bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Approach direction and accuracy, but not response times, show spatial-numerical association in chicks
Authors: Rugani Rosa , Regolin Lucia
Published: September 2021

Chicks trained to identify a target item in a sagittally-oriented series of identical items show a higher accuracy for the target on the left, rather than that on the right, at test when the series was rotated by 90°. Such bias seems to be due to a right hemispheric dominance in visuospatial tasks. Up to now, the bias was highlighted by looking at accuracy, the measure mostly used in non-human studies to detect spatial numerical association, SNA. In the present study, processing by each hemisphere was assessed by scoring three variables: accuracy, response times and direction of approach. Domestic chicks were tested under monocular vision conditions, as in the avian brain input to each eye is mostly processed by the contralateral hemisphere. Four-day-old chicks learnt to peck at the 4th element in a sagittal series of 10 identical elements. At test, when facing a series oriented fronto-parallel, birds confined their responses to the visible hemifield, with high accuracy for the 4th element. The first element in the series was also highly selected, suggesting an anchoring strategy to start the proto-counting at one end of the series. In the left monocular condition, chicks approached the series starting from the left, and in the right monocular condition, they started from the right. Both hemispheres appear to exploit the same strategy, scanning the series from the most lateral element in the clear hemifield. Remarkably, there was no effect in the response times: equal latency was scored for correct or incorrect and for left vs. right responses. Overall, these data indicate that the measures implying a direction of choice, accuracy and direction of approach, and not velocity, i.e., response times, can highlight SNA in this paradigm. We discuss the relevance of the selected measures to unveil SNA.
Untargeted analysis of the serum metabolome in cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Authors: Barko Patrick C. , Williams David A.
Published: September 2021

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) causes chronic digestive dysfunction in cats, but its pathogenesis and pathophysiology are poorly understood. Untargeted metabolomics is a promising analytic methodology that can reveal novel metabolic features and biomarkers of clinical disease syndromes. The purpose of this preliminary study was to use untargeted analysis of the serum metabolome to discover novel aspects of the pathobiology of EPI in cats. Serum samples were collected from 5 cats with EPI and 8 healthy controls. The diagnosis of EPI was confirmed by measurement of subnormal serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI). Untargeted quantification of serum metabolite utilized ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. Cats with EPI had significantly increased serum quantities of long-chain fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, mevalonate pathway intermediates, and endocannabinoids compared with healthy controls. Diacylglycerols, phosphatidylethanolamines, amino acid derivatives, and microbial metabolites were significantly decreased in cats with EPI compared to healthy controls. Diacyclglycerols and amino acid metabolites were positively correlated, and sphingolipids and long-chain fatty acids were negatively correlated with serum fTLI, respectively. These results suggest that EPI in cats is associated with increased lipolysis of peripheral adipose stores, dysfunction of the mevalonate pathway, and altered amino acid metabolism. Differences in microbial metabolites indicate that feline EPI is also associated with enteric microbial dysbiosis. Targeted studies of the metabolome of cats with EPI are warranted to further elucidate the mechanisms of these metabolic derangements and their influence on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of EPI in cats.
A cross-cultural study of the effect of parental bonding on the perception and response to criticism in Singapore, Italy and USA
Authors: Neoh Michelle Jin Yee , Carollo Alessandro , Bonassi Andrea , Mulatti Claudio , Lee Albert , Esposito Gianluca
Published: September 2021

Parents play a primary and crucial role in emotional socialisation processes in children where individuals learn the expression, understanding and regulation of emotions. Parenting practices and dimensions of the parent-child relationship have been associated with social and emotional processes in children. As criticism involves negative emotional reactions and emotion regulation, the parent-child relationship is likely to influence an individual’s perception and response to criticism. Hence, the present study investigated the relationship of parental bonding and the perception and response to criticism in three different countries–Singapore, Italy and USA. Adult participants (n = 444) completed the Parental Bonding Inventory (PBI) and measures of criticism. Parental care, overprotection and country were found to be significant predictors of a tendency to perceive criticism as destructive. Higher levels of parental care predicted a lower tendency to perceive criticism as destructive while higher levels of parental overprotection predicted a higher tendency to perceive criticism as destructive. US American participants were found to have a significantly higher tendency to perceive criticism as destructive compared to Italian and Singaporean participants. The findings align with past research on the role of the parent-child relationship in the socio-emotional development of children as well as providing insight into a specific aspect in social interaction; perception and response to criticism, being affected. Future studies can look to investigate this relationship further in different countries in light of cultural variation in parenting styles and emotion experience, expression and regulation.
Can fingernail quality predict bone damage in Type 2 diabetes mellitus? a pilot study
Authors: Sihota Praveer , Pal Rimesh , Yadav Ram Naresh , Neradi Deepak , Karn Shailesh , Goni Vijay G. , Sharma Siddhartha , Mehandia Vishwajeet , Bhadada Sanjay Kumar , Kumar Navin , Rao Sudhaker D.
Published: September 2021

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) adversely affects the normal functioning, intrinsic material properties, and structural integrity of many tissues, including bone. It is well known that the clinical utility of areal bone mineral density (aBMD) is limited to assess bone strength in individuals with T2DM. Therefore, there is a need to explore new diagnostic techniques that can better assist and improve the accuracy of assessment of bone tissue quality. The present study investigated the link between bone and fingernail material/compositional properties in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). For that, femoral head and fingernail samples were obtained from twenty-five adult female patients (with/without T2DM) with fragility femoral neck fractures undergoing hemi/total hip arthroplasty. Cylindrical cores of trabecular bone were subjected to micro-CT, and lower bone volume fraction was observed in the diabetic group than the non-diabetic group due to fewer and thinner trabeculae in individuals with T2DM. The material and compositional properties of bone/fingernail were estimated using nanoindentation and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, respectively. Both bone/fingernails in T2DM had lower reduced modulus (Er), hardness (H), lower Amide I and Amide II area ratio (protein content), higher sugar-to-matrix ratio, and relatively high carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) content compared with non-diabetic patients. Sugar-to-matrix ratio and relative CML content were strongly and positively correlated with HbA1c for both bone/fingernail. There was a positive correlation between bone and fingernail glycation content. Our findings provide evidence that the degradation pattern of bone and fingernail properties go hand-in-hand in individuals with T2DM. Hence, the fingernail compositional/material properties might serve as a non-invasive surrogate marker of bone quality in T2DM; however, further large-scale studies need to be undertaken.
Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Infant Feeding Style Questionnaire in Brazil
Authors: Pedroso Jéssica , Gubert Muriel Bauermann
Published: September 2021

We cross-culturally adapted and validated the Infant Feeding Style Questionnaire (IFSQ) in Brazil. The cross-cultural adaptation and content validity assessment was conducted in five steps: translation, synthesis of translations, back-translation, evaluation by experts, and pre-test. To evaluate reliability, construct validity, and floor and ceiling effects, interviews were conducted with 465 mother-infant pairs at Primary Health Centers in the Federal District, Brazil. The mothers answered the Brazilian Portuguese version of the IFSQ (IFSQ-Br), which evaluated four feeding styles (laissez-faire, pressuring, restrictive, and responsive) from 9 sub-constructs. The indulgent style was not evaluated due to time limitation. We performed reliability analysis using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and construct validity was evaluated through Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Higher means were found in the sub-constructs of the responsive and restrictive styles. The IFSQ-Br presented adequate reliability (α = 0.73) with values for the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the sub-constructs ranging from 0.42 to 0.75. In the Confirmatory Factor Analysis, the final models presented good fit, with the Comparative Fit Indices (CFI) ranging from 0.86 to 1.0 and the Root-Mean Squared Error of Approximation (RMSEA) between 0.0 and 0.09. The IFSQ-Br was shown to be a valid and reliable questionnaire to evaluate maternal feeding beliefs and behaviors in Brazil. Future studies should evaluate the psychometric properties of the indulgent style and include mother-infant pairs from different cultural contexts in Brazil.
Chromosomal variations of Lycoris species revealed by FISH with rDNAs and centromeric histone H3 variant associated DNAs
Authors: Liu Mao-Sen , Tseng Shih-Hsuan , Tsai Ching-Chi , Chen Ting-Chu , Chung Mei-Chu
Published: September 2021

Lycorisspecies have various chromosome numbers and karyotypes, but all have a constant total number of chromosome major arms. In addition to three fundamental types, including metacentric (M-), telocentric (T-), and acrocentric (A-) chromosomes, chromosomes in various morphology and size were also observed in natural populations. Both fusion and fission translocation have been considered as main mechanisms leading to the diverse karyotypes amongLycorisspecies, which suggests the centromere organization playing a role in such arrangements. We detected several chromosomal structure changes inLycorisincluding centric fusion, inversion, gene amplification, and segment deletion by using fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) probing with rDNAs. An antibody against centromere specific histone H3 (CENH3) ofL.aurea(2n = 14, 8M+6T) was raised and used to obtain CENH3-associated DNA sequences ofL.aureaby chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) cloning method. Immunostaining with anti-CENH3 antibody could label the centromeres of M-, T-, and A-type chromosomes. Immunostaining also revealed two centromeres on one T-type chromosome and a centromere on individual mini-chromosome. Among 10,000 ChIP clones, 500 clones which showed abundant inL.aureagenome by dot-blotting analysis were FISH mapped on chromosomes to examine their cytological distribution. Five of these 500 clones could generate intense FISH signals at centromeric region on M-type but not T-type chromosomes. FISH signals of these five clones rarely appeared on A-type chromosomes. The five ChIP clones showed similarity in DNA sequences and could generate similar but not identical distribution patterns of FISH signals on individual chromosomes. Furthermore, the distinct distribution patterns of FISH signals on each chromosome generated by these five ChIP clones allow to identify individual chromosome, which is considered difficult by conventional staining approaches. Our results suggest a different organization of centromeres of the three chromosome types inLycorisspecies.
Numerical investigation of the plastic deformation behaviour of graded crushed stone
Authors: Jiang Ying-jun , Ni Chen-yang , Zhang Yu , Yi Yong
Published: September 2021

A numerical model of the dynamic triaxial test of graded crushed stone was established based on DEM (Discrete Element Method) to study its dynamic characteristics. The influence of test conditions on simulation results was analysed through numerical simulation. A method for determining the test conditions was proposed, and the reliability of the simulation was verified. We studied the accumulation rule and failure standard of permanent deformation. We then determined the critical failure stress level. The prediction model of permanent deformation cumulative failure was then established. When the calculation time step is greater than 1E−4 s per step, the stability of the dynamic triaxial numerical test of graded crushed stone is good. The plastic deformation of the simulated specimen tends to be stable under 10,000 dynamic loading cycles. When the specimen height and diameter are greater than 20 and 10 cm, respectively, the specimen size has little influence on the simulated axial strain. The recommended specimen size is 10 cm (Ф) × 20 cm (h). The action time curve results are consistent with indoor measurement results, which proves the simulation’s reliability. The critical failure stress is approximately linearly correlated with the confining pressure, and the cumulative failure equation of plastic deformation is established.
Beyond Journalism, M. Deuze and T. Witschge (2020)
Authors: Raetzsch Christoph
Published: September 2021

Review of: Beyond Journalism, M. Deuze and T. Witschge (2020)

Cambridge: Polity Press, 148 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-74564-341-0, h/bk, $65, p/bk, $23
Desarrollo y validación de un instrumento en la determinación de barreras de acceso para pruebas de cribado de cáncer cervicouterino en México
Authors: Gutiérrez Granados María Mónica , Juárez Lira Alberto
Published: September 2021

Introducción: La literatura señala a nivel mundial un aumento en la mortalidad por cáncer cervicouterino, siendo una de las principales causas el Virus del Papiloma Humano. En México es la segunda causa de muerte por cáncer en mujeres; el programa de cáncer cervicouterino que actualmente atiende esta problemática a nivel nacional es de bajo desempeño y no cubre en su totalidad a la población en riesgo. Actualmente no existe un instrumento que permita indagar por qué las mujeres no se realizan pruebas de detección al cáncer cervicouterino en los servicios de salud público.Objetivo: Desarrollar, validar y determinar la fiabilidad de un instrumento sobre las barreras que presentan las mujeres de 25 a 64 años para la toma de pruebas de tamizaje de cáncer cervicouterino en la ciudad de Querétaro, México.Método: Estudio analítico transversal descriptivo. Se desarrolló el instrumento BACACE, realizando una validación de constructo y contenido mediante la validación por jueces y determinación de fiabilidad en una prueba piloto y definitiva.Resultados: El instrumento constó de 1 apartado de datos sociodemográficos y 3 dimensiones a considerar: 9 ítems de conocimiento, 11 de aspectos culturales y 5 de acceso a los servicios de salud, en escala de tipo Likert, obteniendo un instrumento de 25 ítems. El alfa de Cronbach global fue de 0.71.Conclusión: La validación del instrumento sobre barreras para el uso de los servicios de salud, demuestra una fiabilidad aceptable por lo que se sugiere su utilización masiva en el campo de la Salud Publica.
Conocimiento de la higiene de manos en un área de reconversión no Covid-19 del HENM
Authors: Botello Jiménez María Yenifer Yesenia , Hernández Santiago Sofía , Juárez Lira Alberto , López Sánchez Nephtys
Published: September 2021

La higiene de manos se reconoce a nivel mundial como una práctica indispensable en los profesionales sanitarios por su impacto principalmente en la disminución de infecciones asociadas a la atención en salud.El objetivo principal de este estudio fue analizar el conocimiento de la higiene de manos antes y después de la aplicación de un método de enseñanza. Los sujetos de estudio fueron la totalidad del personal de enfermería de una unidad hospitalaria de atención a pacientes no Covid-19 en Querétaro, México.Los métodos empleados se plantearon a través una intervención educativa donde se aplicó un método de enseñanza denominado “nudges” o empujones, que busco generar un cambio de comportamiento evaluado antes y después de su aplicación.Los resultados principales muestran que la aplicación de la intervención educativa modifica la práctica de la higiene de manos en el tercer y quinto momento principalmente (p <0.01); así mismo, se demuestra que el personal sanitario es poco sensible a las capacitaciones del tema, ya que 109 profesionales sanitarios (48.8%) no continuaron en la intervención tras 2 semanas de seguimiento.Las conclusiones principales de este estudio fortalecen la evidencia en la capacitación continua para la mejora de procesos sanitarios prioritarios como lo es la higiene de manos; por otro lado, es indispensable el involucramiento de las autoridades sanitarias a fin de reducir la pérdida de profesionales en este tipo de intervenciones.
Prioritization of Realignment Associated With Superior Clinical Outcomes for Cervical Deformity Patients
Authors: Pierce Katherine E. , Passias Peter G. , Brown Avery E. , Bortz Cole A. , Alas Haddy , Passfall Lara , Krol Oscar , Kummer Nicholas , Lafage Renaud , Chou Dean , Burton Douglas C. , Line Breton , Klineberg Eric , Hart Robert , Gum Jeffrey , Daniels Alan , Hamilton Kojo , Bess Shay , Protopsaltis Themistocles , Shaffrey Christopher , Schwab Frank A. , Smith Justin S. , Lafage Virginie , Ames Christopher ,   on behalf of the International Spine Study Group (ISSG)
Published: September 2021

Objective: To prioritize the cervical parameter targets for alignment.Methods: Included: cervical deformity (CD) patients (C2–7 Cobb angle > 10°, cervical lordosis > 10°, cervical sagittal vertical axis [cSVA] > 4 cm, or chin-brow vertical angle > 25°) with full baseline (BL) and 1-year (1Y) radiographic parameters and Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores; patients with cervical [C] or cervicothoracic [CT] Primary Driver Ames type. Patients with BL Ames classified as low CD for both parameters of cSVA ( < 4 cm) and T1 slope minus cervical lordosis (TS–CL) ( < 15°) were excluded. Patients assessed: meeting minimum clinically important differences (MCID) for NDI ( < -15 ΔNDI). Ratios of correction were found for regional parameters categorized by primary Ames driver (C or CT). Decision tree analysis assessed cutoffs for differences associated with meeting NDI MCID at 1Y.Results: Seventy-seven CD patients (mean age, 62.1 years; 64% female; body mass index, 28.8 kg/m2). Forty-one point six percent of patients met MCID for NDI. A backwards linear regression model including radiographic differences as predictors from BL to 1Y for meeting MCID for NDI demonstrated an R2 of 0.820 (p = 0.032) included TS–CL, cSVA, McGregor’s slope (MGS), C2 sacral slope, C2–T3 angle, C2–T3 SVA, cervical lordosis. By primary Ames driver, 67.5% of patients were C, and 32.5% CT. Ratios of change in predictors for MCID NDI patients for C and CT were not significant between the 2 groups (p > 0.050). Decision tree analysis determined cutoffs for radiographic change, prioritizing in the following order: ≥ 42.5° C2–T3 angle, > 35.4° cervical lordosis, < -31.76° C2 slope, < -11.57-mm cSVA, < -2.16° MGS, > -30.8-mm C2–T3 SVA, and ≤ -33.6° TS–CL.Conclusion: Certain ratios of correction of cervical parameters contribute to improving neck disability. Prioritizing these radiographic alignment parameters may help optimize patient-reported outcomes for patients undergoing CD surgery.
Incidence of Chronic Periscapular Pain After Adult Thoracolumbar Deformity Correction and Impact on Outcomes
Authors: Haddad Alexander F. , Scheer Justin K. , Fury Marissa T. , Smith Justin S. , Deviren Vedat , Ames Christopher P.
Published: September 2021

Objective: Extension of the posterior upper-most instrumented vertebra (UIV) into the upper thoracic (UT) spine allows for greater deformity correction and reduced incidence of proximal junction kyphosis (PJK) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients. However, it may be associated with chronic postoperative scapular pain (POSP). The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between UT UIV and persistent POSP, describe the pain, and assess its impact on patient disability.Methods: ASD patients who underwent multilevel posterior fusion were retrospectively identified then administered a survey regarding scapular pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), by telephone. Univariate and multivariate analysis were utilized.Results: A total of 74 ASD patients were included in the study: 37 patients with chronic POSP and 37 without scapular pain. The mean age was 70.5 years, and 63.9% were women. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics, including mechanical complications (PJK, pseudarthrosis, and rod fracture) or reoperation between groups. Patients with persistent POSP were more likely to have a UT than a lower thoracic UIV (p = 0.018). UT UIV was independently associated with chronic POSP on multivariate analysis (p = 0.022). ODI score was significantly higher in patients with scapular pain (p = 0.001). Chronic POSP (p = 0.001) and prior spine surgery (p = 0.037) were independently associated with ODI on multivariate analysis.Conclusion: A UT UIV is independently associated with increased odds of chronic POSP, and this pain is associated with significant increases in patient disability. It is a significant clinical problem despite solid radiographic fusion and the absence of PJK.
Emerging Technologies in the Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity
Authors: Patel Akshar V. , White Christopher A. , Schwartz John T. , Pitaro Nicholas L. , Shah Kush C. , Singh Sirjanhar , Arvind Varun , Kim Jun S. , Cho Samuel K.
Published: September 2021

Outcomes for adult spinal deformity continue to improve as new technologies become integrated into clinical practice. Machine learning, robot-guided spinal surgery, and patientspecific rods are tools that are being used to improve preoperative planning and patient satisfaction. Machine learning can be used to predict complications, readmissions, and generate postoperative radiographs which can be shown to patients to guide discussions about surgery. Robot-guided spinal surgery is a rapidly growing field showing signs of greater accuracy in screw placement during surgery. Patient-specific rods offer improved outcomes through higher correction rates and decreased rates of rod breakage while decreasing operative time. The objective of this review is to evaluate trends in the literature about machine learning, robot-guided spinal surgery, and patient-specific rods in the treatment of adult spinal deformity.
Intraoperative Neuromonitoring During Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Alluri Ram , Mok Jung Kee , Vaishnav Avani , Shelby Tara , Sivaganesan Ahilan , Hah Raymond , Qureshi Sheeraz A.
Published: September 2021

Objective: To review the evidence for the use of electromyography (EMG), motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) strategies during lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), as well as discuss the limitations associated with each technique.Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature and compilation of findings relating to clinical studies investigating the efficacy of EMG, MEP, SSEP, or combined IONM strategies during LLIF.Results: The evidence for the use of EMG is mixed with some studies demonstrating the efficacy of EMG in preventing postoperative neurologic injuries and other studies demonstrating a high rate of postoperative neurologic deficits with EMG monitoring. Multimodal IONM strategies utilizing MEPs or saphenous SSEPs to monitor the lumbar plexus may be promising strategies based on results from a limited number of studies.Conclusion: The use of traditional EMG during LLIF remains without consensus. There is a growing body of evidence utilizing multimodal IONM with MEPs or saphenous SSEPs demonstrating a possible decrease in postoperative neurologic injuries after LLIF. Future prospective studies, with clear definitions of neurologic injury, that evaluate different multimodal IONM strategies are needed to better assess the efficacy of IONM during LLIF.
Obeid-Coronal Malalignment Classification Is Age Related and Independently Associated to Personal Reported Outcome Measurement Scores in the Nonfused Spine
Authors: Kieser David Christopher , Boissiere Louis , Bourghli Anouar , Hayashi Kazunori , Cawley Derek , Yilgor Caglar , Alanay Ahmet , Acaroglu Emre , Kleinstueck Frank , Pizones Javier , Pellise Ferran , Perez-Grueso Francisco Javier Sanchez , Obeid Ibrahim ,   on behalf of the European Spine Study Group
Published: September 2021

Objective: To evaluate Obeid-coronal malalignment (O-CM) modifiers according to age, sagittal alignment, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), in the mobile spine.Methods: Retrospective review of a prospective multicenter adult spinal deformity (ASD) database with 1,243 (402 nonoperative, 841 operative) patients with no prior fusion surgery. Patients were included if they were aged over 18 years and were affected by spinal deformity defined by one of: Cobb angle ≥ 20°, pelvic tilt ≥ 25°, sagittal vertical axis ≥ 5 cm, thoracic kyphosis ≥ 60°. Patients were classified according to the O-CM classification and compared to coronally aligned patients. Multivariate analysis was performed on the relationship between PROMs and age, global tilt (GT) and coronal malalignment (CM).Results: Four hundred forty-three patients had CM of more than 2 cm compared to 800 who did not. The distribution of these modifiers was correlated to age. After multivariate analysis, using age and GT as confounding factors, we found that before the age of 50 years, 2A1 patients had worse sex life and greater satisfaction than patients without CM. After 50 years of age, patients with CM (1A1, 1A2) had worse self-image and those with 2A2, 2B had worse self-image, satisfaction, and 36-item Short Form Health Survey physical function. Self-image was the consistent determinant of patients opting for surgery for all ages.Conclusion: CM distribution according to O-CM modifiers is age dependent. A clear correlation between the coronal malalignment and PROMs exists when using the O-CM classification and in the mobile spine, this typically affects self-image and satisfaction. Thus, CM classified according to O-CM modifiers is correlated to PROMs and should be considered in ASD.
Correlation of Paraspinal Muscle Mass With Decompensation of Sagittal Adult Spinal Deformity After Setting of Fatigue Post 10-Minute Walk
Authors: Bae Junseok , Sathe Ashwin , Lee Shih-Min , Theologis Alexander A. , Deviren Vedat , Lee Sang-Ho
Published: September 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in spinopelvic parameters before and after the setting of muscle fatigue along with its correlation with pre-existing paraspinal and psoas muscle mass.Methods: Single-center retrospective review of prospectively collected data was conducted on 145-adults with symptomatic loss of lumbar lordosis (LL). Radiographs were taken before and after walking for 10 minutes. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to calculate paraspinal muscle (PSM) cross-sectional area (CSA), mean signal intensity, fatty infiltration (FI), and lean muscle mass at thoracolumbar junction (T12) and lower lumbar level (L4). Psoas CSA was calculated at L3. Patients were divided into 2 groups namely compensated sagittal deformity (CSD) (SVA ≤ 4 cm, PT > 20°) and decompensated sagittal deformity (DSD) (SVA > 4 cm, PT > 20°) based on prewalk measurements.Results: Initial mean SVA was 1.8 cm and 11 cm for CSD and DSD respectively (p < 0.01). After walking, significant deteriorations in SVA, PT–LL (p < 0.01) were observed in CSD without significant change in thoracic kyphosis (TK). All sagittal parameters in DSD deteriorated significantly. DSD group had significantly poorer PSM quality at T12 and L4 compared to CSD group. In CSD group, sagittal decompensation correlated with muscle quality, i.e. , decreases in LL (ΔLL) correlated with CSA of PSM/vertebral body (VB) at L4 (r = -0.412, p = 0.046) while increases in TK (ΔTK) correlated with CSA of PSM/VB at T12 (r = 0.477, p = 0.018). ΔSVA and ΔPT correlated with FI at L4 (r = 0.577, p = 0.003 and r = -0.407, p = 0.048, respectively). DSD group, had weak correlations (-0.3 < r < -0.1) between changes in sagittal and PSM parameters.Conclusion: PSM quality in adults with spinal deformity correlates with patients’ ability to maintain an upright posture and sagittal decompensation after walking for 10 minutes.
Clinical, Radiographic, and Genetic Analyses in a Population-Based Cohort of Adult Spinal Deformity in the Older Population
Authors: Shin Jun Jae , Kim Byeongwoo , Kang Juwon , Choi Junjeong , Moon Bong Ju , Ryu Dal Sung , Yoon Seung Hwan , Chin Dong Kyu , Lee Jung-Kil , Kim Keung Nyun , Ha Yoon
Published: September 2021

Objective: This study aimed to identify the sagittal parameters associated with health-related quality of life and genetic variations that increase the risk of adult spinal deformity (ASD) onset in the older population.Methods: We recruited 120 participants who had a sagittal vertical axis > 50 mm in a sagittal imbalance study. Sagittal radiographic parameters, cross-sectional area, and intramuscular fatty infiltration using the Goutallier classification in the paraspinal lumbar muscles were evaluated. Functional scales included the self-reported Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and visual analogue scales (VAS) for back and leg pain. We performed whole-exome sequencing and an exome-wide association study using the 100 control subjects and 63 individuals with severe phenotypes of sagittal imbalance.Results: Pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (PI–LL) mismatch was negatively associated with the SF-36 and positively correlated with ODI and VAS for back and leg pain. PI–LL was related to the quality and size of the paraspinal muscles, especially the multifidus muscle. We identified common individual variants that reached exome-wide significance using single-variant analysis. The most significant single-nucleotide polymorphism was rs78773460, situated in an exon of the SVIL gene (odds ratio, 9.61; p = 1.15 × 10-9).Conclusion: Older age, higher body mass index, and a more significant PI–LL mismatch were associated with unfavorable results on functional scales. We found a genetic variation in the SVIL gene, which has been associated with the integrity of the cytoskeleton and the development of skeletal muscles, in severe ASD phenotypes. Our results help to elucidate the pathogenesis of ASD.
The Role of Temperament in Cooperation and Level of Anxiety in Preschool and Elementary School Children in the Dental Office
Authors: Seraj Bahman , Khanmohammadi Razieh , Karami Shabnam , Almasi Fateme , Hamrah Mohammad Hassan
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) refers to the fear of and anxiety towards going to the dentist. It exists in a considerable proportion of children and adolescents and is a major dilemma in paediatric dental practice. However, temperament has been suggested to be a predictive factor for the child’s reaction to dental treatment especially in young ages. This study was done to assess the role of temperament in the levels of anxiety and cooperation in preschool and elementary school children in the dental office. METHODS This descriptive, cross-sectional study evaluated 70 preschools (4 - 6 years of age) and elementary school (7 - 10 years of age) children presenting to the paediatric dental clinic of TUMS School of Dentistry. The children were generally healthy and had at least one carious primary molar requiring pulp therapy or restorative treatment under local anaesthesia. The temperament trait of children was determined using the Persian version of Malhotra’s Temperament Schedule that measures the nine temperament traits identified by Thomas and Chess. Next, the cooperation and level of anxiety in children were determined during anaesthetic injection and cavity preparation using the Venham Clinical Cooperation Scale (VCCS) and Venham Clinical Anxiety Scale (VCAS). Data was analyzed using a regression model. RESULTS The temperament trait of children had a significant correlation with their parent’s education level (P = 0.038). Lower sociability scores were significantly correlated with higher level of anxiety and uncooperative behaviour of children during anaesthetic injection and cavity preparation (P < 0.05). Rhythmicity was significantly correlated with anxiety during anaesthetic injection, and higher intensity of response/energy was significantly correlated with poor cooperation of children during injection and higher anxiety during cavity preparation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Within the limitations of this study, the results of temperament trait can predict the behaviour of children and their level of anxiety and cooperation in the dental office setting. KEY WORDS Anxiety; Cooperation; Child, Preschool; Temperament; Paediatric Dentistry.
Debonding Techniques - A Review
Authors: Dhannawat PurvaVinod Kumar , Gilani Rizwan , Shrivastav Sunita S. , Kamble Ranjit H. , Murarka Shriya Prakash , Rathi Shruti Satish , Vishnani Rozina
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND The overall success of orthodontic treatment depends on both bonding as well as debonding techniques. The debonding procedure in orthodontics consists of removal of the attachments (brackets, bondable tubes & buttons) as well as all the adhesive resin from the teeth without causing any permanent damage and to restore the teeth to their pre-treatment stage. The demand for more aesthetic appliance led to the introduction of direct bonding techniques and has made banded attachments almost obsolete in present-day orthodontics. These procedures should not be painful to the patient or damaging to enamel and to obtain these objectives a correct debonding technique is of fundamental importance. The debonding procedure is as essential as bonding for the overall success of the orthodontic treatment. In an attempt to increase the bond strength of orthodontic appliances, we have neglected the fact that these appliances have to be debonded at the end of the treatment. In orthodontics debonding refers to debracketing that is removal of brackets, bondable tubes, buttons, and the adhesive used to bond as well as to restore the form and surface of tooth to its best possible original form by avoiding any type of iatrogenic damage. For achieving such objectives, an accurate debonding procedure is of utmost importance, else it could be needlessly lengthy and painful to the patient and damaging to the enamel. Many researches have been carried out to conclude the best techniques for debonding which will give an ideal finish for the tooth when treatment is terminated. The debonding procedure is mostly done by mechanical means, but its technique should be varied according to the bracket material and type. KEY WORDS Debonding Techniques, Metal Brackets, Ceramic Brackets, Enamel Damage
The Concept of Emotional Intelligence - A Neglected Grey Area in Medical Curriculum
Authors: George Neethu , Dharmaraj Rock Britto , Vignesh Nawin Jai , Baskaran Gokulapriya , Marimuthu Getha , Kuppuswamy Gokulan
Published: September 2021

motional intelligence (EI) is the mixture of intellect and emotions. A highly emotional intelligent person showcases the ability to control, understand and being in other’s shoes during the time of difficulties. The EI concept is extremely relevant in health care settings. The concept takes in the art of self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. These concepts in one way or the other help in rearing, mentoring, and reaching the heights of professionalism among medical students. The health care workers particularly doctors needed to be emotionally intelligent and should have maximum of it for effective outcomes and patient satisfaction. The current situation mandates the medical curriculum to have more of emotionally intelligent medical professionals than those with high intelligence quotient. The recent rise of dispute in health care field may be due to the reduction in emotional intelligence which triggers unhealthy recognition of emotions towards patients and bystanders. The need for the current digital and restricted mindset generation is to impart more of values and thus control and regulate one’s own emotions. The study showcases various components, effects, and importance of emotional intelligence and also reviews few studies done on the topic with a special note on its importance in the current situation of Covid pandemic.
Early functional and microcirculatory changes in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and no apparent diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Stulova A. N. , Semenova N. S. , Zheleznyakova A. V. , Akopyan V. S. , Lipatov Dmitry V. , Shestakova M. V.
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) which is reported to affect more than one-third of the global diabetic population. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) can help to reveal early biomarkers of DR to improve current diagnostic approach.

AIMS: To evaluate early visual functions deficiency and OCT-A changes in patients with type 1 DM (T1DM) without clinical signs of DR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. 74 eyes of 40 T1DM patients with no apparent DR and 49 eyes of 28 healthy volunteers were included in the study. The mean duration of DM was 11,7 ± 6,1 years. All participants underwent standard ophthalmological examination, low-luminance visual acuity (LLVA) assessment, 7-field fundus photography, OCT and OCT-A. We analyzed LLVA deficit as a marker of visual function. For OCT-A scans we evaluated foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area (mm2), acircularity index (AI), vessel density (VD), skeletonized density (SD) and vessel diameter index (VDI) in superficial vascular plexus (SVP), intermediate capillary plexus (ICP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP).

RESULTS: LLVA deficit was significantly higher in T1DM patients (0,16±0,05 vs 0,10±0,04, p<0,0001). We also detected a significant difference in AI level (11,47 ± 0,24 vs 1,31 ± 0,15, p<0,0001). VD was significantly lower in T1DM patients in SVP (25,37 ± 2,24%, vs 26,67 ± 1,81%, p=0,028) and DCP (17,22 ± 3,10 % vs 18,29 ± 1,95%, p=0,015)

CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate early visual functions deficiency and OCT-A changes at the preclinical stage of DR. The prognostic value of these findings will be studied during longitudinal observation.
Measuring Banking Operational Efficiency and its Impact on Productivity: An Applied Study on Selected Iraqi Private Banks
Authors: Faraj Zainab Sabah
Published: September 2021

This study dealt with concepts related to banking operational efficiency and its measurement in Iraqi banks. The study is applied as an example on five known private banks in Iraq, and these banks are (Baghdad, Al-Mansour, Ashur, Al-Ahly and Al-Credit). For the period from 2015 to 2018 based on financial ratios indicator. In order to identify the management of Iraqi banks for their operational system on the ability to control the costs and profitability. The results of the study showed that some banks (Assyria, Baghdad, and Al-Ahly) are relay on using operational efficiency which resulted in rising their profits and minimizing costs. This was observed clearly in small-sized banks more than in large banks. In addition, it found that the low profits are due to mismanagement of operational costs.
The Impact of Building Core Capabilities in Development of Job Performance (An Applied Study on the Iraqi Tourism Authority)
Authors: Alwan Dr. Nawfal Abdul Ridha , Abbood Waleed Abdul Hasan
Published: September 2021

The researchers aim through the current research through their investigations to verify the relationship and impact of the core capabilities as an independent variable in the development of functional performance as a responsive variable, in the tourism authority of the city of Baghdad, and to try to come up with a set of recommendations that contribute to the promotion of the practice and adoption of the two variables in the body under study, and based on the importance of the subject to the research community and its fundamental impact in their activities and services, has been based on the descriptive analytical approach in the completion of this research, including the research community (from the Director General and his assistants and heads of state). Departments, department heads and people's officials in the Tourism Authority) where the researchers distributed (119) the identification of the research community, and provided them with interviews and field observations as tools to strengthen them. the research adopted the program (Spss V.25, Amos V.25) with the adoption of descriptive and inference statistics methods (linear testing, natural distribution test, emphasis analysis, structural model, computational medium, percentages, The standard deviation, relative importance, the coefficient of variation, the Pearson correlation coefficient, the simple regression coefficient, the track analysis, and the Sobel test) concluded to test its hypotheses, and the study concluded to highlight its conclusions that showed the validity of the hypotheses represented by the direct impact of the intrinsic capabilities in the development of functional performance.
Odmowa przyznania świadczenia motywacyjnego w sytuacji wszczęcia postępowania karnego przeciwko funkcjonariuszowi Policji
Authors: Gacek Paweł
Published: September 2021

On October 1st 2020, a new institution was introduced to the Act on the Police – the incentive benefit. It is intended by the legislature to keep officers with at least 25 years active service. Awarding this benefit depends on the period of service held by the officer. The regulation relating to the incentive benefit also provides for a number of negative premises, the materialization of which results in the refusal to grant the benefit. This article is entirely devoted to the issue related to the refusal to grant an incentive benefit in the cause of initiating criminal proceedings against a Police officer. It was therefore necessary to indicate at what point the stage of criminal proceedings changes from in rem to ad personam, because this results in initiating them against a specific person. The change in the stage of criminal proceedings depends on the offence it concerns. If it is a public prosecution offense, the change takes place in connection with the presentation of charges to the specific person. However, in the context of Art. 120a (7) (2) Act on the Police, the initiation of criminal proceedings against a specific person should be equated with the very fact of drawing up a decision on the presentation of charges. However, it is different in the situation specified in Art. 55 § 1 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, or in proceedings in cases prosecuted by private prosecution. The mere submitting of a subsidiary indictment, private indictment or complaint results in the initiation of proceedings against a specific person, provided that they have been submitted effectively. It was also emphasized that the administrative authority is bound by decisions undertaken in the criminal proceedings and cannot make any independent determinations in this regard, as it cannot interfere with the competences reserved to another entity.
Kazus Alecka Bourne’a a konstytucyjne zasady ochrony życia i zdrowia
Authors: Szudejko Piotr
Published: September 2021

The article presents the case of Dr. Aleck Bourne, which the author proposes to include in the catalog of borderline cases constituting the basis for in-depth discussions on ethical and legal aspects of human life with regard to the development of biology and medicine. The starting point is the presentation of the worldwide models for regulating the practice of abortion as well as the Polish regulation, together with a discussion on the role of the Constitutional Tribunal in shaping current legal provisions. The author notes that the interpretation of the right to life adopted by the Tribunal encourages the repeal of the indication model and the introduction of a complete ban on abortion, which will have significant consequences for ordinary legislation. Apart from describing the facts in the Bourne case, the strategy adopted by the defense and the sentence itself, the possible further areas of considerations regarding the limits of permissibility of termination of pregnancy have been signaled. Then, the conclusions resulting from legal analysis of the case were transferred to the exegesis of the constitutional principles of the right to life and the right to healthcare. Their constitutional form, interpretation resulting from the rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal and the ordinary legislation have been presented. The author indicates the main terminological deficiencies identified in this respect: the lack of any definition of the beginning of a human being, the existence of two separate criteria for determining death, which could lead to different results and the lack of an unambiguous definition of disease adopted by the legislator. Based on the concepts presented in the case, the right to healthcare has been defined as a legal right resulting from the right to life. The final thesis is that there are no grounds for hierarchizing these rights, as they are intertwined in content and function.
Validation of the Greek version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale in Undergraduate Students
Authors: Dadiotis Anastasios , Bacopoulou Flora , Kokka Ioulia , Vlachakis Dimitrios , Chrousos George P. , Darviri Christina , Roussos Petros
Published: September 2021

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) number at least 3.81 billion users worldwide, while in Greece, 74.7% of internet users resort to SNSs. However, there is no instrument adapted to the Greek language that assesses addiction to SNSs. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale is a short 6-item questionnaire that assesses social media addiction. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. The sample consisted of 325 University students (mean age 21.6 years, SD=5.26). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed that supported the one-factor model. The reliability of the tool was tested with various indicators and was found to be satisfactory. The regression analysis identified gender, time of SNSs use, number of SNSs held by an individual and stress as statistically significant predictors of SNSs addiction. Positive correlations were found between SNSs addiction and stress, depression, anxiety and loneliness, while negative correlations were observed between SNSs addiction, self-esteem and age. Stress fully mediated the relationship between depression and SNSs addiction. The findings of the present study indicate that the Greek version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing SNSs addiction. The relationship between SNSs addiction and the biopsychosocial model was confirmed.