bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient perspectives on community pharmacy administered and dispensing of methadone treatment for opioid use disorder: a qualitative study in the U.S.
Authors: Wu Li-Tzy , John William S. , Mannelli Paolo , Morse Eric D. , Anderson Alyssa , Schwartz Robert P.
Published: August 2023

Background

Pharmacy administration and dispensing of methadone treatment for opioid use disorder (PADMOUD) may address inadequate capability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in the US by expanding access to methadone at community pharmacies nationally. PADMOUD is vastly underutilized in the US. There is no published US study on OUD patients’ perspectives on PADMOUD. Data are timely and needed to inform the implementation of PADMOUD in the US to address its serious opioid overdose crisis.

Methods

Patient participants of the first completed US trial on PADMOUD through electronic prescribing for methadone (parent study) were interviewed to explore implementation-related factors for PADMOUD. All 20 participants of the parent study were invited to participate in this interview study. Each interview was recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify emergent themes.

Results

Seventeen participants completed the interview. Patients’ perspectives on PADMOUD were grouped into five areas. Participants reported feasibility of taking the tablet formulation of methadone at the pharmacy and identified benefits from PADMOUD (e.g., better access, efficiency, convenience) compared with usual care at the OTP. Participants perceived support for PADMOUD from their family/friends, OTP staff, and pharmacy staff. PADMOUD was perceived to be a great option for stable patients with take-home doses and those with transportation barriers. The distance (convenience), office hours, and the cost were considered factors most influencing their decision to receive methadone from a pharmacy. Nonjudgmental communication, pharmacists’ training on methadone treatment, selection of patients (stable status), workflow of PADMOUD, and protection of privacy were considered key factors for improving operations of PADMOUD.

Conclusion

This study presents the first findings on patient perspectives on PADMOUD. Participants considered pharmacies more accessible than OTPs, which could encourage more people to receive methadone treatment earlier and help transition stable patients from an OTP into a local pharmacy. The findings have timely implications for informing implementation strategies of PADMOUD that consider patients’ views and needs.
Relationship between emotional divorce and alexithymia among married women in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AL-shahrani Hend Faye , Hammad Mohammad Ahmed
Published: August 2023

Background

Emotional divorce occurs when a couple continues to live together due to necessity and coercion but they do not have a positive or constructive relationship, which negatively affects the stability of married life. Due to the low social acceptance of a formal divorce in the Saudi society, emotional divorce is common in several families. The rigidity of feelings and emotions within the family and the inability to express them may indicate the presence of alexithymia, which could result in the collapse of the family system and place the people involved at risk of mental health problems such as depression. Therefore, it is important to determine the prevalence of emotional divorce among married women in Saudi Arabia and to examine the relationship between emotional divorce and alexithymia.

Methods

Data were collected from 305 married women in Saudi Arabia (Mage= 33.24 years; SDage= 4.87 years), using the Emotional Divorce Scale and the Alexithymia Scale.

Results

Results revealed that 78.36% of the participants experienced moderate to severe levels of emotional divorce. Working women, those who had been married for more than ten years, and those with five or more children exhibited a higher incidence of emotional divorce as compared to their counterparts. A linear regression analysis indicated that alexithymia was significantly associated with emotional divorce in this sample.

Conclusion

These results suggest the need for examining the negative consequences of emotional divorce on the family and society. Additionally, it is important to educate young individuals of marriageable age about the nature of married life, and ways to deal with problems that occur. Finally, couples should be encouraged to express their positive and negative emotions with their spouse to build the marital relationship, and achieve compatibility and marital satisfaction.
Presymptomatic and early pathological features of MAPT-associated frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Authors: Giannini Lucia AA , Mol Merel O , Rajicic Ana , van Buuren Renee , Sarkar Lana , Arezoumandan Sanaz , Ohm Daniel T , Irwin David J , Rozemuller Annemieke JM ,   Netherlands Brain Bank, van Swieten John C , Seelaar Harro
Published: August 2023

Early pathological features of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) due to MAPT pathogenic variants (FTLD-MAPT) are understudied, since early-stage tissue is rarely available. Here, we report unique pathological data from three presymptomatic/early-stage MAPT variant carriers (FTLD Clinical Dementia Rating [FTLD-CDR] = 0–1). We examined neuronal degeneration semi-quantitatively and digitally quantified tau burden in 18 grey matter (9 cortical, 9 subcortical) and 13 white matter (9 cortical, 4 subcortical) regions. We compared presymptomatic/early-stage pathology to an intermediate/end-stage cohort (FTLD-CDR = 2–3) with the same variants (2 L315R, 10 P301L, 6 G272V), and developed a clinicopathological staging model for P301L and G272V variants. The 68-year-old presymptomatic L315R carrier (FTLD-CDR = 0) had limited tau burden morphologically similar to L315R end-stage carriers in middle frontal, antero-inferior temporal, amygdala, (para-)hippocampus and striatum, along with age-related Alzheimer’s disease neuropathological change. The 59-year-old prodromal P301L carrier (FTLD-CDR = 0.5) had highest tau burden in anterior cingulate, anterior temporal, middle/superior frontal, and fronto-insular cortex, and amygdala. The 45-year-old early-stage G272V carrier (FTLD-CDR = 1) had highest tau burden in superior frontal and anterior cingulate cortex, subiculum and CA1. The severity and distribution of tau burden showed some regional variability between variants at presymptomatic/early-stage, while neuronal degeneration, mild-to-moderate, was similarly distributed in frontotemporal regions. Early-stage tau burden and neuronal degeneration were both less severe than in intermediate-/end-stage cases. In a subset of regions (10 GM, 8 WM) used for clinicopathological staging, clinical severity correlated strongly with neuronal degeneration (rho = 0.72, p < 0.001), less strongly with GM tau burden (rho = 0.57, p = 0.006), and did not with WM tau burden (p = 0.9). Clinicopathological staging showed variant-specific patterns of early tau pathology and progression across stages. These unique data demonstrate that tau pathology and neuronal degeneration are present already at the presymptomatic/early-stage of FTLD-MAPT, though less severely compared to intermediate/end-stage disease. Moreover, early pathological patterns, especially of tau burden, differ partly between specific MAPT variants.
The effects of language and home factors on Lebanese students’ mathematics performance in TIMSS
Authors: Younes Rayya , Salloum Sara , Antoun Maya
Published: August 2023

Understanding the long-standing educational inequities associated with socioeconomic status remains significant for transforming educational policies and practices. To better understand entanglements among socioeconomic status and students’ performance in mathematics, we examined different home factors (including language of the test) that influence Lebanese learners’ performance in TIMSS. Exploring TIMSS data can assist us in identifying areas and groups of students who require additional assistance in order to address inequities. The purpose of this study is to investigate how language and other home factors influence Lebanese students’ mathematics performance in TIMSS. Mathematics is taught in a foreign language (English or French) in Lebanon, according to Language of Learning and Teaching policy (LoLT) that dates to 1926. Using TIMSS data and hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), we looked at how students performed in mathematics based on the language of the test and how often they spoke it at home. Other home factors such as parents’ education level, number of books owned, and parents’ involvement were also examined. Results show that not speaking the language of the test at home and other SES-related factors had different but mostly significant contribution to students’ mathematics scores. Lebanese students’ overall low performance suggests the time is ripe for a reformed Lebanese curricula that responds to the needs of learners and of society, taking into consideration students’ cultural capital and language of instruction.
Molecular conformation and dilute solution properties of barley β-glucan: unveiling β-glucan as a highly flexible biopolymer under different processing conditions
Authors: Hematian Sourki Abdollah , Hesarinejad Mohammad Ali
Published: August 2023

Background

The functional properties of food fluids containing hydrocolloids are influenced by temperature, soluble salts, pH and the presence of sugars. In this research, the properties of a dilute barley β-glucan (BBG) solution were evaluated in the presence of various factors. Different models were explored to determine the intrinsic viscosity of BBG.

Results

The results indicated that the models of Higiro and Tanglertpaibul–Rao were more efficient in determining the intrinsic viscosity of BBG at different temperatures, different pH, the presence of sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and sucrose. Every 10 °C increase in temperature from 25 to 65 °C caused a decrease in intrinsic viscosity by 7.8, 10, 5.7 and 7.2%, respectively. In relation to the non-ionic structure of BBG, the presence of monovalent and bivalent salts had a negligible effect on reducing the intrinsic viscosity. The increase in pH from 3 to 7 caused a rise in intrinsic viscosity. But a further increase in pH, up to 9, caused a decrease in intrinsic viscosity. However, these changes were not significant and indicated that the non-ionic structure of BBG was independent of the pH. Since the constant b values of BBG were close to 1 at all temperatures, salt concentrations, different pH values and different sucrose concentrations, it can be assumed that the structure of BBG in the dilute range was close to the random coil conformation.

Conclusions

The values of flexibility index and activation energy for BBG were calculated as 789.52 and $${0.65\times 10}^{7}$$

0.65
×
10

7

 J/kmole, respectively, which indicated that this hydrocolloid was highly flexible in different environmental conditions and it was independent of the processing temperature. Therefore, BBG can be recommended as a natural thickener in food-related fluids.

Graphical Abstract
Newly developed sarcopenia after liver transplantation, determined by a fully automated 3D muscle volume estimation on abdominal CT, can predict post-transplant diabetes mellitus and poor survival outcomes
Authors: Park Sae-Jin , Yoon Jeong Hee , Joo Ijin , Lee Jeong Min
Published: August 2023

Background

Loss of muscle mass is the most common complication of end-stage liver disease and negatively affects outcomes for liver transplantation (LT) recipients. We aimed to determine the prognostic value of a fully automated three-dimensional (3D) muscle volume estimation using deep learning algorithms on abdominal CT in patients who underwent liver transplantation (LT).

Methods

This retrospective study included 107 patients who underwent LT from 2014 to 2015. Serial CT scans, including pre-LT and 1- and 2-year follow-ups were performed. From the CT scans, deep learning-based automated body composition segmentation software was used to calculate muscle volumes in 3D. Sarcopenia was calculated by dividing average skeletal muscle area by height squared. Newly developed-(ND) sarcopenia was defined as the onset of sarcopenia 1 or 2 years after LT in patients without a history of sarcopenia before LT. Patients’ clinical characteristics, including post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) and Model for end-stage liver disease score, were compared according to the presence or absence of sarcopenia after LT. A subgroup analysis was performed in the post-LT sarcopenic group. The Kaplan–Meier method was used for overall survival (OS).

Results

Patients with ND-sarcopenia had poorer OS than those who did not (P = 0.04, hazard ratio [HR], 3.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05 – 10.7). In the subgroup analysis for post-LT sarcopenia (n = 94), 34 patients (36.2%) had ND-sarcopenia. Patients with ND-sarcopenia had significantly worse OS (P = 0.002, HR 7.12; 95% CI 2.00 – 25.32) and higher PTDM occurrence rates (P = 0.02, HR 4.93; 95% CI 1.18 – 20.54) than those with sarcopenia prior to LT.

Conclusion

ND-sarcopenia determined by muscle volume on abdominal CT can predict poor survival outcomes and the occurrence of PTDM for LT recipients.
Ex vivo cultivated retinal pigment epithelial cell transplantation for the treatment of rabbit corneal endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Dong Chunxiao , Zou Dulei , Duan Haoyun , Hu Xiangyue , Zhou Qingjun , Shi Weiyun , Li Zongyi
Published: August 2023

Objective

Stem cell therapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction, and the need to find functional alternative seed cells of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) is urgent. Here, we determined the feasibility of using the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as an equivalent substitute for the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction.

Methods

RPE cells and CECs in situ were obtained from healthy New Zealand male rabbits, and the similarities and differences between them were analyzed by electron microscopy, immunofluorescent staining, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Rabbit primary RPE cells and CECs were isolated and cultivated ex vivo, and Na+/K+-ATPase activity and cellular permeability were detected at passage 2. The injection of cultivated rabbit primary RPE cells, CECs and human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE cells was performed on rabbits with corneal endothelial dysfunction. Then, the therapeutic effects were evaluated by corneal transparency, central corneal thickness, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), qRT-PCR and immunofluorescent staining.

Results

The rabbit RPE cells were similar in form to CECs in situ and ex vivo, showing a larger regular hexagonal shape and a lower cell density, with numerous tightly formed cell junctions and hemidesmosomes. Moreover, RPE cells presented a stronger barrier and ionic pumping capacity than CECs. When intracamerally injected into the rabbits, the transplanted primary RPE cells could dissolve corneal edema and decrease corneal thickness, with effects similar to those of CECs. In addition, the transplantation of hESC-derived RPE cells exhibited a similar therapeutic effect and restored corneal transparency and thickness within seven days. qRT-PCR results showed that the expressions of CEC markers, like CD200 and S100A4, increased, and the RPE markers OTX2, BEST1 and MITF significantly decreased in the transplanted RPE cells. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that rabbits transplanted with hESC-derived RPE cells maintained normal corneal thickness and exhibited slight pigmentation in the central cornea one month after surgery. Immunostaining results showed that the HuNu-positive transplanted cells survived and expressed ZO1, ATP1A1 and MITF.

Conclusion

RPE cells and CECs showed high structural and functional similarities in barrier and pump characteristics. Intracameral injection of primary RPE cells and hESC-derived RPE cells can effectively restore rabbit corneal clarity and thickness and maintain normal corneal function. This study is the first to report the effectiveness of RPE cells for corneal endothelial dysfunction, suggesting the feasibility of hESC-derived RPE cells as an equivalent substitute for CECs.
Changes of dental anxiety, aesthetic perception and oral health-related quality of life related to influencing factors of patients’ demographics after anterior implant treatment: a prospective study
Authors: Xie Xin , Zhang Zhengchuan , Zhou Jing , Deng Feilong
Published: August 2023

Background

Accumulating evidence has revealed the effects of anterior implant procedures on dental anxiety (DA), aesthetic perception and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). However, few reported the changes and influencing factors of the above outcomes before and after anterior implant treatment. This study was to evaluate the changes of DA, aesthetic perception and OHRQoL related to influencing factors of patients' demographics after anterior implant treatment.

Methods

Thirty-nine patients satisfying the inclusion criteria were prospectively recruited before surgery. The subjects completed the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OSE) and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), before implant surgery and after definitive prosthesis placement. Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test by Bonferroni correction were applied for the data analysis and the influencing factors evaluation (p < 0.05).

Results

Overall, 39 patients (mean age of 44.9 ± 12.0) completed the three scales. After anterior implant treatment, MDAS was not significantly changed (p > 0.05). The overall OSE (p < 0.001) and OHIP-14 (p < 0.05) were significantly improved. Females showed more improvement of overall OHIP score than males after anterior implant treatment (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Anterior implant procedures did not change the level of patient’s DA, while aesthetic perception and OHRQoL were enhanced. Only gender difference of overall OHIP change was found in our study. Thus, more related influencing factors with larger sample and long-term effective follow-up are needed.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05424458. Registered 13 June 2022—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05424458.
A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast achieved a pathological complete response after dose-dense AC + dose-dense PTX
Authors: Araki Misato , Matsui Koshi , Takagi Kohji , Kanaya Emi , Sekine Shinichi , Nagasawa Shiho , Watanabe Toru , Miwa Takeshi , Hirano Katsuhisa , Igarashi Takamichi , Tanaka Haruyoshi , Shibuya Kazuto , Hashimoto Isaya , Hojo Shozo , Yoshioka Isaku , Okumura Tomoyuki , Hirabayashi Kenichi , Fujii Tsutomu
Published: August 2023

Background

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is a rare form of breast cancer, accounting for approximately 0.1% of all breast cancers. It is known for its rapid tumor growth and poor prognosis with no established treatment.

Case presentation

A 56-year-old woman was diagnosed with breast SCC with axillary, supraclavicular and internal thoracic lymph node metastases. She received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) followed by dose-dense paclitaxel (PTX). This treatment resulted in a pathological complete response (pCR) after breast-conserving surgery. The patient was then treated with radiotherapy. She remained free of recurrence for three years postoperatively.

Conclusions

We report a rare case of breast SCC treated with preoperative dose-dense chemotherapy, resulting in pCR and allowing breast-conserving surgery.
A case of sigmoid colon perforation due to segmental absence of intestinal musculature (SAIM) accompanied by vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome: a case report
Authors: Funaki Kosuke , Akagi Tomonori , Shiroshita Hidefumi , Itai Yusuke , Watanabe Kiminori , Shuto Takashi , Ueda Yoshitake , Etoh Tsuyoshi , Miyamoto Shinji , Daa Tsutomu , Inomata Masafumi
Published: August 2023

Background

Segmental absence of intestinal musculature (SAIM) is a partial defect of the intrinsic muscular layer of the intestinal tract. In this report, we describe a case of perforation of the sigmoid colon due to SAIM accompanied by vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (vEDS), which was successfully treated by surgical therapy.

Case presentation

A male in his 30 s was being followed up for vEDS diagnosed by genetic testing. He had undergone two major vascular surgeries, abdominal aortic artery revascularization and thoracic endovascular aortic repair for a residual dissection and enlarging abdominal aortic aneurysm. On postoperative day 11, the patient developed perforation of the sigmoid colon for which intraperitoneal lavage and drainage, Hartmann surgery, and transverse colostomy were performed. Histological findings showed no disturbance of blood flow or diverticulum but did show a defect in the intrinsic muscular layer around the perforation site, leading to the pathological diagnosis of SAIM and associated perforation of the sigmoid colon. Postoperatively, the patient had no complications and was discharged on postoperative day 18. The patient is being followed as an outpatient and has experienced no relapse.

Conclusions

Both SAIM and vEDS, which may be related diseases, are associated with the presence of tissue fragility and have a high potential to cause intestinal perforation Caution should be exercised during surveillance in patients with constipation and examinations that cause increased intestinal pressure.
Raising concerns on questionable ethics approvals – a case study of 456 trials from the Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection
Authors: Frank Fabrice , Florens Nans , Meyerowitz-katz Gideon , Barriere Jérôme , Billy Éric , Saada Véronique , Samuel Alexander , Robert Jacques , Besançon Lonni
Published: August 2023

Background

The practice of clinical research is strictly regulated by law. During submission and review processes, compliance of such research with the laws enforced in the country where it was conducted is not always correctly filled in by the authors or verified by the editors. Here, we report a case of a single institution for which one may find hundreds of publications with seemingly relevant ethical concerns, along with 10 months of follow-up through contacts with the editors of these articles. We thus argue for a stricter control of ethical authorization by scientific editors and we call on publishers to cooperate to this end.

Methods

We present an investigation of the ethics and legal aspects of 456 studies published by
the IHU-MI (Institut
Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection) in Marseille, France.

Results

We identified a wide range of issues with the stated research authorization and
ethics of the published studies with respect to the Institutional Review Board
and the approval presented. Among the studies investigated, 248 were conducted
with the same ethics approval number, even though the subjects, samples, and
countries of investigation were different. Thirty-nine (39) did not even
contain a reference to the ethics approval number while they present research
on human beings. We thus contacted the journals that published these articles
and provide their responses to our concerns. It should be noted that, since our
investigation and reporting to journals, PLOS has issued expressions of
concerns for several publications we analyze here.

Conclusion

This case presents an investigation of the veracity of ethical approval,
and more than 10 months of follow-up by independent researchers. We call for
stricter control and cooperation in handling of these cases, including
editorial requirement to upload ethical approval documents, guidelines from
COPE to address such ethical concerns, and transparent editorial policies and
timelines to answer such concerns. All supplementary materials are available.
Three-dimensional printing in modelling mitral valve interventions
Authors: Bharucha Apurva H. , Moore John , Carnahan Patrick , MacCarthy Philip , Monaghan Mark J. , Baghai Max , Deshpande Ranjit , Byrne Jonathan , Dworakowski Rafal , Eskandari Mehdi
Published: August 2023

Mitral interventions remain technically challenging owing to the anatomical complexity and heterogeneity of mitral pathologies. As such, multi-disciplinary pre-procedural planning assisted by advanced cardiac imaging is pivotal to successful outcomes. Modern imaging techniques offer accurate 3D renderings of cardiac anatomy; however, users are required to derive a spatial understanding of complex mitral pathologies from a 2D projection thus generating an ‘imaging gap’ which limits procedural planning. Physical mitral modelling using 3D printing has the potential to bridge this gap and is increasingly being employed in conjunction with other transformative technologies to assess feasibility of intervention, direct prosthesis choice and avoid complications. Such platforms have also shown value in training and patient education. Despite important limitations, the pace of innovation and synergistic integration with other technologies is likely to ensure that 3D printing assumes a central role in the journey towards delivering personalised care for patients undergoing mitral valve interventions.
Τεχνικές ψηφιακής επεξεργασίας σήματος με εφαρμογή σε σύμφωνους οπτικούς πομποδέκτες και δυναμικά δίκτυα υψηλής χωρητικότητας
Authors: Αργύρης Νικόλαος
Published: August 2023

Η παρούσα διατριβή έχει τίτλο «Τεχνικές ψηφιακής επεξεργασίας σήματος με εφαρμογή σε σύμφωνους οπτικούς πομποδέκτες και δυναμικά δίκτυα υψηλής χωρητικότητας». Αρχικά, παρουσιάζονται τα υποσυστήματα ψηφιακής επεξεργασίας σήματος ενός σύμφωνου οπτικού πομποδέκτη και υλοποιούνται οι κατάλληλοι αλγόριθμοι μια πλήρους πλατφόρμας εκπομπής και λήψης οπτικά διαμορφωμένων σημάτων ανώτερης τάξης. Επίσης, αναλύονται και αναπτύσσονται καινοτόμοι αλγόριθμοι ανάκτησης συχνότητας και φάσης του οπτικού φέροντος. Η διατριβή επικεντρώνεται στην ενσωμάτωση της πλατφόρμας επεξεργασίας σήματος που υλοποιήθηκε σε έναν πρότυπο σύμφωνο οπτικό πομποδέκτη, ο οποίος αναπτύχθηκε με βάση την υποδομή του Εργαστηρίου Φωτονικών Επικοινωνιών του ΕΜΠ. Ιδιαίτερη έμφαση δίνεται στην αξιολόγηση της επίδοσης των ψηφιακών αλγορίθμων σε συνδυασμό με το πραγματικό hardware οπτικού πομποδέκτη και την υποδομή οπτικών ζεύξεων. Ακολούθως, παρουσιάζεται η διαδικασία ενοποίησης του πρότυπου οπτικού πομποδέκτη και της αλγοριθμικής πλατφόρμας ψηφιακής επεξεργασίας σήματος εντός μίας ευρύτερης και ολιστικής αρχιτεκτονικής δυναμικού οπτικού δικτύου. Μέσω μια σειράς πειραμάτων και επιδείξεων τόσο σε εργαστηριακές συνθήκες όσο και σε τοπολογίες ζεύξεων κορμού στο δίκτυο της Telecom Italia, του μεγαλύτερου τηλεπικοινωνιακού παρόχου της Ιταλίας, επιδεικνύεται η εύρυθμη λειτουργία του αναπτυχθέντος σύμφωνου οπτικού πομποδέκτη σε σενάρια αυτοματοποίησης και δυναμικής λειτουργίας ενός δικτύου. Τέλος, αναφέρονται οι κατευθύνσεις στις οποίες θα κινηθούν τα οπτικά δίκτυα υψηλής χωρητικότητας κατά τα επόμενα χρόνια, ενώ έμφαση δίνεται και στις τεχνολογικές αναβαθμίσεις και συνέργειες με τις οποίες θα επιτευχθεί η εξέλιξη αυτή.
Εκτίμηση της έντασης του μετεγχειρητικού πόνου σε στειρωμένους και ακέραιους σκύλους, ύστερα από χειρουργική επέμβαση σε ρήξη πρόσθιου χιαστού συνδέσμου ή εξάρθρημα επιγονατίδας
Authors: Καραμιχάλη Παναγιώτα
Published: August 2023

Σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής ήταν η εκτίμηση του πόνου σε ακέραιους και γοναδεκτομημένους σκύλους μετά από οξύ χειρουργικό ερέθισμα σε επεμβάσεις της άρθρωσης του γόνατος. Σε κλινικές μελέτες της διεθνούς βιβλιογραφίας τόσο σε ανθρώπους όσο και σε ζώα (αρουραίοι, ποντίκια) έχουν παρατηρηθεί διαφορές στην ανταπόκριση στον πόνο σε σχέση με το φύλο και το στάδιο του οιστρικού κύκλου. Η στείρωση των μικρών ζώων πιθανώς να έχει τόσο άμεση όσο και όψιμη επίδραση στην ανταπόκριση των ζώων αυτών σε επώδυνα ερεθίσματα. Έχει αποδειχθεί ότι τόσο η τεστοστερόνη όσο και τα οιστρογόνα και η προγεστερόνη τροποποιούν τους μηχανισμούς αγωγής των επώδυνων ερεθισμάτων. Τα σεξοτρόπα στεροειδή επηρεάζουν τη νευρική οδό με ποικίλους τρόπους: επηρεάζουν τη μεταβίβαση της νευρικής ώσης, μεταβάλλουν ανάλογα το στάδιο του οιστρικού κύκλου την πυκνότητα των υποδοχέων οιστρογόνων, ρυθμίσουν τη δράση και την έκφραση πολλών νευροδιαβιβαστών, συμμετέχουν, ακόμη, στη γονιδιακή ρύθμιση της έκφρασης ενδογενών οπιοειδών πεπτιδίων καθώς και στην απελευθέρωση οπιοειδών νευροδιαβιβαστών, και επιφέρουν αλλαγές στο κανάλι ιόντων και στους υποδοχείς νευροδιαβιβαστών. Η υπόθεση της εργασίας ήταν ότι θα υπάρχει διαφοροποίηση στην ευαισθησία στον πόνο μεταξύ ακέραιων και στειρωμένων σκύλων μετά από δεδομένο χειρουργικό τραύμα. Συμπεριλήφθησαν 69 υγιείς σκύλοι όπου χωρίστηκαν σε 4 ομάδες, θηλυκά ακέραια, θηλυκά γοναδεκτομημένα, αρσενικά ακέραια και αρσενικά γοναδεκτομημένα. Σε όλα τα ζώα χορηγήθηκε το ίδιο αναισθητικό και αναλγητικό πρωτόκολλο. Οι μετρήσεις πόνου έγιναν με τη βοήθεια της κλίμακας πόνου UMPS και ενός αλγόμετρου (μηχανικός ουδός αλγαισθησίας) προεγχειρητικά και 0,1,2,4,9 και 21 ώρες μετεγχειρητικά. Η μέτρηση ουδού αντίδρασης με το αλγόμετρο έγινε: στο κνημιαίο κύρτωμα του άκρου που υποβλήθηκε σε χειρουργική επέμβαση, σε «υγιή» περιοχή του προσβεβλημένου άκρου που να απέχει όσο το δυνατόν λιγότερο από την κυρίως επώδυνη περιοχή και την περιοχή της τομής και στο κνημιαίο κύρτωμα του ετερόπλευρου (υγιούς) άκρου. Προεγχειρητικά δε βρέθηκαν διαφορές μεταξύ των ομάδων. Μετεγχειρητικά τα θηλυκά γοναδεκτομημένα σκυλιά εμφάνισαν στατιστικά μεγαλύτερη ευαισθησία στο δεδομένο χειρουργικό ερέθισμα τόσο βάση της βαθμολογίας από την κλίμακα UMPS όσο και από τις μετρήσεις του αλγόμετρου σε σχέση με τα ακέραια θηλυκά. Παρομοίως, τα αρσενικά γοναδεκτομημένα σκυλιά εμφάνισαν μεγαλύτερη ευαισθησία στο πόνο από την κλίμακα UMPS όσο και από τις μετρήσεις του αλγόμετρου σε σχέση τα αρσενικά ακέραια. Βάσει των αποτελεσμάτων της παρούσας διατριβής ο συγγραφέας υποστηρίζει ότι με τη γοναδεκτομή των σκύλων, πιθανώς δημιουργείται ένας πληθυσμός πιο ευαίσθητος σε δεδομένα επώδυνα ερεθίσματα. Συνεπώς, κατά την επιλογή του αναισθητικού και αναλγητικού πρωτοκόλλου, θα πρέπει να δίνεται προσοχή στην προηγούμενη διενέργεια γοναδεκτομής.
Acacia mangium: A promising plant for isolating anti-hepatitis C virus agents
Authors: Wahyuni Tutik Sri , Sukma Nida S. , Permanasari Adita A. , Aoki-Utsubo Chie , Widyawaruyanti Aty , Hafid Achmad Fuad
Published: August 2023

Background: Medicinal plants have been demonstrated to possess various pharmacological effects including anti-hepatitis C virus. Acacia  mangium is one of the Acacia genus that contain various metabolites. The metaboilites play an  important role for antiviral activities. The current study examined the anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activities of Acacia mangium extracts in solvents with various polarities and further evaluated the mechanism of action of the extracts on the protein virus and combination treatment models.

Methods: Anti-hepatitis C virus activities was conducted with in vitro cells culture of Huh 7it both in a single or combination treatment. Its NS3 protein inhibition was evaluated with western blotting assay.

Results: The results revealed the strong anti-HCV activities of the extracts. The 50% inhibition concentrations (IC50s) of the ethanol, n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts were of 4.6 ± 0.3, 2.9 ± 0.2, 0.2 ± 0.3, and 2.8 ± 0.2 μg/mL, respectively, and no cytotoxic effect was detected. These extracts displayed stronger effects than the positive control ribavirin. The mode of action of the ethanol extract was evaluated at 30 µg/mL, revealing that the inhibitory effect was stronger on the post-entry step than on the entry step. Western blotting revealed that the extracts decreased NS3 protein expression, indicating that virus replication was suppressed. Further evaluation illustrated that combined treatment with the ethanol extract enhanced the anti-viral activity of simeprevir.

Conclusions: These results indicated that A. mangium leaves could represent sources of anti-HCV agents.
Can yoga show better vascular outcomes than regular exercise among office workers: a scoping review
Authors: Pattamukkil Neha Susan Jibi , Shruthi Poovitha P , Kadavigere Rajagopal , K Vaishali , K N Shivashankar , Sukumar Suresh , Ravichandran Sneha , Kamath Koustubh
Published: August 2023

Background: Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) in the elderly is mostly brought on by arterial stiffness with ageing, which results in a lack of vascular compliance. The main cardiovascular (CV) hazards for elderly persons are arterial ageing and high blood pressure (BP). The aim of this study was to investigate if endothelial function in young, middle-aged, and older, healthy persons would be improved by Bikram yoga, a heated form of hatha yoga. Methods: Randomised control trials on yoga, vascular function, exercise, and office employees were used in the study, which was done in four databases (Scopus, PubMed, Ovid, and Science Direct).

Results:  3 of 103 articles were included. We identified improvement of vascular function, FMD and arterial stiffness using yoga intervention. While exercise does not significantly affect ventricular function, yoga significantly reduces heart rate (p = 0.031) and increases pulse pressure (PD). Yoga also results in a mean increase in left ventricular ejection time (LVET), which was observed in the yoga group. The improvement in myocardial function was more pronounced in the yoga group than in the exercise group, according to the between-group analysis, which revealed a significant difference in post-intervention rate-pressure product (RPP) between the yoga and exercise groups. With a P value of 0.004, the mean% Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) was significantly lower, demonstrating that yoga was effective in lowering MAP. However, older adults, but not younger ones, experienced a significant increase in brachial artery FMD (Flow Mediated Dilation) following the intervention.

Conclusions:  Yoga interventions may improve vascular function, arterial stiffness, flow-mediated dilation, heart rate, RRP and MAP, with older adults experiencing a significant increase in brachial artery FMD, suggesting the effectiveness of yoga in improving myocardial function and lowering MAP, particularly in older adults.
multiomics: A user-friendly multi-omics data harmonisation R pipeline
Authors: Chen Tyrone , Abadi Al J , Lê Cao Kim-Anh , Tyagi Sonika
Published: August 2023

Data from multiple omics layers of a biological system is growing in quantity, heterogeneity and dimensionality. Simultaneous multi-omics data integration is of immense interest to researchers as it has potential to unlock previously hidden biomolecular relationships leading to early diagnosis, prognosis, and expedited treatments. Many tools for multi-omics data integration are developed. However, these tools are often restricted to highly specific experimental designs, types of omics data, and specific data formats. A major limitation of the field is the lack of a pipeline that can accept data in unrefined form to preserve maximum biology in an individual dataset prior to integration. We fill this gap by developing a flexible, generic multi-omics pipeline called multiomics, to facilitate general-purpose data exploration and analysis of heterogeneous data. The pipeline takes unrefined multi-omics data as input, sample information and user-specified parameters to generate a list of output plots and data tables for quality control and downstream analysis. We have demonstrated its application on a sepsis case study. We enabled limited checkpointing functionality where intermediate output is staged to allow continuation after errors or interruptions in the pipeline and generate a script for reproducing the analysis to improve reproducibility. Our pipeline can be installed as an R package or manually from the git repository, and is accompanied by detailed documentation with walkthroughs on three case studies.
Tight and Compact Sample Average Approximation for Joint Chance-Constrained Problems with Applications to Optimal Power Flow
Authors: Porras Álvaro , Domínguez Concepción , Morales Juan Miguel , Pineda Salvador
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we tackle the resolution of chance-constrained problems reformulated via sample average approximation. The resulting data-driven deterministic reformulation takes the form of a large-scale mixed-integer program (MIP) cursed with Big-Ms. We introduce an exact resolution method for the MIP that combines the addition of a set of valid inequalities to tighten the linear relaxation bound with coefficient strengthening and constraint screening algorithms to improve its Big-Ms and considerably reduce its size. The proposed valid inequalities are based on the notion of k-envelopes and can be computed off-line using polynomial-time algorithms and added to the MIP program all at once. Furthermore, they are equally useful to boost the strengthening of the Big-Ms and the screening rate of superfluous constraints. We apply our procedures to a probabilistically constrained version of the DC optimal power flow problem with uncertain demand. The chance constraint requires that the probability of violating any of the power system’s constraints be lower than some positive threshold. In a series of numerical experiments that involve five power systems of different size, we show the efficiency of the proposed methodology and compare it with some of the best performing convex inner approximations currently available in the literature.

History: Accepted by Andrea Lodi, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms – Discrete.

Funding: This work was supported in part by the European Research Council under the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation program [Grant 755705], in part by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [Grant AEI/10.13039/501100011033] through project PID2020-115460GB-I00, and in part by the Junta de Andalucía and the European Regional Development Fund through the research project P20_00153. Á. Porras is also financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the University Teacher Training Program with fellowship number FPU19/03053.

Supplemental Material: The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2022.0302 .
Counterparty Risk and Counterparty Choice in the Credit Default Swap Market
Authors: Du Wenxin , Gadgil Salil , Gordy Michael B. , Vega Clara
Published: August 2023

We investigate how market participants price and manage counterparty credit risk using confidential trade repository data on single-name credit default swap (CDS) transactions. We find that counterparty risk has a modest impact on the pricing of CDS contracts but a large impact on the choice of counterparties. For contracts ineligible for central clearing, we show that market participants are significantly less likely to trade with counterparties whose credit risk is highly correlated with the credit risk of the reference entities and with counterparties whose credit quality is low. For clearable contracts, we find that nondealers are more likely to clear during a crisis and less likely to clear when the reference entity is a large U.S. dealer or a sovereign.

This paper was accepted by Kay Giesecke, finance.

Supplemental Material: The internet appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4870 .
Does Social Media Dominate Government Report Cards in Influencing Nursing Home Demand?
Authors: Li Yuanchen , Lu Lauren Xiaoyuan , Lu Susan Feng
Published: August 2023

Problem definition: Social media has become an indispensable platform for disseminating quality information to consumers across various service sectors. Recently, it has extended its influence to healthcare services, which traditionally relied on government report cards to disclose standardized quality information to the public. This article explores the impact of social media on consumer demand for healthcare services and compares its effectiveness with government report cards. Methodology/results: We analyze quality ratings of U.S. nursing homes collected from two information channels: (1) consumer ratings on Yelp and (2) government ratings on Nursing Home Compare, both of which adopt a five-star quality rating scale and are accessible on the Internet. We employ the method of difference-in-differences with continuous treatment intensity and instrumental variables to analyze the data. Using nursing home resident admissions as a proxy for consumer demand, we find that higher Yelp ratings led to higher consumer demand, particularly among Medicare-covered consumers. Furthermore, the effect of Yelp ratings was primarily driven by extreme ratings (one-star or five-star), as opposed to neutral ratings. We also find that Yelp ratings exerted a stronger effect on consumer demand than government ratings. This dominance of Yelp ratings over government ratings was observed primarily in markets with high Yelp penetration or markets with low and medium consumer education levels. Although higher Yelp ratings were associated with increased net incomes, we find little evidence that nursing homes made quality improvement in response to their Yelp ratings. Managerial implications: We recommend that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recognize social media platforms as valuable sources of information and collaborate with reputable platforms, such as Yelp, to promote public awareness of government report cards like Nursing Home Compare. Moreover, we advise nursing home operators to proactively manage their reputation on social media by promptly addressing consumer complaints and implementing quality improvement measures.

Funding: Y. Li was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 72301193], the Shanghai Sailing Program [Grant 22YF1451000], and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities. S. F. Lu was supported by the Gerald Lyles Rising Star fund.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2021.0303 .
A Rare Case Report: A Case of Pediatric Aural Myiasis Composed of Multiple Live Larvae
Authors: ÖZTÜRK Gamze , YILMAZ Gökhan
Published: August 2023

Aural myiasis is a rare otorhinolaryngological disease, which is usually seen in children or mentally retarded patients under poor hygiene conditions and is caused by the infestation of fly larvae in the tissues of vertebrates. A 3-year-old girl presented to the emergency service with her father with the complaint of bloody discharge and moving maggots in the left ear for a week. 23 living larvae were removed from the left ear of the patient who was consulted to the Otorhinolaryngological Clinic. In this article, a rare case of aural myiasis is presented with clinical findings, diagnosis, management of cases and treatment process, in the light of current literature.
New High-Energy Batteries Tested
Authors: Knight Helen
Published: August 2023

Conversion reaction system could mean cars going further per charge
Project 804 is on The Grid
Authors: Ford Jason
Published: August 2023

Flight demonstrator to test hybrid engines
F-Pace SVR: The Magnificent Beast Roars to Life
Authors: Pickering Chris
Published: August 2023

The latest creation from JLR's Special Vehicle Operations department is the Jaguar F-Pace SVR – a luxury SUV that offers other-worldly performance
August 2023 Medical Image of the Month: Cannonball Metastases from Metastatic Melanoma
Authors:   Southwest Healthcare System,  Murrieta, California USA, Barsoum Andrew , Hussain Mueez , Sivanandham Ranjit , Bagheri Sina
Published: August 2023

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. A 48-year-old man with a significant smoking history presented with progressive dyspnea, a mildly productive cough with brown-tinged sputum, headache, weight loss, and progressive back pain over a period of 8 weeks. The patient had no known history of lung conditions. As part of their initial evaluation, the patient received a frontal CXR and was found to have innumerable rounded pulmonary nodules throughout the lungs, which were consistent with a “cannonball” pattern of pulmonary metastatic disease (Figure 1A). A subsequent CT confirmed innumerable pulmonary metastases (Figure 1B). An MRI of the brain and spine revealed hemorrhagic brain metastases (Figure 2), spinal metastases, and bone metastases. A biopsy of a lesion in the left iliac bone confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. This case highlights the so-called “cannonball” pattern of pulmonary metastatic disease with innumerable round nodules throughout the lungs with a slight lower lung predilection, consistent with a hematogenous spread …
The Paradox of the DMZ: Making War, Division, and Unification Intelligible Through Korean Picture Books
Authors: Lim Yeojoo , Park-Dahlen Sarah
Published: August 2023

Abstract: In South Korea, remnants of the Korean War are everywhere, especially at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the 160-mile strip separating the two Koreas. The DMZ is a paradox: a site of intense militarism and great biodiversity, virtually untouched over decades of division. Inspired by Sohyun An's research on how American and international children's books portray the Korean War, we examine how South Korean picture books portray the paradox of the DMZ, specifically how it exists and what its future might be. We analyze five picture books alongside our observations at a DMZ peace park and war museum, and consider how these books contribute to what South Korean children might learn about division and war, the DMZ, and the complexities of unification and commercialization.
"When my Brother Fell, I Picked Up His Weapons": Collective Remembrance as Community Mobilization among Black Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Men
Authors: Stephens Charles , Smith Justin C. , Hawkins Deion S.
Published: August 2023

Summary: The Counter Narrative Project (CNP) was founded to shift narratives and shatter stereotypes about Black gay, bisexual, and queer men to advance social justice. This paper describes three programs CNP implemented that were organized around collective memory as a strategy to respond to collective trauma experienced by this community.
Popular Culture and Shaping HIV Perception
Authors: Jones Shonda R. , Mathews Allison , Colbert Kia , Jain Mika , Simon Barbara , Usher DaShawn , McGoy Shanell L.
Published: August 2023

Summary: The Gilead COMPASS Initiative® used celebrity partnerships to highlight HIV prevalence in the Southern U.S. and support Southern HIV and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) organizations. Using various media platforms, HIV organizations engaged with popular culture in collaboration with national media advocacy and public relations organizations to campaign against stigmatization and raise awareness about HIV.
Southern Care: A Rapid Response to Supporting Southern CBOs at the onset of COVID-19
Authors: Smith-Bankhead Neena , Colbert Kia , Ali Samira , McCormick Katie A. , Blais Linelle , Ward Dafina , Boone Tykeysha , Meadows Candace
Published: August 2023

Summary: Southern community-based and HIV/AIDS service organizations (CBOs) were particularly vulnerable to the onset of COVID-19 due to already fragile infrastructures and underfunded budgets. At the height of the pandemic, the Gilead COMPASS Coordinating Centers launched the Southern CARE Grant, awarding 41 grants to provide supplemental operational support funds.