bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systemic Model for Resilience and Time Management in Healthcare Academia
Authors: Antoniadou Maria , Antoniadis Rallis
Published: April 2024

Academics in healthcare grapple with the challenge of efficiently managing time while addressing diverse roles and responsibilities, leading to heightened levels of anxiety and stress within the academic community. The primary objective of this study is to offer a sustainable and systemic solution to the prevalent time-management challenges in healthcare academia, through the development of a predictive model. Employing systemic analysis software and adopting a systemic management approach, we crafted a model to address academic time-management concerns. The dynamics of time allocation for academicians are governed by three fundamental pillars: teaching, research, and administrative tasks. Significantly prioritizing administrative tasks depletes valuable academic time, making time management within academia excessively costly. This occurs as highly skilled individuals find themselves diverted towards administrative duties at the expense of their academic roles diminishing resilience levels. The proposed Timebooster Academic Systemic Model (TASM) advocates for the cultivation of soft skills in academia, en-compassing prioritization, seeking assistance, and addressing tendencies of perfectionism and procrastination. Additionally, TASM recommends the implementation of full automation, delegation of administrative responsibilities, and the mitigation of both overt and covert time-consuming elements. Furthermore, TASM reports on the pivotal role of the academic resilient manager-leaders, who actively contribute to their own satisfaction and academic growth by enhancing collaboration and teamwork. Time-management challenges emerge as a critical determinant of academic well-being and resilience. Systemic models, exemplified by TASM, offer a valuable framework for investigating prioritization concerns, identifying administrative impediments in academic processes, and managing low-value time-consuming elements. The TASM model, along with the systemic philosophy underpinning its design, presents an avenue for advancing the exploration of time-management phenomena within the context of healthcare academia.
Poor Work Ability Is Associated with Workplace Violence in Nurses. A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Magnavita Nicola , Meraglia Igor
Published: April 2024

Healthcare personnel must face two problems of growing importance: violence in the workplace and the loss of work ability due to ageing of the workforce. Studying the relationship between these two phenomena can help to prepare effective prevention measures. In a public health company, we asked nurses to self-assess their work ability using the Work Ability Index (WAI) and we analysed the relationship between this indicator and the violence experienced in the previous and following years. 321 out of 344 nurses (99.3%) participated. In a logistic regression model, the WAI score was a significant protective factor for violence experienced in the previous year (OR=0.94 CI95%=0.90; 0.98 p<0.01) and in the following year (OR=0.88 CI95%=0.84; 0.92 p<0.01). In a hierarchical logistic regression model, social support acted as a protective factor (OR = 0.87 CI95% = 0.79; 0.95 for violence experienced in the previous year), while occupational stress was a significant determinant of the risk of aggression (OR=3.65 CI95%=1.90; 7.03 in the previous year, OR=3.54 CI95%=1.801; 6.947 in the following year). The difficulties that nurses encounter in carrying out their growing work demands in an environment that is not promptly adapted to their changing physical and mental conditions can lead to an increased risk of violence. Prevention of workplace violence should include organizational and ergonomic measures that reduce stress and increase staff support and work ability.
Telecommunication Infrastructure Construction and Development to Impact of Innovation and Development in China: A Panel Data Approach
Authors: Yang Kaidi , Li Shaorong
Published: April 2024

Telecommunication infrastructure, as a technology-intensive industry, provides fundamental support for informatization construction. This paper empirically studies the impact of telecommunication infrastructure construction on economic and social innovative development using provincial panel data from China spanning from 2009 to 2022. The research findings indicate the following: (1) Telecommunication infrastructure significantly promotes innovation in terms of R&D investment, knowledge output, and application output. (2)At various stages of telecommunication technology development, the impact on innovative development varies. Iterative updates in telecommunication technology drive higher R&D expenditures, facilitating better utilization of innovation outcomes in industries. (3) There are regional disparities in the influence of telecommunication infrastructure on economic and social innovative development. In the eastern regions, telecommunication infrastructure construction primarily promotes mobile communication, with clear spillover effects. In contrast, in western regions, it mainly facilitates fixed communication networks. Therefore, in the new development stage of China, further strengthening telecommunication infrastructure construction provides a new impetus and space for economic and social innovative development. It is essential to persistently advance the coordinated construction of mobile and fixed communication infrastructure to achieve regional development coordination.
Disturbance Observer-Based Anti-shock Controller for Laser Beam Steering Systems
Authors: Kim Jung-Gon
Published: April 2024

This paper presents an approach to improve the robustness of tip-tilt controllers for fast-steering mirror (FSM)-based laser beam steering (LBS) systems in the presence of dynamic disturbances such as external shocks. To this end, we propose the addition of a disturbance observer (DOB)-based anti-shock controller in parallel to the original linear servo control loop to improve its control performance in the presence of external shocks. To increase the tip-tilt control performance against external shocks, the DOB-based control method, which is an improved control method for eliminating nonperiodic disturbances, is implemented in the original tip-tilt control system. Results indicate that the control error of the DOB-based anti-shock controller decreased, resulting in an efficient improvement in its disturbance-rejection performance.
What Is a Disease for Doctors? A Realist Thematic Analysis and Implications for Medical Education
Authors: Consorti Fabrizio , Melcarne Rossella , Pisanelli Domenico , Scorziello Chiara , Giacomelli Laura
Published: April 2024

Given the long-standing debate about the nature of the concept of disease, the objective of this study was to understand how doctors categorize a condition as a disease or not and what kind of information they use. A survey with a set of clinical vignettes was designed, and a group of physicians were asked to interpret those situations as a disease or not and to motivate their choice with a short written text. Thematic analysis of the answers resulted in four themes: the temporal dimension of a disease, reification of disease, disease as an existential condition, and disease as a motivation to action. The respondents’ interpretations were very heterogeneous, supporting the idea that physicians do not share a common prototypical concept of disease. An interpretation of these results according to a critical realist and systemic approach suggested that the doctor-patient relationship is the context able to influence the interpretation of a condition as a disease or not as the final outcome of a process in which both objective, subjective, and socially mediated elements are taken into consideration.
STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF PLASMA-ELECTROLYTICE OXIDATION PARAMETERS ON THE FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF HETEROXIDE COATINGS
Authors: Stepanova Irina , Sakhnenko Mykola , Markova Natalia , Korohodska Alla , Karakurkchi Hanna , Indykov Sergey
Published: April 2024

The results of a study of the influence of the parameters of plasma-electrolytic oxidation in diphosphate electrolyte solutions of metal platforms made of titanium alloys, as the basis for the formation of heterooxide coatings with photocatalytic activity, on the level of their functional properties are presented. It has been established that heterooxide coatings obtained in PEO modes on titanium alloy platforms, in which zinc and tungsten compounds were incorporated as dopants, demonstrate photocatalytic activity in the processes of azo dye degradation under UV irradiation. An increase in the concentration of oxygen-containing compounds of dopants in electrolyte solutions has a positive effect on their incorporation into the composition of the monoxide matrix of the composite, morphology and catalytic properties of the obtained coatings. Based on the results of determining the morphological features of the structure of the coatings, it was proved that, compared with titanium monoxide, as a material for a photocatalytic platform, heterooxide coatings have a more developed globular surface microstructure, which positively affects the level of their functional performance. A symbatic dependence between the content of incorporated dopants and the specific surface area of coatings, as well as their photocatalytic activity, has been proven. It is noted that the change in the phase structure of the surface layers in the process of plasma-electrolytic formation of the TiO/ZnO-WO3 coating on the surface of the carrier metal causes an increase in the mechanical characteristics of the resulting coatings, in particular, the microhardness almost doubles. The obtained results can become the basis for the creation of functional materials for the catalytic neutralization of natural, synthetic and man-made toxicants, which will lead to the solution of a number of environmental problems both during the war crisis and during the post-war reconstruction of the country.
ION-PAIR CONVERSION THERMODYNAMICS IN ALCOHOL SOLUTIONS OF HYDROGEN HALIDES
Authors: Bulavin Viktor , Vyunnik Ivan , Rusinov Alexander , Kramarenko Andrii
Published: April 2024

The calculation of thermodynamic characteristics of dissociation of contact and solvent-separated ion pairs into ions, conversion of contact ion pairs into solvent-separated ion pairs of ionogens HCl, HBr and HI in n-alcohols from methyl alcohol to n-octyl alcohol by the method described earlier for the systems HCl – n-alcohol in the same solvents at the same temperatures was carried out. The following regularities were established in this work: a) positive values of the change in the Gibbs energy of dissociation (ΔdisG°) of contact and solvent-separated ion pairs increase in the case of increasing temperature and the number of carbon atoms in the n-alcohol molecule and decreasing radius of the halide ion, and their sign and magnitude are determined by the entropic component (–TΔdisS°). In this case, the values of ΔdisG° of contact ion pairs exceed the same values for ion pairs separated by solvent; b) the values of the Gibbs energy change (ΔconvG°) for the studied ionogens HCl, HBr, and HI are also positive, except for the values of ΔconvG° of ionogens in methanol and HBr solutions in ethanol. In these cases, the ΔdisG° values for solvent-separated ion pairs exceed the same values for contact ion pairs, and the ΔconvG° values are negative. With increasing temperature and radius of the halide ion, ΔconvG° become more negative, and vice versa with increasing hydrocarbon radical; c) the concentration of contact ion pairs increases in the methanol – n-octanol series for all ionogens, decreases slightly with increasing temperature and radius of the anion, and varies from ~30% (methanol) to ~95% (n-octanol). In methanol, solvent-separated ion pairs predominate; in alcohols from n-propyl to n-octyl, contact ion pairs predominate, i.e., deconversion of ion pairs occurs.
ANALYSIS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF APPLICATION OF HYDRAULIC MOTOR-WHEELS IN TRANSMISSIONS HIGH-SPEED TRACTORS
Authors: Avrunin Grygoriy , Podrigalo Mikhail , Yeremenko Anton , Moroz Irina
Published: April 2024

Goal. The purpose of the article is to assess the possibility of developing a hydraulic fluid power in accordance with the standard traction-speed characteristics of the KhTZ-17021 wheeled tractor with the of using gearless drives of the driving wheels. For this purpose, the calculation of the hydraulic fluid power of the wheeled tractor was performed when using the latest radial piston multi-cycle hydraulic motor-wheels with a wide range of rotation frequency and adjustment of the working volume. Research methodology. An analysis of the traction-speed characteristics of the KhTZ- 17021 wheeled tractor and, based on it, a review of modern high-torque radial-piston multi-cycle hydraulic motors from the point of view of meeting the characteristics of torque and rotation frequency with power limitations relative to the serial model in the full speed range of the tractor. The maximum values of the working volumes of the 4 driving hydraulic motor-wheels and the power supply pump of these hydraulic motors, the torque and pressure drop in the hydraulic drive are calculated, and the modes in which it is necessary to change the working volume of the hydraulic motors from the maximum to the minimum values to work out the traction-speed characteristics. A comparative analysis of radial-piston multi-cycle hydraulic motors was carried out, and for the hydromotor-wheel model MHP27 of the "Poclain Hydraulics" company, which was chosen for the study, the hydraulic principle diagrams were considered with the use of a hydraulic regulation system of four stages of the working volume in hydraulic motors, the use of combined parking and service brakes, as well as an anti-skid system using means of proportional electro-hydraulic automation. The results. High-torque hydraulic motor-wheels of the radial piston type were selected, which make it possible to ensure the operation of the tractor transmission without intermediate gearboxes between the hydraulic motors and wheel hubs, and the calculated value of the working volume of the axial piston pump, which ensures the operation of the tractor transmission in the full speed range. Based on the results of the calculations, it was established that the pressure in the hydraulic drive does not exceed 35 MPa, while values from 40 MPa to 50 MPa are achieved in modern pumps and hydraulic motors. The possibility of increasing the speed of the tractor from standard 35 km/h to promising 50 km/h is shown.
VALIDATION OF THE HYDRAULIC TURBINE OPENFOAM LIBRARY FOR A HIGH-PRESSURE CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR
Authors: Rogovyi Andrii , Azarov Andrii , Shudryk Oleksandr , Panamariova Olga , Lebedynets Denys
Published: April 2024

A special program module was added to OpenFoam more than 10 years ago, and a large number of studies have been devoted to its use for solving turbine engineering problems. Modeling inaccuracies can occur when the velocity is increased to supersonic flow. The aim of this work is to validate the OpenFoam open library of hydraulic turbines for the a high-pressure centrifugal compressor flow calculation and finding the parameters and calculation model that are optimal in terms of efficiency and total/total pressure ratio. For the numerical calculation, we used Reynolds averaging of the Navier-Stokes equations, which are used in the CFD library OpenFoam v. 2212. In this work, the two most commonly used turbulence models for such problems are used to close the equations of the mathematical model: the k-e model and the Shear stress transport (SST) model. The simulation was performed using a modified version of the sonicFoam solver, which is available in OpenFoam. The maximum error in calculating the total pressure ratio in the working zone for all models was 3 %. All models behave poorly in the low mass flow rate zone. The slope of all curves corresponds to the experimental characteristic. The calculation using the models with very fine meshes on average determines a 2 % increase in the total-to-total pressure ratio. Using OpenFoam, the integrated parameters of a high-pressure centrifugal compressor can be predicted accurately (maximum error does not exceed 5 %). The most accurate efficiency is predicted by the SST model using meshes of more than 2.56 million elements, but this number of elements is not enough to predict the compressor's performance at low flow rate zone. In further research, it is rational to use grids consisting of at least 5 million elements and use the SST turbulence model.
Tanárjelöltek értékelő megnyilatkozásai az osztályteremben
Authors: Grund Ágnes
Published: April 2024

A tanulást támogató hatékony szóbeli értékelő stratégiák elsajátítása nehézségeket okozhat a kezdő tanárok számára. A kutatás célja, hogy az osztálytermi diskurzusban megvizsgálja a tanári értékelést tanárjelöltek órafelvételei alapján, valamint meghatározza a tanári beszédfordulókban megjelenő értékelő megnyilatkozások típusait. A tanulmány 4 tanóra videós felvételei és ezek lejegyzései alapján a beszédaktusok szerint mutatja be a tanári értékelő megnyilatkozások fajtáit a frontális óraszakaszokban. A tanulói válaszok és a tanári beszédfordulókban megjelenő megnyilatkozástípusok elemzésével kísérletet tesz a verbális értékelő stratégiák sajátosságainak az azonosítására. A kutatás hozzájárul azoknak az ösztönző értékelési stratégiáknak a további vizsgálatához, amelyek fontosak lehetnek a tanulói aktivitás és a tanulási eredmény pozitív változásában.
A szleng mint nyelvváltozat tanítása digitális eszközökkel
Authors: Hollóy Zsolt
Published: April 2024

A nyelv és a társadalom témaköre alapvető részét képezi napjaink középiskolai anyanyelvi óráinak. A Nemzeti alaptanterv fontos célkitűzése, hogy a diákok kommunikációs készségei megfelelően fejlődjenek középiskolai tanulmányaik alatt, és ebben a szociolingvisztika is fontos szerepet játszik. A társadalmi nyelvváltozatok tanulmányozása, különösképpen az egyre inkább elterjedő szleng megismerése nagymértékben hozzájárulhat ahhoz, hogy a diákok minden kommunikációs helyzetben adekvát módon nyilvánuljanak meg. A tanulmány azt vizsgálja, hogy a szleng témakörének tanításába hogyan integrálható hatékonyan a digitális eszközök használata. A szlengtanítás és az IKT-eszközök tanórai használatának rövid elméleti bemutatása mellett számos feladatötlettel is szolgál. A feladatok mind 21. századi pedagógiai szemléletben készültek, alkalmazhatók új elméleti ismeretek elsajátítására, ismétlésre, gyakorlásra. A feladatokhoz igénybe vett IKT-eszközök a tanulókat önálló tanulásra, aktivitásra késztetik, ezeknek köszönhetően a szleng témakörét számukra ismerős, otthonos környezetben sajátíthatják el.
IMPLEMENTASI SISTEM PENDUKUNG KEPUTUSAN PEMILIHAN ALAT KONTRASEPSI DENGAN METODE AHP DAN TOPSIS (STUDI KASUS DI PUSKESMAS GUNUNG LABU)
Authors: Refina Afindania Pipin , Defit Sarjon , Sumijan
Published: April 2024

Penelitian ini mengusulkan sebuah Sistem Pendukung Keputusan (SPK) dan bagaimana teknologi dapat membantu dalam pengambilan keputusan yang lebih baik. Disini dijelaskan tentang beberapa metode SPK yang dapat digunakan, seperti Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) dan Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Selain itu, SPK sudah di teliti di berbagai bidang, seperti penentuan jenis alat kontrasepsi yang tepat bagi pasangan usia subur dan penentuan prioritas proyek pembangunan jalan di kabupaten Batu Bara. Selain itu dijelaskan tentang prinsip-prinsip dasar yang harus dipahami dalam menggunakan metode AHP. Diharapkan dapat memberikan pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang SPK dan manfaatnya dalam pengambilan keputusan.
PRINCIPIO DE RECONOCIMIENTO MUTUO Y DE COOPERACIÓN EN LA UNION EUROPEA
Authors: Saez Zambrana María Ángeles
Published: April 2024

This work focuses on the study of the principle of mutual recognition and cooperation, the result of the effort of the European Union to achieve an area of ​​freedom, security and justice. To this end, numerous legal instruments have been created, which turned out to be fragmentary and dispersed. This necessitated a new approach based on mutual recognition of criminal decisions in cases with a cross-border dimension. This is achieved through a new legal cooperation model, based on mutual trust, the use of uniform forms and the way the Member States interact.
Uniportal Dual Mode Dry-Saline Endoscopy for Lumbar Disc Herniation
Authors: Kaushal Mukul , Kaushal Mohinder
Published: April 2024

Objective: Posterior dry medium endoscopic lumbar discectomy techniques have been successfully used to treat lumbar disc prolapse. A drawback of these techniques is repeated blood staining of the scope tip while working close to the surgical target. To address this drawback, we modified the design of the previous Arthrospine system and made it compatible for use in air and saline medium to treat lumbar, cervical, and thoracic disc prolapse. Herein, we describe the operative technique and results of lumbar discectomy in a dual (air/saline) medium using this system.Methods: Eighty patients underwent endoscopic discectomy using the Arthrospine Duo system for lumbar disc prolapse. The procedure was conducted through a muscle dilatation approach using 5-mm and 10-mm dilators. The Arthrospine Duo tube was passed over a 10-mm dilator, the working insert was adjusted over the tube in a press-fit manner, and endoscopic discectomy was performed using a 30° arthroscope and conventional microdiscectomy instruments in an air or saline medium.Results: As per the modified MacNab criteria, 80% (n=64) of patients had excellent, 12.5% (n=10) good, 6.25% (n=5) fair, and 1.25 patients (n=1) had poor results. The leg pain visual analogue scale improved from 7.87±0.68 to 1.3±0.67 at 2 years of follow-up. As complications, dural tears and transient paraesthesia occurred in 4 patients (5%) each, nerve root injury in 1 patient (1.25%), and superficial wound infection in 5 patients (6.25%).Conclusion: The uniportal Arthrospine Duo system can be used in air/saline medium and is an excellent minimally invasive option for lumbar discectomy.
Rationale and Design of Healthy at Home for COPD: an Integrated Remote Patient Monitoring and Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation Pilot Study
Authors: O'Connor Laurel , Behar Stephanie , Tarrant Seanan , Stamegna Pamela , Pretz Caitlin , Wang Biqi , Savage Brandon , Scornavacca Thomas , Shirshac Jeanne , Wilkie Tracey , Hyder Michael , Zai Adrian , Toomey Shaun , Mullen Marie , Fisher Kimberly , Tigas Emil , Wong Steven , McManus David D , Alper Eric , Lindenauer Peter K , Dickson Eric , Broach John , Kheterpal Vik , Soni Apurv
Published: April 2024

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common, costly, and morbid condition. Pulmonary rehabilitation, close monitoring, and early intervention during acute exacerbations of symptoms represent a comprehensive approach to improve outcomes, but the optimal means of delivering these services is uncertain. Logistical, financial, and social barriers to providing healthcare through face-to-face encounters, paired with recent developments in technology, have stimulated interest in exploring alternative models of care. The Healthy at Home study seeks to determine the feasibility of a multimodal, digitally enhanced intervention provided to participants with COPD longitudinally over six months. This paper details the recruitment, methods, and analysis plan for the study, which is recruiting 100 participants in its pilot phase. Participants were provided with several integrated services including a smartwatch to track physiological data, a study app to track symptoms and study instruments, access to a mobile integrated health program for acute clinical needs, and a virtual comprehensive pulmonary support service. Participants shared physiologic, demographic, and symptom reports, electronic health records, and claims data with the study team, facilitating a better understanding of their symptoms and potential care needs longitudinally. The Healthy at Home study seeks to develop a comprehensive digital phenotype of COPD by tracking and responding to multiple indices of disease behavior and facilitating early and nuanced responses to changes in participants’ health status. This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06000696).
Offering a comfort diet for patient with tongue neoplasm in end of life - Case Report
Authors: Rodrigues Mariana Gabriela , de Carvalho Ricardo Tavares , Barbosa Renata Vieira , Varotto Bruna Luiza Roim , Santi Juliana Cristina Trombeta Dei , Crispim Douglas Henrique
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Oral cancer is a public health challenge in Brazil. Squamous cell carcinoma in the tongue is associated with late diagnosis and unfavorable outcomes. Palliative care aims to improve the patient's quality of life and involves shared decision-making between healthcare professionals and patients.
Case Report: A 65-year-old patient with a history of tongue cancer since 2006 underwent a total glossectomy. Tumor progression occurred leading to exposure of the oral cavity, resulting in a stage 4 oncological lesion with an extraoral oral communication. Due to the patient's loss of functionality and frailty, curative treatment became unfeasible. The patient expressed a desire to resume oral feeding despite the possibility of an unfavorable outcome.
Discussion:Despite the risks, it is considered relevant to accommodate the patient's wishes regarding feeding. During the offering of food a significant coughing episode with gastric secretion leakage, food egress through the tracheostomy, and vessel rupture in the ulcer region occurred during lesion cleaning after feeding. Initially, the severity of the condition was communicated to the patient and family, followed by manual compression with adrenaline and tranexamic acid to control bleeding. Given the bleeding location's severity, the patient's religious support was enlisted, and they chose to offer prayers and religious songs while the medical team attempted to address the complication.
Conclusion: The importance of balancing technical decisions and values in the care of terminal patients was evident, prioritizing the wishes of the patient and involving a multidisciplinary approach to assess discomforts and symptoms of the underlying disease.
A survey of primary angle closure knowledge and application by UK community-based optometrists
Authors: Jindal Anish , Nolan Winifred
Published: April 2024

Introduction
In 2022, UK guidance on the management and referral of primary angle closure (PAC) was published by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO) and the College of Optometrists (CoO). This study sought to investigate PAC knowledge and guidelines adherence of community-based optometrists (CBO).
Methods
An online survey was sent to CBO in July 2023 that asked about professional status, PAC investigations/risk factors, guideline application, and referral thresholds.
Results
Fifty-seven CBO with a median post-qualification experience of 19.0 years (IQR 9.3.4-24.8)completed the survey. Twenty-eight (49.1%) had a post-graduate qualification in glaucoma. A mean number of 4.8 95% CI (4.3-5.2) risk factors for PAC were identified. Thirty-two (56.1%) reported using the RCO and CoO guidelines, 38 (66.6%) reported referral of asymptomatic patients with risk factors and/or acute angle closure symptoms (AACS) with a limbal anterior chamber depth of grade 1, but 35 (61.4%) would refer on grade 1 alone. Confidence in monitoring a diagnosed PAC-suspect in the community was moderate using a 10-point Likert scale, median 7 (IQR 6-8). Thirty-seven (64.9%) would re-refer to the hospital eye service based on either IOP or AACS. Access to anterior segment optical coherence tomography was available to 37 (64.9%) optometrists where 16 (28.1%) had received training.
Conclusion
This study found there was moderate use of current guidelines for investigating of and onward referral for PAC. Our findings recommend further professional development in PAC for CBO. Further work is required to determine whether PAC guidelines have affected both the numbers and quality of referrals.
Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activation of zinc nanoparticles via biogenic methods
Authors: ALTUNER ELİF ESRA
Published: April 2024

In this study, zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) were synthesized from the leaves of the plant Hypericum calycinum L by the biogenic method. Ultra-violet visible spectrum (UV-Vis), Fourier transmission electron spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-Ray were used to examine the absorbance, vibration bands, morphological structure, particle size, and crystalline size of the synthesized Zn NPs, respectively. Diffraction characterization (XRD) was performed. According to the results obtained, it was calculated that NPs gave peaks in the absorbance ranges of 274 and 370 nm, had a size of 29.066 ± 10.561 nm, and their crystalline size was 16 nm. Then, photocatalytic processes were started for the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye by combining the catalysis of NPs under the photocatalysis of sunlight. The degradation process provided by photocatalytic processes was carried out every half hour for 150 minutes. As a result of 150 minutes, the photodegradation efficiency was calculated to be 70%. This study supports future photodegradation studies for the removal of waste dyestuffs.
Combined treatment with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells and irbesartan protects against renal podocyte damage in diabetic rats
Authors: Meng Jing , Gao Xiao , Liu Xiaojuan , Zheng Wen , Wang Yang , Wang Yinghao , Sun Zhenquan , Yin Xiaoxing , Zhou Xueyan
Published: April 2024

Background The leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is diabetic nephropathy (DN). Podocyte damage is an early event in the development of DN. Currently, there is no effective treatment strategy that can slow the progression of DN or reverse its onset. The role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation in diabetes and its complications has been extensively studied, and diabetic nephropathy has been a major focus. Irbesartan exerts reno-protective effects independent of lowering blood pressure, can reduce the incidence of proteinuria in rats, and is widely used clinically. Therefore, whether combined treatment with MSCs and irbesartan could protect the kidneys of rats with diabetic nephropathy by protecting against podocyte damage is being investigated.
Methods A model of type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) was established using a high-fat diet and a single low-dose injection of STZ (35 mg/kg). The animals were divided into the following 5 groups: (1) the control group (CON), (2) the diabetic nephropathy group (DN), (3) the mesenchymal stem cells treatment group (MSCs), (4) the irbesartan treatment group (Irb), and (5) the combined administration group (MSC+Irb). MSCs (2×106 cells/rat) were injected every 10 days through the tail vein for a total of three injections; irbesartan (27 mg/kg/d) was administered by gavage. Additionally, the safety and homing of mesenchymal stem cells were verified using PET imaging.
Results The combination treatment significantly reduced the UACR, kidney index, IGPTT, HOMA-IR, BUN, serum creatine, and related inflammatory factor levels and significantly improved renal function parameters and the expression of proteins related to glomerular podocyte injury in rats. Moreover, MSCs can homing target to damaged kidneys.
Conclusions Compared to the administration of MSCs or irbesartan alone, the combination of MSCs and irbesartan exerted better protective effects on glomerular podocyte injury, providing new ideas for the clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells.
A comparative study between support vector regression and relevance vector regression for estimating the ore grade in a rare metal deposit, DPR Korea
Authors: Jong Pok Yon , Han Chang Ik , Jang Jong Hyok , Pak Chol Un
Published: April 2024

A critical step for mineral resource exploration and evaluation is estimation of ore grade. Many traditional ore grade estimators except for artificial intelligence (AI) methods only utilize location information of measured value as the input to predict without consideration for other factors related to target, which result in decreasing prediction accuracy. This paper uses a support vector regression (SVR) and relevance vector regression (RVR) to predict the ore grade in a rare metal deposit. The main goal of this study is to examine the applicability and capability of SVR and RVR methods for estimating ore grade and to find a way to predict the ore grade of rare metals as accurately as possible, considering its unique characteristics such as symbiotic relationship between rare metal components, as well as location information. Results illustrate both methods of SVR and RVR could successfully predict the grade of target metal using the location information and grades of non-target metals associated with target one. Furthermore, RVR shows reliability more than SVR with considerable estimating and generalizing capability.
Association between organophosphate esters individual and mixed exposure with the risk of hyperlipidemia and serum lipid levels among Chinese adults
Authors: Xu Qitong , Xie Chang , Yang Sijie , Li Yaping , Zhang Mingye , Wan Zhengce , Song Lulu , Lv Yongman , Chen Hui , Wang Youjie , Mei Surong
Published: April 2024

Toxicologic studies reported that organophosphate esters (OPEs) may disrupt lipid metabolism, thus affecting serum lipid levels. However, epidemiological evidences regarding the association between OPEs and the risk of hyperlipidemia (HPL) as well as serum lipid levels are scarce. In the present study, our aim was to investigate the impact of individual and mixed OPEs exposure on HPL. A total of 1981 Chinese adults were involved based on a cross-sectional design. Overall, we found a positive association between bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP) and the risk of HPL. Bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BCIPHIPP) showed a positive association with total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). BDCIPP, diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), di-ocresyl phosphate and di-p-cresyl phosphate (Docp&Dpcp) as well as 4-hydroxyphenyl-diphenyl phosphate (4-OH-DPHP) exhibited a negative association with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In stratified analyses, BDCIPP and BCIPHIPP were significantly correlated with the increase risk of HPL in age ≤45 group. Bis (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (BBOEP) was in relationship with an elevated risk of HPL in the subgroup of BMI < 24 kg/m2. BDCIPP was also positively associated with HPL in men. Quantile-based g computation (qgcomp) and generalized Weighted Quantile Sum Regression (gWQS) models demonstrated a negative association between OPEs mixed exposure and HDL-c in total population, as well as a positive effect of them on HPL in the subgroup of age ≤45 year, which is consistent with the individual analyses. Furthermore, joint effect analyses of revealed that participants with detected BDCIPP urinary levels and unhealthy lifestyle had the highest risk of HPL. Our findings offer evidence supporting the correlation between exposure to OPE and the risk of HPL, necessitating further prospective studies for validation.
Spatial analysis of the bone microenvironment reveals a novel osteoblast-CD4+ CTL crosstalk mediated by the SIRT1/DAAM2 axis
Authors: wang yong-xiang , wang lei , Chen Hao , yang bin , zhang guo-fu , Wang Jing-Cheng , fei wen-yong , cai jun , ruan bin-jia , Liu Zheng-Wei , jin yue , Wei Fan-Hao , feng xin-min
Published: April 2024

During ageing, the dynamic balance between the production and clearance of senescent osteoblasts affects bone homeostasis and health. However, the relationship between senescent osteoblasts and the immune system remains unclear. Here, we provide evidence that SIRT1, known as a longevity gene, could orchestrate bone mass maintenance through a novel mechanism involving osteoblast- CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) crosstalk. In the osteoblastic niche, SIRT1 promotes the secretion of key chemokines (e.g. CCL3, CCL5, and CXCL10) by upregulating DAAM2 through acetylation of EZH2 protein, thereby activating and recruiting CD4+ CTLs. Then, CD4+ CTLs eliminate senescent osteoblasts in an MHC-II-dependent manner, slowing the bone ageing process and effectively alleviating osteoporosis. This mechanism shows that DAAM2 is a pivotal downstream effector for SIRT1 to exert immune-regulatory effects in the bone microenvironment, and that targeting DAAM2 could accurately treat osteoporosis by increasing CD4+ CTL responses. This work enables a multi-perspective assessment of physiological bone senescence, paving the way for customised therapies targeting senescent osteoblasts to maintain bone health.
Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) in paediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures – retrospective analysis of 201 cases
Authors: Kwas Katarzyna , Mostowy Marcin , Szatanik Klaudia , Małecki Krzysztof
Published: April 2024

Forearm shaft fractures are common injuries, often caused by falling from a fully upright standing position or falling off while riding a bike. These injuries can be treated nonoperatively or surgically with intramedullary nailing or plates. According to the literature, the method of choice for treating pediatric forearm shaft fractures is the application of elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN)|. The study aimed to carry out a radiological assessment of ESIN use in pediatric patients with forearm shaft fractures, as well as an analysis of the etiology of the injury and the complication rate.
Patients aged 1 to 17 years, diagnosed with a fracture of the forearm shaft treated surgically with ESIN, with a set of X-ray pictures and a minimum 6-month follow-up qualified for the study. The evaluation of the axial alignment was carried out retrospectively in anatomical (AP) and lateral (LAT) positions. 402 radiographs of 201 patients (30,5% women, 69,5% men) with a mean age of 9.1 years (SD = 3.2) were analyzed. 68% of fractures occurred during sports activity. 75% of fractures involved both the radius and the ulna. The union was observed in 100% of cases. Mean axial alignment values in AP and LAT X-ray or both the ulna and radius were proper according to the literature.
Axial alignment values were not influenced significantly by the age, type of surgery carried out or the type of fracture. Plaster cast application (9,8% of cases) significantly influenced the values of radius axial alignment. Complications rate equaled 11.4% (n=23). The etiology of the injury did not affect axial alignment values. Significantly more complications were observed in the ORIF group (p = 0,0025).
The ESIN technique is an effective treatment for forearm diaphyseal fractures in children, with good radiological results regarding reduction and bone healing.
Prevalence of endometriosis in diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy among women with chronic pelvic pain
Authors: Siivonen Saima , Suvitie Pia
Published: April 2024

Background: When peritoneal endometriosis is clinically suspected, empirical medical therapy should be the first-line treatment. Diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy may be offered after failed or unsuitable medical therapy in women with severe pelvic pain and no imaging findings. Our objective was to determine how often endometriosis is verified among these women via laparoscopy.
Methods: In our registry-based historical cohort we identified 296 women aged 15–49 undergoing laparoscopy due to chronic pelvic pain, between 2009 and 2020 at Turku University Hospital. Women without preoperative ultrasound findings and no history of endometriosis were included in the study. We collected preoperative characteristics and intraoperative findings from the hospital patient records. The prevalence of endometriosis in laparoscopy was the primary outcome.
Results: Macroscopic endometriosis was detected in 52.4% of laparoscopies, and the rate was similar throughout the study period. Peritoneal endometriosis was found in 52% of participants, deep endometriosis in 4.7% and a small endometrioma in 2%. Women with and without endometriosis reported similar preoperative rates of acyclic abdominal pain (91.8% vs 93.9%, P=0.64) and dyspareunia (84.6% vs 78.9%, P =0.32), while dyschezia was significantly more common among women with endometriosis (44.4% vs 26.9%, P =0.006). The prevalence of dysmenorrhea is not reported, as 62.5% of patients used hormonal therapy commonly aiming to amenorrhea. The median age at the onset of symptoms was significantly lower in women with endometriosis (14 vs 19, P =0.048).
Conclusions: Endometriosis was confirmed in 52.4% of the women undergoing laparoscopy due to chronic pelvic pain, and in most women, peritoneal endometriosis was the only finding. However, the other half of the women did not have endometriosis despite having similar pain symptoms. Two preoperative characteristics differed significantly between the groups; women with endometriosis had earlier onset of pain symptoms and they reported dyschezia more commonly. It remains unknown whether patients benefit long-term from undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy.
Implementing a rapid-learning health system in early intervention services for psychosis: Qualitative evaluation of its feasibility and acceptability
Authors: Ferrari Manuela , Saulnier Marianne-Sarah , Iyer Srividya N. , Roy Marc-André , Abdel-Baki Amal
Published: April 2024

Background: The early intervention service for psychosis (EIS) model is increasingly implemented. Yet, despite the development of guidelines and standards for EIS in several countries, heterogeneity persists in implementing the essential evidence-based practices. One remedy to these implementation challenges entails the use of a rapid-learning health system (RLHS), an approach that involves ongoing, systematic data collection, analysis and visualization using an electronic platform to design capacity-building activities and promote learning. In 2019, our team implemented SARPEP (Système Apprenant Rapide pour les Programmes de Premiers Épisodes Psychotiques), the first Canadian RLHS in EIS. This paper presents findings from the qualitative phase of the mixed-method study that evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a RLHS in EIS, which was the primary objective of the SARPEP research project.
Methods: We conducted six focus groups, two with service users, and one each with family members, psychiatrists, managers, and team leaders to ensure multistakeholder perspectives. Participants (n=24) were asked to share their experiences with implementation of the RLHS over three years. Focus groups drew on the five dimensions of the RE-AIM framework, as did the quantitative study phase, while Lessard’s five dimensions for a learning health system guided development of the focus group questions.
Results: Reach: invited members from all five stakeholder groups of the RLHS attended focus group meetings and shared their experiences: service users (n=5), family members (n=2), psychiatrists (n=4), managers (n=6), and team leaders (n=7). Effectiveness: all stakeholder groups confirmed the ability of the RLHS to improve the capacity of programs to collect data on core indicators and to promote evidence-based practices. Adoption: stakeholders acknowledged the value of selecting specific indicators for a RLHS and the need to improve technologies for data gathering. They also recognized challenges in deploying and integrating digital platforms into routine care. Implementation and maintenance: all stakeholders elaborated on how the RLHS enabled mutual learning, self-reflection, and shared practices among EIS in Québec.
Conclusions: Stakeholders agreed that a RLHS can promote evidence-based care in EIS. The RLHS created a sense of belonging in a community aiming to learn and improve.
Trial registration: N/A
Efficacy and Safety of AKT Inhibitors in HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer or Metastatic TNBC: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Zhong Wuzhi , Yan Tao , Li Lehui , Zhang Xinguang , Zhang Ru , Li Dijia , Ma Lijie , Yan Jinli , Zhang Chunfa , Wang Ya , Cao Xiaodong , Zhang Nan , Zhang Ziying
Published: April 2024

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of AKT inhibitors (Capivasertib and Ipatasertib) on the efficacy and safety of patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer or metastatic TNBC.
Methods A comprehensive search for relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of AKT inhibitors were conducted through PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. The meta-analysis included five studies with a total of 1304 patients. Outcome indicators such as progression-free survival (PFS), adverse events (AEs), overall survival (OS), duration of response (DOR), objective response rate (ORR), and clinical benefit rate (CBR) were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4.1.
Results Patients treated with AKT inhibitors showed a significant improvement in PFS compared to those without (MD = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.73; p = 0.0005; I2 = 55%). However, the incidence of some dangerous AEs increased, including infection (OR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.72; p = 0.02; I2 = 0%) and hyperglycemia (OR = 3.07; 95% CI: 1.36, 6.93; p = 0.007; I2 = 63%).
Conclusions AKT inhibitors significantly prolonged the survival of patients with metastatic TNBC and HR+/HER2- breast cancer. Nevertheless, the occurrence of AEs, such as infection and hyperglycemia, during AKT inhibitor treatment suggests the need for careful and rational drug usage based on specific patient conditions.
Level of maternal satisfaction with post-operative pain management after caesarian section delivery at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Debre Markos, Ethiopia, 2022. A cross-sectional study
Authors: Ashebir Yitayal , Demelash Getamesay
Published: April 2024

Background: Patient satisfaction is the individual’s positive evaluation of distinct dimensions of health care. The rate of cesarean sections is on the rise and being performed more frequently in recent times. Assessment of maternal satisfaction with postoperative pain management is a vital tool for measuring the quality of care in the health center. There is a paucity of data regarding this topic, as it has not previously been studied yet in the study area.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of maternal satisfaction with post-operative pain management after c/s among mothers who deliver at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest, Debre Markos Ethiopia, 2022
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 337 mothers who had undergone c/s delivery in Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, in 2022. All consecutive mothers who had undergone cesarean delivery were included in the study time and data was collected using a questionnaire distributed. The collected data were coded and analyzed. Orientation was given for data collectors and entered by using SPSS version 25.
Result: Among the total of 337 mothers, 244(72.4%) were satisfied with pain management the rest 93(27.6%) were dissatisfied. A total of 337 parturients who delivered with cesarean section were involved in this study with a 100% response rate. The majority of parturient 197(58.8%) &112(33.2 %) were aged 20-30 years and 31-40 respectively.
Conclusion: The level of maternal satisfaction with post-operative pain management among C/S was high (72.4%).