bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of ear exercises on hearing loss in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy
Authors: Lu Juan , Zhang Hui , Xu Dejing , Shi Lingyun , Wen Jing
Published: August 2022

The objective of the study is to explore the effect of an ear health exercise on hearing loss of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving radiotherapy. One hundred and seventeen patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma from June 2018 to January 2020 were selected as research subjects randomly divided into three groups. Thirty‐eight cases were in experimental group 1 and given an ear health exercise for 6 months, 38 cases were in experimental group 2 and given an ear health exercise for 12 months, and 41 cases in control group only received hearing health education. The hearing loss of three groups was compared before intervention and at 6 and 12 months after intervention. The value of the average audibility threshold of air conduction, the occurrence rate of abnormal acoustic immittance (ear), the rate of tympanic cavity effusion, and occur rate of secretory otitis media in two experimental groups were lower than control group among different time points. The above indicators of experimental group 2 were lower than those of group 1 (p < .05). The total effective rate of hearing improvement in experimental groups 1 and 2 was higher than that of control group after the intervention. Besides, the total effective rate in experimental group 2 was higher than that in group 1, and the difference was statistically significant (p < .05). There was no serious adverse reaction. An ear health exercise can reduce hearing loss of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving radiotherapy. It can be used as daily rehabilitation measures to prevent or delay hearing loss for these patients.
Elucidating tricuspid Doppler signal interpolation and its implication for assessing pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Dual Seraina A. , Verdonk Constance , Amsallem Myriam , Pham Jonathan , Obasohan Courtney , Nataf Patrick , McElhinney Doff B. , Arunamata Alisa , Kuznetsova Tatiana , Zamanian Roham , Feinstein Jeffrey A. , Marsden Alison , Haddad François
Published: August 2022

Doppler echocardiography plays a central role in the assessment of pulmonary hypertension (PAH). We aim to improve quality assessment of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP) by applying a cubic polynomial interpolation to digitized tricuspid regurgitation (TR) waveforms. Patients with PAH and advanced lung disease were divided into three cohorts: a derivation cohort (n = 44), a validation cohort (n = 71), an outlier cohort (n = 26), and a non‐PAH cohort (n = 44). We digitized TR waveforms and analyzed normalized duration, skewness, kurtosis, and first and second derivatives of pressure. Cubic polynomial interpolation was applied to three physiology‐driven phases: the isovolumic phase, ejection phase, and “shoulder” point phase. Coefficients of determination and a Bland−Altman analysis was used to assess bias between methods. The cubic polynomial interpolation of the TR waveform correlated strongly with expert read right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) with R2 > 0.910 in the validation cohort. The biases when compared to invasive SPAP measured within 24 h were 6.03 [4.33; 7.73], −2.94 [1.47; 4.41], and −3.11 [−4.52; −1.71] mmHg, for isovolumic, ejection, and shoulder point interpolations, respectively. In the outlier cohort with more than 30% difference between echocardiographic estimates and invasive SPAP, cubic polynomial interpolation significantly reduced underestimation of RVSP. Cubic polynomial interpolation of the TR waveform based on isovolumic or early ejection phase may improve RVSP estimates.
Preparation of Nanostructured Graphene Oxide and Its Application in Drug Loading and Sustained Release
Authors: Fu Dongsheng , You Jinhui , Guo Ruijie , Zhang Jie , Li Qiang , Wen Jing , Wang Huifang , Yan Hong
Published: August 2022

Graphene oxide (GO) and its derivatives are considered as a promising drug carrier in tumor therapy due to their excellent biocompatibility. Here, a series of nanostructured GO with long‐range ordered lamellar or hexagonal structure were prepared by lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) templating strategy and used as drug carriers. The nanostructure was verified via polarized‐light optical microscopy (POM), low angle X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which showed that the interlayer spacing or pore size was determined by the carbon chain length of templating molecular. 5‐fluorouracil (5‐Fu), doxorubicin (DOX) and docetaxel (DOC) which had gradually increased molecular size were chosen as model drugs, and the highly ordered nanochannels can be used as space for adsorption and diffusion of drug molecules. Ultraviolet spectrometer and simulated release test in vitro were used to determine drug loading capacity and drug release performance. The results showed that larger pore diameter/layer spacing was beneficial to the adsorption and diffusion of drug molecules, especially those with shorter molecule size. Besides, the water‐solvable DOX exhibited fast release rate than the hydrophobic 5‐Fu and DOC. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated the good biocompatibility of both the pristine GO and the nanostructured GO.
Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nanoparticles Grafted with Gold‐L‐Cysteine as a Water Cleaning Material for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Paracetamol
Authors: Agoudjil Karima , Haddadine Nabila , Davidson Anne , Barama Siham , Abouzeid Khaled , Barama Akila , Selmane Mohamed , Bouslah Naima , Benaboura Ahmed , Barillé Régis , Samy El‐Shall M.
Published: August 2022

Here, we report the photocatalytic degradation of aqueous paracetamol (Acetaminophen or N‐acetyl‐p‐aminophenol, APAP) as a drug model under visible light in presence of opal and inverse opal photonic crystals (PC) derived from gold‐L‐cysteine and grafted on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles. The L‐cysteine grafted PMMA colloidal nanoparticles with average diameters of 170 and 200 nm were prepared by emulsion polymerization. The reduction of the gold ions (HAuCl4) by L‐cysteine resulted in the formation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) attached to the PMMA colloidal particles. The opal photonic crystals Au@PC170 and Au@PC200, formed by self‐assembly of gold‐L‐cysteine‐PMMA nanoparticles, were treated by the sol‐gel method in the presence of a silica precursor. Therefore, two inverse opal photonic crystals (IOPCs): Au@SiO2(1) and Au@SiO2(2) were isolated following the polymer removal by calcination at 500 °C. The photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol (APAP) as a drug model was performed in the presence of the opal and inverse opal PCs. The results showed that 18.9 % of APAP photodegradation was obtained using the opal photonic crystals Au@PC200 after 2.5 hours, whereas 70.3 % of the photodegradation occurred instantaneously with the silica inverse opal photonic crystals Au@SiO2(2). Consequently, the inverse opal photonic crystals were proposed as a potential effective water cleaning photocatalyst under visible light irradiation.
Structural Exploration and Protein Binding Efficiencies of Binuclear Dioxidomolybdenum(VI) Complexes Constructed from ONO Chelator and Linear N−N Ditopic Spacer
Authors: Sarkar Oiendrilla , Roy Malini , Biswal Debanjana , Ranjan Pramanik Nikhil , Paul Suvendu , Drew Michael G. B. , Chakrabarti Syamal
Published: August 2022

This communication describes the syntheses, spectroscopic characterizations and crystal structures of two binuclear dioxidomolybdenum(VI) complexes 1 and 2 of general formula [MoO2L]2(N−N) with ONO donor ligands obtained by the condensation of benzoyl acetone with salicylhydrazide (H2L1) and anthranylhydrazide (H2L2) and spacer 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethene (bpe). The crystal structures of these complexes have been solved by single crystal X‐ray crystallography. Both the complexes 1 and 2 are centrosymmetric and each Mo centre exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry. The complexes give rise to 3D supramolecular architectures with the formation of cavities via hydrogen bonding and C−H⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions. Extensive DFT calculations are carried out to compare the structural parameters of the complexes with the experimental data and energy of frontier molecular orbitals are also calculated. The intermolecular interactions in the crystal structures are also studied by the Hirshfeld surface analysis. The redox behaviour of complexes has been examined by cyclic voltammetry. The binding affinity and binding mode of the complexes towards BSA has been explored by absorption and fluorescence titration method. Both the complexes exhibit fluorescence resonance energy transfer from protein to the complexes. The molecular docking investigations are also carried out to get a deeper insight into the binding mechanism.
Fabrication of N‐doped Porous Carbon Materials by Biomass Carbonization for Energy Storage, Electroanalysis and Metal Ion Removal
Authors: Xu Hui , Dong Lina , Yu Jinzhi , Yuan Baiqing , Li Mei , Jiang Tingting , Wang Hua
Published: August 2022

In this work, nitrogen‐doped porous carbons (NDPCs) were prepared by one‐step carbonization of biomass using Sargassum thunbergii as a model for energy storage, electroanalysis, and metal ion removal. The pore structures of NDPCs can be adjusted by changing the pyrolysis temperature (600–800 °C). It was discovered that NDPCs‐700 as a supercapacitor electrode material could display acceptable specific capacitance of 177 F g−1 in 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte at current density of 0.2 A g−1 with good cycling stability (capacitance retention of 95 % after 2000 cycles), owing to its unique micro‐meso hierarchical pore structure, good conductivity and high nitrogen content (4.61 %). Also, it could act as an electrochemical sensing material, showing good electrocatalytic performance for dopamine (DA) detection in the dynamic detection range of 1.0 to 120 μM with a detection limit of 0.382 μM. Besides, the so fabricated multifunctional material can allow for the removal of metal ions like Hg2+ with high efficiency.
Advanced security testing using a cyber‐attack forecasting model: A case study of financial institutions
Authors: Qasaimeh Malik , Hammour Rand Abu , Yassein Muneer Bani , Al‐Qassas Raad S. , Torralbo Juan Alfonso Lara , Lizcano David
Published: August 2022

As the number of cyber‐attacks on financial institutions has increased over the past few years, an advanced system that is capable of predicting the target of an attack is essential. Such a system needs to be integrated into the existing detection systems of financial institutions as it provides them with proactive controls with which to halt an attack by predicting patterns. Advanced prediction systems also enhance the software design and security testing of new advanced cyber‐security measures by providing new testing scenarios supported by attack forecasting. This present study developed a model that forecasts future network‐based cyber‐attacks on financial institutions using a deep neural network. The dataset that was used to train and test the model consisted of some of the biggest cyber‐attacks on banking institutions over the past three years. This provided insight into new patterns that may end with a cyber‐crime. These new attacks were also evaluated to determine behavioral similarities with the nearest known attack or a combination of several existing attacks. The performance of the forecasting model was then evaluated in a real banking environment and provided a forecasting accuracy of 90.36%. As such, financial institutions can use the proposed forecasting model to improve their security testing measures.
Design and implementation of a fully transparent partial abort support for software transactional memory
Authors: Pellegrini Alessandro , Di Sanzo Pierangelo , Piccione Andrea , Quaglia Francesco
Published: August 2022

Software transactional memory (STM) provides synchronization support to ensure atomicity and isolation when threads access shared data in concurrent applications. With STM, shared data accesses are encapsulated within transactions automatically handled by the STM layer. Hence, programmers are not requested to use code‐synchronization mechanisms explicitly, like locking. In this article, we present our experience in designing and implementing a partial abort scheme for STM. The objective of our work is threefold: (1) enabling STM to undo only part of the transaction execution in the case of conflict, (2) designing a scheme that is fully transparent to programmers, thus also allowing to run existing STM applications without modifications, and (3) providing a scheme that can be easily integrated within existing STM runtime environments without altering their internal structure. The scheme we designed is based on automated software instrumentation, which injects into the application capabilities to undo the required portions of transaction executions. Further, it can correctly undo also non‐transactional operations executed on the stack and the heap during a transaction. This capability allows programmers to write transactional code without concerns about the side effects of aborted transactions on both shared and thread‐private data. We integrated and evaluated our partial abort scheme within the TinySTM open‐source library. We analyze the experimental results we achieved with common STM benchmark applications, focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed solutions for implementing our scheme's different components. Hence, we highlight the appropriate choices and possible solutions to improve partial abort schemes further.
Improving early compressive strength of precast concrete by increasing active silicon content
Authors: Zhang Zhongzhe , Ji Yongsheng , Ma Zhanguo , Geng Ou , Gao Furong , Xu Zhishan , Zhang Jie , Xue Qi
Published: August 2022

In order to make the precast concrete reach the design strength quickly, by increasing the active silicon content of the precast concrete, the influence mechanism of the active silicon on the early compressive strength of the precast concrete was studied. The early hydration process, early pore structure, and chemical composition of precast concrete mixed with different types and dosages of water‐soluble active silicon materials (WASM) were characterized through heat of hydration test, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The increase of active silicon content in precast concrete can greatly improve the early compressive strength of precast concrete (PC) under steam curing conditions. The increase of active silicon content in PC can greatly improve the early hydration process of cement and accelerate the rate of early cement hydration heat release. The addition of active silicon in the early stage of cement hydration can promote the rapid conversion of Ca(OH)2 generated in the gelling system to high‐strength CSH gel. A large amount of high‐strength CSH gel is formed in the early stage of cement hydration, which can promote the formation of a dense internal structure of PC as soon as possible, thereby promoting the rapid improvement of the early compressive strength of PC.
The essential role of community in teaching and learning
Authors: Wehlburg Catherine M.
Published: August 2022

Learning can happen anywhere but it often happens best when it occurs in connection with others. When the COVID‐19 pandemic happened and caused many institutions to move all instruction to virtual modalities, many faculty and students expressed feelings of isolation and loneliness. In addition to that, anecdotal conversations with faculty and students pointed to the possibility that there was less learning that occurred during the pandemic in many instances as there was not the same focus on coursework, homework, and lectures. Perhaps the lack of feelings of connection and community with other learners had some direct impact on the level of learning.
Effect of long‐term management of hypoadrenocorticism on the quality of life of affected dogs and their owners
Authors: Hupfeld Julia , Dölle Michael , Volk Holger , Rieder Johanna
Published: August 2022

Background

The treatment of canine adrenal insufficiency consists of hormone substitution and requires high owner compliance and intense human–dog interaction. This might affect the quality of life (QoL) of owners and their pets. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of hypoadrenocorticism and its treatment on the QoL of dogs and their owners.

Methods

Owners completed a web‐based survey that contained items concerning signalment, owner QoL, dog QoL and long‐term therapy.

Results

Three hundred and twenty‐two owners participated. Most owners feared an adrenal crisis. Approximately half of the participants reported that the bond between them and their pet increased after diagnosis. Although many participants felt that their own QoL was not affected by their dog's disease, worries about costs and leaving their dog unsupervised were frequently reported. Half of the study participants increased their dog's glucocorticoid doses when a stressful situation was foreseeable (‘boosting’ of therapy). Some administered hydrocortisone, mostly switched from prednisolone, resulting in a reduction in side effects.

Conclusions

Special attention should be given to glucocorticoid therapy and owner's QoL. The overall worry of an adrenal crisis might increase caregivers’ burden, reducing their overall QoL. Hydrocortisone might be a safe alternative to prednisolone, but further research is necessary to evaluate its long‐term efficacy and safety in dogs.
Caecal gastrointestinal stromal tumour with secondary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia in a cocker spaniel
Authors: Cattaneo Giulia , Schiavo Luca , Bochyńska Diana , Hughes Katherine , Dobson Jane M. , McCallum Katie E.
Published: August 2022

The present case report documents a paraneoplastic immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia secondary to a gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the caecum in a female neutered cocker spaniel. The dog was presented with a history of acute onset lethargy and anorexia. Investigations revealed a mildly regenerative, Coombs’ test‐positive anaemia with spherocytosis and auto‐agglutination. Abdominal ultrasonography documented a concurrent focal caecal mass. Surgical resection of the mass resulted in complete resolution of the immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia; immunosuppressive treatment was not required at any stage. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings supported the diagnosis of a gastrointestinal stromal tumour. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a paraneoplastic immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia secondary to a gastrointestinal stromal tumour in a dog and demonstrates a rare case of remission of immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia in response to surgical resection of the tumour alone.
New Interventions by silicone grease in synthesis
Authors: Werner Daniel , Rad Nazli E. , Guo Zhifang , Deacon Glen B. , Junk Peter C.
Published: August 2022

In redox‐transmetallation protolysis (RTP) reactions in tetrahydrofuran (thf) between excess scandium or cerium metal, Hg(C6F5)2 and 3,5‐dimethylpyrazole (Me2pzH) in silicone greased Schlenk flasks, formation of the 3,5‐dimethyl‐1‐pyrazolyl(dimethyl)siloxide (Me2pzSiMe2O) ligand was observed. Thus the former reaction gave [Sc2(Me2pz)4(Me2pzSiMe2O)2] 1 in good yield, whilst the latter gave a mixture of [Ce4O(Me2pz)9(Me2pzSiMe2O)2] 2 a, [Ce4O(Me2pz)11] 2 b, both mixed oxidation state species, and the CeIV complex [Ce(Me2pz)4(Me2pzH)] 2 c.
Exact solution of the plane problems for poroelastic rectangle and semi‐strip
Authors: Zhuravlova Zinaida
Published: August 2022

The exact solutions of the plane problems of poroelasticity for a rectangle and a semi‐strip are derived in the article. The original problems are reduced to one‐dimensional problems with the help of finite and semi‐infinite Fourier transforms for a rectangle and a semi‐strip, respectively. The one‐dimensional boundary value problems are formulated in vector form, and the apparatus of matrix differential calculation is used. Analytical formulas for displacements, stress, and pore pressure are derived for the rectangle and semi‐strip. The investigation of stress and pore pressure for different load types and different poroelastic materials is done for the rectangle and semi‐strip.
The action of HRT-areas as operators in semiclassical gravity
Authors: Kaplan Molly , Marolf Donald
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We study the action of Hubeny-Rangamani-Takayanagi (HRT) area operators on the covariant phase space of classical solutions. It has been previously proposed that this action generates a transformation which, roughly speaking, boosts the entanglement wedge on one side of the HRT surface relative to the entanglement wedge on the other side. We give a sharp argument for a precise result of this form in a general theory of Einstein-Hilbert gravity minimally coupled to matter, taking appropriate care with asymptotically Anti-de Sitter (AdS) boundary conditions. The result agrees with direct computations of commutators involving HRT areas in pure 2+1 dimensional Einstein-Hilbert gravity on spacetimes asymptotic to planar AdS. We also clarify the sense in which this transformation is singular in the deep UV when the HRT-surface is anchored to an asymptotically AdS boundary.
Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Siminiak Natalia , Czepczyński Rafał , Zaborowski Mikołaj Piotr , Iżycki Dariusz
Published: August 2022

Despite advances in surgery and chemotherapy, ovarian cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies. Hence, the implementation of novel treatment approaches is required to improve the outcomes of the disease. Immunotherapy has been proven to be effective in many tumors and has already been incorporated into clinical practice. In this review, we describe key strategies in immunotherapy of ovarian cancer and summarize data from clinical studies assessing immunological prospects which could improve ovarian cancer treatment approaches in the future. The most notable current strategies include checkpoint blockade agents, the use of vaccines, adoptive cell transfer, as well as various combinations of these methods. While several of these options are promising, large controlled randomized studies are still needed to implement new immunotherapeutic options into clinical practice.
Sharp Estimates for Schrödinger Groups on Hardy Spaces for $$0<p\le 1$$
Authors: Bui The Anh , Ly Fu Ken
Published: August 2022

Let X be a space of homogeneous type with the doubling order n. Let L be a nonnegative self-adjoint operator on $$L^2(X)$$

L
2

(
X
)

and suppose that the kernel of $$e^{-tL}$$

e

-
t
L

satisfies a Gaussian upper bound. This paper shows that for $$0<p\le 1$$

0
<
p
≤
1

and $$s=n(1/p-1/2)$$

s
=
n
(
1
/
p
-
1
/
2
)

, $$\begin{aligned}\Vert (I+L)^{-s}e^{itL}f\Vert _{H^p_L(X)} \lesssim (1+|t|)^{s}\Vert f\Vert _{H^p_L(X)} \end{aligned}$$

‖

(
I
+
L
)

-
s

e

itL

f
‖

H
L
p

(
X
)

≲

(
1
+
|
t
|
)

s

‖
f
‖

H
L
p

(
X
)

for all $$t\in {\mathbb {R}}$$

t
∈
R

, where $$H^p_L(X)$$

H
L
p

(
X
)

is the Hardy space associated to L. This recovers the classical results in the particular case when $$L=-\Delta $$

L
=
-
Δ

and extends a number of known results.
Chronic social stress disrupts the intracellular redistribution of brain hexokinase 3 induced by shifts in peripheral glucose levels
Authors: van der Kooij Michael A. , Rojas-Charry Liliana , Givehchi Maryam , Wolf Christina , Bueno Diones , Arndt Sabine , Tenzer Stefan , Mattioni Lorenzo , Treccani Giulia , Hasch Annika , Schmeisser Michael J. , Vianello Caterina , Giacomello Marta , Methner Axel
Published: August 2022

Chronic stress has the potential to impair health and may increase the vulnerability for psychiatric disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that specific neurometabolic dysfunctions play a role herein. In mice, chronic social defeat (CSD) stress reduces cerebral glucose uptake despite hyperglycemia. We hypothesized that this metabolic decoupling would be reflected by changes in contact sites between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, important intracellular nutrient sensors, and signaling hubs. We thus analyzed the proteome of their biochemical counterparts, mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) from whole brain tissue obtained from CSD and control mice. This revealed a lack of the glucose-metabolizing enzyme hexokinase 3 (HK3) in MAMs from CSD mice. In controls, HK3 protein abundance in MAMs and also in striatal synaptosomes correlated positively with peripheral blood glucose levels, but this connection was lost in CSD. We conclude that the ability of HK3 to traffic to sites of need, such as MAMs or synapses, is abolished upon CSD and surmise that this contributes to a cellular dysfunction instigated by chronic stress.

Key messages

Chronic social defeat (CSD) alters brain glucose metabolism

CSD depletes hexokinase 3 (HK3) from mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs)

CSD results in loss of positive correlation between blood glucose and HK3 in MAMs and synaptosomes
Missing values and data enrichment: an application to social media liking
Authors: Mariani Paolo , Marletta Andrea , Locci Matteo
Published: August 2022

In the big data context, it is very frequent to manage the analysis of missing values. This is especially relevant in the field of statistical analysis, where this represents a thorny issue. This study proposes a strategy for data enrichment in presence of sparse matrices. The research objective consists in the evaluation of a possible distinction of behaviour among observations in sparse matrices with missing data. After selecting among the multiple imputation methods, an innovative technique will be presented to impute missing observations as a negative position or a neutral opinion. This method has been applied to a dataset measuring the interaction between users and social network pages for some Italian newspapers.
Energetic output of the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai volcanic eruption from pressure measurements
Authors: Díaz J. S. , Rigby S. E.
Published: August 2022

The violent eruption of the volcano at Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai island on January 15, 2022, generated an intense pressure wave registered by instruments all over the world. Using public reports posted on social media, we have used the arrival time of the first passage of the wave to measure its velocity, found to be a constant$$1114\pm 2$$1114±2km/h ($$309\pm 1$$309±1m/s). An empirical pressure–distance relation that utilizes measurements from a large range of sources is used to estimate an energetic output. We find that this Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai volcanic eruption released approximately the equivalent of 61 Mt, which is considerably larger than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens and slightly higher than the yield of Tsar Bomba, the largest human-made explosion in history.
Usefulness of ICG Angiography‐Guided Thyroidectomy for Preserving Parathyroid Function
Authors: Moreno‐Llorente Pablo , García‐Barrasa Arantxa , Pascua‐Solé Mireia , Videla Sebastián , Otero Aurema , Muñoz‐de Nova José Luis
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Hypoparathyroidism is the most frequent complication after total thyroidectomy and, when permanent, it becomes a severe chronic disease. We assessed the usefulness of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography‐guided thyroidectomy to reduce the postoperative hypocalcemia.

Methods

Prospective study with two consecutive cohorts of patients who underwent total thyroidectomy: historical control group (CG) and angiography‐guided thyroidectomy group (AG). In all patients, ICG‐angiography was performed at the end of the surgery to predict immediate parathyroid gland (PG) function. In the AG, ICG‐angiography was also done after PG identification to show their vascular supply. We compared the rate of postoperative hypocalcemia (calcium supplementation needed due to hypocalcemia symptoms or calcium levels < 1.8 mmol/L on the first postoperative day) and permanent hypocalcemia (need of calcium ± vitamin D supplementation 12 months after thyroidectomy).

Results

We included 120 consecutive patients (84 CG; 36 AG). Thyroid cancer was the most common diagnostic (63.1% CG–69.4% AG; p = 0.646) and central neck dissection was also frequent (54.8% CG–64.3% AG; p = 0.468). The AG developed a lower rate of postoperative (26.2–5.6%; p = 0.011) and permanent hypocalcemia (11.9–0%; p = 0.032). The OR for permanent hypocalcemia was 0.673 (95% CI 0.591–0.766). A significant higher rate of well vascularized PG at the end of the surgery (score 2) in the AG (39.2–52.9%; p = 0.018) was also seen.

Conclusion

ICG angiography‐guided thyroidectomy is a useful tool to identify PG vascularization, allowing a better PG preservation and a significant decrease in hypocalcemia rates.
Sarcoidosis with musculoskeletal manifestations: systematic review of non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments
Authors: Smedslund Geir , Kotar Annie Martina , Uhlig Till
Published: August 2022

We aimed to summarise effects and use of non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments for sarcoidosis with musculoskeletal manifestations. We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, AMED, Scopus, clinical.trials.gov, PROSPERO and PEDro for systematic reviews from 2014 to 2022 and for primary studies from date of inception to March 29, 2022, and studies with patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis with musculoskeletal manifestations. Inclusion criteria required that studies reported effects of non-pharmacological and/or pharmacological treatments or number of patients receiving these treatments. Results were reported narratively and in forest plots. Eleven studies were included. No systematic reviews fulfilled our inclusion criteria. None of the included studies had a control group. We found that between 23 and 100% received corticosteroids, 0–100% received NSAIDs, 5–100% received hydroxychloroquine, 12–100% received methotrexate, 0–100% received TNF inhibitors, and 3–4% received azathioprine. Only ten patients in one study had used non-pharmacological treatments, including occupational therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture. There are no controlled studies on treatment effects for patients with sarcoidosis with musculoskeletal manifestations. We found 11 studies reporting use of pharmacological treatments and only one study reporting use of non-pharmacological treatments. Our study identified major research gaps for pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in musculoskeletal sarcoidosis and warrant randomised clinical trials for both.
C-reactive protein during the first 6 postoperative days after total hip arthroplasty cannot predict early periprosthetic infection
Authors: Rohe Sebastian , Böhle Sabrina , Matziolis Georg , Jacob Benjamin , Wassilew Georgi , Brodt Steffen
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains a serious complication in orthopaedic surgery. C-reactive protein (CRP) is widely used as a marker to screen for inflammatory complications. The early postoperative course is well known, but knowledge about the predictive value of CRP in the first 6 postoperative days for detecting an acute postoperative PJI is lacking.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the inpatient course of CRP of all primary THA and THA with acute PJI within 28 days in our hospital from 2013 to 2021. A receiver-operating curve (ROC) analysis was performed and the best CRP threshold for detecting an acute PJI based on Youden’s-index was calculated and an area-under-the curve (AUC) analysis of the threshold was performed.

Results

33 of 7042 patients included had an acute PJI within 28 days. Patients with acute PJI were older, had a higher BMI and longer operation time and suffered more often from diabetes mellitus. A preoperatively elevated CRP was a risk factor for PJI. CRP was significantly higher in the PJI group on postoperative days 3 and 5. Threshold values were calculated to be 152 mg/l on day 3 and 73 mg/l on day 5. However, these values had a low sensitivity (75%, 76%) and specificity (67%, 61%).

Conclusion

Especially considering the decreasing length of stay after THA, the question of the usefulness of regular inpatient CRP checks arises. AUC analysis of the ROC showed a poor diagnostic accuracy in almost all cases. Only the dynamic analysis of the maximum CRP value to the lowest CRP value with a decrease of 102.7 mg/l showed a fair accuracy. This calls into question the clinical relevance of CRP in the first postoperative week for detection of acute postoperative PJI.
Peritoneal dialysis catheter removal at the time or after kidney transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zawistowski Michał , Nowaczyk Joanna , Domagała Piotr
Published: August 2022

Purpose

An increasing number of patients treated with peritoneal dialysis eventually undergo kidney transplantation. Owing to opposing reports, we aimed to find evidence about the best time for peritoneal dialysis catheter removal in transplant patients.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and random effects meta-analysis of non-randomized studies of intervention comparing patients with peritoneal dialysis catheters left in place or removed during kidney transplantation in regard to the need for dialysis and occurrence of catheter-related complications. We searched (last update on 8 December 2021) PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science for eligible studies. ROBINS-I tool and funnel plot asymmetry analysis were used to assess the quality of included articles.

Results

Eight observational studies were evaluated. Five of them, which involved 338 patients, were included in a meta-analysis. All were at moderate to serious risk of bias. The odds of needing dialysis are more than twice as high for patients with peritoneal dialysis catheters left in situ (pooled odds ratio, 2.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 4.73; I2 = 0%). No statistically significant difference was noted when adult and pediatric subgroups were compared (Q = 0.13, P = .720). More individuals with catheters left in place required dialysis (pooled prevalence, 20.9%; 95% CI, 13.6 to 30.7%; I2 = 59% vs. 12.4%; 95% CI, 5.6 to 25.2%; I2 = 0%) and experienced catheter-related infections.

Conclusion

Available evidence is scarce. Unless new data from a randomized controlled trial are available, the dilemma of peritoneal dialysis catheter removal cannot be solved.

Trial registration

PROSPERO Protocol ID: CRD42020207707.

Graphical abstract
Priorisierung von Geimpften?
Authors: Hörnle Tatjana
Published: August 2022

Der Beitrag befasst sich mit der Frage, ob der Impfstatus ein Auswahlkriterium sein könnte oder sogar sollte, falls in einer Pandemie bei akuter Ressourcenknappheit Priorisierung unabwendbar wird. Er ordnet und bespricht unterschiedliche Thesen, die dazu vertreten werden. Erstens wird angenommen, dass eine Beschäftigung mit diesem schwierigen Problem nicht erforderlich sei. Zweitens könnte man darauf abstellen, dass heikle Themen besser nicht öffentlich erörtert werden sollten. Nach der dritten, häufig vertretenen Argumentationslinie dürfe auf keinen Fall ein Unterschied zwischen geimpften und ungeimpften Patienten gemacht werden, weil dies mit Menschenrechten kollidiere oder mit dem allgemeinen Grundsatz nicht zu vereinbaren sei, dass Vorverhalten von Patienten in der Intensivmedizin unbeachtlich ist. Viertens empfehlen u. a. Verhaltensökonomen eine Berücksichtigung des Impfstatus zur Verbesserung von Impfquoten. Fünftens ist aus ethischer Sicht zu erwägen, ob eine vorangegangene Impfung aus Gründen der Gerechtigkeit Bedeutung habe müsse. Die Autorin vertritt die sechste These, nämlich dass bei vergleichbarer klinischer Erfolgsaussicht ggf. das Unterlassen einer möglichen und empfohlenen Impfung mangels besserer Auswahlkriterien herangezogen werden dürfe. Sie spricht sich insbesondere gegen die Alternative einer Zufallsentscheidung aus.
Red blood cell distribution width and Charlson comorbidity index help to identify frail polytraumatized patients
Authors: Weihs Valerie , Frenzel Stephan , Dedeyan Michél , Heinz Thomas , Hajdu Stefan , Frossard Martin
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Little is known about the potential impact of the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and pre-existing comorbidities on the late-phase survival of polytraumatized patients.

Methods

A total of 173 polytraumatized patients were included retrospectively in this cohort study in a level I trauma center from January 2012 to December 2015. The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) scores and RDW values were evaluated.

Results

Out of all polytraumatized patients (n = 173), 72.8% (n = 126) were male, the mean ISS was 31.7 points (range 17–75) and the mean age was 45.1 years (range 18–93 years). Significantly higher RDW values (13.90 vs. 13.37; p = 0.006) and higher CCI scores (3.38 vs. 0.49; p < 0.001) were seen in elderly polytraumatized patients (age > 55 years). RDW values > 13.75% (p = 0.033) and CCI scores > 2 points (p = 0.001) were found to have a significant influence on the late-phase survival of polytraumatized patients. Age > 55 years (p = 0.009, HR 0.312; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.130–0.749) and the presence of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) (p = 0.007; HR 0.185; 95% CI 0.054–0.635) remained as independent prognostic factors on the late-phase survival after multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Even younger elderly polytraumatized patients (> 55 years of age) showed significant higher RDW values and higher CCI scores. In addition to the presence of severe TBI and age > 55 years, RDW value > 13.75% on admission and CCI score > 2 might help to identify the “younger” frail polytraumatized patient at risk.
Evaluation of advanced platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as a bio-carrier for ampicillin/sulbactam
Authors: Straub Anton , Vollmer Andreas , Lâm Thiên-Trí , Brands Roman C. , Stapf Maximilian , Scherf-Clavel Oliver , Bittrich Max , Fuchs Andreas , Kübler Alexander C. , Hartmann Stefan
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Mechanisms of wound healing are often impaired in patients with osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). According to the guidelines for the treatment of this disease, early surgical intervention is indicated. However, surgery often faces complications such as wound healing disorders. The application of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) after necrosectomy between bone and mucosa may constitute a promising approach to improve surgical results. An aspect that was not investigated until now is that PRF acts as a “bio-carrier” for antibiotics previously applied intravenously.

Materials and methods

We investigated the antimicrobial properties of PRF in 24 patients presenting ONJ undergoing systemic antibiosis with ampicillin/sulbactam. We measured the concentration of ampicillin/sulbactam in plasma and PRF and performed agar diffusion tests. Ampicillin/sulbactam was applied intravenously to the patient 10 minutes for blood sampling for PRF. No further incorporation of patients’ blood or PRF product with antibiotic drugs was obtained. Four healthy patients served as controls.

Results

Our results revealed that PRF is highly enriched with ampicillin/sulbactam that is released to the environment. The antibiotic concentration in PRF was comparable to the plasma concentration of ampicillin/sulbactam. The inhibition zone (IZ) of PRF was comparable to the standard ampicillin/sulbactam discs used in sensitivity testing.

Conclusions

The results of our study demonstrated that PRF is a reliable bio-carrier for systemic applied antibiotics and exhibits a large antimicrobial effect.

Clinical relevance

We describe a clinically useful feature of PRF as a bio-carrier for antibiotics. Especially when applied to poorly perfused tissues and bone such as in ONJ, the local release of antibiotics can reduce wound healing disorders like infections.
Understanding students’ participation in physiotherapy and nursing work settings
Authors: Ceelen Lieke , Khaled Anne , Nieuwenhuis Loek , de Bruijn Elly
Published: August 2022

Students’ health profession education includes learning at the workplace through placements. For students, participating in daily work activities in interaction with supervisors, co-workers and peers is a valuable practice to learn the expertise that is needed to become a health care professional. To contribute to the understanding of HPE-students’ workplace learning, the focus of this study is to identify affordances and characterise student’s participation during placements. We applied a research design based on observations. Three student-physiotherapists and four student-nurses were shadowed during two of their placement days. A categorisation of affordances is provided, in terms of students’ participation in activities, direct interactions and indirect interactions. Students’ daily participation in placements is discussed through unique combinations and sequences of the identified affordances reflecting changing patterns over time, and differences in the degree of presence or absence of supervisors, co-workers and peers.
On spline quasi-interpolation through dimensions
Authors: Dagnino Catterina , Lamberti Paola , Remogna Sara
Published: August 2022

The approximation of functions and data in one and high dimensions is an important problem in many mathematical and scientific applications. Quasi-interpolation is a general and powerful approximation approach having many advantages. This paper deals with spline quasi-interpolants and its aim is to collect the main results obtained by the authors, also in collaboration with other researchers, in such a topic through spline dimension, i.e. in the 1D, 2D and 3D setting, highlighting the approximation properties and the reconstruction of functions and data, the applications in numerical integration and differentiation and the numerical solution of integral and differential problems.
Menschenrechte. Eine Analyse aus der Perspektive der Philosophischen Anthropologie
Authors: Fischer Joachim
Published: August 2022

Der Beitrag skizziert eine mögliche Aufklärung des Phänomens der Menschenrechte aus der Perspektive der Philosophischen Anthropologie. Dieses Paradigma (Scheler, Plessner, Gehlen, Cassirer) exponiert die „exzentrische Positionalität“ als die Conditio humana zwischen Hominitas und Humanitas. Dabei können folgende Aspekte der Menschenrechte zur Sprache kommen: 1. DieHumanitasder Menschenrechte als Antwort auf die problematischen Potenziale derHominitas; 2. die Verschiedenheit der Menschenrechte – ihre antinomische bzw. pluri-nomische Struktur; 3. die Einheit der verschiedenenMenschenrechtein derMenschenwürde, in der sich die vier ‚Welten‘ der menschlichen Lebenswelt – Außenwelt; Innenwelt; Mitwelt; symbolische Welt – zur balancierten Darstellung bringt; 4. die rechtliche Realisierung der Menschenrechte durch Praktiken der Macht, der demokratischen Souveränität und ihrer körperlichen Gewalt.
Adenosine A2A Receptor Blockade Ameliorates Mania Like Symptoms in Rats: Signaling to PKC-α and Akt/GSK-3β/β-Catenin
Authors: Shalaby Heba Nasr , Zaki Hala Fahmy , Ain-Shoka Afaf Abd Almonim , Mohammed Reham Atef
Published: August 2022

Adenosinergic system dysfunction is implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple neuropsychiatric disorders including mania and bipolar diseases. The established synergistic interaction between A2A and D2 receptors in the prefrontal cortex could highlight the idea of A2A receptor antagonism as a possible anti-manic strategy. Hence, the present study was performed to examine the effect of a selective adenosine A2A receptor blocker (SCH58261) on methylphenidate-induced mania-like behavior while investigating the underlying mechanisms. Rats were injected with methylphenidate (5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 3 weeks with or without administration of either SCH58261 (0.01 mg/kg/day, i.p.) or lithium (150 mg/kg/day, i.p.) starting from day 9. In the diseased rats, adenosine A2AR antagonism reduced locomotor hyperactivity and risk-taking behavior along with decreased dopamine and glutamate levels. Meanwhile, SCH58261 restored NMDA receptor function, suppressed PKC-α expression, down-regulated β-Arrestin-2, up-regulated pS473-Akt and pS9-GSK-3β. Further, SCH58261 promoted synaptic plasticity markers through increasing BDNF levels along with down-regulating GAP-43 and SNAP-25. The A2A antagonist also reduced NF-κBp65 and TNF-α together with elevating IL-27 level giving an anti-inflammatory effect. In conclusion, suppression of PKC-α and modulation of Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin axis through A2AR inhibition, could introduce adenosine A2AR as a possible therapeutic target for treatment of mania-like behavior. This notion is supported by the ability of the A2AR antagonist (SCH58261) to produce comparable results to those observed with the standard anti-manic drug (Lithium).
Modeling and simulating the sample complexity of solving LWE using BKW-style algorithms
Authors: Guo Qian , Mårtensson Erik , Stankovski Wagner Paul
Published: August 2022

The Learning with Errors (LWE) problem receives much attention in cryptography, mainly due to its fundamental significance in post-quantum cryptography. Among its solving algorithms, the Blum-Kalai-Wasserman (BKW) algorithm, originally proposed for solving the Learning Parity with Noise (LPN) problem, performs well, especially for certain parameter settings with cryptographic importance. The BKW algorithm consists of two phases, the reduction phase and the solving phase. In this work, we study the performance of distinguishers used in the solving phase. We show that the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) distinguisher from Eurocrypt’15 has the same sample complexity as the optimal distinguisher, when making the same number of hypotheses. We also show via simulation that it performs much better than previous theory predicts and develop a sample complexity model that matches the simulations better. We also introduce an improved, pruned version of the FFT distinguisher. Finally, we indicate, via extensive experiments, that the sample dependency due to both LF2 and sample amplification is limited.
Allanite in Singhbhum Shear Zone, India and Its Implications on the Genesis of REE Mineralization
Authors: Akhila V. R. , Rakesh S. , Gupta S.C. , Mukherjee Atanu , Bhattacharya Debashis , Chakrabarti Kalyan , Sinha D.K.
Published: August 2022

Allanite, being one of the most common REE bearing mineral phases in the multimetallic mineralized domain of Singhbhum Shear Zone, has always attracted attention from researchers. The present paper outlines a detailed petromineralogical study on various textural types of allanites. The allanite is categorized into 6 different types falling under three major categories on the basis of deformation, metamictisation and darkening of pleochroic halos. On the basis of mineral assemblage and probe analysis of allanite it follows that the optical and textural variations are an implication of not only multiple generations of their formation but rather significant variation in nature of hydrothermal fluids as evidenced by the differences in co-crystallized assemblages. They hint at relatively reducing hydrothermal conditions in Singhbhum Shear Zone responsible for REE-U-Th mineralization overprinting earlier event of oxidizing hydrothermal mineralization in which the well-known Th-poor uraninite, crystallized. Majority of the allanite appeared post or at the most syn-tectonic in their formation. The available geochronological data of allanite suggests them to be formed around 1.8 Ga. Considering textural criteria as seen in the present study, it appears that the majority of allanite owing to their undeformed morphology must have formed later to or at the most during waning stages of shearing and hence the minimum age of shearing in SSZ could be considered around 1.8 Ga instead of 1.6 Ga.