bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breast cancer-related lymphoedema: advances and outstanding issues
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: November 2024

Optimal management of breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL), a common and debilitating complication of surgery and radiotherapy, depends on early detection, personalised risk assessment and proactive intervention. For instance, a recent review advises healthcare professionals to reframe the narrative about the daily-living skin trauma risks away from ‘what to avoid’ to ‘what to do’. Another review recommends daily, or nearly daily, exercise at home to reduce lymphoedema severity. However, several questions await full answers. There is, for instance, no consensus regarding the most appropriate surgical technique for preventing BCRL. This feature summarises some recent papers updating healthcare professionals about BCRL.
Searching for new drugs to treat Alzheimer’s disease dementia through multiple pathways
Authors: Bai Hua , Feng Xiao-Feng
Published: November 2024

Dementia is a group of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, metabolic dementia and toxic dementia. The treatment of dementia mainly includes symptomatic treatment by controlling the primary disease and accompanying symptoms, nutritional support therapy for repairing nerve cells, psychological auxiliary treatment, and treatment that improves cognitive function through drugs. Among them, drug therapy to improve cognitive function is important. This review focuses on introducing and commenting on some recent progress in exploring drugs to improve cognitive function, especially the new progress in drug treatment for AD. We mainly discuss the opportunities and challenges in finding and developing new therapeutic drugs from the aspects of acetylcholinesterase, N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor, amyloid protein, tau protein and chronic immune inflammation.
Long-term follow-up of ceramic-on-metal total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Baker Gavin , Hill Janet , O'Neill Francis , McChesney Jane , Stevenson Michael , Beverland David
Published: November 2024

Aims

In 2015, we published the results of our ceramic-on-metal (CoM) total hip arthroplasties (THAs) performed between October 2007 and July 2009 with a mean follow-up of 34 months (23 to 45) and a revision rate of 3.1%. The aim of this paper is to present the longer-term outcomes.

Methods

A total of 264 patients were reviewed at a mean of 5.8 years (4.6 to 7.2) and 10.1 years (9.2 to 10.6) to determine revision rate, pain, outcome scores, radiological analysis, and blood ion levels. Those who were unwilling or unable to travel were contacted by telephone.

Results

The all-cause revision rate at six years was 3.1% (eight THAs), increasing to 8.8% (18 THAs) at ten years. Of these, there were four and then seven bearing-related revisions at six and ten years, respectively. There was a statistically significant deterioration in the visual analogue scale pain score and Oxford Hip Score (OHS) between six and ten years. There were 18 CoM THAs in 17 patients who had a cobalt or chromium level over 4 ppb and ten CoM THAs in nine patients who had a cobalt or chromium level higher than 7 ppb with a statistically significant increase in chromium levels only between the two timepoints. Overall, 84 stems (39.1%) had significant radiolucent lines at ten years compared to 65 (25.5%) at six years.

Conclusion

When compared to the original review, there has been a significant deterioration in pain score, OHS, radiograph appearance, and, most critically, survival has fallen to 91.2%, which does not meet the Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel (ODEP) 10 A* 95% threshold. Although this bearing is no longer on the market, 2.5% were bearing-related revisions, which have relevance to the discussion around modular dual-mobility implants that have a similar metal interface.
Day-case success or why still in hospital after total hip, total knee, and medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasties?
Authors: Danielsen Oddrún , Jensen Christian B. , Varnum Claus , Jakobsen Thomas , Andersen Mikkel R. , Bieder Manuel J. , Overgaard Søren , Jørgensen Christoffer C. , Kehlet Henrik , Gromov Kirill , Lindberg-Larsen Martin
Published: November 2024

Aims

Day-case success rates after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (mUKA) may vary, and detailed data are needed on causes of not being discharged. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between surgical procedure type and successful day-case surgery, and to analyze causes of not being discharged on the day of surgery when eligible and scheduled for day-case THA, TKA, and mUKA.

Methods

A multicentre, prospective consecutive cohort study was carried out from September 2022 to August 2023. Patients were screened for day-case eligibility using well defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and discharged when fulfilling predetermined discharge criteria. Day-case eligible patients were scheduled for surgery with intended start of surgery before 1.00 pm.

Results

Of 6,142 primary hip and knee arthroplasties, eligibility rates for day-case surgery were 34% for THA (95% CI 32% to 36%), 34% for TKA (95% CI 32% to 36%), and 52% for mUKA (95% CI 49% to 55%). Surgery before 1.00 pm was achieved in 85% of eligible patients. The day-case success rate among patients with surgery before 1.00 pm was 59% (95% CI 55% to 62%) for THA, 61% (95% CI 57% to 65%) for TKA, and 72% (95% CI 68% to 76%) for mUKA. Overall day-case success rates (eligible and non-eligible) were 19% (95% CI 17% to 20%) for THA, 20% (95% CI 18% to 21%) for TKA, and 42% (95% CI 39% to 45%) for mUKA. Adjusted analysis confirmed higher day-case success in eligible mUKA patients (odds ratio 1.9 (1.6 to 2.3)) compared to TKA and THA patients. Primary causes for day-case failure were mobilization issues (9% to 12% between procedures), prolonged spinal anaesthesia (4% to 9%), and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (4% to 14%).

Conclusion

THA and TKA patients showed comparable eligibility (34%) with similar day-case success rates (59 to 61%), whereas mUKA patients demonstrated higher eligibility (52%) and day-case success (72%). Mobilization issues, prolonged spinal anaesthesia, and PONV were the most frequent causes for not being discharged.
Enhancing Security in Low-power Wide-area (LPWA) IoT Environments: The Role of HSM, Tamper-proof Technology, and Quantum Cryptography
Authors: Han Hyung-Sub , Choi Tae-hyuk , Yoon Jong-Seong
Published: November 2024

Low-power wide-area (LPWA) networks are integral to expanding Internet of Things (IoT) applications, offering extensive coverage with low power consumption. However, these networks face significant security challenges due to their widespread deployment and inherent constraints. In order to provide secure services in an LPWA IoT environment, important information stored in IoT devices (encryption keys, device unique numbers, etc.) must be safely protected from external hacking or theft by physical access, and it is necessary to develop tamper-proof technology to enhance physical security. Meanwhile, with so many ruggedized IoT devices processing and transmitting sensitive information, security systems are essential to protect the integrity and privacy of IoT data. This paper explores the critical role of hardware security modules (HSMs), tamper-proof technology, and quantum cryptography in enhancing the physical, network, and data security of LPWA IoT environments. We propose operational strategies for HSMs, tamper-proof technology in ruggedized LPWA IoT settings, and a quantum key distribution (QKD)-based IPsec solution for robust network and data security.
České panelové šetření domácností
Authors:   Sociologický ústav AV ČR, Röschová Michaela , Jan Klusáček , Aliona Sukhotskaya
Published: November 2024

České panelové šetření domácností je výběrové šetření, kterého se opakovaně účastní reprezentativní soubor stejných domácností žijících na území České republiky. Pro výzkum je využíván akronym CHPS vycházející z anglického názvu Czech Household Panel Survey. Při komunikaci s respondenty a širší veřejností je výzkum obvykle označován svým podtitulem Proměny české společnosti. V letech 2015 až 2019 proběhlo s ročním odstupem celkem pět vln šetření. V letech 2020 a 2021 se uskutečnily dva menší sběry dat věnované problematice pandemie nemoci covid-19, kterými se zabývá tato dokumentace. Datové soubory, dotazníky, dokumentace a další materiály k předchozím ročníkům CHPS a ad hoc covid-19 výzkumům jsou zveřejněné v online katalogu Českého sociálněvědního datového archivu.
Bob's Beat: Dylan, A Poet among Poets
Authors: Gontarski S. E.
Published: November 2024

Abstract: This essay explores the literary resonances of the Nobel Prize committee's 2016 citation of Bob Dylan's work "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." That "new poetic expression" has grown out of and developed through a spirit of iconoclasm and estrangement very much in the American grain, and it runs through not only the American folk "song tradition" but through the Beat Generation of writers, even as the shape-changing troubadour-poet never was, nor would he ever become a full-fledged, card-carrying Beat poet, nor a traditional poet of any sort, as he became a poet among poets on the road, finally, to becoming Bob Dylan, or rather to creating Dylan, Nobel laureate.
Motherhood, Witchcraft, and the Refusal to Conform
Authors: Hutchins Zachary McLeod
Published: November 2024

Abstract: This essay reads an American literary history of motherhood, witchcraft, and resistant bodies through the lens of Rachel Yoder's Nightbitch (2021). Like Kelly Barnhill's When Women Were Dragons (2022), Nightbitch asks why mothers and other care workers might fantasize about escaping the social expectations placed upon mothers and maternal bodies. These novels, and the canonical works they point to, from "Bartleby the Scrivener" and "The Yellow Wallpaper" to Alice in Wonderland and The Marvelous Land of Oz , suggest that both Christian and capitalist systems identify mothers and care workers as witches because their labor in creating and maintaining bodies challenges a myth of dispassionate rationality.
From Extraction to Wilderness: Australian Film History, Environmental History, and The Last Wild River
Authors: Smaill Belinda
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT: This article examines the earliest coordinated use of film in an environmental campaign in Australia. The battle to save the Franklin River from hydro development occurred at a pivotal moment for both the environmental movement and the nation’s feature film renaissance. With a focus on the first film of the Franklin campaign, The Last Wild River (1977), I reveal how a novel idea of wilderness emerged in sound and image, one that questioned the established ideals of resource extraction that preceded it. I trace the sophisticated use of activist film at this moment of consequential cinematic and environmental change.
Michelangelo's Left-Hand Man: Minding the Gap in Sebastiano del Piombo's Pietà
Authors: Harris Katerina
Published: November 2024

Abstract: This article considers the vitality of the left hand of Christ in a monumental Pieta panel painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Sebastiano del Piombo (bom Sebastiano Luciani, ca. 1485–1547) and a vital link between this hand and the left hand of Adam in the Creation scene on the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo (1475–1564). Sebastiano's work was made in the central Italian city of Viterbo around 1512 to 1516, and shows a seated Virgin Mary grieving the death of Christ, her son, whose body lies on the ground in front of her. The article focuses on the representation of Christ's body, identifies a gap between the fingers of Christ's hand and his thigh underneath, and explores this gap's significance as a sign of life. It first reveals a close and as yet not remarked upon connection between the hands in the Pieta and the Sistine Chapel. Through consideration of a series of sketches and drawings that highlight the close working relationship between Sebastiano and Michelangelo during and around the years of the Pieta'' s production, the likelihood that the left hand of Christ in Viterbo was designed by Michelangelo is confirmed. The hand was probably sent to Sebastiano as a drawing from which he worked a cartoon. By examining the iconography of the painting and its associations to Adam's spirited hand in Michelangelo's Creation alongside biblical passages and a popular religious text, the Meditations , the article argues that the restless left hand of Christ in Sebastiano's Viterbo Pieta is a symbol of Christ's Resurrection.
Crafting Sacred Blooms: Late Medieval Mystical Floriculture as Tactile Devotion
Authors: Kim Jiyun , Sohn Sooyun
Published: November 2024

Abstract: The Besloten hofes (enclosed gardens) of Mechelen are cabinet-shaped altarpieces that feature miniature garden spaces filled with an assortment of handmade silk flowers, devotional images, and relics. This article examines the process of creating these silk flowers and their impact on the presumed crafters or restorers—the professed nuns at the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwegasthuis (Hospital of Our Lady), where the Gardens were housed. It argues that this craftwork was a contemplative and tactile activity analogous to the rosary, a prayer method that involved reflection on exegetical understanding and constant touching of the prayer beads. Similar to the rosary, the silk flower craftwork enabled the nuns to enter a supernatural state where they experienced a profound connection with sacred entities. This article reinterprets the silk flower crafts in the cabinets not merely as decorations, but as tools for personal devotion.
L’Arbre qui cache la forêt? Décrypter le ‘moment Ernaux’ de la littérature d’avortement
Authors: Robison Carla
Published: November 2024

Abstract: La critique universitaire et journalistique décrit régulièrement L’Événement comme un livre sans précédent. Véritable tournant dans la littérature d’avortement, le livre est pourtant loin d’être un hapax . En effet, il est précédé par une littérature riche mais oubliée en raison du contexte politico-légal préalable à la légalisation de l’avortement. En nous appuyant sur ce contexte, sur les archives de Gallimard et sur un entretien avec Annie Ernaux, nous consacrerons par conséquent cet article à l’analyse des facteurs qui ont fait de la publication de L’Événement un moment charnière associé, dans l’imaginaire collectif contemporain, à la sortie du silence sur l’avortement.
Écrire la fin du monde: poétique de l’ellipse dans “Le Phénomène futur” de Mallarmé
Authors: Weber Julien
Published: November 2024

Abstract: This essay discusses how the figure of “the end of the world” is used in one of Mallarmé’s early prose poems, “Le Phénomène futur.” While this poem has often been read as an exposition of Mallarmé’s aesthetic ideal, I argue that it is informed by a complex conflict between two modes of writing the end of the world, one aestheticizing and apocalyptic and the other sharply prosaic. In the wake of Baudelaire’s reading of the poem, I analyse how Mallarmé’s poetics of the ellipse resist the dramatization of the end of the world as a sublime event, and I discuss what conceptions of poetic form emerge from that conflict. (in French)
La relation des horizons: l’Alsace et l’Algérie, par les liens de la défaite (1870–1914)
Authors: Glaumaud-Carbonnier Marion
Published: November 2024

Abstract: This article explores the imaginary and narratives of the impossible relationship between Alsace and Algeria in the aftermath of the 1871 defeat. Reflecting on the connections between the lost province and the colony shaping the “new France,” we firstly argue that the complicated association of Alsace’s loss and the colonial adventure is embodied by the Turco. Fighting alongside the French army in Alsace, this heroic Algerian soldier, son of the defeated and brother of the conqueror, struggles indeed to find his place in the national family romance. Revealingly, after praising the bravery of this “good Frenchman,” the government was considering ceding Algeria to Prussia in exchange for Alsace, we recall. Linking this under-studied episode to the failed relationships between Algerians and Alsatians recounted in fictions, this article finally sets out to demonstrate that the prevented analogy between national and colonial wars lies at the heart of Maupassant’s short story “L’horrible.” (in French)
Dear Charlotte of 1989
Authors: Canning Charlotte M.
Published: November 2024

Abstract: This letter reexamines the historical moment in which Charlotte Canning began the research on her dissertation. She raises questions about how her dissertation might have been different had she engaged more fully with the events and politics of the late 1980s and early 1990s. These questions are motivated by current events and politics and ask how we assign meaning to lived experiences as historians.
On Not Being in Kansas Anymore: Letter to the Young Marvin Carlson
Authors: Carlson Marvin
Published: November 2024

Abstract: Retired theatrologist Marvin Carlson writes a letter to himself sixty-some years younger preparing to leave Kansas for Cornell and New York City. He makes suggestions about what young Marvin should be aware of in this new environment.
Few-shot learning for inference in medical imaging with subspace feature representations
Authors: Liu Jiahui , Fan Keqiang , Cai Xiaohao , Niranjan Mahesan
Published: November 2024

Unlike in the field of visual scene recognition, where tremendous advances have taken place due to the availability of very large datasets to train deep neural networks, inference from medical images is often hampered by the fact that only small amounts of data may be available. When working with very small dataset problems, of the order of a few hundred items of data, the power of deep learning may still be exploited by using a pre-trained model as a feature extractor and carrying out classic pattern recognition techniques in this feature space, the so-called few-shot learning problem. However, medical images are highly complex and variable, making it difficult for few-shot learning to fully capture and model these features. To address these issues, we focus on the intrinsic characteristics of the data. We find that, in regimes where the dimension of the feature space is comparable to or even larger than the number of images in the data, dimensionality reduction is a necessity and is often achieved by principal component analysis or singular value decomposition (PCA/SVD). In this paper, noting the inappropriateness of using SVD for this setting we explore two alternatives based on discriminant analysis (DA) and non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). Using 14 different datasets spanning 11 distinct disease types we demonstrate that at low dimensions, discriminant subspaces achieve significant improvements over SVD-based subspaces and the original feature space. We also show that at modest dimensions, NMF is a competitive alternative to SVD in this setting. The implementation of the proposed method is accessible via the following link.
Psychological experience of patients with postpartum depression: A qualitative meta-synthesis
Authors: Jiaming Wu , Xin Guo , Jiajia Du , Junjie Peng , Xue Hu , Yunchuan Li , Yuanfang Wu
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To determine the psychological experiences of patients with postpartum depression by systematically reviewing, retrieving, and synthesizing data from qualitative studies.

Methods

Nine databases were systematically searched for relevant publications, from database establishment to September 20, 2024. All qualitative studies in English and Chinese that explored the real-life experiences, feelings, etc., of individuals affected by postpartum depression after childbirth were included. The qualitative meta-synthesis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Two independent reviewers selected these studies and evaluated the quality of each study, conducting a meta-analysis to integrate the results.

Results

A total of 28 studies revealed 12 sub-themes and 3 descriptive themes: negative physical and psychological experiences and coping strategies, role transition discomfort and impact, lack of relevant support.

Conclusion

The prominence of negative physical and psychological experiences, the discomfort of role transformation, and the lack of relevant support in patients with postpartum depression. In future studies, more attention should be paid to maternal mental health, and full mental health screening during pregnancy and childbirth should be implemented. Psychological counseling services should also be provided to pregnant women. [REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID: CRD42024504506].
Fault-tolerant partition resolvability of cycle with chord
Authors: Azhar Kamran , Zafar Sohail , Nadeem Asim , Shang Yilun
Published: November 2024

In the realm of connected networks, distance-based parameters, particularly the partition dimension of graphs, have extensive applications across various fields, including chemistry and computer science. A notable variant of the partition dimension is the fault-tolerant resolving partition, which is critical in computer science for networking, optimization, and navigation tasks. In networking, fault-tolerant partitioning ensures robust communication pathways even in the event of network failures or disruptions. In optimization, it aids in developing efficient algorithms capable of withstanding errors or changes in input data. In navigation systems, fault-tolerant partitioning supports reliable route planning and navigation services under uncertain or dynamic conditions. This paper focuses on the fault-tolerant partition dimension within the specific context of the cycle with chord graphs, exploring its properties and implications for enhancing the robustness and reliability of networked systems.
‘The struggle does not only go on, but it is continuous’: Artistic resistance in Santiago de Chile: Delight Lab and CADA
Authors: Grimmer Hannah K.
Published: November 2024

Art accompanies demonstrations, deriving motifs from them and strengthening the sense of community by developing a collective imaginary. In times of repression, violence and censorship during the Chilean dictatorship, the interdisciplinary artistic collective Colectivo Acciones de Arte (1979–83) transformed the streets into their exhibition space. Decades later, the collective Delight Lab paid tribute to CADA. The connection between the two collectives is approached from a mnemonic perspective. The research design focuses on memory activism showing how the recurrence of certain images from the past contributes to empower contemporary movements.
Performance, ciudadanía y activismo en Chile, 2010–2020, Paulina Bronfman Collovati and Natalia Bronfman Elphick (2022)
Authors: Villegas Milena Gallardo
Published: November 2024

Review of: Performance, ciudadanía y activismo en Chile, 2010–2020, Paulina Bronfman Collovati and Natalia Bronfman Elphick (2022)

Santiago de Chile: Editorial OSOLIEBRE, 223 pp.,

ISBN 978-9-56371-039-7, p/bk, $25.00
A CPI da Pandemia da Covid-19 e as eleições de 2022 para o Senado
Authors: Freire Santana Jaciane , Borges de Oliveira Sheila
Published: November 2024

A Comissão Parlamentar de Inquérito (CPI) da Pandemia da Covid-19 foi um dos assuntos mais comentados em 2021 no Brasil, repercutindo na campanha eleitoral de 2022. Este artigo analisa se a transmissão da CPI pela TV Senado apresenta elementos que indiquem uma aproximação da CPI com o conceito de reality show. Estuda como as sessões foram utilizadas no Instagram dos senadores Omar Aziz e Otto Alencar na campanha de 2022. Teoricamente, usa os conceitos de sociedade do espetáculo (Debor, 1967) e reality show (Feldman, 2008) e (Bazo, 2011). Metodologicamente, realiza uma pesquisa qualitativa (Minayo, 2013) e uma análise de conteúdo (Bardin 2011). A análise indica aproximações possíveis da CPI com um reality show, mas a comissão foi cenário para um espetáculo político (Rubim, 2003) e não de entretenimento, concluindo que sua repercussão foi utilizada para dar visibilidade aos mandatos dos senadores que se reelegeram.
Entre a politização da cobertura e a defesa do campo
Authors: Paulo Jamil Marques Francisco
Published: November 2024

O objetivo deste trabalho é discutir um conjunto de transformações verificadas na gramática de produção jornalística que resultam em uma crescente politização da cobertura. Mais precisamente, sustenta-se que, em contradição com os princípios da imparcialidade e da objetividade reivindicados pelo campo do Jornalismo no Brasil, há evidências de alterações nas conexões organizacionais de empresas do ramo informacional e na tendência dos profissionais de imprensa de atuarem na vida política. Se, por um lado, a politização tem a ver com a necessidade de sobrevivência das empresas jornalísticas (que lutam para manter sua legitimidade em um cenário financeiro desafiador), por outro, existe o risco de que uma abordagem percebida como tendenciosa altere os acordos que o campo dos media estabelece com o público. Ao extrapolar determinados limites na ânsia de refutar políticos adversários, acaba-se colocando em dúvida o compromisso das organizações jornalísticas com a defesa do interesse público.
The Beauty and Importance of Scientific Journals
Authors: Lopez Riquelme Germán Octavio , Solís-Chagoyán Héctor , Castillo Padilla Diana Verónica , Rosanía-Maza Nino Angelo
Published: November 2024

For more than 300 years, academic journals have been the main means of communication in all disciplines to disseminate scientific discoveries and advances, both theoretical and methodological, through scientific article, since they have covered all the functions of knowledge generation. Writing articles is the highlight of the research process and through it we not only share ideas and foster the spirit of free and cooperative exchange of information, but also fuel the process of self-correction that makes science powerful. To be shared with the community, articles must go through a process of attribution of authorship, certification of validity, dissemination, distribution and archiving of knowledge. Throughout history, scientific journals have gone through different stages and through different problems inherent to the editorial process. In this essay on scientific publications, we will reflect on the nature of publications, their importance and usefulness both social and economic, their less luminous side as well as their role, as a systemic and almost irreplaceable mechanism, in the generation and transmission of scientific culture, of our knowledge and understanding about the world and about ourselves.
Hematology scoring model to predict sepsis in preterm neonates
Authors: Suryani Yani Dewi , Yuniati Tetty , Kadi Fiva Aprilia , Primadi Aris
Published: November 2024

Background Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. Atypical clinical symptoms lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Scoring a combination of routine hematology parameters may be able to predict the occurrence of sepsis in preterm neonates.
Objective To formulate a new model for neonatal sepsis scoring from various complete blood count parameters to predict sepsis in preterm neonates.
Methods This analytical cross sectional study using secondary data from the Registry of the Neonatology Division was conducted at the RSUP Dr. Hasan Sadikin, Bandung, West Java. Subjects were neonates diagnosed with sepsis, of gestational age 28–36 weeks, who were born at the RSUP Dr. Hasan Sadikin from January to December 2021. Laboratory results of patients who met the inclusion criteria were recorded. Subjects were divided into either proven sepsis and probable sepsis groups, based on blood culture results.
Results Of 112 subjects, 35.7% had proven sepsis and 64.3% probable sepsis. In the proven sepsis group, 52.5% of subjects were male, median birth weight was 1,490 grams, median gestational age was 32 weeks, 90% were small for gestational age, and 60% were delivered normally. Multivariable analysis by multiple logistic regression revealed that the parameters associated with the incidence of neonatal sepsis were c-reactive protein (CRP) > 0.18 mg/dL (score 6), hematocrit <40% (score 4), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)  < 19.623 (score 4); monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR)  < 0.461 (score 2); and mean platelet volume (MPV) value >10 (score 2). Score >8 had a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 70.8%, with area under the ROC curve of 0.865 (P<0.001). Scoring accuracy was 75.8%, with a positive predictive value of 61.8%, a negative predictive value of 89.5%, and Kappa index of 51.5% with moderate agreement.
Conclusion A hematological score >8 can be used as a predictor of sepsis in preterm neonates.
Hepcidin levels, markers of iron overload, and liver damage in children with beta-thalassemia major
Authors: Sari Indah , Sari Dian Puspita , Damayanti Moretta , Salwan Hasri
Published: November 2024

Background  Thalassemia is a hemoglobin synthesis disorder that causes patients to need lifelong blood transfusions, leading to iron overload and alter organ function, including the liver. Hepcidin, produced by the liver, plays a role in iron homeostasis and should be increased in excess iron stores. However, the level decreases in thalassemia due to some factors, such as ineffective erythropoiesis and liver damage. Recent publications revealed that hepcidin could be associated with iron overload and also a marker of liver diseases.
Objective To analyse the correlation between hepcidin level, markers of iron overload, and liver damage in beta-thalassemia major.
Methods This cross-sectional study included all ?-thalassemia major age 2-18 years admitted to Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Hospital, Palembang, South Sumatera, who underwent blood transfusions from March to August 2022. We measured the level of iron overload markers, hepcidin, liver function test (LFT), and performed liver ultrasonography (USG).
Results Of 97 subjects, median hepcidin level was 10.01 ng/mL and 68% of the subjects showed a decrease. The iron overload parameters were evaluated from serum iron levels (P=0.13), ferritin levels (P=0.90), and transferrin saturation (P=0.29) and 24.7% had abnormal liver USG findings. Spearman’s correlation revealed that only direct bilirubin (DB) (r=0.35; P=0.001) and liver USG (r=0.20; P=0.05) had positive correlations with decreased levels of hepcidin. Also, it had 91.7% sensitivity in predicting liver damage from ultrasound.
Conclusion The hepcidin level was not significantly associated with iron overload markers.
Evaluation of anti-diphtheria toxoid antibody persistence in school-age children in Jakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Santi Theresia , Prayitno Ari , Munasir Zakiudin , Hadinegoro Sri Rezeki S. , Harahap Alida Roswita , Werdhani Retno Asti , Sah Bandar Ivo Novita , Jo Juandy , Hegar Badriul
Published: November 2024

Background Diphtheria can be effectively prevented by adequate immunization. A combined vaccine against diphtheria toxoid, pertussis, and tetanus toxoid (DPT) is currently used in routine pediatric immunizations. Outbreaks of diphtheria could emerge in Indonesia as a consequence of declining routine vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objective To analyze the impact of the first (administered at 18-24 months of age ) and second diphtheria boosters (administered at 5-7 years of age ) in retaining protective levels of anti-diphtheria toxoid antibodies. We also investigated for relevant factors associated with anti-diphtheria toxoid antibody titers.
Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Senen District of Jakarta, Indonesia. The inclusion criteria were healthy children aged 6 to 7 years  with documented history of DPT vaccination. Primary vaccination defined as 3 doses of DPT at age less than 1 year , first booster  was DPT vaccination at 18-24 years of age, and second booster was diphtheria-tetanus (DT) vaccination received at 5 to 7 years of age. Peripheral blood specimens were obtained from participating children, after informed consent was provided by their parents. Antibodies against diphtheria in sera specimens were assessed by commercial anti-diphtheria toxoid immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results There were 154 children included in the study, with a female majority (61%). Overall, specific humoral immunity against diphtheria was observed in 113 children (73.4%). There was no statistical difference in immunity level between genders. Importantly, children who received the first and second diphtheria booster had significantly higher anti-diphtheria antibody level than those who did not receive both diphtheria booster (P<0.001).
Conclusion Booster vaccinations are crucial among school-age children in Indonesia to improve their anti-diphtheria immunity and to minimize a risk of diphtheria outbreaks.
Undetected Takayasu arteritis presenting as severe hypertension in children: a report of two cases
Authors: Wirawan Muhammad Taufik , Murni Indah Kartika , Patria Suryono Yudha , Arafuri Nadya , Noormanto Noormanto , Nugroho Sasmito
Published: November 2024

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare chronic granulomatous vasculitis mainly affecting the aorta and its main branches. Clinical presentations of TA are non-specific, especially in the initial phase, which likely contributes to delayed diagnosis besides the rarity of the disorder. Childhood-onset of TA is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This case report aimed to present two rare cases of acute symptomatic severe hypertension in children due to TA.
El Taller de encuadernación de Tomás Cobo y sucesores y su relación con la Real Academia de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales: (1859-1905)
Authors: Carpallo Bautista Antonio
Published: November 2024

En el siglo XIX se produce en los países industrializados un crecimiento económico, político y cultural motivado por la Revolución Industrial, que también llegó a las artes gráficas y a la encuadernación. En España ese crecimiento económico derivado de la industrialización no fue tal, a excepción de focos localizados industriales como Madrid, País Vasco y Barcelona, siendo un país centrado en la economía agrícola y escasez de alimentos. Factor importante para el débil progreso económico fue también la política, llena de inestabilidad por sus continuos cambios...
Unauthorised usage of veterinary drugs as a potential risk to human and animal health
Authors: BANOVIĆ Ksenija , POLJAK Vedran , BABAN Mirjana , FLORIJANČIĆ Tihomir , LJUBIČIĆ Mate , ANTUNOVIĆ Boris
Published: November 2024

In the developed world the sustainable rearing of food producing animals depends a great deal on the use of veterinary medicines – pharmacologically active compounds. Their usage is fundamental to achieving a desirable level of animal and public health protection. This is particularly necessary in highly industrialized animal production systems. In addition, their use may be required to achieve acceptable welfare standards. It is important, therefore, that administration of veterinary prescription drugs (VPDs) is under the supervision and control of veterinarians. Veterinarians’ role is also to raise awareness and educate farmers for the responsible use of veterinary drugs. Four randomly chosen agricultural stores in the east of Croatia were questioned as to whether they had sold the VPDs without prescriptions before the new law came in force (30 March 2007). The results showed that 15 different VPDs could have been purchased occasionally by farmers without veterinary prescription. These drugs may have not been administered appropriately to animals, which may result in short and long term effects on animals and humans. Products of animal origin (POAO) may contain residues above maximum residue limit (MRL) with a potential of developing antimicrobial resistance, therefore the risk to animal and human health may have been increased. In order to reduce such risks, and at the same time to enable farmers to use the VPDs responsibly, Croatia has recently enhanced the legislation in the field of food safety and veterinary medicine. Under this legal framework there is a requirement to implement the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR). This paper investigates the possible harmful effects of unauthorized usage of VPDs on human and animal health and the possibilities to enhance control and supervision of their purchase and usage.
Single and combined effect of dietary Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) on bacterial community in the caecum and caecal fermentation of rabbits
Authors: VÁNTUS Viola , BÓNAI András , ZSOLNAI Attila , DAL BOSCO Alessandro , SZENDRŐ Zsolt , TORNYOS Gábor , BODNÁR Zsófia , MORSY Wael Awad , PÓSA Roland , TOLDI Mária , BÓTA Brigitta , KOVÁCS Melinda , DALLE ZOTTE Antonella
Published: November 2024

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of the growing rabbits’ diet by Spirulina or/and Thyme (food supplement) on the composition and amount of the microbiota and production of volatile fatty acids of the rabbits’ caecum. We used classical culturing methods and after bacterial DNA extraction, the quantity of bacteria (belonging to phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) were determined by qPCR reactions with the aid of bacterial ribosome coding DNA at the Molecular Biology Laboratory, University of Kaposvar. The experiment was carried out using rabbits (Pannon White) from rabbit-farm of Kaposvar University. Young rabbits were weaned on the 35th day after birth. All experimental animals were the same age. Duration of Spirulina and/or Thyme supplementation –after weaning- was 48 days. Samples were collected on the 14th, 28th and 48th day of the supplementation. No dietary effect on pH of the caecal content was detected. The number of Escherichia coli, total anaerobic and strictly anaerobic bacteria decreased by age, no effect of the diet could be demonstrated. Supplementation with Thyme resulted in slightly higher ratio of propionic acid, but the difference was not significant. In conclusion, Spirulina and/or Thyme supplementation of diet after weaning had no substantial effect on the volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, while the classical microbiological determination did not find a substantial effect on the composition of the caecal microbiota. By the Quantitative PCR method we measured significantly lower bacterial copy numbers in the samples of ST treated group. This indicates that the ST (Spirulina 5% and 3% Thyme) feed supplementation has an antimicrobial effect on the investigated bacterial groups in the caecum of growing rabbit.
Preliminary results of bivariate analysis in joint Slovenian and Croatian evaluation for milk traits in Holstein breed
Authors: ŠPEHAR Marija , IVKIĆ Zdenko , GANTNER Vesna , BARAĆ Zdravko , KLOPČIČ Marija , ČEPON Marko , KRSNIK Jurij , ŠTEPEC Miran , GORJANC Gregor , POTOČNIK Klemen
Published: November 2024

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for milk traits (daily milk, fat, and protein yield) for a joint genetic evaluation in Holstein breed in Croatia and Slovenia and to compare results from the joint and national evaluation systems. Test-day records from Croatian (CRO) and Slovenian (SVN) routine genetic evaluation in May 2012 were used. A joint data set included 1,840,816 CRO and 2,680,001 SVN test-day records of 111,218 CRO and 127,774 SVN cows. The total number of animals included in the joint pedigree was 382,991. Genetic parameters for milk traits were estimated using bivariate model. SVN data were evaluated with a model which included fixed effects of calving season and stage of lactation fitted by the Ali-Schaeffer’s lactation curve nested within parity. Random part of the model consisted of a common herd environment, direct additive genetic, and permanent environment effect within lactation. In addition to these, fixed class effect of region and covariate age at the first calving were included in the model for CRO data. In the random part, the contemporary group was defined as an interaction between the herd and year of testing for CRO data and as herd effect in SVN data. The estimated heritabilities of daily milk, fat, and protein yield were 0.19, 0.15, and 0.17 for CRO and 0.23, 0.19, and 0.21 for SVN data. Genetic correlation between countries was medium to high (0.78, 0.64, and 0.63) indicating some differences between countries. Correlations between inferred breeding values from the joint and national evaluations were high (0.997 for CRO and 0.999 for SVN evaluation). On SVN scale, genetic trend obtained from the joint evaluation was higher compared to the national evaluation. On CRO scale, the national genetic trend for daily protein yield was similar to the trend from joint model.
Breed assignment test of Slovenian cattle breeds using microsatellites
Authors: OPARA Andreja , RAZPET Andrej , LOGAR Betka
Published: November 2024

A population analysis of 1,474 non-related animals (563 Holstein, 548 Simmental, 168 Brown cattle and 195 crossbreeds) was carried out using 12 microsatellite markers. The reallocation of known individuals to their breeds of origin and the assignment of unknown individuals was tested. A STRUCTURE analysis of all individuals revealed three genetic clusters corresponding to three breeds while crossbreeds mostly clustered with Simmentals and to a lesser extent to Holstein. The assignment and Migrants Detection test was carried out using GeneClass. The results from the assignment test revealed that in purebreds >98% animals were assigned to the correct breed. The crossbreeds were assigned to Simmental (85%) and Holstein (15%) as expected. Individual assignment tests provided excellent assignment success in all three highly differentiated cattle breeds (FST between 0.076 and 0.095) and could prove very useful for numerous forensic applications.
The effect of green ham quality on the technological, chemical and sensorial traits of dry-cured ham Kraški pršut
Authors: PUGLIESE Carolina , ŠKRLEP Martin , ČANDEK-POTOKAR Marjeta
Published: November 2024

This work studies the relationship among raw material characteristics, such as green ham pH value, fat thickness, trimmed ham weight and the main technological, chemical and sensorial traits, in the production of dry-cured Kraški pršut. For the scope of the study a sample of 251 hams, supplied by two producers, was used. Trimmed ham weight, fat thickness and pH value of semimembranosus muscle (pH24) were recorded on green hams. On dry cured hams the following parameters were assessed: colour (CIE L*,a*,b*), intramuscular fat (IMF), proteolysis index, salt percentage, sensorial analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess the relationships among variables. Among green ham traits, pH24 affected the largest number of parameters measured on the dry-cured ham. Higher pH24 of green ham was associated with darker muscles of dry cured ham, lower salting and seasoning losses. Extreme values of pH24 were associated with the highest values of proteolysis index. As regards sensorial traits, harder and dryer texture was associated with the increase of pH24. Salt percentage was negatively associated with IMF. Fat thickness was negatively associated with salting and seasoning losses. No significant effect of green ham weight was found on any of the parameters considered in this study. As regards PCA analysis the first two components explained 34.5% of the variance. In the first one, trimmed weight, salting and seasoning losses, moisture of biceps femoris and semimembranosus muscles showed the highest loading values. In the second one saltiness, texture, IMF content, showed the highest loading absolute values.
Effect of the yolk content of hatching eggs on the weight and composition of the liver in the hatched chicks
Authors: MILISITS Gábor , FÉBEL Hedvig , SZABÓ András , DONKÓ Tamás , SZENTIRMAI Eszter , ORBÁN Attila , SÜTŐ Zoltán
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to examine, whether the yolk ratio of hen’s eggs has an effect on the weight and composition of the liver in chicks at hatching. Altogether 3500 hen’s eggs – originated from a 24 weeks old TETRA-H parent stock – were involved in the examination. The yolk ratio of the eggs was determined in vivo by means of computer tomography using a SIEMENS Somatom Emotion 6 multislice CT scanner at the Institute of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology of the Kaposvár University. Based on the measured values eggs were separated into three groups: eggs with the lowest (n = 350), eggs with the highest (n = 350) and eggs with average (n = 350) yolk ratio. All of these eggs were incubated thereafter. After hatching 30 chicks per group (15 males and 15 females) were randomly chosen and after weighing their live weight they were euthanized. Their liver was removed from their body and its weight was recorded. The dry matter and fat content of the liver was determined thereafter. Based on the results it was established that because of the high variation of the examined traits mainly no significant differences were found between the experimental groups. It was concluded that the yolk ratio of the hatching eggs has no significant effect on the ratio of the liver to the liveweight and on the dry matter and fat content of the liver in hatched chicks.
Associations between polymorphisms in the leptin gene and milk production traits in Pinzgau and Slovak Spotted cattle
Authors: MORAVČÍKOVÁ Nina , TRAKOVICKÁ Anna , HAZUCHOVÁ Eva , BUJKO Jozef , KASARDA Radovan
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the polymorphism in the leptin gene and milk production traits in Pinzgau and Slovak Spotted cattle. A total of 85 Pinzgau and 110 Slovak Spotted cows were used to investigate how leptin gene polymorphisms affect milk production traits. The polymorphism of leptin gene in intron 2 on bovine chromosome 4 was genotyped by using the polymerase chain restriction fragment length polymorphism. A strategy employing PCR was used to amplify a 422 bp product from DNA samples. Digestion of PCR products with restriction enzyme Sau3AI revealed two alleles: allele A gave two fragments,390 and 32 bp in length and allele B gave three fragments of 303, 88, 32 bp. The predominant allele was A with observed frequency 0.69 (Pinzgau) and 0.83 (Slovak Spotted). In both populations were observed all three genotypes AA, AB and BB. Results from the statistical analysis between Sau3AI polymorphism and milk production parameters – milk, protein and fat yield (kg) were not significant. The comparison of animals from both breeds with the same genotype shows significant effect in Pinzgau cows with AA genotype on milk and protein yield (P ≤ 0.05).