bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood flow restriction added to usual care exercise in patients with early weight bearing restrictions after cartilage or meniscus repair in the knee joint: a feasibility study
Authors: Jakobsen Thomas Linding , Thorborg Kristian , Fisker Jakob , Kallemose Thomas , Bandholm Thomas
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Blood flow restriction – low load strength training (BFR-LLST) is theoretically superior to traditional heavy strength training when rehabilitating patients who cannot heavily load tissues following surgery. The main purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of BFR-LLST added to usual care exercise early after cartilage or meniscus repair in the knee joint.

Methods

We included 42 patients with cartilage (n = 21) or meniscus repair (n = 21) of the knee joint. They attended 9 weeks of BFR-LLST added to a usual care exercise program at an outpatient rehabilitation center. Outcome measures were assessed at different time points from four (baseline) to 26 weeks postoperatively and included adherence, harms, knee joint and thigh pain, perceived exertion, thigh circumference (muscle size proxy), isometric knee-extension strength, self-reported disability and quality of life.

Results

On average, patients with cartilage or meniscus repair completed > 84% of the total BFR-LLST supervised sessions. Thirty-eight patients reported 146 adverse events of which none were considered serious. No decrease in thigh circumference or exacerbation of knee joint or quadriceps muscle pain of the operated leg was found in either group during the intervention period.

Conclusions

BFR-LLST added to usual care exercise initiated early after cartilage or meniscus repair seems feasible and may prevent disuse thigh muscle atrophy during a period of weight bearing restrictions. Harms were reported, but no serious adverse events were found. Our findings are promising but need replication using a RCT-design.

Trial registration

NCT03371901, preprint (open access): https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.03.31.22272398v1
The reporting of pilot and feasibility studies in the top dental specialty journals is suboptimal
Authors: Khan Mohammed I. U. , Brar Hartirath K. , Sun Cynthia Y. , He Rebecca , El-Khechen Hussein A. , Mellor Katie , Thabane Lehana , Quiñonez Carlos
Published: October 2022

Background

Pilot and feasibility studies (PAFS) are smaller investigations seeking to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger more definitive study. In late 2016, the CONSORT statement was extended to disseminate good practices for reporting of randomized pilot and feasibility trials. In this quality assurance review, we assessed whether PAFS in the top dental speciality journals adhere to good practices of conduct and reporting, by prioritizing assessment of feasibility and stating pre-defined progression criteria to inform the decision to pursue funding for a larger trial.

Methods

With the help of a librarian, we searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from 2017 to 2020, inclusive, for PAFS in the top 3 journals from each of the 10 dental specialties. We collected data on methodological and general characteristics of the studies, their objectives, and reporting of items recommended in the CONSORT extension.

Results

Of the 111 trials included, 51.4% (95% CI 41.7–61.0%) stated some indication of intent to assess feasibility while zero reported progression criteria; 74.8% (95% CI 65.6–82.5%) of trials used the terms “pilot” or “feasibility” in their titles and 82.9% (95% CI 74.6–89.4%) of studies stated there is a need for a future trial, but only 9.0% (95% CI 4.4–15.9%) stated intent to proceed to one. Most of the studies, 53.2% (95% CI 43.4–62.7%), reported hypothesis testing without cautioning readers on the generalizability of the results. Studies that used the terms “pilot” or “feasibility” in their title were less likely to have feasibility objectives, compared to trials that did not, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.310 (95% CI 0.103–0.930; p = 0.037). Compared to trials that did not conduct hypothesis testing, trials that conducted hypothesis testing were significantly less likely to assess feasibility, among them, trials that cautioned readers on the generalizability of their results had an OR of 0.038 (95% CI 0.005–0.264; p < 0.001) and trials that did not caution readers on the generalizability of their results had an OR of 0.043 (95% CI 0.008–0.238; p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Many PAFS in dentistry are not conducted with the intent of assessing feasibility, nor do they state progression criteria, and few report intent to proceed to a future trial. Misconceptions about PAFS can lead to them being poorly conducted and reported, which has economic and ethical implications. Research ethics boards, funding agencies, and journals need to raise their standards for the conduct and reporting of PAFS, and resources should be developed to address misconceptions and help guide researchers on the best practices for their conduct and reporting.
The perception of intonational and emotional speech prosody produced with and without a face mask: an exploratory individual differences study
Authors: Sinagra Chloe , Wiener Seth
Published: October 2022

Face masks affect the transmission of speech and obscure facial cues. Here, we examine how this reduction in acoustic and facial information affects a listener’s understanding of speech prosody. English sentence pairs that differed in their intonational (statement/question) and emotional (happy/sad) prosody were created. These pairs were recorded by a masked and unmasked speaker and manipulated to contain audio or not. This resulted in a continuum from typical unmasked speech with audio (easiest) to masked speech without audio (hardest). English listeners (N = 129) were tested on their discrimination of these statement/question and happy/sad pairs. We also collected six individual difference measures previously reported to affect various linguistic processes: Autism Spectrum Quotient, musical background, phonological short-term memory (digit span, 2-back), and congruence task (flanker, Simon) behavior. The results indicated that masked statement/question and happy/sad prosodies were harder to discriminate than unmasked prosodies. Masks can therefore make it more difficult to understand a speaker’s intended intonation or emotion. Importantly, listeners differed considerably in their ability to understand prosody. When wearing a mask, speakers should try to speak clearer and louder, if possible, and make intentions and emotions explicit to the listener.
A multicentric study to correlate severity of disease and vaccine in COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Patel Ankita Rushik , Solanki Rekha Nilesh , Channwal Heena Sunil , Dave Viral Rajanikant , Prajapati Arpit Chelabhai , Patel Mansi Maulik
Published: October 2022

Background

The purpose of the study was to find out correlation between severity of disease and vaccine in COVID-19 pandemic. Primary objective was to know occurrence of post-vaccination breakthrough infections in hospitalized patients and secondary objective was to know of COVID-19 vaccine to prevent severe infection, morbidity, and mortality of patients. This retrospective observational multicentric study included 325 confirmed COVID-19 patients on NRBM/BIPAP/ventilator admitted in high dependency unit (HDU)/intensive care unit (ICU) were divided into based on severity of symptoms and vaccination status. We included adult patients having positive RTPCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) COVID-19 test/high-resolution computed tomography scan (HRCT) thorax suggestive of COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients who developed adverse reaction post-vaccination, pregnant patient, and lactating mother were excluded from the study.

Results

Total 325 confirmed COVID-19-positive patients were studied. Statistical analysis with SPSS version 26 and data were analyzed by chi-square test and P value < 0.05 were considered as significant. Total duration of hospital stay was less in vaccinated patients compared to non-vaccinated patients. Oxygen requirement was also less in vaccinated patients. Vaccinated patients developed less severe infection than non-vaccinated patients.

Conclusions

COVID-19 vaccination is very effective against severity of disease. It reduces hospitalization, oxygen requirement, and mortality.
Pulque and pulquerías of Mexico City: a traditional fermented beverage and spaces of biocultural conservation
Authors: Álvarez-Ríos Gonzalo D. , Casas Alejandro , Pérez-Volkow Lucía , Figueredo-Urbina Carmen J. , de Dios Páramo-Gómez Juan , Vallejo Mariana
Published: October 2022

Pulque is a fermented beverage prepared with the sap of agave species, consumed since pre-Hispanic times in Mexico. In the sixteenth century, spaces called pulquerías were established for the sale and consumption of pulque. The demand for pulque became so high that there were more than 1500 pulquerías in Mexico City early twentieth century, but due to socio-cultural factors, the popularity of pulque plummeted. Currently, there are few pulquerías in Mexico City, and these are the main spaces for the consumption of this beverage in the metropolis. The pulque sold in pulquerías comes from eight localities, largely from Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala. People working in pulquerías have deep knowledge and specific practices to keep pulque in good conditions and to prepare it in a wide spectrum of flavors by mixing the fermented beverage with fruits, vegetables or seeds. We recorded 69 types of pulque mixtures. Pulquerías allow the economic maintenance of working families in urban and rural contexts, are spaces of socialization, and identity and help the conservation of an ancient traditional beverage.
Clinical, hematological and some biochemical alterations during diarrhea in Friesian calves naturally infected with E. coli and Salmonella
Authors: Shehta Ahmed , El-Zahar Heba , Mansour AbdelKereem , Mustafa Basma , Shety Tarek
Published: October 2022

Background

This study aimed to assess the clinical and hemato-biochemical changes associated with diarrhea in E. coli and Salmonella pathogens in Friesian bovine calves less than one month old as well as to examine the relationship between Vit D3 and cardiac biomarkers.

Results

The study was carried out on 43 Friesian calves from a private farm in Ash Sharqia Governorate, 33 diarrheic calves aged 1–14 days with an average body weight 43.7 ± 1.2 kg, and 10 apparently healthy calves were kept as a control group to investigate the clinical and hemato-biochemical profiles. E. coli and Salmonella pathogens were isolated from the diarrheic calves where 76% were E. coli and 24% were Salmonella. Diarrheic calves showed signs of anorexia, weakness, dullness, staggering gait, pale mucous membranes with sunken eyes and dehydration. Analysis of clinical and hemato-biochemical profile of the diarrheic calves revealed significant increase in body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, white blood cells, neutrophils, serum potassium, urea, creatinine, ALT, AST, cardiac NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin I with significant decrease in hemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocytes, serum Vit D3, sodium, glucose, total protein and albumin concentrations.

Conclusions

It could be concluded that bacterial diarrhea has a severe negative impact on the clinical and hemato-biochemical profile of the neonatal calves with diarrhea. Serum cardiac biomarkers such as cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) and NT-proBNP were significantly higher in neonatal calves with diarrhea, and there is an important relationship between cardiac biomarkers and vitamin D levels.
“Bed bugs live in dirty places”—How Using Live Animals in Teaching Contributes to Reducing Stigma, Disgust, Psychological Stigma, and Misinformation in Students
Authors: Asshoff Roman , Heuckmann Benedikt , Ryl Mike , Reinhardt Klaus
Published: October 2022

Bed bugs are increasingly perceived as harmful parasites and represent an important public health and environmental justice concern and thus a health education issue. This article examines how stigma, disgust, psychological distance, and myths about bed bugs change over time in response to two forms of teaching intervention using live animals and pictures.
Brain activity changes with emotional words in different stages of psychosis
Authors: Soldevila-Matías Pau , García-Martí Gracián , Fuentes-Durá Inmaculada , Ruiz Juan Carlos , González-Navarro Laura , González-Vivas Carlos , Radua Joaquim , Sanjuán Julio
Published: October 2022

Background

To date, a large number of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have been conducted on psychosis. However, little is known about changes in brain functioning in psychotic patients using an emotional auditory paradigm at different stages of the disease. Such knowledge is important for advancing our understanding of the disorder and thus creating more targeted interventions. This study aimed to investigate whether individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and chronic schizophrenia show abnormal brain responses to emotional auditory processing and to compare the responses between FEP and chronic schizophrenia.

Methods

Patients with FEP (n = 31) or chronic schizophrenia (n = 23) and healthy controls (HCs, n = 31) underwent an fMRI scan while presented with both emotional and nonemotional words.

Results

Using HC as a reference, patients with FEP showed decreased right temporal activation, while patients with chronic schizophrenia showed increased bilateral temporal activation. When comparing the patient groups, individuals with FEP showed lower frontal lobe activation.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study with an emotional auditory paradigm used in psychotic patients at different stages of the disease. Our results suggested that the temporal lobe might be a key issue in the physiopathology of psychosis, although abnormal activation could also be derived from a connectivity problem. There is lower activation in the early stage and evolution to greater activation when patients become chronic. This study highlights the relevance of using emotional paradigms to better understand brain activation at different stages of psychosis.
Machine Learning–Based Exploratory Clinical Decision Support for Newly Diagnosed Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated With 7 + 3 Type Chemotherapy or Venetoclax/Azacitidine
Authors: Islam Nazmul , Reuben Jamie S. , Dale Justin , Gutman Jon , McMahon Christine M. , Amaya Maria , Goodman Bruce , Toninato Joseph , Gasparetto Maura , Stevens Brett , Pei Shanshan , Gillen Austin , Staggs Sarah , Engel Krysta , Davis Sarah , Hull Madelyne , Burke Elizabeth , Larchick Lenny , Zane Richard , Weller Grant , Jordan Craig , Smith Clay
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE

There are currently limited objective criteria to help assist physicians in determining whether an individual patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is likely to do better with induction with either standard 7 + 3 chemotherapy or targeted therapy with venetoclax plus azacitidine. The study goal was to address this need by developing exploratory clinical decision support methods.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Univariable and multivariable analysis as well as comparison of a range of machine learning (ML) predictors were performed using cohorts of 120 newly diagnosed 7 + 3-treated AML patients compared with 101 venetoclax plus azacitidine–treated patients.

RESULTS

A variety of features in the two patient cohorts were identified that may potentially correlate with short- and long-term outcomes, toxicities, and other considerations. A subset of these diagnostic features was then used to develop ML-based predictors with relatively high areas under the curve of short- and long-term outcomes, hospital stays, transfusion requirements, and toxicities for individual patients treated with either venetoclax/azacitidine or 7 + 3.

CONCLUSION

Potential ML-based approaches to clinical decision support to help guide individual patients with newly diagnosed AML to either 7 + 3 or venetoclax plus azacitidine induction therapy were identified. Larger cohorts with separate test and validation studies are necessary to confirm these initial findings.
Evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli isolated from contaminated areas of Majengo slum in Meru County, Kenya
Authors: Ombuya Jared , Gachoka Kennedy , Mutea Naomi
Published: October 2022

Background: Antimicrobial drug resistance is of great concern today. Infections by the antimicrobial resistant strains of Escherichia coli, including enteropathogenic as well as enterotoxigenic strains have been reported as a major cause of deaths, especially among young children in low- and middle-income countries. This has been augmented by antimicrobial misuse, over the counter availability and poor sanitation especially in low income areas.

This study aimed at characterizing antimicrobial resistant strains of Escherichia coli isolated from sanitation environments of the Majengo slum in Meru County, Kenya

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 61 samples from soil, water and drains swabs. These were tested against five antimicrobial drugs by the Kirby disk diffusion method.

Results: A total of 42 (69%) of the samples had Escherichia coli. These recorded antimicrobial drug susceptibility as follows: Out of the five antimicrobial agents used, ceftazidime 28 (66.67%) showed the highest sensitivity followed by ciprofloxacin 26 (61.90%) and imepenem 25 (59.52%) respectively. cefotaxime and cefoxitin showed least sensitivity at 14 (33.33%) and 13 (30.95%) respectively. In intermediate imepenem and ciprofloxacin were the highest with 12 (28.57%) followed by cefotaxime 10 (23.81%). The least intermediate was observed in ceftazidime and cefoxitin both at 7 (16.67%).  The highest resistance was observed in cefoxitin 22 (52.38%), followed by cefotaxime at 18 (42.86%). Ciprofloxacin, imepenem and ceftazidime had the lowest resistance 4 (9.52%), 5 (11.91%) and 7 (16.67%) respectively. The p-value <0.05 was considered significant to the study.  

Conclusions: This study showed that Escherichia coli isolated from Majengo is pathogenic and resistant to antibiotics. Detection of Escherichia coli poses a great risk in the spread of resistant strains in human. Proper sanitation and hygiene awareness practices should be provided through education to the residents of this area.
Health care users’ acceptance of broad consent for storage of biological materials and associated data for research purposes in Uganda
Authors: Nansumba Hellen , Flaviano Mugalula , Patrick Semanda , Isaac Ssewanyana , Wassenaar Douglas
Published: October 2022

Background: Implementation of appropriate informed consent has become a cornerstone for the use of biological materials and data from clinical care to use in research. During 2017-2018, the Ugandan National Biorepository has since sought prior informed consent for long-term storage and use of remnant clinical human biological materials, where a shortened informed consent form (ICF) was incorporated on the laboratory investigation form. This project aimed at determining the acceptability rate of broad consent from health care users (HCUs) for storage of biological materials and data for research purposes in Uganda.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at three Primary Health Care Facilities. 500 HCUs above 18 years of age seeking health care at outpatient departments between March to December 2020 were invited to enrol. A shortened experimental ICF for this study was developed and attached to the Laboratory investigation form.

Results: Overall the acceptability of broad consent for storage of biological materials and data was 86.2% [95% CI: 82.9%-88.9%]. Compared to participants who perceived that the informed consent information is understandable (OR=0.10, CI [0.03-0.32], participants who either partly or totally disagreed were significantly less likely to perceive information as understandable (OR=0.27, CI [0.15-0.46]. 226 out of 431 respondents that accepted storage of biological materials and data, majority (61.7%) preferred to receive feedback on results of relevance to their health.

Conclusion: Acceptance of broad consent for storage of biological materials and data for future research purposes was high among HCUs. A shortened and simplified ICF may trigger discussions between participants and health care workers hence increase research participant understanding of study related materials in biobanking. This in turn could enrich ethically collected biobank resources for future research of public health relevance.
Medical debt during epidemics: A case for resolving the situation in low- and middle-income countries such as Kenya
Authors: Obengo Tom
Published: October 2022

This paper evaluates the problem of medical debt in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic. The medical debt problem is compounded during pandemics such as COVID-19 when patients seek treatment and end up in insurmountable debt because illnesses related to the pandemic are not covered by the Kenyan National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the public health coverage body under government control. As a result, discharged patients may be detained in hospitals and dead bodies are locked away in mortuaries, until relatives and friends fundraise and clear the bills. Apart from causing vulnerability, fear, and emotional stress among the poor, this practice leads to a growing lack of trust in the healthcare system, with patients deliberately avoiding hospitals whenever they suspect they have COVID-19. The resulting vicious cycle makes healthcare more inaccessible by limiting the choices that people may have.

User fees, which were introduced in all public health facilities by the Kenyan government as part of a World Bank prescription for cost-sharing, normally affect more women than men. Although Kenya has implemented a general waiver system in public hospitals for those who cannot pay their medical bills, the process of obtaining this waiver can be burdensome, demeaning, and dangerous for the health of the patients. This undermines the government’s commitment to the provision of equitable and affordable health care for the citizens.

In this article, the problem of medical debt in Kenya is addressed as a multi-faceted problem drawing on issues of justice and fairness, human dignity, good governance, the interplay between global and local policies, as well as politics and law. It argues that it is in the best interest of Kenya and other African countries to ensure that public health coverage covers pandemics so that the majority poor can afford and access healthcare.
Evaluation of the effect of crystal structural features on the resistance of DMOS transistors to ionizing radiation
Authors: Kharchenko M. , Dorohov V. , Kolesnikov Maksim
Published: October 2022

The work is devoted to the study of the influence of the structural features of the crystal on the resistance of DMOS transistors under the influence of ionizing radiation. A comparison of the results of instrumentation and technological modeling of commercially available p-channel DMOS transistors designed for the maximum allowable drain-source voltage of 60V and 100V is carried out. Modeling was carried out in the TCAD environment, all the basic physical principles of the structure under study were taken into account with the help of appropriate mathematical models. The obtained values of the model's electrical parameters showed full compliance with the normative values. The critical points of the crystal design that affect the performance of transistors in the presence of ionizing radiation from outer space are determined. The influence of the electric field strength in the crystal body on the resistance to ionizing radiation is estimated. It is shown that the actual values of the electric field strength in the region of the p-n junction do not exceed the values of the critical strength, having a margin of more than 1.22 times.
Finite element modeling of the state of metal structures of a frame building
Authors: Sazonova Svetlana , Smetankina Galina , Osipov Aleksandr
Published: October 2022

For the considered groups of structures - metal trusses, beams, columns, landings and marches of a multi-storey frame building, a continuous visual and detailed instrumental examination was performed. For load-bearing structures, verification calculations of their bearing capacity were performed. Based on a comparison of the defects identified during the inspection and the results of verification calculations, an assessment of the technical condition was made for individual structures, for each group of structural elements, as well as for the building as a whole. For structures with defects and damage, recommendations are given for their restoration and repair. Additional damages and defects were recorded, the appearance of which is associated at the object under study due to a forced break in the production of construction work. The results of surveys and calculations showed that the technical condition of landings and marches can be considered generally efficient. The results of the verification calculation showed that the technical condition of the metal columns as a whole can be considered efficient. The results of the verification calculation on the computer of metal truss structures are presented in the form of a mosaic and diagrams of internal forces. When performing verification calculations, the finite element method was applied.
Geo-spatial analysis of rainfall variability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan
Authors: Dawood Muhammad , Shirazi Safdar Ali
Published: October 2022

This paper explores geo-spatial analysis of rainfall variability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. The concern region lies in the north-west of Pakistan and frequently faced the challenges of floods each year. This is an attempt to find out the rainfall trend and fluctuation which is one of the prime indicator of climate change. For this study, the daily rainfall data comprises of almost five decades (1975-2015). For achieving the study objectives, daily, monthly and mean annual rainfall data were analyzed using Mann-Kendall and Standard Deviation combined. Additionally, to further process the rainfall data spatio-statistically, GIS technology has been applied. The analysis specifies that a positive rainfall detected in the meteorological stations of Peshawar, Dir, Chitral, Drosh, Kakul and Saidu, whereas the moderate rainfall trend is detected in Cherat, Bannu, and Balakot. The remaining stations expressed no obvious trend, due to low time period of data.
A DIALÉTICA GÓTICO-FANTÁSTICA EM “A MULHER VAMPIRO”, DE E.T.A. HOFFMANN
Authors: Rodrigues Júnior Edson José
Published: October 2022

Resumo: O presente artigo se propõe a investigar como o escritor alemão E. T. A. Hoffmann reconfigura os topoi característicos da estética gótica para gestar narrativas fantásticas marcadas pela hesitação e pela ambiguidade enquanto procedimentos formais. Para tanto, analisaremos especificamente um conto em que essa dialética gótico-fantástica é patente: “A mulher vampiro” [Vampirismus] (1821). Basearemos nossa análise nas discussões sobre a estética gótica de Botting (1996), Punter (1996) e Punter e Byron (2004), nos pressupostos acerca do modus operandi fantástico segundo Todorov (2012) e Ceserani (2006), bem como nos de Volobuef (1999) especificamente sobre o fantástico em território germânico. A partir da análise, concluímos que diversos elementos temáticos do Gótico são fundamentais para a narrativa – o castelo, a fantasmagoria, a melancolia – na medida em que se articulam com procedimentos formais do fantástico para gestar uma narrativa que enseja o efeito estético da hesitação.
CRÍTICA MUSICAL NOS DOMÍNIOS DA LITERATURA: A REFLEXÃO SOBRE MÚSICA NA OBRA KREISLERIANA, DE E.T.A. HOFFMANN
Authors: Stervid Beatriz Terreri
Published: October 2022

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar uma análise da coletânea Kreisleriana no. 1-6 (1814), do escritor alemão E.T.A. Hoffmann (1776-1822), com base nos resultados da pesquisa de mestrado (STERVID, 2020) em que foi produzida uma tradução que busca colocar em relevo a discussão sobre música nela desenvolvida. Em primeiro lugar, tratamos da trajetória de Hoffmann no campo da crítica musical e, em seguida, analisamos o quarto texto da coletânea, “A música instrumental de Beethoven”. A partir dos aspectos de crítica musical localizados neste texto, que julgamos ocupar posição central na obra, são analisados os demais textos da Kreisleriana, buscando compreender a reflexão sobre música presente neles e pontuando possíveis elementos de crítica musical, encontrados também nas resenhas e textos críticos do autor.
ESPÓLIOS DA PSIQUE, DESTROÇOS DA FANTASIA: O EMBATE ENTRE OS MUNDOS EM O QUEBRA-NOZES E O REI DOS CAMUNDOGOS, DE E.T.A. HOFFMANN
Authors: De Freitas Matheus Pereira , Rodrigues Hermano De França
Published: October 2022

Resumo: Submergido na fantasia que lhe ramifica, o infans galga sua sobrevivência psíquica amparando-se nos objetos internos e externos que fortificam suas rudimentares raízes. Todavia, longe de proporcionar, unicamente, a proteção e a satisfação que a criança tanto almeja, a dinâmica objetal dos primeiros tempos subjaz sua lógica avassaladora sob o mesmo estandarte das mais destrutivas querelas da humanidade. Tal qual um mordaz campo de batalha, o corpo do bebê é invadido pela barbárie do mundo externo – desde os incompreensíveis cuidados maternais, até a bruta separação do desmame –, ao mesmo tempo, sua psique luta para controlar o irrefreável furor de seus soldados internalizados – suas próprias demandas pulsionais que ainda desconhece. Desse modo, nos espólios desta contenda primordial, entrevemos a conquista mister da subsistência humana: os alicerces inequívocos do crescer. Não obstante, investindo-nos sobre esse prisma ontológico do desenvolvimento psíquico, admitindo o corolário ofertado pela ciência psicanalítica, dardejamos o olhar para uma das produções mais singulares da estética literária infantil e juvenil, a inquietante narrativa do Quebra-nozes e o rei dos camundongos, escrita pelo romancista alemão E.T.A Hoffmann (1816). No romance, acompanhamos o testemunho imaturo da sentimental Marie, jovem que, após acolher o nobre Quebra-nozes no insuspeito regaço de seu quarto, acaba por presenciar os (dis)sabores de uma batalha mortal entre as forças diminutas de seus brinquedos, comandados por seu novo convidado, e uma vil infestação de camundongos, liderados pelo seu terrível rei de sete cabeças. Com efeito, nos trâmites desta disputa, que remontam a um amaldiçoado reino distante, vislumbramos os objetos bizarros que, mormente, suas estruturas macabras e terrificantes, subsídios da própria fantasística insólita de Hoffmann, dispõem a artilharia necessária para o fortalecimento do frágil ego em sua luta pela sobrevivência. Assim, investidos nos mecanismos de defesa matriciais do bebê, dispondo-nos da teoria magna de Melanie Klein (1945) e de seus seguidores, investigar-nos-emos as fantasias mais lúgubres do universo infantil, capazes, prontamente, de criar e de destruir, na mente, os mais suntuosos dos reinos.
Family dynamics and caring for older people
Authors: Andrews June
Published: October 2022

Adapted from Chapter Four of ‘Carers and Caring; The one-stop guide; How to care for older relatives and friends – with tips on managing finances and accessing the right support’.
Moving with technological advancements: blood glucose monitoring from a district nurse's perspective
Authors: Bailey Lianne
Published: October 2022

Capillary blood glucose monitoring is a standard safety protocol before administering insulin. Over the past 12 months, there has been a notable increase in patients under the district nursing service using a flash glucose sensor (FGS), which is a portable technological device inserted into the skin via a stamp-like mechanism. The device sits in the interstitial fluid under the skin; the device can be scanned using a sensor to obtain glucose readings, which can eliminate the need for capillary finger pricking. From experience, some people opt for this device, considering the pain and inconvenience associated with capillary finger pricking.

Despite some patients already utilising FGS, some community teams may still have to take a capillary finger prick before insulin administration, depending on local trust policy. Interestingly, while looking into the reasons for this, one discovered some contradictory concerns over the safety of FGS due to a difference in time lag, where interstitial fluid readings differ from blood glucose readings. However, new national guidelines reflect the push towards this technological innovation that could revolutionise patient care in glucose monitoring and diabetes management.
The challenges homeless people face when accessing end-of-life care: what district nurses need to know
Authors: Barnes Helen
Published: October 2022

People experiencing homelessness have poorer physical and mental health compared with the rest of the population. Mortality rates are significantly higher, yet there is a dearth in suitable places for the delivery of palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care. Homeless people are being failed by the current healthcare system. The stigma associated with being homeless negatively impacts these marginalised people, affecting care given from healthcare professionals (HCP). Services are often inflexible and have little tolerance for substance misuse.

District Nurses (DN) are often experienced EOL care practitioners and well-placed to give person-centred care with a focus on collaborative decision-making. However, many homeless people die without input from DNs or specialist palliative support. It is important to understand why this is happening to address what can be done to help.
Quiet quitting
Authors: Salem Nasreen
Published: October 2022

Nasreen Salem discusses this modern-day workplace trend in which many of us are refocusing on a better work-balance – and considers it within the context of dentistry.
“Make sure you have the support of a good mentor”
Authors: Dubb Mahesh
Published: October 2022

Mahesh Dubb pays tribute to those who shared his journey from trainee dental nurse to dentist.
Six essential skills to include in a dental nurse CV
Authors: Morgan Sebastian
Published: October 2022

Sebastian Morgan breaks down the most important qualities to incorporate in your dental resume.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in dental nursing
Authors: Barr Shannon
Published: October 2022

Shannon Barr discusses the importance of ergonomics for those working in practice.
Character Education Based on Reflective Pedagogical Paradigm and Its Effect on Conscience and Compassion of Students
Authors: Fitri Agus Zaenul
Published: October 2022

This research is motivated by the high level of imitation of adolescents on the negative behavior of adults, in addition to the high concern of educators on the failure of character education in schools. As many as 40% of adolescents have been bullied at school and 32% reported being victims of physical violence indicating high levels of juvenile violence, bullying, and lack of empathy. So schools need to strengthen their conscience and compassion to deal with this. The study aims to investigate the effect of character education management with a reflective pedagogical paradigm on conscience and compassion. This study was conducted with a quantitative experimental method with a quasi-experimental type. Data collection instruments both questionaries and documentation are used as instruments to collect the data. Hypothesis testing is done through multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) because the dependent variable is more than one. The results of this study prove that based the MANOVA test, the study revealed that there was a significant and positive influence between character education and the reflective pedagogical paradigm on the conscience of students 71.5%, and compassion of students 69.1%. It turns out that aspects of students' conscience and affection can be influenced by character education with a reflective pedagogical paradigm. This shows that schools need to manage their character education system with a reflective pedagogic paradigm so that students feel changes in attitudes and behavior due to the involvement of all school members in strengthening and sharpening character education.
Large scale transparency-adjustable mini-LED display with recoverable color gamut by a highly transparent electrochromic shutter
Authors: Zhang Hangchuan , Tu Siyang , Li Linshuang , Chen Xingwu , Zhao Yingming , Wu Mingzhou , Zhang Xin , Zhang Shengdong , Chen Lixuan
Published: October 2022

In this work, a 25 inch (400 × 500 mm) transparency-adjustable mini-LED (TA-MLED) display is constructed of a transparent mini-LED (T-MLED) screen and an electrochromic (EC) shutter. The shutter shows a high transmittance of 86.5% with imperceptible color shift, enabling a perfect vision experience for see-through application. Furthermore, the response speed of the shutter is accelerated by optimal designs in splicing and driving. The coloring time is 55 s, and bleaching time is 36 s. Transmittance of the TA-MLED could be modulated from 3% to 60%. The transparency-adjustable property extends availability of the see-through display screens under strong light irradiations. The T-MLED’s color gamut in CIE 1976 shrinks from 145.1% sRGB to 3.6% sRGB with 5161 cd/m2 of backside illumination, and is significantly enhanced to 83.5% sRGB with the active EC shutter.
Asymmetric double-pulse interferometric FROG for visible-wavelength time-domain spectroscopy
Authors: Chan Yi , Deng Fu , Zhang Jingdi
Published: October 2022

To extend the detection range of time-domain spectroscopy into the challenging visible frequencies, we propose an interferometry-type frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG). Our numerical simulation shows that, when operating in a double-pulse scheme, a unique phase-locking mechanism can be activated and preserves both zero- and first-order phases (φ0, φ1)—indispensable for phase-sensitive spectroscopic study—that are otherwise inaccessible to standard FROG measurement. Followed by time-domain signal reconstruction and analysis protocol, we show that time-domain spectroscopy with sub-cycle temporal resolution is enabled and well suits the need of a ultrafast-compatible and ambiguity-free method for complex dielectric function measurement at visible wavelengths.
Distinct phosphorylation states of mammalian CaMKIIβ control the induction and maintenance of sleep
Authors: Tone Daisuke , Ode Koji L. , Zhang Qianhui , Fujishima Hiroshi , Yamada Rikuhiro G. , Nagashima Yoshiki , Matsumoto Katsuhiko , Wen Zhiqing , Yoshida Shota Y. , Mitani Tomoki T. , Arisato Yuki , Ohno Rei-ichiro , Ukai-Tadenuma Maki , Yoshida Garçon Junko , Kaneko Mari , Shi Shoi , Ukai Hideki , Miyamichi Kazunari , Okada Takashi , Sumiyama Kenta , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Ueda Hiroki R.
Published: October 2022

The reduced sleep duration previously observed inCamk2bknockout mice revealed a role for Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)β as a sleep-promoting kinase. However, the underlying mechanism by which CaMKIIβ supports sleep regulation is largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that activation or inhibition of CaMKIIβ can increase or decrease sleep duration in mice by almost 2-fold, supporting the role of CaMKIIβ as a core sleep regulator in mammals. Importantly, we show that this sleep regulation depends on the kinase activity of CaMKIIβ. A CaMKIIβ mutant mimicking the constitutive-active (auto)phosphorylation state promotes the transition from awake state to sleep state, while mutants mimicking subsequent multisite (auto)phosphorylation states suppress the transition from sleep state to awake state. These results suggest that the phosphorylation states of CaMKIIβ differently control sleep induction and maintenance processes, leading us to propose a “phosphorylation hypothesis of sleep” for the molecular control of sleep in mammals.
Dual STDP processes at Purkinje cells contribute to distinct improvements in accuracy and speed of saccadic eye movements
Authors: Fruzzetti Lorenzo , Kalidindi Hari Teja , Antonietti Alberto , Alessandro Cristiano , Geminiani Alice , Casellato Claudia , Falotico Egidio , D’Angelo Egidio
Published: October 2022

Saccadic eye-movements play a crucial role in visuo-motor control by allowing rapid foveation onto new targets. However, the neural processes governing saccades adaptation are not fully understood. Saccades, due to the short-time of execution (20–100 ms) and the absence of sensory information for online feedback control, must be controlled in a ballistic manner. Incomplete measurements of the movement trajectory, such as the visual endpoint error, are supposedly used to form internal predictions about the movement kinematics resulting in predictive control. In order to characterize the synaptic and neural circuit mechanisms underlying predictive saccadic control, we have reconstructed the saccadic system in a digital controller embedding a spiking neural network of the cerebellum with spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) rules driving parallel fiber—Purkinje cell long-term potentiation and depression (LTP and LTD). This model implements a control policy based on a dual plasticity mechanism, resulting in the identification of the roles of LTP and LTD in regulating the overall quality of saccade kinematics: it turns out that LTD increases the accuracy by decreasing visual error and LTP increases the peak speed. The control policy also required cerebellar PCs to be divided into two subpopulations, characterized by burst or pause responses. To our knowledge, this is the first model that explains in mechanistic terms the visual error and peak speed regulation of ballistic eye movements in forward mode exploiting spike-timing to regulate firing in different populations of the neuronal network. This elementary model of saccades could be extended and applied to other more complex cases in which single jerks are concatenated to compose articulated and coordinated movements.
Shotgun metagenomics of fecal samples from children in Peru reveals frequent complex co-infections with multiple Campylobacter species
Authors: Parker Craig T. , Schiaffino Francesca , Huynh Steven , Paredes Olortegui Maribel , Peñataro Yori Pablo , Garcia Bardales Paul F. , Pinedo Vasquez Tackeshy , Curico Huansi Greisi E. , Manzanares Villanueva Katia , Shapiama Lopez Wagner V. , Cooper Kerry K. , Kosek Margaret N.
Published: October 2022

Campylobacter spp. are a major cause of bacterial diarrhea worldwide and are associated with high rates of mortality and linear growth faltering in children living in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are most often the causative agents of enteric disease among children in LMICs. However, previous work on a collection of stool samples from children under 2 years of age, living in a low resource community in Peru with either acute diarrheal disease or asymptomatic, were found to be qPCR positive for Campylobacter species but qPCR negative for C. jejuni and C. coli. The goal of this study was to determine if whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing (WSMS) could identify the Campylobacter species within these samples. The Campylobacter species identified in these stool samples included C. jejuni, C. coli, C. upsaliensis, C. concisus, and the potential new species of Campylobacter, "Candidatus Campylobacter infans". Moreover, WSMS results demonstrate that over 65% of the samples represented co-infections with multiple Campylobacter species present in a single stool sample, a novel finding in human populations.
Up-Frameshift Suppressor 3 as a prognostic biomarker and correlated with immune infiltrates: A pan-cancer analysis
Authors: Xu Jianduo , Ma Hongqing , Shan Baoen
Published: October 2022

Background

The mRNA expression of protein Up-Frameshift Suppressor 3 Homolog B (UPF3B) differ in different tumors. However, the clinical relevance of UPF3B in cancer patients, such as with prognosis, tumor stage, and levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells remain unclear.

Methods

We performed bioinformatics analysis of UPF3B with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (https://xenabrowser.net) and TIMER2.0 (Tumor Immune Estimation Resource 2.0, http://timer.comp-genomics.org/). UPF3B expression in 33 cancers versus counterpart normal tissues was analyzed using TCGA pan-cancer data. The influence of UPF3B in long-term prognosis was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier method, and the associations between UPF3B transcription levels and immune-related gene expression, immune cell infiltration, tumor microenvironment (TME) score are analyzed by spearman correlation analysis. Enrichment analysis of UPF3B was conducted using the R package “clusterProfiler.”

Results

The transcriptional level of UPF3B was dysregulated in the human pan-cancer dataset. A significant correlation was found between the expression of UPF3B and the pathological stage of Esophageal Carcinoma (ESCA), Kidney Chromophobe (KIHC), Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LIHC), and Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM). Multiple cancer types with high transcriptional levels of UPF3B were associated with a significantly worse prognosis. The functions of expressed UPF3B gene are primarily related to ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, cell cycle, and mRNA surveillance pathway. Our results also show that immune cells infiltration and immunosuppressive markers such as CTLA-4, PD-1 and PD-L1 significantly correlate with UPF3B expression.

Conclusions

In the present study, we synthetically explored the expression status and prognostic significance of UPF3B, and the relationship with clinic characters and immune microenvironment across cancers. Our results may provide novel insights for UPF3B as an immunotherapeutic target and valuable prognostic biomarker in various malignant tumor.
The intervertebral disc during growth: Signal intensity changes on magnetic resonance imaging and their relevance to low back pain
Authors: Lund Teija , Schlenzka Dietrich , Lohman Martina , Ristolainen Leena , Kautiainen Hannu , Klemetti Erkko , Österman Kalevi
Published: October 2022

Life-time prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in children and adolescents varies from 7% to 72%. Disc changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been reported in up to 44% of children with earliest observations around pre-puberty. In this longitudinal cohort study, our objective was to determine the natural history of disc changes from childhood to early adulthood, and the possible association of these changes to LBP. Healthy 8-year-old schoolchildren were recruited for this longitudinal study consisting of a semi-structured interview, a clinical examination, and an MRI investigation at the age of 8–9 (Y8), 11–12 (Y12) and 18–19 (Y19) years. The interview inquired about LBP without trauma. T2-weighted sagittal MRI of the lumbar spine was acquired. Life-long prevalence of LBP was determined, and the disc signal intensity (SI) at the three lowest lumbar levels was assessed both visually using the Schneiderman classification (Bright-Speckled-Dark), and digitally using the disc to cerebrospinal fluid -SI ratio. Possible associations between SI changes and LBP were analyzed. Ninety-four of 208 eligible children were included at Y8 in 1994, 13 and 23 participants were lost to follow-up at Y12 and Y19, respectively. Prevalence of LBP increased after the pubertal growth spurt reaching 54% at Y19. On MRI, 18%, 10% and 38% of participants had disc SI changes at Y8, Y12 and Y19, respectively. No significant associations between self-reported LBP and either qualitative or quantitative disc SI changes were observed at any age. Life-time prevalence of LBP reached 54% by early adulthood. Disc SI changes on MRI traditionally labeled as degenerative were seen earlier than previously reported. Changes in disc SI were not associated with the presence of LBP in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood.