bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of GINS1 as a therapeutic target in the cancer patients infected with COVID-19: a bioinformatics and system biology approach
Authors: Hu Changpeng , Dai Yue , Zhou Huyue , Zhang Jing , Xie Dandan , Xu Rufu , Yang Mengmeng , Zhang Rong
Published: December 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused a series of biological changes in cancer patients which have rendered the original treatment ineffective and increased the difficulty of clinical treatment. However, the clinical treatment for cancer patients infected with COVID-19 is currently unavailable. Since bioinformatics is an effective method to understand undiscovered biological functions, pharmacological targets, and therapeutic mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of COVID-19 infection in cancer patients and to search the potential treatments.

Methods

Firstly, we obtained the COVID-19-associated genes from seven databases and analyzed the cancer pathogenic genes from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, respectively. The Cancer/COVID-19-associated genes were shown by Venn analyses. Moreover, we demonstrated the signaling pathways and biological functions of pathogenic genes in Cancer/COVID-19.

Results

We identified that Go-Ichi-Ni-San complex subunit 1 (GINS1) is the potential therapeutic target in Cancer/COVID-19 by GEPIA. The high expression of GINS1 was not only promoting the development of cancers but also affecting their prognosis. Furthermore, eight potential compounds of Cancer/COVID-19 were identified from CMap and molecular docking analysis.

Conclusion

We revealed the GINS1 is a potential therapeutic target in cancer patients infected with COVID-19 for the first time, as COVID-19 will be a severe and prolonged pandemic. However, the findings have not been verified actually cancer patients infected with COVID-19, and further studies are needed to demonstrate the functions of GINS1 and the clinical treatment of the compounds.
Biology, predatory potential and growth parameters of the syrphid fly, Scaeva pyrastri (L.) (Diptera: Syrphidae) feeding on the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)
Authors: Palial Shivani , Verma S. C. , Sharma P. L. , Chandel R. S. , Kumar Rakesh , Gupta Meenu , Sharma Nidhi , Sharma Priyanka
Published: December 2022

Background

Scaeva pyrastri (L.) (Diptera: Syrphidae) is a large-size Palaearctic region syrphid fly. The larval stage of S. pyrastri is aphidophagous in nature, while the adults are efficient pollinators of various crops. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the predation efficacy, biology and population growth parameters of S. pyrastri on the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as prey using age–stage-specific two-sex fertility table.

Results

The results showed that the mean total larval development duration was 8.31 days and the pre-adult stage was 19.82 ± 0.25 days long. In the adult stage, the mean longevity of female (18.57 ± 0.37 days) was longer than that of the male (15.50 ± 0.17 days). The adult pre-ovipositional, ovipositional and post-ovipositional periods were 4.25 ± 0.25, 8.50 ± 0.46 and 3.25 ± 0.31 days, respectively, and the mean female’s fecundity was 37.75 ± 1.16 eggs per female. The two-sex fertility table indicated that the age-specific fecundity (mx) increased gradually peaking at the 27th day of pivotal age (2.71 eggs per day) and decreased thereafter. The life expectancy of female was observed on the 18th (20.25 days) and 19th day (16.44 days) in the female and male flies, respectively. The female attained the maximum reproductive value (vxj) on the 25th day, which was 26.05 eggs needed to produce one individual. The population growth parameters indicated that the population had a net reproduction rate of 15.10 ± 4.19 offspring per individual and a true generation time of 28.86 ± 0.28 days. The intrinsic rate of increase was greater than zero (0.093 ± 0.011) and the finite rate of increase (λ) was greater than one (1.098 ± 0.012), which indicated that B. brassicae was the suitable prey for S. pyrastri. The values related to the number of aphids consumed by the larvae were: a net predation rate (Co) of 377.06 ± 26.54 nymphs and finite predation rate (ω) of 19.58 ± 0.78.

Conclusions

Scaeva pyrastri had a considerable predatory potential and fitted well for the biological control of aphids, especially B. brassicae. However the field potential is still unknown; thus, this study will be helpful in determining the field efficacy of S. pyrastri against B. brassicae.
Apparent trends in the use of femoral megaprostheses: an analysis from the National Joint Registry
Authors: Puttock Darren R. , Howard Daniel P. , Eastley Nicholas C. , Ashford Robert U.
Published: December 2022

Background

Megaprosthetic replacement (MPR) of the femur is typically reserved for salvage or oncological reconstruction. Presently little is known about the provision of femoral MPRs performed nationally, the trends in indications for their use, and their outcomes beyond published unit-level data. Although the National Joint Registry (NJR) collects data as part of a mandatory arthroplasty audit process, MPR data entry on this platform is thought to be inconsistent. The aim of this study is to determine current trends for femoral MPR procedures as submitted to the NJR.

Methods

Data for all procedures submitted to the NJR using the following implants were extracted: METS (Stanmore/Stryker), MUTARS (Implantcast), Segmental (Zimmer), GMRS (Stryker) and MEGA C (LINK). Pseudoanonymized data were analyzed through the NJR’s research Data Access Portal and are reported using descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 1781 procedures were identified. Submitted cases increased for primary and revision hip and knee categories over the study period, although they plateaued in recent years. MPR implants were most commonly used in revision hip arthroplasty procedures. MPR use for the management of peri-prosthetic fractures has increased and now represents the most commonly reported indication for MPR use in both hip and knee revision categories. Few centers submitted large MPR case volumes (which were noted to be lower than published unit case series, indicating NJR under-reporting), and the vast majority of centers submitting MPR cases did so in low volume.

Conclusions

Due to the limitations identified, reported case volumes must be interpreted with caution. An MPR-specific NJR data entry form has been developed to allow more accurate and tailored reporting of MPR procedures, to support specialist service provision, and to provide meaningful data for future research.
Nutritional, health benefits and toxicity of underutilized garden cress seeds and its functional food products: a review
Authors: Azene Meseret , Habte Kifle , Tkuwab Helen
Published: December 2022

Garden cress seed is a potential source of macro and micronutrients including essential fatty acids and amino acids as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. The seed also provides appreciable amount of health-protective bioactive compounds used to treat diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, bone fracture, asthma, constipation and some forms of cancer. Besides,, it is used to develop functional foods of therapeutic value in food manufacturing industries and traditional food preparations. Even though, it is known for its superior health benefits, provision of essential nutrients, and wider application in functional food development it is among the most underutilized crop in the world. Additionally, majority of studies conducted on garden cress seeds are mainly animal trials and hence needs to conduct studies on human. Therefore, the aim of this review paper is to provide up to date research evidence on the nutrient composition and therapeutic use of underutilized garden cress seeds and its functional food products, promising for the prevention of non-communicable and communicable diseases.

Graphical Abstract
4D petroelastic model calibration using time-lapse seismic signal
Authors: Rappin Didier , Trinh Phuong-Thu
Published: December 2022

In the last two decades, 4D seismic monitoring has become a widely used technique for oil and gas field production. Modeling studies are a standard for defining reservoir monitoring plans, optimizing survey design, and justifying the expense of data acquisition. Discrepancies between 4D seismic data and synthetic results can be analyzed through petroelastic modeling of reservoir simulations. However, assuming that a history match is available and that the reservoir model and fluid-flow simulation results can be trusted, characterization of pressure and fluid changes in the field remain challenging. A workflow is proposed to adjust the 4D petroelastic model (PEM) to better fit 4D seismic attributes with the dynamic behavior of the reservoir. The input data for 4D inversion consist of multiple broadband 4D-compliant processed base and monitor surveys recorded in a highly depleted clastic field offshore Africa. The broadband inversion results greatly reduce the background noise level, enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, and improve the definition of 4D signals. Due to various production effects all over the field, a new global calibration workflow to speed up the 4D petroelastic model adjustment is proposed. The combination of good 4D seismic inversions and a well-calibrated PEM is expected to have a significant impact on the reservoir monitoring. During the calibration process, reservoir model discrepancies with 4D seismic attributes can be identified, suggesting some updates of the reservoir model. In addition, when further monitors are considered, the calibrated 4D PEM provides more reliable predictability.
Pembrolizumab Versus Placebo as Second-Line Therapy in Patients From Asia With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III Trial
Authors: Qin Shukui , Chen Zhendong , Fang Weijia , Ren Zhenggang , Xu Ruocai , Ryoo Baek-Yeol , Meng Zhiqiang , Bai Yuxian , Chen Xiaoming , Liu Xiufeng , Xiao Juxiang , Ho Gwo Fuang , Mao Yimin , Wang Xin , Ying Jieer , Li Jianfeng , Zhong Wenyan , Zhou Yu , Siegel Abby B. , Hao Chunyi
Published: December 2022

PURPOSE

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in patients from Asia with previously treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

In a double-blind, phase III trial, 453 patients with advanced HCC and progression during or after treatment with or intolerance to sorafenib or oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive pembrolizumab (200 mg) or placebo once every 3 weeks for ≤ 35 cycles plus best supportive care. The primary end point was overall survival (one-sided significance threshold, P = .0193 [final analysis]). Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR; one-sided significance threshold, P = .0134 and .0091, respectively [second interim analysis]; RECIST version 1.1, by blinded independent central review).

RESULTS

Median overall survival was longer in the pembrolizumab group than in the placebo group (14.6 v 13.0 months; hazard ratio for death, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.99; P = .0180). Median PFS was also longer in the pembrolizumab group than in the placebo group (2.6 v 2.3 months; hazard ratio for progression or death, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.92; P = .0032). ORR was greater in the pembrolizumab group (12.7% [95% CI, 9.1 to 17.0]) than in the placebo group (1.3% [95% CI, 0.2 to 4.6]; P < .0001). Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 66.9% of patients (grade 3, 12.0%; grade 4, 1.3%; grade 5, 1.0%) in the pembrolizumab group and 49.7% of patients (grade 3, 5.9%; grade 4, 0%; grade 5, 0%) in the placebo group.

CONCLUSION

In patients from Asia with previously treated advanced HCC, pembrolizumab significantly prolonged overall survival and PFS, and ORR was greater versus placebo.
Between Banat
Authors: Shomali Mejdulene Bernard
Published: December 2022

In Between Banat Mejdulene Bernard Shomali examines homoeroticism and nonnormative sexualities between Arab women in transnational Arab literature, art, and film. Moving from The Thousand and One Nights and the Golden Era of Egyptian cinema to contemporary novels, autobiographical writing, and prints and graphic novels that imagine queer Arab futures, Shomali uses what she calls queer Arab critique to locate queer desire amid heteronormative imperatives. Showing how systems of heteropatriarchy and Arab nationalisms foreclose queer Arab women’s futures, she draws on the transliterated term “banat”—the Arabic word for girls—to refer to women, femmes, and nonbinary people who disrupt stereotypical and Orientalist representations of the “Arab woman.” By attending to Arab women’s narration of desire and identity, queer Arab critique substantiates queer Arab histories while challenging Orientalist and Arab national paradigms that erase queer subjects. In this way, Shomali frames queerness and Arabness as relational and transnational subject formations and contends that prioritizing transnational collectivity over politics of authenticity, respectability, and inclusion can help lead toward queer freedom.
A Retrospective Analysis of Pedicle Screw Placement Accuracy Using the ExcelsiusGPS Robotic Guidance System: Case Series
Authors: Kanaly Charles W. , Backes Danielle M. , Toossi Nader , Bucklen Brandon
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND:

Robotic guidance has become widespread in spine surgery. Although the intent is improved screw placement, further system-specific data are required to substantiate this intention for pedicle screws in spinal stabilization constructs.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the accuracy of pedicle screws placed with the aid of a robot in a cohort of patients immediately after the adoption of the robot-assisted surgery technique.

METHODS:

A retrospective, Institutional Review Board–approved study was performed on the first 100 patients at a single facility, who had undergone spinal surgeries with the use of robotic techniques. Pedicle screw accuracy was graded using the Gertzbein–Robbins Scale based on pedicle wall breach, with grade A representing 0 mm breach and successive grades increasing breach thresholds by 2 mm increments. Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography scans were also used to assess offsets between the objective plan and true screw placements.

RESULTS:

A total of 326 screws were analyzed among 72 patients with sufficient imaging data. Ages ranged from 21 to 84 years. The total accuracy rate based on the Gertzbein–Robbins Scale was 97.5%, and the rate for each grade is as follows: A, 82%; B, 15.5%; C, 1.5%; D, 1%; and E, 0. The average tip offset was 1.9 mm, the average tail offset was 2.0 mm, and the average angular offset was 2.6°.

CONCLUSION:

Robotic-assisted surgery allowed for accurate implantation of pedicle screws on immediate adoption of this technique. There were no complications attributable to the robotic technique, and no hardware revisions were required.
A WDR47 homolog facilitates ciliogenesis by modulating intraflagellar transport
Authors: Song Chun-Xue , Zeng Xian-Ting , Zeng Wan-Xin , Liu Rong , Tong Xia-Jing , Li Qian
Published: December 2022

Cilia are conserved organelles found in many cell types in eukaryotes, and their dysfunction causes defects in environmental sensing and signaling transduction; such defects are termed ciliopathies. Distinct cilia have cell-specific morphologies and exert distinct functions. However, the underlying mechanisms of cell-specific ciliogenesis and regulation are unclear. Here, we identified a WD40-repeat (WDR) protein, NMTN-1 (the homolog of mammalian WDR47), and show that it is specifically required for ciliogenesis of AWB chemosensory neurons in C. elegans. NMTN-1 is expressed in the AWB chemosensory neuron pair, and is enriched at the basal body (BB) of the AWB cilia. Knockout of nmtn-1 causes abnormal AWB neuron cilia morphology, structural integrity, and induces aberrant AWB-mediated aversive behaviors. We further demonstrate that nmtn-1 deletion affects movement of intraflagellar transport (IFT) particles and their cargo delivery in AWB neurons. Our results indicate that NMTN-1 is essential for AWB neuron ciliary morphology and function, which reveal a novel mechanism for cell-specific ciliogenesis. Given that WDR47/NMTN-1 is conserved in mammals, our findings may help understanding of the process of cell-specific ciliogenesis and provide insights for treating ciliopathies.
Pattern of Adolescent Suicides in Pakistan: A content analysis of Newspaper reports of two years
Authors: Imran Nazish , Naveed Sadiq , Rafiq Bariah , Tahir Sania Mumtaz , Ayub Maryam , Haider Imran Ijaz
Published: December 2022

Background and Objective: Suicide is a serious, yet preventable global mental health problem for people of all ages and countries. It is the third leading cause of death in 15-19-year-olds. There is paucity of systematic studies and official statistics on child & adolescent suicides in Pakistan. In the absence of other means, newspaper coverage of adolescent suicides may serve as a useful source to understand the phenomena. Our objective was to report pattern of suicide deaths in children and adolescents across Pakistan and to determine the predominant methods of suicide precipitating events and associated factors

Methods: This study used content analysis to analyze newspaper reports of adolescent suicide in four leading newspapers of Pakistan from January 1st, 2019, through December 31st, 2020. Search yielded 289 child and adolescent (ages<18) suicide reports. Data about various sociodemographic characteristics, methods of suicide, possible motives, and associated features (e.g., any suicide notes) was extracted and analyzed.

Results: Total 289 suicides in children and adolescents in Pakistan were reported in selected newspapers during two years among both genders (51.5 % boys and 48.5% girls) with high incidence in late adolescence (66%). The predominant method of suicide in this group was ingestion of poisonous substances (50%) followed by hanging (35%) and use of firearms (7%). The behavior usually takes place within or near the adolescent’s home environment. The act was often attributed to domestic conflicts including arguments with parents of the deceased and relationship problems.

Conclusion: To develop effective suicide prevention strategies for a population, it must be studied within its own socio-cultural context. Study results emphasize adolescent suicide being a reality in Pakistan. There is urgent need for further culture specific research in this area in the country.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6851

How to cite this: Imran N, Naveed S, Rafiq B, Tahir SM, Ayub M, Haider II. Pattern of Adolescent Suicides in Pakistan: A content analysis of Newspaper reports of two years. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):6-11. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6851

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Good participatory practice for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) research: the case of a COVID-19 prevention study
Authors: Perrone Carlo , Schilling William , Callery James J. , Ashley Elizabeth A. , Chambers Mary , Chase Hannah , Dahal Piyush , Kanthawang Nipaphan , Nedsuwan Supalert , Hanboonkunupakarn Borimas , Intralawan Daranee , Karkey Abhilasha , Mayxay Mayfong , Souvong Vimalay , Tran Minh Hien , Udas Shakya Summita , Sharma Sanjib Kumar , Uranw Surendra , Vannachione Souphaphone , Woodrow Charles , White Nicholas J. , Cheah Phaik Yeong
Published: December 2022

Background: The COPCOV study (chloroquine/ hydroxychloroquine prevention of coronavirus disease), which started recruitment in April 2020, is a multi-country double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial which is being conducted in healthcare facilities involved in COVID-19 case management. Participants are staff employed in facilities managing people with proven or suspected COVID-19. As part of the study, we conducted a series of engagement sessions. The aims were to assess the feasibility of the study, to identify context-specific ethical issues, to understand possible concerns, to fine tune research procedures and to refine the COPCOV information materials.

Methods: The COPCOV study was approved by relevant institutional review boards. The sessions described in this paper were part of the study. We conducted a series of engagement sessions, each involving a short presentation of the study, a section where attendees were asked to express their willingness to participate in such a study, which information they would need to change their view and an open Q&A section. Answers were transcribed and coded into themes by two independent investigators. Themes were derived from the data. They complemented other site-specific engagement, communication, and public relation activities such as press releases and websites.

Results and conclusions: From 16 th March 2020 to 20 th January 2021, 13 engagement sessions were conducted in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal and the UK involving 222 attendees in total. Issues raised revolved around the social value and study rationale; safety of trial medications and risk-benefit balance; study design and commitments. These sessions helped us identify  concerns people had, which helped us refine information materials as well as complement site feasibility assessments. Our experience strongly supports the use of participatory practices prior to conducting clinical trials.
MODELING BEHAVIOR OF CAR BODY STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS UNDER THE IMPACT OF WORKING AND EXTREME LOADS
Authors: Ksenofontova Victoria A. , Kiyashko Larisa A.
Published: December 2022

The article is devoted to the study behavior of car structural elements during operation and in extreme conditions that occur during road traffic accidents (RTA).

At present, a promising direction of research in this area is the development methods based on the analysis of structural elements of a damaged car deformed as a result an accident and the restoration of the energy exchange pattern upon impact.

Research carried out both theoretically and experimentally. Theoretical studies based on the methods of theoretical and applied mechanics, strength of materials and elasticity theory.

The goal is to improve the methodology for conducting an autotechnical examination of an accident.

Method or methodology of work: solving inverse problems of continuum mechanics.

Results: a technique developed for determining the initial speed of a car before an accident based on the results measuring deformed structural elements. The accuracy determining the initial speed of the car is proportional to the accuracy measuring the deformations damaged car.

Scope results: it is advisable to apply the obtained results when conducting an autotechnical examination of an accident.
Proporcjonalność jako kryterium oceny konstytucyjności ograniczeń praw i wolności jednostki wprowadzonych w związku z pandemią COVID-19
Authors: Florczak-Wątor Monika
Published: December 2022

The article analyses the principle of proportionality as a criterion for assessing the constitutionality of restrictions on individual rights and freedoms. The author explains that the principle of proportionality has different normative content when the state functions normally (Article 31 sec. 3 of the Constitution) compared to when a state of emergency is declared (Article 228 sec. 5 of the Constitution). She analyses the particular components of the principle of proportionality in both of these situations, and explains how they are understood in the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Tribunal and in legal scholarship. She concludes that the restrictions on individual rights and freedoms introduced in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic should be assessed in the light of the principle of proportionality described in Article 31 sec. 3 of the Constitution. This is a consequence of the failure on the part of Polish authorities to declare a state of emergency in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, which would have made it possible to evaluate these restrictions in the light of the principle of proportionality described in Article 228 sec. 5 of the Constitution.
Satisfaction to Stay, Regret to Switch: Understanding Post-adoption Regret in Choosing Competing Technologies When Herding
Authors: Zou Haiyun (Melody) , Sun Heshan , Fang Yulin
Published: December 2022

Facing hundreds of similar alternatives in any technology adoption decision, users commonly take a shortcut in the decision making: following others in the herd! Although herding is found to be an influential force for technology adoption, this research sheds light on its distal on user staying power in post-adoption evaluations. Supplementing the dominant perspective that users will stay with the chosen technology when satisfactory with the technology performance, this research proposes a new regret perspective to account for users’ concerns about the competing technologies and the decision process in the technology adoption decision. A research model is accordingly constructed and tested in two longitudinal field studies on user adoption and post-adoption evaluations across competing technologies in both forms of free software and paid hardware, with samples collected in Asia and Europe. Based on the findings and insights, this research suggests to IT vendors on how to retain users in the new era with competing technologies by understanding how post-adoption regret, the predominant factor of user switching, is formed and how it can be lessened.
Stall Economy: The Value of Mobility in Retail on Wheels
Authors: Cao Junyu , Qi Wei
Published: December 2022

Selling products in public spaces with wheeled vending stalls can potentially become ubiquitous in our future cities. Transition into such a “stall economy” paradigm is being spurred by the rapidly advancing self-driving technologies. In “Stall Economy: The Value of Mobility in Retail on Wheels,” Cao and Qi provide models, theory, and insights of spatial queueing systems, in which one server moves around to meet mobile customers and in which the “last 100 meters” are expensive. They derive the dependence of customer waiting and stall repositioning on two key decisions: the service zone size and the walking distance imposed on customers to meet a stall. They also propose a stylized joint truck-stall routing model to capture the inventory replenishment operations. They find that the stall economy potentially profits more than stationary retail, not only because of the mobility of stalls for providing proximity to customers but also, because of its operational flexibilities that allow for avoiding the “last 100 meters” and pooling demands.
Acute Hydrocephalus Associated with Streptococcus anginosus Meningitis
Authors: Sakurai Masako , Watari Takashi , Nakamura Itaru , Azuma  Kazunari , Homma Hiroshi
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Meningitis-related acute hydrocephalus is rare, challenging to diagnose, and has a high mortality rate.  Case description: Here we describe the case of a 76-year-old patient diagnosed with bacterial meningitis who developed acute hydrocephalus and subsequently died.  Discussion: Although meningitis-related acute hydrocephalus is usually non-occlusive, occlusive hydrocephalus may also occur. Moreover, worsening hydrocephalus despite cerebrospinal fluid drainage should prompt a diagnosis of obstructive hydrocephalus. In such conditions, potential management strategies include ventriculoperitoneal shunt and endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Conclusion: In patients with meningitis-related hydrocephalus, worsening despite appropriate antibiotic administration, treatment may be complicated by ventriculitis and obstructive hydrocephalus, which can be fatal. If intracranial pressure is not medically controlled, bilateral decompression craniectomy should be considered as a potential management strategy.
IMPACT OF STRESS ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY
Authors: Lebamovski Penio
Published: December 2022

The present article traces the impacts of stress on Heart Rate Variability (HRV). The stress can be caused either through sports or a 3D serious game that simulates real life situations. The study aims to perform an analysis and evaluation of HRV in both cases. One approach is to track the impact of running on HRV. It has been found that sport increases HRV by increasing sympathetic activity. At the same time, it has been proven that professional athletes and special forces have both a high sympathetic tone and a higher parasympathetic tone than ordinary people. Another approach to a stressful situation is through Virtual Reality (VR). Not everyone can be subjected to physical exertion for various reasons; therefore the use of virtual reality in medical diagnosis is important. Two virtual reality systems can be used in medical diagnosis: systems with and without immersion. Science has proven that the greater the immersion in virtual reality, the greater the sympathetic tone. Therefore, the sympathetic tone is most active in VR immersion systems such as Head Mounted Display (HMD).
IN VITRO STUDY OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF COMMERCIAL ESSENTIAL OILS OF THE LAMIACEAE FAMILY AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ATCC 29213, ESCHERICHIA COLI ATCC 25922 AND CANDIDA ALBICANS ATCC 10231
Authors: Mihaylova Yordanka , Ermenlieva Neli , Stamova Sylvia , Mihaylova Silviya , Georgieva Emilia , Tsvetkova Antoaneta , Georgieva Kalina
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential antimicrobial activity of four commercial essential oils: Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare (two for external use and two for internal one). The antimicrobial activity of the tested essential oils was determined by using the serial two-fold dilutions method. The following bacterial and yeast strains were purchased and used in the study: E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Thyme oil (external use) against E. coli, and C. albicans was 2 µg/ml and 4 µg/ml, respectively. The observed minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for Thyme oil (external use) against S. aureus was 8 µg/ml. The Thyme oil for internal use demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity than the topical form. The evaluated MBC against S. aureus was 4 µg/ml, and for E.coli, and C. albicans, it was even lower than 1 µg/ml.  While determining the MBC of Oregano oil (external) against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans, antimicrobial activity is reported as : 16 µg/ml against S. aureus, 4 µg/ml for E.coli and 32 µg/ml against C. albicans. Also, the observed antimicrobial activity of Oregano oil for internal use is higher than external form – 2 µg/ml against S. aureus and lower than 1 µg/ml for the other pathogens. The results of MIC and MBC determination of Thyme and Oregano oils showed that E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans demonstrate high sensitivity and  can be used in therapeutic practice, and some of them probably in combination with other antimicrobial agents.
PROFESSIONAL QULAITY OF LIFE AND BURN OUT AMONG PSYSIOTHERAPISTS IN LATAVIA
Authors: Barone Līga , Zakriževska-Belogrudova Maija
Published: December 2022

Background: In their daily practice, physiotherapists need to physically and emotionally interact with their patients; therefore, like any other helping professionals, are subject to emotional risks. The aim of this study is to explain the symptoms of compassion fatigue (CF) and professional burnout (BO) in Latvian physiotherapists and offer suggestions for the staff management.

Methods: To achieve the goal of the study, quantitative, non-experimental research was conducted using: the Professional Quality of Life Scale and the Maslach’s Burnout Scale. The present study measures the level of compassion satisfaction (CS), secondary traumatic stress (STS), and Burn Out (BO) syndrome. In addition, the BO was measured along with its three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DP), and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment (PA). Convenience sampling was used in the study. The survey was conducted among 155 physiotherapists with an average age of 35.5 years and an average length of service of 9.5 years.

Results: The results of the study show that physiotherapists have moderate Compassion Fatigue (M=36,37±7,23), low Secondary Traumatic Stress (M=27,54±4,65), and moderate Burn Out (M=17,68±6,89) (only EE dimension had a high value (M=24,52±12,84), but moderate Depersonalisation P (M=7,3±6,06) and low Personal Accomplishment (M=38,92±6,49). Statistically significant correlations are found between all these phenomena. Furthermore, statistically significant differences in these phenomena among physiotherapists with different length of service are also confirmed.

Conclusions: The study demonstrates the association between CF, STS, and BO symptoms and their variability over a physiotherapist’s length of service. Under the influence of these emotional risks, 60% of respondents reported a lack of compassion satisfaction to continue working as a physiotherapist.
Decompression alone or decompression with fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis: a randomized clinical trial with two-year MRI follow-up
Authors: Karlsson Thomas , Försth Peter , Skorpil Mikael , Pazarlis Konstantinos , Öhagen Patrik , Michaëlsson Karl , Sandén Bengt
Published: December 2022

Aims

The aims of this study were first, to determine if adding fusion to a decompression of the lumbar spine for spinal stenosis decreases the rate of radiological restenosis and/or proximal adjacent level stenosis two years after surgery, and second, to evaluate the change in vertebral slip two years after surgery with and without fusion.

Methods

The Swedish Spinal Stenosis Study (SSSS) was conducted between 2006 and 2012 at five public and two private hospitals. Six centres participated in this two-year MRI follow-up. We randomized 222 patients with central lumbar spinal stenosis at one or two adjacent levels into two groups, decompression alone and decompression with fusion. The presence or absence of a preoperative spondylolisthesis was noted. A new stenosis on two-year MRI was used as the primary outcome, defined as a dural sac cross-sectional area ≤ 75 mm2 at the operated level (restenosis) and/or at the level above (proximal adjacent level stenosis).

Results

A total of 211 patients underwent surgery at a mean age of 66 years (69% female): 103 were treated by decompression with fusion and 108 by decompression alone. A two-year MRI was available for 176 (90%) of the eligible patients. A new stenosis at the operated and/or adjacent level occurred more frequently after decompression and fusion than after decompression alone (47% vs 29%; p = 0.020). The difference remained in the subgroup with a preoperative spondylolisthesis, (48% vs 24%; p = 0.020), but did not reach significance for those without (45% vs 35%; p = 0.488). Proximal adjacent level stenosis was more common after fusion than after decompression alone (44% vs 17%; p < 0.001). Restenosis at the operated level was less frequent after fusion than decompression alone (4% vs 14%; p = 0.036). Vertebral slip increased by 1.1 mm after decompression alone, regardless of whether a preoperative spondylolisthesis was present or not.

Conclusion

Adding fusion to a decompression increased the rate of new stenosis on two-year MRI, even when a spondylolisthesis was present preoperatively. This supports decompression alone as the preferred method of surgery for spinal stenosis, whether or not a degenerative spondylolisthesis is present preoperatively. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(12):1343–1351.
The management of sacral tumours
Authors: Rose Peter S.
Published: December 2022

Tumours of the sacrum are difficult to manage. The sacrum provides the structural connection between the torso and lower half of the body and is subject to both axial and rotational forces. Thus, tumours or their treatment can compromise the stability of the spinopelvic junction. Additionally, nerves responsible for lower limb motor groups as well as bowel, bladder, and sexual function traverse or abut the sacrum. Preservation or sacrifice of these nerves in the treatment of sacral tumours has profound implications on the function and quality of life of the patient. This annotation will discuss current treatment protocols for sacral tumours.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(12):1284–1291.
How are adults who had Perthes’ disease functioning?
Authors: Kim Harry K. W. , Almakias Roi , Millis Michael B. , Vakulenko-Lagun Bella ,   on behalf of the International Perthes Study Group
Published: December 2022

Aims

Perthes’ disease (PD) is a childhood hip disorder that can affect the quality of life in adulthood due to femoral head deformity and osteoarthritis. There is very little data on how PD patients function as adults, especially from the patients’ perspective. The purpose of this study was to collect treatment history, demographic details, the University of California, Los Angeles activity score (UCLA), the 36-Item Short Form survey (SF-36) score, and the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome score (HOOS) of adults who had PD using a web-based survey method and to compare their outcomes to the outcomes from an age- and sex-matched normative population.

Methods

The English REDCap-based survey was made available on a PD study group website. The survey included childhood and adult PD history, UCLA, SF-36, and HOOS. Of the 1,182 participants who completed the survey, the 921 participants who did not have a total hip arthroplasty are the focus of this study. The mean age at survey was 38 years (SD 12) and the mean duration from age at PD onset to survey participation was 30.8 years (SD 12.6).

Results

In comparison to a normative population, the PD participants had significantly lower HOOS scores across all five scales (p < 0.001) for all age groups. Similarly, SF-36 scores of the participants were significantly lower (p < 0.001) for all scales except for age groups > 55 years. Overall, females, obese participants, those who reported no treatment in childhood, and those with age of onset > 11 years had significantly worse SF-36 and HOOS scores. Pairwise correlations showed a strong positive correlation within HOOS scales and between HOOS scales and SF-36 scales, indicating construct validity.

Conclusion

Adult PD participants had significantly worse pain, physical, mental, and social health than an age- and sex-matched normative cohort. The study reveals a significant burden of disease on the adult participants of the survey, especially females. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(12):1304–1312.
Coronavirus in hip fractures (CHIP) 4
Authors: Rashid Fatima , Mahmood Aatif , Hawkes David H. , Harrison William J. ,   on behalf of the CHIP collaborative group
Published: December 2022

Aims

Prior to the availability of vaccines, mortality for hip fracture patients with concomitant COVID-19 infection was three times higher than pre-pandemic rates. The primary aim of this study was to determine the 30-day mortality rate of hip fracture patients in the post-vaccine era.

Methods

A multicentre observational study was carried out at 19 NHS Trusts in England. The study period for the data collection was 1 February 2021 until 28 February 2022, with mortality tracing until 28 March 2022. Data collection included demographic details, data points to calculate the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score, COVID-19 status, 30-day mortality, and vaccination status.

Results

A total of 337 patients tested positive for COVID-19. The overall 30-day mortality in these patients was 7.7%: 5.5% in vaccinated patients and 21.7% in unvaccinated patients. There was no significant difference between post-vaccine mortality compared with pre-pandemic 2019 controls (7.7% vs 5.0%; p = 0.068). Independent risk factors for mortality included unvaccinated status, Abbreviated Mental Test Score ≤ 6, male sex, age > 80 years, and time to theatre > 36 hours, in decreasing order of effect size.

Conclusion

The vaccination programme has reduced 30-day mortality rates in hip fracture patients with concomitant COVID-19 infection to a level similar to pre-pandemic. Mortality for unvaccinated patients remained high. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(12):1362–1368.
Critical Artwork, Critical Actions, and the Inclusion of Difference
Authors: Cockrell-Abdullah Autumn
Published: December 2022

Guest editor's introduction to the special issue.
The Impact of the Evil Side of the English Language on My Life as an Artist
Authors: Baram Halgurd A.
Published: December 2022

Discussing the English language and its difficult imposition into Kurdish life in Iraqi Kurdistan, Baram positions the Kurdish language as the boundary that marks Kurdish cultural space. He places Kurdish speakers in a precarious interrelationship between globalization and its negative effects, the endangered nature of the Kurdish language and its preservation as key to the cultural survival of the Kurds, and the English language as a problematic tool, necessary for interactions with a global community but laden with imperialistic anti-Middle Eastern and anti-Islamic meanings.
Hospitalizations Among Children and Youth With Autism in the United States: Frequency, Characteristics, and Costs
Authors: McMaughan, Darcy Jones (DJ) , Jones Jennifer L. , Mulcahy Abigail , Tucker Emily C. , Beverly Judith G. , Perez-Patron Maria
Published: December 2022

National estimates of hospitalization diagnoses and costs were determined using the 2016 HCUP Kids' Inpatient Database. Children and youth with autism were hospitalized over 45,000 times at over $560 million in costs and 260,000 inpatient days. The most frequent principal diagnoses for hospitalizations of children and youth with autism were epilepsy, mental health conditions, pneumonia, asthma, and gastrointestinal disorders, which resulted in almost $200 million in costs and 150,000 inpatient days. Mental health diagnoses accounted for 24.8% of hospitalizations, an estimated $82 million in costs, and approximately 94,000 inpatient days. Children and youth with autism were more likely hospitalized for epilepsy, mental health diagnoses, and gastrointestinal disorders, and less likely for pneumonia and asthma compared to other children and youth.
Preliminary Results of an Interdisciplinary Behavioral Program to Improve Access to Preventative Dental Care for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Berens John C. , Tsami Loukia , Lerman Dorothea C. , Matteucci Marissa , Fray David F. , Warner Ben F. , Keehan Laura A. , Staggers Kristen A. , Peacock Cynthia
Published: December 2022

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (AIDD) experience significant oral health disparities, partially due to perceived behavioral issues. This article describes the preliminary outcomes of a developing interdisciplinary (dental, medical, behavioral) program involving a behavioral intervention for AIDD previously receiving preventative dental care with sedation, general anesthesia, or protective stabilization (SAS). After a baseline assessment, a board-certified behavior analyst implemented increasingly complex behavioral interventions during simulated dental visits. Prior to COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions, there were 32 active participants; 15 (46.9%) successfully completed a focused, real dental exam with simple behavioral interventions and 17 (53.1%) remain in treatment. These preliminary results suggest that many AIDD previously receiving SAS may participate in a preventative dental exam with minimal behavioral supports, if given the opportunity.
High intensity pulse propagation in fiber Bragg gratings
Authors: Eggleton B. J. , Slusher R. E. , Strasser T. A. , de Sterke C. M.
Published: December 2022

Recently we reported the first systematic experiments describing high intensity pulse propagation in fiber Bragg gratings [1-3]. These experiments demonstrated nonlinear pulse compression, and pulse shaping, and also demonstrated the generation and propagation of grating solitons [1]. which exist because of the balancing of nonlinearity of the glass and the strong dispersion of the grating [4-6]. Possibly the most striking feature of these solitons is that they can travel at velocities between zero and the speed of light in the medium. Indeed initial experimental, which were performed in uniform (unchirped) gratings, indicated that the solitons propagated at about 75% of the speed of light in the uniform medium. In this paper we review the nonlinear optics of fiber gratings and in particular discuss the experimental realization of grating solitons. We also discuss two extensions of this work: launching of slow grating solitons in apodized fiber gratings; and experimental studies of modulational instabilities (MIs) in Bragg gratings. Finally we mention the possibility of soliton engineering, through the design of nonuniform gratings.
Ultrashort Pulse Propagation Through Fibre Gratings: Theory and Experiment
Authors: Chen L. R. , Benjamin S. D. , Smith P. W. E. , Sipe J. E.
Published: December 2022

In-fibre Bragg gratings have numerous applications for optical communications and fibre optic sensors. Typically, grating-based devices and applications involve incoherent broadband sources, narrowband cw sources, or pulsed (quasi-cw) sources where the spectral bandwidth of the input pulse is narrower than that of the grating response. Propagation through fibre gratings for the above cases has been examined and is well understood.1,2
Nonlinear Self-Switching and Multiple Gap Soliton Formation in a Fibre Bragg Grating
Authors: Taverner D. , Broderick N.G.R. , Richardson D.J. , Ibsen. M.
Published: December 2022

The interplay of the Kerr-induced nonlinear refractive index changes and dispersion in nonlinear Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) leads to a plethora of nonlinear phenomena, the most striking of which is perhaps the formation and propagation of gap solitons [1]. Whilst a considerable amount of theoretical work has been performed in this area [1,2,3,4] experimental observations of nonlinear grating behaviour are limited, principally by the difficulty in getting sufficiently high power densities within the core of a FBG in a suitable spectral and temporal range. In order to reduce the nonlinear threshold for gap soliton formation one can use the somewhat weaker dispersive properties of FBGs outside of the band gap and indeed recent experiments have yielded the first strong evidence of Bragg grating gap soliton formation by this means [5,6]. However, the strongest and most manifestly nonlinear effects are predicted to occur at wavelengths within the band gap, close to the Bragg wavelength of the grating structure and it is therefore essential to make measurements within this regime. In this paper we report what we believe to be the first clear experimental observation of nonlinearity within the band gap of an FBG, namely nonlinear self-switching and, at higher intensities, multiple gap soliton formation.
Performance Characteristics of Single Frequency Er3+:Yb3+ Codoped Fiber Lasers
Authors: Loh W. H. , Samson B. N. , Dong L. , Cowie G. J. , Hsu K.
Published: December 2022

For much of this decade, interest has been sustained in developing high performance single frequency Er3+-fiber lasers1-3. For robust single frequency operation, these lasers need to be only centimeters long. Early grating-based fiber lasers relied on Er-germanosilicate fibers, but lasing powers were low - μW typically1,2, due to low pump absorption in the short cavity. Increasing the Er-concentration to increase absorption is however difficult. Germanosilicate fibers are prone to ion clustering, which degrades the efficiency and destablises4,5 the laser. Thus the need to amplify the laser power to useful levels of a mW or more is a drawback where low noise sources are desired.