bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical considerations for cross‐sectional HIV incidence estimation based on recency test
Authors: Gao Fei , Bannick Marlena
Published: January 2022

Longitudinal cohorts to determine the incidence of HIV infection are logistically challenging, so researchers have sought alternative strategies. Recency test methods use biomarker profiles of HIV‐infected subjects in a cross‐sectional sample to infer whether they are “recently” infected and to estimate incidence in the population. Two main estimators have been used in practice: one that assumes a recency test is perfectly specific, and another that allows for false‐recent results. To date, these commonly used estimators have not been rigorously studied with respect to their assumptions and statistical properties. In this article, we present a theoretical framework with which to understand these estimators and interrogate their assumptions, and perform a simulation study and data analysis to assess the performance of these estimators under realistic HIV epidemiological dynamics. We find that the snapshot estimator and the adjusted estimator perform well when their corresponding assumptions hold. When assumptions on constant incidence and recency test characteristics fail to hold, the adjusted estimator is more robust than the snapshot estimator. We conclude with recommendations for the use of these estimators in practice and a discussion of future methodological developments to improve HIV incidence estimation via recency test.
Versatile Dendritic Silica & Titania‐supported Platinum Catalyst for Highly Efficient Water Splitting and p‐Nitrophenol Reduction
Authors: He Juan , Tao Jianghui , Wang Yanni , Wang Yabin , Ding Xiuping
Published: January 2022

p‐Nitrophenol acts as a notorious environmentally hazardous material. The reduction of nitro group (‐NO2) to amino group (‐NH2) with the assistance of catalyst has been regarded as one of the most reasonable methods to dispose p‐nitrophenol. Herein, for the first time, we construct a novel dendritic silica & titania‐supported platinum (Pt) nanocatalyst which can reduce p‐nitrophenol with the bigger apparent first‐order rate constant than almost all previously reported. Besides, the catalyst can split water under simulated sunlight with a H2 yield of 493.6 μmol ⋅ −1 in 5 hours, nearly 240‐folds of dendritic silica‐supported Pt. The improvements in catalytic performances can be attributed to special structural advantages of dendritic support, chemical composition of anatase titania (TiO2), and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect from Pt nanoparticles (NPs). This catalyst exhibits desirable robustness, stability, and reusability, because of the hybrid architecture and the high affinity of the functionalized interface to Pt NPs.
Biogenic Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles: A Potent and Ideal Candidate for Wastewater Treatment and Water Disinfection
Authors: Patar Madhumita , Moyon N. Shaemningwar , Sinha Tanur
Published: January 2022

This study reports a facile, cost‐effective, environment‐friendly, green, and rapid fabrication of spherical silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) of average grain size of 25 nm within 30 minutes employing the leaf extracts of the Calamus tenuis plant. Characterization was accomplished for determining the morphology, size, crystallinity, and for the identification of functional moieties responsible for the reduction and stabilization. The phytoconstituents present in the leaf extracts of Calamus tenuis played the dual role of reducing as well as stabilizing agents eliminating the need for the addition of any external reducing and capping agents.
Non‐Enzymatic Electrochemical Biosensing of Glucose Using Nanocomposites of Polyaniline Nanofibers and Silver
Authors: Varghese Eldhose V. , Saidu Femina Kanjirathamthadathil , Schwandt Carsten , Thomas George , Joseph Alex
Published: January 2022

In this study silver nanoparticles were dispersed over polyaniline nanofibers (nPANI) by simple chemical reduction of silver nitrate in the presence of nPANI, and the prepared nPANI/Ag nanocomposite was employed for sensitive and cost‐effective non‐enzymatic detection of glucose using a modified carbon paste electrode. Detailed structural, crystallographic and morphological characterization of nPANI/Ag was carried out by means of Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The enhancement of charge transfer of nPANI upon incorporation of Ag nanoparticles was confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and the electrocatalytic efficacy of the nPANI/Ag nanocomposite towards oxidation of glucose in alkaline medium was proven by cyclic voltammetry. Crucially, chronoamperometry demonstrated a linear response of the nPANI/Ag‐based glucose sensor over a wide range of glucose concentrations from 100 μM to 10 mM with a lowest detection limit of 1,3 μM. The sensor had a good selectivity for glucose in the presence of common interfering biomolecules. The sensor also had a shelf‐life of several days and the response was repeatable for up to nine individual measurements.
Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers Mixed with Citric Acid as a Quartz Crystal Microbalance Ammonia Vapor Sensor
Authors: Febrina Melany , Rianjanu Aditya , Rajak Abdul , Mukti Rino R. , Djamal Mitra
Published: January 2022

The detection of ammonia vapor in the air is always challenging and in great demand, with the main issues are their low sensitivity. In this contribution, we developed a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) gas sensor to detect ammonia vapor in the air using electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber mixed with citric acid (CA) as its sensing material. The nanostructured morphology of the as‐prepared nanofiber sensors was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the existence of the CA in the PAN/CA nanofiber confirms using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The average diameter of the PAN and PAN/CA nanofiber sample was found in the range of 260 nm to 307 nm. The highest sensor sensitivity was obtained by the PAN/CA4 nanofiber sensor with the value of 0.28 Hz/ppm, increasing almost 4 times compared to the unmodified PAN nanofiber sensor (0.075 Hz/ppm). Moreover, the sensor also shows good reversibility, fast response/recovery time, and excellent repeatability sensing performance. The addition of CA into the PAN nanofiber structures enhances the sensor sensitivity, probably due to the enrichment of carboxyl group at the sensor surface. This work could become a promising and alternative way to enhance the sensitivity of a QCM gas sensor modified with polymers doped with suitable compounds.
A Theoretical Study on Non‐Bridging Dimer Formation of a Cationic Platinum Complex with a Redox‐Active Ligand
Authors: Sakamoto Yuki , Kikkawa Shoko , Yokojima Satoshi , Matsushita Nobuyuki , Nakamura Shinichiro
Published: January 2022

The electronic structure of [PtL2]2Cl26H2O crystal is studied focusing on the bonding origin of the dimer formation, using theoretical calculations, where ligand L is a redox‐active ligand and refers either o‐phenylenediamido (L2−), o‐semibenzoquinonediimine(L1−), or o‐benzoquinonediimine(L0). It is a non‐bridging dimer with 3.01 Å of the inter‐molecular PtPt distance. Considering the stoichiometry, the monomer should have +1 charge and 1/2 spin. For the dimer, there are two possibilities of the electronic structure; singlet or triplet state. On the other hand, the observed bond length is shorter than usual PtIIPtII(d8‐d8) interaction, while longer than usual PtIIIPtIII(d7‐d7) interaction. According to the structures and potential energy profiles on these possible spin states, we concluded that the dimer prefers the singlet state, formed by face‐to‐face bonding between the ligands of the two cationic monomers in the non‐bridging Pt dimer. The analysis of molecular orbitals revealed that the PtPt interaction is explained by the d8‐d8interaction and partial oxidation by the redox‐active ligands. This study highlights the nature of the electronic structure of stacked radical monocations of Pt complex dimer.
Synthesis, In‐Vitro Evaluation and Molecular Docking Study of N‐Substituted Thiazolidinediones as α‐Glucosidase Inhibitors
Authors: Patil Vijay M. , Tilekar Kalpana N. , Upadhyay Neha M. , Ramaa C. S.
Published: January 2022

Thiazolidinedione (TZD) drugs have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, hyperglycemia, and lipid metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we have explored the alpha‐glucosidase inhibitor action of new N‐substituted 5‐benzylidene‐2,4‐thiazolidinedione derivatives. Various substituted benzothiazoles linked to the 5‐benzylidene‐2,4‐TZD with acetamide linker were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and mass spectrometry. After the in‐silico screening of all the compounds, the IC50 values of 32 compounds were determined using an in vitro α‐glucosidase assay (maltase yeast extract) with acarbose as a standard drug. All compounds showed varying degrees of α‐glucosidase inhibitory action as compared to acarbose. When compared to acarbose (IC50=67.06±1.24 μM), molecules GB24, GB21, GB16, GB17 and GB25 exhibited very significant inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 29.91±0.82, 36.52±0.49, 39.19±1.09, 41.35±1.37 μM and 60.47±1.49 respectively. Moreover, a molecular docking study of active compounds was performed to rationalize the in‐vitro results and to understand the binding interactions with the target enzyme. Based on the findings, we can predict that these compounds could be taken further for the development of new antidiabetic agents.
Rational Design of a New AIE‐Coupled ESIPT‐Based Multi‐chromic State Depended Organo‐luminophore WithTurn‐onEmissive Response to Zn(II) in Aqueous and Solid‐state**
Authors: Mondal Asit , Ahmmed Ejaj , Ball Biswajit , Chattopadhyay Pabitra
Published: January 2022

A newly designed multifunctional AIE‐coupled excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT)‐active asymmetric multichromicfluorophor (MCF) has been synthesized and characterized. From tedious experimental spectroscopic dissection of the photophysical properties ofMCFand two supporting compounds, (3‐benzotriazol‐2‐yl‐2‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐benzaldehyde) (R1) and (2‐benzotriazol‐2‐yl‐4‐methyl‐phenol)(R2)with theoretical discussion, it has been established that ESIPT was driven exclusively towards triazole N centre involving a 6‐member H‐bonded network over imine‐N center in both solid state and solution phase. The competition of aggregation enhanced emissive feature and ACQ (aggregation caused quenching) nature ofMCFwere also studied thoroughly in the THF/water mixture. New classes of mechanisms are introduced regarding AIE/ACQ phenomenon, which will eradicate the limitation of designing and development of novel solid state emitters. To the best of our knowledge, this unique feature has never been achieved before. Furthermore, reversible mechanochromic fluorescence behavior upon external grinding and acidochromism nature ofMCFas acid‐base switch has also been observed. In addition,MCFselectively senses Zn2+ion through a colorimetric and fluorescence “turn‐on” route. The actual binding site of Zn2+withMCFhas also been established with the help of spectroscopic studies. The present study will enlighten for a new way to achieve new multifunctional organic luminescent solids.
Influence of Tempering Temperature on the Microstructure and Wear Properties of Powder Metallurgy High‐Speed Steels
Authors: Lyu Cheng , Yao Yao , Zhang Xianglin , Luo Yiyuan
Published: January 2022

The influence of tempering temperature on the microstructure of powder metallurgy high‐speed steels (PM HSSs) PM20 is investigated by X‐ray diffraction, electron backscattering diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. With the increasing of tempering temperature, the ratio of low angle grain boundaries decreases, while the volume fraction and size of M6C and VC carbides increase. The wear resistance of PM20 with different tempering temperatures is studied by reciprocating ball‐on‐flat methods. The wear properties of PM20 decrease gradually with the increasing of tempering temperature. The variation of wear properties is explained by the characteristic of the martensite matrix, carbides, and the misorientation angle of boundaries. All samples present a complex wear mechanism of abrasive wear and oxidation wear.
Cascaded Multilevel Embedded Type Switched Boost Inverter
Authors: Divya T , Ramaprabha R
Published: January 2022

Interfacing renewable resources with the grid requires a power inverter that meets with the increasing demand of power and its quality related to reduced harmonic distortion. In relation to which multilevel inverters (MLI) have been gaining more consideration for medium voltage high power applications. In this work, a MLI using an embedded type switched boost inverter is studied with their basic performance parameters derived from its basic topology. The model is then simulated using a multicarrier modulation in MATLAB to prove its advantage over the existing topologies. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Behavioral Economics in Military Personnel Research and Policy
Authors: Sylvester Benjamin , O’Keefe Damian , Gooch Steve , Kalantzis Eugenia
Published: January 2022

Behavioral economics is a burgeoning field of research that is being used to increase the effectiveness of military policies, programs, and operations. This chapter provides an overview of the origins of behavioral economics, key concepts, how behavioral economics research translates into applied behavioral change, and the rise of behavioral economics teams in government around the world. The chapter outlines how behavioral economics is being used within the military, with specific examples from Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel research to illustrate how this field is being applied to military behavioral sciences.
Students or medical professionals: whose knowledge improved after social-medicine training? Results from a quasi-experimental evaluation study
Authors: Muschalla Beate , Baron Stefanie , Klevers Theresa
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Rehabilitation professionals are faced with judging and describing the social-medicine status of their patients. Rehabilitation professionals must know the core concepts of acute unfitness for work, psychological capacities, and long-term work capacity. Acquiring and applying this knowledge, requires training. The research question is if and to what extent medical professionals and students’ knowledge changes after social medicine training.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was carried out in the real-life context of social medicine training. Psychology students (n = 42), physicians/psychotherapists (i.e. state-licensed health professionals) (n = 44) and medical assistant professionals (n = 29) were trained. Their social medicine knowledge was measured before and after training by a 10-min expert-approved and content valid knowledge questionnaire. Three free-text questions had to be answered on the essential aspects of present and prognostic work ability and psychological capacities. Answers were rated for correctness by two experts. Paired t tests and variance analysis have been calculated for group comparisons.

Results

All groups improved their social medicine knowledge from the pre- to the post-test. The students started with the lowest level of knowledge in the pre-test. After training, 69% of the physicians/psychotherapists and 56.8% of the medical assistant professionals, but only 7% of the students, obtained maximum scores for naming psychological capacities.

Conclusions

Social medicine knowledge increased after a training course consisting of eight lessons. The increase was greater for medical assistant professionals and physicians/psychotherapists than for students. Social medicine training must be adjusted to the trainee groups’ knowledge levels.
Effects of methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity on striatal long-term potentiation
Authors: Gibson Anne S. , West Peter J. , Keefe Kristen A.
Published: January 2022

Rationale

Methamphetamine (METH) exposure is associated with damage to central monoamine systems, particularly dopamine signaling. Rodent models of such damage have revealed a decrease in the amplitude of phasic dopamine signals and significant striatal dysfunction, including changes in the molecular, system, and behavioral functions of the striatum. Dopamine signaling through D1 receptors promotes corticostriatal long-term potentiation (LTP), a critical substrate of these striatal functions.

Objectives

Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if METH-induced dopamine neurotoxicity would impair D1 receptor-dependent striatal LTP in mice.

Methods

Mice were treated with a METH binge regimen (4 × 10 mg/kg d,l-methamphetamine, s.c.) that recapitulates all of the known METH-induced neurotoxic effects observed in humans, including dopamine toxicity. Three weeks later, acute brain slices containing either the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) or dorsolateral striatum (DLS) were prepared, and plasticity was assessed using white matter, high-frequency stimulation (HFS), and striatal extracellular electrophysiology.

Results

Under these conditions, LTP was induced in brain slices containing the DMS from saline-pretreated mice, but not mice with METH-induced neurotoxicity. Furthermore, the LTP observed in DMS slices from saline-pretreated mice was blocked by the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390, indicating that this LTP is dopamine D1 receptor-dependent. Finally, acute in vivo treatment of METH-pretreated mice with bupropion (50 mg/kg, i.p.) promoted LTP in DMS slices.

Conclusions

Together, these studies demonstrate that METH-induced neurotoxicity impairs dopamine D1 receptor-dependent LTP within the DMS and that the FDA-approved drug bupropion restores induction of striatal LTP in mice with METH-induced dopamine neurotoxicity.
Rozansky–Witten Theory, Localised Then Tilted
Authors: Qiu Jian
Published: January 2022

The paper has two parts, in the first part, we apply the localisation technique to the Rozansky–Witten theory on compact hyperkähler targets. We do so via first reformulating the theory as some supersymmetric sigma-model. We obtain the exact formula for the partition function with Wilson loops on $$S^1\times \Sigma _g$$

S
1

×

Σ
g

and the lens spaces, the results match with earlier computations using Feynman diagrams on K3. The second part is motivated by a very curious paper (Gukov in J Geom Phys 168, 104311, 2021), where the equivariant index formula for the dimension of the Hilbert space of the Rozansky–Witten theory is interpreted as a kind of Verlinde formula. In this interpretation, the fixed points of the target hyperkähler geometry correspond to certain ‘states’. We extend the formalism of part one to incorporate equivariance on the target geometry. For certain non-compact hyperkähler geometry, we can apply the tilting theory to the derived category of coherent sheaves, whose objects label the Wilson loops, allowing us to pick a basis for the latter. We can then compute the fusion products in this basis and we show that the objects that have diagonal fusion rules are intimately related to the fixed points of the geometry. Using these objects as basis to compute the dimension of the Hilbert space leads back to the Verlinde formula, thus answering the question that motivated the paper.
Value of ultra-high field MRI in patients with suspected focal epilepsy and negative 3 T MRI (EpiUltraStudy): protocol for a prospective, longitudinal therapeutic study
Authors: van Lanen R. H. G. J. , Wiggins C. J. , Colon A. J. , Backes W. H. , Jansen J. F. A. , Uher D. , Drenthen G. S. , Roebroeck A. , Ivanov D. , Poser B. A. , Hoeberigs M. C. , van Kuijk S. M. J. , Hoogland G. , Rijkers K. , Wagner G. L. , Beckervordersandforth J. , Delev D. , Clusmann H. , Wolking S. , Klinkenberg S. , Rouhl R. P. W. , Hofman P. A. M. , Schijns O. E. M. G.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Resective epilepsy surgery is a well-established, evidence-based treatment option in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. A major predictive factor of good surgical outcome is visualization and delineation of a potential epileptogenic lesion by MRI. However, frequently, these lesions are subtle and may escape detection by conventional MRI (≤ 3 T).

Methods

We present the EpiUltraStudy protocol to address the hypothesis that application of ultra-high field (UHF) MRI increases the rate of detection of structural lesions and functional brain aberrances in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who are candidates for resective epilepsy surgery. Additionally, therapeutic gain will be addressed, testing whether increased lesion detection and tailored resections result in higher rates of seizure freedom 1 year after epilepsy surgery. Sixty patients enroll the study according to the following inclusion criteria: aged ≥ 12 years, diagnosed with drug-resistant focal epilepsy with a suspected epileptogenic focus, negative conventional 3 T MRI during pre-surgical work-up.

Results

All patients will be evaluated by 7 T MRI; ten patients will undergo an additional 9.4 T MRI exam. Images will be evaluated independently by two neuroradiologists and a neurologist or neurosurgeon. Clinical and UHF MRI will be discussed in the multidisciplinary epilepsy surgery conference. Demographic and epilepsy characteristics, along with postoperative seizure outcome and histopathological evaluation, will be recorded.

Conclusion

This protocol was reviewed and approved by the local Institutional Review Board and complies with the Declaration of Helsinki and principles of Good Clinical Practice. Results will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.

Trial registration number

www.trialregister.nl: NTR7536.
Impacts of elicitors on metabolite production and on antioxidant potential and tyrosinase inhibition in watercress microshoot cultures
Authors: Klimek-Szczykutowicz Marta , Dziurka Michał , Blažević Ivica , Đulović Azra , Apola Anna , Ekiert Halina , Szopa Agnieszka
Published: January 2022

The study has proved the stimulating effects of different strategies of treatments with elicitors on the production of glucosinolates (GSLs), flavonoids, polyphenols, saccharides, and photosynthetic pigments in watercress (Nasturtium officinale) microshoot cultures. The study also assessed antioxidant and anti-melanin activities. The following elicitors were tested: ethephon (ETH), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), sodium salicylate (NaSA), and yeast extract (YeE) and were added on day 10 of the growth period. Cultures not treated with the elicitor were used as control. The total GSL content estimations and UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS analyses showed that elicitation influenced the qualitative and quantitative profiles of GSLs. MeJA stimulated the production of gluconasturtiin (68.34 mg/100 g dried weight (DW)) and glucobrassicin (65.95 mg/100 g DW). The elicitation also increased flavonoid accumulation (max. 1131.33 mg/100 g DW, for 100 μM NaSA, collection after 24 h). The elicitors did not boost the total polyphenol content. NaSA at 100 μM increased the production of total chlorophyll a and b (5.7 times after 24 h of treatment), and 50 μM NaSA caused a 6.5 times higher production of carotenoids after 8 days of treatment. The antioxidant potential (assessed with the CUPRAC FRAP and DPPH assays) increased most after 24 h of treatment with 100 μM MeJA. The assessment of anti-melanin activities showed that the microshoot extracts were able to cause inhibition of tyrosinase (max. 27.84% for 1250 µg/mL).

Key points

• Elicitation stimulated of the metabolite production in N. officinale microshoots.

• High production of pro-health glucosinolates and polyphenols was obtained.

• N. officinale microshoots have got tyrosinase inhibition potential.

• The antioxidant potential of N. officinale microshoots was evaluated.

Graphical abstract
Safety, antitumor activity and biomarkers of sugemalimab in Chinese patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphomas: results from the first-in-human phase 1 trial
Authors: Gong Jifang , Cao Junning , Zhang Qingyuan , Xu Nong , Zhao Yanqiu , Xing Baocai , Miao Zhanhui , Wu Yilong , Pan Hongming , Gao Quanli , Li Xingya , Liu Baorui , Li Wei , Pei Zhidong , Xia Hongqiang , Qi Qinzhou , Dai Hangjun , Shi Qingmei , Yang Jianxin , Li Jin , Shen Lin
Published: January 2022

Background

This first-in-human phase 1 trial is to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, preliminary efficacy, and biomarkers of sugemalimab, a full-length, fully human anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, in Chinese patients with advanced malignancies.

Methods

Eligible patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic solid tumors or lymphomas were enrolled in phase 1a to receive sugemalimab following a modified 3 + 3 design. The primary endpoints included safety, tolerability, and the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). In phase 1b, patients with 7 selected types of tumor received sugemalimab at the RP2D alone (monotherapy cohorts) or in combination with standard-of-care (SOC) chemotherapy (combination cohorts). The primary endpoint of phase 1b was investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR).

Results

As of 19 February 2020, 29 and 178 patients were treated in phase 1a and 1b, respectively. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed in phase 1a, and the RP2D of sugemalimab was determined as 1200 mg fixed dose once every 3 weeks. Sugemalimab-related adverse events (AEs) were mostly (75.9%) grade 1–2 in phase 1a. Antitumor activity was observed across dose levels with an ORR of 24.1%. In phase 1b, 15.9% and 40.4% of patients in the monotherapy and combination cohorts, respectively, reported grade 3–5 sugemalimab-related AEs. Promising efficacy was observed in all combination cohorts, with ORRs ranging from 47.6 to 75.0%. Exploratory biomarker analysis did not indicate significant differences in responses at different PD-L1 expression/tumor mutation burden levels.

Conclusions

Sugemalimab was well-tolerated and showed promising antitumor activity as monotherapy or in combination with SOC chemotherapy in advanced malignancies.

This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on Oct 18, 2017, number NCT03312842.
Roux‐en‐Y Versus One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass as Redo‐Operations Following Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Rheinwalt Karl Peter , Schipper Sandra , Plamper Andreas , Alizai Patrick Hamid , Trebicka Jonel , Brol Maximilian Joseph , Kroh Andreas , Schmitz Sophia , Parmar Chetan , Neumann Ulf Peter , Ulmer Tom Florian
Published: January 2022

Background

Aim of this study was to improve knowledge about the best conversional bariatric procedure following sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

Methods

Data of conversional Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and of one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) after SG were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. Weight loss parameters, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and comorbidities outcomes were recorded.

Results

Total of 123 patients (90 female, mean age 44 ± 0.9 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 42 ± 0.8 kg/m2) had either RYGB (n = 68) or OAGB (n = 55). Perioperative mortality was zero. Mean surgery time was significantly shorter for OAGB (168 ± 7.2 vs. 201 ± 6.8 min). Perioperative complication rates were not significantly (ns) different between RYGB and OAGB. Total body weight loss (TBWL) in RYGB and OAGB was 18 ± 2.2% and 18 ± 1.9% (12 months) and 18 ± 3.0% and 23 ± 2.6% (24 months; ns), respectively. Length of (individualized) biliopancreatic limb (BPL) correlated significantly with weight loss. Remission rates after 12 months of RYGB and OAGB for arterial hypertension (aHt) were 89% and 92%, for obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) 56% and 82%, for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) 100% and 92%, for osteoarthritis 64% and 85% and for GERD 89% versus 87% (ns), respectively. Nutritional deficiencies were comparable in RYGB (n = 11) and OAGB (n = 14) group (ns).

Conclusion

Both RYGB and OAGB are effective conversional procedures after SG, leading to comparable TBWL, BMI‐loss and high remission rates of comorbidities including GERD. Significantly shorter operation times were in favor of OAGB. BPL, which was longer in OAGB was significantly related to higher %TBWL and %BMI‐loss compared to RYGB.
Effekte von präoperativer neurobiologischer Edukation auf das postoperative Outcome
Authors: von Korn Karolin , Weiss Thomas , von Piekartz Harry
Published: January 2022

Hintergrund

Schmerz hat einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf die humane Lebensqualität. Allein eine Wissensvergrößerung über neurobiologische Vorgänge kann das subjektive Schmerzempfinden sowie psychometrische Variablen positiv beeinflussen. Es gibt verschiedene Formen der präoperativen Patientenedukation, welche u. a. zum Ziel haben, den postoperativen Schmerz zu erklären. Laut der aktuellen Literatur liegt einer präoperativen biomedizinischen Edukation eine geringe Evidenz zugrunde. Sie kann das präoperative Angst- und Stresslevel der Patienten steigern, was sich negativ auf das postoperative Outcome auswirkt. Im Gegensatz zur biomedizinischen Edukation betrachtet das neurobiologische Verständnis den postoperativen Schmerz unter den Gesichtspunkten der Plastizität des Nervensystems und bezieht Sensibilisierungsprozesse im zentralen und peripheren Nervensystem mit ein.

Ziel

Systematische Untersuchung von Kurz- und Langzeiteffekten einer neurobiologischen (Schmerz‑)Edukation bei Patienten vor einer Wirbelsäulenoperation

Material und Methoden

Bei der Literaturrecherche wurde nach dem PI(C)O(Population Intervention Comparison Outcome)‑Schema in den medizinischen Datenbanken gesucht. 83 Artikel kamen in die engere Auswahl. Entsprechend den Ein- und Ausschlusskriterien konnten letztendlich neun Artikel eingeschlossen werden.

Ergebnisse

Durch eine präoperative neurobiologische (Schmerz‑)Edukation können postoperative Katastrophisierungstendenzen sowie die postoperative Kinesiophobie positiv beeinflusst werden. Keinen Einfluss hat eine präoperative neurobiologische Edukation auf postoperativen Schmerz und Funktion. Inkonsistenz besteht bislang in der Herangehensweise der PNE (Pain Neuroscience Education).

Schlussfolgerung

Eine präoperative Reduktion von Angst und schmerzaufrechterhaltenden Faktoren v. a. auf psychologischer und sozialer Ebene hat einen positiven Effekt auf die postoperative subjektive Schmerzbewertung, was sich in einer Reduktion von Angst, Katastrophisierungstendenzen und einer geringeren Inanspruchnahme von postoperativen Leistungen im Gesundheitswesen widerspiegelt.
This is what life with cancer looks like: exploring experiences of adolescent and young adults with cancer using two visual approaches
Authors: Bood Zarah M. , van Liemt Floor , Sprangers Mirjam A. G. , Kobes Annita , Weeseman Yvonne , Scherer-Rath Michael , Tromp Jacqueline M. , van Laarhoven Hanneke W. M. , Helmich Esther
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Talking about illness experience can be challenging for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. Visual tools, in addition to spoken language, might make this easier, such as rich pictures and photovoice. We aimed to obtain a comprehensive view of the cancer experience of AYAs by using rich pictures and photovoice.

Methods

AYAs (18–35 years old) who had any type of cancer, or were in remission from cancer, were eligible. AYAs drew rich pictures about their experience of living with cancer and explained these during subsequent interviews. Some of the AYAs also participated in photovoice and spent two days with a photographer to make photos about their illness experience. Rich pictures and photos were first analyzed separately, using open coding, after which the identified themes were compared.

Results

Twelve AYAs made rich pictures (RPs), of whom seven also participated in photovoice. The two most predominant themes emerging from the data were struggles related to the future and defining one’s identity. The AYAs expressed concerns for the future related to relationships, education, and employment. Relating to defining one’s identity, many AYAs expressed that the cancer had a negative impact on their body- and self-image. The main themes were visible in the RPs as well as in the photovoice; however, subtle differences in sub-themes were found.

Conclusions

We found that cancer has an effect on many aspects of AYAs’ lives. Further research on how the identified themes play a role in the lives of AYAs with cancer is needed.
The Shared Pleasure Paradigm: A study in an observational birth cohort in South Africa
Authors: Lachman Anusha , Jordaan Esme R. , Stern Micky , Donald Kirsten A. , Hoffman Nadia , Lake Marilyn T. , Zar Heather J. , Niehaus Dana J. H. , Puura Kaija , Stein Dan J.
Published: January 2022

Mother–infant dyads in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may be exposed to a range of factors associated with suboptimal development. Optimal infant development is likely supported by synchronicity in the early mother–infant relationship, but limited corroborative research is available in LMICs. The Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS) provided an opportunity to study this synchronicity and its associations in South Africa. A South African birth cohort study investigating early-life determinants of child health in a LMIC context provided participants. The Shared Pleasure (SP) paradigm helped assess early mother–infant synchronicity in videos of a sub-set of 291 mother–infant dyads at their 14-week well baby visit. General linear regression models investigated the relationship between selected maternal and infant characteristics and the presence of Shared Pleasure moments. Out of a possible 291 dyads, 82% (n = 239) yielded Shared Pleasure moments. The mean age of mothers was 27 years, while infant sex distribution comprised 54% females and 46% males. The shortest single Shared Pleasure moment lasted at least 0.5 s and the longest 28 s. Shared Pleasure moments were associated with higher gestation age at delivery (p = 0.008) and higher infant birth weight (p = 0.006), but were not related to mother's mental health and infant health outcomes at 14 weeks. The high frequency of positive Shared Pleasure moments in reciprocal dyadic interactions in this sample suggests that significant disruption in shared pleasure may be present only in extreme cases (e.g. mothers with severe mental disorders). Further work is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the associations between early mother–infant synchronicity and better outcomes noted here, and to assess whether SP may serve as a culturally appropriate screen for assessing connectedness.
Efficiency of cold atmospheric plasma, cleaning powders and their combination for biofilm removal on two different titanium implant surfaces
Authors: Kamionka Julia , Matthes Rutger , Holtfreter Birte , Pink Christiane , Schlüter Rabea , von Woedtke Thomas , Kocher Thomas , Jablonowski Lukasz
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Biofilm removal is the decisive factor for the control of peri-implantitis. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) can become an effective aid due to its ability to destroy and to inactivate bacterial biofilm residues. This study evaluated the cleaning efficiency of CAP, and air-polishing with glycine (APG) or erythritol (APE) containing powders alone or in combination with CAP (APG + CAP, APE + CAP) on sandblasted/acid etched, and anodised titanium implant surface.

Materials and methods

On respective titanium discs, a 7-day ex vivo human biofilm was grown. Afterwards, the samples were treated with CAP, APG, APE, APG + CAP, and APE + CAP. Sterile and untreated biofilm discs were used for verification. Directly after treatment and after 5 days of incubation in medium at 37 °C, samples were prepared for examination by fluorescence microscopy. The relative biofilm fluorescence was measured for quantitative analyses.

Results

Air-polishing with or without CAP removed biofilms effectively. The combination of air-polishing with CAP showed the best cleaning results compared to single treatments, even on day 5. Immediately after treatment, APE + CAP showed insignificant higher cleansing efficiency than APG + CAP.

Conclusions

CAP supports mechanical cleansing and disinfection to remove and inactivate microbial biofilm on implant surfaces significantly. Here, the type of the powder was not important. The highest cleansing results were obtained on sandblasted/etched surfaces.

Clinical relevance.

Microbial residuals impede wound healing and re-osseointegration after peri-implantitis treatment. Air-polishing treatment removes biofilms very effectively, but not completely. In combination with CAP, microbial free surfaces can be achieved. The tested treatment regime offers an advantage during treatment of peri-implantitis.
Effect of malocclusion on jaw motor function and chewing in children: a systematic review
Authors: Alshammari Abdulrahman , Almotairy Nabeel , Kumar Abhishek , Grigoriadis Anastasios
Published: January 2022

Objective

To investigate the effects of dental/skeletal malocclusion and orthodontic treatment on four main objective parameters of chewing and jaw function (maximum occlusal bite force [MOBF], masticatory muscle electromyography [EMG], jaw kinematics, and chewing efficiency/performance) in healthy children.

Materials and methods

Systematic searches were conducted in MEDLINE (OVID), Embase, and the Web of Science Core Collection. Studies that examined the four parameters in healthy children with malocclusions were included. The quality of studies and overall evidence were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute and GRADE tools, respectively.

Results

The searches identified 8192 studies; 57 were finally included. The quality of included studies was high in nine studies, moderate in twenty-three studies, and low in twenty-five studies. During the primary dentition, children with malocclusions showed similar MOBF and lower chewing efficiency compared to control subjects. During mixed/permanent dentition, children with malocclusion showed lower MOBF and EMG activity and chewing efficiency compared to control subjects. The jaw kinematics of children with unilateral posterior crossbite showed a larger jaw opening angle and a higher frequency of reverse chewing cycles compared to crossbite-free children. There was a low to moderate level of evidence on the effects of orthodontic treatment in restoring normal jaw function.

Conclusions

Based on the limitations of the studies included, it is not entirely possible to either support or deny the influence of dental/skeletal malocclusion traits on MOBF, EMG, jaw kinematics, and masticatory performance in healthy children. Furthermore, well-designed longitudinal studies may be needed to determine whether orthodontic treatments can improve chewing function in general.

Clinical relevance

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment, which includes evaluation and restoration of function, may or may not mitigate the effects of malocclusion and restore normal chewing function.
Risky interpretations across the length scales: continuum vs. discrete models for soft tissue mechanobiology
Authors: Stracuzzi Alberto , Britt Ben R. , Mazza Edoardo , Ehret Alexander E.
Published: January 2022

Modelling and simulation in mechanobiology play an increasingly important role to unravel the complex mechanisms that allow resident cells to sense and respond to mechanical cues. Many of the in vivo mechanical loads occur on the tissue length scale, thus raising the essential question how the resulting macroscopic strains and stresses are transferred across the scales down to the cellular and subcellular levels. Since cells anchor to the collagen fibres within the extracellular matrix, the reliable representation of fibre deformation is a prerequisite for models that aim at linking tissue biomechanics and cell mechanobiology. In this paper, we consider the two-scale mechanical response of an affine structural model as an example of a continuum mechanical approach and compare it with the results of a discrete fibre network model. In particular, we shed light on the crucially different mechanical properties of the ‘fibres’ in these two approaches. While assessing the capability of the affine structural approach to capture the fibre kinematics in real tissues is beyond the scope of our study, our results clearly show that neither the macroscopic tissue response nor the microscopic fibre orientation statistics can clarify the question of affinity.
Immuno-histopathologic evaluation of mineralized plasmatic matrix in the management of horizontal ridge defects in a canine model (a split-mouth comparative study)
Authors: Anwar Souzy Kamal , Hamid Hend Mohamed Abdel
Published: January 2022

Our research aimed to investigate the effect of combining biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) alloplast with mineralized plasmatic matrix (MPM) as compared with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on the quality and quantity of bone formation and maturation at surgically created horizontal critical-sized ridge defects (HRDs) in a canine model. We used a split-mouth design using the third and fourth mandibular premolars of the mongrel dogs. Twelve defects on the left side (experimental group, I) were managed with MPM composite mixed with BCP alloplast, MPM compact layer. On the right side (control group, II), another 12 defects were managed with PRF mixed with BCP alloplast, followed by the application of PRF compact strips. Finally, both were covered by a collagen membrane. Dogs were euthanized at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and the studied defects were processed to evaluate treatment outcome, including mean percentage of bone surface area, collagen percentage, and osteopontin (OPN) immunoreaction. Our results revealed that the mean percentage of bone surface area was significantly increased in the experimental group treated with MPM at all time intervals as compared with the PRF group. Decreased collagen percentage and increased OPN immunoreactivity showed significant results in the MPM group as compared with PRF at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively, respectively. In conclusion, MPM accelerates the formation of superior new bone quality when used in the treatment of HRDs.
Manifolds of mappings on Cartesian products
Authors: Glöckner Helge , Schmeding Alexander
Published: January 2022

Given smooth manifolds $$M_1,\ldots , M_n$$

M
1

,
…
,

M
n

(which may have a boundary or corners), a smooth manifold N modeled on locally convex spaces and $$\alpha \in ({{\mathbb {N}}}_0\cup \{\infty \})^n$$

α
∈

(

N
0

∪

{
∞
}

)

n

, we consider the set $$C^\alpha (M_1\times \cdots \times M_n,N)$$

C
α

(

M
1

×
⋯
×

M
n

,
N
)

of all mappings $$f:M_1\times \cdots \times M_n\rightarrow N$$

f
:

M
1

×
⋯
×

M
n

→
N

which are $$C^\alpha $$

C
α

in the sense of Alzaareer. Such mappings admit, simultaneously, continuous iterated directional derivatives of orders $$\le \alpha _j$$

≤

α
j

in the jth variable for $$j\in \{1,\ldots , n\}$$

j
∈
{
1
,
…
,
n
}

, in local charts. We show that $$C^\alpha (M_1\times \cdots \times M_n,N)$$

C
α

(

M
1

×
⋯
×

M
n

,
N
)

admits a canonical smooth manifold structure whenever each $$M_j$$

M
j

is compact and N admits a local addition. The case of non-compact domains is also considered.
Mosaics of combinatorial designs for information-theoretic security
Authors: Wiese Moritz , Boche Holger
Published: January 2022

We study security functions which can serve to establish semantic security for the two central problems of information-theoretic security: the wiretap channel, and privacy amplification for secret key generation. The security functions are functional forms of mosaics of combinatorial designs, more precisely, of group divisible designs and balanced incomplete block designs. Every member of a mosaic is associated with a unique color, and each color corresponds to a unique message or key value. Every block index of the mosaic corresponds to a public seed shared between the two trusted communicating parties. The seed set should be as small as possible. We give explicit examples which have an optimal or nearly optimal trade-off of seed length versus color (i.e., message or key) rate. We also derive bounds for the security performance of security functions given by functional forms of mosaics of designs.
Understanding virtual patients efficiently and rigorously by combining machine learning with dynamical modelling
Authors: Zhang Tongli , Tyson John J.
Published: January 2022

Individual biological organisms are characterized by daunting heterogeneity, which precludes describing or understanding populations of ‘patients’ with a single mathematical model. Recently, the field of quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) has adopted the notion ofvirtual patients(VPs) to cope with this challenge. A typical population of VPs represents the behavior of a heterogeneous patient population with a distribution of parameter values over a mathematical model of fixed structure. Though this notion of VPs is a powerful tool to describe patients’ heterogeneity, the analysis and understanding of these VPs present new challenges to systems pharmacologists. Here, using a model of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, we show that an integrated pipeline that combines machine learning (ML) and bifurcation analysis can be used to effectively and efficiently analyse the behaviors observed in populations of VPs. Compared with local sensitivity analyses, ML allows us to capture and analyse the contributions of simultaneous changes of multiple model parameters. Following up with bifurcation analysis, we are able to provide rigorous mechanistic insight regarding the influences of ML-identified parameters on the dynamical system’s behaviors. In this work, we illustrate the utility of this pipeline and suggest that its wider adoption will facilitate the use of VPs in the practice of systems pharmacology.
Loss of Faith and Decrease in Trust in a Higher Source During COVID-19 in Germany
Authors: Büssing Arndt , Baumann Klaus , Surzykiewicz Janusz
Published: January 2022

Many people relied on their faith as one resource in order to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Germany, between the eighteen months from June 2020 to November 2021, different participants at different times were assessed during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. The total sample of this continuous cross-sectional survey consisted of 4,693 participants. Analyses revealed that with the 2nd wave of the infection and its 2nd lockdown, trust in a Higher Source, along with praying and meditation decreased. Also, the sharp increase in corona-related stressors was associated with a decline of wellbeing and a continuing loss of faith. These developments were observed in both Catholics and Protestants, and in both younger and older persons. In addition, the long phases of insecurity and social isolation lacking the significant support usually given by religious communities may have likewise challenged the religious-coping capacities of religious/spiritual people themselves.