bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Qualitative and quantitative three-dimensional evaluation of maxillary basal and dentoalveolar dimensions in patients with and without maxillary impacted canines
Authors: Sharhan Hasan M. , Almashraqi Abeer A. , Al-fakeh Hanan , Alhashimi Najah , Abdulghani Ehab A. , Chen Wenyuanfeng , Al-Sosowa Abeer A. , Cao BaoCheng , Alhammadi Maged S.
Published: October 2022

Background

This study aimed to three-dimensionally evaluate the qualitative and quantitative maxillary basal, dentoalveolar, and dental dimensions in patients with unilateral or bilateral maxillary impacted canines relative to their normal peers.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective comparative study. Cone-beam computed tomography images of one hundred and fifty adult patients were divided into three equal groups: unilateral, bilateral, and control groups. Each had 50 patients that were three-dimensionally analysed. The quantitative measurements involved three basal (molar basal width, premolar basal width, and arch depth), seven dentoalveolar (molar alveolar width, premolar alveolar width, inter-molar width, inter-premolar width, inter-canine width, arch length, and arch perimeter), and two dental (canine length and width) measurements. The qualitative measurements included four bone density areas (buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal) around the maxillary impacted canines.

Result

Differences between the three groups were statistically different for the quantitative measurements involving the two basal variables (molar basal width and premolar basal width) and all measured dentoalveolar variables; these were smaller in the unilateral and bilateral groups compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Unilateral and bilateral impacted canine groups showed significantly wider and shorter canines than the control group (p < 0.001). The qualitative measurements (the four bone density areas) around unilateral and bilateral impacted canine groups showed significantly greater density than the control group (p < 0.001). There was no significant qualitative or quantitative difference between the unilateral and bilateral impacted canines. The three groups had no significant variations in terms of arch depth.

Conclusion

Maxillary unilateral and bilateral canine impactions are associated with reduced basal and dentoalveolar dimensions as well as wider and shorter maxillary canines compared to normal peers. The quality of bone around unilateral and bilateral impacted maxillary canines is higher than in non-impacted cases. Unilateral and bilateral canine impactions have quite similar qualitative and quantitative parameters.
Managing nirmatrelvir/ritonavir during COVID-19: pharmacists’ experiences from the Perak state of Malaysia
Authors: Chang Chee Tao , Ong Su Yin , Lim Xin Jie , Chew Lan Sim , Rajan Philip
Published: October 2022

Novel therapeutic agents for SARS-CoV-2 have emerged over time, serving to reduce the severity of the disease, admission and mortality, especially among high-risk populations. Oral nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid®) was found to reduce the risk of disease progression. Pharmacists played multiple roles in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. This article highlights the roles of pharmacists in managing nirmatrelvir/ritonavir within the Malaysian context. Pharmacists were actively involved in Paxlovid® inventory management. To ensure the balance between supply and demand of new therapeutic drugs, pharmacists in health facilities constantly monitor the inventory levels of the medications. As Paxlovid® was initially reserved for a certain population who met the clinical eligibility criteria based on a scoring system, pharmacists were required to screen and exclude patients with non-indications or contraindications to the medication. During dispensing, pharmacists convey clear instructions on how to take the medications to ensure adherence and medication safety. The novel nature of the medications necessitates pharmacists to counsel patients regarding its indication, the mode of action, actions to take when missing a dose or overdose happens, side effects, storage and disposal methods, as well as mechanism of reporting adverse drug reactions. Pharmacists were required to follow-up all patients via phone call on Day 3 and Day 5 post-initiation, examining both adherence and adverse drug reactions associated with Paxlovid®. Pharmacists experienced multiple challenges in managing Paxlovid®, particularly due to increased workload, suboptimal follow-up response, stringent medication storage requirements, and adherence issues. Universal research and innovation initiatives were proposed to improve the delivery of novel therapeutic agents in the future health system.
The production of the first functional antibody mimetic in higher plants: the chloroplast makes the DARPin G3 for HER2 imaging in oncology
Authors: Ehsasatvatan Maryam , Kohnehrouz Bahram Baghban , Gholizadeh Ashraf , Ofoghi Hamideh , Shanehbandi Dariush
Published: October 2022

Background

Designed mimetic molecules are attractive tools in biopharmaceuticals and synthetic biology. They require mass and functional production for the assessment of upcoming challenges in the near future. The DARPin family is considered a mimetic pharmaceutical peptide group with high affinity binding to specific targets. DARPin G3 is designed to bind to the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) tyrosine kinase receptor. Overexpression of HER2 is common in some cancers, including breast cancer, and can be used as a prognostic and predictive tool for cancer. The chloroplasts are cost-effective alternatives, equal to, and sometimes better than, bacterial, yeast, or mammalian expression systems. This research examined the possibility of the production of the first antibody mimetic, DARPin G3, in tobacco chloroplasts for HER2 imaging in oncology.

Results

The chloroplast specific DARPin G3 expression cassette was constructed and transformed into N. tabacum chloroplasts. PCR and Southern blot analysis confirmed integration of transgenes as well as chloroplastic and cellular homoplasmy. The Western blot analysis and ELISA confirmed the production of DARPin G3 at the commercial scale and high dose with the rate of 20.2% in leaf TSP and 33.7% in chloroplast TSP. The functional analysis by ELISA confirmed the binding of IMAC purified chloroplast-made DARPin G3 to the extracellular domain of the HER2 receptor with highly effective picomolar affinities. The carcinoma cellular studies by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed the correct functioning by the specific binding of the chloroplast-made DARPin G3 to the HER2 receptor on the surface of HER2-positive cancer cell lines.

Conclusion

The efficient functional bioactive production of DARPin G3 in chloroplasts led us to introduce plant chloroplasts as the site of efficient production of the first antibody mimetic molecules. This report, as the first case of the cost-effective production of mimetic molecules, enables researchers in pharmaceuticals, synthetic biology, and bio-molecular engineering to develop tool boxes by producing new molecular substitutes for diverse purposes.
The association between dietary habits and metabolic syndrome: findings from the Shahedieh-cohort study
Authors: Fallah Zahra , Darand Mina , Salehi-Abargouei Amin , Mirzaei Masoud , Ferns Gordon A. , Khayyatzadeh Sayyed Saeid
Published: October 2022

Objective

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder with an increasing prevalence globally. Limited data are available about the association between dietary habits and the prevalence of MetS. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between dietary habits and MetS in a large population sample from Iranians.

Methods

The study was conducted on 9261 adults aged 35–70 years who attended the baseline phase of Shahedieh cohort study, Yazd, Iran. Dietary habits including meal frequency, fried food consumption, adding salt to prepared meal, barbecued food consumption, used oil type and reuse oil number were assessed by a standard questionnaire. MetS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Logistic regression was used in different adjusted models to investigate the relationship between dietary habits and MetS: (Model I: adjusted for age, sex and energy. Model II: Model I + adjusted for wealth score index and physical activity. Model III: Model II + adjusted for cardiovascular diseases and liver diseases).

Results

The subjects who ate barbecued-food more than 3 times/ month had 1.18 times greater odds for MetS than individual who ate this less than once/ month (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.01–1.38). After further adjustment for other confounding variables, the association remained significant. No significant association was found between other dietary habits and odds of MetS.

Conclusion

Higher intakes of barbecued-food consumption were related to the prevalence of MetS. Larger longitudinal studies in other population groups are needed to confirm these associations.
Dietary diversity and its relationship with nutritional adequacy in 24 to 59 months old children in Iran: study protocol
Authors: Yari Zahra , Amini Maryam , Rasekhi Hamid , Nikooyeh Bahareh , Doustmohammadian Azam , Ghodsi Delaram , Rabiei Samira , Neyestani Tirang R.
Published: October 2022

Background

Nutritional inadequacy, especially micronutrients, is still a serious concern among children in developing countries. Dietary diversity score (DDS) has been recommended as a proxy for nutritional adequacy. The present study aims to develop a questionnaire to assess the dietary diversity among 24–59 months children in Iran; also, the validity of the dietary diversity score as an indicator of nutritional status among the children will be assessed.

Methods

In order to design the questionnaire, the Food and Agriculture Organization Guideline for measuring individual dietary diversity will be applied. According to the guideline, foods are categorized into nine groups, then dietary diversity score will be calculated by summing the number of food groups. In order to evaluate the efficacy of this questionnaire in predicting the nutritional status of the children, the relationship between dietary diversity score calculated by the questionnaire with nutritional adequacy, serum retinol and anthropometric indicators will be compared.

Discussion

DDS can be a valuable indicator for predicting the adequacy of macronutrients and micronutrients specially in children. It is also significantly related to the mean probability of adequacy (MPA).
The worldwide patent landscape of dental implant technology
Authors: Kim Woo Jin , Cho Young-Dan , Ku Young , Ryoo Hyun-Mo
Published: October 2022

In an aging society, quality of life improvement is emerging as an important issue, and as implants are accepted as the core of oral rehabilitation treatment, competition for leadership in developing related technologies is intensifying. In this trend, unlike what is evident in the literature, the patent landscape shows the status of industrial-based technology development. A database analysis of a total of 32,237 dental implant patents shows improvements in technology, diverse geographical characteristics, and new advances toward technological convergence in this field. Technologically, dental implant technology has shown a tendency to develop from conventional implant materials and surface treatment technologies to new material technologies making use of substances such as pure zirconium and tantalum or software technologies related to diagnosis and prognosis. Regionally, dental implant technology, which was developed mainly in Europe and the Unites States in the past, is growing explosively in East Asian countries accompanied by the recent growth of the Asian market. In summary, dental implant technology seems to be developing while trying to converge with various technological areas based on the local market environment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new dental implant material technology that is highly applicable to the development of hybrid information/communication technology and is suitable for a new manufacturing method. Our study may provide important information to help basic and translational researchers and their financial supporters set their research directions in advancing the development of dental implants.
Pachychoroid neovasculopathy can mimic wet type age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Farvardin Mohsen , Amini Abdulrahim , Azizpourfard Younes , Yasemi Masoud , Mahdizad Zahra , Johari Mohammadkarim
Published: October 2022

Purpose

to determine the percentage of patients with pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) among patients who have been misdiagnosed and treated with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, patients over 55 years old, who were diagnosed with wet AMD, were re-evaluated. All patients were recalled for examination and imaging. Patients with PNV were differentiated form wet AMD based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

Overall, 120 patients (137 eyes) were recorded with wet AMD in the clinic. Finally, after complete re-evaluation, 94 (106 eyes) and 26 patients (31 eyes) were assigned to the AMD and the PNV group, respectively. Thus, a total of 20% of patients with primary mistake diagnosis of wet AMD, actually had PNV. The mean sub field choroidal thickness (SFCT) in the AMD and PNV groups was 173.8 ± 69 μm and 342 ± 27 μm, respectively. Drusen and pachydrusen were found in 69.9% and 24% of the cases with AMD and PNV, respectively (P = 0.001). The average number of intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) required in the AMD and PNV groups was about 5 and 3, respectively, which was statistically significant (P-value 0.02).

Conclusion

This study revealed that about a one-fifth of wet AMD patients are actually pachychoroid neovasculopathy. These patients were younger and had thicker SFCT, and developed less subretinal scarring. Thus, the disorder must be considered as an important differential diagnosis of AMD-CNV.
Facing hierarchy: a qualitative study of residents’ experiences in an obstetrical simulation scenario
Authors: Garber Adam B. , Posner Glenn , Roebotham Taylor , Bould M. Dylan , Taylor Taryn
Published: October 2022

Background

Residents in surgical specialties face a steep hierarchy when managing medical crises. Hierarchy can negatively impact patient safety when team members are reluctant to speak up. Yet, simulation has scarcely been previously utilized to qualitatively explore the way residents in surgical specialities navigate this challenge. The study aimed to explore the experiences of residents in one surgical specialty, obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn), when challenging hierarchy, with the goal of informing future interventions to optimize resident learning and patient safety.

Methods

Eight 3rd- and 4th-year Ob/Gyn residents participated in a simulation scenario in which their supervising physician made an erroneous medical decision that jeopardized the wellbeing of the labouring mother and her foetus. Residents participated in 30–45 min semi-structured interviews that explored their approach to managing this scenario. Transcribed interviews were analysed using qualitative thematic inquiry by three research team members, finalizing the identified themes once consensus was reached.

Results

Study results show that the simulated scenario did create an experience of hierarchy that challenged residents. In response, residents adopted three distinct communication strategies while confronting hierarchy: (1) messaging — a mere reporting of existing clinical information; (2) interpretive — a deliberate construction of clinical facts aimed at swaying supervising physician’s clinical decision; and (3) advocative — a readiness to confront the staff physician’s clinical decision. Furthermore, residents utilized coping mechanisms to mitigate challenges related to confronting hierarchy, namely deflecting responsibility, diminishing urgency, and drafting allies. Both these communication strategies and coping mechanisms shaped their practice when challenging hierarchy to preserve patient safety.

Conclusions

Understanding the complex processes in which residents engage when confronting hierarchy can serve to inform the development and study of curricular innovations. Informed by these processes, we must move beyond solely teaching residents to speak up and consider a broader curriculum that targets not only residents but also faculty physicians and the learning environment within the organization.
Gamma counting protocols for the accurate quantification of 225Ac and 213Bi without the need for a secular equilibrium between parent and gamma-emitting daughter
Authors: Castillo Seoane Dayana , De Saint-Hubert Marijke , Ahenkorah Stephen , Saldarriaga Vargas Clarita , Ooms Maarten , Struelens Lara , Koole Michel
Published: October 2022

Background

Quantification of actinium-225 through gamma counter measurements, when there is no secular equilibrium between actinium-225 and its gamma emitting daughters bismuth-213 and/or francium-221, can provide valuable information regarding the possible relocation of recoiled daughters such that related radiotoxicity effects can be evaluated. This study proposes a multiple time-point protocol using the bismuth-213 photopeak with measurements before secular equilibrium between actinium-225 and bismuth-213, and a single time-point protocol using both the francium-221 and bismuth-213 photopeak while assuming secular equilibrium between actinium-225 and francium-221 but not between bismuth-213 and actinium-225.

Results

Good agreement (i.e. 3% accuracy) was obtained when relying on a multiple time-points measurement of bismuth-213 to quantify both actinium-225 and excess of bismuth-213. Following scatter correction, actinium-225 can be accurately quantified using the francium-221 in a single time-point measurement within 3% of accuracy. The analysis performed on the stability data of [225Ac]Ac-DEPA and [225Ac]Ac-DOTA complexes, before secular equilibrium between bismuth-213 and actinium-225 was formed, revealed considerable amounts of unbound bismuth-213 (i.e. more than 90%) after 24 h of the radiolabeling most likely due to the recoiled daughter effect.

Conclusion

Both protocols were able to accurately estimate 225Ac-activities provided the francium-221 energy window was corrected for the down scatter of the higher-energy gamma-emissions by bismuth-213. This could prove beneficial to study the recoiled daughter effect and redistribution of free bismuth-213 by monitoring the accumulation or clearance of bismuth-213 in different tissues during biodistribution studies or in patient samples during clinical studies. On the other hand, the single gamma counter measurement protocol, although required a 30 min waiting time, is more time and cost efficient and therefore more appropriate for standardized quality control procedures of 225Ac-labeled radiopharmaceuticals.
Uncommon disseminated muscular metastasis from suspected lung adenocarcinoma in a 18F-FDG PET/CT study
Authors: Pacella S.
Published: October 2022

Skeletal muscle metastasis from lung cancer is a rare phenomenon. In this case report, FDG PET/CT imaging detected unexpected metastatic spread in skeletal muscles from lung cancer.
The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune thyroid disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bagherzadeh-Fard Mahsa , Yazdanifar Mohammad Amin , Aghaali Mohammad , Masoumi Maryam
Published: October 2022

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common chronic non-organ-specific autoimmune diseases; meanwhile, autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is the most common organ-specific autoimmune disease that can lead to hypo or hyperthyroidism. Although the etiology of both diseases is complex with a combination of genetic and environmental factors, there are overlaps in genes contributing to the pathogenesis of both diseases. Numerous studies found a correlation between thyroid abnormality and RA in different populations, yet some didn’t. This study is aimed to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction, AITD, and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) positively in Iranian patients with RA.

Methods

A total of 250 RA patients and 248 patients with non-inflammatory rheumatologic disease were included in this case–control study. All participants underwent complete clinical and laboratory assessments. Participants were also assessed for thyroid function testing, including anti-TPO antibodies.

Results

Thyroid dysfunction was twice as common in RA patients as in controls (OR = 2.16; P-value > 0.001). Overt hypothyroidism was the most common thyroid dysfunction among RA patients (58 out of 84). Anti-TPO positivity was also significantly more common in RA compared with controls (OR = 2.65; P-value > 0.001). The proportion of controls and RA patients with AITD were 9 and 21.5%, respectively. AITD was found 2.8 times more common in RA group than controls (OR = 2.77; P-value > 0.001).

Conclusion

It was demonstrated that RA was an independent factor associated with thyroid dysfunction and AITD.
Which artificial larval diet is better for Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) rearing?
Authors: Maset Bruno Aguiar , Demetrio Clarice Garcia Borges , Lopes Luís Anselmo , Costa Maria de Lourdes Zamboni , Botteon Victor Wilson , Mastrangelo Thiago de Araújo
Published: October 2022

Background

There is an increasing demand for biological agents for integrated pest management programs, requiring a constant supply of insects in terms of quantity and quality. In this context, the development of insect-rearing methods and quality control parameters are essential in order to provide best-quality and economic viability products. The medflyCeratitis capitata(Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the most economically important species of fruit flies in several fruit-producing areas of Brazil, being massively reared in many countries for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programs. To achieve mass production scale, suitable larval diets are necessary for medfly rearing at laboratory conditions. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the best artificial larval diet and the respective larval density forC. capitataon diets based on corn flour (CF), sugarcane bagasse (SB), and lyophilized carrot powder (CP), considering biological parameters of quality control and economic viability.

Results

Based on the obtained results and although all diets produced quality pupae according to FAO/IAEA/USDA standards, the SB artificial diet promoted better results in the number of larvae, larval weight, number of pupae, and pupal weight, in comparison with CF and CP diets, as well as being the most economically viable. The optimal larval densities on CF, SB, and CP diets were, respectively, 0.5, 2.0, and 1.0 mL of eggs/kg of diet.

Conclusions

The diet that was most suitable for insect yield and economic viability was the SB diet, followed by the CF and CP diets, in this order.
Isolation and evaluation of indigenous endophytic entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana UHSB-END1 (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), against Spodoptera litura Fabricius
Authors: Jamunarani G. S. , Ramanagouda S. H. , Venkateshalu B. , Jayappa J. , Raghavendra Gunnaiah , Rudresh D. L. , Kulkarni M. S. , Mahantesha B. N. Naika , Gopali J. B.
Published: October 2022

Background

Microbial biological control agents are gaining worldwide attention to manage insect pests as an alternative to synthetic insecticides. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) meet eco-friendly pest management’s demand since mere contact of infective propagules is sufficient to cause disease in insect pests, unlike other entomopathogens. However, epiphytic fungal isolates encounter multiple challenges including direct exposure of conidia to sunlight and UV light, high temperature, and low moisture content that reduce their efficacy at the field level. Therefore, utilization of endophytic EPF is becoming more popular because they get protection from adverse conditions compared to the epiphytic EPF as they reside inside the host tissue. In addition, the endophytic EPF also give protection against crop diseases and promote plant growth, degradation of heavy metals, and tolerance to abiotic stress.

Results

The increased mortality of Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) was achieved through endophytic colonization of indigenous Beauveria bassiana UHSB-END-1 (OM131742). The bioassay proved the highest mortality 2nd instar larvae of S. litura at 40 dpi, both in vivo and in planta experiment. Further, larvae fed with fungal colonized leaves of tomato plant ended with abnormal growth and developmental process. The recovery of B. bassiana from different plant parts (stem, leaves, and roots) was the highest (100%) in all the methods of colonization at 14, 40, 60, 80 dpi, and it was decreased at 120 dpi (80%). The colonization rate was again increased in the next-generation seeds and seedlings (25 days old). This isolate gets vertically transmitted to their progenies via seeds, and it is the first report in tomato crop.

Conclusion

After ensuring the safeness of this isolate against non-target organisms, it can be one of the constitutes in sustainable cost-effective strategy for management of pests affecting tomato as one of the components in integrated pests management. Inoculation of endophytic EPF into seed/seedling reduces environmental impacts and also easy, economical, and sustainable approach for pest management in horticulture crops which are often consumed as raw. Although field studies are required to support the present finding, this appears to be an interesting tool that should be considered for pest biocontrol.
Intrathecal bupivacaine versus bupivacaine and clonidine in pediatrics: a double-blind controlled study
Authors: Bhatia Upasna , Abraham Shyni , Panchal Mona , Parmar Nirja , Khanbhaiwala Fatema Burhan , Gupta Juhi
Published: October 2022

Background

Spinal anesthesia is establishing a place in pediatric daycare anesthesia as a possible substitute for general anesthesia in children undergoing infraumbilical abdominal or lower extremity surgeries. Clonidine intensifies the effect of bupivacaine when given intrathecally as an adjuvant.

Methods and  Objective of study

This is a prospective randomized double-blind study carried out in 60 ASA physical status 1 and 2 (3–13 years) pediatric patients scheduled for infraumbilical abdominal or lower extremity surgeries. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups. Group B received hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% alone (0.4 mg/kg for wt. 5–15 kg or 0.3 mg/kg for wt. > 15 kg), and group BC received hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (0.4 mg/kg for wt. 5–15 kg or 0.3 mg/kg for wt. > 15 kg) and preservative-free clonidine (1 μg/kg), comprising 30 patients each. The primary outcome was the measurement of the time of onset of sensory block, the maximum level of sensory block, duration of sensory block, and duration of post-op analgesia.

Results

The mean onset of sensory block was 3.04 ± 1.5 min in group BC vs. 5.01 ± 0.30 in group B p = 0.0001. The mean onset of motor block was also earlier in group BC 3.81 ± 0.38 min vs. 6.47 ± 4.66 min in group B p = 0.0028. The mean duration of analgesia was 391.33 ± 33 min in group BC vs. 194.5 ± 28 min in group B with a p-value of 0.0001. None of the patients belonging to either group demonstrated a segmental level higher than T5.

Conclusions

We infer that clonidine is a good adjuvant to bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia in pediatric patients as far as comfort is concerned. It decreases the time taken for onset, has a longer duration of postoperative analgesia, and has a better quality of sedation with no added side effects as compared to bupivacaine alone, in pediatric patients undergoing surgeries below T8 dermatome.
Experimental study on airfoil flow separation control via an air-supplement plasma synthetic jet
Authors: Liu Ru-Bing , Wei Wen-Tao , Wan Hai-Peng , Lin Qi , Li Fei , Tang Kun
Published: October 2022

An air-supplement plasma synthetic jet (PSJ) actuator increases the air supplemental volume in the recovery stage and improves the jet energy by attaching a check valve to the chamber of a conventional actuator. To explore the flow control effect and mechanism of the air-supplement actuator, via particle image velocimetry experiments in a low-speed wind tunnel, the flow field and boundary layer characteristics of a two-dimensional airfoil surface under different actuation states were compared for different attack angles and jet orifices. The experimental results show that, compared with the conventional actuation state, the jet energy of the air-supplement PSJ is higher and the indirect mixing effect of the counter-vortex sequence produced by the jet-mainstream interaction is stronger. Furthermore, the boundary layer mixing effect is better, which can further suppress flow separation and improve the critical flow separation attack angle. Moreover, increasing the jet momentum coefficient can enhance the flow control effect. The findings of this study could provide guidance for the flow control application of air-supplement PSJs.
Polyphenol based hybrid nano-aggregates modified collagen fibers of biological valve leaflets to achieve enhanced mechanical, anticoagulation and anti-calcification properties
Authors: Li Shufen , Lang Shiying , Chen Zhiqian , Chen Jingruo , Zhuang Weihua , Du Yangrui , Yao Yawen , Liu Gongyan , Chen Mao
Published: October 2022

Glutaraldehyde (Glut)-crosslinked porcine pericardium and bovine pericardium are mainly consisted of collagen and widely used for the preparation of heterogenous bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV), which play an important role in the replacement therapy of severe valvular heart disease, while their durability is limited by degeneration due to calcification, thrombus, endothelialization difficulty and prosthetic valve endocarditis. Herein, we develop a novel BHV, namely, TPly-BP, based on natural tannic acid and polylysine to improve the durability of Glut crosslinked bovine pericardium (Glut-BP). Impressively, tannic acid and polylysine could form nanoaggregates via multiple hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds, and the introduction of nanoaggregates not only improved the mechanical properties and collagen stability but also endowed TPly-BP with good biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. Compared to Glut-BP, TPly-BP showed significantly reduced cytotoxicity, improved endothelial cell adhesion, a low hemolysis ratio and obviously reduced platelet adhesion. Importantly, TPly-BP exhibited great antibacterial and in vivo anti-calcification ability, which was expected to improve the in vivo durability of BHVs. These results suggested that TPly-BP would be a potential candidate for BHV.

Graphical abstract
Decision-making factors and their thresholds for total knee arthroplasty in lateral tibiofemoral osteoarthritis patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Choi Byung Sun , Kim Jung Min , Han Hyuk-Soo
Published: October 2022

Background

There has been no study examining lateral tibiofemoral (TF) osteoarthritis (OA) and objective decision-making factors affecting when patients decide to have total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to assess which factors and their thresholds cause patients with lateral TF OA to decide on TKA.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study and identified patients who had initially been diagnosed with isolated lateral TF OA from October 2004 to February 2021. We finally included 56 patients; patients who had chosen conservative treatment followed by in-depth interviews for the deliberation stage (n = 32), and the other patients who decided to undergo TKA for the decision-making stage (n = 24). Demographic, clinical, and radiographic characteristics were considered candidate predictive factors. Radiographic variables included the Ahlbäck grade, hip–knee–ankle (HKA) angle, joint line convergence angle (JLCA), and TF subluxation. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

Clinically, the pain visual analog scale (VAS) score was significantly higher and the knee flexion angle was lower at the decision-making stage. Radiographic measurements showed that the Ahlbäck grade, HKA angle, JLCA, and TF subluxation measured at the center, in addition to the tibiotalar angle, differed statistically between the two stages. According to univariate analyses, two clinical characteristics and six radiographic variables on the ipsilateral side of the leg, and one radiographic variable on the contralateral side of the leg were included as factors influencing the patients’ decision to undergo TKA. After making adjustments based on multivariate analysis, the ipsilateral knee pain VAS (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.14–2.28, p = 0.007) and medial TF subluxation measured at the center (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01–1.32, p = 0.072) were found to be significant factors for choosing TKA. The area under the curve (AUC) for pain VAS was 0.757 and the cutoff value was 4.5. The AUC for TF subluxation measured at the center was 0.697 and the cutoff value was −4.10% of medial TF subluxation.

Conclusion

Higher ipsilateral knee pain VAS and more severe medial TF subluxation measured at the center were independent factors affecting patient decisions to undergo TKA with lateral TF OA. Understanding the determining factors that may affect patient decision-making when considering TKA may be an essential aspect of evaluating the prognosis of patients with lateral TF OA.

Level of evidence

III.
Role of debulking mucoid ACL in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a prospective multicentric study
Authors: Rajani Amyn M. , Shah Urvil A. , Mittal Anmol R. S. , Gupta Sheetal , Garg Rajesh , Punamiya Meenakshi
Published: October 2022

Background

Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has been shown to cause restricted terminal range of motion and rest pain. If present in a patient undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, it can deteriorate the final outcome. This study aims to compare functional and clinical outcomes of debulking the mucoid ACL in patients undergoing mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Methods

Patients with mucoid ACL undergoing mobile-bearing UKA at five different centres by five different arthroplasty surgeons were included. They were segregated into two groups matched for all demographic and pre-operative values: group A did not undergo debulking; group B underwent open debulking by a 15-number blade prior to UKA. Patient-related outcome measures, rest pain, clinical outcomes, and subjective patient satisfaction were recorded and compared at 2 years follow-up.

Results

A total of 442 patients (226 patients underwent debulking, 216 patients did not undergo debulking) were included. Both groups showed overall improvement after surgery, however, patients who underwent debulking performed better at 2 years follow-up in terms of Knee Society functional score, International Knee Documentation Committee scores, range of motion, rest pain and overall patient satisfaction (p < 0.05) as compared with their counterparts.

Conclusions

Debulking of mucoid ACL in patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty significantly reduces the rest pain and improves the final range of motion of the knee joint, subsequently improving the overall functional and clinical outcome of the patient and resulting in greater patient satisfaction.
Effect of medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy on progression of patellofemoral osteoarthritis
Authors: Na Bo-Ram , Yang Hong-Yeol , Seo Jae-Woong , Lee Chang-Hyun , Seon Jong-Keun
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effect of medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) on patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (PF OA) progression and its outcome according to the degree of preexisting PF OA.

Materials and methods

Patients who underwent biplane MOWHTO between January 2006 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of PF OA: non-PF OA [Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) grade 0–1] and PF OA (K–L grade 2–3). Propensity score matching was performed between the two groups, and comparative analysis was performed on clinical scores and radiographic parameters and grade.

Results

After propensity score matching, 83 patients were selected for each group. At postoperative follow-up, clinical scores were improved significantly compared with preoperative scores in both groups; however, there were no significant differences between the groups. There were also no significant differences between the two groups in radiographic parameters. The radiographic grade of PF OA indicated a slight progression in osteoarthritis in both groups; however, PF OA tended to progress further in the PF OA group.

Conclusions

MOWHTO did not result in significant differences in outcomes at postoperative follow-up; however, preexisting PF OA contributed to PF OA progression after MOWHTO.
Noninvasive assessment and risk factors of liver fibrosis in pediatric patients with beta thalassemia major using transient elastography
Authors: Mohamed Yasmen Awadalh , Morgan Dalia Saber , Hussein Asmaa Mohamed , Mohamed Alaa Aboud
Published: October 2022

Background

In beta-thalassemia major (TM) patients, levels of liver iron overload and the presence of chronic hepatitis C are directly correlated with the onset and severity of liver fibrosis. A noninvasive approach that can evaluate cirrhosis and liver fibrosis in these patients is transient elastography (TE). We aimed to find out the role of noninvasive elastography in the assessment of liver fibrosis in young beta-thalassemia major patients receiving frequent blood transfusions. Identifying the patients' risk factors for liver fibrosis is another goal. The study comprised 53 patients, all of whom had a thorough history-taking procedure, clinical examination, and investigations such as CBC, serum ferritin, HCV and HBV serology, and liver function testing. It was carried out transient elastography to find liver fibrosis.

Results

According to transient elastography, 52.8% of the patients had severe fibrosis (F2 and higher). 9.4% of people had positive HCV serology results. Significant liver fibrosis was correlated with all serum ferritin levels (708.2 ± 182.1, 3213.5 ± 1272.9, nonsignificant vs. significant fibrosis), HCV infection, age, blood transfusion frequency, and irregular chelation therapy. But no significant correlation regarding sex and BMI was detected.

Conclusion

Transient elastography is an alternate noninvasive approach that assesses liver fibrosis in beta-thalassemia major patients. The risk of liver fibrosis is related to iron overload, HCV seropositivity, advanced age, frequent blood transfusion, and irregular chelation therapy.
Polya urn model-based performance assessment of PSC bridges: prestress loss consideration
Authors: Balaji Rao K. , Anoop M. B.
Published: October 2022

A methodology for performance assessment of prestressed concrete (PSC) girder bridge system, based on strain monitoring in limited number of girders, is proposed in this paper. The methodology uses Polya urn model for determining probabilities of the bridge system being in different condition states with respect to loss of prestress. Performability measure is used for describing the performance of the bridge system. A condition state is assigned for the bridge system from a predefined set of condition states. The time for detailed inspection is determined as the time instant at which the performability of the bridge system becomes less than the target/required performance level. Performance assessment of a bridge system with one hundred PSC girders is considered for illustrating the methodology. The obtained values of condition state probabilities and performability for the considered scenarios (i.e., different number of monitored girders with prestress loss exceeding the allowable value) suggest that the methodology is able to consider the value of available information.
Structure and arrangement optimization of non-diagenetic gas hydrate jet crushing nozzles based on CFD simulation
Authors: Fang Xiaoyu , Li Xushen , Zhong Lin , Fang Xing , Lu Jiang
Published: October 2022

To optimize the optimal nozzle structure and multiple nozzle arrangement for hydrate jet crushing and to promote the development of solid fluidization extraction technology for shallow unconformity hydrate in China’s oceans, the submerged jet flow field of six commonly used nozzle structures in the downhole in-situ jet crushing process was analyzed on the basis of the solid fluidization extraction process in double-layer pipes, and the effect of the jet hole arrangement on the overflow performance of hydrate slurry in the outer annulus of double-layer pipes was also investigated. It was demonstrated that tapered straight nozzles were preferably selected as the nozzle type for hydrate solid fluidization mining process based on jet core stage length, jet energy dissipation rate, and jet fluid axial velocity. In the meantime, the optimum arrangement of the nozzles was preferred on the basis of the annular pressure drop and the flow resistance coefficient, with the number of single circle not higher than 3 and the axial spacing of the nozzles not lower than 50 mm. This study can provide a theoretical basis for nozzle selection and tool design for the solid fluidization jet crushing process of marine unconformable hydrates.
Harmonic generation of variable speed drive under complex-voltage unbalance conditions
Authors: Okojie Daniel Esene , Omoregbee Henry Ogbemudia , Richards Coneth Graham , Nnachi Agha Francis , Bornebroek Bertus Wilhelm
Published: October 2022

Efficiency in the industrial sector is a priority when seeking to minimize production costs and reduction in losses. Harmonic generation and associated losses need to be treated carefully with broad implementation of variable speed induction motor applications. The effect of these induced losses can add up to a significant loss. This study uses statistical tools alongside synthesized models to deduce and compare outcomes from regulated and unregulated converters in which harmonics may be triggered by switching algorithm of modern switch-mode power supplies and other inductive loads attached to supply bus system. These harmonics accumulate over time due to losses propagating through connected equipment when changes occur on the bus system. In this regard, results obtained from investigating and comparing three original equipment manufacturer variable speed drives that were exposed to voltage unbalance and complex harmonic conditions are presented in this study. A conclusion accomplished from the investigation and comparison suggests that generation of 6-pulse uncontrolled rectifier losses is negligible. Experimental validation confirms that unregulated 6-pulse converter produces on average more harmonics compared to the regulated converter of standard as recommended in guideline to permissible harmonic tolerance.
Expropriation between a legal figure and an approach for urban development: global trends and Egyptian reflections
Authors: Elbortokaly Amira Abdelrazik , Shalaby Ahmed Mohamed , Gammaz Sherin Ali
Published: October 2022

Expropriation of land is considered a crucial instrument of any development practice. The legitimacy of expropriation is essentially reinforced as it is employed for the public interest, often implied as infrastructure and public services. While in the private property on one side and the public interest on the other, urban development acts to be the art of getting the right balance. Despite urban development paradigms significantly affecting expropriation practices, most reviewed literature focused on legal aspects of expropriation. However, few were attentive to addressing the relation between expropriation and the urban universe. What are the current trends of the expropriation function and how extensively is it used for urban development? It can be elaborated as the study’s core question, while the research aims at mapping the development of the expropriation function and how extensively expropriation is used across time and space. Therefore, the study adopts a qualitative comparative approach to explore the global trends of expropriation for urban development and map convergence and deviations. The proposed criteria for comparison aim to discover how extensively expropriation is used, the legal changes and the institutional contexts. In addition, the applied part of the study uses a case study analysis method. A chronological timeline analysis of the Egyptian case was conducted to explore the nature of expropriation practices of Nasser’s time (1956–1970) to Mubarak’s time (1981–2011) in Egypt.

Globally, expropriation practices have a heterogeneous nature. Certain features, however, are common enough to justify classifying practices for this study. The research comes up with a schematic mapping intending not to be comprehensive but flexible enough to be applied as a framework to analyse and compare other cases in different contexts. Finally, the research concludes by comparing and positioning the Egyptian case in the light of the global trends and provides principal lessons to planners, governmental parties, and policy-makers.
Classification of nine types of pornographic materials using the sAI 0.3 model. Continuation of the pilot study
Authors: Oronowicz-Jaskowiak Wojciech , Siwiak Adam , Róg Krzysztof , Oronowicz-Jaśkowiak Agnieszka
Published: October 2022

Cel pracy

Legalne materiały pornograficzne stanowią niejednolitą grupę materiałów audiowizualnych, które przedstawiają jedną lub większą liczbę osób powyżej osiemnastego roku życia podczas podejmowania czynności o charakterze seksualnym. Celem badań było wytrenowanie modelu sieci neuronowej do klasyfikacji zadanych typów materiałów pornograficznych

Metoda

Materiały włączone do zbioru treningowego (3600 materiałów) i walidacyjnego (900 materiałów) podlegały restrykcyjnym kryteriom włączenia, a następnie były ręcznie klasyfikowane. Na tak przygotowanych materiałach wytrenowano głęboką sieć neuronową. Do badań zaklasyfikowano sześć modeli bazujących na różnych architekturach konwolucyjnych sieci neuronowych (ResNet152, ResNet101, VGG19, VGG16, Squeezenet 1.1, Squeezenet 1.0). Każdy z nich został wytrenowany na tej samej grupie zdjęć, a proces treningu odbywał się przy wykorzystaniu biblioteki fast.ai.

Wyniki

Stworzono model, który w porównaniu do modelu pilotażowego, umożliwia klasyfikację większej ilości typów materiałów pornograficznych, przy jednocześnie większej skuteczności, a dzięki opisaniu każdego zdjęcia, znane są również ograniczenia dokonywanej klasyfikacji.

Wnioski

Omówiono przyszłe zastosowania modelu w seksuologii klinicznej oraz psychiatrii. Rozwój prac nad głębokimi sieciami neuronowymi w seksuologii wydaje się być szczególnie obiecujący z co najmniej dwóch powodów. Po pierwsze, możliwe jest stworzenie narzędzia przeznaczone do automatycznego wykrywania materiałów pornograficznych z małoletnimi i zastosowanie go w trakcie postępowania sądowego. Po drugie, po dotrenowaniu zaprezentowanego modelu o zdjęcia kobiet oraz mężczyzn, którzy nie podejmują aktywności seksualnej, można by wykorzystać model do filtrowania treści nieodpowiednich do oglądania przez małoletnich