bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rationale and design of the cardiovascular status in patients with endogenous cortisol excess study (CV-CORT-EX): a prospective non-interventional follow-up study
Authors: Ehrlich Kristina , Morbach Caroline , Reiter Theresa , Heuschmann Peter Ulrich , Hannemann Anke , Fassnacht Martin , Störk Stefan , Hahner Stefanie , Deutschbein Timo
Published: January 2021

Background

Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS) results in increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. So far, most studies focussed on distinct disease entities rather than the integrity of the CV system. We here describe the design of the Cardiovascular Status in Endogenous Cortisol Excess Study (CV-CORT-EX), a study aiming to comprehensively investigate the health status of patients with endogenous CS (with a particular focus on CV phenotypes, biochemical aspects, quality of life, and psychosocial status).

Method

A prospective non-interventional cohort study performed at a German tertiary referral centre. At the time of enrolment, patients will be categorised as: (1) newly diagnosed overt CS, (2) recurrent overt CS, (3) CS in remission, (4) presence of mild autonomous cortisol excess (MACE). The target cohorts will be n = 40 (groups 1 + 2), n = 80 (group 3), and n = 20 (group 4). Patients with overt CS at the time of enrolment will be followed for 12 months after remission (with re-evaluations after 6 and 12 months). At each visit, patients will undergo transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, 24-h electrocardiogram, 24-h blood pressure measurement, and indirect evaluation of endothelial function. Furthermore, a standardised clinical investigation, an extensive biochemical workup, and a detailed assessment of quality of life and psychosocial status will be applied. Study results (e.g. cardiac morphology and function according to transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; e.g. prevalence of CV risk factors) from patients with CS will be compared with matched controls without CS derived from two German population-based studies.

Discussion

CV-CORT-EX is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the health status of patients with endogenous CS, mainly focussing on CV aspects, and the holistic changes following remission.

Trail registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) NCT03880513, registration date: 19 March 2019 (retrospectively registered). Protocol Date: 28 March 2014, Version 2.
Evaluating the impact of a medical school cohort sexual health course on knowledge, counseling skills and sexual attitude change
Authors: Ross Michael W. , Bayer Carey Roth , Shindel Alan , Coleman Eli
Published: January 2021

Background

Sexual health is generally considered an integral part of medical and allied healthcare professional training. However, many medical schools do not offer this as a mandatory curriculum, or minimize it. Sexual health as an academic area was introduced in the 1970s, but there have been few cohort evaluations of its impact. This was limited by the availability of few psychometric scales for evaluation. We evaluated the full, mandatory, sexual health course in year 1 medicine at a large state university in the Midwest US, including the course with lectures; panels and tutorials; a video app to give students feedback on their sexual history taking skills; and a 3-station sexual history OSCE at the end of the course.

Results

Seventy-four medical students (43% of the course cohort) volunteered, for an incentive, to complete evaluation materials pre- and post-course. We used the Sexual Health Education for Professionals Scale (SHEPS), designed and with appropriate psychometric standardization for such evaluation. The SHEPS data covers 7-point Likert scale ratings of 37 patient situations, asking first how well the student could communicate with such a patient, and on the second part how much knowledge they have to care for such a patient. The third subscale examines personal sexual attitudes and beliefs. Data indicated that the matched pretest-posttest ratings for skills and knowledge were all statistically significant and with very large effect sizes. Few of the attitude subscale items were significant and if so, had small effect sizes. Sexual attitudes and beliefs may be well-formed before entry into medical school, and sexual health teaching and learning has minimal effect on sexual attitudes in this US sample. However, using the 3 sexuality OSCE cases scores as outcomes, two of the 26 attitude-belief items predicted > 24% of the variance.

Conclusions

The sexual health course produced major changes in Communications with patients sexual health skills and Knowledge of sexual health, but little change in personal Attitudes about sexuality. These data suggest that personal attitude change is not essential for teaching US medical students to learn about sexual health and sexual function and dysfunction, and comfortably take a comprehensive sexual history.
Recurrent PALB2 mutations and the risk of cancers of bladder or kidney in Polish population
Authors: Złowocka-Perłowska Elżbieta , Dębniak Tadeusz , Słojewski Marcin , Lemiński Artur , Soczawa Michał , van de Wetering Thierry , Trubicka Joanna , Kluźniak Wojciech , Wokołorczyk Dominika , Cybulski Cezary , Lubiński Jan
Published: January 2021

Introduction

The role of PALB2 in carcinogenesis remains to be clarified. Our main goal was to determine the prevalence of PALB2 (509_510delGA and 172_175delTTGT) mutations in bladder and kidney cancer patients from Polish population.

Materials and methods

1413 patients with bladder and 810 cases with kidney cancer and 4702 controls were genotyped for two PALB2 variants: 509_510delGA and 172_175delTTGT.

Results

Two mutations of PALB2 gene were detected in 5 of 1413 (0.35%) unselected bladder cases and in 10 of 4702 controls (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% CI 0.56–4.88; p = 0.52). Among 810 unselected kidney cancer cases two PALB2 mutations were reported in two patients (0,24%) (odds ratio [OR], (OR = 1.2; 95% CI 0.25–5.13; p = 0.84). In cases with mutations in PALB2 gene cancer family history was negative.

Conclusion

We found no difference in the prevalence of recurrent PALB2 mutations between cases and healthy controls. The mutations in PALB2 gene seem not to play a major role in bladder and kidney cancer development in Polish patients.
Knowledge translation tools to guide care of non-intubated patients with acute respiratory illness during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors:   for the LHSC Ventilation Strategy for COVID-19 Working Group, Leasa David , Cameron Paul , Honarmand Kimia , Mele Tina , Bosma Karen J.
Published: January 2021

Providing optimal care to patients with acute respiratory illness while preventing hospital transmission of COVID-19 is of paramount importance during the pandemic; the challenge lies in achieving both goals simultaneously. Controversy exists regarding the role of early intubation versus use of non-invasive respiratory support measures to avoid intubation. This review summarizes available evidence and provides a clinical decision algorithm with risk mitigation techniques to guide clinicians in care of the hypoxemic, non-intubated, patient during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although aerosolization of droplets may occur with aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMP), including high flow nasal oxygen and non-invasive ventilation, the risk of using these AGMP is outweighed by the benefit in carefully selected patients, particularly if care is taken to mitigate risk of viral transmission. Non-invasive support measures should not be denied for conditions where previously proven effective and may be used even while there is suspicion of COVID-19 infection. Patients with de novo acute respiratory illness with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 may also benefit. These techniques may improve oxygenation sufficiently to allow some patients to avoid intubation; however, patients must be carefully monitored for signs of increased work of breathing. Patients showing signs of clinical deterioration or high work of breathing not alleviated by non-invasive support should proceed promptly to intubation and invasive lung protective ventilation strategy. With adherence to these principles, risk of viral spread can be minimized.
ADAM10 plasma levels predict worsening in cognition of older adults: a 3-year follow-up study
Authors: Oliveira Monteiro Maria Patrícia A. , Salheb Oliveira Danielle S. M. , Manzine Patrícia R. , Crispim Nascimento Carla M. , dos Santos Orlandi Ariene A. , de Oliveira Gomes Grace A. , dos Santos Orlandi Fabiana , Zazzetta Marisa S. , Pott-Junior Henrique , Cominetti Marcia R.
Published: January 2021

Background

Blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are highly needed in clinic practice. So far, the gold standards for AD diagnosis are brain neuroimaging and beta-amyloid peptide, total tau, and phosphorylated tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); however, they are not attractive for large-scale screening. Blood-based biomarkers allow an initial large-scale screening of patients under suspicion that could later be tested for the already established CSF biomarkers. To this regard, in this study, we evaluated whether plasma ADAM10 levels would be predictors of declines in cognition in community-dwelling older adults after a 3-year period follow-up.

Methods

This was a 3-year longitudinal cohort study that included 219 community-dwelling older adults. Sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, depressive symptoms (GDS), and cognitive data (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE; Clock Drawing test, CDT) were gathered. The measurement of ADAM10 plasma levels was performed using a sandwich ELISA kit. Bivariate comparisons between groups were performed using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney for continuous data and Pearson’s chi-square tests with Yates continuity correction for categorical data. Longitudinal analyzes of changes in the MMSE scores were performed using linear mixed-effects modeling.

Results

Baseline MMSE scores and ADAM10 levels were significantly associated with MMSE scores on the follow-up assessment. When analyzing the interaction with time, normal MMSE scores and the ADAM10 plasma levels at baseline presented a significant and independent negative association with MMSE score values on the follow-up assessment. The analyses also showed that the predictive effect of ADAM10 plasma levels on decreasing MMSE scores on follow-up seems to be more pronounced in participants with normal MMSE, when compared with those with altered MMSE scores at baseline.

Conclusions

Considering that ADAM10 increase in plasma is detected as soon as in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, the results presented here may support the complementary clinical use of this biomarker, in addition to the classical AD biomarkers. Taken together, these results provide the first direct evidence that changes in ADAM10 plasma levels are predictors of cognitive worsening in older adults. Moreover, this work can shed light on the study of blood biomarkers for AD and contribute to the advancement of the area.
Persistence of intramyocardially transplanted murine induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes from different developmental stages
Authors: Peinkofer Gabriel , Maass Martina , Pfannkuche Kurt , Sachinidis Agapios , Baldus Stephan , Hescheler Jürgen , Saric Tomo , Halbach Marcel
Published: January 2021

Background

Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM) are regarded as promising cell type for cardiac cell replacement therapy, but it is not known whether the developmental stage influences their persistence and functional integration in the host tissue, which are crucial for a long-term therapeutic benefit. To investigate this, we first tested the cell adhesion capability of murine iPSC-CM in vitro at three different time points during the differentiation process and then examined cell persistence and quality of electrical integration in the infarcted myocardium in vivo.

Methods

To test cell adhesion capabilities in vitro, iPSC-CM were seeded on fibronectin-coated cell culture dishes and decellularized ventricular extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds. After fixed periods of time, stably attached cells were quantified. For in vivo experiments, murine iPSC-CM expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein was injected into infarcted hearts of adult mice. After 6–7 days, viable ventricular tissue slices were prepared to enable action potential (AP) recordings in transplanted iPSC-CM and surrounding host cardiomyocytes. Afterwards, slices were lysed, and genomic DNA was prepared, which was then used for quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate grafted iPSC-CM count.

Results

The in vitro results indicated differences in cell adhesion capabilities between day 14, day 16, and day 18 iPSC-CM with day 14 iPSC-CM showing the largest number of attached cells on ECM scaffolds. After intramyocardial injection, day 14 iPSC-CM showed a significant higher cell count compared to day 16 iPSC-CM. AP measurements revealed no significant difference in the quality of electrical integration and only minor differences in AP properties between d14 and d16 iPSC-CM.

Conclusion

The results of the present study demonstrate that the developmental stage at the time of transplantation is crucial for the persistence of transplanted iPSC-CM. iPSC-CM at day 14 of differentiation showed the highest persistence after transplantation in vivo, which may be explained by a higher capability to adhere to the extracellular matrix.
Correction to: Length of hospitalization is associated with selected biomarkers (albumin and lymphocytes) and with co-morbidities: study on 4000 patients
Authors: Pontiroli Antonio E. , Loreggian Lara , Rovati Marco P. L. , De Patto Elena , Folini Laura , Raveglia Federico , De Simone Matilde , Baisi Alessandro , Cioffi Ugo
Published: January 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Application of biochar-coated urea controlled loss of fertilizer nitrogen and increased nitrogen use efficiency
Authors: Jia Yiman , Hu Zhengyi , Ba Yuxin , Qi Wenfang
Published: January 2021

Background

The use of biochar-based N fertilizers have been considered among the most effective strategy for reducing nitrogen loss and improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, effect and mechanism of biochar-coated urea (BCU) controlling the loss of nitrogen from soil and NUE are rarely reported.

Methodology

In this study, a 65-d culture pot experiment of oilseed rape was used to investigate the impact of BCU on nitrogen leaching, ammonia volatilization, soil nitrogen concentrations, soil pH, nitrogen uptake, NUE and oilseed rape biomass as compared with urea and urea combined with biochar at same nitrogen level.

Results

Results showed that the application of BCU could minimize nitrogen loss mainly by reducing nitrate leaching loss; which could be attributed to the slow-release performance of BCU, followed by biochar induced adsorption/fixation of nitrogen due to the porous nature and surface functional groups of biochar. However, the application of BCU enhanced ammonia volatilization due to the increase of soil NH4+–N concentration and pH value of microenvironment around urea by BCU. The application of BCU increased NUE by about 20% when compared with urea, since BCU reduced losses of nitrogen fertilizer and increased concentration of nitrogen in the soil as well as nitrogen uptake in oilseed rape. Furthermore, the reduction of nitrogen application by 20% when BCU served as a nitrogen source not only reduced nitrogen loss but significantly improved NUE, with no negative effect on the biomass of oilseed rape.

Conclusion

BCU can serve as a promising control release nitrogen fertilizer for reducing loss of nitrogen and increasing NUE. However further investigations are required to validate the dosage-effect relationship of BCU on crop yield at the field scale.
An emergency department medical record review for adolescent intentional self-harm injuries
Authors: Hansen Anna , Slavova Dessi , Cooper Gena , Zummer Jaryd , Costich Julia
Published: January 2021

Background

Non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempts are increasing problems among American adolescents. This study developed a definition for identifying intentional self-harm (ISH) injuries in emergency department (ED) records coded with International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes. The definition is based on the injury-reporting framework proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study sought to estimate the definition’s positive predictive value (PPV), and the proportion of ISH injuries with intent to die (i.e., suicide attempt).

Methods

The study definition, based on first-valid external cause-of-injury ICD-10-CM codes X71-X83, T14.91, T36-T65, or T71, captured 207 discharge records for initial encounters for ISH in one Kentucky ED. Medical records were reviewed to confirm provider-documented diagnosis for ISH, and identify intent to die or suicide ideation. The PPV of the study definition for capturing provider-documented ISH injuries was reported with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results

The estimated PPV for the study definition to capture ISH injuries was 88.9%, 95% CI (83.8%, 92.8%). The estimated percentage of ISH with intent to die was 45.9, 95% CI (47.1, 61.0%). The ICD-10-CM code “suicide attempt” (T14.91) captured only 7 cases, but coding guidelines restrict assignment of this code to cases in which the mechanism of the suicide attempt is unknown.

Conclusions

The proposed case definition supported a robust PPV for ISH injuries. Our findings add to the evidence that the current ICD-10-CM coding system and coding guidelines do not allow identification of ISH with intent to die; modifications are needed to address this issue.
Relationship between corneal biomechanical parameters and corneal sublayer thickness measured by Corvis ST and UHR-OCT in keratoconus and normal eyes
Authors: Li Yong , Xu Zhiqiang , Liu Qiaoli , Wang Yuzhou , Lin Kan , Xia Jiahui , Chen Shihao , Hu Liang
Published: January 2021

Background

To explore the relationship between corneal biomechanical parameters and corneal sublayer thickness using corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology (Corvis ST) and ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (UHR-OCT) in clinical and suspected keratoconus and normal eyes.

Methods

Cross-sectional prospective study. A total of 94 eyes of 70 participants were recruited. Twenty five eyes of 19 keratoconus patients, 52 eyes of 34 patients showing high risk of developing keratoconus according to the Belin/Ambrosio Enhanced Ectasia Display, and each eye of 17 normal subjects were enrolled. All participants underwent Corvis ST, Pentacam, and UHR-OCT examinations at the same time. Stiffness parameter A1 (SP-A1), deformation amplitude ratio (DA ratio), and other biomechanical parameters were recorded using Corvis ST. The vertical and horizontal thickness profiles of central 3 mm corneal epithelium, Bowman’s layer, and stroma as measured by the perpendicular distance between the neighboring interfaces were generated using UHR-OCT. The flat keratometry and steep keratometry were obtained using Pentacam. Analysis of correlation was applied to explore the association between variables.

Results

Most of the biomechanical parameters and corneal sublayer thickness profiles showed statistical differences among three groups. A statistically significant linear relationship was noted between SP-A1 and DA ratio in all three groups. SP-A1 was found to be positively correlated with epithelial and Bowman’s layer thickness in the keratoconus (KC) group, and with stromal thickness in all three groups. In the normal and suspected keratoconus (SKC) groups, only stromal thickness was included in the stepwise linear regression to predict SP-A1, whereas in the KC group, steep keratometry and Bowman’s layer thickness were included.

Conclusions

Significant and different correlations were noted between corneal stiffness and corneal sublayer thickness in different groups, indicating that corneal sublayers may play different roles in maintaining corneal biomechanical stability between keratoconus and normal eyes.
Cardiac disease in Down Syndrome: literature review and international expert consensus in collaboration with Down Syndrome International (DSi)
Authors:   on behalf of the CHAMPION Steering Committee, Constantine Andrew , Condliffe Robin , Clift Paul , Tulloh Robert , Jansen Katrijn , Dimopoulos Konstantinos
Published: January 2021

Background

Congenital heart disease is common in patients with Down syndrome, yet clinical recommendations relating to its diagnosis and management in this patient group are lacking.

Main body

We discuss the ongoing collaboration between an international panel of cardiovascular experts and expert stakeholders from Down Syndrome International, an international disabled people's organisation with membership of organisations and individuals from 136 countries worldwide. The aim of this collaboration is to describe best clinical practice, focusing on 10 key areas relating to Down syndrome and cardiac disease, from prenatal diagnosis to the care of patients in areas of differing resource availability.

Conclusions

The planned expert consensus statement on cardiac disease in people with Down syndrome aims to foster communication between experts, direct future research and inform future practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease in people with Down syndrome.
Chronic subdural haematoma during the COVID-19 lockdown period: late presentation with a longer interval from the initial head injury to the final presentation and diagnosis
Authors: Chan David Yuen Chung , Poon Wai Sang , Chan Danny Tat Ming , Mak Wai Kit , Wong George Kwok Chu
Published: January 2021

Background

The COVID-19 novel coronavirus is contagious, and the mortality is higher in the elderly population. Lockdown in different parts of the world has been imposed since January 2020. Chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) has a unique natural history in which symptoms can be non-specific, and the onset is insidious. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation of cSDH.

Methods

Consecutive adult cSDH patients admitted from 1 March 2020 to 30 April 2020 were reviewed. Exclusion criteria including those who had no definite history of head injury or the diagnosis of cSDH were made from a scheduled follow-up scan. Corresponding data during the same period in 2019 were reviewed for comparison. The primary outcome was the interval between the initial head injury and the final radiological diagnosis of cSDH. Secondary outcomes include Markwalder chronic subdural haematoma grade upon admission, length of stay in the acute hospital, and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) upon discharge.

Results

For the primary outcome, the average interval between head injury and the diagnosis of cSDH was significantly longer at 56.6 days (49 to 74 days, SD 9.83 days) during the period from March to April 2020, versus 29.4 days (17 to 42 days, SD 8.59 days) in 2019 for the corresponding period (p = 0.00703). There was no significant difference in the functional outcome upon discharge.

Conclusions

cSDH patients can present late during the COVID-19 lockdown period. The functional outcome was comparable when operations for drainage were timely performed.
The role of 18-FDG PET/CT assessment of functional brain metabolism in cancer patients after chemotherapy
Authors: Gamal Shady Mohamed Tarek , Azab Amr Osama M. A. , El Refaei Sherif Mohamed , Houseni Mohamed
Published: January 2021

Background

Most neuropsychological studies on chemotherapy (CHT)-treated cancer survivors reported cognitive impairments in multiple domains such as executive functions, learning, memory, attention, verbal fluency, and speed of information processing. The CHT effects range from small to moderate, involving mostly the cognitive functions sub-served by frontal lobe. This study aimed to evaluate the role of PET/CT in the assessment of the effect of chemotherapy on the glucose metabolism in the brain in cancer patients after the chemotherapy treatment.

Results

This was a prospective study carried out in 2 years for patients who have done PET/CT scans for assessment of the change of the glucose uptake in the brain in pre- and in post-therapeutic state. A total number of 30 patients, 8 males and 22 females, were examined. The age of the patients ranged from 29 to 79 years (mean 57.9). Each patient underwent at least two PET/CT scans, first before the initiation of the therapy, and second was at least 3 months after starting the chemotherapy regimen. This study employed an adaptive threshold method, SCENIUM version 2.0.1. Automatic ROI identification was performed through around 10 regions of the brain. After segmentation of FDG uptake in the different brain regions of each subject, we measured average glucose uptake (SUVmean), registered by SCENIUM software.

Conclusion

There was significant reduction in the brain metabolism “FDG uptake” in all regions of the brain, mainly at the mesial temporal lobes as well as the frontal lobes. This metabolic change proves that chemotherapy has an adverse effect on the brain that can be objectively assessed with modern imaging techniques.
Exploring the Expanded Role of Pharmacists in Advance Care Planning
Authors: Ma Joseph D. , Dullea Alexandra , Hagmann Chelsea , Friedman Sarah , Russell Michelle , Cramer Arlene , Benn Melanie , Roeland Eric J.
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE:

Advance care planning (ACP) is a clinical skill that can be taught. An opportunity exists to teach how to conduct ACP to clinicians not typically engaged in these conversations to increase the likelihood that patients and caregivers engage in ACP. We conducted a prospective study exploring the feasibility of a pharmacist-led ACP intervention.

METHODS:

We completed a prospective, single-center study from July 2015 to July 2017. We included patients of age ≥ 18 years with incurable cancer referred to the palliative care clinic. A trained pharmacist led an ACP discussion with the patient and selected proxy. We defined feasibility as completion of ≥ 30 pharmacist-led ACP discussions over the study period. Additionally, we defined an informed healthcare proxy as someone who understood three key end-of-life (EOL) treatment preferences: the patient's personal definition of quality of life, desired resuscitation status, and preferred location of death (in or out of the hospital). Patients were followed until the end of the study or death. For those patients who died, the pharmacist contacted the proxy for follow-up and explored satisfaction with the ACP intervention.

RESULTS:

Thirty-four patients completed the study. All selected proxies completed the intervention and were able to understand the three EOL preferences. At the time of the patient’s death (n = 20), proxies reported that 66.6% received their preferred resuscitation status and 72.2% died in their preferred location. Proxy satisfaction with the ACP process was 7.6 ± 2.5 (mean ± SD) on a 11-point Likert scale.

CONCLUSION:

These findings indicate the potential for pharmacists to lead and engage in ACP in the outpatient setting.
Kathryn Virginia Anderson (1952-2020)
Authors: Caspary Tamara
Published: January 2021

Summary: Developmental geneticist Kathryn Anderson, who defined fundamental mechanisms underlying fly and mouse embryogenesis, is remembered by her former postdoc and friend, Tamara Caspary.
Rapid Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Surface on Magnesium Alloy with Excellent Corrosion-Resistant and Self-Cleaning Properties
Authors: Wan Hongri , He Tiantian , Ju Xinzhe , Jiang Kaile , Zhang Cheng , Shen Xiran , Yu Haoren , Lu Yunlong , Li Jiangnan , Chen Teng
Published: January 2021

A bilayer coating superhydrophobic surface was developed by a simple one-step solvothermal method. This strategy can realize the introduction of low surface energy myristic acid/n-dodecyltrimethoxysilane and the fabrication of complex bionic micro/nano structure in one step, thereby further simplifying the manufacturing process. The as-obtained superhydrophobic surface has a CA of 157.6° and a SA of 2.0°. The bionic micro/nano structures are like the common herb sowthistle. The bilayer coating superhydrophobic surface has excellent self-cleaning properties, chemical stability and corrosion resistance. In addition, this strategy can effectively broaden the application of magnesium alloys and extend to other conductive metal materials.
Contribution of three-dimensional images in the planning of cementoblastoma resection
Authors: Van Hoe Stefaan , Shaheen Eman , de Faria Vasconcelos Karla , Schoenaers Joseph , Politis Constantinus , Jacobs Reinhilde
Published: January 2021

Cementoblastomas are rare benign tumours that represent less than 1% of all odontogenic tumours. Complete resection is mandatory to avoid recurrence. This case report describes the contribution of three-dimensional imaging and three-dimensional printing in the pre-operative surgical planning of a large cementoblastoma that not only caused substantial compression on the inferior alveolar and mental nerves, but also caused thinning and partial erosion of the lingual and vestibular cortical bone, thus increasing the risk of pre-operative mandibular fracture.
Diagnostic image quality of hand-held and wall-mounted X-ray devices in bitewing radiography: a non-inferiority clinical trial
Authors: Hoogeveen Reinier Cornelis , Ouchene Siham , Berkhout WER
Published: January 2021

Objectives:

The present clinical trial was intended to clarify whether subjective assessments of diagnostic X-ray image quality achieved via hand-held (HH) Nomad Pro 2 (KaVo Kerr, Brea, CA, USA) X-ray device is non-inferior that of the wall-mounted (WM) KaVo Focus (KaVo Dental, Bieberich, Germany).

Methods:

A prospective, cross-over, and in vivo non-inferiority clinical trial was conducted to compare these two diagnostic modalities. Based on sampling calculations, 205 patients were selected for study, generating 410 paired bitewing radiographs in randomized sequence. The films were assessed independently, engaging three observers blinded to modality for random, side-by-side-comparisons. Diagnostic image quality was rated as follows: no preference, HH preference, or WM preference. Observer judgements were combined accordingly to reach a majority.

Results:

Collective observer ratings indicated no preference for diagnostic image quality in 63.9% of cases, with WM preference at 16.6% and HH preference at 19.5%. The difference in HH and WM preferences (19.5%–16.6% = 2.9%) was within the expected 95% confidence interval. Majority agreement was reached in 82.7%.

Conclusions:

Subjectively assessed diagnostic image quality in bitewing radiographs acquired by HH and WM devices did not differ significantly. The hand-held device is thus non-inferior to the WM in this regard. Our data set of paired bitewing radiographs may subsequently aid in future research.
Pictures over words: a cross-sectional study reporting short term memory abilities in children
Authors: Rooha Aysha , Anil Malavika Anakkathil , Bhat Jayashree S.
Published: January 2021

Background:  An impressive amount of research has been conducted studying the modality effect on multimedia information in children from higher elementary school to college. In the present study, we aimed to examine the modality effect in the recall of multimedia information among children between the age range of 6 years to 9 years 11 months.  

Methods: The study followed a cross-sectional design and comprised of 80 participants between the ages of 6 years to 9 years 11 months. An animated story was shown to the children, following which a word recall task was performed. In this task, children were asked to recall the words mentioned in the story from a pictorial array.

Results: One-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in the overall recall abilities of children. The recall performance was strongly related to the modality of the presentation of words. A marginal difference was observed for the recall of auditory-visual words in comparison to recall of words in the auditory modality; wherein older children recalled better in comparison to younger children. The findings of the study could be attributed to the "visual superiority effect", "encoding specificity principle of memory" and "multimedia effect."

Conclusion: Recall abilities were observed to increase with age, with the existence of asynchrony in the auditory-visual and auditory recall scores indicating the firm reliance on the modality of presentation of word. The study implications emphasize on the use of visual stimuli for teaching new vocabularies, skills, and concepts in younger children. These findings also highlight the use of visual stimuli while assessing speech, language, and cognitive skills in younger children.
‘The long tail of Covid-19’ - The detection of a prolonged inflammatory response after a SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic and mildly affected patients
Authors: Doykov Ivan , Hällqvist Jenny , Gilmour Kimberly C. , Grandjean Louis , Mills Kevin , Heywood Wendy E.
Published: January 2021

‘Long Covid’, or medical complications associated with post SARS-CoV-2 infection, is a significant post-viral complication that is being more and more commonly reported in patients. Therefore, there is an increasing need to understand the disease mechanisms, identify drug targets and inflammatory processes associated with a SARS-CoV-2 infection. To address this need, we created a targeted mass spectrometry based multiplexed panel of 96 immune response associated proteins. We applied the multiplex assay to a cohort of serum samples from asymptomatic and moderately affected patients. All patients had tested positive for a SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR and were determined to be subsequently positive for antibodies. Even 40-60 days post-viral infection, we observed a significant remaining inflammatory response in all patients. Proteins that were still affected were associated with the anti-inflammatory response and mitochondrial stress. This indicates that biochemical and inflammatory pathways within the body can remain perturbed long after SARS-CoV-2 infections have subsided even in asymptomatic and moderately affected patients.
TEOREMA DE REORDENAMENTO DE SÉRIES DE RIEMANN
Authors: Ledesma Guido Gerson Espiritu , Siqueira Amanda
Published: January 2021

Nesse trabalho iremos dar uma demonstração explícita do Teorema de Reordenamento de Riemann e proporcionaremos alguns exemplos usando a série harmónica alternada
MATEMATICATIVA: AÇÕES EXTENSIONISTAS PARA POPULARIZAR A MATEMÁTICA
Authors: Lima Couto Paula Rogeria , Serdio Ximena Mujica , Rizzato Fernanda Buhrer , Luvison Nathalie Aparecida Felicetti
Published: January 2021

Neste artigo, abordamos de forma descritiva as ações e métodos do projeto de extensão Matematicativa da Universidade Federal do Paraná. Além disso, apresentamos duas pesquisas realizadas para avaliar o projeto, a saber, uma com os estudantes de graduação em Matemática  e outra com os estudantes do Ensino Básico (EB), público-alvo principal. Concluímos que o projeto teve um grande impacto na formação dos alunos da UFPR, teve boa aceitação pelos alunos do Ensino Básico e que cumpriu seu objetivo de estimular o interesse pela matemática.
COLORAÇÃO TOTAL DE NANODISCOS DE FULERENOS
Authors: Da Cruz Mariana Martins Ferreira , Sasaki Diana , Costa Marcus Vinícius Tovar
Published: January 2021

Os grafos fulerenos são grafos cúbicos, planares, $3$-conexos formados pela junção de faces pentagonais e hexagonais.  Estes grafos são modelos matemáticos para moléculas compostas exclusivamente por átomos de carbono, descobertas experimentalmente no início da década de 1980 por Kroto, Heath, O’Brien, Curl e Smalley. Diversos parâmetros associados a estes grafos vêm sendo discutidos, buscando descrever a estabilidade das moléculas de fulereno.  Neste trabalho, apresentamos o estudo da coloração total de uma subfamília infinita dos grafos fulerenos, os nanodiscos de fulereno.
SOBRE A EQUIVALÊNCIA DE PERCENTUAIS EM INVESTIMENTOS PÓS-FIXADOS
Authors: Melo Adriano Rodrigues de , Manassi Norton Pizzi
Published: January 2021

Este trabalho apresenta uma aplicação da matemática financeira no desenvolvimento de três metodologias utilizadas para se determinar a equivalência entre percentuais destacados para a remuneração de títulos de renda fixa pós-fixados. Tem por objetivo evidenciar as hipóteses subjacentes às construções dos três estimadores, além de estabelecer algumas desigualdades que configuram a relação matemática entre suas fórmulas. Dispõe sobre as simulações computacionais realizadas com o intuito de apurar a acurácia desses estimadores. Conclui-se que, apesar das restrições impostas aos seus usos, todos eles fornecem aproximações úteis para o propósito de conversão. Salienta-se, ademais, que tais metodologias correspondem à aproximações e que o valor verdadeiro da conversão, pautada pelo critério de equivalência, pode variar ao longo do tempo.
PROGRAMAÇÃO MATEMÁTICA E A OTIMIZAÇÃO DE CUSTOS DE PRODUÇÃO
Authors: Epandi Canhanga Anastácio Pascoal , Ybarra Rolando Sosa , Salinga Gabriel Mário
Published: January 2021

Nos dias que correm, muitas empresas por Angola a fora desde 2015 tendem a encerrar ou reduzir sua atividade por conta da crise económica e,isto agravou-se com o surgimento da pandemia Covid-19. Chamou a atençãodos autores que a padaria do supermercado Shoprite da cidade do Cuito,Angola, deixou de produzir alguns tipos de bolos e pães que habitualmenteproduzia. Então resolveu-se encontrar uma maneira para minimizar os custos de produção com a Matemática, sem necessidade de deixar de produziralguns produtos. O presente artigo tem como objetivo resolver o referido problema de redução de custos de produção na referida panificadora da cidadedo Cuito. Para tal, adotou-se a programação matemática como melhor formapara abordar o problema, feita a interpretação dos dados fornecidos pela empresa, a modelação levou-nos para programação linear.
UM ESTUDO SOBRE AS ANÁFORAS EM HIPERTEXTOS
Authors: De Souza Wellington Gomes , Bezerra Lidiane De Morais Diógenes
Published: January 2021

A literatura sobre os estudos dos processos anafóricos explora, comumente, a retomada de referentes em uma dada materialidade textual. Para além disso, a discussão proposta neste artigo parte da ideia de que os objetos de discurso de um texto podem ser transpostos para outras materialidades linguísticas. Nas construções que caracterizam o hipertexto, por exemplo, apresenta-se uma dinamicidade de referentes que permite essa observação. Por isso, o objetivo desta abordagem é discutir sobre os processos referenciais anafóricos em textos veiculados em situações de hipertexto, cuja característica é a possibilidade de trânsito por diversas superfícies linguísticas. Para fundamentar esta análise, tem-se aporte nos estudos de Mondada e Dubois (2003) e Apothéloz (2003) para tratar da referenciação; Alves Filho et al (2017), Xavier (2010), entre outros autores, a fim de discorrer sobre o hipertexto. Para cumprir com o propósito em questão, foram analisadas notícias em que se percebeu o trânsito de referentes de uma superfície textual para outra. Nessa perspectiva, compreende-se que há espaço para a caracterização do que pode ser chamado de anáfora hipertextual, pois, da análise realizada constatou-se a criação de uma rede anafórica entre os textos. Com isso, conclui-se que esse estudo pode ampliar o campo de visão dos processos referenciais anafóricos, com base na dinamicidade das anáforas para a construção textual de sentidos.
FILHO DA MÃE: uma leitura feminista de “Meu tio o Iauaretê”
Authors: Correia dos Santos Carolina
Published: January 2021

Este artigo constitui uma curta análise de “Meu tio o Iauaretê” (novela de João Guimarães Rosa publicada pela primeira vez em 1961) que busca aferir possíveis sentidos à relação que o texto de Rosa, por ser um diálogo, impõe formalmente e à relação como dispositivo gerador da individualidade do narrador-contador. Além disso, o artigo investe em uma leitura de “Meu tio o Iauaretê” enquanto performativa da escolha pela ascendência materna do personagem-narrador. Este se determinará para além do hibridismo entre ser humano (e ter um pai) e ser onça (e ter uma mãe índia e um tio jaguaretê), reivindicando a materialidade específica do corpo que se transforma enquanto (se) narra como modo de aliar-se a linhagem da mãe. Para tanto, dialogarei com pensadoras feministas contemporâneas e com conceitos da Antropologia, em uma tentativa de criação de uma leitura politicamente motivada a partir do texto literário de Rosa.
TODA A RUDEZA, NA VERDADE, É CALMA
Authors: Freitas Marcus Vinicius De
Published: January 2021

Este artigo analisa o livro Poema algum basta, de Maria Amélia Dalvi, com vistas à exposição de sua poética. Em oposição ao que, na poética contemporânea, se pode chamar de metapoesia das coisas, combinação dos legados da Poesia Concreta e da Poesia Marginal, Dalvi faz um salto sobre essas linhas de força em direção à grande tradição modernista, que aproxima construtivismo e engajamento, arte e política, como descreve Silviano Santiago através do conceito de “literatura anfíbia”. Nesse passo, pode-se dizer que a escritora constrói uma “poética da educação”, na qual se encontram presentes tanto a atribuição de função pedagógica ao intelectual em um mundo distópico, quanto a miragem de um horizonte puro, construído pelo trabalho paciente sobre a forma poética depurada. O artigo aproxima ainda as imagens recorrentes da montanha e do mar na poesia de Maria Amélia Dalvi com o hexagrama 4 do I Ching, Imaturidade, cujo tema é a educação.
Análise contrastiva da estrutura do sintagma nominal possessivizado no português brasileiro
Authors: Siqueira Manoel
Published: January 2021

Neste trabalho, comparamos resultados de três conjunto de dados sobre a estrutura de sintagmas nominais possessivizados no português brasileiro falado, com especial atenção para os possessivos antepostos a nomes, como em sua casa, e possessivos pospostos a nomes, como em uma casa sua, de modo a observar se é possível apresentar uma generalização para o comportamento dessa estrutura na língua. Usamos como base para a comparação as descrições feitas por Neves (1993) e Franchi (1996), que trabalham com dados de fala do NURC, e dados de fala do banco Falares Sergipanos. Como método, adotamos o descritivo/inferencial, de modo a observar a distribuição e a associação entre os dados. Os testes de associação apontam que, em ambos tipos de possessivos, há mais diferenças entre as três amostras e seus resultados do que semelhanças, o que não nos permite desenvolver uma generalização do comportamento desses SN para o português.
LETRAMENTOS EM TERRA BRASILIS: EXCLUSÕES DIGITAIS E DESIGN CRÍTICO NO ENSINO DE LÍNGUA PORTUGUESA PARA ALÉM DA PANDEMIA / Literacies in Terra Brasilis: digital exclusions and critical design in Portuguese Language teaching beyond the pandemic
Authors: Oliveira Marcia Lisbôa Costa de
Published: January 2021

Pretendemos, com esse artigo, contribuir para o desenvolvimento de práticas educacionais situadas que sejam coerentes com as realidades das escolas brasileiras no contexto da pandemia de COVID 19 e para além desse momento. Reinterpretamos a Pedagogia dos Multiletramentos, desenvolvida pelo New London Group (2001), tomando como ponto de partida a reflexão acerca das desigualdades de acesso aos meios digitais no Brasil e de seus efeitos na pandemia. Para obtermos dados sobre as exclusões digitais de ordem estrutural que ocorrem no Brasil, recorremos aos resultados das pesquisas TIC domicílios - 2019 (CETIC.BR, 2020a) e Painel TIC Covid-19; Ensino remoto e teletrabalho (CETIC.BR, 2020b). No aspecto teórico-metodológico, assumimos a adequação das proposições do NLG em face da emergência dos letramentos digitais e das mudanças sociais em seus países, mas colocamos em evidência a necessidade de repensá-las em uma perspectiva crítica que contemple as condições sociais e educacionais brasileiras, diante das diferentes dimensões da exclusão digital e das barreiras de acesso vivenciadas pelos discentes da educação básica. Para isso, a partir das bases da Pedagogia dos Multiletramentos e na concepção de “aprendizagem pelo design” (KALANTZIS; COPE, 2012; KALANTZIS; COPE; PINHEIRO, 2020), buscamos formular alternativas para a compreensão e a produção de textos digitais multimodais no ensino de língua portuguesa em escolas públicas. Ilustrando a perspectiva desenvolvida, oferecemos um exemplo de proposta didática elaborada em torno de um meme, a qual tem como propósito estimular os estudantes a exercitarem a crítica, considerando suas condições de acesso à internet.
EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA E PANDEMIA: ENTREVISTA COM PROFESSORES DE QUATRO PAÍSES / Basic Education and pandemic: interview with teachers from four countries
Authors: Rodrigues Andréa , Silva Gleice Coelho Gomes da , Nascimento João Gabriel De Vasconcelos , Severino Katiuscia Lucas , Rollin Marc , Prime Marcia , Moraes Marcos André De Oliveira , Cêia Maria das Graças Da Silva , Santos Monique Souza , Mota Raquel Danielli , Tigourdi Salah
Published: January 2021

Resumo: A crise gerada pela pandemia da Covid-19 fez com que, no mundo inteiro, professores e alunos enfrentassem novos desafios nos processos de ensino e aprendizagem.  Nessa entrevista, reunimos depoimentos de professores de quatro países, sobre suas experiências com o ensino nesses tempos pandêmicos.  São eles Marc Rollin (França), Salah Tigourdi (Marrocos), Marcia Prime (Escócia), e, no Brasil, a partir de diferentes cidades do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Gleice Coelho Gomes da Silva (Niterói), João Gabriel de Vasconcelos Nascimento (Araruama), Katiuscia Lucas Severino (Queimados e Itaguaí), Marcos André de Oliveira Moraes (Duque de Caxias e Maricá), Maria das Graças da Silva Cêia (Cabo Frio), Monique Souza Santos (Rio de Janeiro) e Raquel Danielli Mota (São Gonçalo). As experiências desses professores em diferentes países se transformam em importantes depoimentos, com discussões que envolvem, por exemplo, a desigualdade social no acesso ao ensino remoto, as dificuldades de professores e de alunos, as diferentes gestões da educação nos variados contextos, as consequências da pandemia para a educação, entre outras.
PRESS START PARA APRENDER: VIDEOGAMES E APRENDIZAGEM DE LÍNGUA INGLESA
Authors: Subtil Vogelmann Talisson , De Souza Ferraz Marcos Guilherme , Brawerman-Albini Andressa
Published: January 2021

A respeito dos processos de aquisição e aprendizado de segunda língua (L2), Krashen (1981) diferencia entre um processo espontâneo e um processo formal de aprendizado da língua, respectivamente. Dentro destes processos, encontram-se pessoas que afirmam que seu conhecimento de L2 vem única, ou primariamente, do seu contato com videogames. Esse tipo de afirmação levanta questionamentos acerca das diferenças entre o aprendizado formal e o processo de aquisição informal. Muitas dessas discussões destacam as relações entre a experiência propiciada pelos videogames e as motivações do aprendiz. Podemos entender esse elemento motivador dos games no ensino de L2 ao olharmos as ideias de Gee (2003) sobre como os videogames conectam a linguagem a significados específicos e contextualizados. No entanto, é necessário ressaltar que a língua se divide em diferentes habilidades. Sendo assim, a presente pesquisa procura lançar um olhar sobre como esses contextos de aprendizados, ensino formal e videogames, conversam com cada uma dessas habilidades linguísticas. Propondo um questionário nos moldes sugeridos por Dörnyei (2003), para aprendizes que afirmam ter tido experiência com os dois contextos, esta pesquisa tem por objetivo entender quais habilidades foram mais favorecidas por cada contexto. Os resultados mostram que algumas habilidades, como o reading, foram apontadas como mais produtivas através dos videogames, enquanto outras, como o writing, apareceram como mais produtivas dentro do ensino formal.  Por fim, o trabalho procura estimular discussões sobre de quais maneiras e em quais momentos utilizar videogames no processo de ensino de inglês pode ser benéfico.