produce competitive construction service design products
Community Empowerment Through Financial Management Training and Business Development of The Borobudur Homestay in Candirejo Village, Magelang District
Authors: Dapit Pamungkas Imang , Hapsari Dian Indriana , Rahayu Emik , Ahmad Asshofi Izza Ulumuddin , Aldo Irawan Joseph , Ramdhani Aji Kusumah Ramdhani , Widyatmoko Karis , Wahyu Mulyono Ibnu Utomo , Nurjanah Nurjanah
Published: June 2023

Background: Community-based tourism is increasingly being considered a more sustainable alternative. Tourism Villages can be a step towards realizing sustainable tourism. This is because the tourism village has the opportunity to open up as much participation as possible for the local community. However, this does not mean anything if managers, including accommodation providers, need qualified organizational and financial management skills.
Contribution: This activity aims to provide knowledge to homestay managers in Candirejo Village to properly manage business finances based on SAK EMKM (Standar Akuntansi Keuangan Entitas Mikro, Kecil, dan Menengah)
Method: The method used by researchers is through training and empowerment of homestay managers
Results: The result of this activity is an increased understanding of SAK EMKM in Candirejo Village. After the training, homestay managers have also started implementing SAK EMKM in their financial reports. As a result, the financial position can be monitored, financial leaks can be minimized, and homestay business management can be carried out more effectively and efficiently.
Conclusion: The activities that were held went well. This is known from the excellent understanding of SAK EMKM after the training was given
Increasing Understanding of Research and Community Service Methods Through Webinars
Authors: Iswadi Iswadi , Anom Erman , Tamzil Fachmi
Published: June 2023

Background: Insight and activeness to carry out research are things that must be owned by many people, organizations, as well as agencies and institutions, if they want conditions changes to occur in the environment that they want. Research helps to produce better changes with various methods or approaches. The college as the birthplace of reliable researches must be able the entire academic community in it to have insight into research methodology in order to increase community service.
Contribution: This research was conducted to explain the implementation of webinar in order to increase the understanding and mastery of the academic community from lectures, students, and the public in general regarding research methodology.
Method: The methodology used is qualitative descriptive.
Results: The results showed that the holding of the webinar activity "Research Methodology and Scientific Writing" by the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Esa Unggul University, Jakarta had an impact on increasing the participants' insight and understanding regarding research methodology for students and other general participants. In addition, this activity also helps to encourage an increase in the interest of the academic community both from the Faculty of Communication Sciences and not to do community service with a variety of research method approaches needed by field conditions and integration in accordance with communication science.

Conclusion: “Research Methodology and Scientific Writing” by the Faculty of Sciences Communication, Esa Unggu University, had a positive impact for researcher
Orientações de enfermagem para pessoas com estomia intestinal em cenário extra hospitalar: scoping review
Authors: Freitas Luana Souza , Mesquita Simone Karine da Costa , Nascimento Rafael Moreira do , Fernandes Mariana Freire , Araújo Rhayssa De Oliveira e , Costa Isabelle Katherinne Fernandes
Published: June 2023

Objetivo: mapear na literatura as orientações de enfermagem para pessoas com estomias intestinais na atenção primária à saúde e centros de referência. Método: Scoping Review desenvolvida em abril e maio de 2022, em bases nacionais e internacionais e fontes de literatura cinzenta. Utilizou-se os descritores: Ostomia; Colostomia; Ileostomia; Educação em Saúde; Atenção Primária; Serviços de Saúde e suas traduções no inglês. Seguiu-se as etapas recomendadas pelo Joana Briggs Institute e registrou-se na plataforma Open Science Framework. Resultados: foram identificados 2242 estudos, sendo 17 selecionados para composição amostral. As orientações versaram predominantemente sobre autocuidado com estomia e pele periestomal, escolha de equipamentos coletores e adjuvantes e aspectos sobre aceitação e adaptação. Conclusão: Identificou-se na literatura as principais orientações de enfermagem dirigidas às pessoas com estomia. O estudo contribui para prática em Enfermagem diante do raciocínio das necessidades e dos cuidados qualificados a serem dispensados à pessoa com estomia na integralidade da atenção.
School readiness and the health visitor role
Authors: Boddy Bethany
Published: June 2023

Supporting children to be school ready starts before birth, and the health visiting service has a crucial role in supporting, promoting health, identifying risks and referring for early help and support, says Bethany Boddy
Characterisation Service for Graphene
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: June 2023

NEW SERVICE SET UP TO KICK-START UK'S GRAPHENE INDUSTRY.
Photogrammetrics and clinical features of nasal siliconoma in Asians
Authors: Ekaputri Krista , Prasetyono Theddeus Octavianus Hari
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND Nasal silicone injections have been a common procedure among Asians. However, this procedure can lead to severe complications. Unfortunately, there are limited data available on the distortive characteristics of nasal siliconoma in the Asian population. This study aimed to provide objective data on the distortive characteristics of nasal siliconoma to be a reference for a treatment outcome.

METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital from June 2017 to March 2018. The study included 30 Asian females with nasal siliconoma, and nasal photogrammetric measurements were taken using a portable mirror stand device and analyzed to formulate the distortive characteristics.

RESULTS The mean (standard deviation) of intercanthal width was 3.33 (0.25) cm, nasal root width was 2.70 (0.30) cm, alar width was 4.48 (0.31) cm, two tip-defining points (TDP) distance was 2.09 (0.22) cm, nasofrontal angle was 141.10 (8.40)°, length of the nose was 3.10 (0.48) cm, nasofacial angle was 32.94 (4.51)°, nasion projection was 0.64 (0.36) cm, pronasion projection was 2.00 (0.25–2.46) cm, tip angle was 122.7 (4.52)°, nasolabial angle was 78.81 (15.93)°, columella length (n = 20) was 0.64 (0.20) cm, tip lobular portion length was 1.12 (0.20) cm, the extend of extended columella was 0.47 (0.31) cm, and base of the nasal width was 3.98 (0.25) cm.

CONCLUSIONS Nasal siliconoma in Asians had certain characteristics such as a wider nasal root, wider two TDP distance, wider nasion projection, acute nasolabial angle, hanging columella, and a long lobular portion of the tip.
El anonimato de la donación de gametos. ¿hay que mejorar la situación actual?
Authors: Boladeras-Cucurella Margarita
Published: June 2023

El anonimato de la donación de gametos es objeto de muchas críticas por parte de las personas nacidas por las técnicas de reproducción asistida (TRA) con gametos o embriones de donante, tanto en España como en otros países. El texto aporta información de esta situación y de las diversas legislaciones existentes en distintos países, así como la orientación ética de los principios que deben ser respetados. Muchos países hace años que han legislado sobre el no anonimato de los donantes de TRA y el Consejo de Europa aprobó en 2019 una recomendación aconsejando a los Estados miembro seguir este modelo. Objetivo. Señalar situaciones que deberían evitarse, presentar argumentos y acciones que permitan lograr su superación. Método. Narración de situaciones personales de desamparo legal, análisis ético y jurisprudencial de las mismas, y propuestas de actuación para evitar tales situaciones. Conclusiones. Necesidad de cambios legislativos en muchos países, incluyendo España, para proteger el derecho a conocer los orígenes de los nacidos por donación de gametos.
Complicaciones en el parto y el puerperio entre las gestantes de una población española que están expuestas a la violencia de género
Authors: Gómez Fernández Analia , Parra-Vega Iris , Corral-Vazquez Osval
Published: June 2023

Objetivo. Explorar si la exposición a la violencia de género (VG) durante el embarazo en una población española se relaciona con complicaciones en el parto que impliquen un parto mediante cesárea o con complicaciones del puerperio. Metodología. Estudio observacional, descriptivo y prospectivo llevado a cabo en dos centros públicos de L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona). Las gestantes, asistidas por matronas de los centros participantes, cumplimentaron el cuestionario validado de detección de VG Index of Spouse Abuse. Conjuntamente se recogieron variables sociodemográficas y obstétricas. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, bivariante y multivariante de los datos. Resultados. Se obtuvo una muestra de 381 gestantes. La prevalencia de VG psicológica fue del 7.35%, la física del 3.67% y alguna forma de violencia del 8.92%. La exposición a la VG psicológica o a alguna forma de violencia aumenta significativamente las complicaciones durante el parto (p=0.031 y p=0.025, respectivamente). De igual forma, la exposición a la VG física aumenta el riesgo de complicaciones del puerperio (p=0.024). Sin embargo, la exposición a alguna forma de VG no se asoció, después de ajustar otros factores explicativos, con el parto mediante cesárea (OR=1; IC=0.29-3.03; p=0.994). Conclusiones. La exposición a la VG aumenta las complicaciones durante el parto y el puerperio. Por tanto, la detección precoz de la VG durante el embarazo es fundamental para brindar a las mujeres un apoyo adicional e informar de los recursos de ayuda para que ello pueda tener un impacto positivo en los resultados del nacimiento.
Handheld photoacoustic imaging of indocyanine green clearance for real-time quantitative evaluation of liver reserve function
Authors: Zhang Hai , Zeng Si-Lue , Wu Yun-Zhu , Zhang Ruo-Xin , Liu Liang-Jian , Xue Qiang , Chen Jing-Qin , Wong Kenneth K. Y. , Xu Jin-Feng , Ren Ya-Guang , Fang Chi-Hua , Liu Cheng-Bo
Published: June 2023

Preoperative assessment of liver function reserve (LFR) is essential for determining the extent of liver resection and predicting the prognosis of patients with liver disease. In this paper, we present a real-time, handheld photoacoustic imaging (PAI) system-based noninvasive approach for rapid LFR assessment. A linear-array ultrasound transducer was sealed in a housing filled with water; its front end was covered with a plastic wrap. This PAI system was first implemented on phantoms to confirm that the photoacoustic (PA) intensity of indocyanine green (ICG) in blood reflects the concentration of ICG in blood. In vivo studies on normal rabbits and rabbits with liver fibrosis were carried out by recording the dynamic PA signal of ICG in their jugular veins. By analyzing the PA intensity-time curve, a clear difference was identified in the pharmacokinetic behavior of ICG between the two groups. In normal rabbits, the mean ICG clearance rate obtained by PAI at 15 min after administration (PAI-R15) was below 21.6%, whereas in rabbits with liver fibrosis, PAI-R15 exceeded 62.0% because of poor liver metabolism. The effectiveness of the proposed method was further validated by the conventional ICG clearance test and pathological examination. Our findings suggest that PAI is a rapid, noninvasive, and convenient method for LFR assessment and has immense potential for assisting clinicians in diagnosing and managing patients with liver disease.
Band edge induced plasmonic excitation in heterostructures consisting of rod hyperbolic metamaterials and colloidal photonic crystals
Authors: Yang Rui , Fu Ming , Liu Xiaoyu , Chu Peixin , Li Jiefeng , Wu Zheli , He Dawei , Wang Yongsheng
Published: June 2023

Heterostructures consisting of metal coated rod hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) and colloidal photonic crystals (PhCs) are proposed and fabricated. There are two different mechanisms for the reflection valleys induced from the excitation of plasmons in HMMs. Besides the common wave vector matching effects from colloidal gratings, band edge effects provide additional excitations in heterostructures. Slow light induced excitation is verified by separately modifying the photonic bandgap and grating parameters on HMMs using multilayer or monolayer colloidal crystals, 1D PhCs, or ellipsoid arrays, and by modifying the interval or metal thickness in heterostructures. Index-dependent sensitivity of the valleys is enhanced by the bandgap effect.
Temporal-spatial binary encoding method based on dynamic threshold optimization for 3D shape measurement
Authors: Zhou Pei , Feng Xiaoyi , Luo Jun , Zhu Jiangping
Published: June 2023

The binary encoding method has been widely used for three-dimensional (3D) shape measurement due to the high-speed projection characteristics of its digital mirror device (DMD)-based projector. However, traditional binary encoding methods require a larger defocus to achieve a good sinusoidality, leading to a reduction in the measurement depth of field and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of captured images, which can adversely affect the accuracy of phase extraction, particularly high-frequency fringes for 3D reconstruction. This paper proposes a spatial-temporal binary encoding method based on dynamic threshold optimization for 3D shape measurement. The proposed method decomposes an 8-bit sinusoidal fringe pattern into multiple(K) binary patterns, which can be outlined into two steps: determining the dynamic threshold and then performing temporal-spatial error diffusion encoding. By using an integral imaging strategy, approximate sinusoidal patterns can be obtained under nearly focused projection, which can then be subjected to absolute phase unwrapping and 3D reconstruction. The experiments show that compared to the three comparative algorithms under the same experimental conditions, this proposed method improves the reconstruction error of measuring a plane and an object by at least 13.66% and 12.57% when K=2. The dynamic experimental result on the palm confirms that the proposed method can reliably reconstruct the 3D shape of the moving object.
Stabilized free space optical frequency transfer using digitally enhanced heterodyne interferometry
Authors: McSorley Shawn , Gozzard David R. , Karpathakis Skevos F. E. , Dix-Matthews Benjamin P. , Schediwy Sascha W.
Published: June 2023

Free-space continuous-wave laser interferometry using folded links has applications in precision measurement for velocimetry, vibrometry, optical communications, and verification of frequency transfer for metrology. However, prompt reflections from the transceiver optics degrade the performance of these systems, especially when the power of the returning signal is equal to or less than the power of the prompt reflections. We demonstrate phase stabilized free-space continuous-wave optical frequency transfer that exploits the auto-correlation properties of pseudo-random binary sequences to filter out prompt reflections. We show that this system significantly improves the stability and robustness of optical frequency transfer over a 750 m turbulent free-space channel, achieving a best fractional frequency stability of 8 × 10−20 at an integration time of τ = 512 s, and cycle-slip-free periods up to 162 min.
Injection-seeded high-power Yb:YAG thin-disk laser stabilized by the Pound-Drever-Hall method
Authors: Zeyen Manuel , Affolter Lukas , Ahmed Marwan Abdou , Graf Thomas , KARA OGUZHAN , Kirch Klaus , Langenbach Adrian , Marszalek Miroslaw , Nez Francois , Ouf Ahmed , Pohl Randolf , Rajamohanan Siddharth , Yzombard Pauline , Antognini Aldo , Schuhmann Karsten
Published: June 2023

We demonstrate an injection-seeded thin-disk Yb:YAG laser at 1030 nm, stabilized by the Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) method. We modified the PDH scheme to obtain an error signal free from Trojan locking points, which allowed robust re-locking of the laser and reliable long-term operation. The single-frequency pulses have 50 mJ energy (limited to avoid laser-induced damage) with a beam quality of M² < 1.1 and an adjustable length of 55-110 ns. Heterodyne measurements confirmed a spectral linewidth of 3.7 MHz. The short pulse build-up time (850 ns) makes this laser suitable for laser spectroscopy of muonic hydrogen, pursued by the CREMA collaboration.
Lidar attenuation coefficient in the global oceans: insights from ICESat-2 mission
Authors: Lu Xiaomei , Hu Yongxiang , Omar Ali , Yang Yuekui , Vaughan Mark , Lee Zhongping , Neumann Thomas , Trepte Charles , Getzewich Brian
Published: June 2023

The attenuation coefficient of natural waters plays a significant role in our understanding of hydrology from both the oceanographic and biological point of view. The advent of near-continuous observations by sophisticated space-based lidars now offers an unprecedented opportunity to characterize attenuation coefficients over open oceans on global and regional scales. At present, however, literature reports of lidar-derived attenuation coefficient estimates (klidar, m-1) in oceanic waters are very limited. In this study, we present a global survey of klidar derived from ATLAS/ICESat-2 nighttime measurements. Our results augment the existing passive sensor ocean color data set with a new diurnal component and extend the record to now include previously unavailable polar nighttime observations. The values of ATLAS measured klidar at 532 nm are between 0.045 and 0.39 m-1 with the higher values (>0.15 m-1) correlated with coastal waters and sea ice covered oceans. The average klidar in clearest oligotrophic ocean gyres is ~0.058  0.012 m-1 at 532 nm. The results reported here demonstrate the feasibility of using ATLAS/ICESat-2 lidar measurements for global klidar studies, which will in turn provide critical insights that enable climate models to correctly describe the amount of light present under sea ice, and for heat deposition studies in the upper ocean
Profiling compliers and noncompliers for instrumental variable analysis with covariates: A weighting approach
Authors: Choi Byeong Yeob
Published: June 2023

Instrumental variable (IV) estimation is an essential tool to estimate the causal effect of a treatment in randomized experiments when noncompliance exists. In such studies, standard statistical approaches can be biased because compliers and noncompliers can differ in unmeasured ways that affect both the compliance behavior and outcome. Based on a few assumptions such as monotonicity, the IV estimand represents the causal effect of compliers. Profiling compliers and noncompliers has important implications because the IV estimand applies only to compliers. A method for estimating the covariate means for compliers and noncompliers has recently been proposed in political sciences literature. However, this approach requires an assumption that the instrument is randomly assigned, which confines the application of this approach to randomized experiments. In this study, we present two weighting methods for profiling compliers and noncompliers when the instrument and compliance behavior are confounded by several covariates. The proposed approach can be used for both experimental and nonexperimental studies, and hence is more broadly applicable. For the development, an instrumental propensity score is adopted to account for confounded instruments. We demonstrate the utility of the proposed methods based on simulation and real data experiments.
Quality comparison of a state-of-the-art preparation of a recombinant L-asparaginase derived from Escherichia coli with an alternative asparaginase product
Authors: Schnuchel Arndt , Radcke Christoph , Theobald Lars , Doeding Stefan
Published: June 2023

L-asparaginase (ASNase) is a protein that is essential for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The main types of ASNase that are clinically used involve native and pegylated Escherichia coli (E. coli)-derived ASNase as well as Erwinia chrysanthemi-derived ASNase. Additionally, a new recombinant E. coli-derived ASNase formulation has received EMA market approval in 2016. In recent years, pegylated ASNase has been preferentially used in high-income countries, which decreased the demand for non-pegylated ASNase. Nevertheless, due to the high cost of pegylated ASNase, non-pegylated ASNase is still widely used in ALL treatment in low- and middle-income countries. As a consequence, the production of ASNase products from low- and middle-income countries increased in order to satisfy the demand worldwide. However, concerns over the quality and efficacy of these products were raised due to less stringent regulatory requirements. In the present study, we compared a recombinant E. coli-derived ASNase marketed in Europe (Spectrila®) with an E. coli-derived ASNase preparation from India (Onconase) marketed in Eastern European countries. To assess the quality attributes of both ASNases, an in-depth characterization was conducted. Enzymatic activity testing revealed a nominal enzymatic activity of almost 100% for Spectrila®, whereas the enzymatic activity for Onconase was only 70%. Spectrila® also showed excellent purity as analyzed by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography, size exclusion chromatography and capillary zone electrophoresis. Furthermore, levels of process-related impurities were very low for Spectrila®. In comparison, the E. coli DNA content in the Onconase samples was almost 12-fold higher and the content of host cell protein was more than 300-fold higher in the Onconase samples. Our results reveal that Spectrila® met all of the testing parameters, stood out for its excellent quality and, thus, represents a safe treatment option in ALL. These findings are particularly important for low- and middle-income countries, where access to ASNase formulations is limited.
New drug submissions in Canada and a comparison with the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency: Cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Lexchin Joel
Published: June 2023

Background

Health Canada posts the outcomes of all New Drug Submissions. In some cases, companies have withdrawn submissions or submissions have been rejected by Health Canada for new active substances (NAS). This study explores the reasons for those decisions and compares them with decisions made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Methods

This is a cross-sectional analysis. Submissions for NAS between December 2015 and December 2022 were identified along with the original indications for the NAS, the information that Health Canada had available and the reasons for its decisions. Similar information was sourced from the FDA and the EMA. Their decisions were compared to those made by Health Canada. The time between decisions by Health Canada, the FDA and the EMA were calculated in months.

Results

Health Canada considered 272 NAS and approved 257. Sponsors withdrew 14 submissions for 13 NAS and Health Canada rejected submissions for 2 NAS. The FDA approved 7 of these NAS and the EMA approved 6, rejected 2 and submissions were withdrawn by 2 companies. Health Canada and the FDA considered similar information in 4 of 7 cases. Indications were the same except in one case. The FDA made decisions a mean of 15.5 months (interquartile range 11.4, 68.2) before companies withdrew their submissions from Health Canada. There were 5 cases where Health Canada and the EMA considered the same information and in 2 of those the outcome was different. Health Canada and EMA decisions were generally made within 1–2 months of each other. Indications were the same in all cases.

Conclusions

Differences in decision making by regulators are due to more than the data which with they are presented, the timing of the presentations and the indications for the drugs. Regulatory culture may have influenced decision making.
A fuzzy model for content-centric routing in Zigbee-based wireless sensor networks (WSNs)
Authors: He Zhou , Chen Lian , Li Feng , Jin Ge
Published: June 2023

WSN is one of the most efficient technologies in intelligent communication and because of its advantages, this technology has been utilized in various applications. By using WSNs, different types of data can be collected and analyzed in wide environments. The high variety of applications and types of data available in this network can cause several challenges about heterogeneous data routing. This research, presents a Fuzzy Model for Content-Centric Routing (FMCCR) in WSN to solve these challenges. The performance of FMCCR is based on two basic steps: "topology control", and "data transmission through content-centric and fuzzy logic-based routing algorithm". In the first step of FMCCR, the network topology is constructed. In the second step of the proposed method, data transmission paths are determined based on network topology and content type, and data transmission is performed. The performance of FMCCR has been evaluated in a simulation environment and the results have been compared with previous algorithms. The results show that FMCCR reduce energy consumption and improve the traffic load distribution in the network in addition to increasing the network lifetime. According to the results, FMCCR can increase network lifetime at least 10.74% and at the same time, deliver at least 88.1% more packets through the network, compared to previous methods. These results, prove the efficiency of the proposed method for using in real-world scenarios.
Development of adjustable variable stiffness restrainer for bridge subjected to seismic excitation
Authors: Hamzah Mustafa Kareem , Hejazi Farzad
Published: June 2023

This paper presents a numerical and experimental assessment of a developed adjustable variable stiffness restrainer (AVSR) utilized for short span bridges. This restrainer has the ability to demonstrate multi stiffness capacity in different stages of bridge’s superstructure movement to mitigate the severe damage of bridge due to an earthquake. The multi-level stiffness behavior of developed AVSR is achieved by using multiple mechanical springs with different lengths and placed in parallel in proposed design. A small prototype of developed AVSR has been fabricated and tested under incremental and cyclic loading in order to assess the restrainer performance and the behavior has been validated using finite element analysis. Thereafter, the constitutive model of AVSR was derived for the proposed restrainer in order to implement it in numerical simulations. Furthermore, a parametric study has been conducted numerically to evaluate the effectiveness of different parameters on the restrainer capacity. Moreover, the efficiency of AVSR application in a single degree of freedom system has been assessed by performing seismic analysis on a frame equipped with AVSR subjected to different seismic excitations using Newmarkʼs method. The experimental and finite element results proved the efficiency of developed variable stiffness device to exhibit adjustable action against imposed loads in three designed stages. Furthermore, the parametric study results revealed that increasing the section area of the spring wire leads to increase the restrainer capacity. In contrast, the restrainer resistance is declined by an increase in the mean spring diameter and number of coils for each spring of AVSR. The time history analysis results also indicated that the frame response in terms of displacement, velocity and acceleration is improved by implementing the AVSR in the considered system.