bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacists’ clinical knowledge and practice in the safe use of contraceptives: real knowledge vs. self-perception and the implications
Authors: Jelić Ana Golić , Tasić Ljiljana , Škrbić Ranko , Marinković Valentina , Šatara Svjetlana Stoisavljević , Stojaković Nataša , Peković Vanda Marković , Godman Brian
Published: August 2021

Background

Pharmacists are often the first healthcare professionals that patients contact with their illnesses and requests for medical information, which is enhanced following the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Community pharmacists are expected and required to possess a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills. Self-assessment of these competencies is needed for their self-improvement.

Purpose of the study

To assess pharmacists’ clinical knowledge and practice in the safe use of contraceptives, and to compare the scores obtained by external observation with pharmacists’ self-assessment of their knowledge as well as investigate the significance of preceptorship experiences. Contraceptives was chosen as the subject area in view of high rates of abortions as a means of contraception in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Methods

A questionnaire approach was used. The questionnaire included the following: the first domain contained two case scenarios (safe use of contraceptives), which evaluated clinical knowledge, a second domain in which pharmacists self-assessed their knowledge to resolve cases from the first domain and a third domain that measured the demographics of pharmacists (including experience in preceptorship). Dispensing practice was evaluated in the second domain. The questionnaires were distributed to a convenient sample of 100 pharmacists at the Annual Meeting of Bosnia and Herzegovina Pharmacists. The results were presented as counts (%). The groups (preceptors and non-preceptors) were compared using Mann-Whitney U test, paired assessments were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Spearman’s correlation was used to assess the correlation between variables.

Results

Of the 100 pharmacists invited to participate, 84 completed the questionnaire (84 % response rate). There was no agreement between pharmacists’ real knowledge (average score -case 1: 2.71,case 2: 3.3) and their self-assessment (average score -case 1: 3.77,case 2: 3.91). There was no statistically significant difference in the actual knowledge of pharmacists (experienced/non-experienced in precepting), while the difference in the self-assessment was significant between these two groups.

Conclusion

Pharmacists appear to overrate themselves, which leads to self-enhancement bias, in which the experience in precepting has some influence. Pharmacists’ capability in performing an objective self-assessment of their clinical knowledge needs to be carefully studied in the future to fully benefit patients.
Cost-utility analysis of trabecular micro-bypass stents (TBS) in patients with mild-to-moderate open-angle Glaucoma in Italy
Authors: Fea Antonio Maria , Cattel Francesco , Gandolfi Stefano , Buseghin Giorgio , Furneri Gianluca , Costagliola Ciro
Published: August 2021

Background

Glaucoma is a disease characterized by progressive damage of the optic nerve. Several therapeutic options are available to lower intraocular pressure (IOP). In primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with inadequate IOP control (or controlled with multiple medical therapies or for whom medical therapy is contraindicated), the implantation of micro-invasive glaucoma surgery devices (MIGS) and concomitant cataract surgery has proved to be more effective in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), as compared to cataract surgery alone. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of iStent inject® device with concurrent cataract surgery vs. cataract surgery alone, in patients with mild-to-moderate POAG, adopting the Italian National Health Service (NHS) perspective.

Methods

Simulation of outcomes and costs was undertaken using a Markov model with 4 health states and one-month cycles, that is used to simulate the prognosis of these patients. Efficacy data were obtained from the randomized clinical trial (RCT). A lifetime horizon was adopted in the analysis. A discount rate of 3.5% was applied to both costs and effects. The Italian National Healthcare Service (NHS) perspective was considered, therefore only healthcare direct costs (acquisition of main interventions and subsequent procedures; medications; monitoring and follow-up; adverse events). Model robustness was tested through sensitivity analyses.

Results

Results of the base-case analysis showed that the total lifetime costs were higher in the iStent inject® + concurrent cataract surgery, compared with the cataract surgery alone group (€8368.51 vs. €7134.71 respectively). iStent inject® + concurrent cataract surgery was cost-effective vs. cataract surgery alone, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €13,037.01 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Both one-way deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness of base-case results. The cost-effectiveness accessibility curve (CEAC) showed that iStent inject® + cataract surgery would have a 98% probability of being cost-effective, compared to cataract surgery alone, when the willingness to pay (WTP) is equal to €50,000 per QALY gained.

Conclusions

The results of the cost-utility analysis confirm that iStent inject® + cataract surgery is a cost-effective option for the treatment of patients affected by mild-to-moderate POAG, compared with cataract surgery alone, when evaluated from the Italian NHS perspective.
Temporal change in Syndecan-1 as a therapeutic target and a biomarker for the severity classification of COVID-19
Authors: Ogawa Fumihiro , Oi Yasufumi , Nakajima Kento , Matsumura Reo , Nakagawa Tomoki , Miyagawa Takao , Sakai Kazuya , Saji Ryo , Taniguchi Hayato , Takahashi Kohei , Abe Takeru , Iwashita Masayuki , Nishii Mototsugu , Takeuchi Ichiro
Published: August 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonitis associated with severe respiratory failure is associated with high mortality. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is associated with microembolism or microvascular endothelial injuries. Here, we report that syndecan-1 (SDC-1), a component of the endothelial glycocalyx, may be a biomarker of severity classification for COVID-19 related to endothelial injury.

Methods and analysis

We analyzed the data of COVID-19 patients for 1 year from February 2020 at Yokohama City University Hospital and Yokohama City University Medical Center Hospital. We selected COVID-19 patients who required admission care, including intensive care, and analyzed the classification of severe and critical COVID-19 retrospectively, using various clinical data and laboratory data with SDC-1 by ELISA.

Results

We analyzed clinical and laboratory data with SDC-1 in five severe COVID-19 and ten critical COVID-19 patients. In the two groups, their backgrounds were almost the same. In laboratory data, the LDH, CHE, and CRP levels showed significant differences in each group (P = 0.032, P < 0.0001, and P = 0.007, respectively) with no significant differences in coagulation-related factors (platelet, PT-INR, d-dimer, ISTH score; P = 0.200, 0.277, 0.655, and 0.36, respectively). For the clinical data, the SOFA score was significantly different from admission day to day 14 of admission (p < 0.0001). The SDC-1 levels of critical COVID-19 patients were significantly higher on admission day and all-time course compared with the levels of severe COVID-19 patients (P = 0.009 and P < 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

Temporal change of SDC-1 levels closely reflect the severity of COVID-19, therefore, SDC-1 may be a therapeutic target and a biomarker for the severity classification of Covid-19.
Morphological neurite changes induced by porcupine inhibition are rescued by Wnt ligands
Authors: Godoy Juan A. , Espinoza-Caicedo Jasson , Inestrosa Nibaldo C.
Published: August 2021

Background

Wnt signaling plays key roles in cellular and physiological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation and migration during development and tissue homeostasis in adults. This pathway can be defined as Wnt/β-catenin-dependent or β-catenin-independent or “non-canonical”, both signaling are involved in neurite and synapse development/maintenance. Porcupine (PORCN), an acylase that o-acylates Wnt ligands, a major modification in secretion and interaction with its receptors. We use Wnt-C59, a specific PORCN inhibitor, to block the secretion of endogenous Wnts in embryonic hippocampal neurons (DIV 4). Under these conditions, the activity of exogenous Wnt ligands on the complexity of the dendritic tree and axonal polarity were evaluated

Methods

Cultured primary embryonic hippocampal neurons obtained from Sprague–Dawley rat fetuses (E18), were cultured until day in vitro (DIV) 4 (according to Banker´s protocol) and treated with Wnt-C59 for 24 h, Wnt ligands were added to the cultures on DIV 3 for 24 h. Dendritic arbors and neurites were analysis by fluorescence microscopy. Transfection with Lipofectamine 2000 on DIV 2 of plasmid expressing eGFP and KIF5-Cherry was carried out to evaluate neuronal polarity. Immunostaining was performed with MAP1B and Tau protein. Immunoblot analysis was carried out with Wnt3a, β-catenin and GSK-3β (p-Ser9). Quantitative analysis of dendrite morphology was carried out with ImageJ (NIH) software with Neuron J Plugin.

Results

We report, here, that Wnt-C59 treatment changed the morphology of the dendritic arbors and neurites of embryonic hippocampal neurons, with decreases β-catenin and Wnt3a and an apparent increase in GSK-3β (p-Ser9) levels. No effect was observed on axonal polarity. In sister cultures, addition of exogenous Wnt3a, 5a and 7a ligands rescued the changes in neuronal morphology. Wnt3a restored the length of neurites to near that of the control, but Wnt7a increased the neurite length beyond that of the control. Wnt5a also restored the length of neurites relative to Wnt concentrations.

Conclusions

Results indicated that Wnt ligands, added exogenously, restored dendritic arbor complexity in embryonic hippocampal neurons, previously treated with a high affinity specific Porcupine inhibitor. We proposed that PORCN is an emerging molecular target of interest in the search for preclinical options to study and treat Wnt-related diseases.
Urinary metabolomic changes and microbiotic alterations in presenilin1/2 conditional double knockout mice
Authors: Gao Jie , Zhou Nian , Wu Yongkang , Lu Mengna , Wang Qixue , Xia Chenyi , Zhou Mingmei , Xu Ying
Published: August 2021

Background

Given the clinical low efficient treatment based on mono-brain-target design in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and an increasing emphasis on microbiome-gut-brain axis which was considered as a crucial pathway to affect the progress of AD along with metabolic changes, integrative metabolomic signatures and microbiotic community profilings were applied on the early age (2-month) and mature age (6-month) of presenilin1/2 conditional double knockout (PS cDKO) mice which exhibit a series of AD-like phenotypes, comparing with gender and age-matched C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice to clarify the relationship between microbiota and metabolomic changes during the disease progression of AD.

Materials and methods

Urinary and fecal samples from PS cDKO mice and gender-matched C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice both at age of 2 and 6 months were collected. Urinary metabolomic signatures were measured by the gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometer, as well as 16S rRNA sequence analysis was performed to analyse the microbiota composition at both ages. Furthermore, combining microbiotic functional prediction and Spearman’s correlation coefficient analysis to explore the relationship between differential urinary metabolites and gut microbiota.

Results

In addition to memory impairment, PS cDKO mice displayed metabolic and microbiotic changes at both of early and mature ages. By longitudinal study, xylitol and glycine were reduced at both ages. The disturbed metabolic pathways were involved in glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, starch and sucrose metabolism, and citrate cycle, which were consistent with functional metabolic pathway predicted by the gut microbiome, including energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism. Besides reduced richness and evenness in gut microbiome, PS cDKO mice displayed increases in Lactobacillus, while decreases in norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Mucispirillum, and Odoribacter. Those altered microbiota were exceedingly associated with the levels of differential metabolites.

Conclusions

The urinary metabolomics of AD may be partially mediated by the gut microbiota. The integrated analysis between gut microbes and host metabolism may provide a reference for the pathogenesis of AD.
Metformin attenuates silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis via AMPK signaling
Authors: Cheng Demin , Xu Qi , Wang Yue , Li Guanru , Sun Wenqing , Ma Dongyu , Zhou Siyun , Liu Yi , Han Lei , Ni Chunhui
Published: August 2021

Background

Silicosis is one of the most common occupational pulmonary fibrosis caused by respirable silica-based particle exposure, with no ideal drugs at present. Metformin, a commonly used biguanide antidiabetic agent, could activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to exert its pharmacological action. Therefore, we sought to investigate the role of metformin in silica-induced lung fibrosis.

Methods

The anti-fibrotic role of metformin was assessed in 50 mg/kg silica-induced lung fibrosis model. Silicon dioxide (SiO2)-stimulated lung epithelial cells/macrophages and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced differentiated lung fibroblasts were used for in vitro models.

Results

At the concentration of 300 mg/kg in the mouse model, metformin significantly reduced lung inflammation and fibrosis in SiO2-instilled mice at the early and late fibrotic stages. Besides, metformin (range 2–10 mM) reversed SiO2-induced cell toxicity, oxidative stress, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in epithelial cells (A549 and HBE), inhibited inflammation response in macrophages (THP-1), and alleviated TGF-β1-stimulated fibroblast activation in lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) via an AMPK-dependent pathway.

Conclusions

In this study, we identified that metformin might be a potential drug for silicosis treatment.
Sarcopenia and dosimetric parameters in relation to treatment-related leukopenia and survival in anal cancer
Authors: Nilsson Martin P. , Johnsson Anders , Scherman Jonas
Published: August 2021

Background

Treatment-related white blood cell (WBC) toxicity has been associated with an inferior prognosis in different malignancies, including anal cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate predictors of WBC grade ≥ 3 (G3+) toxicity during chemoradiotherapy (CRT) of anal cancer.

Methods

Consecutive patients with locally advanced (T2 ≥ 4 cm—T4 or N+) anal cancer scheduled for two cycles of concomitant 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C chemotherapy were selected from an institutional database (n = 106). All received intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT; mean dose primary tumor 59.5 Gy; mean dose elective lymph nodes 45.1 Gy). Clinical data were extracted from medical records. The highest-grade WBC toxicity was recorded according to CTCAE version 5.0. Pelvic bone marrow (PBM) was retrospectively contoured and dose-volume histograms were generated. The planning CT was used to measure sarcopenia. Dosimetric, anthropometric, and clinical variables were tested for associations with WBC G3+ toxicity using the Mann–Whitney test and logistic regression. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to assess predictors for overall survival (OS) and anal cancer specific survival (ACSS).

Results

WBC G3+ was seen in 50.9% of the patients, and 38.7% were sarcopenic. None of the dosimetric parameters showed an association with WBC G3+ toxicity. The most significant predictor of WBC G3+ toxicity was sarcopenia (adjusted OR 4.0; P = 0.002). Sarcopenia was also associated with an inferior OS (adjusted HR 3.9; P = 0.01), but not ACSS (P = 0.07). Sensitivity analysis did not suggest that the inferior prognosis for sarcopenic patients was a consequence of reduced doses of chemotherapy or a prolonged radiation treatment time. Patients who experienced WBC G3+ toxicity had an inferior OS and ACSS, even after adjustment for sarcopenia.

Conclusions

Sarcopenia was associated with increased risks of both WBC G3+ toxicity and death following CRT for locally advanced anal cancer. In this study, radiation dose to PBM was not associated with WBC G3+ toxicity. However, PBM was not used as an organ at risk for radiotherapy planning purposes and doses to PBM were high, which may have obscured any dose–response relationships.
Efficacy of management of associated dysfunctions on rotator cuff and long head of the biceps: systematic review
Authors: Aldon-Villegas Rocio , Perez-Cabezas Veronica , Chamorro-Moriana Gema
Published: August 2021

Background

The important functional role the rotator cuff (RC) and biceps play in the shoulder, the close anatomical relationship between them and the high incidence of injuries require an appropriate multidisciplinary therapeutic approach after a rigorous assessment. The objective is to identify and analyze surgical interventions, whether or not followed by a postsurgical one, of associated dysfunctions on the RC and long head of the biceps (LHB) and their effectiveness in improving shoulder functionality.

Methods

A systematic review based on PRISMA protocol was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro, Scopus, CINAHL, and Dialnet until 22 April 2021. The main inclusion criteria were as follows: randomized clinical trials including subjects diagnosed with RC and LHB lesions who had surgical and/not post-surgical treatments. The methodological quality of trials was evaluated by the PEDro scale. Data were shown in 3 pre-established tables: (1)sample data, diagnostic methods, dysfunctions and injury frequency, interventions, outcome measures and results; (2)significance and effectiveness of interventions; and (3)comparison of the effectiveness of interventions.

Results

Eleven studies were selected. The methodological quality of ten of them was assessed asgoodand oneexcellent(PEDro scale). All articles had surgical treatments and ten had postoperative management. All trials used arthroscopy and two open surgery too. Single-row, double-row and transosseous repair were used for RC lesions, while SLAP repair, tenotomy, and tenodesis were applied to LHB injuries. Measured parameters were functionality, pain, Popeye’s sign, strength, range of motion, satisfaction degree, biceps cramping, and quality of life. All approaches in general, surgical plus postsurgical, were always effective to the parameters measured in each study. Seven trials compared tenotomy and tenodesis: four of them obtained statistically significant differences in favor of tenodesis in Popeye’s sign, cramping, satisfaction degree, and/or forearm supination strength; and one, in favor of tenotomy in cramping. All studies measured functionality using functional assessment scales. The most widely used was the Constant Score.

Conclusions

Surgical plus post-surgical interventions in associated dysfunctions on RC and LHB were effective. Tenodesis obtained better results than tenotomy in Popeye’s sign, satisfaction, and forearm supination strength. However, there was no difference regarding biceps cramping.
Two progressed malignant phyllodes tumors of the breast harbor alterations in genes frequently involved in other advanced cancers
Authors: Reinisch Mattea , Kuemmel Sherko , Breit Elisabeth , Theuerkauf Ingo , Harrach Hakima , Schindowski Dorothea , Moka Detlef , Bettstetter Marcus , Bruzas Simona , Chiari Ouafaa
Published: August 2021

Background

The genomic landscape of phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast is not well defined, especially in patients with advanced disease. To shed light on this topic, paired primary and progressed tumor samples from two patients with malignant PTs were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS) followed by functional analysis of genetic alterations using two prediction tools.

Methods

The DNA of both the primary tumor and distant metastases of Patient 1 and the primary and recurrent tumor of Patient 2 were subjected to molecular profiling. NGS with the FoundationOne® assay was performed in a commercial molecular pathology laboratory. Two in silico prediction tools were used to estimate the pathogenicity of indicated genetic alterations.

Results

In total, 38 genomic alterations were detected, of which 11 were predicted to be probably benign. In Patient 1, 14 aberrations were identified in the primary tumor and 17 in pulmonary metastases, 12 of which were identical. In the primary and recurrent tumor of Patient 2, 17 and 15 sequence variants, respectively, were found, with 13 overlapping findings. Affected genes included seven (TP53,TERT,APC,ARID1A,EGFR,KMT2D, andRB1) of the top 10 most frequently altered genes in other advanced cancer entities, as well as four actionable therapeutic targets (EGFR,KIT,PDGFRA, andBRIP1). Of note, seven genes coding for receptor tyrosine kinases were affected: three in Patient 1 and four in Patient 2. Several genes (e.g.EPHA3,EPHA7, andEPHB1) were shown to be altered for the first time in PTs.

Conclusions

The two progressed malignant PTs investigated here share some of the major genetic events occurring in other advanced cancers.
An assessment of esophageal balloon use for the titration of airway pressure release ventilation and controlled mechanical ventilation in a patient with extrapulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome: a case report
Authors: Arellano-Pérez Óscar , Castillo Merino Felipe , Torres-Tejeiro Roberto , Ugarte Ubiergo Sebastián
Published: August 2021

Background

Esophageal pressure measurement is a minimally invasive monitoring process that assesses respiratory mechanics in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Airway pressure release ventilation is a relatively new positive pressure ventilation modality, characterized by a series of advantages in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 55-year-old chilean female, with preexisting hypertension and recurrent renal colic who entered the cardiosurgical intensive care unit with signs and symptoms of urinary sepsis secondary to a right-sided obstructive urolithiasis. At the time of admission, the patient showed signs of urinary sepsis, a poor overall condition, hemodynamic instability, tachycardia, hypotension, and needed vasoactive drugs. Initially the patient was treated with volume control ventilation. Then, ventilation was with conventional ventilation parameters described by the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network. However, hemodynamic complications led to reduced airway pressure. Later she presented intraabdominal hypertension that compromised the oxygen supply and her ventilation management. Considering these records, an esophageal manometry was used to measure distending lung pressure, that is, transpulmonary pressure, to protect lungs. Initial use of the esophageal balloon was in a volume-controlled modality (deep sedation), which allowed the medical team to perform inspiratory and expiratory pause maneuvers to monitor transpulmonary plateau pressure as a substitute for pulmonary distension and expiratory pause and determine transpulmonary positive end-expiratory pressure. On the third day of mechanical respiration, the modality was switched to airway pressure release ventilation. The use of airway pressure release ventilation was associated with reduced hemodynamic complications and kept transpulmonary pressure between 0 and 20 cmH2O despite a sustained high positive end-expiratory pressure of 20 cmH2O.

Conclusion

The application of this technique is shown in airway pressure release ventilation with spontaneous ventilation, which is then compared with a controlled modality that requires a lesser number of sedative doses and vasoactive drugs, without altering the criteria for lung protection as guided by esophageal manometry.
The combined action of Esrrb and Nr5a2 is essential for murine naïve pluripotency
Authors: Festuccia Nicola , Owens Nick , Chervova Almira , Dubois Agnès , Navarro Pablo
Published: August 2021

The maintenance of pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is governed by the action of an interconnected network of transcription factors. Among them, only Oct4 and Sox2 have been shown to be strictly required for the self-renewal of ESCs and pluripotency, particularly in culture conditions in which differentiation cues are chemically inhibited. Here, we report that the conjunct activity of two orphan nuclear receptors, Esrrb and Nr5a2, parallels the importance of that of Oct4 and Sox2 in naïve mouse ESCs. By occupying a large common set of regulatory elements, these two factors control the binding of Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog to DNA. Consequently, in their absence the pluripotency network collapses and the transcriptome is substantially deregulated, leading to the differentiation of ESCs. Altogether, this work identifies orphan nuclear receptors, previously thought to be performing supportive functions, as a set of core regulators of naïve pluripotency.
Live imaging of adult zebrafish cardiomyocyte proliferation ex vivo
Authors: Honkoop Hessel , Nguyen Phong D. , van der Velden Veronique E. M. , Sonnen Katharina F. , Bakkers Jeroen
Published: August 2021

Zebrafish are excellent at regenerating their heart by reinitiating proliferation in pre-existing cardiomyocytes. Studying how zebrafish achieve this holds great potential in developing new strategies to boost mammalian heart regeneration. Nevertheless, the lack of appropriate live-imaging tools for the adult zebrafish heart has limited detailed studies into the dynamics underlying cardiomyocyte proliferation. Here, we address this by developing a system in which cardiac slices of the injured zebrafish heart are cultured ex vivo for several days while retaining key regenerative characteristics, including cardiomyocyte proliferation. In addition, we show that the cardiac slice culture system is compatible with live timelapse imaging and allows manipulation of regenerating cardiomyocytes with drugs that normally would have toxic effects that prevent their use. Finally, we use the cardiac slices to demonstrate that adult cardiomyocytes with fully assembled sarcomeres can partially disassemble their sarcomeres in a calpain- and proteasome-dependent manner to progress through nuclear division and cytokinesis. In conclusion, we have developed a cardiac slice culture system, which allows imaging of native cardiomyocyte dynamics in real time to discover cellular mechanisms during heart regeneration.
BOOK REVIEW ON PALIMPSEST
Authors: Varvantakis Christos , PETSINI PENELOPE , PANAYOTOPOULOS NIKOS
Published: August 2021

The photographs of Petsini and Panayotopoulos in “Palimpsest” trace the remnants of the Berlin Wall and of the world that it had both embraced and been embraced by: traces of the time when the Wall was a concrete, material entity, and of the trail this era has left.
Solidarity economy enterprises, social technologies, and institutional environment
Authors: Teotonio do Nascimento Daniel , Melges Fábio , Benini Elcio Gustavo
Published: August 2021

The present study aimed at analyzing the positioning, contribution, or limitation of the formal Brazilian institutional environment regarding the creation, promotion, and implementation of Solidary Economic Enterprises and Social Technologies. The path used to carry out this research was the triangulation among documentary research, literature review, and former empirical research results. We found that the formal Brazilian institutional environment has not provided the necessary elements for the strengthening of Solidary Economic Enterprises and Social Technologies. It, therefore, constitutes a space that is not very developed in the face of the existence of such organizations.
Estereótipo, preconceito e assédio nas trajetórias de expatriadas brasileiras
Authors: Mendonça Fraga Aline , Gallon Shalimar , Rabelo Duarte Vaz Elem
Published: August 2021

O presente estudo analisa as trajetórias de mulheres brasileiras expatriadas com relação a estereótipos, preconceitos e experiências de assédio vivenciadas. É uma pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter exploratório, com entrevistas de 20 participantes. Os dados foram analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo. A despeito de as mulheres altamente qualificadas e com status de mobilidade internacional constituírem uma elite no exterior, os privilégios não eliminam estereótipos, preconceitos e situações de assédio, quer por serem mulheres, quer por serem brasileiras ou por ambos os motivos, sobretudo em áreas de trabalho com pouca representatividade feminina.
UNDERSTANDING THE LOGIC OF ORGANIZATIONAL AMBIDEXTERITY
Authors: Guerra Rodrigo Marques de Almeida , Camargo Maria Emília
Published: August 2021

This article aims to investigate the effect of the exploration and exploitation dimensions on profitability and growth in sales by exporting companies. The resource-based view (RBV) theory supported the research findings. The survey involved 132 exporting companies in the state of Paraná/PR. Structural equation modeling was applied with the aid of the AMOS software (Analysis of Moment Structures). The results reinforce the multidimensional concept of organizational ambidexterity, characteristic of exporting companies inserted in a dynamic environment. Thus, it is necessary to develop new organizational skills and competences, aiming to develop structures and mechanisms related to organizational ambidexterity.
Anúncios e mídias sociais
Authors: Paula Sousa Felipe Gerhard , Pinheiro Vanessa Saldanha , Cajado Magalhães Rafaela , Moreira Sales Mizael
Published: August 2021

Este artigo tem o objetivo de examinar o impacto, independente e conjunto, de apelos emocionais e quantidade de informações de anúncios publicitários veiculados em redes sociais sobre o comportamento do consumidor. Para alcançá-lo, um estudo experimental de desenho fatorial foi conduzido através de anúncios publicitários veiculados em uma rede social (Facebook). Para o tratamento dos dados, análises de variância (ANOVA) e testes post-hoc foram realizados. Os resultados apontam que, em especial, quando o apelo negativo, como o medo, se soma a informações que ressaltam essa valência, a atitude do consumidor parece se sobressair mais do que em outras combinações.
TO BRIBE OR TO CHEAT? EFFECTS OF SELF-MONITORING AND GENDER
Authors: Bon Ana Carla
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to contribute to business ethics research investigating the effects of two individual differences – self-monitoring personality and gender – on ethical decision making. Applying a bribery scenario (intentions) and a cheating matrix task (behavior), results showed that high self-monitors had more unethical intention and behavior than low self‑monitors. Moreover, low self-monitors had more consistency intention-behavior than high self-monitors, and the inconsistencies of the later were different regarding gender. The bi-dimension of self-monitoring construct – acquisitive and protective – was tested and brought additional evidence about the ones who bribes. Possible explanations of these findings are discussed, with suggestions for future research.
The Use of Non-Standard Problems with Matches When Teaching Younger Schoolchildren
Authors: Pavlova O. , Surovceva A. , Yakushkina Evgeniya
Published: August 2021

The article deals with the actual problem of the intellectual development of primary schoolchildren by including in the work of non-standard tasks of a search nature, the use of sign-symbolic means of presenting information, which allow you to create models of the objects and processes under study. Among the non-standard are the problems with matches described by the authors in the form of visual calculating material, the search for a solution to which makes it possible to intensify the mental activity of students of this age category, to develop their fine motor skills of hands and mathematical observation. The article describes a methodology for the step-by-step familiarization of junior schoolchildren with simple and more complex transformations and manipulations with matches as geometric objects, the consistent formation of an independent creative approach in children to the choice of schemes for solving non-standard educational and practical problems.
Guidelines for the Use of Voice Alarm Systems Based on the Analysis of Normative and Legal Documents Used in Selected European Countries
Authors: Garlińska Urszula , Popielarczyk Tomasz , Sowa Tomasz , Śliwiński Robert
Published: August 2021

Purpose: The aim of this publication is to present the results of theoretical research – evaluation of normative and legal documents used for the design and installation of voice alarm systems (VAS) in selected European countries. The aim of the research was to analyze and compare the functioning of voice alarm systems in Poland against the background of selected European countries. Introduction: Voice alarm systems are systems installed in buildings that enable the broadcast of warning signals and voice messages for the safety of people in the building. Mandatory use of voice alarm systems in selected buildings became applicable in Poland on January 16, 2006. In Europe, these systems have been present before. Over the years, there has been development of both the devices included in the systems, as well as the normative documents and legal acts that describe these systems. Methods: Within the research process, theoretical research was used, such as: analysis of literature and legal documents, synthesis, generalization, inference, comparison and analogy. As part of the research, documents from such countries as Poland, Great Britain (mainly England), Sweden, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands were analyzed. The selection of individual countries was guided by the level of development of these systems in a given country and the availability of source documents. Conclusions: The presented analysis of the requirements for the use of voice alarm systems shows how different the approach to the use of this type of systems is. Depending on individual experiences and the administrative structure of a given country, a variety of regulations, whether legal or normative (not always normative documents issued by state standardization institutions), can be seen in the field of voice alarm systems application. Unfortunately, one can get the impression that voice alarm systems are still not as popular as fire detection systems. The definition of the requirements for buildings in which the use of voice alarm systems should be obligatory and the requirements for the determination of the required level of speech intelligibility consti- tute the basis for the consistent development of this type of fire protection equipment. Such requirements should be specified either in legal regulations or in normative acts dedicated to voice alarm systems. Keywords: safety of evacuation, evacuation of buildings, voice alarm system, EN 54-16, EN 54-24, guidelines Type of article: review article
Complete Response to Afatinib of an EGFR Exon 18 delE709_T710insD-Mutated Stage IV Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jelli Blandine , Taton Olivier , D'Haene Nicky , Remmelink Myriam , Mekinda Zita
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are frequently found in patients with lung adenocarcinomas, 90% being deletions in exon 19 or point mutation in exon 21. Three generations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting EGFR mutations are available and have changed patient prognosis but less data is available on exon 18 mutations and their sensitivity to TKI therapy. Exon 18 delE709_T710insD accounts for 0.06% (16/27,294) of all EGFR mutations and is an oncogenic driver. Several partial responses to afatinib have been described. Case description: We report the first case, to the best of our knowledge, of the complete response to afatinib of a 57-year-old patient with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma with a delE709_T710insD mutation in the EGFR gene detected by next-generation sequencing. Oral afatinib was prescribed and despite treatment interruptions and dosage tapering due to cutaneous adverse events, a complete response was achieved 12 months after treatment initiation and is currently maintained at 17 months. Conclusion: When EGFR mutation is suspected, complete DNA sequencing of exons 18 to 21 should be carried out and we suggest that afatinib should be the first-line treatment for exon 18 delE709_T710insD-mutated advanced lung adenocarcinomas.
Latest clinical research
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: August 2021

Mark Greener summarises the latest studies relevant to primary care nurses
‘Walking on eyeballs’: The nurse's role in gout care
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: August 2021

Mark Greener looks at how nurses can manage patients with this painful and misunderstood condition
Systematic review assessing the evidence for the use of stem cells in fracture healing
Authors: Mott Andrew , Mitchell Alex , McDaid Catriona , Harden Melissa , Grupping Rachael , Dean Alexandra , Byrne Ailish , Doherty Laura , Sharma Hemant
Published: August 2021

Aims

Bone demonstrates good healing capacity, with a variety of strategies being utilized to enhance this healing. One potential strategy that has been suggested is the use of stem cells to accelerate healing.

Methods

The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, WHO-ICTRP, ClinicalTrials.gov, as well as reference checking of included studies. The inclusion criteria for the study were: population (any adults who have sustained a fracture, not including those with pre-existing bone defects); intervention (use of stem cells from any source in the fracture site by any mechanism); and control (fracture healing without the use of stem cells). Studies without a comparator were also included. The outcome was any reported outcomes. The study design was randomized controlled trials, non-randomized or observational studies, and case series.

Results

In all, 94 eligible studies were identified. The clinical and methodological aspects of the studies were too heterogeneous for a meta-analysis to be undertaken. A narrative synthesis examined study characteristics, stem cell methods (source, aspiration, concentration, and application) and outcomes.

Conclusion

Insufficient high-quality evidence is available to determine the efficacy of stem cells for fracture healing. The studies were heterogeneous in population, methods, and outcomes. Work to address these issues and establish standards for future research should be undertaken. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-10:628–638.
Second-generation uncemented total hip arthroplasty: a minimum 20-year follow-up
Authors: McLaughlin Jeffrey R. , Lee Kyla R. , Johnson Mary Ann
Published: August 2021

Aims

We present the clinical and radiological results at a minimum follow-up of 20 years using a second-generation uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA). These results are compared to our previously published results using a first-generation hip arthroplasty followed for 20 years.

Methods

A total of 62 uncemented THAs in 60 patients were performed between 1993 and 1994. The titanium femoral component used in all cases was a Taperloc with a reduced distal stem. The acetabular component was a fully porous coated threaded hemispheric titanium shell (T-Tap ST). The outcome of every femoral and acetabular component with regard to retention or revision was determined for all 62 THAs. Complete clinical follow-up at a minimum of 20 years was obtained on every living patient. Radiological follow-up was obtained on all but one.

Results

Two femoral components (3.2%) required revision. One stem was revised secondary to a periprosthetic fracture one year postoperatively and one was revised for late sepsis. No femoral component was revised for aseptic loosening. Six acetabular components had required revision, five for aseptic loosening. One additional acetabular component was revised for sepsis. Radiologically, all femoral components remained well fixed. One acetabular was judged loose by radiological criteria. The mean Harris Hip Score improved from 46 points (30 to 67) preoperatively to 89 points (78 to 100) at final follow-up. With revision for aseptic loosening as the endpoint, survival of the acetabular component was 95% (95% confidence interval (CI) 90 to 98) at 25 years. Femoral component survival was 100%.

Conclusion

The most significant finding of this report was the low prevalence of aseptic loosening and revision of the femoral component at a mean follow-up of 22 years. A second important finding was the survival of over 90% of the hemispheric threaded ring acetabular components. While these shells remain controversial, in this series they performed well. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(1):33–39.
Bend losses in flexible polyurethane antiresonant terahertz waveguides
Authors: Stefani Alessio , Henry Skelton Jonathan , Tuniz Alessandro
Published: August 2021

One important shortcoming of terahertz technology is the relative absence of convenient, flexible, and reconfigurable waveguides with low attenuation and small bend losses. While recent years have been marked by remarkable progress in lowering the impact of material losses using hollow-core guidance, such waveguides often have centimeter-scale diameter and are therefore not flexible. Here we experimentally and numerically investigate antiresonant dielectric waveguides made of thermoplastic polyurethane, a commonly used dielectric with a low Young’s modulus. The hollow-core nature of antiresonant fibers leads to low transmission losses using simple structures, whereas the low Young’s modulus of polyurethane makes them extremely flexible. The structures presented enable millimeter-wave manipulation in the same spirit as conventional (visible- and near-IR-) optical fibers, i.e. conveniently and reconfigurably, despite their centimeter-thick diameter. We investigate two canonical antiresonant geometries formed by one- and six-tubes, experimentally comparing their transmission, bend losses and mode profiles. The waveguides under investigation have loss below 1 dB/cm in their sub-THz transmission bands, increasing by 1 dB/cm for a bend radius of about 10 cm. We find that the six-tube waveguide outperforms its one-tube counterpart for smaller bend radii (here: 10cm); for larger bend radii, coupling to cladding tube modes can lead to a drop in transmission at specific frequencies in the six-tube waveguide that does not occur in the one-tube waveguide.
Efficient and compact thermo-optic phase shifter in silicon-rich silicon nitride
Authors: Nejadriahi Hani , Pappert Steve , Fainman Yeshaiahu , Yu Paul
Published: August 2021

The design, fabrication, and characterization of low-loss ultra-compact bends in high-index (

n

=

3.1

at

λ
=

1550

n
m

) plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition silicon-rich silicon nitride (SRN) were demonstrated and utilized to realize efficient, small footprint thermo-optic phase shifter. Compact bends were structured into a folded waveguide geometry to form a rectangular spiral within an area of

65

×

65

µ

m

2

, having a total active waveguide length of 1.2 mm. The device featured a phase-shifting efficiency of

8

m
W

/

π

and a 3 dB switching bandwidth of 15 KHz. We propose SRN as a promising thermo-optic platform that combines the properties of silicon and stoichiometric silicon nitride.
Analysis of wavelength-scale 1D depth-dependent refractive-index gradients at an interface by their effects on the internal reflectance near the critical angle
Authors: Vázquez-Estrada Omar , Acevedo-Barrera Anays , Nahmad-Rohen Alexander , García-Valenzuela Augusto
Published: August 2021

Light’s internal reflectivity near a critical angle is very sensitive to the angle of incidence and the optical properties of the external medium near the interface. Novel applications in biology and medicine of subcritical internal reflection are being pursued. In many practical situations, the refractive index of the external medium may vary with respect to its bulk value due to different physical phenomena at surfaces. Thus, there is a pressing need to understand the effects of a refractive-index gradient at a surface for near-critical-angle reflection. In this work, we investigate theoretically the reflectivity near the critical angle at an interface with glass assuming the external medium has a continuous depth-dependent refractive index. We present graphs of the internal reflectivity as a function of the angle of incidence, which exhibit the effects of a refractive-index gradient at the interface. We analyze the behavior of the reflectivity curves before total internal reflection is achieved. Our results provide insight into how one can recognize the existence of a refractive-index gradient at the interface and shed light on the viability of characterizing it.
Infrared rainbow trapping via optical Tamm modes in an one-dimensional dielectric chirped photonic crystals
Authors: Sharma Shailja , Mondal Abhishek , Das Ritwick
Published: August 2021

The phenomenon of trapping a broad spectrum of light is known as “rainbow trapping” and is achieved by using all-dielectric, hybrid metallo-dielectric, or all-metallic configurations. The latter architectures allow strong confinement but exhibit very high ohmic losses. This results in practical lifetimes of trapped modes to less than 1 ps. Therefore, novel strategies are required to be devised for trapping and, subsequently, releasing broadband electromagnetic field with lifetime

>

1

p
s

. We present a rainbow trapping configuration using the excitation of multiple optical Tamm (OT) modes in an one-dimensional chirped photonic crystal (CPC) designed for adiabatically coupling counterpropagating modes. In the geometry, the backscattered phase undergoes multiple discontinuities (

=
π

), which enables excitation of many OT modes in the presence of a thin plasmon-active metal, which is placed adjacent to the terminating layer of CPC. All the OT modes are spatially separated in the CPC, and the strong modal confinement manifests into group velocities as low as

0.17
c

. The time-domain simulations depict mode-localization in the dielectric sections of CPC, which manifest into lifetimes

∼

3

p
s

.
Generation of a vector light field based on polarization holography
Authors: Huang Lu , Zhang Yuanying , Zhang Qi , Chen Yuxin , Chen Xi , Huang Zhiyun , Lin Xiao , Tan Xiaodi
Published: August 2021

We propose a simple and effective method for generating a vector light field based on the faithful reconstruction (FR) effect of polarization holography, where the arbitrary linear polarization waves can be faithfully reconstructed by the polarization-sensitive recording media. The scheme incorporates the tunable and switchable dynamics exposure system to manufacture vector beams. By regulating the velocity and the initial polarization through the angle-aperture and the half-wave plate in the dynamics exposure system, the generated optical element can convert a linear polarization wave into a vector beam. We have analyzed the feasibility in theory and demonstrated the generation of the vector beams experimentally which shows good agreement with the theoretical simulations.
Four-wave mixing Floquet topological solitons
Authors: Ivanov Sergey K. , Kartashov Yaroslav V. , Konotop Vladimir V.
Published: August 2021

We consider a topological Floquet insulator realized as a honeycomb array of helical waveguides imprinted in a weakly birefringent medium. The system accounts for four-wave mixing occurring at a series of resonances arising due to Floquet phase matching. Under these resonant conditions, the system sustains stable linearly polarized and metastable elliptically polarized two-component edge solitons. Coupled nonlinear equations describing the evolution of the envelopes of such solitons are derived.