bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engineered Cu-PEN Composites at the Nanoscale: Preparation and Characterisation
Authors: Pryjmaková Jana , Hryhoruk Mariia , Veselý Martin , Slepička Petr , Švorčík Václav , Siegel Jakub
Published: April 2022

As polymeric materials are already used in many industries, the range of their applications is constantly expanding. Therefore, their preparation procedures and the resulting properties require considerable attention. In this work, we designed the surface of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) introducing copper nanowires. The surface of PEN was transformed into coherent ripple patterns by treatment with a KrF excimer laser. Then, Cu deposition onto nanostructured surfaces by a vacuum evaporation technique was accomplished, giving rise to nanowires. The morphology of the prepared structures was investigated by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the distribution of Cu in the nanowires and their gradual oxidation. The optical properties of the Cu nanowires were measured by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The sessile drop method revealed the hydrophobic character of the Cu/PEN surface, which is important for further studies of biological responses. Our study suggests that a combination of laser surface texturing and vacuum evaporation can be an effective and simple method for the preparation of a Cu/polymer nanocomposite with potential exploitation in bioapplications; however, it should be borne in mind that significant post-deposition oxidation of the Cu nanowire occurs, which may open up new strategies for further biological applications.
Polygonum cuspidatum Extract (Pc-Ex) Containing Emodin Suppresses Lung Cancer-Induced Cachexia by Suppressing TCF4/TWIST1 Complex-Induced PTHrP Expression
Authors: Fang Xue-Quan , Kim Young-Seon , Lee Yoon-Mi , Lee Mingyu , Lim Woo-Jin , Yim Woo-Jong , Han Min-Woo , Lim Ji-Hong
Published: April 2022

Cachexia, which is characterised by the wasting of fat and skeletal muscles, is the most common risk factor for increased mortality rates among patients with advanced lung cancer. PTHLH (parathyroid hormone-like hormone) is reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of cancer cachexia. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of PTHLH expression and the inhibitors of PTHLH have not yet been identified. The PTHLH mRNA levels were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, while the PTHrP (parathyroid hormone-related protein) expression levels were measured using Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The interaction between TCF4 (Transcription Factor 4) and TWIST1 and the binding of the TCF4–TWIST1 complex to the PTHLH promoter were analysed using co-immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The results of the mammalian two-hybrid luciferase assay revealed that emodin inhibited TCF4–TWIST1 interaction. The effects of Polygonum cuspidatum extract (Pc-Ex), which contains emodin, on cachexia were investigated in vivo using A549 tumour-bearing mice. Ectopic expression of TCF4 upregulated PTHLH expression. Conversely, TCF4 knockdown downregulated PTHLH expression in lung cancer cells. The expression of PTHLH was upregulated in cells ectopically co-expressing TCF4 and TWIST1 when compared with that in cells expressing TCF4 or TWIST1 alone. Emodin inhibited the interaction between TCF4 and TWIST1 and consequently suppressed the TCF4/TWIST1 complex-induced upregulated mRNA and protein levels of PTHLH and PTHrP. Meanwhile, emodin-containing Pc-Ex significantly alleviated skeletal muscle atrophy and downregulated fat browning-related genes in A549 tumour-bearing mice. Emodin-containing Pc-Ex exerted therapeutic effects on lung cancer-associated cachexia by inhibiting TCF4/TWIST1 complex-induced PTHrP expression.
Gastrointestinal Protein Hydrolysis Kinetics: Opportunities for Further Infant Formula Improvement
Authors: Abrahamse Evan , Thomassen Gabriël G. M. , Renes Ingrid B. , Wierenga Peter A. , Hettinga Kasper A.
Published: April 2022

The postprandial plasma essential amino acid (AA) peak concentrations of infant formula (IF) are higher than those of human milk (HM) in infants. In addition, several HM proteins have been recovered intact in infant stool and appeared digestion resistant in vitro. We, therefore, hypothesized that gastrointestinal protein hydrolysis of IF is faster than HM and leads to accelerated absorbable digestion product release. HM and IF protein hydrolysis kinetics were compared in a two-step semi-dynamic in vitro infant digestion model, and the time course of degree of protein hydrolysis (DH), loss of intact protein, and release of free AA and peptides was evaluated. Gastric DH increase was similar for IF and HM, but the rate of intestinal DH increase was 1.6 times higher for IF than HM. Intact protein loss in IF was higher than HM from 120 min gastric phase until 60 min intestinal phase. Intestinal phase total digestion product (free AA + peptides <5 kDa) concentrations increased ~2.5 times faster in IF than HM. IF gastrointestinal protein hydrolysis and absorbable product release are faster than HM, possibly due to the presence of digestion-resistant proteins in HM. This might present an opportunity to further improve IF bringing it closer to HM.
Catching Them Early: Framework Parameters and Progress for Prenatal and Childhood Application of Advanced Therapies
Authors: Lederer Carsten W. , Koniali Lola , Buerki-Thurnherr Tina , Papasavva Panayiota L. , La Grutta Stefania , Licari Amelia , Staud Frantisek , Bonifazi Donato , Kleanthous Marina
Published: April 2022

Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) are medicines for human use based on genes, cells or tissue engineering. After clear successes in adults, the nascent technology now sees increasing pediatric application. For many still untreatable disorders with pre- or perinatal onset, timely intervention is simply indispensable; thus, prenatal and pediatric applications of ATMPs hold great promise for curative treatments. Moreover, for most inherited disorders, early ATMP application may substantially improve efficiency, economy and accessibility compared with application in adults. Vindicating this notion, initial data for cell-based ATMPs show better cell yields, success rates and corrections of disease parameters for younger patients, in addition to reduced overall cell and vector requirements, illustrating that early application may resolve key obstacles to the widespread application of ATMPs for inherited disorders. Here, we provide a selective review of the latest ATMP developments for prenatal, perinatal and pediatric use, with special emphasis on its comparison with ATMPs for adults. Taken together, we provide a perspective on the enormous potential and key framework parameters of clinical prenatal and pediatric ATMP application.
Clays as Vehicles for Drug Photostability
Authors: da Rocha Monsuêto C. , Galdino Thais , Trigueiro Pollyana , Honorio Luzia M. C. , de Melo Barbosa Raquel , Carrasco Santiago M. , Silva-Filho Edson C. , Osajima Josy A. , Viseras César
Published: April 2022

Clay minerals are often used due to their high adsorption capacity, which has sparked interest in their biological applications to stabilize drugs and pharmaceutical products. This research aims to summarize information about the stability of drugs, cosmetics, dermocosmetics, and pharmaceutical compounds incorporated in the structure of different clay minerals. The databases used to search the articles were Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct. Photostabilization of these compounds is reviewed and its importance demonstrated. For biological applications, the increase in solubility and bioavailability of clay minerals has proven useful for them as drug carriers. While their natural abundance, low toxicity, and accessible cost have contributed to classical applications of clay minerals, a wide range of interesting new applications may be facilitated, mainly through incorporating different organic molecules. The search for new functional materials is promising to challenge research on clay minerals in biological or biotechnological approaches.
Plant Essential Oil with Biological Activity
Authors: Elshafie Hazem S.
Published: April 2022

Plant essential oils (PEOs), extracted from many aromatic and medicinal plants, are used in folk medicine and often represent an important part of the traditional pharmacopoeia: they have a long history of use in folk medicine as antimicrobial agents to control several human and phyto-pathogens. Many PEOs have been registered as effective alternatives to chemical and synthetic antimicrobials, and in the last few decades, they have also been effectively used in the food industry as antioxidants and anticarcinogens, thanks to the efforts of many research/medical institutions and pharmaceutical companies. This Special Issue discussed the chemical composition and biological-pharmaceutical activities of some important PEOs and their single constituents. Detailed information has been also covered in this Special Issue regarding the mechanisms, possible modes of action, and factors affecting these activities, such as geographical origins, environmental conditions, nutritional status, and the extraction methods used.
Phytochemical Study of Eryngium cymosum F. Delaroche and the Inhibitory Capacity of Its Main Compounds on Two Glucose-Producing Pathway Enzymes
Authors: Romo-Pérez Adriana , Escandón-Rivera Sonia Marlen , Miranda Luis D. , Andrade-Cetto Adolfo
Published: April 2022

One undescribed acylated flavonol glucoside and five known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Eryngium cymosum F. Delaroche, a plant that is used in traditional Mexican medicine to treat type 2 diabetes. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using a variety of spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). Chlorogenic acid (1), rosmarinic acid (2), caffeic acid (3), protocatechuic acid (4), kaempferol-3-O-(2,6-di-O-trans-ρ-coumaryl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), and the new acylated flavonol glucoside quercetin-3-O-(2,6-di-O-trans-ρ-coumaryl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (6) were isolated. This is the first report on the natural occurrence of quercetin-3-O-(2,6-di-O-trans-ρ-coumaryl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (6). In addition, according to the HPLC profile obtained for the water extract (WE), chlorogenic acid (1) and rosmarinic acid (2) were identified as the main compounds, while kaempferol-3-O-(2,6-di-O-trans-ρ-coumaryl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (5) were the main compound in the butanolic extract. We demonstrate the important role of compound 5 over the inhibition of G6Pase and FBPase. The isolated compounds may play an important role in the hypoglycemic effect of the extract and may act in a synergic way, but more experiments are needed to corroborate these findings.
Modification of Cellulose Micro- and Nanomaterials to Improve Properties of Aliphatic Polyesters/Cellulose Composites: A Review
Authors: Stepanova Mariia , Korzhikova-Vlakh Evgenia
Published: April 2022

Aliphatic polyesters/cellulose composites have attracted a lot attention due to the perspectives of their application in biomedicine and the production of disposable materials, food packaging, etc. Both aliphatic polyesters and cellulose are biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, which makes them highly promising for the production of “green” composite materials. However, the main challenge in obtaining composites with favorable properties is the poor compatibility of these polymers. Unlike cellulose, which is very hydrophilic, aliphatic polyesters exhibit strong hydrophobic properties. In recent times, the modification of cellulose micro- and nanomaterials is widely considered as a tool to enhance interfacial biocompatibility with aliphatic polyesters and, consequently, improve the properties of composites. This review summarizes the main types and properties of cellulose micro- and nanomaterials as well as aliphatic polyesters used to produce composites with cellulose. In addition, the methods for noncovalent and covalent modification of cellulose materials with small molecules, polymers and nanoparticles have been comprehensively overviewed and discussed. Composite fabrication techniques, as well as the effect of cellulose modification on the mechanical and thermal properties, rate of degradation, and biological compatibility have been also analyzed.
Object Detection Algorithm for Surface Defects Based on a Novel YOLOv3 Model
Authors: Lv Ning , Xiao Jian , Qiao Yujing
Published: April 2022

The surface defects of industrial structural parts have the characteristics of a large-scale span and many small objects, so a novel YOLOv3 model, the YOLOv3-ALL algorithm, is proposed in this paper to solve the problem of precise defect detection. The K-means++ algorithm is combined with the intersection-over-union (IoU) and comparison of the prior box for clustering, which improves the clustering effect. The convolutional block attention module (CBAM) is embedded in the network, thus improving the ability of the network to obtain key information in the image. By adding fourth-scale prediction, the detection capability of a YOLOv3 network for small-object defects is greatly improved. A loss function is designed, which adds the generalized intersection-over-union (GIoU) loss combined with focal loss to solve the problems of L2 loss and class imbalance in samples. Experiments regarding contour-defect detection for stamping parts show that the mean average precision (mAP) of the YOLOV3-ALL algorithm reaches 75.05% in defect detection, which is 25.16% higher than that of the YOLOv3 algorithm. The average detection time is 39 ms/sheet. This proves that the YOLOv3-ALL algorithm has good real-time detection efficiency and high detection accuracy.
Culturing Important Plants for Sweet Secondary Products under Consideration of Environmentally Friendly Aspects
Authors: Preusche Matthias , Ulbrich Andreas , Schulz Margot
Published: April 2022

Some sweet tasting plant secondary metabolites are non-caloric or low nutritive compounds that have traditional use in food formulations. This mini-review focuses on conventional and advanced cultivation regimes of plants that accumulate sweet tasting or sweet taste modulating secondary metabolites of potential economic importance, in particular mogrosides (Siraitia grosvenorii), phyllodulcin (Hydrangea macrophylla), glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhiza glabra), steviol glycosides (Stevia grosvenorii), and rubusoside (Rubus suavissimus). Consequential obstacles during the cultivation of Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars outside their natural habitat in a protected cultivation environment are addressed. Culturing at non-habitat locations facilitates short transportation routes of plant material for processing, which can be a key to an economically and environmentally compatible usage. The biosynthetic pathways, as far as known, are shortly mentioned. The proved or hypothetical degradation pathways of the compounds to minimalize environmental contamination are another focal point.
Highly Efficient and Rapid Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution Using Folic Acid-Conjugated Dendritic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Almethen Abdurrahman A. , Alotaibi Khalid Mohammed , Alhumud Haitham S. , Alswieleh Abdullah M.
Published: April 2022

Dendritic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (DMSNs) are considered superior in the adsorption of unfavorable chemical compounds and biological pollutants. Herein, we have synthesized folic acid-terminated dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (FA-DMSN) for the removal of cationic dyes, methylene blue (MB), from aqueous solutions. The structural, morphological, functional, specific surface area, pore size distribution, and thermal properties of the synthesized DMSNs were identified using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Brunauer−Emmett−Teller (BET), and Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). The synthesized DMSNs exhibited a high surface area (521 m2 −1) and pore volume (1.2 cm3 g−1). In addition, it features both wide pore size and narrow distributions, which strongly affect the adsorption performance in terms of the equilibrium uptake time. Moreover, the impact of pH, contacting time, and dye’s initial concentration on the removal efficiency of MB was studied. The extraction efficiency of FA-DMSN was found to be three times more effective than the bare DMSN materials. Langmuir isotherm fitted the experimental data very well with a correlation coefficient value of 0.99. According to the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity was 90.7 mg/g. Furthermore, the intra−particle diffusion model revealed a significantly fast intra-particle diffusion which can be attributed to the presence of the large pore’s channels. Finally, the fast adsorption of MB molecules, reaching their equilibrium capacity within tens of seconds, as well as the low cost and ease of FA-DMSN fabrication, makes the developed material an effective adsorbent for water remediations.
A Novel Adaptive Sliding Mode Controller for a 2-DOF Elastic Robotic Arm
Authors: Tuan Hua Minh , Sanfilippo Filippo , Hao Nguyen Vinh
Published: April 2022

Collaborative robots (or cobots) are robots that are capable of safely operating in a shared environment or interacting with humans. In recent years, cobots have become increasingly common. Compliant actuators are critical in the design of cobots. In real applications, this type of actuation system may be able to reduce the amount of damage caused by an unanticipated collision. As a result, elastic joints are expected to outperform stiff joints in complex situations. In this work, the control of a 2-DOF robot arm with elastic actuators is addressed by proposing a two-loop adaptive controller. For the outer control loop, an adaptive sliding mode controller (ASMC) is adopted to deal with uncertainties and disturbance on the load side of the robot arm. For the inner loops, model reference adaptive controllers (MRAC) are utilised to handle the uncertainties on the motor side of the robot arm. To show the effectiveness of the proposed controller, extensive simulation experiments and a comparison with the conventional sliding mode controller (SMC) are carried out. As a result, the ASMC has a 50.35% lower average RMS error than the SMC controller, and a shorter settling time (5% criterion) (0.44 s compared to 2.11 s).
Drivers of Consumer Participation in Online Second-Hand Transactions
Authors: Hinojo Pedro , Suárez David , García-Mariñoso Begoña
Published: April 2022

Consumer participation in second-hand transactions is increasing, facilitated by digital platforms in the form of apps or websites. This study sheds light on the factors behind consumers’ decisions to demand used goods via online platforms. Applying a logit model to a sample of 6705 internet users in Spain, we explore the role of economic variables, situational factors and individual characteristics. Our original findings indicate that the use of online platforms to buy or rent second-hand goods is more likely when being male, relatively young, with children, a frequent internet user, with employment and living in a household with some price-consciousness and environmental awareness. The scarcity of brick-and-mortar stores in the area and car ownership can also increase demand for used goods through online platforms.
Effects of the Prophylactic HPV Vaccines on HPV Type Prevalence and Cervical Pathology
Authors: Hampson Ian N.
Published: April 2022

Vaccination programs with the current prophylactic HPV vaccines started in most countries around 2008 with introduction of the bivalent Cervarix HPV16/18 vaccine, rapidly followed by Gardasil (HPV6/11/16/18) and, finally, Gardasil 9 (HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58), from 2015. Many studies have now confirmed their ability to prevent infection with vaccine-covered HPV types, and the subsequent development of either genital warts and/or cervical neoplasia, although this is clearly more effective in younger women vaccinated prior to sexual debut. Most notably, reductions in the prevalence of vaccine-covered HPV types were also observed in unvaccinated women at the same geographical location, presumably by sexual dissemination of these changes, between vaccinated and unvaccinated women. Furthermore, there are several studies that have demonstrated vaccine-associated HPV type-replacement, where vaccine-covered, high-risk HPV types are replaced by high-risk HPV types not covered by the vaccines, and these changes were also observed in vaccinated and unvaccinated women in the same study population. In light of these observations, it is not entirely clear what effects vaccine-associated HPV type-replacement will have, particularly in older, unvaccinated women.
Hydroclimatic Conditions, Wildfire, and Species Assemblages Influence Co-Occurrence of Bull Trout and Tailed Frogs in Northern Rocky Mountain Streams
Authors: Pilliod David S. , Arkle Robert S. , Thurow Russell F. , Isaak Daniel J.
Published: April 2022

Although bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and tailed frogs (Ascaphus montanus) have co-existed in forested Pacific Northwest streams for millennia, these iconic cold-water specialists are experiencing rapid environmental change caused by a warming climate and enhanced wildfire activity. Our goal was to inform future conservation by examining the habitat associations of each species and conditions that facilitate co-occupancy. We repurposed data from previous studies in the northern Rocky Mountains to assess the efficacy of bull trout electrofishing surveys for determining the occurrence of tailed frogs and the predictive capacity of habitat covariates derived from in-stream measurements and geospatial sources to model distributions of both species. Electrofishing reliably detected frog presence (89.2% rate). Both species were strongly associated with stream temperature and flow regime characteristics, and less responsive to riparian canopy cover, slope, and other salmonids. Tailed frogs were also sensitive to wildfire, with occupancy probability peaking around 80 years after a fire. Co-occupancy was most probable in locations with low-to-moderate frequencies of high winter flow events, few other salmonids, a low base-flow index, and intermediate years since fire. The distributions of these species appear to be sensitive to environmental conditions that are changing this century in forests of the northern Rocky Mountains. The amplification of climate-driven effects after wildfire may prove to be particularly problematic in the future. Habitat differences between these two species, considered to be headwater specialists, suggest that conservation measures designed for one may not fully protect the other. Additional studies involving future climate and wildfire scenarios are needed to assess broader conservation strategies and the potential to identify refuge streams where both species are likely to persist, or complementary streams where each could exist separately into the future.
Long term clinical outcome following decompressive surgery for Cauda Equina Syndrome
Authors: Kumar Lohar Vishnu , Gaurav Jaiswal , Kumar Gupta Tarun , Kumar Jain Sachin , Govind Lodha Krishna , Kaushal Yadav
Published: April 2022

Study design: Retrospective study with prospective long-term clinical follow-up.

Background: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a neurosurgical emergency, mostly caused by herniated lumbar disc for which urgent surgical decompression is indicated. Data on long-term clinical outcome of bladder, bowel & sexual function following decompression are elusive.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical decompression on recovery of CES symptoms at long-term follow-up & role of timing of surgery on the outcome.

Methods: Records of 35 CES patients who underwent surgical decompression for herniated lumbar disc during a five years period retrospectively analysed & patients called for follow-up visits. Outcome measures comprised of history & clinical examination pertinent to bladder, bowel & sexual function.

Results: Twenty-four patients (68.5%) were included for final evaluation who attended follow-up visits, with a minimum follow-up period of one year. Most common complaint at presentation was bladder dysfunction (100%) with urinary retention in 16 patients (66.6%), faecal incontinence in 11 (45.8%), saddle anaesthesia in 22 (91.6%) & erectile dysfunction in 6 patients (out of 15 males). Only four patients underwent surgery within 48 hours of CES symptom onset, rest cases after 48 hours duration. At follow-up, bladder dysfunction present in 33.3% with urinary retention in 16.6%. Faecal incontinence persisted in 4 patients (16.6%) & saddle anaesthesia in 7 (29.1%). Sexual dysfunction was the most persistent complaint.

Conclusion: Long-term follow-up shows significant recovery of sphincteric function in CES patients after surgical decompression. Urinary & bowel dysfunction improve significantly. Timing to surgery didn’t affect the long-term outcome.
Multiple intracranial aneurysms in subarachnoid haemorrhage. Which one has bled?
Authors: Al-Sharshahi Zahraa F. , Hoz Samer S. , Altaweel Mustafa M. Altaweel
Published: April 2022

This paper is intended as an illustrative teaching case. It gives a porotype case of a patient with subarachnoid haemorrhage and multiple intracranial aneurysms, where the CT data is non-conclusive as to the source of haemorrhage. The paper then discusses the diagnostic challenges and management pearls, pertaining to such scenarios. The paper concludes with a few “take-home points” that summarise the criteria to be applied in such cases.
Spinal conditions in geriatric patients in developing countries
Authors: Al-Mirza Abdulrahman , Al-Taei Omar , Al-Saadi Tariq
Published: April 2022

Background: The spinal injury in an elderly patient is associated with higher mortality and an increased frequency of life-threatening complications and specifically spinal cord injuries. The aim of this study is to study the prevalence of geriatric spinal neurosurgical conditions in the Neurosurgical Department at Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
Results: 171 patients were admitted due to spinal pathologies, which will be the main focus of the present study with an average age of 70.7 years. The male-to-female ratio was (1.5:1). Degenerative conditions were the most common spinal diagnosis (90.6%) followed by traumatic accidents (2.9%). Most of the patients underwent surgical intervention (78.9%). The majority of the patients (91.2%) of the patients stayed in the hospital for less than 15 days. There was a significant difference between the age of patients above and below 75 years the gender (p=0.003) and between the length of stay and type of intervention (P<0.005).
Conclusion: Spinal cord-related pathologies are a growing cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, because of the increasing number of elderly people due to an increasingly rising life span worldwide. In the present study, degenerative conditions were the most common spinal diagnosis followed by traumatic accidents.
Letter to the editor. Face-off between glioma and meningioma
Authors: Chouksey Dinesh , Goyal Nitisha , Garg Rishu , Sodani Ajoy K.
Published: April 2022

Gliomas are malignant, and intrinsic cerebral tumours may cause tumour-infiltrative oedema. Meningiomas are mostly benign, extrinsic cerebral tumours that do not infiltrate the surrounding parenchyma. Meningiomas may give rise to vasogenic oedema in the peritumoral tissue.[1] The radiological diagnosis of cerebral tumours may be non-conclusive on conventional MRI in few cases, and diagnosis must rely on histopathological analysis. [2] We report a case that has an atypical clinical presentation with nonconclusive MRI brain,  and finally, histopathology confirmed the diagnosis.
Clinicopathological features, imaging characteristics and surgical management in a novel tumour entity - aggressive meningiomas
Authors: Popescu G. , Paslaru Francesca , Paslaru A.C. , Apostol M. , Zaharia M.C. , Corneliu T. , Mitrica M. , Popescu M. , Gorgan R.M.
Published: April 2022

Meningiomas are common neoplasms of the central nervous system, comprising between 24 and 30% of primary intracranial tumours, most commonly affecting females in their middle age or later adult life [1] [2].

Meningiomas are classified as benign, atypical or anaplastic meningiomas depending mostly on histopathological criteria known to be associated with worse prognosis in terms of tumour progression, recurrence risk after surgery and overall survival. The 2016 edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of Central Nervous System (CNS) tumours recognizes brain invasion as an independent criterion for diagnosing an atypical grade II meningioma [3]. Meningioma grading based on the WHO classification of CNS tumours thoroughly impacts therapeutic management and tumour prognosis.

Aggressive meningiomas, a different phenotype of tumours, characterized by rapid growth and involvement of adjacent brain tissue, blood vessels and bone, was not previously listed as an independent entity in the WHO classification of meningothelial-cell tumours. 

Regarding the increasing importance of tumour grading in meningioma treatment strategies, the authors here provide an overview of clinicopathological and radiographic features, surgical management and long-term prognosis of this novel meningothelial tumour entity, the aggressive meningioma. In particular, we aimed to describe pre-, intra- and postoperative methods for recognizing aggressive meningiomas and explore the implications of this diagnosis on both surgical strategies and adjuvant therapy.
Imaging characteristics, histopathological features and surgical considerations regarding aggressive meningiomas
Authors: Popescu G. , Paslaru Francesca , Paslaru A.C. , Apostol M. , Zaharia M.C. , Corneliu T. , Mitrica M. , Popescu M. , Gorgan R.M.
Published: April 2022

Meningiomas are tumours of the meninges that arise primarily from arachnoidal cap cells, but they can also occur rarely as primary tumours in other localizations, such as within the ventricles. They stand for 24-30% of primary intracranial tumours and affect mostly women in their middle age or later adult life [1, 2]. Meningiomas can be classified, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of Central Nervous System (CNS) tumours, as benign (grade I, most frequently encountered type), atypical (grade II) or anaplastic (grade III), based mostly on histopathological criteria known to be associated with tumour progression, recurrence risk and survival. Since meningioma grading based on the WHO classification is the most important factor determining therapeutic management and tumour prognosis, there has been an increasing interest in adding new criteria for better characterization of these tumours. Thus, the 2016 edition of the WHO classification recognized brain invasion as an independent criterion for atypical (grade II) meningioma diagnosis [3]. However, meningiomas that display aggressive features such as rapid growth and higher recurrence rate, can also involve blood vessels and bone. Hence, the authors aim to describe a different entity, aggressive meningiomas, not previously listed as a tumour phenotype in the WHO classification of meningothelial-cell tumours, with regard to pre-, intra- and postoperative methods for diagnosis and explore the implications on surgical strategies and adjuvant therapy.
Postoperative complications in endoscopic frontal transcortical surgery of lateral and third ventricle tumours
Authors: Palamar Orest I. , Huk Andriy P. , Teslenko Dmytro S. , Aksyonov Ruslan V. , Okonskyi Dmytro I. , Lazko Nazarii V.
Published: April 2022

Neurosurgical approaches to lesions of the lateral and the third ventricles are divided into two fundamentally different groups: transcortical neurosurgical approaches, including - endoscopic and interhemispheric transcallosal micro-neurosurgical approaches. Complications in surgery of lateral and third ventricle tumours are often associated with the specific approach technique and could be transient. We analyzed postoperative neurological complications and the approach criteria on MRI or CT scans in the postoperative period such as localization of corticotomy, distance from corticotomy to the coronal suture, “angle of attack” after the frontal transcortical approach to the lateral and third ventricle based on 54 cases and presume transient nature of specific to approach complications and approaches’ factors that have a role in postoperative mutism.
The complementary multimodal treatment of recalcitrant cerebral aneurysms
Authors: Deniwar Mohamed Adel , Kassem Mohamed , Ezzeldin Ashraf , Jafar Jafar J.
Published: April 2022

Background: The main treatment of cerebral aneurysms is direct surgical clipping or endovascular coil embolization. However, some cerebral aneurysms that we reviewed in the literature are still not susceptible to a single treatment approach. These aneurysms can be referred to as complex aneurysms.

Objective:  We aim to report these aneurysms and share our clinical experience with their treatment and diagnosis.

Methods: All cases of cerebral aneurysms treated in New York University and in Mansoura University from 2010-2021 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: 18 patients with 21 cerebral aneurysms were treated by combined surgical and endovascular modalities. Aneurysms associated with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in 3 patients, associated with vasospasm in 7 patients, and 3 patients had double aneurysms. A total of 18 patients with aneurysms were treated with combined endovascular and microsurgical therapy. Early angiogram (< 1 week) revealed; complete obliteration of 19 aneurysms (90%) out of a total of 21 aneurysms, residual filling was observed in 2 aneurysms (10%). Late radiological follow up (> 3 months- 2 years) revealed; a stable residual filling in one and the other case underwent retreatment.

Conclusions: The recalcitrant or complex cerebral aneurysms can be better referred to as diseases rather than lesions as many clinical and anatomical factors make their treatment difficult. Endovascular and microsurgery could be complementary to each other and create a multimodal approach for treating them.
Reperfusion injury in brain stroke
Authors: Rahman Sabrina , Rahman Moshiur
Published: April 2022

The occlusion of a cerebral artery by a thrombus accounts for about 80% of strokes. Reperfusion can save hypoperfused brain tissue from early cerebral blood flow restoration (CBF), thus limiting neurological impairment. The most successful treatments for stroke care have proven to be reperfusion techniques. One of the key drawbacks of these treatment methods is that early ischemic brain tissue reperfusion can lead to adverse effects, including blood-brain barrier breakdown, which can lead to cerebral oedema, haemorrhage of the brain, or both. Haemorrhages are especially devastating after reperfusion and are associated with exceptionally high morbidity and mortality. Fear of haemorrhage-related reperfusion greatly restricts the use of stroke therapies. Reperfusion injury, a mechanism that further damages brain cells, the ischemic arterial wall, and the microvasculature, is due to the deleterious effects of early restoration of cerebral blood flow following stroke. It seems clear that the brain will benefit from therapies to restore CBF to an ischemic region. The brain's reliance on normal CBF levels is underlined by the sensitivity of the brain to relatively short ischaemic cycles. Experimental and clinical data, however, suggests that tissue damage can be aggravated by organ reperfusion. [1] Studies have failed to prove that infarct size is increased by reperfusion. Reperfusion can aggravate the formation of oedema and lead to abnormal blood flow patterns and microvascular lesions within the reperfused areas.
Schwannoma of the digital nerve
Authors: Aleksić Vuk , Prelić Jovana , Radojević Matija , Ćulafić Radmila
Published: April 2022

Schwannomas are the most common benign tumours affecting the peripheral nervous system. They represent a benign proliferation of Schwann cells. Schwannomas and other peripheral nerve sheath tumours are common in the head and neck, spine, thorax, abdominal wall, and retroperitoneum. However, localization in hand is exceptional. We present a 22-years-old female patient diagnosed and operated on for schwannoma of the digital nerve (dorsal cutaneous branch originating from the palmar cutaneous branch of ulnar nerve). In the case of a palpable hand mass, one of the possible diagnoses is schwannoma, and since the operative technique is somewhat specific with tumour enucleation and internal neurolysis, it is necessary to preoperatively keep in mind schwannoma in the differential diagnosis.
Correlation of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio to clinical outcomes based on 6 months surveillance on traumatic brain injury patients at Haji Adam Malik General Hospital
Authors: Lizen Nindi , Dharmajaya Ridha , Sastrodiningrat Abdul Gofar , Mahyudanil Mahyudanil
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of disability, death, and economic loss in many countries around the world. The annual incidence in the United States is reported to reach 1.7 million sufferers, in Europe it is reported as 262 per 100,000 people per year, and in Indonesia, the incidence is increasing by 1% every year. Direct and indirect damage resulting from a traumatic brain injury can cause inflammation by activating glial cells and leukocytes, inducing the release of proinflammatory cytokines, and accelerating neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Recently, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proposed to be a predictor of clinical outcomes for various neurological diseases such as stroke and traumatic brain injury. To put it simply, elevated NLR levels in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage were independently associated with worse clinical outcomes. Researchers want to research the relationship between NLR and outcome based on 6 months GOS in traumatic brain injury patients at Haji Adam Malik General Hospital Medan.
Methods: An observational analytic study with a retrospective cohort design. Samples were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria from a traumatic brain injury at H. Adam Malik General Hospital Medan in 2018-2020.
Results: The research data were normally distributed and analyzed by the Pearson trial; the sig value was obtained. (2-tailed) of 0.798 (P > 0.05), which means there is no between NLR and 6 months GOS outcome in traumatic brain injury patients.
Conclusion: There was no relationship between NLR and outcome based on GOS 6 months of traumatic brain injury patients.
Potencial de estabelecimento precoce de procedências de Eucalyptus cloeziana em sistema silvipastoril em Bom Sucesso, MG
Authors: Almeida Rodolfo Soares de , Nunes Miranda Evandro , Queiroz Abreu Torres Anatoly , Martins Nieri Erick , Amaral de Melo Lucas
Published: April 2022

Os sistemas agroflorestais com eucalipto são amplamente difundidos, contudo dentre algumas espécies potenciais são incipientes os trabalhos com melhoramento, sendo necessário avaliar e ranquear as procedências utilizadas. Neste contexto, objetivou-se avaliar o potencial de estabelecimento de quatro procedências de Eucalyptus cloeziana em sistemas agroflorestais. O experimento foi estabelecido no arranjo ((3 x 2) + 10) m, no delineamento de blocos casualizados completos com oito repetições e 15 plantas por parcela. As procedências testadas foram oriundas de sementes das populações de Itamarandiba, Carmo da Mata, Virginópolis e Belo Horizonte. Foram mensurados, aos 26 meses de idade, a sobrevivência, a altura (H) e o diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) e estimado o volume (Vol) e a área de copa (AC). As procedências não diferiram quanto a sobrevivência. Para as variáveis H e DC destaca-se a procedência Itamarandiba, para Vol e AC a procedência Belo Horizonte teve desempenho aquém das demais. Em conclusão, Eucalyptus cloeziana apresenta boa adaptação às condições de sistema silvipastoril em Bom Sucesso – MG e destaca a procedência Itamarandiba como a de melhor desempenho silvicultural.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnostic distribution in dermatology outpatient clinic
Authors: COŞANSU Nur Cihan , YALDIZ Mahizer , SEVİMLİ DİKİCİER Bahar , ERKORKMAZ Ünal
Published: April 2022

Objective

The admission frequency of diseases, including dermatological diseases, has changed after the COVID-19 outbreak. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in the diagnosis distribution of dermatology outpatient clinics during the COVID-19 outbreak by comparing it with the same period of the last year.

Materials and Methods

The International Codes of Diseases (ICD-10) categories and patient's diagnoses were evaluated before and after the pandemic. All patients, who applied to the dermatology outpatient clinic between June 1, 2020, and September 1, 2020, were included in our study. This information was compared with the same period of the previous year.

Results

The hospital admissions were found reduced by 42.6%. The ratio of the patients with dermatophytosis, anogenital warts, scabies, seborrheic keratosis, urticaria, and xerosis cutis was significantly increased (p < 0.05), while the ratio of patients with actinic keratosis, callosities and corns, allergic contact dermatitis, lichen simplex, melasma, mycosis fungoides, nail disorders, nevi, prurigo nodularis, pruritus, psoriasis, and warts were significantly decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This is the first study on the frequency and most common types of outpatient dermatology visits, during the period of restriction reduction 3-6 months after the coronavirus pandemic. Many factors such as restrictions and hygiene practices, that affecting the quality of life, may cause changes in the diagnostic distribution of dermatology.
Bibliometric Analysis of Publications on Vertebral Osteomyelitis Infections
Authors: ALIRAVCI Işıl Deniz
Published: April 2022

Objective: Vertebral osteomyelitis is defined as an infection of the intervertebral disc and the disc space of the adjacent vertebrae, which causes mortality and morbidity. This disease has started to be detected more frequently due to increased diagnostic possibilities. In this study, we aimed to review the contribution of the increasing number of cases to the scientific literature.

Method: This bibliometric analysis study was carried out by searching the keywords "vertebral osteomyelitis (VO)" or "spondylodiscitis" in Scopus database of Elsevier. English was chosen for the searching language. The distribution of the number of publications by years was evaluated in terms of the institution in which the publications were made, the language of the publication, the country, the author, the institutions providing financial support, the number of citations and the journal in which they were published.

Results: It was determined that there were 2679 publications on vertebral osteomyelitis(VO). First publication was published in 1911. While there was very few publication on this subject until 1937, the number of publications after year 1980s were increased (Graph 1). A total number of 1924 (71.81%) were published after the year 2000. The authors with the highest number of articles in this field were Louis Bernard (16 publications) and Aurélien Dinh (16 publications) from France. A total number of 2576 (96.15%) publications were published in the field of medicine. There were publications on VO in 20 different disciplines, from nursing to veterinary. The publications were consisted of 2123 (79.24%) articles, 261 (9.7%) of them are not categorized, 9 (0.33%) letters to the editor, 150 (5.59%) reviews, and 136 (5.07%) other types of studies (conference papers, notes, book chapters, etc.). The dominant language of publication was English (1992, 74.35%). The most scientifically productive countries on VO were United States (n=452, 16.87%), France (n=303, 11.31%) and Germany (n=248, 9.25%).

Conclusion: It is necessary to support scientific activities on VO and increase the number of publications made globally.
Does photobiomodulation therapy improve the postoperative outcomes of tonsillectomy? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: de Arruda José Alcides Almeida , Sampaio Gerhilde Callou , de Sena Ana Carolina Velasco Pondé , Schuch Lauren Frenzel , Ribeiro Jaziel Pereira , Martins Manoela Domingues , Silva Tarcília Aparecida , Mesquita Ricardo Alves , Abreu Lucas Guimarães
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Postoperative management of patients undergoing tonsillectomy is challenging. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has emerged as a new tool providing therapeutic benefits. However, the contribution of PBMT to the postoperative outcomes of tonsillectomy is still undefined. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the published literature addressing the effects of PBMT on post-tonsillectomy. Methods: Searches in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and grey literature were carried out for the identification of randomised controlled trials reported up to August/2021. The risk of bias with the Cochrane Collaboration tool and meta-analysis was performed. Outcomes were assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Results: A total of 1183 articles were retrieved, of which only two were included for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The wavelengths were 685 nm and 980 nm with energy density set at 4 J/cm². The mandibular angle and the surgical wound were the sites of laser irradiation. Individuals who had not undergone PBMT after tonsillectomy were more likely to report pain and odynophagia in the first 24 hours after surgery than individuals who had undergone PBMT after tonsillectomy (P<0.001). Children who received PBMT after tonsillectomy were equally affected by pain and odynophagia in the first seven days after surgery compared to children who had not undergone PBMT after tonsillectomy (P>0.05). However, both studies found a significant association of PBMT with reduced analgesic consumption. Conclusion: Although PBMT seems promising for the management of individuals undergoing tonsillectomy, a limited number of studies are available in the literature.
Borders recolonised – the impacts of the EU externalisation policy in Africa
Authors: Opi Bosco
Published: April 2022

This article examines the impacts of the European Union’s (EU) border externalisation policy and how it has contributed to prolonged refugee encampment in Africa. The EU signed interdiction and readmission agreements with a few African countries whereby refugees and asylum seekers en route to Europe are forcefully captured and refouled to Africa. The EU-Africa cooperation is often framed in humanitarian language as ‘development cooperation’, which characterises a neo-colonial engagement with Africa. There is a plethora of literature on the EU externalisation policy but largely written from a Eurocentric perspective as they glorify refugees and asylum seekers’ refoulement to Africa. Sadly, the majority of those refouled in the past two decades come from war-torn countries such as Somalia and Sudan where they faced torture and the death penalty.

I advance an Afrocentric perspective to critique the EU externalisation policy which is largely focused on keeping African refugees in their region of origin. I deploy numerous theoretical frameworks, including Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL) scholarship, Anibal Quijano’s coloniality theory, Frantz Fanon’s decoloniality theory, Achille Mbembe’s postcolonial theory and Giorgio Agamben’s theory of the state of exception to critique that the outsourcing of the EU’s immigration control to some of the poorest nations in the world is understood in the context of colonial relations to Africa.