bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relation between trust and the willingness of enrollees to receive healthcare advice from their health insurer
Authors: van der Hulst Frank J. P. , Brabers Anne E. M. , de Jong Judith D.
Published: January 2023

Background

In a healthcare system based on managed competition, it is important that health insurers are able to channel enrollees to preferred providers. This results in incentives for healthcare providers to improve the quality and reduce the price of care. One of the instruments to guide enrollees to preferred providers is by providing healthcare advice. In order to use healthcare advice as an effective instrument, it is important that enrollees accept the health insurer as a healthcare advisor. As trust in health insurers is not high, this may be an obstacle for enrollees to be receptive to the health insurer’s advice. This study aims to investigate the association between trust in the health insurer and the willingness to receive healthcare advice from the health insurer in the Netherlands. In terms of receiving healthcare advice, we examine both enrollees' willingness to approach the health insurer themselves and their willingness to be approached by the health insurer.

Methods

In February 2021, a questionnaire was sent to a representative sample of the Dutch population. The questionnaire was completed by 885 respondents (response rate 59%). Respondents were asked about their willingness to receive healthcare advice, and trust in the health insurer was measured using a validated multiple item scale. Logistic regression models were conducted to analyse the results.

Results

Enrollees with more trust in the health insurer were more willing to approach their health insurer for healthcare advice (OR = 1.07, p = 0.00). In addition, a higher level of trust in the health insurer is significantly associated with the odds that enrollees would like it/really appreciate it if their health insurer actively approached them with healthcare advice (OR = 1.07, p = 0.00). The role of trust in the willingness to receive healthcare advice is not proven to differ between groups with regard to educational levels, health status or age.

Conclusions

This study confirms that trust plays a role in the willingness to receive healthcare advice from the health insurer. The association between the two emphasizes the importance to increase enrollees’ trust in the health insurer. As a result, health insurers may be better able to fulfil their role as healthcare advisor.
The pedicled sartorius flap and mesh (PSM) technique vs no reconstruction in repairing the defect after type III pelvic bone tumor resection: a retrospective study
Authors: Du Xinhui , Wei Hua , Zhang Boya , Gao Shilei , Li Zhehuang , Yao Weitao
Published: January 2023

Background

Type III pelvic bone tumor resections are often accompanied by postoperative complications. In order to reduce complications, we developed a novel pedicled sartorius flap and mesh (PSM) technique to reconstruct the pelvic ring defect. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and risks of this PSM technique in type III pelvic bone tumor resections by comparing outcomes between patients that underwent PSM reconstruction and patients that did not receive any reconstruction.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive set of patients that underwent type III pelvic bone tumor surgeries in our center from January 2020 to January 2021 with either PSM reconstruction (designated as the PSM group) or without any reconstruction (designated as the control group). General information such as age, gender, tumor type, tumor size, and surgical-related information such as duration of surgery, blood loss, and the surgical margins was collected. Outcome data recorded included wound complications such as infection and dehiscence, local recurrence, and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores for postoperative functional evaluation. Statistical analysis between both groups was performed with GraphPad Prism v7.

Results

A total of 20 patients were included in this study (PSM group n = 12, control group n = 8). While no herniation was found in the PSM group, it occurred in 6 of 8 cases in the control group. The control group showed a significantly higher rate of bacterial infection (p = 0.03) and wound dehiscence (p = 0.02) but lower MSTS scores (p < 0.05) compared to the PSM group.

Conclusions

The use of the PSM technique can significantly reduce postoperative complication rates and enhance postoperative function following type III pelvic bone tumor resection.
Blood transfusion in severe dengue infection: a case series
Authors: Kularatne S. A. M. , Dalugama Chamara , Rajapakse Madhara , Warnasooriya Sithara , Pathirage Manoji , Ralapanawa Udaya , Jayalath Thilak
Published: January 2023

Background

Dengue is still a recurrent challenge to the global population, without specific antiviral therapy. Clinical management strategies are aimed to mitigate the deaths. The use of blood products in dengue is recommended mainly in cases of bleeding.

Case presentation

We prospectively collected data on Sri Lankan dengue cases in the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka from 2017, and selected ten severe cases where blood transfusions were involved in the management. The series comprises seven females and three males, with a median age of 36 years (range 12–53 years). All patients were critically ill at the time of blood transfusion, with dramatic stabilization of vital parameters after the transfusions. Only one patient had detectable bleeding, while five patients had occult blood loss as indicated by dropping hematocrit. Even though four patients had stable hematocrit, they had metabolic acidosis. Two patients had a very high increase of hepatic transaminases along with acidosis. Two patients had myocarditis with dropping hematocrit, suggestive of occult bleeding.

Conclusions

Clinical deterioration despite fluid management commonly occurs due to occult bleeding in dengue infection. Blood transfusion is lifesaving in such cases of blood loss, acidosis, and severe hepatic damage. The mechanism of this effect needs an explanation, such as enhanced oxygen delivery to the tissues and hemostasis to hypothesize a few possibilities.
Consequences of exposure to sexual harassment among women working in hospitality workplaces in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia: a structural equation model
Authors: Worke Mulugeta Dile , Koricha Zewdie Birhanu , Debelew Gurmesa Tura
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Sexual harassment is undoubtedly widespread, and many countries have enacted laws to punish and prevent it as insulting behavior. However, its impacts on the job, psyche, and physical health, especially reproductive health, are still severe and noticeable. Thus, this study aimed to examine the impacts of sexual harassment on the job, psychology, physical health, and reproductive health of women in the hospitality industry.

Methods

Institution-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 1 and November 30, 2021. Data were collected among 689 women who experienced sexual harassment in the hospitality industry. In selecting the participants, two-stage cluster sampling techniques were used. The data collection was carried out in two complementary ways. The model of structural equations examines the relationship between the experience of sexual harassment and coping with consequences. The associations were confirmed via AMOS 23.

Results

Sexual harassment positively predicted job outcomes and negatively predicted physical health. In contrast, coping with sexual harassment positively predicts health at work and in the body and is negatively associated with health in reproduction. Physical health fully mediated the link between sexual harassment (β = 0.017, t = 0.85, p = 0.022) and reproductive health outcomes and partially mediated (β = -0.021, t = -1.235, p = 0.017) between sexual harassment coping and physical health. The interaction between sexual harassment experiences and work experiences also strengthens the negative relationship between sexual harassment experiences and physical health.

Conclusions

The impact of sexual harassment on women’s reproductive health was investigated in this study. It expands awareness of the effects of sexual harassment exposure, how to survive it, and how to establish effective preventative strategies, particularly in the hospitality industry. Effective prevention depends on preventing psychological and physical health, ultimately improving reproductive health. Thus, safe workplace initiatives and reproductive health care services are needed. Hospitality organizations should also devise a strategy for providing a supportive environment that can significantly improve women’s health.
Absolute risks of self-harm and interpersonal violence by diagnostic category following first discharge from inpatient psychiatric care
Authors: Mok P. L. H. , Walter F. , Carr M. J. , Antonsen S. , Kapur N. , Steeg S. , Shaw J. , Pedersen C. B. , Webb R. T.
Published: January 2023

Background

Persons discharged from inpatient psychiatric services are at greatly elevated risk of harming themselves or inflicting violence on others, but no studies have reported gender-specific absolute risks for these two outcomes across the spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses. We aimed to estimate absolute risks for self-harm and interpersonal violence post-discharge according to gender and diagnostic category.

Methods

Danish national registry data were utilized to investigate 62,922 discharged inpatients, born 1967–2000. An age and gender matched cohort study was conducted to examine risks for self-harm and interpersonal violence at 1 year and at 10 years post-discharge. Absolute risks were estimated as cumulative incidence percentage values.

Results

Patients diagnosed with substance misuse disorders were at especially elevated risk, with the absolute risks for either self-harm or interpersonal violence being 15.6% (95% CI 14.9, 16.3%) of males and 16.8% (15.6, 18.1%) of females at 1 year post-discharge, rising to 45.7% (44.5, 46.8%) and 39.0% (37.1, 40.8%), respectively, within 10 years. Diagnoses of personality disorders and early onset behavioral and emotional disorders were also associated with particularly high absolute risks, whilst risks linked with schizophrenia and related disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety/somatoform disorders, were considerably lower.

Conclusions

Patients diagnosed with substance misuse disorders, personality disorders and early onset behavioral and emotional disorders are at especially high risk for internally and externally directed violence. It is crucial, however, that these already marginalized individuals are not further stigmatized. Enhanced care at discharge and during the challenging transition back to life in the community is needed.
Cell-Free DNA as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Lak Nathalie S.M. , van Zogchel Lieke M.J. , Zappeij-Kannegieter Lily , Javadi Ahmad , van Paemel Ruben , Vandeputte Charlotte , De Preter Katleen , De Wilde Bram , Chicard Mathieu , Iddir Yasmine , Schleiermacher Gudrun , Ruhen Olivia , Shipley Janet , Fiocco Marta , Merks Johannes H.M. , van Noesel Max M. , van der Schoot C. Ellen , Tytgat Godelieve A.M. , Stutterheim Janine
Published: January 2023

PURPOSE

Total cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and tumor-derived cfDNA (ctDNA) can be used to study tumor-derived genetic aberrations. We analyzed the diagnostic and prognostic potential of cfDNA and ctDNA, obtained from pediatric patients with rhabdomyosarcoma.

METHODS

cfDNA was isolated from diagnostic plasma samples from 57 patients enrolled in the EpSSG RMS2005 study. To study the diagnostic potential, shallow whole genome sequencing (shWGS) and cell-free reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (cfRRBS) were performed in a subset of samples and all samples were tested using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction to detect methylated RASSF1A ( RASSF1A-M). Correlation with outcome was studied by combining cfDNA RASSF1A-M detection with analysis of our rhabdomyosarcoma-specific RNA panel in paired cellular blood and bone marrow fractions and survival analysis in 56 patients.

RESULTS

At diagnosis, ctDNA was detected in 16 of 30 and 24 of 26 patients using shallow whole genome sequencing and cfRRBS, respectively. Furthermore, 21 of 25 samples were correctly classified as embryonal by cfRRBS. RASSF1A-M was detected in 21 of 57 patients. The presence of RASSF1A-M was significantly correlated with poor outcome (the 5-year event-free survival [EFS] rate was 46.2% for 21 RASSF1A-M ‒positive patients, compared with 84.9% for 36 RASSF1A-M ‒negative patients [ P < .001]). RASSF1A-M positivity had the highest prognostic effect among patients with metastatic disease. Patients both negative for RASSF1A-M and the rhabdomyosarcoma-specific RNA panel (28 of 56 patients) had excellent outcome (5-year EFS 92.9%), while double-positive patients (11/56) had poor outcome (5-year EFS 13.6%, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Analyzing ctDNA at diagnosis using various techniques is feasible in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma and has potential for clinical use. Measuring RASSF1A-M in plasma at initial diagnosis correlated significantly with outcome, particularly when combined with paired analysis of blood and bone marrow using a rhabdomyosarcoma-specific RNA panel.
Fashion’s Borders
Authors: Garrity Jane , Marshik Celia
Published: January 2023

The introduction traces the long history of fashion’s movement across cultural, national, and political borders. After brief case studies of early twentieth-century French and Spanish styles imagining fashion as an engine of transnational amity, the introduction highlights how fashion navigates some of the most troubled borders of recent years, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and racial violence. Fashion forces viewers and consumers to choose sides, whether through national identification or through recognition of the long history of black and brown bodies producing fashionable objects. To advance the global history of fashion, the introduction briefly discusses the work of designers Rawan Maki (Bahrain), Laurence Leenaert (Belgium), and Kim Jones (Great Britain), examining how each upends gender, race, class, or fashion binaries, and analyzes how LVMH and Uniqlo, brands at opposite ends of the contemporary style spectrum, underline the very different ways in which fashion traverses the globe in the twenty-first century. The introduction concludes with the hope that this issue will raise questions about fashion’s articulation of the relation among the local, the national, and the global, as well as about the human experience of interacting with the fashion industry in one national context while living in a globalized world.
Local Ontology and Lived Experience of Fashion toward a Gulf Fashion “Sustainability”
Authors: Maki Rawan
Published: January 2023

What makes fashion “local”? What makes it “sustainable”? Can non-Western fashion locales have the same definitions of sustainability espoused by the global industry? This article reflects on a fashion “sustainability” for Bahrain and the Arab Gulf that goes beyond a focus on product. Specifically, the article explores how fashion space is used in Bahrain by different groups, as well as equity of experience and phenomenology of these spaces in Bahrain. Fashion spaces—such as the mall or souk—are primary areas of public gathering in the Gulf. Based on the results of qualitative interviews and a Delphi study, this article puts forward the example of fashion spaces and tailoring in Bahrain, where an expanded definition of use is found in Gulf fashion practice when compared to the traditional “life cycle” view used in fashion sustainability discourse. These differences in fashion ontology compared to a Western context impact what could be considered true “innovation” in the case of the Arab Gulf. For instance, cocreation through tailoring in the Gulf is culturally prevalent and a default feature of existing material culture, whereas similar notions are classified in a context of “innovation” in Western discourse. Thus it becomes crucial to explore an Arab Gulf ontology of fashion as a precursor to its “sustainability” and honest discussion of its own transformation toward sustainability.
Convoluted Yarns
Authors: Rea Ann
Published: January 2023

Contrary to the claims of advertising, the Aran sweater is a wholly modern phenomenon; because it emerged in the early twentieth century, however, it became a symbol of authentic Irish identity, imbued with qualities that resist commercialization and industrial production and that even provide links to premodern rural culture that the Irish diaspora strips away. While postcolonial postmodernity may render authentic culture unfeasible, contemporary advertising intensifies the mystification and romanticization of the Aran sweater, even with the garment’s increasing machine production.
Breast imaging of infectious disease
Authors: Rashid Tariq , Sae-Kho Tiffany M. , Heuvelhorst Kara L. , Glazebrook Katrina N.
Published: January 2023

Infectious diseases of the breast can demonstrate a wide variety of clinical presentations and imaging appearances. Breast abscesses are often a complication of infectious mastitis of the breast. Puerperal mastitis is the most common cause of breast abscess, typically affecting postpartum females. Often diagnosed clinically, it is usually treated with antibiotics without need for imaging. Non-puerperal mastitis is relatively uncommon and typically subareolar in location. Patients can present with asymmetric breast thickening, a palpable lump, nipple discharge, or axillary adenopathy. These presentations can mimic malignancy. Herein, this pictorial review demonstrates imaging findings of common and uncommon infectious processes of the breast and clinically important mimickers of breast infection.
Μετεγχειρητική παρακολούθηση μορφολογίας διηθητικής φυσαλίδας σε ασθενείς που υποβλήθηκαν σε τραμπεκουλεκτομία
Authors: Κονταξάκης Αναστάσιος
Published: January 2023

Σκοπός: O σκοπός της μελέτης ήταν να καθοριστεί κατά πόσο οι γλαυκωματικοί ασθενείς μετά την τραμπεκουλεκτομή μπορούν να ωφεληθούν περισσότερο από ενέσεις Bevacizumab υπό τον επιπεφυκότα απ΄ότι με 5-FU ή placebo.Μέθοδοι και αποτελέσματα: 51 οφθαλμοί 51 ασθενών υποβλήθηκαν σε ενισχυμένη με MMC (0,2mg/ml για 1 λεπτό) τραμπεκουλεκτομή. 17 ασθενείς κατηγοριοποιήθηκαν με τυχαίο τρόπο να λάβουν ενίσχυση με 1.25mg (0,05ml) Bevacizumab, 21 ασθενείς κατηγοριοποιήθηκαν να λάβουν 0,1ml 50mg/ml 5-FU και 13 ασθενείς κατηγοριοποιήθηκαν σε μία ομάδα ελέγχου λαμβάνοντας ένεση φυσιολογικού ορού εικονικά. Αρχικά συμπεριλήφθηκαν 58 ασθενείς αλλά επτά ασθενείς αποκλείστηκαν από τη μελέτη για διάφορους λόγους. Η μετεγχειρητική παρακολούθηση της ενδοφθάλμιας πίεσης και των χαρακτηριστικών της διηθητικής φυσαλίδας διεξαγόταν την 1η ημέρα, την 1η εβδομάδα, την 3η εβδομάδα, την 6η εβδομάδα, τον 6ο μήνα και τον 1ο χρόνο μετά την επέμβαση. Όλες οι αναλύσεις γινόταν από δύο ανώνυμους τεχνικούς. Η μείωση της ΕΟΠ σε όλες τις ομάδες ήταν στατιστικά σημαντική (p<0.05) μεταξύ της αρχικής επίσκεψης και της τελικής μετεγχειρητικής επίσκεψης 1 χρόνο μετά την επέμβαση. Δεν υπήρχε σημαντική διαφορά στην τελική μέση τιμή της ΕΟΠ μεταξύ των τριών ομάδων. Η εκτίμηση της διηθητικής φυσαλίδας έγινε χρησιμοποιώντας το κατά Moorfields σύστημα βαθμονόμησης της φυσαλίδας (ΜBGS-Moorfileds Bleb Grading System). Η κεντρική περιοχή της φυσαλίδας ήταν στατιστικά μεγαλύτερη στην ομάδα του Βevacizumab σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα 5-FU αλλά όχι με την ομάδα ελέγχου. Η αγγείωση της κεντρικής φυσαλίδας ήταν σημαντικά διαφορετική ανάμεσα στις ομάδες με την ομάδα του Bevacizumab να παρουσιάζει τη λιγότερη αγγείωση. Η αγγείωση της περιφερικής φυσαλίδας ήταν επίσης μειωμένη στην ομάδα του Bevacizumab σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα ελέγχου αλλά όχι με την ομάδα 5-FU.Συμπέρασμα: Μετά από 12 μήνες παρακολούθησης δεν καταγράφηκαν σημαντικές διαφορές στα αποτελέσματα της ΕΟΠ ανάμεσα στις ομάδες ασθενών που έλαβαν Bevacizumab, 5-FU ή Placebo για την βελτίωση της ενισχυμένης με ΜΜC τραμπεκουλεκτομής. Παρολ’αυτά, αναλύοντας την μορφολογία της φυσαλίδας υπήρχε σημαντική διαφορά στην έκταση και την αγγείωση της κεντρικής περιοχής της φυσαλίδας
Modeling and simulation of protein folding and proteostasis mechanisms
Authors: Αβραμούλη Αντιγόνη
Published: January 2023

Το πρόβλημα της αναδίπλωσης των πρωτεϊνών είναι ένα από τα πολλά άλυτα στη βιοχημεία και έχει αναγνωριστεί ως ένα από τα πιο κρίσιμα να απαντηθούν, ειδικά επειδή η περίπλοκη δομή μίας πρωτεΐνης καθιστά δύσκολη την πρόβλεψη των σωστών μοτίβων αναδίπλωσης. Με την αναγνώριση αρκετών ασθενειών ως διαταραχών αναδίπλωσης πρωτεϊνών, την έκρηξη πληροφοριών του γονιδιώματος και την ανάγκη για αποτελεσματικούς τρόπους πρόβλεψης της δομής των πρωτεϊνών, η αναδίπλωση πρωτεϊνών έχει προβληθεί ως θεμελιώδες ζήτημα στην έρευνα των μοριακών επιστημών. Καθώς η λειτουργικότητα των πρωτεϊνών μπορεί να επηρεαστεί από μεταλλάξεις, η μελέτη πιθανών αλλαγών στην τριτοταγή δομή των πρωτεϊνών μπορεί να αποκαλύψει τις σχέσεις μεταξύ των μεταλλάξεων και της λειτουργίας μιας πρωτεΐνης. Χρησιμοποιώντας προσομοιώσεις πρωτεϊνών, μάθαμε ότι οι πρωτεΐνες είναι εξαιρετικά δυναμικές και χωρίς συνδέτη, αποκτούν πολυάριθμες τρισδιάσστατες δομές, ανοιχτές και κλειστές, που σταθεροποιούνται επιλεκτικά με τη δέσμευση αγωνιστών και ανταγωνιστών. Αυτή η διδακτορική διατριβή περιγράφει μια δομική-βιοπληροφορική προσέγγιση προκειμένου να βρεθούν υποψήφιες πρωτεΐνες και συγκεκριμένες μεταλλάξεις που μπορεί να συνδέονται με την παθογένεια και την εξέλιξη πολυπαραγοντικών διαταραχών, όπως η Νόσος Αλτσχάιμερ. Για την αξιολόγηση της επίδρασης των μεταλλάξεων, οι πρωτοταγείς δομές και οι σχετικές μεταλλάξεις ανακτήθηκαν από δημόσιες βάσεις δεδομένων. Κάθε δομή προβλέφθηκε με βάση αποτελεσματικές μεθοδολογίες πρόβλεψης δομής. Πραγματοποιήθηκε συγκριτική αξιολόγηση των δομικών εργαλείων πρόβλεψης. Πραγματοποιήθηκε συγκριτική ανάλυση μεταλλαγμένων και μη μεταλλαγμένων πρωτεϊνών με βάση τις κλασικές μεθόδους βιοπληροφορικής (TM-Score, RMSD, κ.λπ.) καθώς και καθιερωμένων προγραμμάτων περιγραφής που βασίζονται σε σχήματα που ανακτήθηκαν από μεθοδολογίες αναγνώρισης αντικειμένων. Στις δομές εφαρμόστηκαν μεθοδολογίες χωρίς επίβλεψη, προκειμένου να εντοπιστούν ομάδες μεταλλαγμένων πρωτεϊνικών δομών με παρόμοια επίδραση. Η μεθοδολογία που χρησιμοποιήθηκε ήταν πολύ αποτελεσματική και δημιούργησε με επιτυχία μια νέα διάσταση στη διαδικασία προσδιορισμού της παθογένειας. Αυτή η διδακτορική διατριβή χαρακτήρισε 110 μεταλλαγμένες δομές της PSEN1 ως παθογόνες για τη Νόσο Αλτσχάιμερ, καθώς επίσης και έξι ασαφείς δομές για την APP, εννέα για την PSEN2 και τέσσερις για την πρωτεΐνη MAPT.
Στρατηγικός ανασχεδιασμός οργανωτικών συστημάτων και επιχειρηματικών διαδικασιών των ελληνικών αγροτικών νοικοκυριών
Authors: Σδρόλιας Λάμπρος
Published: January 2023

Τα ελληνικά αγροτικά νοικοκυριά στον διαχρονικό τους αγώνα για καλύτερες συνθήκες και ποιότητα ζωής, αλλά και για έναν βιοπορισμό αντάξιο των κόπων, των θυσιών, των αξιών, της προσφοράς και της ιστορίας τους, αντιμετωπίζουν διαρκώς εξελικτικά στοιχεία, λειτουργικούς περιορισμούς και εμπόδια. Συνέπεια όλων αυτών είναι, εκτός ελαχίστων εξαιρέσεων, το αγροτικό τους εισόδημα να υπολείπεται αρκετών άλλων κοινωνικών ομάδων με αποτέλεσμα να βιώνουν μια έντονη και διαρκή εισοδηματική ανισότητα σε σχέση με τα υπόλοιπα νοικοκυριά και μάλιστα σε κάποιες περιπτώσεις ακόμα και τον κίνδυνο της επιβίωσης.Η όλη αυτή κατάσταση οφείλεται κατά βάση σε μια σειρά από περιβαλλοντικές επιδράσεις και αλλαγές οι οποίες τα τελευταία σαράντα χρόνια τα επηρεάζουν καθοριστικά. Από τη μια η απόλυτη κυριαρχία του ακραίου νεοφιλελευθερισμού και η παγκοσμιοποίηση της οικονομίας και της αγοράς, σε συνδυασμό με την καταλυτική συμβολή τους στη δημιουργία της πρόσφατης οικονομικής κρίσης, και από την άλλη ο διαρκής επαναπροσδιορισμός του περιεχομένου και των κατευθύνσεων της ευρωπαϊκής Κοινής Αγροτικής Πολιτικής (Κ.Α.Π), τα έχουν καταστήσει αρκετά ευάλωτα και ανασφαλή. Πρωτίστως όμως από τις μέχρι σήμερα λανθασμένες αναπτυξιακές στρατηγικές και πολιτικές του αγροτικού τομέα στην Ελλάδα, οι οποίες δεν ακολουθήθηκαν από τοπικά και περιφερειακά σχέδια και προσανατολισμούς, αλλά και ούτε από ευρωπαϊκά και εθνικά λειτουργικά πλαίσια που θα εξασφάλιζαν τον αποδοτικό συντονισμό, τις αναγκαίες δικαιοδοσίες, τα κίνητρα, αλλά και τις δημιουργικές πρωτοβουλίες, παρά μόνο από πολιτικές προσωρινής ή ευκαιριακής αναζωογόνησης του οικονομικού ιστού και των παραγωγικών ικανοτήτων των αγροτικών περιοχών. Tο όλο εγχείρημα της διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι να αποβεί η ίδια ουσιαστική και ενδιαφέρουσα, αν ληφθεί υπ’ όψη η απουσία παρόμοιων συνδυαστικών μελετών στην εγχώρια και διεθνή βιβλιογραφία, γεγονός που λογικά την οδηγεί στη διεκδίκηση μιας πρωτοτυπίας, προσδοκώντας μάλιστα σε μια ευρύτερη προστιθέμενη αξία και συνεισφορά στο βασικό κομμάτι του ενδιαφέροντός της, αυτό πρωτίστως της αύξησης των εισοδημάτων των ελληνικών αγροτικών νοικοκυριών, και δευτερευόντως στην ανάγκη πλήρωσης ενός σημαντικού κενού στον επιστημονικό προβληματισμό και προσέγγιση θεμάτων που αφορούν τη βελτίωση της ποιότητας ζωής των νοικοκυριών αυτών γενικότερα, μέσω της ανάπτυξης καινοτόμων οργανωτικών, παραγωγικών, επιχειρηματικών και εμπορικών διαδικασιών και δράσεων των εκμεταλλεύσεών τους, ακόμα και των (πιθανών) επιχειρηματικών τους μονάδων αγροτικής υπόστασης.
It is recreational but profitability also matters: A cost-effective economic approach to marine recreational fishing in Spain
Authors: GORDOA ANA
Published: January 2023

This study analyses the costs of marine recreational activity in Spain for the main fishing modalities and provides a cost-effective economic indicator (CEI) for each of them. The activity costs of 4,999 fishers were collected through an online survey, along with other fishing information. The published results of this survey, catch rates and catch composition, have been used in this study. Daily expenses per fisher were estimated by dividing reported annual expenses by annual fishing days. The CEI was estimated as the ratio of the market value of one kilo of recreational catch to the cost of catching it. The CEI showed differences between modalities in all regions, but of varying magnitudes. It is concluded that the CEI could diagnose the risk level of evolving from recreational towards subsistence fishing. The higher the CEI, the more compensatory the activity and the greater the possibility of moving away from a purely recreational activity in adverse economic conditions.
Facemasks cannot kiss: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sexual behavior of the Greek population
Authors: Daoultzis Konstantinos Christos , Eleftheriadou Aliki
Published: January 2023

COVID-19 pandemic affected the emotional state and the sexual behavior of people all around the world due to social distancing and quarantine restrictions, as well as due to financial impact. This quantitative study examines the effects of COVID-19 on the sexual behavior of the Greek population, considering the psychological distress, the place of residency and the relationship status. A set of questionnaires was administered to 221 Greek women and men, partnered and single, to scrutinize their perceived impact of COVID-19, their levels of distress, and their sexual behavior using a three-way multivariate analysis of covariance. Results supported that the COVID-19 pandemic is negatively influencing their levels of distress and the sexual behavior of both women and men. Most of the participants reported mild levels of distress linked to COVID-19 which predicted their overall sexual function. Meanwhile, cohabitation was also associated with sexual function, while the relationship status influenced differently both women and men. Further research could examine the sexual behavior of Greek population using additional measures for potential emotional impact because of COVID-19, and sexual behavior in minorities such as people with special needs and psychiatric disorders.
Μελέτη της σχέσης φωνολογικής επίγνωσης και αναγνωστικής ικανότητας μέσω της καταγραφής Γνωστικών Προκλητών Δυναμικών
Authors: Φέλλα Αργυρώ , Χριστοφόρου Χριστόφορος , Λοϊζου-Παπαδοπούλου Μαρία , Παπαδόπουλος Τιμόθεος Κ.
Published: January 2023

Η παρούσα έρευνα εξέτασε τις διαφορές μεταξύ παιδιών με αναγνωστικές δυσκολίες (ΑΔ) και τυπικών αναγνωστών (ΤΑ) (με ηλικιακό εύρος 7,70 μέχρι 12,08 χρονών· Μ.Ο. = 9,79, Τ.Α. = 1,57· Κορίτσια = 24) σε δύο έργα φωνολογικής επίγνωσης (αφαίρεση φωνήματος και παραδρομή της γλώσσας), μέσω της καταγραφής Γνωστικών Προκλητών Δυναμικών. Από την καταγραφή των ηλεκτροεγκεφαλογραφημάτων παρατηρήθηκε η έκλυση της κυματομορφής Ν400. Τα αποτελέσματα για την ηλικιακή ομάδα των 8 ετών έδειξαν ότι οι συμμετέχοντες με ΑΔ είχαν εκτενέστερο Ν400 σε σχέση με τους ΤΑ στο έργο αφαίρεσης φωνήματος, εύρημα που φανερώνει μεγαλύτερη προσπάθεια, εκ μέρους των παιδιών με ΑΔ, για την επεξεργασία φωνολογικών ερεθισμάτων συγκριτικά με τους τυπικά αναπτυσσόμενους συνομηλίκους τους. Τα χαρακτηριστικά της κυματομορφής Ν400 στο έργο αφαίρεσης αρχικού φωνήματος ήταν παρόμοια μεταξύ των συμμετεχόντων με ΑΔ και των ΤΑ που ανήκαν στην ηλικιακή ομάδα των 11 ετών, καταδεικνύοντας ότι οι δυσκολίες που αντιμετωπίζουν τα παιδιά στα έργα φωνολογικής επίγνωσης μετριάζονται με την ανάπτυξη, λόγω του βαθμού διαφάνειας του ελληνικού ορθογραφικού συστήματος. Στο έργο παραδρομής της γλώσσας, οι διαφορές μεταξύ των ομάδων στην κυματομορφή Ν400 δεν ήταν στατιστικά σημαντικές, πιθανότατα λόγω του αυξημένου βαθμού δυσκολίας του συγκεκριμένου έργου. Η συζήτηση εστιάζεται στη σημασία της καταγραφής των Γνωστικών Προκλητών Δυναμικών ως μίας τεχνικής που μπορεί να προσφέρει σημαντική πληροφόρηση αναφορικά με τους φωνολογικούς μηχανισμούς που υποστηρίζουν την ανάγνωση.
Έμφυλες διαφοροποιήσεις στην ψυχική υγεία: θεωρητικές προσεγγίσεις, ευρήματα και προοπτικές
Authors: Ζήση Αναστασία
Published: January 2023

Το παρόν άρθρο στοχεύει σε μια κριτική και σύντομη επισκόπηση των βασικών θεωρητικών προσεγγίσεων για την εξήγηση των έμφυλων διαφοροποιήσεων στην ψυχική υγεία ακολουθώντας τρεις κατευθύνσεις. Η πρώτη κατεύθυνση αντιστοιχεί στην ψυχολογική προσέγγιση που δίνει έμφαση στις έμφυλες ταυτισιακές διαδικασίες και την ψυχική οργάνωση κατά την πρώιμη παιδική ηλικία, το γνωστικό ύφος και τα ατομικά σχέδια δράσης ανά φύλο. H δεύτερη κατεύθυνση αντιστοιχεί στην κοινωνικο-υλιστική προσέγγιση που ενδιαφέρεται για τις έμφυλες δομικές ανισότητες και τον αντίκτυπο τους στην ψυχική υγεία κυρίως των γυναικών, και η τρίτη, ακολουθεί τις μεταδομιστικές θεωρίες για τη λογοθετική, έμφυλη συγκρότηση της ψυχικής εμπειρίας. Παρουσιάζονται οι θεωρητικές παραδοχές και αντιπροσωπευτικά ευρήματα της κάθε προσέγγισης χωριστά, όπως και οι περιορισμοί ως προς την εξηγητική τους ισχύ.  Οι ψυχολογικές σπουδές φύλου στην Ελλάδα έχουν χαμηλή ακαδημαϊκή παρουσία παρά τις επίσημες εκθέσεις αλλά και τα κείμενα των φεμινιστικών κινημάτων της βάσης που δείχνουν την επιδείνωση της θέσης των γυναικών στις περισσότερες κοινωνίες, όπου η γενικευμένη ανδρική κυριαρχία διαιωνίζεται. Αυτή η επιδείνωση έχει συνδεθεί με τα προγράμματα λιτότητας και την μαζική υποχώρηση του κράτους πρόνοιας που μετατρέπει τις γυναίκες σε έναν «εφεδρικό στρατό άμισθης κοινωνικής φροντίδας», και με την αναζωπύρωση του δεξιόστροφου αυταρχισμού σε πολλές κυβερνήσεις κρατών που προωθούν αναχρονιστικές νομοθεσίες αλλά και μια νέου τύπου σεξιστική κουλτούρα.
Evaluation of Patients with Chronic Cough Referred to Pediatric Pulmonology Outpatient Clinic
Authors: ÖZSEZEN Beste
Published: January 2023

Objective: A cough that lasts longer than four weeks in children is called chronic cough. The aim of this study is to determine the underlying causes of chronic cough.
Material and Methods: Patients aged 0-18 years who were referred to Şanlıurfa Training and Research Hospital pediatric pulmonology outpatient clinic between 27 December 2021 and 30 June 2022 due to chronic cough were enrolled. Patients with known cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, interstitial lung disease, asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia were excluded from the study. The “CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report” guideline was used in the approach to chronic cough.
Results: 153 patients were included in this study. The most common causes of chronic cough were asthma (30.7%), protracted bacterial bronchitis (20.3%), and upper respiratory tract cough syndrome (11.1%). Wet cough was present in 60.8% of the patients with chronic cough and the most common diagnosis in patients with wet cough were protracted bacterial bronchitis (33.3%), pneumonia and other lung infections (17.2%) and bronchiectasis (12.9%). The most common diagnoses were asthma (68.3%), upper airway cough syndrome (6.7%), and natural recovery (6.7%) in patients with dry cough. Failure to thrive was more common in patients with wet cough than patients with dry cough (p<0.030) and fever, weight loss and desaturation were only present in patients with wet cough.
Conclusion: The most common reasons are asthma, protracted bacterial bronchitis and upper airway cough syndrome. The differential diagnosis should be made by pediatricians based on specific cough pointers, careful physical examination and tests performed in line with the recommendations of the guidelines.
The Race for Immunity
Authors: Beck Chris
Published: January 2023

MM speaks to the boss of a new state-of-the-art biomedical manufacturing centre about the challenges of developing and producing a viable cure for COVID-19
Future Friction
Authors: Selka James
Published: January 2023

While government, public and industrial attention has been focused on combatting the effects of the pandemic, the deadline for the UK leaving the EU draws ever nearer
Track & Trace:Employers’ Duties
Authors: Walker Kim , Heuvel Jon
Published: January 2023

The UK’s Track & Trace system serves a vital purpose in preventing COVID-19 outbreaks. Employers must be aware of following the correct reporting procedure
Boxing Clever
Authors: Beck Chris
Published: January 2023

Family run packaging manufacturer, Glossop Cartons, was rapidly expanding, but its shopfloor processes were struggling to catch up. Cue a complete re-think of the way the factory operates
To Train your Machine, Reward it
Authors: Ballinger Neil
Published: January 2023

Can you train a robot in the same way you would train a pet? The answer may surprise you…
A Case Report of an Unusual Case of Cavernous Hemangioma at Retro-calcaneum Region
Authors: Tripathi Ashutosh Chandraprakash , Baitule Rajendra Wamanrao , Rathod Yogesh Bhimrao , Pundkar Ganesh Narayanrao , Bhutada Gaurav Pawan
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Subcutaneous hemangioma is a rare variant of slow-flowing venous malformation. It occurs in both adults and children and is more common in women. It exhibits an aggressive growth pattern, can occur anywhere in the body, and may recur after resection. This report shows a rare localization of hemangioma in the retrocalcaneal bursa. Case Report: A female patient, age 31, presented with swelling and pain over the retro calcaneum region for 1 year. The pain in the retrocalcaneal region has increased with gradual intensity over the past 6 months. The swelling she described to be insidious in onset and gradually progressive. Examination findings at presentation were a middle-aged female with diffuse swelling in the retrocalcaneal region with a size of 2 cm by 1.5 cm. Based on the X-ray, we defined it to be myositis ossificans. With this view in mind, we admitted the patient and surgically excised the area. We operated by posteromedial approach and sent the specimen for histopathology. Pathology revealed calcified bursa. Microscopically, it was hemangioma with phleboliths and osseous metaplasia. The post-operative period was uneventful. The patient’s pain was reduced, and overall performance was good at follow-up. Conclusion: This case report highlights the importance for surgeons, pathologist to consider cavernous hemangioma as a differential diagnosis for retrocalcaneal swellings. Keywords: Cavernous hemangioma, retro calcaneal region, rare tumor
Knee Tuberculosis Presenting As Pigmented villonodular Synovitis
Authors: Ambulgekar Rajesh K , Jadhav Akshay
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Extra pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) May mimic other diseases in clinical presentation which might be difficult to differentiate and diagnose. Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) may closely resemble tuberculosis of the knee joint. In younger patients, without any other co-morbid conditions TB of knee joint and PVNS in the knee might present with involvement of the isolated joint, with swelling which is painful for long duration with restriction in the range of motion. Treatment of both the conditions differs vastly and delay in the treatment can result in permanent disfiguration of the joint. Case Report: A male 35 years old having a right knee painful swelling since last 6 months. The thorough physical examination, radiographs, and MRI suggest PVNS but an altogether different diagnosis is made after confirmatory investigations, i.e. Histopathological examination. Conclusion: Clinical and radiological presentation of TB and PVNS can mimic each other . Therefore TB should be suspected specially in the like India (endemic). For confirmation of diagnosis hisptopathological and mycobacterial results are important. Keywords: Tuberculosis, knee, Pigmented villonodular synovitis
Needle Cap External Fixator for Proximal Phalanx Fracture – A Case Report
Authors: Jha Amrit , Dua Apoorv , Gadkari Alok , Yadav Amit Kumar , Goyal Navneet
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Among all the phalanges, most fractured is the proximal phalanx. Frequently encountered complications are malunion, stiffness, and soft-tissue injury which invariably increase the disability. The aim of fracture reduction, therefore, comprises acceptable alignment and the gliding of the flexor and extensor tendons are maintained. Factors affecting management are fracture location, type of fracture, soft-tissue injury, and fracture stability. Case Report: A 26-year-gentlemen, right hand dominant, a clerk by occupation, came to emergency with right-hand index finger pain, swelling, and unable to move the right index finger treated with debridement, wound wash, and external fixator frame made with K wire and needle cap. Fracture united in 6 weeks with good hand function and the full range of motion of the hand. Conclusion: Mini fixator for phalanx fracture is a cheap and reasonably effective procedure. A needle cap fixator is a good alternative in difficult situations, it helps in correcting the deformity as well as keeps the joint surface distracted. Keywords: Hand injury, open fracture, phalanx fracture
Identifying bureaus with substantial personnel change during the Trump administration: A Bayesian approach
Authors: Libgober Brian , Richardson Mark D.
Published: January 2023

Presidents and executive branch agencies often have adversarial relationships. Early accounts suggest that these antagonisms may have been deeper and broader under President Trump than under any recent President. Yet careful appraisals have sometimes shown that claims about what President Trump has done to government and politics are over-stated, require greater nuance, or are just plain wrong. In this article, we use federal employment records from the Office of Personnel Management to examine rates of entry and exit at agencies across the executive branch during President Trump’s term. A key challenge in this endeavor is that agencies vary in size dramatically, and this variability makes direct comparisons of rates of entry and exit across agencies problematic. Small agencies are overrepresented among agencies with large and small rates. Yet small agencies do important work and cannot simply be ignored. To address such small-area issues, we use a Bayesian hierarchical model to generate size-adjusted rates that better reflect the fundamental uncertainty about what is happening in small agencies as well as the substantial likelihood that these entities are less unusual than raw statistics imply. Our analysis of these adjusted rates leads to three key findings. First, total employment at the end of the Trump administration was largely unchanged from where it began in January of 2017. Second, this aggregate stability masks significant variation across departments, with immigration-focused bureaus and veterans-affairs bureaus growing significantly and certain civil-rights focused bureaus exhibiting signs of stress. Finally, compared to the first terms of Presidents Bush and Obama, separation rates under President Trump were markedly higher for most agencies.
The mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 and profile of viral reservoirs in pediatric population: A systematic review with meta-analysis of the Cameroonian studies
Authors: Ka’e Aude Christelle , Nka Alex Durand , Yagai Bouba , Domkam Kammogne Irénée , Ngoufack Jagni Semengue Ezechiel , Nanfack Aubin Joseph , Nkenfou Celine , Tommo Tchouaket Michel Carlos , Takou Desire , Sosso Samuel Martin , Fainguem Nadine , Abba Aissatou , Pabo Willy , Kamgaing Nelly , Temgoua Edith , Tchounga Boris , Tchendjou Patrice , Tetang Suzie , Njom Nlend Anne Esther , Ceccherini-Silberstein Francesca , Mercedes Santoro Maria , Fokam Joseph
Published: January 2023

Background

The mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 (MTCT) remains on the major route of HIV-transmission among pediatric populations in Africa. Though a prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) high-priority country, data on the MTCT burdens in Cameroon remains fragmented.

Objective

We sought to assess the pooled MTCT rate, its risk-factors, and to characterize viral reservoirs of infected-children in Cameroon.

Methods

All relevant observational cohort and cross-sectional studies conducted in Cameroon were searched from PubMed, African Journals Online, Google scholar, ScienceDirect and academic medical education databases. Heterogeneity and publication bias were respectively assessed by the I2 statistic and the Egger/funnel plot test. Meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model. MTCT rate >5% was considered as “high”. This review was registered in the Prospero database, CRD42021224497.

Results

We included a total of 29 studies and analyzed 46 684 children born from HIV-positive mothers. The overall rate of MTCT was 7.00% (95% CI = 6.07–8.51). According to regions, the highest burden was in Adamaoua-region (17.51% [95% CI:14.21–21.07]) with only one study found. PMTCT option-B+ resulted in about 25% reduction of MTCT (8.97% [95% CI: 8.71–9.24] without option-B+ versus 2.88% [95% CI: 5.03–9.34] with option-B+). Regarding risk-factors, MTCT was significantly associated with the absence of PMTCT-interventions both in children (OR:5.40 [95% CI: 2.58–11.27]) and mothers (OR: 3.59 [95% CI: 2.15–5.99]). Regarding viral reservoirs, a pro-viral DNA mean of 3.34±1.05 log10/mL was observed among 5/57 children and archived HIV drug resistance mutations were identified in pro-viral DNA marker among 21/79 infected-children.

Conclusion

In spite of the dropdown in MTCT following option-B+ implementation, MTCT remains high in Cameroon, with substantial disparities across regions. Thus, in this era of option-B+, achieving MTCT elimination requires interventions in northern-Cameroon. The variation in pro-viral load in infected-children underlines the relevance of characterizing viral reservoirs for possible infection control in tropical settings.
Flame resistant cotton lines generated by synergistic epistasis in a MAGIC population
Authors: Thyssen Gregory N. , Condon Brian D. , Hinchliffe Doug J. , Zeng Linghe , Naoumkina Marina , Jenkins Johnie N. , McCarty Jack C. , Sui Ruixiu , Madison Crista , Li Ping , Fang David D.
Published: January 2023

Textiles made from cotton fibers are flammable and thus often include flame retardant additives for consumer safety. Transgressive segregation in multi-parent populations facilitates new combinations of alleles of genes and can result in traits that are superior to those of any of the parents. A screen of 257 recombinant inbred lines from a multi-parent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population for naturally enhance flame retardance (FR) was conducted. All eleven parents, like all conventional white fiber cotton cultivars produce flammable fabric. MAGIC recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that produced fibers with significantly lower heat release capacities (HRC) as measured by microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) were identified and the stability of the phenotypes of the outliers were confirmed when the RILs were grown at an additional location. Of the textiles fabricated from the five superior RILs, four exhibited the novel characteristic of inherent flame resistance. When exposed to open flame by standard 45° incline flammability testing, these four fabrics self-extinguished. To determine the genetic architecture of this novel trait, linkage, epistatic and multi-locus genome wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted with 473k SNPs identified by whole genome sequencing (WGS). Transcriptomes of developing fiber cells from select RILs were sequenced (RNAseq). Together, these data provide insight into the genetic mechanism of the unexpected emergence of flame-resistant cotton by transgressive segregation in a breeding program. The incorporation of this trait into global cotton germplasm by breeding has the potential to greatly reduce the costs and impacts of flame-retardant chemicals.
Dexmedetomidine versus remifentanil for controlled hypotension under general anesthesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Ning , Chen Linmu , Liu Lulu , Rong Wei
Published: January 2023

This meta-analysis aimed to analyze and compare the efficacy and safety of remifentanil and dexmedetomidine applied respectively for controlled hypotension under general anesthesia. We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, SinoMed, Wanfang, and VIP databases, as well as dissertations and conference papers, to obtain randomized controlled trials comparing remifentanil and dexmedetomidine applied respectively for controlled hypotension before August 23, 2021. The primary outcomes included hemodynamic profiles, surgical field score, and blood loss. Extubation time, sedation and pain score at the PACU, and perioperative adverse events were the secondary outcomes. Nine randomized controlled trials with 543 patients (272 in the dexmedetomidine group and 271 in the remifentanil group) were eventually included. This meta-analysis indicated no significant difference between dexmedetomidine and remifentanil in terms of surgical field score, blood loss, minimum values of mean arterial pressure (MD 0.24 with 95% CI [-1.65, 2.13], P = 0.80, I2 = 66%) and heart rate (MD 0.42 [-1.33, 2.17], P = 0.64, I2 = 40%), sedation scores at the PACU (MD -0.09 [-0.69, 0.50], P = 0.76, I2 = 92%), and incidence of bradycardia (OR 2.24 [0.70, 7.15], P = 0.17, I2 = 0%). Compared with remifentanil, dexmedetomidine as the controlled hypotensive agent showed a lower visual analogue score at the PACU (MD -1.01 [-1.25, -0.77], P<0.00001, I2 = 0%) and incidence of shivering (OR 0.22 [0.08, 0.60], P = 0.003, I2 = 0%), nausea, and vomiting (OR 0.34 [0.13, 0.89], P = 0.03, I2 = 0%). However, extubation time was shorter in the remifentanil group (MD 3.34 [0.75, 5.93], P = 0.01, I2 = 90%). In conclusion, dexmedetomidine and remifentanil are both effective in providing satisfactory controlled hypotension and surgical conditions. Dexmedetomidine is better in easing postoperative pain at the PACU and reducing the occurrence of shivering, nausea, and vomiting. Meanwhile, remifentanil is a fast-track anesthesia with a shorter extubation time. Given the limitations of this meta-analysis, further studies are needed for a more definitive comparison of the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil.