bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bio-inspired multimodal 3D endoscope for image-guided and robotic surgery
Authors: Liu Chenyang , Shi Chengyong , Wang Taisheng , Zhang Hongxin , Jing Lei , Jin Xiya , Xu Jia , Wang Hongying
Published: November 2020

Image-guided and robotic surgery based on endoscopic imaging technologies can enhance cancer treatment by ideally removing all cancerous tissue and avoiding iatrogenic damage to healthy tissue. Surgeons evaluate the tumor margins at the cost of impeding surgical workflow or working with dimmed surgical illumination, since current endoscopic imaging systems cannot simultaneous and real-time color and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging under normal surgical illumination. To overcome this problem, a bio-inspired multimodal 3D endoscope combining the excellent characteristics of human eyes and compound eyes of mantis shrimp is proposed. This 3D endoscope, which achieves simultaneous and real-time imaging of three-dimensional stereoscopic, color, and NIR fluorescence, consists of three parts: a broad-band binocular optical system like as human eye, an optical relay system, and a multiband sensor inspired by the mantis shrimp’s compound eye. By introducing an optical relay system, the two sub-images after the broad-band binocular optical system can be projected onto one and the same multiband sensor. A series of experiments demonstrate that this bio-inspired multimodal 3D endoscope not only provides surgeons with real-time feedback on the location of tumor tissue and lymph nodes but also creates an immersive experience for surgeons without impeding surgical workflow. Its excellent characteristics and good scalability can promote the further development and application of image-guided and robotic surgery.
VO2 based dynamic tunable absorber and its application in switchable control and real-time color display in the visible region
Authors: He Jingqi , Zhang Meng , Shu Shiwei , Yan Yan , Wang Mingxiang
Published: November 2020

Metasurface-based near perfect absorbers exhibit a wide range of potential applications in the fields of solar energy harvesting, thermal images and sensors due to their unique absorption regulation function. However, absorption characteristics of devices are locked by the device structure, leading to the limitation in real-time dynamic applications. In this work, we integrate the phase change material VO2 thin film into the metal-insulator-metal structured metasurface based absorber, and design a fully visible band switchable dynamically tunable absorber (DTA). By controlling the phase transition of VO2, the DTA can realize a novel switch function in the full band of visible light (400 ∼ 780 nm), with absorption contrast ranges from 42% to 60%. Furthermore, via accurate structural parameter control, the vivid cyan, magenta, and yellow pixels based on the VO2 DTA are designed and proposed in the real-time optical anti-counterfeiting, exhibiting outstanding characteristics of anti-glare interference and real-time encryption ability. The absorption spectrum and local electric field are simulated and analyzed to study the internal operation mechanism of DTA. The dynamic absorption adjustable function is attributed to the synergistic effect of insulator-metal transition of VO2 and Fabry–Pérot resonance of absorber.
A pilot study of bladder voiding with real-time MRI and computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Pewowaruk Ryan , Rutkowski David , Hernando Diego , Kumapayi Bunmi B. , Bushman Wade , Roldán-Alzate Alejandro
Published: November 2020

Lower urinary track symptoms (LUTS) affect many older adults. Multi-channel urodynamic studies provide information about bladder pressure and urinary flow but offer little insight into changes in bladder anatomy and detrusor muscle function. Here we present a novel method for real time MRI during bladder voiding. This was performed in a small cohort of healthy men and men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms (BPH/LUTS) to demonstrate proof of principle; The MRI urodynamic protocol was successfully implemented, and bladder wall displacement and urine flow dynamics were calculated. Displacement analysis on healthy controls showed the greatest bladder wall displacement in the dome of the bladder while men with BPH/LUTS exhibited decreased and asymmetric bladder wall motion. Computational fluid dynamics of voiding showed men with BPH/LUTS had larger recirculation regions in the bladder. This study demonstrates the feasibility of performing MRI voiding studies and their potential to provide new insight into lower urinary tract function in health and disease.
Early results of a low-profile stent-graft for thoracic endovascular aortic repair
Authors: El Beyrouti Hazem , Lescan Mario , Doemland Marco , Mustafi Migdat , Jungmann Florian , Jorg Tobias , Halloum Nancy , Dorweiler Bernhard
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To assess outcomes of a low-profile thoracic stent-graft in the treatment of thoracic aortic pathologies.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients with aortic thoracic pathologies treated with the RelayPro device in two university hospitals between October 2018 and July 2019.

Results

23 patients (65% men; mean age 63.4 ± 15 years) were treated. Pathologies included aortic dissections (n = 10), 5 residual type A (22%) and 5 type B (22%), 6 degenerative aortic aneurysms (26%), 4 penetrating aortic ulcers (17%), and aortic erosion, intramural hematoma and aortic rupture (n = 1 and 4% in each case). Two cases (9%) were emergent and two urgent. Proximal landing was achieved in zones 0 (4%), 1 (4%), 2 (43%), and 3 (26%). Five grafts were frozen elephant trunk extensions. Technical success was 100% with accurate device deployment in the intended landing zone of the aortic arch in all 23 patients and with no Ia/III endoleaks and three (13%) type II endoleaks. Apposition was adequate in 96%. Two patients had post-implantation syndromes (one fever, one leukocytosis). Mean follow-up was 11.6 ± 3.7 months (range, 2–16) with no other complications, secondary interventions or conversions to open surgery. There was no 30-day mortality and no aortic-related mortality; all-cause mortality was 4% during follow-up.

Conclusion

A 3–4 French reduced profile in the current generation of stent-grafts facilitates TEVAR particularly in patients with smaller vessels access. Early safety and effectiveness outcomes are favorable, even in endpoints such as deployment accuracy and apposition which may be surrogates for longer-term clinical success and durability.
Factors impeding the supply of over-the-counter medications according to evidence-based practice: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Aloudah Nouf , Alhumsi Areej , Alobeid Nada , Aboheimed Nourah , Aboheimed Hind , Aboheimed Ghada
Published: November 2020

Objective

Despite the positive attitudes pharmacists have toward evidence-based practices (EBPs), its application in community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and assess EBPs by community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia when they dispense over-the-counter (OTC) medications for three minor ailments: diarrhea, cough, and the common cold.

Research design and methods

We used a mixed-methods approach consisting of two study parts. The first was a quantitative investigation that used mystery shoppers. Four researchers, posing as mystery shoppers, visited 214 randomly selected pharmacies in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. They used 14 questions from a standardized checklist to examine EBPs by community pharmacists. The qualitative part of the study entailed three focus-group discussions with 13 pharmacists from different community practice settings and explored factors that affected the application of EBPs when supplying OTC medications from the pharmacists’ point of view.

Results

The analysis indicated that 40% of pharmacists dispensed OTC medications according to EBPs. Logistic regression analysis showed that one question, "Describe your symptoms", predicted the correct supply of OTC medications (p = 0.021). The qualitative section of the study identified nine factors that affected EBP. Some of these factors facilitated EBP, such as established patient-pharmacist relationships, some acted as barriers such as conflicts between available evidence, while other factors could either facilitate or hinder EBPs, such as the health literacy of the patient.

Conclusion

Given that dispensing OTC medication is a core function of pharmacists, this study uncovered low adherence to EBPs by community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia when dispensing OTC medication for three minor ailments: diarrhea, cough, and the common cold. Furthermore, this study identified a number of explanatory factors for this low adherence. Targeting these factors could help change the behavior of pharmacists and decrease undesirable outcomes.
Evaluation of leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein as a biomarker of fetal infection
Authors: Kajimoto Etsuko , Endo Masayuki , Fujimoto Minoru , Matsuzaki Shinya , Fujii Makoto , Yagi Kazunobu , Kakigano Aiko , Mimura Kazuya , Tomimatsu Takuji , Serada Satoshi , Takeuchi Makoto , Yoshino Kiyoshi , Ueda Yutaka , Kimura Tadashi , Naka Tetsuji
Published: November 2020

This study aimed to determine the association between umbilical cord leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG) and fetal infection and investigate the underlying mechanism of LRG elevation in fetuses. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who delivered at Osaka University Hospital between 2012 and 2017 and selected those with histologically confirmed chorioamnionitis (CAM), which is a common pregnancy complication that may cause neonatal infection. The participants were divided into two groups: CAM with fetal infection (CAM-f[+] group,n =14) and CAM without fetal infection (CAM-f[−] group,n =31). Fetal infection was defined by the histological evidence of funisitis. We also selected 50 cases without clinical signs of CAM to serve as the control. LRG concentrations in sera obtained from the umbilical cord were unaffected by gestational age at delivery, neonatal birth weight, nor the presence of noninfectious obstetric complications (all,p> 0.05). Meanwhile, the LRG levels (median, Interquartile range [IQR]) were significantly higher in the CAM-f(+) group (10.37 [5.21–13.7] μg/ml) than in the CAM-f(−) (3.61 [2.71–4.65] μg/ml) or control group (3.39 [2.81–3.93] μg/ml;p< 0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of LRG for recognizing fetal infection was 0.92 (optimal cutoff, 5.08 μg/ml; sensitivity, 86%; specificity, 88%). In a mouse CAM model established by lipopolysaccharide administration, the fetal LRG protein in sera andLRGmRNA in the liver were significantly higher than those in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-administered control mice (p< 0.01).In vitroexperiments using a fetal liver-derived cell line (WRL68) showed that the expression ofLRGmRNA was significantly increased after interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α) stimulation (p< 0.01); the induction was considerably stronger following IL-6 and TNF-α stimulation (p< 0.01). In conclusion, LRG is an effective biomarker of fetal infection, and fetal hepatocytes stimulated with inflammatory cytokines may be the primary source of LRG productionin utero.
Altered kinetics of circulating progenitor cells in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) associated vasoplegic patients: A pilot study
Authors: Nandi Sanhita , Potunuru Uma Rani , Kumari Chandrani , Nathan Abel Arul , Gopal Jayashree , Menon Gautam I. , Siddharthan Rahul , Dixit Madhulika , Thangaraj Paul Ramesh
Published: November 2020

Vasoplegia observed post cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with substantial morbidity, multiple organ failure and mortality. Circulating counts of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are potential markers of neo-vascularization and vascular repair. However, the significance of changes in the circulating levels of these progenitors in perioperative CPB, and their association with post-CPB vasoplegia, are currently unexplored. We enumerated HSC and EPC counts, via flow cytometry, at different time-points during CPB in 19 individuals who underwent elective cardiac surgery. These 19 individuals were categorized into two groups based on severity of post-operative vasoplegia, a clinically insignificant vasoplegic Group 1 (G1) and a clinically significant vasoplegic Group 2 (G2). Differential changes in progenitor cell counts during different stages of surgery were compared across these two groups. Machine-learning classifiers (logistic regression and gradient boosting) were employed to determine if differential changes in progenitor counts could aid the classification of individuals into these groups. Enumerating progenitor cells revealed an early and significant increase in the circulating counts of CD34+and CD34+CD133+hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in G1 individuals, while these counts were attenuated in G2 individuals. Additionally, EPCs (CD34+VEGFR2+) were lower in G2 individuals compared to G1. Gradient boosting outperformed logistic regression in assessing the vasoplegia grouping based on the fold change in circulating CD 34+levels. Our findings indicate that a lack of early response of CD34+cells and CD34+CD133+HSCs might serve as an early marker for development of clinically significant vasoplegia after CPB.
Childhood adversity and self-poisoning: A hospital case control study in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rajapakse Thilini , Russell Abigail Emma , Kidger Judi , Bandara Piumee , López-López José A. , Senarathna Lalith , Metcalfe Chris , Gunnell David , Knipe Duleeka
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) have been recognized as an important risk factor for suicidal behaviour among adults, but evidence from low and middle-income countries is lacking. This study explored associations between ACE and hospital admission due to non-fatal self-poisoning in Sri Lanka.

Methods

This was a case-control study. Adults admitted to a tertiary care hospital for medical management of self-poisoning were included as cases, and age and sex matched controls were recruited from the outpatient department. ACE were measured using the World Health Organization’s Childhood Adversity Scale. Logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, and religion were used to quantify the association between ACE and self-poisoning.

Results

The study included 235 cases and 451 controls. Cases were 2.5 times (95% CI 1.8, 3.6) more likely to report an ACE than controls and had higher ACE scores. Childhood physical abuse (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.2, 19.0) and emotional abuse or neglect (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.3, 10.1, and 3.7, 95% CI 2.3, 6.0 respectively), increased the risk of self-poisoning in adulthood, as did witnessing household violence (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4, 3.4), growing up in a household with a mentally ill or suicidal household member (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2, 3.4), and experiencing parental death/separation/divorce (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.0, 4.9) as a child.

Conclusions

Reducing exposures to ACEs should be a priority for prevention of suicide and self-harm in Sri Lanka. Innovative methods to increase support for children facing adversity should be explored.
The impact of pulse oximetry and Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) training on antibiotic prescribing practices in rural Malawi: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Sylvies Fiona , Nyirenda Lucy , Blair Alden , Baltzell Kimberly
Published: November 2020

Background

The misdiagnosis of non-malarial fever in sub-Saharan Africa has contributed to the significant burden of pediatric pneumonia and the inappropriate use of antibiotics in this region. This study aims to assess the impact of 1) portable pulse oximeters and 2) Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) continued education training on the diagnosis and treatment of non-malarial fever amongst pediatric patients being treated by the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) in rural Malawi.

Methods

This study involved a logbook review to compare treatment patterns between five GAIA mobile clinics in Mulanje, Malawi during April-June 2019. An intervention study design was employed with four study groups: 1) 2016 control, 2) 2019 control, 3) IMCI-only, and 4) IMCI and pulse oximeter. A total of 3,504 patient logbook records were included based on these inclusion criteria: age under five years, febrile, malaria-negative, and treated during the dry season. A qualitative questionnaire was distributed to the participating GAIA providers. Fisher’s Exact Testing and odds ratios were calculated to compare the prescriptive practices between each study group and reported with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

The pre- and post-exam scores for the providers who participated in the IMCI training showed an increase in content knowledge and understanding (p<0.001). The antibiotic prescription rates in each study group were 75% (2016 control), 85% (2019 control), 84% (IMCI only), and 42% (IMCI + pulse oximeter) (p<0.001). An increase in pneumonia diagnoses was detected for patients who received pulse oximeter evaluation with an oxygen saturation <95% (p<0.001). No significant changes in antibiotic prescribing practices were detected in the IMCI-only group (p>0.001). However, provider responses to the qualitative questionnaires indicated alternative benefits of the training including improved illness classification and increased provider confidence.

Conclusion

Clinics that implemented both the IMCI course and pulse oximeters exhibited a significant decrease in antibiotic prescription rates, thus highlighting the potential of this tool in combatting antibiotic overconsumption in low-resource settings. Enhanced detection of hypoxia in pediatric patients was regarded by clinicians as helpful for identifying pneumonia cases. GAIA staff appreciated the IMCI continued education training, however it did not appear to significantly impact antibiotic prescription rates and/or pneumonia diagnosis.
In utero exposure to protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral regimens delays growth and developmental milestones in mice
Authors: Sarkar Ambalika , Balogun Kayode , Guzman Lenis Monica S. , Acosta Sebastian , Mount Howard T. , Serghides Lena
Published: November 2020

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in pregnancy has dramatically reduced HIV vertical transmission rates. Consequently, there is a growing number of children that are HIV exposed uninfected (CHEUs). Studies suggest that CHEUs exposed in utero to ART may experience developmental delays compared to their peers. We investigated the effects of in utero ART exposure on perinatal neurodevelopment in mice, through assessment of developmental milestones. Developmental milestone tests (parallel to reflex testing in human infants) are reflective of brain maturity and useful in predicting later behavioral outcomes. We hypothesized that ART in pregnancy alters the in utero environment and thereby alters developmental milestone outcomes in pups. Throughout pregnancy, dams were treated with boosted-atazanavir combined with either abacavir/lamivudine (ATV/r/ABC/3TC), or tenofovir/emtricitabine (ATV/r/TDF/FTC), or water as control. Pups were assessed daily for general somatic growth and on a battery of tests for primitive reflexes including surface-righting, negative-geotaxis, cliff-aversion, rooting, ear-twitch, auditory-reflex, forelimb-grasp, air-righting, behaviors in the neonatal open field, and olfactory test. In utero exposure to either ART regimen delayed somatic growth in offspring and evoked significant delays in the development of negative geotaxis, cliff-aversion, and ear-twitch reflexes. Exposure to ATV/r/ABC/3TC was also associated with olfactory deficits in male and forelimb grasp deficits in female pups. To explore whether delays persisted into adulthood we assessed performance in the open field test. We observed no significant differences between treatment arm for males. In females, ATV/r/TDF/FTC exposure was associated with lower total distance travelled and less ambulatory time in the centre, while ATV/r/ABC/3TC exposure was associated with higher resting times compared to controls. In utero PI-based ART exposure delays the appearance of primitive reflexes that involve vestibular and sensory-motor pathways in a mouse model. Our findings suggest that ART could be disrupting the normal progress/maturation of the underlying neurocircuits and encourage further investigation for underlying mechanisms.
The small RNA locus map for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Müller Sebastian Y. , Matthews Nicholas E. , Valli Adrian A. , Baulcombe David C.
Published: November 2020

Small (s)RNAs play crucial roles in the regulation of gene expression and genome stability across eukaryotes where they direct epigenetic modifications, post-transcriptional gene silencing, and defense against both endogenous and exogenous viruses. It is known thatChlamydomonas reinhardtii, a well-studied unicellular green algae species, possesses sRNA-based mechanisms that are distinct from those of land plants. However, definition of sRNA loci and further systematic classification is not yet available for this or any other algae. Here, using data-driven machine learning approaches including Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) and clustering, we have generated a comprehensively annotated and classified sRNA locus map for C. reinhardtii. This map shows some common characteristics with higher plants and animals, but it also reveals distinct features. These results are consistent with the idea that there was diversification in sRNA mechanisms after the evolutionary divergence of algae from higher plant lineages.
Perinatal factors affecting platelet parameters in late preterm and term neonates
Authors: Go Hayato , Ohto Hitoshi , Nollet Kenneth E. , Kashiwabara Nozomi , Chishiki Mina , Hoshino Masato , Ogasawara Kei , Kawasaki Yukihiko , Momoi Nobuo , Hosoya Mitsuaki
Published: November 2020

Platelets parameters including platelet count (PLT), plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) are associated with various physiological and pathological functions in various disease. However, few studies have addressed whether perinatal factors may be associated with platelet parameters at birth in a large cohort of late preterm and term neonates. The aim of this study to investigate perinatal factors affecting platelet parameters in late preterm and term neonates. We retrospectively investigated platelet parameters including PLT, PCT, MPV, and PDW on the first day of life in 142 late preterm and 258 term neonates admitted to our NICU from 2006 through 2020. PLT, MPV, PCT, PDW on Day 0 did not significantly differ between the two groups. In term neonates, multivariate analysis revealed that PCT correlated with being small for gestational age (SGA) (β = -0.168, P = 0.006), pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) (β = -0.135, P = 0.026) and male sex (β = -0.185, P = 0.002). PLT was associated with SGA (β = -0.186, P = 0.002), PIH (β = -0.137, P = 0.024) and male sex (β = -0.166, P = 0.006). In late preterm neonates, multivariate analysis revealed that PLT were associated with PIH, whereas no factors associated with PDW and MPV were found. In all patients studied, chorioamnionitis (CAM) was significantly associated with MPV (CAM = 10.3 fL vs. no CAM = 9.7 fL, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that SGA, male sex and PIH were associated with PCT and PLT. This study demonstrates that different maternal and neonatal complications affect platelet parameters in late preterm and term neonates.
Game-based learning environments affect frontal brain activity
Authors: Kober Silvia Erika , Wood Guilherme , Kiili Kristian , Moeller Korbinian , Ninaus Manuel
Published: November 2020

Inclusion of game elements in learning environments to increase motivation and learning outcome is becoming increasingly popular. However, underlying mechanisms of game-based learning have not been studied sufficiently yet. In the present study, we investigated effects of game-based learning environments on a neurofunctional level. In particular, 59 healthy adults completed a game-based version (including game elements such as a narrative and virtual incentives) as well as a non-game-based version of a number line estimation task, to improve fractional knowledge, while their brain activity was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy. Behavioral performance was comparable across the two versions, although there was a tendency that less errors were made in the game-based version. However, subjective user experience differed significantly between versions. Participants rated the game-based version as more attractive, novel, and stimulating but less efficient than the non-game-based version. Additionally, positive affect was reported to be higher while engaging in the game-based as compared to the non-game-based task version. Corroborating these user reports, we identified increased brain activation in areas associated with emotion and reward processing while playing the game-based version, which might be driven by rewarding elements of the game-based version. Moreover, frontal areas associated with attention were also more activated in the game-based version of the task. Hence, we observed converging evidence on a user experience and neurofunctional level indicating that the game-based version was more rewarding as well as emotionally and attentionally engaging. These results underscore the potential of game-based learning environments to promote more efficient learning by means of attention and reward up-tuning.
Zinc deficiency induces abnormal development of the myocardium by promoting SENP5 overexpression
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Cuancuan , Zhao Dan , Chen Xuhong , Zhang Chunyan , Zheng Jun , Liu Xiaozhi
Published: November 2020

Gestational zinc deficiency is a cause of congenital heart disease in the fetus, and sentrin/small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-specific proteases (SENPs) as deSUMOylation enzymes play a crucial role in the development of cardiac structures. However, current studies of the regulation and function of SENP in zinc-deficient status during heart development remain limited. In this study, SUMO1 modification was found to gradually decrease during heart development, and the level of SENP5 exhibited a similar trend to SUMO1 conjugation. In addition, zinc deficiency resulted in cardiac dysplasia, increased cell apoptosis, decreased cell viability, and differentiation inhibition of hiPSC-CMs. In order to investigate the function of SENP5 in zinc deficiency, hiPSC-CMs were transfected with SENP5 small interfering RNA. The negative effects of zinc lacking conditions were reversed with depletion of SENP5. It was confirmed that zinc deficiency induced abnormal differentiation of hiPSCs and increased apoptosis of hiPSC-CMs by promoting SENP5 overexpression, which led to cardiac dysplasia. Thus, it was concluded that SENP5 regulates the SUMO1 deconjugation during heart development and zinc deficiency may reduce conjugated SUMO by promoting SENP5 overexpression, which induces abnormal development of the myocardium.
Evaluation of serum MMP-2 and MMP-3, synovial fluid IL-8, MCP-1, and KC concentrations as biomarkers of stifle osteoarthritis associated with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs
Authors: Malek Sarah , Weng Hsin-Yi , Martinson Shannon A. , Rochat Mark C. , Béraud Romain , Riley Christopher B.
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -2 and MMP-3 in serum, and keratinocyte-derived chemoattractant (KC), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant 1 (MCP-1) in synovial fluid (SF) as stifle osteoarthritis (OA) biomarkers in dogs. Dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture (OA group) and healthy controls were recruited. Stifles with CrCL deficiency were surgically stabilized. Serum, SF, and synovial biopsy samples were collected from the OA group preoperatively, whereas samples were collected once from control dogs. A blinded veterinary pathologist graded synovial biopsies. Serum and SF analyses were performed using xMAP technology. General linear regression was used for statistical comparisons of serum biomarkers, and mixed linear regression for SF biomarkers and temporal concentration changes. The overall discriminative ability was quantified using area under curve (AUC). Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to assess correlations between synovial histology grades and the biomarkers. Samples from 62 dogs in the OA group and 50 controls were included. The MMP-2 and MMP-3 concentrations between the OA and control groups were not significantly different, and both with an AUC indicating a poor discriminative ability. All three SF biomarker concentrations were significantly different between the OA group and controls (P<0.05). The MCP-1 was the only biomarker showing an acceptable discriminative performance with an AUC of 0.91 (95% confidence interval: 0.83–0.98). The sum of the inflammatory infiltrate score was significantly correlated with all three SF biomarkers (P<0.01). Summed synovial stroma, and all scores combined were significantly correlated with IL-8 and MCP-1 concentrations (P<0.003), and the summed synoviocyte scores were significantly correlated with MCP-1 concentrations (P<0.001). Correlations between MCP-1 concentrations and synovial histopathologic grading and its discriminative ability suggest its potential as a synovitis biomarker in canine stifle OA associated with CrCL rupture.
Impact of municipal and industrial waste incinerators on PCBs content in the environment
Authors: Gabryszewska Marta , Gworek Barbara
Published: November 2020

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been withdrawn from the market due to their toxicity, bioaccumulation capacity, and persistence. PCBs have been observed to potentially form in combustion processes under appropriate conditions and in the presence of precursors containing chlorine. The study covered a municipal waste incineration plant and an industrial waste incineration plant. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of these objects on PCB accumulation in soil and plants taking into account the distance from the emission object and wind direction. Soil samples were collected from layers: 0-5, 5-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm. Test plants were collected from the same areas as the soil samples. The highest accumulation of PCBs was found in plants with large leaf area. Around the municipal waste incineration plant, these wereTanacetum vulgareleaves (12.45 ng/g), and around the industrial waste incineration plant–grasses (4.3 ng/g). In the case of soils, the accumulation of PCBs for both kind waste incinerators was similar, reaching approximately 3 ng/g. As the distance from the municipal waste incinerator and industrial waste incinerator increased, the accumulation of PCBs in the soil decreased. For municipal waste incinerator, no effect of wind direction on PCB accumulation in the soil was observed. In the majority of cases, the accumulation of PCBs in soils taken from the leeward side of the industrial waste incinerator was higher than that in soils from the windward side. In soils around the municipal waste incinerator, PCB compounds moved deep into the soil and reached the highest accumulation in the soil layer of 10-20 cm or 20-30 cm. In soils around the industrial waste incinerator, the highest accumulation of PCBs occurred in the soil layer of 0-5 cm.
Evaluation of underidentification of potential organ donors in German hospitals
Authors: Esser Grit , Kolbrink Benedikt , Borzikowsky Christoph , Kunzendorf Ulrich , Feldkamp Thorsten , Schulte Kevin
Published: November 2020

Background

Since 2010, the number of organ donations in Germany has decreased by one third, mostly due to undetected organ donors. It is unclear, how the undetected potential donor pool is distributed among the different German hospital categories (A = university hospital, B = hospitals with neurosurgery, C = hospitals without neurosurgery) and region types.

Methods

We performed a nationwide secondary data analysis of all German inpatient cases of the year 2016 (n = 20,063,689). All fatalities were regarded as potential organ donors, in which primary or secondary brain damage was encoded and organ donation was not excluded by a contraindication or a lack of ventilation therapy.

Results

In 2016, 28,087 potential organ donors were identified. Thereof 21% were found in category A, 28% in category B and 42% in category C hospitals. The contact rate (= organ donation related contacts/ potential organ donors) and realization rate (= realized organ donations/ potential organ donors) of category A, B and C hospitals was 10.6% and 4.6%, 10.9% and 4.8% and 6.0% and 1.7%, respectively. 58.2% of the donor potential of category C hospitals was found in the largest quartile of category C hospitals. 51% (n = 14,436) of the potential organ donors were treated in hospitals in agglomeration areas, 28% (n = 7,909) in urban areas and 21% (n = 5,742) in rural areas. The contact- and realization rate did not significantly differ between these areas.

Conclusions

The largest proportion of potential organ donors and the lowest realization rate are found in category C hospitals. Reporting and donation practice do not differ between urban and rural regions.
Characterising the epidemic spread of influenza A/H3N2 within a city through phylogenetics
Authors: Müller Nicola F. , Wüthrich Daniel , Goldman Nina , Sailer Nadine , Saalfrank Claudia , Brunner Myrta , Augustin Noémi , Seth-Smith Helena MB , Hollenstein Yvonne , Syedbasha Mohammedyaseen , Lang Daniela , Neher Richard A. , Dubuis Olivier , Naegele Michael , Buser Andreas , Nickel Christian H. , Ritz Nicole , Zeller Andreas , Lang Brian M. , Hadfield James , Bedford Trevor , Battegay Manuel , Schneider-Sliwa Rita , Egli Adrian , Stadler Tanja
Published: November 2020

Infecting large portions of the global population, seasonal influenza is a major burden on societies around the globe. While the global source sink dynamics of the different seasonal influenza viruses have been studied intensively, its local spread remains less clear. In order to improve our understanding of how influenza is transmitted on a city scale, we collected an extremely densely sampled set of influenza sequences alongside patient metadata. To do so, we sequenced influenza viruses isolated from patients of two different hospitals, as well as private practitioners in Basel, Switzerland during the 2016/2017 influenza season. The genetic sequences reveal that repeated introductions into the city drove the influenza season. We then reconstruct how the effective reproduction number changed over the course of the season. While we did not find that transmission dynamics in Basel correlate with humidity or school closures, we did find some evidence that it may positively correlated with temperature. Alongside the genetic sequence data that allows us to see how individual cases are connected, we gathered patient information, such as the age or household status. Zooming into the local transmission outbreaks suggests that the elderly were to a large extent infected within their own transmission network. In the remaining transmission network, our analyses suggest that school-aged children likely play a more central role than pre-school aged children. These patterns will be valuable to plan interventions combating the spread of respiratory diseases within cities given that similar patterns are observed for other influenza seasons and cities.
Arts education and writing as research and pedagogic practice: Critical perspectives in higher education or how we became the teachers yet to come
Authors: Paz Ana Luísa , Caetano Ana Paula
Published: November 2020

Based on the educative proposal of Dennis Atkinson, this article discusses the written practices of two teachers who lecture for a Ph.D. in art education. The goal is to analyse the process of conceptual appropriation and curricular development over four consecutive years of this experience, in relation to both the pair of teachers and the students. Using a hybrid methodology, which combines autoethnography, self-study and the narratives of the teachers and the students, writing emerges as the main focus of the research, as it is an essential work instrument of the classroom, of the teachers’ personal reflection, and at the same time a spring that provides sources and means for its own analysis. It is through writing that one explores the appropriation of concepts as diverse as pedagogy of the event, real learning, intra-relation and intra-action, which leads to the process in which the teachers end up becoming the teachers yet to come.
Much Loved transgressions: Morocco’s reflection in the mirror of its young prostitutes
Authors: Charkioui Samia
Published: November 2020

Much Loved, a Moroccan movie by director Nabil Ayouch released in French cinemas in 2015 and selected at La Quinzaine des Réalisateurs in Cannes the same year, represents a major turning point in the history of national cinema. Officially banned from screens by the Moroccan Ministry of Communications one week after its premiere in Cannes, it unleashed an emotional storm and an unprecedented debate in the Moroccan society without ever having been seen by the public and only on the basis of some extracts leaked on the internet. The movie relates the lives of four young women living on prostitution in the touristic city of Marrakesh. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the factors of transgression carried by the movie and how they enable a better understanding of its violent mirroring impact on the Moroccan society.
The wo/man in the mirror
Authors: Wagner Ludwig
Published: November 2020

This article focuses primarily on mirror scenes in Lionel Rogosin’s ground-breaking African film Come Back, Africa (1959). To examine how specular reflections may be influenced by a director’s identity, Rogosin’s film is compared to another African classic, Ousmane Sembène’s Black Girl (La Noire de…) (1966). Despite surprising intertextual similarities, their specular reflections signify two very different filmic gazes. Both films are structured as fictional narratives that exhibit a documentary/fictional synthesis and set in inhospitable racist societies. By exploring how these scenes inform the narrative and identities of the characters, these specular encounters add a layer of meaning to films already firmly established in African cinema history.
The persistent instructor: 45 years of Kofi the Good Farmer in Ghana
Authors: Blaylock Jennifer
Published: November 2020

In 1950, the Gold Coast colonial government published the 52-page pamphlet titled Kofi the Good Farmer. In 1953, it was adapted into a thirteen-minute instructional film of the same name. The film, like the booklet, follows a farmer named Kofi as he demonstrates proper cocoa-farming methods. Depicted as a remote, rural farmer who becomes successful because of his implementation of foreign farming techniques and his acceptance of the colonial government’s authority to determine and control the cocoa grading scale, Kofi provides evidence of paternalism and racialist colonial rhetoric in British colonial filmmaking. However, 34 years after the making of Kofi, it was re-shown to rural audiences. Why was a dutiful colonial subject like Kofi instructing cocoa farmers over 30 years after Ghana’s independence? And what can his use by the postcolonial state tell us about national governance? This article argues that the persistent use of Kofi by Ghana reveals the entangled relationship between colonialism and nationalism in postcolonial governance. Following the subtle changes that Kofi has undergone in his 45 years of government service, I highlight how government-sponsored films construct their audiences as remote in order to reinforce the power of the state in moments of political uncertainty.
Turismo e paisagens lacustres: uma análise estética de fotografias da Lagoa Mirim (Brasil/Uruguai)
Authors: Kunz Jaciel Gustavo , Castrogiovanni Antonio Carlos
Published: November 2020

A experiência turística da paisagem é marcadamente estética. A fotografia dos turistas é, também, prática geográfica. O objetivo desse artigo é analisar como funcionam esteticamente fotografias de paisagens da Lagoa Mirim (Brasil/Uruguai), clicadas de 2000 a 2018, e disponibilizadas no repositório Flickr®. Como objetivos específicos, descrevemos os documentos em análise e caracterizamos os sítios estudados: Praia/Vila da Capilha e Porto de Santa Vitória, no Brasil; e Balneário de Lago Merín, no Uruguai. Na interface entre Turismo e Geografia, estabelecemos um estado do conhecimento dos temas em questão. Analisamos o conteúdo de 65 fotografias e das legendas disponíveis. Do estudo da Lagoa Mirim como objeto geográfico, identificamos como principais conotações estéticas de sua paisagem turística: a dominância romântica do pitoresco e do melancólico; a relevância do pôr do sol no “lado” brasileiro; uma vacationscape de balneário em Lago Merín; e a recorrência de temas de aventura na Capilha. Encontramos, ainda, algumas ambiguidades entre o pitoresco e o sublime. Nosso intuito é oferecer ferramental teórico-metodológica para estudo de paisagens turísticas por meio de fotografias.
Análise bibliométrica da produção científica de empreendedorismo e turismo sustentável
Authors: Pimentel Pedro Chapaval , Teixeira Rivanda Meira
Published: November 2020

Sendo o turismo altamente dependente e intimamente ligado a questões ambientais, econômicas e sociais, pesquisadores argumentam que o setor do turismo necessita ser, ao mesmo tempo, sustentável e empreendedor para se manter no longo prazo. Apesar de o empreendedorismo e o turismo sustentável serem campos de pesquisa que vêm recebendo notável atenção acadêmica quando tratados de forma individual, verifica-se a existência de lacuna de estudos que tentem examinar esses dois campos de forma conjunta. Para alcançar este objetivo, foi realizada uma análise bibliométrica em 1.655 artigos e revisões publicadas entre os anos de 1978 e 2019 em periódicos indexados na base de dados Web of Science. O esforço empreendido nesta pesquisa justifica-se pela necessidade de se gerar demandas tanto na esfera acadêmica quanto prática com a análise de ações que estimulem a criação de novos negócios sustentáveis. Os resultados encontrados indicam que o número de publicações segue uma tendência crescente. Amparados na análise de co-citações, é possível identificar que a literatura sobre empreendedorismo e turismo sustentável possui grande parte da sua base teórica fundamentada em autores que dão ênfase à questão do turismo sustentável, deixando o empreendedorismo como aspecto secundário.
Distal Molar Surgery
Authors: Durge Khushboo Jeevan , Bajaj Pavan , Agrawal Diksha
Published: November 2020

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammation involving tooth investing structures.1 It causes irreversible bone and attachment loss. Very often third molar impaction leads to various complications adversely influencing the entire periodontal status.2 Therefore disimpaction surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures. Extraction of an impacted molar tends to initiate localized periodontal pockets distally to an adjacent molars.3 This favours colonization of the subgingival microbiota, due to the difficulties associated with hygiene, and leads to the appearance of progressive bone loss into an well-defined angular defect.4 The primary goal of periodontal therapy is aimed at prevention, slowing or arresting disease progression. 5 Gingivectomy is the first choice of treatment in distal pocket due bulbous fibrous tissue. It can only be the choice of treatment when adequate amount of keratinized tissue is present at the site. Nevertheless, many times inadequate keratinized tissue or an angular bony defect has been diagnosed. Then bulbous tissue is preferably reduced in bulk and not be removed completely by the distal molar surgery. 6 The technique aids in pocket management. Apart, it also facilitates access to the osseous defect. It also secures the sufficient amounts of gingival tissue to achieve coverage.
THE PHENOMENON OF LIES IN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN PSYCHOLOGY
Authors: Bashkatov Sergei Aleksandrovich , Svetlana Svetlana Maratovna
Published: November 2020

Background. The paper presents the results of analysis of the lie category research carried out in the XX–XXI centuries by domestic and foreign scientists. Many authors note that lying as a psychological phenomenon has been studied inconsistently and rather fragmentarily. The diversity of existing definitions of lies emphasizes the complexity of this phenomenon and indicates its insufficient theoretical elaboration, as well as the need to form a holistic, scientifically based understanding of the psychological nature of lies. Aim. The paper presents a comparative analysis of domestic and foreign research on the phenomenon of lies carried out in the XXI century. Results. It has been established that in the XX century researchers ceased to study the moral side of lies giving preference to its formal and dynamic features. In the XXI century, foreign experts describe the mechanism of cognitive distortion and control, as well as verbal and non-verbal signs of deception. The psychological portrait of a liar, the phenomenon of false memories, the role of responsibility, volitional qualities and behavioral attributes in the recognition of lies are being actively studied using a polygraph. Domestic science clarifies the phenomenology of lies, its psychological and psychophysiological mechanisms and pays particular attention to the subjective truth of the liar’s memories. Conclusion. An essential feature of domestic studies on the psychology of lies in the 21st century is the focus on elucidating its psychological mechanisms based on the phenomena of subjective construction of memories, false memories and false denial.