bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the reliability of the upper lip bite test and the modified mallampati test in predicting difficult intubation under direct laryngoscopy in apparently normal patients: a prospective observational clinical study
Authors: Wang Lin-yu , Zhang Kang-da , Zhang Zhi-hua , Zhang Dan-xu , Wang Huan-liang , Qi Feng
Published: October 2022

Background and aims

Difficult endotracheal intubation is one of the most challenging operations in anesthesia. How to better predict difficult airway and make corresponding preparations to reduce the occurrence of accidents is a difficult task faced by anesthesiologists every day. This study decide to evaluate the value of the Upper Lip Bite Test (ULBT) and the Modified Mallampati Test (MMT) in predicting difficult intubation under direct laryngoscopy and find out the most intuitive and simple method to predict difficult intubation under direct laryngoscopy in apparently normal patients.

Patients and methods

This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 450 patients for elective surgery under general anesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation. The ULBT and MMT grading were evaluated preoperatively and Cormack and Lehane’s (CL) classification was recorded on the day of surgery during intubation under direct laryngoscopy. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), likelihood ratio (LR), Youden index and area under ROC curve of ULBT and MMT respectively and in combination were calculated and compared. And the consistency between the total scores of ULBT and MMT combined in different ways and CL grading was counted.

Results

Of the 450 patients, 69 (15.3%) were classified as difficult cases of direct laryngoscopy. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of ULBT were 81.33, 11.59, 93.96, 25.81, 85.44%; and those the corresponding values for MMT were 66.22, 62.32, 69.29, 26.88 and 91.03%. A combination of ULBT and MMT did not improve the sensitivity in the sample tested. The combined total scores of ULBT and MMT in both ways were less consistent with CL grading in predicting difficult intubation under direct laryngoscopy.

Conclusion

Based on findings of current study, we conclude that ULBT and MMT for difficult intubation have only poor to moderate discriminative power when used alone.

The combination of the two tests in fractional form is also not a good predictor of difficult intubation under direct laryngoscopy.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100052987, Registered 07 November 2021,http://www.chictr.org.cn
APOL1 genotyping via buccal mucosa cell samples to establish risk of kidney disease
Authors: Alladagbin Dona Jeanne , da Silva Carlos Gustavo Regis , Silva Luciano Kalabric , dos-Santos Washington LC , de Sá Oliveira Geraldo Gileno
Published: October 2022

Two alleles (G1 and G2) of the apolipoprotein 1 gene (APOL1) predispose people of African descent to developing or accelerating the course of certain types of kidney disease. Population studies to determine the frequency of the G1 and G2 alleles are important to inform resource allocation by public health authorities. Traditionally, APOL1 genotyping is carried out in blood samples. However, sample collection, transport, and storage is cumbersome. Here we compared APOL1 genotyping in blood and buccal mucosa cell samples obtained from 23 individuals. Alleles G0 (wild), G1, and G2, as well as genotypes G0/G0, G0/G1, G1/G1, G0/G2, G1/G2, and G2/G2 were detected using both blood and buccal mucosa cells with 100% coincidence. Our data indicate that buccal mucosa cell samples may represent a suitable alternative to blood samples for APOL1 genotyping in the field.
Qualitative exploration of perceived barriers of exclusive breastfeeding among pregnant teenagers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana
Authors: Acheampong Angela Kwartemaa , Ganga-Limando Makombo , Aziato Lydia
Published: October 2022

Background

The World Health Organization endorses exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of every child’s life since exclusive breastfeeding has the potential of saving thousands of infants’ lives. The global exclusive breastfeeding rate among mothers is sub-optimal. This predisposes infants born to teenage mothers to all types of ailments. Therefore, this study explored the factors that inhibit the practice of exclusive breastfeeding as perceived by pregnant teenagers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana which is an urban area.

Methods

The study used techniques in qualitative descriptive exploration to collect data from 30 pregnant teenagers through focus group discussions. Six focus group discussions were conducted and each group was made up of five participants. Informed consent was obtained from participants who were 18 years and above as well as parents of participants below 18 years while informed assent was obtained from participants below 18 years after purposive sampling. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and data were analysed through content analysis.

Results

Two major themes and eight sub themes emerged from the data after analysis. Personal related barriers (negative emotional feelings, irrational thinking, perceived health risks to the baby and perceived self-inefficacy) and social related barriers (provider-client interaction, disapproval of exclusive breastfeeding by close relatives, unfriendly workplace policies and social myths) were the perceived factors that discouraged exclusive breastfeeding among teenage mothers.

Conclusion

Health professionals should be trained to provide culturally sensitive care to teenage mothers in order to promote exclusive breastfeeding. The media, religious leaders and politicians should help debunk misconceptions about breastfeeding expressed by participants in the study.
Spicy food consumption is associated with abdominal obesity among Chinese Han population aged 30–79 years in the Sichuan Basin: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Xianxian , Tang Wenge , Mao Deqiang , Liu Xiang , Qian Wen , Dai Yingxue , Chen Liling , Ding Xianbin
Published: October 2022

Background

Few animal experiments and volunteer-based intervention studies have showed a controversial effect of spicy foods on abdominal obesity. We aimed to examine the association between spicy food frequency, spicy flavor, and abdominal obesity among Chinese Han population in the Sichuan Basin which area eating spicy foods relatively often.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the Sichuan Basin baseline data from the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) study, including data from electronic questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and blood sample collection. A total of 40,877 adults (22,503 females) aged 30–79 years were included in the final analysis. Multivariable logistic regression yielded adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for abdominal obesity associated with the strength of spicy flavor and frequency of spicy food intake.

Results

The prevalence of daily spicy food eating was 47.3% in males and 52.7% in females, the percentages of abdominal obesity were 52.3%, 48.8%, 51.6% and 55.5% in the spicy food intake subgroups of never, 1–2 days/week, 3–5 days/week and 6–7 days/week, respectively. Compared with males who never consumed spicy food, the adjusted ORs (95% CIs) in the 1–2 days/week, 3–5 days/week and 6–7 days/week subgroups were 1.21 (1.09, 1.34), 1.35 (1.21, 1.51), and 1.35 (1.25, 1.47), respectively (Ptrend < 0.001). The corresponding odds ratios for females were 0.95 (0.87, 1.05), 1.14 (1.03, 1.26), and 1.25 (1.16, 1.35), respectively (Ptrend < 0.001). Similarly, compared with no spicy flavor, the adjusted ORs (95% CIs) of mild, middle, and strong spicy strength for abdominal obesity in males were 1.27 (1.17, 1.38), 1.51 (1.37, 1.67), and 1.36 (1.11, 1.67) respectively (Ptrend < 0.001). The corresponding odds ratios for females were 1.14 (1.06, 1.23), 1.27 (1.15, 1.40), and 1.32 (1.06, 1.65), respectively (Ptrend < 0.001).

Conclusions

The data indicated that spicy food consumption was a risk factor for abdominal obesity among Chinese adult population in the Sichuan Basin. The results need to be approved by large cohort studies.
Occupational characteristics associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the UK Biobank during August–November 2020: a cohort study
Authors: Yanik Elizabeth L. , Evanoff Bradley A. , Dale Ann Marie , Ma Yinjiao , Walker-Bone Karen E.
Published: October 2022

Background

Occupational exposures may play a key role in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection risk. We used a job-exposure matrix linked to the UK Biobank to measure occupational characteristics and estimate associations with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test.

Methods

People reporting job titles at their baseline interview in England who were < 65 years of age in 2020 were included. Healthcare workers were excluded because of differential access to testing. Jobs were linked to the US Occupational Information Network (O*NET) job exposure matrix. O*NET-based scores were examined for occupational physical proximity, exposure to diseases/infection, working outdoors exposed to weather, and working outdoors under cover (score range = 1–5). Jobs were classified as remote work using two algorithms. SARS-CoV-2 test results were evaluated between August 5th-November 10th, 2020, when the UK was released from lockdown. Cox regression was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs), accounting for age, sex, race, education, neighborhood deprivation, assessment center, household size, and income.

Results

We included 115,451 people with job titles, of whom 1746 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. A one-point increase in physical proximity score was associated with 1.14 times higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 (95%CI = 1.05–1.24). A one-point increase in the exposure to diseases/infections score was associated with 1.09 times higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 (95%CI = 1.02–1.16). People reporting jobs that could not be done remotely had higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 regardless of the classification algorithm used (aHRs = 1.17 and 1.20). Outdoors work showed an association with SARS-CoV-2 (exposed to weather aHR = 1.06, 95%CI = 1.01–1.11; under cover aHR = 1.08, 95%CI = 1.00–1.17), but these associations were not significant after accounting for whether work could be done remotely.

Conclusion

People in occupations that were not amenable to remote work, required closer physical proximity, and required more general exposure to diseases/infection had higher risk of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. These findings provide additional evidence that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an occupational disease, even outside of the healthcare setting, and indicate that strategies for mitigating transmission in in-person work settings will remain important.
Automatic identification of benign pigmented skin lesions from clinical images using deep convolutional neural network
Authors: Ding Hui , Zhang Eejia , Fang Fumin , Liu Xing , Zheng Huiying , Yang Hedan , Ge Yiping , Yang Yin , Lin Tong
Published: October 2022

Objective

We aimed to develop a computer-aided detection (CAD) system for accurate identification of benign pigmented skin lesions (PSLs) from images captured using a digital camera or a smart phone.

Methods

We collected a total of 12,836 clinical images which had been classified and location-labeled for training and validating. Four models were developed and validated; you only look once, v4 (YOLOv4), you only look once, v5 (YOLOv5), single shot multibox detector (SSD) and faster region-based convolutional neural networks (Faster R-CNN). The performance of the models was compared with three trained dermatologists, respectively. The accuracy of the best model was further tested and validated using smartphone-captured images.

Results

The accuracies of YOLOv4, YOLOv5, SSD and Faster R-CNN were 0.891, 0.929, 0.852 and 0.874, respectively. The precision, sensitivity and specificity of YOLOv5 (the best model) were 0.956, 0.962 and 0.952, respectively. The accuracy of YOLOv5 model for images captured using a smart-phone was 0.905. The CAD based YOLOv5 system can potentially be used in clinical identification of PSLs.

Conclusion

We developed and validated a CAD system for automatic identification of benign PSLs using digital images. This approach may be used by non-dermatologists to easily diagnose by taking a photo of skin lesion and guide on management of PSLs.
Effects of pendulum appliance versus clear aligners in the vertical dimension during Class II malocclusion treatment: a randomized prospective clinical trial
Authors: Lione Roberta , Balboni Alessia , Di Fazio Valentina , Pavoni Chiara , Cozza Paola
Published: October 2022

Background

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects on vertical dentoskeletal dimension produced by Pendulum appliance and Clear Aligners in patients with Class II malocclusion.

Trial design

This is a prospective two-arm parallel group randomized clinical trial with 1:1 allocation ratio.

Methods

The Pendulum Group (PG) consisted of 20 patients (15F, 5 M) with a mean age of 17.2 ± 4.3 years. The Clear Aligners Group (CAG) comprised 20 patients (13F, 7 M) with a mean age of 17.2 ± 3.2 years. Distalization’s protocol in PG involved the activation of TMA wires till the achievement of Class I molar relationship. A protocol of sequential distalization was applied in the CAG. For each subject lateral cephalograms have been analyzed before treatment (T1) and at the end of the therapy (T2). Descriptive statistics and statistical between-group comparisons (PG vs CAG) were calculated for the craniofacial starting forms at T1 and for the T2–T1 changes. Statistical between-group comparisons for the T2–T1 changes were performed with independent samples t-tests (P < 0.05).

Results

The PG showed significantly greater increases in SN^GoGn° when compared with CAG (+ 2.1 and − 0.3 degrees, respectively). Clockwise rotation of the occlusal plane with significantly greater increase of SN^POccl angle was observed in PG (+ 2.8 degrees) when compared with CAG (− 4.2 degrees).

The PG revealed a significant increase in the N-Me variable with a mean change of + 4.4 mm compared to the CAG with mean values of − 1.2 mm. The PG showed an increase in the ArGo^GoMe angle (+ 0.7° degrees) compared to the CAG (− 3.4° degrees). The PG showed significantly greater increases in both maxillary and mandibular first molar to palatal plane (+ 1.3 and + 2.1 mm, respectively) when compared with CAG (− 0.9 and − 0.2 mm, respectively).

Conclusions

Upper molar distalization with clear aligners represents a valid alternative to non-extraction treatment of Class II malocclusion, reducing the extrusion of maxillary first molars and improving the management of the occlusal plane and vertical dimension.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05298280. Registered 28 March 2022—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov.
Women’s perspectives on the acceptability and feasibility of an HPV screen-and-treat approach to cervical cancer prevention in Iquitos, Peru: a qualitative study
Authors: Morse Rachel M. , Brown Joanna , Noble Helen E. , Ríos López E. Jennifer , Kohler-Smith Anna , Soto Sandra , del Cuadro Daniel Lenin , Gonzales Díaz Karina , Figueredo Escudero Magaly , Vásquez del Aguila Giannina , Carrillo Jara Lita E. , Silva Delgado Hermann F. , Palacios Victor A. , Santos-Ortiz Carlos , Gravitt Patti E. , Paz-Soldan Valerie A. ,   the Proyecto Precancer Study Group, Del Carpio-Morgan Meda , Garcia Satalay Esther Y. , Gilman Sarah D. , Jerónimo José , Jorges Alcedo , Jurczuk Magdalena , Kosek Margaret , Ladrón de Guevarra Gabriela , Lopez Liñán Renso , Matos Orbegozo Andrea , Marín Jaime , Meza Graciela , Ríos Reátegui Reyles , Román Karina , Rositch Anne F. , Tangoa Nolberto , Vásquez Vásquez Javier , Vásquez del Aguila Giannina , Zevallos Karen
Published: October 2022

Background

The objective of this study was to explore women’s experiences of a screen-and-treat approach with ablative therapy (referred to by the Spanish acronym TVT-TA) as a method of treatment following a positive HPV test in Iquitos, Peru.

Methods

A total of 111 in-depth interviews were conducted with 47 HPV positive women who attended the TVT-TA procedure at a primary-level healthcare facility. Interviews were conducted immediately before, immediately after, and six-weeks after TVT-TA.

Results

Most interviewed women reported experiencing moderate pain during ablative therapy and minimal pain immediately after and six weeks after ablative therapy. Women also stated that the pain was less intense than they had expected. The most common physical after-effects of treatment were bleeding and vaginal odor. Women experienced oscillating emotions with fear upon receiving a positive HPV result, calming after hearing about ablative therapy treatment, worry about pain from the treatment itself, relaxation with counseling about the procedure, and relief following treatment.

Conclusions

Nearly all participants emphasized that they were pleased with the TVT-TA process even if they had experienced pain during TVT-TA, recommended that TVT-TA be expanded and available to more women, and stated that TVT-TA was faster and easier than expected. This study found that TVT-TA is a feasible and acceptable means of treating HPV according to the women receiving the treatment.
Effect of psychological first aid program on stress level and psychological well-being among caregivers of older adults with alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Shoukr Eman Mahmoud Mohammed , Mohamed Abeer Abd El-Rahman , El-Ashry Ayman Mohamed , Mohsen Heba Ahmed
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Older adults with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) experience drastic changes in their physical and mental abilities. AD patients became heavily dependent on their caregivers for everyday functions, which have significant implications not only for them but also for their caregivers. So, many AD caregivers experienced an increased level of depression and anxiety symptoms, lower perceived control, and higher burden compared to non-AD caregivers. Therefore, psychological first aid (PFA) and educational interventions are designed to enable those caregivers to meet the daily requirements of their patient care and to cope with its challenges.

Aim

Determine the effect of psychological first aid program on stress level and psychological well-being among caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease.

Design

One group pre-test post-test was followed.

Subjects

A convenience sample of one hundred (100) caregivers of older adults with AD.

Setting

All online groups concerned with the care of Alzheimer’s disease patients on Facebook.

Tools

Socio-demographic and clinical data of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers’ questionnaire, Alzheimer’s disease knowledge scale, Kingston caregiver stress scale, and authentic identity measures (AIM) scale of psychological well-being

Results

The psychological first aid program has highly statistically significant effect on the AD caregivers’ knowledge, stress level and psychological well-being as (t=-30.707, P = 0.000, t = 8.500, P = 0.000 & t= -4.763, P = 0.000 respectively).

Conclusion

Psychological first aid program is considered an effective intervention in decreasing the AD caregivers’ stress and increasing their psychological wellbeing and knowledge regarding delivering care for AD patients.
New strategies to improve clinical outcomes for diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Forst Thomas , Mathieu Chantal , Giorgino Francesco , Wheeler David C. , Papanas Nikolaos , Schmieder Roland E. , Halabi Atef , Schnell Oliver , Streckbein Marina , Tuttle Katherine R.
Published: October 2022

Background

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), the most common cause of kidney failure and end-stage kidney disease worldwide, will develop in almost half of all people with type 2 diabetes. With the incidence of type 2 diabetes continuing to increase, early detection and management of DKD is of great clinical importance.

Main body

This review provides a comprehensive clinical update for DKD in people with type 2 diabetes, with a special focus on new treatment modalities. The traditional strategies for prevention and treatment of DKD, i.e., glycemic control and blood pressure management, have only modest effects on minimizing glomerular filtration rate decline or progression to end-stage kidney disease. While cardiovascular outcome trials of SGLT-2i show a positive effect of SGLT-2i on several kidney disease-related endpoints, the effect of GLP-1 RA on kidney-disease endpoints other than reduced albuminuria remain to be established. Non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists also evoke cardiovascular and kidney protective effects.

Conclusion

With these new agents and the promise of additional agents under clinical development, clinicians will be more able to personalize treatment of DKD in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Multiomic analysis of papillary thyroid cancers identifies BAIAP2L1-BRAF fusion and requirement of TRIM25, PDE5A and PKCδ for tumorigenesis
Authors: Renaud Emilie , Riegel Kristina , Romero Rossana , Suryamohan Kushal , Distler Ute , Tenzer Stefan , Schad Arno , Musholt Thomas J. , Rajalingam Krishnaraj
Published: October 2022

Background

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of the most common forms of thyroid cancer with a cure rate of over 90% after surgery. However, aggressive forms may still occur, and personalized therapeutic strategies are increasingly required.

Methods

We performed integrated genomic and proteomic analysis of PTC tumor samples from patients who did not harbor BRAF or RAS mutations. We validate the analysis and present in-depth molecular analysis of the identified genetic rearrangement by employing biochemical and cell biological assays. Finally, we employ 3D spheroid models, loss of function studies and chemical inhibitors to target the hitherto upregulated factors. The data are analysed with appropriate statistical tests which are mentioned in the legends section.

Results

In a 23-year-old patient with thyroiditis, we identified a novel rearrangement leading to a BAIAP2L1-BRAF fusion that transforms immortalized human thyroid cells in a kinase and CC-domain dependent manner. Moreover, quantitative proteomic analysis of the same patient samples revealed the upregulation of several proteins including the Ubiquitin E3 ligase TRIM25, PDE5A, and PKCδ. Further, in a cohort of PTC patients, we observed higher expression of TRIM25 and PKCδ in the tumor and metastatic lesions, when compared to the matched normal tissue. Inhibition of TRIM25, PDE5A and PKCδ with small molecules or RNA interference affected not only viability and proliferation of BAIAP2L1-BRAF transformed cells, but also the viability, growth and invasion of corresponding 3D spheroid cultures.

Conclusions

Apart from unveiling a novel oncogenic BRAF fusion in PTCs, our data may open a novel avenue of therapeutic targeting in human PTCs.
High platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios in triple-negative breast cancer associates with immunosuppressive status of TILs
Authors: Onagi Hiroko , Horimoto Yoshiya , Sakaguchi Asumi , Ikarashi Daiki , Yanagisawa Naotake , Nakayama Takayuki , Nakatsura Tetsuya , Ishizuka Yumiko , Sasaki Ritsuko , Watanabe Junichiro , Saito Mitsue , Saeki Harumi , Hayashi Takuo , Arakawa Atsushi , Yao Takashi , Kitano Shigehisa
Published: October 2022

Background

Rating lymphocytes (TILs) are a prognostic marker in breast cancer and high TIL infiltration correlates with better patient outcomes. Meanwhile, parameters involving immune cells in peripheral blood have also been established as prognostic markers. High platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios (PLRs) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) are related to poor outcomes in breast cancer, but their mechanisms remain unknown. To date, TILs and these parameters have been examined separately.

Methods

We investigated the relationship between TILs and the peripheral blood markers, PLR and NLR, in the same patients, using surgical specimens from 502 patients with invasive breast carcinoma without preoperative chemotherapy. For analysis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patient outcomes, 59 patients who received preoperative chemotherapy were also examined. For immune cell profiling, multiplexed fluorescent immunohistochemistry (mfIHC) of CD3, CD4, CD8, FOXP3 and T-bet, was conducted.

Results

A positive correlation between PLR and TIL was observed in TNBC (P = 0.013). On mfIHC, tumors in patients with high PLR and NLR contained more CD3+CD4+FOXP3+T-cells (P = 0.049 and 0.019, respectively), while no trend was observed in CD8+T-cells. TNBC patients had different patterns of outcomes according to TIL and PLR, with the TIL-high/PLR-low group having the lowest rate of disease relapse and death, and the longest distant metastasis-free and overall survivals, while the TIL-low/PLR-high group had the shortest survivals.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that the combination of PLR with TIL assessment may enable more accurate prediction of patient outcomes with TNBC.
Contact osteogenesis by biodegradable 3D-printed poly(lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate)
Authors: Hassan Mohamad Nageeb , Yassin Mohammed Ahmed , Eltawila Ahmed Maher , Aladawi Ahmed Emad , Mohamed-Ahmed Samih , Suliman Salwa , Kandil Sherif , Mustafa Kamal
Published: October 2022

Background

To support bone regeneration, 3D-printed templates function as temporary guides. The preferred materials are synthetic polymers, due to their ease of processing and biological inertness. Poly(lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate) (PLATMC) has good biological compatibility and currently used in soft tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the osteoconductivity of 3D-printed PLATMC templates for bone tissue engineering, in comparison with the widely used 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) templates.

Methods

The printability and physical properties of 3D-printed templates were assessed, including wettability, tensile properties and the degradation profile. Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) were used to evaluate osteoconductivity and extracellular matrix secretion in vitro. In addition, 3D-printed templates were implanted in subcutaneous and calvarial bone defect models in rabbits.

Results

Compared to PCL, PLATMC exhibited greater wettability, strength, degradation, and promoted osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs, with superior osteoconductivity. However, the higher ALP activity disclosed by PCL group at 7 and 21 days did not dictate better osteoconductivity. This was confirmed in vivo in the calvarial defect model, where PCL disclosed distant osteogenesis, while PLATMC disclosed greater areas of new bone and obvious contact osteogenesis on surface.

Conclusions

This study shows for the first time the contact osteogenesis formed on a degradable synthetic co-polymer. 3D-printed PLATMC templates disclosed unique contact osteogenesis and significant higher amount of new bone regeneration, thus could be used to advantage in bone tissue engineering.
Attitudes Toward Striving for Quality and Length of Life Among Patients With Advanced Cancer and a Poor Prognosis
Authors: van der Velden Naomi C.A. , van Laarhoven Hanneke W.M. , Nieuwkerk Pythia T. , Kuijper Steven C. , Sommeijer Dirkje W. , Ottevanger Petronella B. , Fiebrich Helle-Brit , Dohmen Serge E. , Creemers Geert-Jan , de Vos Filip Y.F.L. , Smets Ellen M.A. , Henselmans Inge
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE:

When deliberating palliative cancer treatment, insight into patients' attitudes toward striving for quality of life (QL) and length of life (LL) may facilitate goal-concordant care. We investigated the (1) attitudes of patients with advanced cancer toward striving for QL and/or LL and whether these change over time, and (2) characteristics associated with these attitudes (over time).

METHODS:

We performed a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial on improving shared decision making (SDM), without differentiation between intervention arms. Patients (n = 173) with advanced cancer, a median life expectancy of < 12 months without anticancer treatment, and a median survival benefit of < 6 months from systemic therapy were included in seven Dutch hospitals. We used audio-recorded consultations and surveys at baseline (T0), shortly after the consultation (T2), at 3 and 6 months (T3 and T4). Primary outcomes were patients' attitudes toward striving for QL and LL (Quality Quantity Questionnaire; T2, T3, and T4).

RESULTS:

Overall, patients' attitudes toward striving for QL became less positive over 6 months ( P < .01); attitudes toward striving for LL did not change on group level. Studying individual patients, 76% showed changes in their attitudes toward striving for QL and/or LL at some point during the study, which occurred in various directions. More helplessness/hopelessness ( P < .001), less fighting spirit ( P < .05), less state anxiety ( P < .001), and more observed SDM ( P < .05) related to more positive attitudes toward striving for QL. Lower education, less helplessness/hopelessness, more fighting spirit, and more state anxiety ( P < .001) related to more positive attitudes toward striving for LL.

CONCLUSION:

Oncologists may explore patients' attitudes toward striving for QL and LL repeatedly and address patients' coping style and emotions during SDM to facilitate goal-concordant care throughout the last phase of life.
Radiotherapy-Associated Pelvic Insufficiency Fracture Treated by Romosozumab: Course of CT Attenuations at L1 and L5
Authors: Schneider Gary K , Ing Steven W
Published: October 2022

Pelvic radiation therapy (RT) is a risk factor for pelvic insufficiency fracture, which may be accompanied by significant pain, decreased self-sufficiency, and impaired mobility. Assessment of bone density with “opportunistic” computed tomography (CT) attenuation of the L1 vertebral body can be used as a surrogate for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan and potentially be useful to follow bone changes in cancer patients who undergo surveillance CT imaging. The following is a case of a 60-year-old female who suffered a pelvic insufficiency fracture, after receiving chemotherapy and pelvic RT for endometrial cancer, for which she was treated with romosozumab, a sclerostin inhibitor used for postmenopausal women at high risk for insufficiency or fragility fracture. CT attenuation of the L1 and L5 vertebral bodies were measured prior to chemoradiation therapy, post-therapy, and before and after treatment with romosozumab. Pelvic RT was associated with declining CT attenuation, greater in magnitude at L5 vs L1 vertebral body, while treatment with romosozumab was associated with increase to baseline at L1, and improvement but not return to baseline at L5.
Ο διάλογος του ιερού και της τέχνης στην ποιητική του Vincent Willem van Gogh
Authors: Ρούσκα Βασιλική
Published: October 2022

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή αποσκοπεί να αναδείξει το ιερό στοιχείο στη ζωή και τα έργα του Ολλανδού μεταϊμπρεσιονιστή ζωγράφου Vincent Willem van Gogh (1853-1890), στη διαλεκτική σχέση του καλλιτέχνη με το θρησκευτικό στοιχείο και τον Θεό. Εξετάζεται η σχέση του καλλιτέχνη με τον Προτεσταντισμό και τον Καλβινισμό, το οικογενειακό του υπόβαθρο, πώς ο ίδιος βίωσε το θρησκευτικό του συναίσθημα και πώς προσδιορίζεται ως καλλιτέχνης, καθώς και ποια σύμβολα χρησιμοποίησε στην τέχνη του για να αποδώσει το θείο. Ακόμη εξετάζονται τεχνικές και όροι που χρησιμοποιεί ο Van Gogh στα έργα του και διαλέγονται με θέματα της Ορθόδοξης Θεολογίας. Επιπλέον στην παρούσα έρευνα αναδεικνύονται κοινωνικές προεκτάσεις των έργων του Ολλανδού ζωγράφου αλλά και της γραπτής του παρακαταθήκης.
Czy całkowicie dobrowolnie? Okoliczności wstępowania Polaków do carskiego korpusu oficerskiego od konfederacji barskiej do powstania listopadowego
Authors: Caban Wiesław
Published: October 2022

Autor podejmuje próbę określenia skali dobrowolnego wstępowania Polaków do rosyjskiego korpusu oficerskiego na przestrzeni czterech okresów: w ostatnich latach Rzeczypospolitej, w dobie wojen napoleońskich, w latach 1815–1830, w czasie powstania i bezpośrednio po jego upadku.
Spuścizna korespondencyjna hrabiny Ksawery z Brzozowskich Grocholskiej (1807–1872)
Authors: Kudela-Świątek Wiktoria
Published: October 2022

W artykule została opisana spuścizna korespondencyjna hrabiny Ksawery Grocholskiej (1807–1872), polskiej ziemianki, filantropki, artystki amatorki, właścicielki majątku Kniaże w powiecie jampolskim na Podolu. Wspomniane listy dotychczas nie stanowiły przedmiotu badań. Odnalezione listy zostały podzielone na trzy zasadnicze kategorie: rodzinne i prywatne, dotyczące działalności pomocowej oraz urzędowe.
Arthur Ransome – brytyjski świadek rewolucji rosyjskiej, 1914–1924
Authors: Skrukwa Grzegorz
Published: October 2022

Artykuł przedstawia postać Arthura Ransome’a, brytyjskiego pisarza i dziennikarza, który w latach 1914–1924 przebywał w Rosji i państwach bałtyckich, relacjonując wydarzenia polityczne dla prasy brytyjskiej. Był on uwikłany w dwuznaczne relacje z kierownictwem bolszewickim z jednej, a rządem i wywiadem brytyjskim z drugiej strony.
QUANTIFYING THE VALUE OF VIBRATION-BASED STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING CONSIDERING ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABILITY
Authors: KAMARIOTIS ANTONIOS , CHATZI ELENI , STRAUB DANIEL
Published: October 2022

The value of structural health monitoring (SHM) can be quantified as the difference in expected total life-cycle costs between two different maintenance planning strategies, one representing the standard means to assessment, namely intermittent visual inspections, and the other based on availability of continuous SHM data. We show how to quantify the value of vibration-based SHM conditional on a damage history over the structural lifetime. We showcase the analysis through application on a numerical benchmark model of a two-span bridge system subjected to gradual deterioration and sudden damages in the middle elastic support over its life-cycle, simulating the case of scour. The effect of environmental variability is included in the analysis by means of a stochastic model for the dependence of the Young’s modulus on temperature (E-T). The numerical investigations provide insights related to the effect of the temperature variability, as well as the visual inspections’ quality, on the value of SHM.
Menu Engineering for Continuing Care Senior Living Facilities with Captive Dining Patrons
Authors: Kulturel-Konak Sadan , Konak Abdullah , Jakielaszek Lily , Gavirneni Nagesh
Published: October 2022

Continuing care facilities are a rapidly growing segment of senior living communities providing end-to-end solutions comprising independent living, assisted living, nursing home care, and ultimately hospice. All these establishments contain (in addition to other facilities associated with living, exercising, learning, activities, etc.) dining services managed by an interdisciplinary (finance, nutrition, dietitian, kitchen operations, hospitality, and procurement) team of executives, each with their own objective while cognizant of the overarching organizational, operational, and financial metrics. The residents of these facilities consume most of their meals at these dining facilities, necessitating that the food served meets the complete nutrition, dietary, cost, and operational requirements. Thus, the menu (often rotating every few weeks) of food items must be carefully chosen to be efficiently procured, processed, and served, all the while meeting the nutritional, dietary, and patron satisfaction constraints each put forth by the corresponding stakeholder. We address this complex, unwieldy, and large multiobjective optimization problem using mixed integer linear programming. We demonstrate how menu planners and chefs can analyze their decisions regarding menu structures and evaluate alternative menu interventions to improve menus’ nutritional value while ensuring their residents’ autonomy in making food choice decisions. Along the way, we interviewed various stakeholders, identified their objectives and constraints, gathered the necessary data, formulated and solved the resulting optimization problems, and produced demonstrably effective menus.

History: This paper was refereed. This paper was accepted for the Special Issue of INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics—Decision Analysis.
Iteration Complexity of a Proximal Augmented Lagrangian Method for Solving Nonconvex Composite Optimization Problems with Nonlinear Convex Constraints
Authors: Kong Weiwei , Melo Jefferson G. , Monteiro Renato D. C.
Published: October 2022

This paper proposes and analyzes a proximal augmented Lagrangian (NL-IAPIAL) method for solving constrained nonconvex composite optimization problems, where the constraints are smooth and convex with respect to the order given by a closed convex cone. Each NL-IAPIAL iteration consists of inexactly solving a proximal augmented Lagrangian subproblem by an accelerated composite gradient method followed by a Lagrange multiplier update. Under some mild assumptions, a complexity bound for NL-IAPIAL to obtain an approximate stationary solution of the problem is also derived. Numerical experiments are also given to illustrate the computational efficiency of the proposed method.

Funding: This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada [Grant PGSD3-516700-2018]; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico [Grant 312559/2019-4]; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás; Office of Naval Research [Grant N00014-18-1-2077]; Exascale Computing Project [Grant 17-SC-20-SC]; Air Force Office of Scientific Research [Grant FA9550-22-1-0088]; UT-Battelle, LLC [Grant DE-AC05-00OR22725].
Value Creation Tradeoff in Business Ecosystems: Leveraging Complementarities While Managing Interdependencies
Authors: Agarwal Shiva , Kapoor Rahul
Published: October 2022

Complementary assets play an important role in shaping an innovation’s commercialization success. In this paper, we broaden the locus of complementarities to examine the role of complementary technologies residing in the business ecosystems that are becoming an important source of value creation for innovating firms. We argue that, on one hand, complementary technologies help innovations create more value for their users. On the other hand, they can also limit the focal innovation’s value creation by exposing them to performance bottlenecks as the underlying technological architecture of the ecosystem evolves. We further extend the notion of specialization of complementary assets to ecosystems by considering complementary technologies that are specialized to a focal ecosystem and those that are available across multiple ecosystems. We highlight that, although the complementary technologies that are specialized to an ecosystem facilitate greater value creation, they are more likely to subject the focal innovation to performance bottlenecks. Evidence from 244,034 apps launched by software developers for Apple’s iPhone ecosystem during 2008–2015 offers strong support for our framework. In summary, the study sheds light on the value creation tradeoff for firms innovating in business ecosystems—the opportunities associated with leveraging complementarities and the challenges associated with managing technological interdependencies.

Funding: S. Agarwal was funded by the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin [Research Excellence Grant].
Assessment Study of Adversity Quotient and Servant Leadership to Improve Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Strengthening Managerial Competencies of Education Leader
Authors: Nurbianta Nurbianta , Consuelo Joe Bren , Ahmadong Ahmadong , Farida Muslicha Aria Nur Farida Muslicha
Published: October 2022

The main objective of this study was to explain the improvement of organizational citizenship behavior through adversity quotient and servant leadership as an effort to improve the managerial competence of educational leaders. The research subject was principals of senior high school in Berau. Meanwhile, specifically, the objectives were; (1) to seek whether there is the relationship between adversity quotient and organizational citizenship behavior, (2) to seek whether there is the relationship between servant leadership and organizational citizenship behavior, (3) to seek whether there is the relationship between adversity quotient and servant leadership to organizational citizenship behavior simultaneously. This study concerned a quantitative analysis by testing hypotheses using the statistic tool of the SITOREM model. The finding shows; that (1) there is a relationship between adversity quotient and organizational citizenship behavior, (2) there is the relationship between servant leadership and organizational citizenship behavior, and (3) there is the relationship between adversity quotient and servant leadership to organizational citizenship behavior simultaneously. In other words, it shows that the primary purpose of this research is achieved because the adversity quotient and servant leadership can result in the creation of good organizational citizenship behavior. Indeed this can also indicate that the principal has the managerial competence of educational leaders in an organization/school favorable.
School Principal Role In Handling Online Learning Issues During Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Utama Gede Ari , Sunu I Gusti Ketut Arya
Published: October 2022

The school principal took a significant role in running the education process at school. The role of a school principal has become more complex during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify the school principals' roles in handling issues at school that the Covid-19 Pandemic caused. Specifically, this study identified the issues faced by students, parents, and teachers in the online learning process during the Covid-19 pandemic and how the school principal handled those issues. This study followed a literature review approach. The study data were collected from the research articles from indexed national and international journals and were analyzed qualitatively using the interactive data analysis model. The study results showed that students, parents, and teachers faced various problems in the online learning process. Those problems include infrastructure, time, financial, digital literacy, and psychological issues. Considering those problems, the school principals took a significant role in bridging students' and parents' demands with the issues faced by the teachers. The school principals took several strategies to solve the problems. The novel thing that this study offers is that the previous studies mostly viewed online learning issues from a specific point of view. However, this study tried to view those issues comprehensively and link those issues to the principal school roles. The researchers did that to get the bigger picture of the issues. Thus, the study results can be a basis for further studies that aim to improve the quality of online learning.
Coaching as A Strategy for Empowering Communication Skills in The Educational Context
Authors: Jokky Jokky , Surya Julia
Published: October 2022

The ranking of education in Indonesia, which is quite far behind compared to other countries, shows several problem factors found by educators and students. Several facts were found by researchers when conducting preliminary research that communication skills between educators and students were less developed. Therefore, some strategies were developed to improve communication skills between teachers and students, one of which is using the coaching method. This study aims to describe the implementation of coaching as a strategy for empowering communication skills in the educational context. The method used in this research is the descriptive qualitative method. The results show that coaching can be a strategy for empowering communication skills in the educational context, especially between educators and students. By comparing with previous studies, the novelty element in this research is the coaching method implemented on students with different levels of education, namely in primary and secondary schools,which educators carry out with different qualifications.
Pengelolaan Keuangan Sekolah Di Masa Pandemi : Studi Kasus SMA Negeri Di Manggelewa Dompu
Authors: Haryadi Didit , Blatama Della , Rangga Rangga
Published: October 2022

Pada masa pandemi sekarang tentu sekolah harus lebih pintar mengelola karena masalah sekarang bukan saja masalah beberapa instansi tapi banyak Instansi banyak merasakan dampak dari pengelolaan keuangan pada masa pandemi ini.  Adapun tujuan penelitian ini adalah (1) untuk melihat pengelolaan biaya investasi (2) untuk melihat pengelolaan biaya Personal (3) untuk melihat pengelolaan biaya Operasional di SMA Negeri 1 Manggelewa.

 

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian Kualitatif dengan Pendekatan Studi Kasus. Alasan peneliti memilih studi kasus karena jenis pendekatan ini sangat cocok untuk menggambarkan keadaan dan situasi di SMA Negeri 1 Manggelewa yang merupakan tempat penelitian. Subjek pada penelitian ini adalah Kepala sekolah, Bendahara dan Beberapa guru yang bersedia untuk diwawancarai. Teknik pengumpulan data pada penelitian ini menggunakan wawancara dengan Triangulasi sumber. Teknik analisis dengan menggunakan Model Miles Huberman

 

Dari Penelitian dapat disimpulkan: (1) Biaya Investasi terkait gaji guru tidak ada perbedaan di SMA Negeri 1 Manggelewa baik sebelum pandemi dan masa pandemi pengembangan SDM juga sangat baik karena guru memanfaatkan IT untuk mendukung kegiatan pembelajaran pada masa pandemi ini (2) Biaya Personal terkait pembayaran yang dilakukan peserta didik terjadi perbedaan sebelum pandemi awalnya 60 Ribu dan masa pandemi ini 50 Ribu per bulan terjadi penurunan biaya terkait pembayaran peserta didik pada masa pandemi ini (3) biaya Operasional pada SMA Negeri 1 Manggelewa penggunaan yang paling banyak adalah penggunaan air dan kuota internet belajar. Penggunaan air di gunakan untuk mencuci tangan siswa dan kuota belajar untuk proses belajar.
Epiglottic Calcification: The Unexplored Relationship with Increasing Rates of Renal Disease
Authors:   Department of Medicine, University of Arizona - Tucson, Tucson, AZ USA, Ibrahim Ramzi
Published: October 2022

No abstract available. Manuscript truncated after 150 words. To the Editor: In the September 2022 issue the Southwest Journal of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep published an interesting article authored by Punatar et al. detailing a case of severe dysphagia that was secondary to isolated epiglottic calcifications seen on computed tomography and flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy (1). The epiglottis plays a critical role in the prevention of aspiration and coordination of swallowing. Calcifications can severely alter its flexibility and limit oral intake. Isolated calcifications of the epiglottis and sequential dysphagia is not a common entity. With the increasing rates of chronic and end-stage renal disease, this letter is focused on increasing the awareness of extra-osseous manifestations of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is characterized by adaptive parathyroid gland hyperplasia to increase the production of parathyroid hormone. Etiologies include vitamin D deficiency and chronic kidney disease. Vitamin D deficiency can be seen in about 50% of the world population and chronic …
Digital histology of tissue with Mueller microscopy and FastDBSCAN
Authors: Lee Hee Ryung , Lotz Christian , Kai Groeber Becker Florian , Dembski Sofia , Novikova Tatiana
Published: October 2022

We present the results of the automated post-processing of Mueller
microscopy images of skin tissue models with a new fast version of the
algorithm of density-based spatial clustering of applications with
noise (FastDBSCAN) and discuss the advantages of its implementation
for digital histology of tissue. We demonstrate that using the
FastDBSCAN algorithm, one can produce the diagnostic segmentation of
high resolution images of tissue by several orders of magnitude faster
and with high accuracy (

>

97
%

) compared to the original version of
the algorithm.