bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What do we talk about when we talk about “equipoise”? Stakeholder interviews assessing the use of equipoise in clinical research ethics
Authors: Dewar Brian , Chevrier Stephanie , De Meulemeester Julie , Fedyk Mark , Rodriguez Rosendo , Kitto Simon , Saginur Raphael , Shamy Michel
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Equipoise, generally defined as uncertainty about the relative effects of the treatments being compared in a trial, is frequently referenced as an ethical standard for the conduct of randomized clinical trials. However, it seems to be defined in several different ways and may be used differently by different individuals. We explored how clinical researchers, chairs of research ethics boards, and philosophers of science define and reason with this term.

Methods

We completed semi-structured interviews about clinical trial ethics with 15 clinical researchers, 15 research ethics board chairs, and 15 philosophers of science/bioethicists. Each participant was asked a standardized set of 10 questions, 4 of which were specifically about equipoise. All interviews were conducted telephonically and transcribed. Responses were grouped and analysed via a modified grounded theory method.

Results

Forty-three respondents defined equipoise in 7 logically distinct ways, and 2 respondents could not explicitly define it. The most common definition, offered by 14 respondents (31%), defined “equipoise” as a disagreement at the level of a community of physicians. There was significant variability in definitions offered between and within groups. When asked how they would “operationalize” equipoise — i.e. check or test for its presence — respondents provided 7 alternatives, the most common being in relation to a literature review (15/45, 33%). The vast majority of respondents (35/45, 78%) felt the concept was helpful, though many acknowledged that the lack of a clear definition or operationalization was problematic.

Conclusion

There is significant variation in definitions of equipoise offered by respondents, suggesting that parties within groups and between groups may be referring to different concepts when they reference “equipoise”. This non-uniformity may impact fairness and transparency and opens the door to potential ethical problems in the evaluation of clinical trials — for instance, a patient may understand equipoise very differently than the researchers enrolling her in a trial, which could cause her agreement to participate to be based upon false premises.
Enhancing the scalability of Wolbachia-based vector-borne disease management: time and temperature limits for storage and transport of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti eggs for field releases
Authors: Allman Megan J. , Lin Ya-Hsun , Joubert D. Albert , Addley-Cook Jessica , Mejía-Torres Maria Camila , Simmons Cameron P. , Flores Heather A. , Fraser Johanna E.
Published: March 2023

Background

Introgression of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti populations is a biocontrol approach being used to reduce arbovirus transmission. This requires mass release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. While releases have been conducted using a variety of techniques, egg releases, using water-soluble capsules containing mosquito eggs and larval food, offer an attractive method due to its potential to reduce onsite resource requirements. However, optimisation of this approach is required to ensure there is no detrimental impact on mosquito fitness and to promote successful Wolbachia introgression.

Methods

We determined the impact of storage time and temperature on wild-type (WT) and Wolbachia-infected (wMel or wAlbB strains) Ae. aegypti eggs. Eggs were stored inside capsules over 8 weeks at 18 °C or 22 °C and hatch rate, emergence rate and Wolbachia density were determined. We next examined egg quality and Wolbachia density after exposing eggs to 4–40 °C to determine how eggs may be impacted if exposed to extreme temperatures during shipment.

Results

Encapsulating eggs for 8 weeks did not negatively impact egg viability or resulting adult emergence and Wolbachia density compared to controls. When eggs were exposed to temperatures within 4–36 °C for 48 h, their viability and resulting adult Wolbachia density were maintained; however, both were significantly reduced when exposed to 40 °C.

Conclusions

We describe the time and temperature limits for maintaining viability of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti eggs when encapsulated or exposed to extreme temperatures. These findings could improve the efficiency of mass releases by providing transport and storage constraints to ensure only high-quality material is utilised during field releases.

Graphical Abstract
Drug-induced liver injury due to tofacitinib: a case report
Authors: Mardani Masoud , Mohammadshahi Jafar , abolghasemi Sara , Teimourpour Roghayeh
Published: March 2023

Background

Drug-induced liver injury is an acute or chronic liver damage in response to drugs, herbals, and any chemical compound.

Case presentation

In the present work, liver failure following the use of tofacitinib was reported. The patient was an 18-year-old iranian woman without any history of underlying disease. She complained of alopecia areata, and tofacitinib was administered for disease management. Following adherence to tofacitinib medication, partial recovery was obtained. At the time of hospitalization, the patient had a stable condition and only anorexia, jaundice, and elevation of liver enzymes were reported. During hospitalization, liver injury progressed and liver transplantation was suggested. After drug-induced liver injury diagnosis, the use of the drug was discontinued and the patient underwent supportive treatment. The patient recovered without any severe sequelae.

Conclusions

Tofacitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor that is useful in the treatment of disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Until now, the severe side effect of this drug has not been reported and in most cases it is used as a last resort, but here we report a rare side effect of this drug.
ICU health care workers opinion on physician-assisted-suicide and euthanasia: a French survey
Authors: Acquier Mathieu , Boyer Alexandre , Guidet Bertrand , Lautrette Alexandre , Reignier Jean , Thiery Guillaume , Robert René
Published: March 2023

Background

In France, physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia are not legal but are still debated. French intensive care unit (ICU) health care workers (HCWs) have an insider’s perspective on the global quality of the patient’s end-of-life, whether it occurs in ICU or not. However, their opinion about euthanasia/physician-assisted suicide remains unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the opinion of French ICU HCWs about physician-assisted suicide/euthanasia.

Results

A total of 1149 ICU HCWs participated to a self-administered anonymous questionnaire: 411 (35.8%) physicians and 738 (64.2%) non-physicians. Among them, 76.5% indicated they were in favor of legalizing euthanasia/physician-assisted suicide. Non-physicians HCWs were significantly more in favor of the legalization of euthanasia/physician assisted suicide than physicians (87% vs 57.8% p < 0.001). Euthanasia/physician-assisted suicide of an ICU patient raised the most important difference in positive judgment between physicians and non-physicians HCWs (80.3% vs 42.2%; p < 0.001 of non-physicians and physicians, respectively). The questionnaire included three case vignettes of concrete examples which participated to the increase in the rate of response in favor of euthanasia/physician-assisted suicide legalization (76.5–82.9%; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Keeping in mind the unknown representation of our sample, ICU HCWs, particularly non physicians, would be in favor of a law legalizing euthanasia/physician-assisted suicide.
A structural equation modelling of the direct and indirect factors associated with functional status over time as measured by WHODAS-32 items among postpartum women in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Malaju Marelign Tilahun
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Full functional status recovery which is a multidimensional concept, that includes personal care, infant and family care, social and occupational activities and adjusting to the role of motherhood may require several months to achieve. However, most study designs on postpartum maternal functional status were cross-sectional, providing limited insights into functional status patterns over time and the mediating relationships among variables associated with it during the postpartum period.

Objective

To investigate the patterns of functional status over time and the mediating relationships among variables associated with functional status after childbirth.

Methods

From October 2020 to March 2021, 775 women in Northwest Ethiopia participated in a community-based follow-up study that was linked to a health institution. Functional status was measured by the Amharic version of WHODAS 2.0 instrument. Structural equation modelling was used to determine the direct and indirect effects of predictor variables on individual domains of functional status as measured by WHODAS 2.0 instrument.

Results

Higher fear of childbirth score, anxiety and PTSD score had a direct deleterious effect (increased risk of functional disability) on the overall functional status and six domains of WHODAS 2.0 (cognition, mobility, self-care, getting along with people, household life activities and community participation) at the first, second and third follow up periods. Higher social support had a direct protective effect (decreased risk of functional disability) on all domains of WHODAS 2.0 and the overall functional status at the three follow up periods. Higher social support had also an indirect protective effect through fear of birth on the six domains of WHODAS 2.0 and the overall functional status throughout the follow up period. Higher PTSD symptom score had also an indirect deleterious effect (increased risk of functional disability) through fear of birth on the overall functional status and six domains of WHODAS 2.0 (higher disability) throughout the follow up period. Complications of delivery management had a direct deleterious effect (increased disability score) on the domains of getting along with people, household life activities, mobility, self-care and community participation and on the overall functional status disability score.

Conclusion

Maternal functioning in the postpartum period is initially impaired, but improves over time. Despite improvement, maternal morbidities are correlated with worse functioning scores compared to women without these morbidities. Interventions should target on the mediating role of fear of child birth, life threatening event of health risk and PTSD with the deleterious effects of complications of delivery management, poor social support, vaginal mode of delivery, anxiety, poor physical and mental quality of life on functional status of postpartum women.
The localization of molecularly distinct microglia populations to Alzheimer's disease pathologies using QUIVER
Authors: Shahidehpour Ryan K. , Nelson Abraham S. , Sanders Lydia G. , Embry Chloe R. , Nelson Peter T. , Bachstetter Adam D.
Published: March 2023

New histological techniques are needed to examine protein distribution in human tissues, which can reveal cell shape and disease pathology connections. Spatial proteomics has changed the study of tumor microenvironments by identifying spatial relationships of immunomodulatory cells and proteins and contributing to the discovery of new cancer immunotherapy biomarkers. However, the fast-expanding toolkit of spatial proteomic approaches has yet to be systematically applied to investigate pathological alterations in the aging human brain in health and disease states. Moreover, post-mortem human brain tissue presents distinct technical problems due to fixation procedures and autofluorescence, which limit fluorescence methodologies. This study sought to develop a multiplex immunohistochemistry approach (visualizing the immunostain with brightfield microscopy). Quantitative multiplex Immunohistochemistry with Visual colorimetric staining to Enhance Regional protein localization (QUIVER) was developed to address these technical challenges. Using QUIVER, a ten-channel pseudo-fluorescent image was generated using chromogen removal and digital microscopy to identify unique molecular microglia phenotypes. Next, the study asked if the tissue environment, specifically the amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, has any bearing on microglia's cellular and molecular phenotypes. QUIVER allowed the visualization of five molecular microglia/macrophage phenotypes using digital pathology tools. The recognizable reactive and homeostatic microglia/macrophage phenotypes demonstrated spatial polarization towards and away from amyloid plaques, respectively. Yet, microglia morphology appearance did not always correspond to molecular phenotype. This research not only sheds light on the biology of microglia but also offers QUIVER, a new tool for examining pathological alterations in the brains of the elderly.
Perioperative management of a patient with incidentally detected pulmonary artery aneurysm undergoing non-cardiac surgery—a case report
Authors: Shanker Bhawani , Alwardi Moosa Ahmed , Jagani Lalita , Yadav Ajay , Nair Abhijit
Published: March 2023

Background

There are few case reports in which non-cardiac surgery under regional anesthesia has been described in a patient with a pulmonary artery aneurysm. We report a case in which we managed a 74-year-old lady with a hip fracture for fixation under spinal anesthesia after thorough evaluation and meticulous planning. The patient was discharged home after 5 days without any perioperative events.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old, hypertensive lady with an incidentally detected pulmonary artery aneurysm was posted for a dynamic hip screw. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed normal biventricular function with an ejection fraction of 60%, no regional wall motion abnormalities, concentric right ventricular hypertrophy (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion or TAPSE of 19 mm), severe calcific pulmonary stenosis (PS) with pressures 90/61 mm Hg, pulmonary valve annulus of 12 mm, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 35 mm Hg. The left and right pulmonary artery diameters were 17 mm and 20 mm, respectively. She was clinically asymptomatic with an oxygen saturation of 98% on room air. A sequential lumbar epidural anesthesia was planned for this patient given her age, overall frail condition, and to avoid airway instrumentation. As epidural was difficult due to fused spaces, a sub-arachnoid block was administered with continuous monitoring. Surgery was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 5th postoperative day.

Conclusions

With this case report, we suggest that a central neuraxial blockade could be administered in presence of severe PS with meticulous monitoring and careful planning.
Sublethal Hyperthermia Transiently Disrupts Cortisol Steroidogenesis in Adrenocortical Cells
Authors: Mullen Nathan , Donlon Padraig T , Sebek Jan , Duffy Katen , Cappiello Grazia , Feely Sarah , Warde Kate M , Harhen Brendan , Finn David P , O'Shea Paula M , Prakash Punit , O’Halloran Martin , Dennedy Michael C
Published: March 2023

Primary aldosteronism is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. The first-line treatment adrenalectomy resects adrenal nodules and adjacent normal tissue, limiting suitability to those who present with unilateral disease. Use of thermal ablation represents an emerging approach as a possible minimally invasive therapy for unilateral and bilateral disease, to target and disrupt hypersecreting aldosterone-producing adenomas, while preserving adjacent normal adrenal cortex. To determine the extent of damage to adrenal cells upon exposure to hyperthermia, the steroidogenic adrenocortical cell lines H295R and HAC15 were treated with hyperthermia at temperatures between 37 and 50°C with the effects of hyperthermia on steroidogenesis evaluated following stimulation with forskolin and ANGII. Cell death, protein/mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes and damage markers (HSP70/90), and steroid secretion were analyzed immediately and 7 days after treatment. Following treatment with hyperthermia, 42°C and 45°C did not induce cell death and were deemed sublethal doses while ≥50°C caused excess cell death in adrenal cells. Sublethal hyperthermia (45°C) caused a significant reduction in cortisol secretion immediately following treatment while differentially affecting the expression of various steroidogenic enzymes, although recovery of steroidogenesis was evident 7 days after treatment. As such, sublethal hyperthermia, which occurs in the transitional zone during thermal ablation induces a short-lived, unsustained inhibition of cortisol steroidogenesis in adrenocortical cells in vitro.
Probing the Amyloid Peptide-Membrane Interaction Using a Liposome Model System
Authors: Tao Liguo , Cao Yunpeng , Ma Cuixia , Wang J. , Lin L. , Liu L. , Dong Mingdong
Published: March 2023

The aggregation of amyloid peptides is closely related to the pathogenesisof degenerative diseases. More and more evidence implies that the protofibrillar intermediates rather than the mature amyloid fibrils are the toxicspecies related to the membrane disruption. In this work we found that theself-assembling intermediates of Aβ33-42 during early aggregation are ableto break down the liposome. During the process of amyloid peptide (Aβ33-42)intermediate binding to liposome, the β-sheet secondary structure of peptidetook change on the molecular level which was characterized by circulardichroism (CD) spectra. The small micelles were formed due to the disruptionof amyloid peptide, and further to grow into big irregular complexes withfurther incubation, which is characterized by the assay of disrupting liposomemembrane and atomic force microscopy (AFM). This founding paved the wayto understand the interactions between the amyloid peptide and membranes,and support the amyloid peptide nanostructure formed in the early stage ofaggregation has good affinity with membrane.
Influence of Film Morphology on Transient Photocurrent Pulse Shape in Organic Thin Films: A Monte Carlo Study
Authors: Mohan S. Raj , Singh M. P. , Joshi M. P.
Published: March 2023

The influence of film morphology on the broadening of the time-of-flighttransient photo-current pulse is investigated using Monte Carlo simulation.Simulation of the time-of-flight transient photo-current pulse shape is carriedout for homogeneous and inhomogeneous organic thin films by varying theoverall energetic disorder. In homogeneous system, the value of the tailbroadening parameter (W) of the photocurrent pulse is found to decrease upondecreasing the energetic disorder, which can be attributed to the variation inthe non-thermal field assisted diffusion. Interestingly, in the case of inhomo-geneous system, upon decreasing the overall energetic disorder of the systemthe value of W initially attains a maximum value before it starts decreasing.This observation is explained in terms of the morphology dependent carrierdiffusion. This study asserts the importance of the influence of the morphologydependent carrier diffusion on the charge transport in disordered systems andthe related experimental measurements.
Functional Phospholipid Nano-Microfibers and Nano-Microparticles by Electrohydrodynamic Processing: A Review
Authors: Mendes Ana C. , Chronakis Ioannis S.
Published: March 2023

Functional phospholipid nano-microfibers and nano-microparticles developedusing electrohydrodynamic processing methods are reviewed. Depending onthe phospholipid concentration the solvent used and the processing conditions,fibers and particles with a range of morphologies, mechanical properties andfunctionalities were observed. The efficacy of electrospun phospholipid fibersas antioxidant, encapsulation, and delivery matrices for bioactive compoundsis also presented.
The benefits of continuing patient and public involvement as part of a randomised controlled trial during the Covid-19 global pandemic
Authors: Lewins Amy , Hughes Tyler , Dalrymple Emma , Shafran Roz , Fonagy Peter , Cross Helen , Ford Tamsin , Heyman Isobel , Stephenson Terence , Bennett Sophie D.
Published: March 2023

Patient and public involvement (PPI) in clinical research strengthens the quality and relevance of research, and has been crucial to ensure that researchers continue to investigate relevant and important topics during the global Covid-19 pandemic. The MICE (Mental Health Intervention for Children with Epilepsy) randomised controlled trial relies upon PPI to steer the direction and delivery of the trial, and the PPI Research Advisory Group (RAG) adapted to remote online meetings during the pandemic. This article first describes how the PPI RAG supported the research trial during the course of the pandemic, particularly with key trial stages of recruitment, retention and follow-up. It considers how the PPI tasks were adapted to ensure that they remained meaningful throughout this period, particularly for children and young people. Second, the article explores the acceptability of PPI in research using teleconferencing methods, via a co-produced survey of the PPI group members. Survey results indicated that, while participants valued face-to-face meetings, having remote PPI meetings was preferable to having nothing. There was some suggestion that teleconferencing platforms make it challenging for reserved members of the group, and for children, to contribute. Our findings emphasise the importance of continuing PPI even when circumstances are sub-optimal. We hope that our findings will contribute to the wider conversation about what makes PPI effective, particularly in a digital world.
Povezava lastnosti vodje in vodenja s kakovostjo storitev v zdravstveni negi
Authors: Kodele Darjan , Peršolja Melita
Published: March 2023

Uvod: Vodenje je proces, ki se nanaša na zmožnost vplivati na zaposlene, jih usmerjati in motivirati. Namen članka je bil raziskati povezavo med kakovostjo zdravstvene nege z vodenjem in lastnostmi vodje tima zdravstvene nege.Metode: Uporabljena je bila opisna metoda dela, s katero je bil med 2018 in 2020 izveden sistematični pregled literature po bazah podatkov Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library in PubMed. Iskalna strategija je sledila protokolu PICO. Iskalni pojmi so bili: leader, leadership, leaders competencies, quality indicators, health care, nursing leadership, patient outcomes, personnel management, outcome assesment, patient satisfaction.Rezultati: Identificiranih je bilo 462 zadetkov, med katerimi je bilo za analizo izbranih 20 prispevkov, objavljenih med letoma 2010 in 2020. Deset raziskav je bilo sistematičnih pregledov literature, devet kvantitativno presečnih ter ena eksperimentalna raziskava. Prispevki so bili kritično ovrednoteni z orodji JBI. V analizi je bilo identificiranih 163 kod, ki so bile združene v šest kategorij: slogi vodenja v zdravstvu; lastnosti dobrega vodje v zdravstvu; učinkovitost zdravstvenega tima, dejavniki, ki vplivajo na kakovost zdravstvene nege; izidi zdravstvene nege; izidi negativnega delovnega okolja.Diskusija in zaključek: V kliničnem okolju je najpogosteje omenjen in priporočen transformacijski slog vodenja, v katerem ima vodja posluh za zaposlene, vodenje je usmerjeno v odnose. Med zaposlenimi se ustvarja klima zaupanja, ki vpliva na zadovoljstvo zaposlenih in posledično pozitivno tudi na kakovost zdravstvene nege.
Tugendhat über Moralbegründung, Mystik und Religion
Authors: Steinvorth Ulrich
Published: March 2023

Tugendhat’s remarks on religion and mysticism are explored in section 5 and 6 of this paper. To this end I outline, in section 1, the role that the criticism of religion has played from its beginnings in philosophy’s self-understanding and its focus on reasoning, which philosophers opposed to the non-reasoning justification of religion. In section 2, I consider philosophy’s relation to empirical statements and to the empirical sciences; in section 3, I discuss Tugendhat’s substitution of anthropology for metaphysics; and in section 4, his moral theory.
Philosophie der Bionik: Das Komponieren von bio-robotischen Formen
Authors: Tamborini Marco
Published: March 2023

In this paper, I explore how bio-hybrid forms can be created and combined starting from organic forms. The thesis put forward is epistemological: the combinatorial practice of bionics, biomimetics, biorobotics, and all design strategies inspired by nature is not based on a kind of biomimetic inspiration, i. e., on a kind of imitation of nature, but on a practice of translation.

To develop this thesis, I focus on the practices of contemporary biorobotics, first examining the practice of translating natural forms into technical artefacts as developed by Raoul Heinrich Francé at the beginning of the 20th century, secondly, analysing the production of robots capable of replicating complex locomotion systems and, finally, investigating the interaction between robots and living organisms (fish). In the last part of the paper, I reflect on the philosophical payoff and broader conditions of possibility for this translational practice. I discuss when and to what extent a translation of biological forms into biotechnical ones is acceptable and point out the notion of form that underlies this practice. Moreover, I draw attention to the need to philosophically investigate what happens between different domains of knowledge – and especially between science and technology. This article is thus an invitation to philosophers to develop a philosophy in the interstices of knowledge production.
Sokrates’ Verlegenheit(en)
Authors: Duc Viet Anh Nguyen
Published: March 2023

This article aims at conceptualising the notion of embarrassment as a negativistic figure of thought that takes the experience of one’s own non-sovereignty as a starting point and emphasises an engagement with situations of not-knowing. This consideration is clarified in discussion with the figure of Socrates or with the philosophical attitude of Socrates. Because the negativistic thrust of the conceptualisation undertaken is reminiscent of irony, the paper then addresses the question of what distinguishes embarrassment understood as a figure of thought from irony. For this purpose, Kierkegaard’s reading of Socratic irony is drawn upon. It is shown that irony is inherently a negativism, which in the last consequence aims at a retention of rights; but this is exactly what embarrassment avoids, because, as the article shows, it is not a negativism of strength, but of weakness.
Motivators for University of Professional Studies Accra Students to Adopt a Learning Management System in Ghana
Authors: Attuquayefio Samuel NiiBoi
Published: March 2023

The use of a learning management system (LMS) is believed to be significant for students’ academic performance, but students’ attitudes regarding its use are divided. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to apply a modified version of the technology acceptance model to determine the motivators for University of Professional Studies Accra students’ behavioural intentions (BIs) and actual use of LMSs using a convenient sampling technique to elicit data from first-year students in the faculty of information technology and communication studies. The investigation included a total of 188 samples. The study used structured equation modelling partial least squares to analyse the data. Specifically, the study employed the importance-performance map analysis to establish the factors that are important to students’ actual use of an LMS. The study’s findings suggest that REL and output quality significantly impact the perceived usefulness (PU). Also, perceived enjoyment and subjective norm exert a significant impact on the perceived ease of use (PEOU). Additionally, PEOU influences the PU, which in turn influences the BI. Furthermore, the findings reveal a strong link between BI and the actual use of the LMS. Finally, the study suggests that students’ BI to use the LMS is the most important factor for students’ actual use. PU is also an important determinant factor of students’ actual use. Following the study’s conclusion that BI and PU are important for students’ actual use of an LMS, higher education administrators must develop rules that increase the students’ PU of LMSs, while also ensuring that current measures that awaken students’ BIs are maintained or improved so that students can use the LMS for academic work.
Inguinal lymphadenectomy in penile cancer patients: a comparison between open and video endoscopic approach in a multicenter setting
Authors: Bada Maida , Crocetto Felice , Nyirady Peter , Pagliarulo Vincenzo , Rapisarda Sebastiano , Aliberti Antonio , Boccasile Stefano , Ferro Matteo , Barone Biagio , Celia Antonio
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To compare differences of operative outcomes, post-operative complications and survival outcomes between open and laparoscopic cases in a multicenter study.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study performed at three European centers from September 2011 to January 2019. The surgeon decision to perform open inguinal lymphadenectomy (OIL) or video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) was done in each hospital after patient counselling. Inclusion criteria regarded a minimum follow-up of 9 months since the inguinal lymphadenectomy.

Results

A total of 55 patients with proven squamous cell penile cancer underwent inguinal lymphadenectomy. 26 of them underwent OIL, while 29 patients underwent VEIL. For the OIL and VEIL groups, the mean operative time was 2.5 vs. 3.4 h (p=0.129), respectively. Hospital stays were lower in the VEIL group with 4 vs. 8 days in OIL patients (p=0.053) while number of days requiring drains to remain in situ was 3 vs. 6 days (p=0.024). The VEIL group reported a lower incidence of major complications compared to the OIL group (2 vs. 17%, p=0.0067) while minor complications were comparable in both groups. In a median follow-up period of 60 months, the overall survival was 65.5 and 84.6% in OIL and VEIL groups, respectively (p=0.105).

Conclusions

VEIL is comparable to OIL regarding safety, overall survival and post-operative outcomes.
Lithium–lithium fusion evaporation research
Authors: Aksakal Hüsnü , Yıldız Ercan
Published: March 2023

In this study we have explored6Li + 7Li fusion evaporation reactions cross sections dependencies on both nuclear level density and various spin combination effects. The reaction cross section was calculated in the energy range of 0.1–16 MeV projectile of6Li on the fixed target of7Li. The excited compound nucleus (13C) can decay into various channels, and its decay rate in any given channel is proportional to the available phase space, i.e., the corresponding level density of it which is explained in the present study. In the present study, LISE++, PACE4, NRV and GEMINI codes were used to determine cross section of evaporation residues cross sections of13C.
The association between sleep duration, quality, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Huiwei , Huang Shiliang , Xu Mengdan , Zhao Dan , Wang Xinxue , Zhang Liangshun , Chen Dahua , Du Jinman , Yu Rongbin , Li Hong , Ye Hua
Published: March 2023

Sleep can affect nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated the association between sleep duration, sleep quality, and NAFLD. From January to December 2018, 1,073 patients (age: 37.94 ± 10.88, Body Mass Index (BMI): 22.85 ± 3.27) were enrolled. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire and Munich Chronotype Questionnaire were used to assess sleep duration, quality, and habits. Ultrasonography was used to diagnose NAFLD. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the risk of NAFLD by different types of sleep duration and sleep quality. No significant differences in sleep time, sleep quality, and sleep habits between the NAFLD and the non-NAFLD groups were observed (P > 0.05). There was no correlation between sleep duration and NAFLD in the whole cohort. After adjusting for age, exercise, fasting plasma glucose, and BMI, the group with long sleep duration showed a decreased risk of NAFLD in men (OR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.001–0.27, P = 0.032). However, in all four adjusted models, no correlation between sleep duration, quality, and NAFLD was found in women. In conclusion, sleep duration was significantly and negatively associated with NAFLD in men but not women. Prospective studies are required to confirm this association.
Blood and hair copper levels in childhood autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis based on case-control studies
Authors: Liu Hezuo , Huang Minhui , Yu Xiaomin
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The association between copper levels and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been a controversial topic. This study investigated relationship between copper levels and ASD.

Content

The following databases are searched until April 2022: PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Combined effect size standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated with Stata 12.0. In this meta-analysis, 29 case-control studies were included, which included 2,504 children with ASD and 2,419 healthy controls. The copper levels in hair (SMD: −1.16, 95% CI: −1.73 to −0.58) was significantly lower in ASD children than healthy controls. The copper levels in blood (SMD: 0.10, 95% CI: −0.12 to 0.32) not significantly compare ASD with controls.

Summary and outlook

Copper may be associated with the development of ASD in children.
Paradoxical kinesia may no longer be a paradox waiting for 100 years to be unraveled
Authors: Melo-Thomas Liana , Schwarting Rainer K. W.
Published: March 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder mainly characterized by bradykinesia and akinesia. Interestingly, these motor disabilities can depend on the patient emotional state. Disabled PD patients remain able to produce normal motor responses in the context of urgent or externally driven situations or even when exposed to appetitive cues such as music. To describe this phenomenon Souques coined the term “paradoxical kinesia” a century ago. Since then, the mechanisms underlying paradoxical kinesia are still unknown due to a paucity of valid animal models that replicate this phenomenon. To overcome this limitation, we established two animal models of paradoxical kinesia. Using these models, we investigated the neural mechanisms of paradoxical kinesia, with the results pointing to the inferior colliculus (IC) as a key structure. Intracollicular electrical deep brain stimulation, glutamatergic and GABAergic mechanisms may be involved in the elaboration of paradoxical kinesia. Since paradoxical kinesia might work by activation of some alternative pathway bypassing basal ganglia, we suggest the IC as a candidate to be part of this pathway.
The correlation between non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and cerebral infarction
Authors: Li Xiaochun , Cao Xiaolu , Ma Fenglou , Jia Peipei , Wang Fuyin , Cao Xiaoguang
Published: March 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and cerebral infarction (CI). Moreover, the ocular and systemic parameters are also compared between NAION patients with or without CI.

Methods

Retrospective analysis is performed for NAION patients and the controls. The controls were collected at the eye outpatient with cranial computed tomography (CT), and data of blood triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein B were drawn. The diagnosed NAION patients with cranial CT are included, and data of clinical history and routine clinical examination were drawn from the medical record. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field, and visual evoked potential were also drawn.

Results

Eighty-two unilateral and 6 bilateral patients, totally 94 eyes for 88 NAION patients and 69 controls are included. NAION and control patients have matched age, gender, and weight. There is no difference in triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein B between these two groups. NAION patients (43.18%, 38/88) have a higher ratio of CI than the controls (14.49%, 10/69) (p = 0.000). For NAION, the odds ratio (OR) of CI is 2.691 (p = 0.011). Body mass index, height, and IOP show no significant difference between NAION patients with or without CI. NAION patients with CI have a significant higher ratio of hypertension than those without CI, and the OR of HBP is 2.623 (p = 0.008).

Conclusions

The correlation between NAION and CI is possible as NAION patients have a significant higher ratio with CI. In NAION patients, hypertension is a risk factor for those with CI.
Assessment of Different Approaches for Measuring Shear Fracture Appearance in Charpy Tests
Authors: Lucon E. , Martin M. L. , Calvo B. L. , Chen X. , Sokolov M. A.
Published: March 2023

Different approaches for establishing shear fracture appearance (SFA) on tested Charpy specimens were assessed and compared, namely (in order of increasing expected accuracy) estimates based on characteristic forces from instrumented Charpy tests, optical measurements using image analysis software, and measurements performed with the aid of a scanning electron microscope. Comparisons between different SFA values for 129 instrumented Charpy tests currently included in the National Institute of Standards and Technology database allowed us to establish the relationships between the different available approaches and formulate recommendations for the revision of the standards ASTM E2298-18, Standard Test Method for Instrumented Impact Testing of Metallic Materials, and ISO 14556:2015, Metallic Materials — Charpy V-Notch Pendulum Impact Test — Instrumented Test Method, which currently provide four empirical correlations that can be used to estimate SFA.
About a Lorentz invariant aether and an alternative view to Minkowski´s diagram
Authors: Levi Daniel , B Berdichevsky Daniel
Published: March 2023

With no criticism to special relativity theory it is demonstrated with the help of a lattice with certain features, that it is feasible to reintroduce the ‘aether’ as a Lorentz invariant media. Such features lie on strings made of fibers at rest in a preferred reference system and analyzes its role as a transmission medium for the propagation both a fermion and a boson. For the approach it is used a sub algebra of Poincare that recovers the Lorentz transformation. Such sub algebra leads to a special type of graphs in which we place at ultra microscopic scale a fermion over one Euclidian space-speed graph coordinates instead of the Minkowski space-time. Finally we locate macroscopic objects and light rays in this graph and show that everything is always in a particular place at a corresponding time and discuss the anisotropy of space and the reversion of the time arrow.
New civilization–new challenges: a concept of social futurism
Authors: Kuznetsova Evgeniya
Published: March 2023

The paper is devoted to the problem of human existence in new civilizational conditions. She reveals different reasons that have caused a contemporary civilizational crisis. Among them are the following: a man’s dependence on a machine, a state’s repressiveness, mass character of many phenomena and processes, a loss of spiritual and moral quality in human nature, etc. She bases her idea on the works by G. Marcuse, A. Glucksmann, D. Rismen, A. Camus, K. Lebak. Nowadays we deal with contradictions of information society when technologies again dominate over spiritual values (A. Toffler, E. Masuda, D. Bell D). But we should find a balance between spiritual and technological aspects in order to create a society of a new type.
Compaction analysis in three low-performance soccer fields: a case study
Authors: Leal do Nascimento Mestrando Matheus Vinícios , Trindade Martins Doutorando Juliana , dos Santos Doutorando Patrick Luan Ferreira , de Castilho Regina Maria Monteiro , Montanari Rafael
Published: March 2023

Football fields are the stage for major sporting competitions and essential for the practice of the sport, however, the intense traffic players during matches and training causes soil compaction. Compaction on soccer fields can damage the development of grass, affect the health of athletes, increasing the risk of injuries, and impairing gameplay. The present work aimed to identify the spatial distribution of compaction in low-performance soccer fields. Three soccer fields were selected, composed predominantly of potato grass (Paspalum notatum), which were divided into three sectors: S1- goalkeeper area (composed by the small and large area); S2–laterals (composed by the lateral ends of the field) and S3 - midfield (composed by the central interval between the large areas). Subsequently, the soil mechanical resistance to penetration (RMP) in the soil profile of 0–0.20m in each of the sectors was determined and the data obtained were submitted to analysis of variance. It was found that there is a presence and variation of soil compaction in the different sectors of the three soccer fields studied, with averages varying between 654.62kPa and 3788.58kPa. Compaction levels were identified in certain sectors that can be limited to the development of potato grass and harmful to the health of athletes. Thus, it is recommended to carry out decompaction and/or aeration operations in the fields to improve the physical conditions of the soil.
Using cipc and other alternatives to suppress sprout in potato in the UK
Authors: Zair Wathek
Published: March 2023

Sprouting is one of the major problems in potatoes during storage. Many consumers refuse to eat potato with sprouts. For this reason, treatment with sprout suppressants is vital. Spearmint oil and Ethylene can be used to suppress sprouts. However, spearmint oil is expensive and Ethylene changes potato colour. CIPC is the best chemical in the market that can suppress sprouting effectively at a low cost. CIPC is toxic and dangerous for the environment. However, by wearing protective equipment and displaying relevant signs, the risk to ourselves and other people can be minimised. The risk to the environment can also be minimised by disposing the containers legally to a licensed disposal contractor and avoiding spillage. The case presented is that of a 2000 tonne store of potato in Hereford in the United Kingdom. A CIPC application has been carried out. The result is 99% control.
A preliminary study on emergence and growth of carrot seedlings in response to varying proportions of vermicompost and copper
Authors: Ye Tongxin , Ijenyo Mercy , Abbey Lord
Published: March 2023

Vermicompost is a nutrient-rich amendment commonly used to restore soil health such as restoration of trace element contamination of growing media. A pot study was carried out to determine vermin compost and copper (Cu) interaction on little finger carrot (Daucus carota cv. Nantes) seedlings emergence and plant growth. The treatments were varying rates of Cu (i.e., 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg Cu l-1) and vermicompost (i.e., 0, 25, 50 and 75% w/w).At two weeks after sowing, the emergence rate of carrot seedlings in pots with no vermicompost (i.e., control) were 0.22, 0.25, and 0.32 folds higher than those that received the 25%, 50% and 75% vermicompost, respectively. Vermicompost, Cu and their interaction had significant (p<0.05) effects on leaf chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents. The 50% vermicompost combined with the 100 mg Cu l-1 resulted in greater leaf greenness and anthocyanin content. Plant height and number of leaves were significantly (p<0.05)increased by 0.07 and 0.16 folds following the application of the 25% and 50% vermin compost respectively, compared to the control. The 50% vermicompost had a strongly positive impact on the carrot shoot compared to the root. This preliminary study on little finger carrot cv. Nantes seedlings will require further detailed studies to explain vermicompost mitigation of Cu stress on carrot plants and productivity.
Triticum aestivum response to Xanthobacter autotrophicus and Bacillus thuringiensis optimized by crude extract carbon nano particles and 50% of NH4 NO3
Authors: Velázquez-Medina Adilene , Ignacio-De la Cruz Juan Luis , Lopez Nazario , Dogutan Dilek K , Nocera Daniel G , Sánchez-Yáñez Juan Manuel
Published: March 2023

Triticum aestivum requires nitrogen fertilizer (NF) as NH4NO3 for healthy growth, however its excessive application causes loss of soil fertility. An alternative to decrease the amount of NH4NO3 and to optimize is to inoculate T. aestivum seeds with Xanthobacter autotrophicus or/and Bacillus thuringiensis well known asendophytic plant growth promoting bacteria (EPGPB). Both genera and species of EPGPB are able transform metabolic compounds from seeds and roots into phyto hormones, which can be optimized by crude extract carbon nano particles (CECNPs) to enhance the growth of radical system and to improve uptake at 50% dose of NH4NO3 Response variables were: germination percentage, phenology, and biomass to seedling stage. All experimental data were validated by ANOVA/Tukey HSD P<0.05. Seeds of T. aestivum were inoculated with X. autotrophicus and/or B. thuringiensis, plus CECNPs at 50% NH4NO3. Results showed a positive response of T. aestivum seeds to X. autotrophicus and/or B. thuringiensis, with 10 ppm CECNPs, and 50% NH4NO3 enhanced germination percent of 93% in comparison with 73% of T. aestivum when its seeds were not inoculated with these EPGPB fed only with 100% dose of NH4NO3 (relative control); the same positive response of T. aestivum to X. autotrophicus and B. thuringiensis improved by CECNPs at seeding stage compared to T. aestivum used as a relative control.
Impact of water logging condition on seedling of five timber tree species
Authors: Seif El-Yazel Mohamed A
Published: March 2023

Under natural conditions, plants are frequently exposed to transient or permanent soil waterlogging. Flooding of the soil with water with poor drainage drastically influences the soil physico-chemical properties, most notably soil oxidation-reduction potential, pH and O2 level. Thus, conditions of hypoxia or anoxia are commonly encountered by plant root systems. These O2 restrictive conditions dramatically have an effect on plant growth, development and survival. One in every of the simplest characterized plant responses to soil waterlogging is that the metabolic switch from aerobic respiration to anaerobic fermentation. In this study the effects of waterlogged were examined on seedling growth, metabolic, physiological and morphological responses of five species of timber trees (Casuarina cunninghamiana, C. glauca, Eucalyptus rostrata, Cupressus sempevirens and E. citrodora). The results indicated a wide variation among these timber tree species in their response to water logging. Casuarina cunninghamiana and C. glauca were more tolerant to waterlogging than the other species, followed by Eucalyptus rostrata then Cupres sussempevirens. E. citrodora was the least tolerant waterlogging species. Waterlogging treatment decreased the seedling growth and the leaf contents from carbohydrates, total and free phenols, chlorophylls and carotenoids as well as N, P and K contents in the leaves. On the other hand, waterlogging treatment increased both epinastic leaf angles, contents of total indoles, total free amino acids, chloride, sodium, calcium and magnesium in the leaves. Moreover, total free amino acids, total indoles, carbohydrates, total and free phenols contents were also increased in stems and roots of waterlogged seedlings.