bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of community water fluoridation cessation on children's dental health: a national experience
Authors: Tobias Guy , Mordechai Findler , Tali Chackartchi , Yaron Bernstein , Beatrice Greenberg Parizer , Jonathan Mann , Harold Sgan-Cohen
Published: January 2022

Background

Community water fluoride (CWF) is the proven cornerstone of primary dental health care promotion. In 2002 CWF was made mandatory at a national level in Israel, however a new government revoked these regulations in August 2014. "Maccabi" is the second largest national health care provider with 2.3 million members, "Maccabi-Dent", its dental branch, has 53 clinics, employing 1100 dentists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cumulative effect on treatment rates 6 years after CWF was terminated in Israel, based on the number of dental treatments provided to children aged 3–12 years in “Maccabi-Dent” clinics.

Methods

For this retrospective study, computerized dental treatment codes were collected. The “rate of treatment” was calculated by dividing the number of restorative treatments or extractions, by the number of individuals receiving treatment. The population size and the age group visiting the specific clinic were also considered.

Results

The independent variables were fluoride concentration in drinking water, age and socioeconomic position (SEP). There was a significant increase in restorative dental treatments after 2014, (R2 = 0.0402), with approximately twice the number of treatments required in the absence of CWF. Age had a significant association (β =  − 0.389,p < 0.001) as did SEP (β = 0.086,p = 0.019).

Conclusion

After CWF cessation in Israel, rates of dental treatments significantly increased.

Practical implication

By examining accepted notions with up-to-date information, new confirmatory evidence helps decision makers understand the importance of adding fluoride to drinking water.
Euler equations for isentropic gas dynamics with general pressure law
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad , Din Anwarud , Yusuf Abdullahi , Lv Yu-Pei , Jahanshahi Hadi , Aly Ayman A.
Published: January 2022

In this work, we explore the limiting behavior of Riemann solutions to the Euler equations in isentropic gas dynamics with general pressure law. We demonstrate that in the distributional sense the delta wave of zero-pressure gas dynamics is formed by a limit solution. Finally, to present the concentration phenomena, we also offer some numerical outcomes.
Security scheduling and transaction mechanism of virtual power plants based on dual blockchains
Authors: Zhang Xiaohong , Song Zilong , Moshayedi Ata Jahangir ,   IEEE Member
Published: January 2022

Aiming at the data authenticity and storage problems in the current coordinated scheduling of virtual power plants, as well as the opaque information and high transaction costs, a dual blockchains security mechanism is proposed to solve above problems. In the process of security scheduling, a hybrid attribute proxy re-encryption algorithm based on ciphertext strategy is designed. The algorithm is composed of an identity encryption algorithm and an attribute proxy re-encryption algorithm with ciphertext strategy. Combining blockchain, tamper-proof smart metering equipment can effectively solve data authenticity and confidentiality in the information transmission process of distributed energy. In the research process of the trading mechanism, a continuous double auction mechanism based on reputation is proposed. In order to create a favorable trading atmosphere, reputation-based market segmentation mechanisms are integrated, and participants are divided according to reputation value. Depending on the properties of the stored information, they are divided into the private blockchain (with coordination scheduling information) and the consortium blockchain (with transaction information). The system analysis shows the reliability of the dual blockchains architecture. The communication and calculation costs of the proxy re-encryption algorithm verify the practicability of the proposed scheme. The case analysis of the auction mechanism declares that the mechanism can operate effective in the electricity trading market.
World NTD Day 2022 and a new Kigali Declaration to galvanise commitment to end neglected tropical diseases
Authors: Elphick-Pooley Thoko , Engels Dirk ,   Uniting to Combat NTDs
Published: January 2022

The World Health Organization’s first roadmap and the London Declaration on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have allowed an unprecedented expansion of interventions to control and eliminate this group of infectious diseases that primarily affects vulnerable or marginalised communities. The 2021–2030 NTD roadmap sustains a further acceleration of interventions but also introduces a broader and more ambitious agenda, calling to be accompanied by a new political declaration. Sponsored by the Government of Rwanda, the Kigali Declaration on neglected tropical diseases will be launched in 2022 to renew and reinvigorate commitments to end NTDs, also in the wake of the current setback caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting on World NTD Day 2022, a global campaign “100% Committed” will call on a broad range of stakeholders to sign the declaration and make bold financial and political commitments towards achieving the 2030 roadmap and Sustainable Development Goals’ targets for NTDs.
A case of breast squamous cell carcinoma following breast augmentation with liquid silicone injection after 16 years
Authors: Toyonaka Ryosuke , Ozeki Jun , Koyama Yumi , Takahashi Saaya , Tang Xiaoyan , Kobayashi Hiroko , Amano Maki , Tada Keiichiro , Miki Toshio , Tani Mayumi
Published: January 2022

Background

Breast augmentation has been linked to various complications, including cancerous tumors. The majority type of breast cancer associated with breast augmentation is adenocarcinoma. Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is extremely rare in both augmented and non-augmented women. Due to the low incidence, the possible origin and the mechanism of carcinogenesis of the breast SCC are not well understood. Here, we report a rare case of pure SCC 16 years after breast augmentation with liquid silicone injection.

Case presentation

A 51-year-old Japanese woman was suffered from prolonged breast fluid retention in her left breast. Multiple unknown foreign bodies caused difficulties to investigate the inflammatory focus with ultrasonography. After unsuccessful surgical drainage and antibiotics treatments, the long-standing fluid retention was surgically removed and pathologically investigated. SCC was found in the removed tissue, and the patient underwent a total left mastectomy followed by postoperative chemotherapy. Pathological analysis revealed multiple cystic structures with a hard shell which enclosed high viscous liquid. A qualitative analysis using a Fourier transform infrared spectroscope defined the liquid as pure silicon, which possibly caused the squamous cell carcinogenesis.

Conclusions

Although liquid silicone injection is not a current option for breast augmentation, the injected silicone could result in cancerous tumor generation after years. This case revealed that unphysiological substances could lead to unexpected biological reactions, which caused difficulties in diagnosis with our routine examination. It will be required that accumulate information from more cases and develop novel diagnostic equipment and biomarkers to address these artificial substance-derived tumors.
Farm characteristics affecting antibiotic consumption in pig farms in England
Authors: Matheson S. M. , Edwards S. A. , Kyriazakis I.
Published: January 2022

Background

Pig production has been highlighted as one of the highest users of antibiotics amongst livestock, with several studies suggesting a variety of approaches to antibiotic reduction. We aimed to investigate links between antibiotic use (defined as total amount of critically (CIA) and non-critically important antibiotics, and as mg per kg of pig on farm), production stages present on farm (Breeder–Finisher, Nursery–Finisher, and Finisher), and pig farm characteristics using farm data collected through national recording systems in Great Britain for 2017 & 2018. Providing enrichment within pig pens may reduce the need for antibiotics by enhancing both pig welfare and resilience to infection; this was one of the hypotheses addressed by this paper.

Results

The amount of antibiotic used, expressed as mg/kg, reduced between 2017 and 2018 for Breeder–Finisher farms, but not for Nursery–Finisher or Finisher farms. Breeder–Finisher farms were more likely to use CIA compared with other production stages. Larger farms were more likely to use CIA, but farm size had no effect on mg/kg of antibiotic used. As the proportion of pens containing straw increased, the total use of antibiotics decreased for Breeder–Finisher, but not for Nursery–Finisher or Finisher farms. As the proportion of pens containing straw increased, the probability of using CIAs also decreased. Farms with a higher proportion of finisher pens with an outdoor space had a lower use of non-critical antibiotics and lower probability of use of CIA. Farms with a higher proportion of pens with automatically controlled natural ventilation (ACNV) had lower total use of antibiotics, although ACNV had no effect on the probability of using CIA.

Conclusions

We quantified the influence of farm characteristics on the consumption of antibiotics in pig farms in England. Our findings support the hypothesis that farm characteristics have an influence on antibiotic use within a system and suggest that this reflects the balance of effects on both animal resilience and disease challenge. Consistent with our hypothesis, provision of straw was associated with reduced antibiotic use. We also demonstrate the value of using secondary databases, although further structural improvements are required to facilitate effective database combination and ensure maximum information benefits can be realised.
Serotonin receptors and their association with the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract of weaning piglets
Authors: Fabà Lluís , de Groot Nienke , Ramis Guillermo , Cabrera-Gómez Carolina G. , Doelman John
Published: January 2022

Background

Immune cell activation and perpetuation of inflammation have been attributed to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT). Our hypothesis was that the 5-HT system plays a role in GI health and immunity in post-weaning piglets. A disruption of the 5-HT system post-weaning with transcriptional upregulation of 5-HT receptors may be linked to increased cytokine mRNA abundance and immune system activation.

Methods

The objective of this exploratory study was to assess the relationship between 5-HT receptor expression and immune system biomarkers in piglets at 1 (n = 9) and 15 (n = 10) days post-weaning. The mRNA transcript abundance of three 5-HT receptors (5-HTR3, 5-HTR4, and 5-HTR7) measured in jejunum and colon tissues were used to determine the relationship with the immune system and jejunal morphometry at 2 timepoints post-weaning using correlations, mixed models, and multivariate analysis techniques.

Results

Overall, 5-HT receptor mRNA expression decreased from day 1 to day 15 post-weaning. Time × tissue interactions showed the lowest 5-HTR3 expression in the colon and lower 5-HTR7 expression in the jejunum at 15 days post-weaning. 5-HTR3 and 5-HTR4 expression were negatively associated with pro-inflammatory (IFN-ɣ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-12β) cytokines in jejunum, and with TNF-α in the colon at 1-day post-weaning. At 15 days post-weaning, 5-HTR3 in the colon was negatively associated with pro-inflammatory (IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, and IFN-ɣ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-12β) cytokines. Furthermore, 5-HTR7 expressed a predominantly pro-inflammatory profile (IFN-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α and IL-12α) in the jejunum at the same timepoint, whereas colonic 5-HTR7 expression was negatively correlated with IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-10 and TGF-β. Lastly, positive correlations were found for increased expression of 5-HTR4 receptor with villus height, 5-HTR7 receptor expression and crypt depth, and increased expression of 5-HTR3 and 5-HTR4 receptor with villus height to crypt depth ratio at 1-day post-weaning.

Conclusions

The 5-HT receptor mRNA abundance was associated with the immune system and intestinal morphometry in piglets. The 5-HT receptors were highly expressed at weaning in both jejunum and colon tissues relative to 15 days post-weaning. Although a clear relationship between immune system and 5-HTR expression is observed, particularly at day 15, a cause-consequence cannot be proven with current data. Further research is warranted to elucidate the effects of 5-HT on gastrointestinal inflammation during the weaning process in piglets, which could be the basis for new interventions to ease weaning stress.
Fintech, regtech, and financial development: evidence from China
Authors: Muganyi Tadiwanashe , Yan Linnan , Yin Yingkai , Sun Huaping , Gong Xiangbin , Taghizadeh-Hesary Farhad
Published: January 2022

This study investigates the influence of fintech on developments in China’s financial sector across 290 cities and 31 provinces between 2011 and 2018. Using a two-stage least squares instrumental variable regression approach and correcting for cross-sectional dependency, simultaneity, and endogeneity of regressors, the results establish a positive link between fintech and financial development. Our findings show that fintech supports financial sector development by enhancing access (loans), depth (deposits), and savings within China’s financial institutions. We also show that the emergence of fintech in the area of financial regulation (regulatory technology: regtech) can significantly improve financial development outcomes. Therefore, it is imperative for regulators to pursue policies that balance growth in the fintech sector while mitigating the associated risks. In addition, we use the difference-in-differences approach to show that policy measures such as interest rates liberalization also positively impacted financial development during the analysis period. In our conclusion, we suggest a policy framework for balanced fintech sector growth in developing countries.
Phase-field simulations of fission gas bubble growth and interconnection in U-(Pu)-Zr nuclear fuel
Authors: Aagesen Larry K. , Casagranda Albert , Matthews Christopher , Beeler Benjamin W. , Novascone Stephen
Published: January 2022

The growth and interconnection of fission gas bubbles in the hotter central regions of U-(Pu)-Zr nuclear fuel has been simulated with a phase-field model. The Cahn-Hilliard equation was used to represent the two-phase microstructure, with a single defect species. The volume fraction of the bubble phase and surface area of the bubble-matrix interface were determined during growth and interconnection. Surface area increased rapidly during the initial stages of growth, then slowed and finally decreased as bubble interconnection began and coarsening acted to reduce surface area. The fraction of the bubbles vented to a simulation domain boundary, fV, was quantified as a measure of the microstructure’s interconnectivity and plotted as a function of porosity p. The defect species diffusivity was varied; although changes in diffusivity significantly affected the microstructure, the plots of fV vs. p did not change significantly. The percolation threshold pc was calculated to be approximately 0.26, depending on the assumed diffusivity and using an initial bubble number density based on experimental observations. This is slightly smaller than the percolation threshold for continuum percolation of overlapping 3D spheres. The simulation results were used to parameterize two different engineering-scale swelling models for U-(Pu)-Zr in the nuclear fuel performance code BISON.
Level of COVID-19 fear in cancer patients
Authors: Erdoğan Atike Pınar , Ekinci Ferhat , Acar Ömer , Göksel Gamze
Published: January 2022

Background

Cancer patients are in the high-risk group of getting COVID-19 infection and experiencing a severe course. Anxiety of cancer patients about how they pass this pandemic process and how changes in the health system would influence their treatment has increased together with the COVID-19 pandemic. Influence of COVID-19 on psychology of cancer patients is also a subject needed to be investigated as well as its course and prognosis. Thus, it is aimed to measure fear levels of cancer patients by a validated scale. Patients accepting to fill in the validated Fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S) scale were included in our study. Higher scores obtained from the scale means high level of COVID-19 fear was experienced.

Results

A total of 66.8% of 486 patients expressed that they are very afraid of coronavirus, and 66.3% expressed that they fear from losing their lives due to coronavirus. The level of fear in the patient group having adjuvant therapy has been found statistically to be significantly higher compared with groups having neoadjuvant and metastatic/palliative therapy (p: 0.004).

Conclusions

Because the increase of level of fear may lead to vital outcomes such as weakening of immune system, disturbance of treatment compliance, and worsening of prognosis, a psychological approach to cancer patients is compulsory in order to prevent fear of COVID-19 infection.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and autoerotic asphyxiation: pleasure versus the risk of harm
Authors: Curtice Martin
Published: January 2022

There has been a series of judgments in recent years emanating from the Court of Protection in England and Wales involving sexual relations. One such judgment is unique in that it is the first time the court has assessed capacity in the sexual practice of autoerotic asphyxiation in a person with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. This article reviews the judgment and specifically the key section of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, section 27, which applies to capacity decisions in the context of family relationships, including sexual relationships. The practice of autoerotic asphyxia can be a complex and emotive subject and dangerous to individuals undertaking it. The judgment provides guidance and a framework for applying the Act to assess the capacity of someone practising autoerotic asphyxia that can be used in clinical practice for people with any mental disorder.
Psychotherapies for borderline personality disorder: a focused systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Stoffers-Winterling Jutta M. , Storebø Ole Jakob , Kongerslev Mickey T. , Faltinsen Erlend , Todorovac Adan , Sedoc Jørgensen Mie , Sales Christian P. , Edemann Callesen Henriette , Pereira Ribeiro Johanne , Völlm Birgit A. , Lieb Klaus , Simonsen Erik
Published: January 2022

Background

A recently updated Cochrane review supports the efficacy of psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Aims

To evaluate the effects of standalone and add-on psychotherapeutic treatments more concisely.

Method

We applied the same methods as the 2020 Cochrane review, but focused on adult samples and comparisons of active treatments and unspecific control conditions. Standalone treatments (i.e. necessarily including individual psychotherapy as either the sole or one of several treatment components) and add-on interventions (i.e. complementing any ongoing individual BPD treatment) were analysed separately. Primary outcomes were BPD severity, self-harm, suicide-related outcomes and psychosocial functioning. Secondary outcomes were remaining BPD diagnostic criteria, depression and attrition.

Results

Thirty-one randomised controlled trials totalling 1870 participants were identified. Among standalone treatments, statistically significant effects of low overall certainty were observed for dialectical behaviour therapy (self-harm: standardised mean difference (SMD) −0.54, P = 0.006; psychosocial functioning: SMD −0.51, P = 0.01) and mentalisation-based treatment (self-harm: risk ratio 0.51, P < 0.0007; suicide-related outcomes: risk ratio 0.10, P < 0.0001). For adjunctive interventions, moderate-quality evidence of beneficial effects was observed for DBT skills training (BPD severity: SMD −0.66, P = 0.002; psychosocial functioning: SMD −0.45, P = 0.002), and statistically significant low-certainty evidence was observed for the emotion regulation group (BPD severity: mean difference −8.49, P < 0.00001), manual-assisted cognitive therapy (self-harm: mean difference −3.03, P = 0.03; suicide-related outcomes: SMD −0.96, P = 0.005) and the systems training for emotional predictability and problem-solving (BPD severity: SMD −0.48, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

There is reasonable evidence to conclude that psychotherapeutic interventions are helpful for individuals with BPD. Replication studies are needed to enhance the certainty of findings.
Duodenal Mucosal Expression of COVID-19-Related Genes in Health, Diabetic Gastroenteropathy, and Functional Dyspepsia
Authors: Deb Brototo , O’Brien Daniel R , Chunawala Zainali S , Bharucha Adil E
Published: January 2022

Context

SARS-CoV-2 infects the gastrointestinal tract and may be associated with symptoms that resemble diabetic gastroparesis. Why patients with diabetes who contract COVID-19 are more likely to have severe disease is unknown.

Objective

We aimed to compare the duodenal mucosal expression of SARS-CoV-2 and inflammation-related genes in diabetes gastroenteropathy (DGE), functional dyspepsia (FD), and healthy controls.

Methods

Gastrointestinal transit, and duodenal mucosal mRNA expression of selected genes were compared in 21 controls, 39 DGE patients, and 37 FD patients from a tertiary referral center. Pathway analyses were performed.

Results

Patients had normal, delayed (5 FD [13%] and 13 DGE patients [33%]; P = 0.03 vs controls), or rapid (5 FD [12%] and 5 DGE [12%]) gastric emptying (GE). Compared with control participants, 100 SARS-CoV-2-related genes were increased in DGE (FDR < 0.05) vs 13 genes in FD; 71 of these 100 genes were differentially expressed in DGE vs FD but only 3 between DGE patients with normal vs delayed GE. Upregulated genes in DGE include the SARS-CoV2 viral entry genes CTSL (|Fold change [FC]|=1.16; FDR < 0.05) and CTSB (|FC|=1.24; FDR < 0.05) and selected genes involved in viral replication (eg, EIF2 pathways) and inflammation (CCR2, CXCL2, and LCN2, but not other inflammation-related pathways eg, IL-2 and IL-6 signaling).

Conclusion

Several SARS-CoV-2-related genes were differentially expressed between DGE vs healthy controls and vs FD but not between DGE patients with normal vs delayed GE, suggesting that the differential expression is related to diabetes per se. The upregulation of CTSL and CTSB and replication genes may predispose to SARS-CoV2 infection of the gastrointestinal tract in diabetes.
Structural Changes of Microtubules by Encapsulation of Gold Nanoparticles Using a Tau-derived Peptide
Authors: Inaba Hiroshi , Kabir Arif Md Rashedul , Kakugo Akira , Sada Kazuki , Matsuura Kazunori
Published: January 2022

This study encapsulated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in microtubules (MTs) by conjugating a Tau-derived peptide (TP) and evaluated the effects on MTs. Among the TP-conjugated AuNPs containing different sizes of AuNPs, different TP densities on AuNPs, and different surface functional groups of AuNPs, the rigidity and stability of the MTs were found to increase using citrate-capped AuNPs (10 nm) modified with 50 equivalents of TP. The findings provide an insight into the modulation of MTs by the encapsulation of nano-sized materials.
Synthesis and Electrical Memory Properties of Eu-containing Polyimide with Bipyridyl Units
Authors: Wang Chun , Lin Xingchi , Wei Jinhe , Wang Difan , Lv Wei , Ling Qidan
Published: January 2022

A novel polyimide containing Eu complexes with bipyridine units in the main chain was synthesized via polycondensation and coordination reaction. The memory device based on the Eu-bonded polyimide showed nonvolatile memory behavior with low threshold voltage, high current ratio and good long-term stability. The introduction of Eu-bipyridine complex tuned and improved the memory performance of the device.
Charge-density-wave Amplitude in Quasi-one-dimensional Halogen-bridged Palladium Complex, [Pd(15N-en)2Br](Suc-C5)2·H2O (Suc-C5 = Dipentylsulfosuccinate), Estimated by 15N Solid-state NMR
Authors: Kumagai Shohei , Iguchi Hiroaki , Yamashita Masahiro , Takeda Sadamu , Takaishi Shinya
Published: January 2022

Temperature dependency of the 15N CP-MAS NMR spectrum were examined in quasi-one-dimensional bromo-bridged palladium compound [Pd(en)2Br](Suc-C5)2·H2O (Suc-C5 = dipentylsulfosuccinate), which shows mixed-valence (MV) to averaged-valence (AV) phase transition. Single and double peaks were observed at lower and higher temperature sides from the phase transition temperature, reflecting that they are AV and MV states, respectively. Peak-to-peak interval in the spectra steadily decreased upon cooling, showing the charge-density-wave (CDW) amplitude decreased accompanied by approaching the AV state.
Imperfect Markets versus Imperfect Regulation in US Electricity Generation
Authors: Cicala Steve
Published: January 2022

This paper evaluates changes in electricity generation costs caused by the introduction of market mechanisms to determine production in the United States. I use the staggered transition to markets from 1999 to 2012 to estimate the causal impact of liberalization using a differences-in-difference design on a comprehensive hourly panel of electricity demand, generators’ costs, capacities, and output. I find that markets reduce production costs by 5 percent by reallocating production: gains from trade across service areas increase by 55 percent based on a 25 percent increase in traded electricity, and costs from using uneconomical units fall 16 percent. (JEL L51, L94, L98, Q41, Q48)
An Equilibrium Model of the International Price System
Authors: Mukhin Dmitry
Published: January 2022

What explains the central role of the dollar in world trade? Will the US currency retain its dominant status in the future? This paper develops a quantitative general equilibrium framework with endogenous currency choice that can address these questions. Complementarities in price setting and input-output linkages across firms generate complementarities in currency choice making exporters coordinate on the same currency of invoicing. The dollar is more likely to play this role because of the large size of the US economy, a widespread peg to the dollar, and the history dependence in currency choice. Calibrated using the world input-output tables and exchange rate moments, the model can successfully replicate the key empirical facts about the use of currencies at the global level, across countries, and over time. According to the counterfactual analysis, the peg to the dollar in other economies ensures that the US currency is unlikely to lose its global status because of the falling US share in the world economy, but can be replaced by the renminbi in case of a negative shock in the US economy. If the peg is abandoned, the world is likely to move to a new equilibrium with multiple regional currencies. (JEL D21, E31, E42, F14, F31, F33)
Η επίδραση των βιολογικών συγκολλητικών στεγανοποιητικών παραγόντων σε πειραματικό μοντέλο διάτρησης εντέρου
Authors: Φρούντζας Μάξιμος
Published: January 2022

Στόχος: Τα τελευταία χρόνια, όλο και περισσότερες χειρουργικές ειδικότητες, με κυμαινόμενη κατάρτιση στη χειρουργική του εντέρου, εμπλέκονται στη λαπαροσκοπική χειρουργική. Ο σκοπός της παρούσας πειραματικής μελέτης ήταν η διερεύνηση της αποτελεσματικότητας της χρήσης TISSEEL™ αντί για τοποθέτηση ραμμάτων σε εντερικές κακώσεις περιορισμένης έκτασης σε επίμυες. Μέθοδος: Είκοσι τέσσερις επίμυες γένους Sprague-Dawley υπεβλήθησαν σε διάτρηση εντέρου περιορισμένης έκτασης και χωρίστηκαν σε τρεις ομάδες: ΡΑΜΜΑ, ΡΑΜΜΑ + TISSEEL™ και TISSEEL™. Μετά την ευθανασία των πειραματόζωων ακολούθησε ιστοπαθολογική ανάλυση. Αποτελέσματα: Το μέσο βάρος των επιμύων ήταν 526 ± 50 gr. Ένα πειραματόζωο παρουσίασε αιματοχεσία την 1η μετεγχειρητική ημέρα. Μετά τη χρήση TISSEEL™ ήταν έκδηλη η ελάττωση της αιμορραγίας στο σημείο της κάκωσης διεγχειρητικά. Στην τρίτη ομάδα επιμύων (TISSEEL™) παρατηρήθηκαν λιγότερες ενδοπεριτοναϊκές συμφύσεις και αιμορραγικές διηθήσεις σε σχέση με τις άλλες δύο ομάδες. Επιπλέον, η ομάδα TISSEEL™ παρουσίασε σχηματισμό θρόμβου στο σημείο της διάτρησης σε σχέση με τις άλλες δύο ομάδες (p=0.042). Η ιστοπαθολογική ανάλυση έδειξε μειωμένη φλεγμονώδη διήθηση (p=0.003), ελαττωμένη ίνωση (p=0.001) και καλύτερη ιστική αναδόμηση (p=0.000) στην ομάδα TISSEEL™ σε σχέση με τις άλλες δύο ομάδες. Συμπέρασμα: Η χρήση TISSEEL™ για την αντιμετώπιση περιορισμένων εντερικών κακώσεων φαίνεται να είναι μια ασφαλής και αποτελεσματική επιλογή. Ωστόσο απαιτούνται περεταίρω πειραματικές και κλινικές μελέτες.
Σύγκριση μεθόδων αιμόστασης κερκιδικής αρτηρίας μετά από ενδοστεφανιαίες επεμβάσεις με κερκιδική προσπέλαση
Authors: Κυριακόπουλος Βασίλειος
Published: January 2022

Ιστορικό. Η απόφραξη της Κερκιδικής αρτηρίας είναι η πιο κοινή επιπλοκή της στεφανιαίας αγγειογραφίας που πραγματοποιείται μέσω διακερκιδικής πρόσβασης. Η Βατή αιμόσταση μπορεί να μειώσει σημαντικά τον κίνδυνο απόφραξης της Κερκιδικής αρτηρίας. Ωστόσο, η καταλληλότερη μέθοδος για επιτυχημένη και βατή αιμόσταση παραμένει άγνωστη.Στόχος. Η ανάδειξη της κατάλληλης μεθόδου (παλμικό οξύμετρο έναντι της παραδοσιακής ψηλάφησης της Κερκιδικής αρτηρίας) για τη βατή αιμόσταση της κερκιδικής αρτηρίας.Μέθοδοι. Πρόκειται για μια προοπτική μελέτη μεμονωμένου κέντρου, στην οποία συμμετείχαν 299 διαδοχικοί ασθενείς που υποβλήθηκαν σε στεφανιαία αγγειογραφία ή διαδερμική στεφανιαία παρέμβαση μεταξύ Νοεμβρίου 2017 και Ιουλίου 2019. Ασθενείς ηλικίας κάτω των 18 ετών, με ιστορικό νόσου της Κερκιδικής αρτηρίας ή χωρίς ψηλαφητό σφυγμό της αρτηρίας, αποκλείστηκαν από τη μελέτη. Οι ασθενείς ταξινομήθηκαν τυχαία σε δύο ομάδες. Στην πρώτη ομάδα, η ροή της Κερκιδικής αρτηρίας εκτιμήθηκε με ψηλάφηση της αρτηρίας κατά την αιμόσταση (παραδοσιακή μέθοδος). Στη δεύτερη ομάδα, εκτιμήθηκε η ακεραιότητα της Κερκιδικής αρτηρίας με τη χρήση παλμικού οξυμέτρου. Χρησιμοποιήθηκαν δύο διαφορετικές συσκευές συμπίεσης για την αιμόσταση (θάλαμος αέρα και βαλβίδα πίεσης). Το κύριο τελικό σημείο της μελέτης ήταν η επίτευξη επιτυχούς και βατής αιμόστασης της κερκιδικής αρτηρίας.Αποτελέσματα: Οι δύο ομάδες (παλμικό οξύμετρο έναντι ψηλάφησης της αρτηρίας) δεν είχαν σημαντικές διαφορές στην ηλικία, το φύλο, τον δείκτη μάζας σώματος, παράγοντες κινδύνου και συννοσηρότητες εκτός από τις υπερκοιλιακές αρρυθμίες. Το ποσοστό των ασθενών με βατή αιμόσταση ήταν σημαντικά υψηλότερο στην ομάδα παλμικού οξυμέτρου (82,2% έναντι 68,1%, p = 0,005). Ένα χαμηλότερο ποσοστό ασθενών με σπασμό καταγράφηκε στην ομάδα παλμικού οξυμέτρου (9,9% έναντι 19%, ρ = 0,024). Η συχνότητα εμφάνισης τοπικών επιπλοκών, οιδήματος, αιμορραγίας, αιματώματος, vagotonia ή πόνου δεν διέφερε μεταξύ των δύο ομάδων. Στην πολυπαραγοντική ανάλυση, η χρήση παλμικού οξυμέτρου και προχωρημένης ηλικίας συσχετίστηκαν ανεξάρτητα με αυξημένη πιθανότητα Βατής αιμόστασης(p 0,003). Ο τύπος της αιμοστατικής συσκευής δεν επηρέασε τη Βατή αιμόσταση (p = 0,450).Συμπεράσματα:Η Βατή αιμόσταση με τη χρήση παλμικού οξυμέτρου είναι μια ασφαλής και πολλά υποσχόμενη μέθοδος, που αξίζει περαιτέρω διερεύνησης. Απαιτούνται μεγαλύτερες τυχαιοποιημένες μελέτες για να ληφθούν υπόψη οι κλινικές επιπτώσεις της.Λέξεις κλειδιά: Κερκιδική πρόσβαση, Βατή Αιμόσταση, Ψηλάφηση, Οξύμετρο, Στεφανιαία αγγειογραφία, Απόφραξη Κερκιδικής αρτηρίας.
Brace versus cast following surgical treatment of distal radial fracture: a prospective randomised study comparing quality of recovery
Authors: Sellbrant Irén , Blomstrand Johanna , Karlsson Jon , Nellgård Bengt , Jakobsson Jan
Published: January 2022

Background: Immobilisation following surgical treatment of distal radial fractures (DRF) is traditionally performed with a dorsal cast splint. There is an interest in changing the rigid cast to a removable brace. This can reduce the risk for cast-corrections, complications and improve recovery of function.

The aim of the study was to compare quality of recovery (QoR) between brace and traditional cast for immobilisation during the first postoperative week.

Methods: 60 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status 1–3, scheduled for surgical treatment of DRF under a supraclavicular block (SCB) in a day-surgery setting were randomised into two groups of immobilisation post-surgery; brace (n=30) versus traditional cast (n=30). Study objectives were: differences in self-assessed QoR using the QoR-15 questionnaire, postoperative oral oxycodone consumption, perioperative time events and unplanned healthcare contacts one week postoperatively.

Results: 54 patients, 46 females/eight males were included in the analysis; 27 with brace and 27 with traditional cast. QoR-15 median scores improved significantly from baseline/preoperative to day 7 (brace p=0.001, cast p=0.001) with no differences between the two groups. The only difference found was that patients in the brace group had significantly worse pain score 24-hours post-surgery (p=0.022). No significant differences were seen in total median oxycodone consumption the first three postoperative days. No differences were found in perioperative events or unplanned healthcare contacts.

Conclusions: Brace appears to be a feasible option to traditional cast for immobilisation following surgical treatment of DRF. The early QoR was similar in both groups apart from more pain in the brace group the first 24 postoperative hours.
Towards an interprofessional competency-based model in South Africa: A Delphi study
Authors: Filies Gérard Charl , Frantz José
Published: January 2022

Background: The overall objective of any health professional curriculum is to ensure that the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the students are influenced by the curriculum and to instil these attributes into the students, to help them become capable, compassionate and inquisitive health professionals. Therefore, there is the need for medical educators to align their learning objectives with the core competencies needed to achieve this. Currently, in interprofessional education, it is not always clear which activities may be used to facilitate the development of interprofessional core competencies. However, if health professional students are exposed to the interprofessional core competencies effectively, it may result in health  care professionals who have an improved understanding of interprofessional practices, thus improving these practices within their specific professions.The objective of this study was to identify teaching strategies and activities that aim to develop interprofessional competencies in undergraduate health care students at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

Methods: In this study the Delphi method was used to reach a consensus on the most appropriate activities and assessment methods to use in an interprofessional curriculum that would assist in instilling interprofessional core competencies in undergraduate health care students.

Results: 19 experts out of 69 invited participants took part in this Delphi study. The activities highlighted were case studies, joint clinical placements, simulations, role plays and workshops/discussions. The assessment forms highlighted by participants were portfolios, reflection and rubrics.

Conclusion: It was evident from this study that such activities can be used to instil more than one core competency in undergraduate health care students.
Extension of the PRISMA 2020 statement for living systematic reviews (LSRs): protocol
Authors: Kahale Lara A , Piechotta Vanessa , McKenzie Joanne E , Dorando Elena , Iannizzi Claire , Barker James M , Page Matthew J , Skoetz Nicole , Akl Elie A
Published: January 2022

Background: While the PRISMA 2020 statement is intended to guide the reporting of original systematic reviews, updated systematic reviews, and living systematic reviews (LSRs), its explanation and elaboration document notes that additional considerations for updated systematic reviews and LSRs may need to be addressed. This paper reports the protocol for developing an extension of the PRISMA 2020 statement for LSRs.

Methods: We will follow the EQUATOR Network’s guidance for developing health research reporting guidelines. We will review the literature to identify possible items of the PRISMA 2020 checklist that need modification, as well as new items that need to be added. Then, we will survey representatives of different stakeholder groups for their views on the proposed modifications of the PRISMA 2020 checklist. We will summarize, present, and discuss the results of the survey in an online meeting, aiming to reach consensus on the content of the LSR extension. We will then draft the checklist, explanation and elaboration for each item, and flow diagram for the PRISMA 2020 extension. Then, we will share these initial documents with stakeholder representatives for final feedback and approval.

Discussion: We anticipate that the PRISMA 2020 extension for LSRs will benefit LSR authors, editors, and peer reviewers of LSRs, as well as different users of LSRs, including guideline developers, policy makers, healthcare providers, patients, and other stakeholders.
Case Report: Godoy & Godoy method of cervical lymphatic therapy – indirect evaluation of the effect of the duration of stimulation on ocular edema
Authors: Pereira de Godoy Jose Maria , Pereira de Godoy Henrique Jose , Pereira de Godoy Ana Carolina , Guerreiro Godoy Maria de Fatima
Published: January 2022

The aim of the present study is to report the indirect evaluation of cervical stimulation considering the effect of the duration of the stimulus on the control of intraocular pressure in a patient with bilateral glaucoma with important ocular edema.  A 47-year-old woman reported the onset of pain and bilateral tearing in the eyes at 35 years of age and was diagnosed with glaucoma. The patient began clinical treatment, but intraocular pressure remained 35 to 40 mmHg even with the use of four eye medications in the form of drops. The patient reported that her vision was always blurred despite the use of the eyedrops. The patient was submitted to the Godoy & Godoy method of cervical lymphatic therapy to reduce the edema. The ophthalmologist measured her intraocular pressure every two and three days. We found that the pressure was maintained below 20 mmHg when lymphatic therapy was performed every two days, but intraocular pressure increased and the vision became blurred when therapy was performed every three days. The Godoy & Godoy method of cervical lymphatic therapy constitutes a novel lymphatic system stimulation strategy that maintains its effect on intraocular pressure for approximately 48 hours, as demonstrated through an indirect evaluation.
SRXN1 blood levels negatively correlate with hippocampal atrophy and cognitive decline
Authors: Cucos Catalina Anca , Cracana Ioana , Dobre Maria , Popescu Bogdan Ovidiu , Tudose Catalina , Spiru Luiza , Manda Gina , Niculescu Gabriela , Milanesi Elena
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Cognitive decline, correlating with hippocampal atrophy, characterizes several neurodegenerative disorders having a background of low-level chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we examined how cognitive decline and hippocampal subfields volume are associated with the expression of redox and inflammatory genes in peripheral blood. We analyzed 34 individuals with different cognitive scores according to Mini-Mental State Examination, corrected by age and education (adjMMSE). We identified a group presenting cognitive decline (CD) with adjMMSE<27 (n=14) and a normal cognition (NC) group with adjMMSE≥27 (n=20). A multiparametric approach, comprising structural magnetic resonance imaging measurement of different hippocampal segments and blood mRNA expression of redox and inflammatory genes was applied.

Results: Our findings indicate that hippocampal segment volumes correlate positively with adjMMSE and negatively with the blood transcript levels of 19 genes, mostly redox genes correlating especially with the left subiculum and presubiculum. A strong negative correlation between hippocampal subfields atrophy and SRXN1 redox gene is emphasized.

Conclusions: Concluding, these results suggest that SRXN1 might be a valuable candidate blood biomarker for non-invasively monitoring the evolution of hippocampal atrophy in CD patients.
Research Software vs. Research Data I: Towards a Research Data definition in the Open Science context
Authors: Gomez-Diaz Teresa , Recio Tomas
Published: January 2022

Background: Research Software is a concept that has been only recently clarified. In this paper we address the need for a similar enlightenment concerning the Research Data concept.

Methods: Our contribution begins by reviewing the Research Software definition, which includes the analysis of software as a legal concept, followed by the study of its production in the research environment and within the Open Science framework. Then we explore the challenges of a data definition and some of the Research Data definitions proposed in the literature.

Results: We propose a Research Data concept featuring three characteristics: the data should be produced (collected, processed, analyzed, shared & disseminated) to answer a scientific question, by a scientific team, and has yield a result published or disseminated in some article or scientific contribution of any kind.

Conclusions: The analysis of this definition and the context in which it is proposed provides some answers to the Borgman’s conundrum challenges, that is, which Research Data might be shared, by whom, with whom, under what conditions, why, and to what effects. They are completed with answers to the questions: how? and where?
Violencia sexual derivada del conflicto
Authors: Nordas Ragnhild , Cohen Dara Kay
Published: January 2022

Este artículo examina el notorio crecimiento de la literatura empírica en las ciencias políticas sobre la violencia sexual contra civiles en tiempos de guerra, incluyendo la violación, la esclavitud sexual y el matrimonio forzado, entre otros. Los trabajos anteriores, motivados por conflictos en curso en la antigua Yugoslavia y Ruanda, tendían a presentar estas formas de violencia como inevitables, omnipresentes y oportunistas o estratégicas. Sin embargo, la literatura reciente y las nuevas fuentes de datos han documentado variaciones sustanciales en la violencia sexual entre países, conflictos, perpetradores y víctimas y sobrevivientes. Con base en estas variaciones observadas, los académicos han desarrollado y propuesto numerosas teorías acerca de cuándo, dónde, por qué y bajo qué condiciones ocurre la violencia sexual, así como sus consecuencias. En este documento resaltamos los hallazgos principales desde la literatura, explicamos los debates más importantes entre expertos y exploramos varias posibilidades para investigaciones futuras. Para finalizar, describimos el aporte que ofrece el estudio de la violencia sexual en tiempos de guerra —tanto los hallazgos como el proceso de investigación— a un grupo más amplio de investigadores de las ciencias políticas.
Forbidden Transactions and Black Markets
Authors: Gu Chenlin , Roth Alvin , Wu Qingyun
Published: January 2022

Repugnant transactions are sometimes banned, but legal bans sometimes give rise to active black markets that are difficult if not impossible to extinguish. We explore a model in which the probability of extinguishing a black market depends on the extent to which its transactions are regarded as repugnant as measured by the proportion of the population that disapproves of them and the intensity of that repugnance as measured by willingness to punish. Sufficiently repugnant markets can be extinguished with even mild punishments, whereas others are insufficiently repugnant for this and become exponentially more difficult to extinguish the larger they become and the longer they survive.
Enhanced Faraday effects of magneto-plasmonic crystals with plasmonic hexagonal hole arrays
Authors: Wang Zhiyu , Wang Ziyun , Gao Mengyao , Kong Lijing , Lan Jinshen , Zhao Jingtian , Long Peng , Kang Junyong , Zheng Xuanli , Huang Shengli , Li Shuping
Published: January 2022

Magneto-optical (MO) properties of the bilayed Au/BIG and trilayered Au/BIG/Au magneto-plasmonic crystals (MPCs) were analyzed by the finite-difference time-domain method. In contrast to the low deflection angle and transmission of the smooth thin film, all the heterostructures with perforated holes in the top Au film displayed a similar trend with two strong resonant bands in Faraday rotation and transmittance in the near infrared wavelength range. The bands and electric distribution relative to the component and hole structure were revealed. The MPC with plasmonic hexagonal holes was found to own superior Faraday effects with distinctive anisotropy. The evolution of the resonant bands with the size and period of hexagonal holes, the thickness of different layers, and the incident light polarization was illustrated. The Faraday rotation of the optimized bilayed and trilayered hexagonal MPCs was improved 15.3 and 17.5 times, and the transmittance was enhanced 12.1 and 11.1 folds respectively at the resonant wavelength in comparison to the continuous Au/BIG film, indicating that the systems might find potential application in MO devices.
Near-infrared plasmonic sensing and digital metasurface via double Fano resonances
Authors: Xu Xiaofeng , Luo Xiao-Qing , Zhang Jingzhao , Zhu Weihua , Chen Zhiyong , Li Tie-Fu , Liu W. M. , Wang Xin-Lin
Published: January 2022

Plasmonic sensing that enables the detection of minute events, when the incident light field interacts with the nanostructure interface, has been widely applied to optical and biological detection. Implementation of the controllable plasmonic double Fano resonances (DFRs) offers a flexible and efficient way for plasmonic sensing. However, plasmonic sensing and digital metasurface induced by tailorable plasmonic DFRs require further study. In this work, we numerically and theoretically investigate the near-infrared plasmonic DFRs for plasmonic sensing and digital metasurface in a hybrid metasurface with concentric ϕ-shaped-hole and circular-ring-aperture unit cells. We show that a plasmonic Fano resonance, resulting from the interaction between a narrow and a wide effective dipolar modes, can be realized in the ϕ-shaped hybrid metasurface. In particular, we demonstrate that the tailoring plasmonic DFRs with distinct mechanisms of actions can be accomplished in three different ϕ-shaped hybrid metasurfaces. Moreover, the resonance mode-broadening and mode-shifting plasmonic sensing can be fulfilled by modulating the polarization orientation and the related geometric parameters of the unit cells in the near-infrared waveband, respectively. In addition, the plasmonic switch with a high ON/OFF ratio can not only be achieved but also be exploited to establish a single-bit digital metasurface, even empower to implement two- and three-bit digital metasurface characterized by the plasmonic DFRs in the telecom L-band. Our results offer a new perspective toward realizing polarization-sensitive optical sensing, passive optical switches, and programmable metasurface devices, which also broaden the landscape of subwavelength nanostructures for biosensors and optical communications.