bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coal and shale distributions on half-graben slopes: A case study of the Eocene Pinghu Formation in Xihu Sag, East China Sea
Authors: Jiang Donghui , Yan Sujie , Pu Renhai , Su Siyu , Zhou Feng , Chen Qinglong
Published: April 2022

Steep and gentle slopes in a half-grabben basin often form oil source rocks of coal and shale. However, which source rock is dominant and what the relation is with the slope type and sedimentary facies are not clear. The Pinghu Formation in Xihu Sag is a half-graben basin with coal seam as the main source rock. Five condensate reservoirs have been found in its west slope, with several wells and 3D seismic data, which makes it possible to study the relationship between slope types and source rocks. We have used logging data, lithologic identification statistics, and seismic inversion to reconstruct the sedimentary facies and paleoslopes in the western Xihu Sag and have analyzed the variations in the proportions of coal and shale in the study area and their relationships with the facies, slope types, and subsag. The results indicate that the upper slope contained a higher proportion of coal than the lower slope. In contrast, the lower slope contained more shale than the upper slope. Coal is dominant in the delta plain and front facies, whereas shales are dominant in the prodelta facies. Although the proportions of coal and shale vary among the southern hinged margin, the central escarpment margin, and the northern hinged margin, the thicknesses of the coal and shale increases northward, independent of the rift margin type. These variations may be related to the filling of the delta from north to south during the deposition of the Eocene Pinghu Formation. These results also suggest that there were no substantial differences in the depositional slopes and water depths of the hinged and escarpment margins. The abundance of shales in the lower slope and at the center of the depression suggest that, in addition to coal, shales should have contributed to petroleum generation in Xihu Sag.
Effect of gravitational field on collective motion of fish
Authors: Ito S. , Uchida N.
Published: April 2022

Fish exhibit various patterns of collective motion, in which individual fish sense the gravitational field and tend to move horizontally. We study the effect of gravity on the collective patterns by incorporating suppression of vertical motion in an agent-based model. The gravitational factor induces a rotating cylinder which is a vertically and highly elongated form of a torus. The vortex axis becomes almost identical to the vertical axis even when the gravitational factor is weak compared to the interaction between fish. We also obtained a vertically elongated polarized school with high frontal density. Our results clarify the effect of gravity on the shape of clusters, individual-level motion, and mobility of the entire cluster.
Efficacy and Safety of Weekly Somatrogon vs Daily Somatropin in Children With Growth Hormone Deficiency: A Phase 3 Study
Authors: Deal Cheri L , Steelman Joel , Vlachopapadopoulou Elpis , Stawerska Renata , Silverman Lawrence A , Phillip Moshe , Kim Ho-Seong , Ko CheolWoo , Malievskiy Oleg , Cara Jose F , Roland Carl L , Taylor Carrie Turich , Valluri Srinivas Rao , Wajnrajch Michael P , Pastrak Aleksandra , Miller Bradley S
Published: April 2022

Context

Somatrogon is a long-acting recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in development for once-weekly treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD).

Objective

We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of once-weekly somatrogon with once-daily somatropin in prepubertal children with GHD.

Methods

In this 12-month, open-label, randomized, active-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 study, participants were randomized 1:1 to receive once-weekly somatrogon (0.66 mg/kg/week) or once-daily somatropin (0.24 mg/kg/week) for 12 months. A total of 228 prepubertal children (boys aged 3-11 years, girls aged 3-10 years) with GHD, impaired height and height velocity (HV), and no prior rhGH treatment were randomized and 224 received ≥1 dose of study treatment (somatrogon: 109; somatropin: 115). The primary endpoint was annualized HV at month 12.

Results

HV at month 12 was 10.10 cm/year for somatrogon-treated subjects and 9.78 cm/year for somatropin-treated subjects, with a treatment difference (somatrogon-somatropin) of 0.33 (95% CI: −0.24, 0.89). The lower bound of the 2-sided 95% CI was higher than the prespecified noninferiority margin (−1.8 cm/year), demonstrating noninferiority of once-weekly somatrogon vs daily somatropin. HV at month 6 and change in height standard deviation score at months 6 and 12 were similar between both treatment groups. Both treatments were well tolerated, with a similar percentage of subjects experiencing mild to moderate treatment-emergent adverse events in both groups (somatrogon: 78.9%, somatropin: 79.1%).

Conclusion

The efficacy of once-weekly somatrogon was noninferior to once-daily somatropin, with similar safety and tolerability profiles. (ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT02968004).
Perineural Adductor Canal Catheter Placement for Prevention of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome-I Exacerbation After Knee Arthroscopy: A Case Report
Authors: Calixto Nathaniel E. , Saldanha Usha
Published: April 2022

Arthroscopic knee surgery is a common trigger for lower extremity complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Few studies assess nerve block catheters for CRPS treatment; they do not appear to be studies of regional anesthesia to treat CRPS that occurs after knee surgery. We present a case of CRPS-I triggered by knee surgery on multiple prior occasions but finally prevented by perineural adductor canal catheter placement. The literature presents only moderate evidence supporting interventions such as intravenous regional anesthesia and sympathetic blockade; continuous nerve blockade may be an effective treatment of CRPS-I and in particular postoperative CRPS-I.
The impact of diet quality on the velocity, morphology and normality of sperm in the zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata
Authors: McDiarmid Callum S. , Hurley Laura L. , Le Mesurier Madiline , Blunsden Andrew C. , Griffith Simon C.
Published: April 2022

Sperm traits can influence fertilisation success, but there is still much we do not understand about sperm condition dependence, that is, how much sperm traits depend on the male's energy acquisition and allocation. This is especially pronounced in avian taxa, despite extensive observational studies and sampling in wild populations. In this study, we collected sperm samples before and after experimentally reducing diet quality of wild-derived captive zebra finches in small mixed-sex groups, which we compared with individuals on a control diet. We measured the length of sperm components (head, midpiece, flagellum and total sperm length), the proportion of sperm with normal morphology, the proportion of sperm that were progressively motile and sperm swimming velocity (curvilinear velocity; VCL). The only sperm trait we found to be impacted by reduced diet quality was a significant decrease in sperm midpiece length. This is consistent with emerging evidence in other non-model systems, as well the fact that diet can alter mitochondrial density and structure in other tissue types. There was also a significant decrease in sperm velocity and the proportion of motile sperm over the course of the experiment for both experimental groups (i.e. unrelated to diet). This decrease in sperm velocity with largely unchanged sperm morphology emphasizes that there are other important determinants of sperm velocity, likely including seminal fluid composition.
Το νομικό και ρυθμιστικό πλαίσιο των κοινωφελών Ιδρυμάτων ΝΠΙΔ
Authors: Κουλουριώτου Αναστασία
Published: April 2022

Η παρούσα διατριβή έχει ως αντικείμενο το νομικό και ρυθμιστικό πλαίσιο των κοινωφελών ιδρυμάτων ΝΠΙΔ. Στην διατριβή αναλύονται ζητήματα ουσιαστικού και δικονομικού δίκαιου διοίκησης και διαχείρισης κοινωφελών ιδρυμάτων ΝΠΙΔ. Εξετάζεται η σχέση μεταξύ των μελών του διοικητικού οργάνου και του νομικού προσώπου του κοινωφελούς ιδρύματος αλλά και η οριοθέτηση της ελευθερίας του διοικητικού οργάνου, η οποία συναρτάται προς την νομική μορφή του κοινωφελούς ιδρύματος και ειδικότερα προς την εκπλήρωση του κοινωφελούς σκοπού. Επίσης, εξετάζεται η επέμβαση του σύγχρονου νομοθέτη ως προς τη μεταβολή της αποκλειστικής κατά τόπον αρμοδιότητας του Εφετείου Αθηνών για τις δίκες του άρθρ. 825 ΚΠολΔ και 10 Κώδικα Κοινωφελών Περιουσιών, ενώ στο πλαίσιο αυτό ερευνώνται ζητήματα ερμηνείας της διαθήκης από το αποκλειστικώς καθ’ ύλην αρμόδιο δικαστήριο του άρθρ. 825 ΚΠολΔ. Περαιτέρω, αναλύεται ο χαρακτηρισμός των διοικητών/διαχειριστών κοινωφελών ιδρυμάτων ως ‘δημόσιοι υπόλογοι’ καθώς επίσης και το υπόβαθρο της αρμοδιότητας του ΣτΕ. Τέλος, γίνεται ανάλυση των «δικών κοινωφελών περιουσιών» (άρθρ. 69 Κώδικα Κοινωφελών Περιουσιών) ιδιαιτέρως δε, αναλύεται η νομιμοποίηση της αρμόδιας εποπτεύουσας αρχής. Στο πλαίσιο της ανάλυσης της νομιμοποίησης της αρμόδιας εποπτεύουσας αρχής, η έρευνα κατέληξε στο συμπέρασμα ότι μεταξύ του κοινωφελούς ιδρύματος και της αρμόδιας εποπτεύουσας αρχής υφίσταται σχέση «κοινωνίας συμφερόντων».
Η συμβολή της Αριστοτελικής Ηθικής στην εκπαίδευση για την αειφορία
Authors: Νοΐτσης Ιωάννης
Published: April 2022

Η συγκεκριμένη διδακτορική διατριβή έδωσε την ευκαιρία στον ερευνητή να ασχοληθεί σε βάθος με το πεδίο της Περιβαλλοντικής Ηθικής και να ανακαλύψει την διασύνδεσή της με την Αριστοτελική Αρετολογική Ηθική. Ο συνδυασμός και η αλληλεπίδραση των δύο αυτών επιστημονικών πεδίων της Φιλοσοφίας, οικοδόμησε τα τελευταία χρόνια την Περιβαλλοντική Αρετολογική Ηθική (Environmental Virtue Ethics). O ερευνητής παρουσιάζει μια επισκόπηση του τομέα της Περιβαλλοντικής Αρετολογικής Ηθικής, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της πρόσφατης ιστορικής ανάπτυξης και προοπτικής της. Η Περιβαλλοντική Αρετολογική Ηθική είναι μια νέα προσέγγιση στην Περιβαλλοντική Ηθική, η οποία διαφοροποιείται από τις παραδοσιακές θεωρίες του ωφελιμισμού και της δεοντολογίας, γιατί δεν εστιάζει στην αξιολόγηση της ηθικής πράξης αλλά στον χαρακτήρα του ατόμου που κάνει την πράξη. Η Περιβαλλοντική Αρετολογική Ηθική αποτελεί μια σημαντική προσέγγιση για την κατανόηση της θέσης του ανθρώπου στον φυσικό κόσμο και του τρόπου με τον οποίο πρέπει να ενεργεί σε αυτόν. Τον βοηθά να καταλάβει τι σημαίνει σήμερα να ζει κάποιος μια καλή ζωή σε αρμονία με τον φυσικό κόσμο. Ο ερευνητής με αφετηρία την εις βάθος μελέτη των επιστημονικών αυτών πεδίων αξιοποίησε την πολύχρονη διδακτική του εμπειρία, για να διερευνήσει τις δυνατότητες αξιοποίησής τους στην καθημερινή εκπαιδευτική πράξη και στο πλαίσιο της Εκπαίδευσης για την Αειφορία. Ειδικότερα, η έρευνα αυτή επικεντρώθηκε στην προοπτική υλοποίησης του οράματος του Αειφόρου Σχολείου και της εκπαίδευσης του ενάρετου χαρακτήρα του σύγχρονου υπεύθυνου και ενεργού οικο-πολίτη. Για τις ανάγκες της έρευνας ο ερευνητής σχεδίασε ένα εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα, σύμφωνα με τις αρχές του εκπαιδευτικού στρατηγικού σχεδιασμού, την εφαρμογή του οποίου μελέτησε από μέσα, ως συμμετέχων παρατηρητής. Η μελέτη έδειξε ότι το εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα κατάφερε να παρακινήσει και να ενεργοποιήσει τη σχολική κοινότητα ώστε να γίνει μια κοινότητα μάθησης μέσω της δικής της δράσης και του στοχασμού της και να μετασχηματίσει το σχολείο της σε ένα Αειφόρο Σχολείο. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί αναγνώρισαν σημαντικά οφέλη για τους μαθητές τους, τους ίδιους, το σχολείο τους και την τοπική κοινωνία και στους τρεις τομείς δράσης του Αειφόρου Σχολείου. Ο ερευνητής παρατήρησε τον καθοριστικό ρόλο των εκπαιδευτικών στην υλοποίηση αυτού του ενάρετου και αειφόρου οράματος. Επισημάνθηκαν ορισμένες αδυναμίες και προβλήματα, καθώς και οι λύσεις που δόθηκαν. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί αναγνώρισαν τον ρόλο και την αναγκαιότητα της ύπαρξης ενός υποστηρικτή-διαμεσολαβητή για την υποστήριξη και τον συντονισμό των ενεργειών τους καθώς και της διαδικασίας του στοχασμού τους. Η ευκαιρία που δόθηκε στον ερευνητή για τη διεξαγωγή αυτής της διατριβής είναι ιδιαίτερα σημαντική, καθώς ευελπιστεί να συνεισφέρει έστω και ελάχιστα με τα ερευνητικά του ευρήματα στην ανάπτυξη της Περιβαλλοντικής Αρετολογικής Ηθικής, στην Εκπαίδευση για την Αειφορία και στην προώθηση της ιδέας του Αειφόρου Σχολείου. Η εκπαίδευση του ενάρετου χαρακτήρα των ενεργών και υπεύθυνων οικο-πολιτών αποτελεί κοινή τους επιδίωξη.
Η διατροφική συμπεριφορά των Ισραηλιτών κατά την οδοιπορία τους στην έρημο επί τη βάσει της Πεντατεύχου
Authors: Μαζοκοπάκης Ηλίας
Published: April 2022

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή είχε ως στόχο τη διττή, θεολογική και ιατρική, επιστημονική προσέγγιση της διατροφικής συμπεριφοράς των Ισραηλιτών κατά τη σαραντάχρονη οδοιπορία τους στην έρημο, όπως αυτή περιγράφεται στην Πεντάτευχο. Η ιατρική προσέγγιση δεν είχε ως στόχο να αμφισβητήσει ή να αναιρέσει τη θεολογική προσέγγιση, αλλά να προσφέρει τη δική της ερμηνεία στη βιβλική μαρτυρία, λαμβάνοντας υπ’ όψιν κυρίως την Ορθόδοξη Πατερική Γραμματεία, στο πλαίσιο μιας προσπάθειας διεπιστημονικής προσέγγισης της Παλαιάς Διαθήκης. Στα κεφάλαια που την απαρτίζουν, μεταξύ των άλλων, περιγράφονται, αναλύονται και ερμηνεύονται, τόσο θεολογικώς όσο και ιατρικώς: α) τα είδη των τροφίμων και ποτών που κατανάλωναν οι Ισραηλίτες στην άγονη και άνυδρη έρημο για να καλύψουν τις θρεπτικές και ενεργειακές τους ανάγκες, δηλαδή για να επιβιώσουν, όπως και οι τρόποι συντηρήσεως αυτών, β) οι πιθανοί αιτιολογικοί (ενδογενείς και εξωγενείς) παράγοντες - κίνητρα, οι μηχανισμοί διαμόρφωσης, και οι συνέπειες της διατροφικής συμπεριφοράς των Ισραηλιτών, μιας συμπεριφοράς χαρακτηριζόμενης κυρίως από διατροφικούς γογγυσμούς (συνολικά έξι επεισόδια), επεισόδια ανυπακοής σε διατροφικές εντολές του Θεού, επεισόδια πλεονεξίας και υπερφαγίας, και υποτίμηση του Μάννα, γ) οι εφαρμοζόμενες «θεραπευτικές» θείες παρεμβάσεις για την υιοθέτηση εκ μέρους των Ισραηλιτών μιας «κατά Θεόν» / «κατά φύσιν» διατροφικής συμπεριφοράς, δ) οι διατροφικοί κανόνες και απαγορεύσεις του Μωσαϊκού Νόμου, όπως και η ωφέλειά τους στην υγεία του σύγχρονου ανθρώπου, και ε) η αιτιολογία και αντιμετώπιση των νόσων κατά το παρελθόν και το παρόν, προκειμένου να κατανοηθεί το διαφορετικό υπόβαθρο πάνω στο οποίο καλλιεργήθηκαν και αναπτύχθηκαν οι σχετικές θέσεις και απόψεις της Θεολογίας και της Ιατρικής.
Pharmacists’ perceived role in supporting diabetes education and self-management in Ireland: a qualitative study
Authors: Cooney Eva , O'Riordan David , McSharry Jennifer
Published: April 2022

Background: Support for people with diabetes is necessary for optimal self-management. Structured diabetes education programmes fulfil this need, but attendance rates are consistently low. The role of pharmacists has expanded but the profession remains underutilised in chronic disease management. The objective of this study is to explore pharmacists’ perceived role in the support of diabetes education and self-management behaviours.

Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews of community pharmacists in Ireland was conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results: Ten pharmacists were interviewed. The four themes identified illustrate the juxtaposition of pharmacists’ potential in diabetes care with the realities of current pharmaceutical practice. One theme outlined the relationship between the person with diabetes and the pharmacist, ‘Patient or customer: the nature of the pharmacist relationship’. Two themes described the pharmacists’ role in supporting diabetes education and self-management, ‘Beyond medication: pharmacists’ current and potential role in diabetes management’ and ‘Need for diabetes education’. The final theme highlighted the barriers to a more engaged role in patient care, ‘Barriers: “all the stuff that gets in the way”’.

Conclusion: The relationship between pharmacists and people with diabetes could facilitate pharmacists in supporting diabetes self-management. However, variability across pharmacists’ level of involvement and consistent resource barriers were noted. Pharmacists were poorly informed about structured diabetes education programmes. Further research is needed to explore this variability but there may be potential to enhance the pharmacist role in promoting attendance at structured diabetes education programmes.
Automated ChIPmentation procedure on limited biological material of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Lasica Chrystelle , de Carvalho Augusto Ronaldo , Moné Hélène , Mouahid Gabriel , Chaparro Cristian , Veillard Anne-Clémence , Zelisko-Schmidt Agnieszka , Grunau Christoph
Published: April 2022

In living cells, the genetic information stored in the DNA sequence is always associated with chromosomal and extra-chromosomal epigenetic information. Chromatin is formed by the DNA and associated proteins, in particular histones. Covalent histone modifications are important bearers of epigenetic information and as such have been increasingly studied since about the year 2000. One of the principal techniques to gather information about the association between DNA and modified histones is chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), also combined with massive sequencing (ChIP-Seq). Automated ChIPmentation procedure is a convenient alternative to native chromatin immunoprecipitation (N-ChIP). It is now routinely used for ChIP-Seq in many model species, using in general roughly 106 cells per experiment. Such high cell numbers are sometimes difficult to produce. Using the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni, whose production requires sacrificing animals and should therefore be kept to a minimum, we show here that automated ChIPmentation is suitable for limited biological material. We define the operational limit as ≥20,000 Schistosoma cells. We also present a streamlined protocol for the preparation of ChIP input libraries.
On my Min-Max Theorem (1968) and its consequences
Authors: Gustafson Karl
Published: April 2022

Central to the origins of my operator trigonometry, a theory in which I initiated the concepts of antieigenvalues and antieigenvectors, is my 1968 Min-Max Theorem. I will discuss its motivation, proof, and consequences. Special emphasis will be given here to a new view that sin φ(A) may be viewed as a general optimum which encompasses many other optima of individual interest.
Rainwater–Simons type convergence theorems for generalized convergence methods
Authors: Hardtke Jan-David
Published: April 2022

We extend the well-known Rainwater–Simons convergence theorem to various generalized convergence methods such as strong matrix summability, statistical convergence and almost convergence. In fact we prove these theorems not only for boundaries but for the more general notion of (I)-generating sets introduced by Fonf and Lindenstrauss.
Strict topologies on spaces of vector-valued functions
Authors: Hõim Terje , Robbins David A.
Published: April 2022

Let X be a completely regular Hausdorff space, and {Ex : x ∈ X} a collection of non-trivial locally convex topological vector spaces indexed by X. Let E be their disjoint union. We investigate a species of strict topology on a vector space F of choice functions σ : X → E (σ(x) ∈ Ex), and obtain Stone–Weierstrass and spectral synthesis analogues. We also obtain completeness results in some special cases.
Challenges faced by people with a stoma: peristomal body profile risk factors and leakage
Authors: Martins Lina , Andersen Birgitte Dissing , Colwell Janice , Down Gillian , Forest-Lalande Louise , Novakova Svatava , Probert Rosalind , Hedegaard Chris Juul , Hansen Anne Steen
Published: April 2022

Aim:

The Ostomy Life Study 2019 aimed to obtain a better understanding of the challenges faced by people with stoma.

Methods:

Online survey with participants from 17 countries.

Findings:

Of the 54 614 individuals invited to take part, 5187 responded; 62% of the respondents avoided physical and social activities because of their stoma and 37% had never consulted their stoma care nurse to have the fit of their stoma product checked. In a subgroup receiving questions on leakage (n=4209), output under the baseplate and leakage onto clothes were experienced within the previous month by 76% and 26% of respondents, respectively. Higher chance of leakage was associated with an irregular stoma shape and peristomal body profile; a stoma level at or below the skin surface; and the presence of creases, folds and other changes in the peristomal area.

Conclusion:

Leakage and access to a stoma care nurse to provide the necessary care and guidance remain important concerns for individuals with a stoma.
Exploring the role of the nutrition nurse specialist in an intestinal failure tertiary referral centre
Authors: Malhi Hardip , Dera Merceline , Fletcher Jane
Published: April 2022

The role of the nutrition nurse specialist (NNS) is diverse and is usually integral to a wider, multidisciplinary nutrition support team (NST). Practice frameworks have been developed to identify competencies within the NNS role. A mind-mapping technique was used with the NNS team and the wider NST to explore the role of the NNS in the authors' intestinal failure tertiary referral centre. The results of this were further compared with the published competency frameworks. The mind maps from the NNS team and NST demonstrated commonality. It was encouraging to see that colleagues seem to have a similar understanding of the NNS role and contribution to the wider service. Published competency frameworks did not entirely reflect the expanded scope of practice that is undertaken within this particular team. It is important for clinical nurse specialist teams to evaluate their role and service provision and to compare this against published competency frameworks.
Sub-epidermal moisture assessment as a prompt for clinical action in treatment of pressure ulcers in at-risk hospital patients
Authors: Ousey Karen , Stephenson John , Blackburn Joanna
Published: April 2022

Objective:

This study assesses anonymous patient-level data on the use of sub-epidermal moisture (SEM) assessment technology as a tool in the prevention of pressure ulceration in at-risk hospital patients.

Method:

The relationship between technology-generated prompts for clinical action (patient turning, application of pressure redistributing equipment, heel protection or cream) and consequent clinical action was evaluated using data cross-tabulations (using data aggregated over multiple anatomical sites); in a multilevel model with patients clustered within wards, clustered in turn within hospitals, and controlling for additional patient- and institution-level factors; and using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses of anatomy-specific data. The ability of the SEM assessment technology to detect deep and early-stage pressure ulcers/injuries on specific anatomical areas of a patient's body on admission, earlier than visual and tactile skin tissue assessments (STA), was assessed.

Results:

A total of 15,574 patient assessments (‘cases’) were reported on 1995 patients. Most incidences of nurse action were in response to a prompt from SEM assessments (4944/5494; 90.0%). An SEM delta (Δ)≥0.6 resulted in nurse action in 4944/13,071 cases (37.8%). The multilevel model revealed strong evidence that SEM Δ prompts were significantly associated with nurse action (p<0.001; adjusted odds ratio: 1.99).

Conclusion:

In this study, SEM assessment technology effectively prompted nurse action moreso than skin reddening diagnosed via trained clinician judgement and STAs. While baseline responses of nurses' actions remained low, with or without SEM Δ prompts, findings verified the ‘clinical utility’ of SEM assessment technology as an objective prompt for early clinical action over and above existing mechanisms.
Risk categorisation of patients attending a diabetic foot screening clinic in Suez
Authors: Metwally Tayseer
Published: April 2022

Objective:

To identify risk factors and assess diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and amputation risk category (according to the 2015 International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) guidance) among patients with type 2 diabetes in the Suez governorate, Egypt.

Method:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the diabetic foot screening clinic of Suez General Hospital. A comprehensive sample of patients with type 2 diabetes attending the diabetes clinic every Saturday were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into four groups according to their history and foot examination: without neuropathy (Group 0); with neuropathy (Group 1); with neuropathy associated with deformity and/or vascular disorders (Group 2); and with foot ulcer or amputation history (Group 3).

Results:

A total of 220 patients were included in the study. Mean age of participants was 54.6±10.3 years and 70.5% of patients were female. The patients were divided into four groups: 37.3% were in group 0; 37.7% in group 1; 11.8% were in group 2; and 13.2% were in group 3. Male sex and diabetic complications (particularly neuropathy, cardiovascular disease and retinopathy) had the most significant effect on risk classification.

Conclusion:

This study showed that 62.7% of patients with diabetes enrolled in the study were at risk of developing a DFU and amputation. Physicians should conduct a foot assessment and risk categorisation for all patients with diabetes as early management or referral could prevent further complications.
Milestones of Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Saudi Population Towards H. pylori Infection
Authors: Eltayeb Lienda Bashier
Published: April 2022

Background: H. pylori infection implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. Moreover, little is understood about possible populations' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to H. pylori. The present study aimed to assess awareness of the Saudi population towards H. pylori Methods: A total of 1324 subjects enrolled, through a well-designed questionnaire that was administered online (through Google online survey). The answers were graded on three-level responses. SPSS software was used for statistical data analysis. Result: The frequency of H. pylori was 613 (45.6%) of participants, as well as 453 (74%) of respondents, were female that former infected with H. pylori, statistically significant (P-value ≤0.052). About (80.1%) of respondents had known H. pylori, nevertheless, 85.7% agree that H. pylori infection often disappears spontaneously, and (51.2%) didn’t know that H. pylori can transmit between family members and (28.2%) were neutral. Fortunately, (83.2%) of subjects were aware of HP symptoms, all correlations were statistically significant. (72%) lack of knowledge regarding HP is associated with nutritional factors, food allergies and food intolerance (71.4%) didn’t know that washing hands after using the toilet have a negative association with HP. Conclusion: The Saudi population has a high prevalence of H. pylori, it is well evident that there is confined knowledge about H. pylori among the public, mostly concerning the transmission and its correlation with gastric cancer. General population education must be implemented to increase population awareness towards H. pylori, especially among at-high risk populations.
COVID-19 Outbreak Retrospective Study in a Leisure Trip
Authors: Lara-Lona Elia , Flores-Vargas Gilberto , Padilla-Raygoza Nicolás , Díaz-Martínez Daniel Alberto , Sánchez-Navarro María del Rosario , Martínez-García Juan Jesús
Published: April 2022

Preparedness for public health response to the health crisis is vital for every country. Since the beginning of SARS-CoV-2 infection cases, most structures and resources have been focused on mitigating the pandemic. Objective. To describe the characteristics of the people in a leisure trip with a oubreak of COVID-19. Material and methods. An outbreak epidemiological study was designed using retrospective data based on the standardized epidemiological case study on the National System of Epidemiological Surveillance. In Guanajuato State, a covid-19 outbreak was detected in subjects that took a leisure trip to the South of Mexico. The outbreak investigation followed the principles established in the Epidemiological Principles for Disease Control Module 5. Descriptive and exploratory analyses of the data were performed. Statistical analysis: Tests of difference of proportions and risk factors were carried out. The confidence level was set at 95%. Tests with a p-value less than .05 were considered statistically significant. Results. The probable exposure period was determined to be March 24th-March 26th. The number of confirmed cases was 18 (32.1% from 56), with three of them asymptomatics. Meanwhile, the case fatality rate was 22.2% (four of 18 died). Few tests showed statistically significant results. It may be mainly due to the small size and non-randomness of the sample. Conclusion. The people in this leisure trip was of the first outbreak of COVID-19 in Mexican state of Guanajuato.
Effect of Burdock Root Oil on Oxidative Stress Induced by Isolated and Combined Use of Gamma Radiation and Hexavalent Chromium
Authors: Iztleuov Marat , Iztleuov Yerbolat , Saparbayev Samat , Temirbayeva Assem , Medeuova Raushan , Aleuova Zarina , Ismailova Irina , Imanbayev Nauryzbai
Published: April 2022

They studied the effect of the herbal medicine "Burdock root oil" on oxidative damage to liver, kidney and blood tissues. The experiment was performed on 50 non-linear white male rats weighing 180-220 g, divided into 5 groups. The first group - control; animals of groups II and III were subjected to fractional gamma irradiation for five days (0.6 G/day; dose rate 1 Gr/min (60Co)). The total dose was 3 Gr. Animals of the fourth and fifth groups were exposed to a combination of gradiation (as in groups I and III) and potassium dichromate (Cr+6). Potassium dichromate was administered intraperitoneally daily at a dose of 2.8 mg/kg of body weight (0.1LD50) for 5 days (0.5LD50). Rats of groups 3 and 5 received Burdock root oil at a dose of 2.5 ml/kg of body weight intragastrically for 14 days prior to the experimental exposure. Fractional exposure, combined exposure g-radiation, gamma radiation and Cr+6 led to an increase in malondialdehyde and diene conjugates in blood plasma, liver and kidney tissues. Under g-irradiation, the activity of superoxide dismutase enzymes (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in red blood cells compensation increased significantly against the background of a decrease in the level of SH-groups in blood plasma. In liver and kidney tissues, all studied enzymes and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels decreased. Under the conditions of combined exposure g-radiation and potassium dichromate - all the studied indicators of antioxidant protection decreased. The introduction of Burdock root oil before isolated and combined exposure provided significant antioxidant protection in the studied tissues. Conclusion: it can be assumed, that the "Burdock root oil" it is a potential drug that can be used as a radiation protector, in conditions of combined influence of a physical and chemical agent-a detoxifier. In our opinion, the antioxidant potential of the herbal medicine justifies the continuation of further research in clinical practice.
Electrostatic Interactions Contribute to the Overall Structural Stability in Small Interfaces of Corona Viral Spike Glycoproteins
Authors: Nilofer Christina , Mohanapriya Arumugam
Published: April 2022

The coronavirus outbreak and its mutant variants have harmed the health of the human populace and imperiled the world economy. Several studies are initiated across the globe using clinical biomarkers from hematological, immunological, and biochemical experiments. In addition, analysis of protein interfaces provides an understanding of the functioning of the coronavirus target proteins. This study examines the interfaces of spike glycoproteins in terms of large (vdW dominant) and small (vdW subdominant) interfaces. We also calculated Gibbs free energy (ΔG), residue propensity and hot-spot prediction for these interfaces. Dataset consisting of 115 (large interface with vdW dominant) and 18 (small interface with vdW subdominant) were obtained from PDB. Results show that 86% of the total interfaces were vdW dominant, while the rest, 14%, were sub-dominant in vdW energy. Interestingly, on average, we found the Gibbs free energy (ΔG) of large and small interfaces to be -21 and -30 kcal/mol respectively. We also found the interfaces of large and small to be highly pronounced with polar residues followed by hydrophobic residues in case of large interfaces and charged residues in case of small interfaces. We found and report methionine residues to be absent at the small interfaces having subdominant vdW energy. We also observed the majority of the interfaces to be rich in hotspot residues. Thus, the information on heteromeric interactions of glycoproteins may help develop new and productive therapeutic drugs.
Curcumin Analogues as Promissory Compounds for Inhibition of β-Secretase, γ-Secretase and GSK-3β Implicated at Alzheimer Disease: In Silico Study
Authors: Puentes Neyder Contreras- , Orozco Daimer Pérez- , -Díaz Fernando Camacho
Published: April 2022

Aims: Alzheimer's disease is a disorder associated to dementia that widely affects to population. In the molecular study, key enzymes have been associated with the regulation of the amyloid pathway, which have a focus in the discovery of possible inhibitors. Likewise, the absence of specific treatments, has promoted the development of promising molecules from natural sources. Material and Methods: In this study was carried out an in-silico exploration of curcumin analogues against β-secretase, γ-secretase and GSK-3β. A virtual screening of 373 curcumin analogues against enzymes implicated in the pathology was implemented, using molecular docking simulations through Autodock-Vina based on PyRx 0.8. Followed by in-silico prediction of ADMET properties to molecules with higher affinity using SwissADME and GUSAR prediction. Results: It was obtained that the molecules of highest affinity were 92296662, 102584924, 92341226 for β-secretase, γ-secretase and GSK-3β, respectively. These were contrasted with selective inhibitors for enzymatic systems. Additionally, the predictions of the ADMET properties of the analogues showed a variability in terms of metabolism, non-permeation on blood–brain barrier and toxicity values ​​according to reported in the literature. Thus, in-silico prediction indicated curcumin analogues as possible regulatory agents of the enzymatic activity associated to Alzheimer's disease.
An Overview of Antibacterial and Antifungal Effects of Azadirachta indica Crude Extract: A Narrative Review
Authors: Mohideen Mazlin , Zainal Abidin Nor Syamimi Izzati , Hazmie Idris Mohamad Iqbal , Kamaruzaman Nur Azzalia
Published: April 2022

Azadirachta indica, commonly known as neem, or Margosa, originated in India. It is one of the species in the Azadirachta genus. It is native to South Asia's Indian subcontinent and dry areas such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Maldives. The plant has long been used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine and it is now commonly used in cosmetics and organic agriculture. Several pharmacological activities were identified from the crude extract of Azadirachta indica, which have attracted a lot of research interest from scientists. This narrative review explores the vast potential of neem in eliciting antibacterial and antifungal effects. Furthermore, we highlight the various effects of different types of solvent and several parts of the neem plant on growth inhibition of bacteria and fungi by performing the inhibition zone technique using the disc diffusion method, one of the commonly used methods to measure bacterial, fungal growth.
Advantages of Allometric Scaling Methods for Predicting Human Pharmacokinetics of Novel JAK Inhibitor -Baricitinib and Dose Extrapolation
Authors: Mallurwar Sadanand , Daniel Kratika , Bhat Mahesh
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The primary motive of this study was to examine advantages of allometry scaling strategies for correct prediction of pharmacokinetics of Baricitinib in human from preclinical species. Baricitinib is basically Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Currently approved by FDA in combination with remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19 hospitalized patient. Methods: The literature published pharmacokinetic parameters (Cl and Vd) of preclinical species (Rat, Dog and monkey) were utilized for the allometry scaling of Baricitinib. The connection among the primary pharmacokinetic parameters [Volume of distribution (Vd) and clearance (Cl)] and body weight (BW) were studied across three preclinical species, we used the double logarithmic plots for prediction of the human pharmacokinetic parameters i.e. Cl and Vd with use of simple allometry and with additional correction factors for better prediction. The dose extrapolation of baricitinib was carried out by FDA guidelines. Results: By application of the allometric scaling methods and principles correlation was found to be satisfactory for the prediction of intravenous human Cl and Vd for baricitinib. The volume of distribution (Vd) predicted by simple allometry (65.3 L) was found to be in agreement with the reported value (75.5 L); clearance (Cl) prediction by simple allometry was found to be at least 1.06 -closer to the reported value (245 mL/min); CF were used to predict the clearance. Both brain weight (B.W) and maximum life span potential (MLP) predicted the Cl with 0.52- and 0.61 -fold difference. The application of monkey liver blood flow predicted Cl with 0.81 fold which was also in close agreement with reported value. The Cl prediction was also extrapolated using LBF (Liver blood flow) method and observed that the higher species (Dog and Monkey) have predicted Cl with better accuracy than rat. Conclusions: Overall, the simple allometry (SA), monkey liver blood flow (MLBF) and application of liver blood flow (LBF) methods showed excellent correlation with human. The time vs. plasma concentration simulated graph also showed the similar closeness with human profile. The inclusion of plasma protein binding factor didn’t improve the prediction accuracy. The FIH dose extrapolation were showed that PK guided approach and exponent for BSA based approach was found closer to actual human dose of 4.0 mg/Kg.
Does tibial design modification improve implant stability for total knee arthroplasty? An experimental cadaver study
Authors: Jaeger Sebastian , Eissler Marvin , Schwarze Martin , Schonhoff Mareike , Kretzer J. Philippe , Bitsch Rudi G.
Published: April 2022

Aims

One of the main causes of tibial revision surgery for total knee arthroplasty is aseptic loosening. Therefore, stable fixation between the tibial component and the cement, and between the tibial component and the bone, is essential. A factor that could influence the implant stability is the implant design, with its different variations. In an existing implant system, the tibial component was modified by adding cement pockets. The aim of this experimental in vitro study was to investigate whether additional cement pockets on the underside of the tibial component could improve implant stability. The relative motion between implant and bone, the maximum pull-out force, the tibial cement mantle, and a possible path from the bone marrow to the metal-cement interface were determined.

Methods

A tibial component with (group S: Attune S+) and without (group A: Attune) additional cement pockets was implanted in 15 fresh-frozen human leg pairs. The relative motion was determined under dynamic loading (extension-flexion 20° to 50°, load-level 1,200 to 2,100 N) with subsequent determination of the maximum pull-out force. In addition, the cement mantle was analyzed radiologically for possible defects, the tibia base cement adhesion, and preoperative bone mineral density (BMD).

Results

The BMD showed no statistically significant difference between both groups. Group A showed for all load levels significantly higher maximum relative motion compared to group S for 20° and 50° flexion. Group S improved the maximum failure load significantly compared to group A without additional cement pockets. Group S showed a significantly increased cement adhesion compared to group A. The cement penetration and cement mantle defect analysis showed no significant differences between both groups.

Conclusion

From a biomechanical point of view, the additional cement pockets of the component have improved the fixation performance of the implant. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(4):229–238.
Applications of the SWAT Model for Coastal Watersheds: Review and Recommendations
Authors: Upadhyay Pawan , Linhoss Anna , Kelble Chris , Ashby Steve , Murphy Naja , Parajuli Prem B.
Published: April 2022

Highlights

A systematic review was performed of SWAT applications in coastal watersheds.

Three percent of SWAT applications have occurred in coastal watersheds.

SWAT performed better at a monthly time step versus a daily time step.

Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) was the most common metric used for evaluating simulations.

More research should be conducted on coupling SWAT with hydrodynamic models in tidal systems.

Abstract. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a watershed to river basin scale model widely used to simulate the quality and quantity of surface water and groundwater. SWAT has been applied in a wide variety of geographical landscapes around the world. This review presents a comprehensive summary of SWAT applications for coastal watersheds. Thirty-four articles were identified as coastal applications of SWAT, which account for 3% of the total published studies using SWAT. Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) was the most common metric used to evaluate SWAT simulations. The SWAT model calibration and validation studies in coastal watersheds reported higher NSE values for monthly flow simulation (NSE up to 0.95) than for daily flow simulation (NSE up to 0.89). Among all the studies, 34% of the reported NSE values (flow and water quality combined) were >0.75. The majority (58%) of flow values were reported daily, while the majority (81%) of water quality values were reported monthly. Only two studies combined SWAT with a hydrodynamic model to account for tide-storm surge processes. SWAT may be applied more readily and successfully to coastal watersheds if a user-friendly method is developed for coupling SWAT with hydrodynamic models to simulate the tidal influence. Keywords: Bay, Coast, Estuary, Gulf, Hydrologic model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool, Water quality model, Watershed model.
Radiofrequency modulator for marine lidar radar systems featuring compact and agile extra-cavity architecture using a polarimetric effect
Authors: Alem Nour , Pellen Fabrice , Le Brun Guy , Le Jeune Bernard
Published: April 2022

This paper proposes a new, to the best of our knowledge, modulator architecture for a microwave-modulated lidar for marine applications. The principle is based on the use of an infrared picosecond laser source, coupled to an external cavity, ensuring wavelength conversion in the visible range as well as radiofrequency modulation. Wavelength conversion is performed by a nonlinear crystal associated with adapted mirrors, while multiple round trips and polarization control in the cavity ensure microwave modulation. This paper presents both modeling of the emitted signal and the practical realization of this device.
Compression optical coherence elastography versus strain ultrasound elastography for breast cancer detection and differentiation: pilot study
Authors: Gubarkova Ekaterina V. , Sovetsky Aleksander A. , Vorontsov Dmitry A. , Buday Pavel A. , Sirotkina Marina A. , Plekhanov Anton A. , Kuznetsov Sergey S. , Matveyev Aleksander L. , Matveev Lev A. , Gamayunov Sergey V. , Vorontsov Alexey Y. , Zaitsev Vladimir Y. , Gladkova Natalia D.
Published: April 2022

The aims of this study are (i) to compare ultrasound strain elastography (US-SE) and compression optical coherence elastography (C-OCE) in characterization of elastically linear phantoms, (ii) to evaluate factors that can cause discrepancy between the results of the two elastographic techniques in application to real tissues, and (iii) to compare the results of US-SE and C-OCE in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions. On 22 patients, we first used standard US-SE for in vivo assessment of breast cancer before and then after the lesion excision C-OCE was applied for intraoperative visualization of margins of the tumors and assessment of their type/grade using fresh lumpectomy specimens. For verification, the tumor grades and subtypes were determined histologically. We show that in comparison to US-SE, quantitative C-OCE has novel capabilities due to its ability to locally control stress applied to the tissue and obtain local stress-strain curves. For US-SE, we demonstrate examples of malignant tumors that were erroneously classified as benign and vice versa. For C-OCE, all lesions are correctly classified in agreement with the histology. The revealed discrepancies between the strain ratio given by US-SE and ratio of tangent Young’s moduli obtained for the same samples by C-OCE are explained. Overall, C-OCE enables significantly improved specificity in breast lesion differentiation and ability to precisely visualize margins of malignant tumors compared. Such results confirm high potential of C-OCE as a high-speed and accurate method for intraoperative assessment of breast tumors and detection of their margins.
Visualizing retinal cells with adaptive optics imaging modalities using a translational imaging framework
Authors: Giannini John P. , Lu Rongwen , Bower Andrew J. , Fariss Robert , Tam Johnny
Published: April 2022

Adaptive optics reflectance-based retinal imaging has proved a valuable tool for the noninvasive visualization of cells in the living human retina. Many subcellular features that remain at or below the resolution limit of current in vivo techniques may be more easily visualized with the same modalities in an ex vivo setting. While most microscopy techniques provide significantly higher resolution, enabling the visualization of fine cellular detail in ex vivo retinal samples, they do not replicate the reflectance-based imaging modalities of in vivo retinal imaging. Here, we introduce a strategy for imaging ex vivo samples using the same imaging modalities as those used for in vivo retinal imaging, but with increased resolution. We also demonstrate the ability of this approach to perform protein-specific fluorescence imaging and reflectance imaging simultaneously, enabling the visualization of nearly transparent layers of the retina and the classification of cone photoreceptor types.
Effect on null spaces of list-mode imaging systems due to increasing the number of attributes
Authors: Clarkson Eric , Kupinski Meredith
Published: April 2022

There are two types of uncertainty in image reconstructions from list-mode data: statistical and deterministic. One source of statistical uncertainty is the finite number of attributes of the detected particles, which are sampled from a probability distribution on the attribute space. A deterministic source of uncertainty is the effect that null functions of the imaging operator have on reconstructed pixel or voxel values. Quantifying the reduction in this deterministic source of uncertainty when more attributes are measured for each detected particle is the subject of this work. Specifically, upper bounds on an error metric are derived to quantify the error introduced in the reconstruction by the presence of null functions, and these upper bounds are shown to be reduced when the number of attributes is increased. These bounds are illustrated with an example of a two-dimensional single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system where the depth of interaction in the scintillation crystal is added to the attribute vector.