bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 and dental distance-based education: students’ perceptions in an Italian University
Authors: Di Giacomo Paola , Di Paolo Carlo
Published: August 2021

Background

The aim of the study was to analyze the perception of dental faculties students regarding the complete transition to distance-based education (DE) and the adaptation of this educational strategy, due to Covid-19 pandemic. A questionnaire to be completed anonymously was submitted online to students attending the faculties of Dentistry and Oral Hygiene at Sapienza, University of Rome, after the end of distance lessons. The collected data were processed statistically, providing descriptive data and analysis of correlation of the most significant parameters, using Chi-squared test, Cramér V and Pearson φ2, Goodman and Kruskal’s γ and λ and Kendall’s τb. The level of statistical significance wasp < 0.05.

Results

A total of 314 students participated in the survey. The overall level of satisfaction on a ten- point scale was 5.39 ± 2.59 for Oral Hygiene students and 6.15 ± 2.98 for Dentistry students. The most common complaints were the lack of a structured online curriculum, less interaction with professors and a lower level of attention. On the basis of the responses, scored using Likert-type Scale, oral Hygiene students reported statistically higher level of physical fatigue(p = 0.0189), a lower level of attention (p = 0.0136) and of the quality and quantity of acquired knowledge during distance education (p = 0.0392), compared to Dentistry students. Level of perceived stress and quality and quantity of acquired knowledge (γ = 0.81 and τb =0.56) and quality and quantity of acquired knowledge and fear of a decrease in knowledge (γ = 0.76 and τb =0.54) are associated variables.

Conclusion

Students’ feedback is essential to solve the key issues emerged from the questionnaire. New educational models should be define in order to ensure that distance education could be effective, meeting the learning needs of the students, and could not be a merely “online shift” of traditional methods, used as an alternative of live education.
Does drug dispensing improve the health outcomes of patients attending community pharmacies? A systematic review
Authors: Pizetta Bárbara , Raggi Lívia Gonçalves , Rocha Kérilin Stancine Santos , Cerqueira-Santos Sabrina , de Lyra-Jr Divaldo Pereira , dos Santos Júnior Genival Araujo
Published: August 2021

Background

Drug dispensing is a clinical pharmacy service that promotes access to medicines and their rational use. However, there is a lack of evidence for the impact of drug dispensing on patients’ health outcomes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of drug dispensing on the clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes of patients attending community pharmacies.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in April 2021 using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, LILACS, and Open Thesis. Two reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full-text articles according to the eligibility criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute, and the literature was synthesized narratively.

Results

We retrieved 3,685 articles and included nine studies that presented 13 different outcomes. Regarding the design, they were cross-sectional (n = 4), randomized clinical trials (n = 4), and quasi-experimental (n = 1). A positive influence of drug dispensing on health outcomes was demonstrated through six clinical, four humanistic and three economic outcomes. Eight studies (88,9 %) used intermediate outcomes. The assessment of methodological quality was characterized by a lack of clarity and/or lack of information in primary studies.

Conclusions

Most articles included in this review reported a positive influence of drug dispensing performed by community pharmacists on patients’ health outcomes. The findings of this study may be of interest to patients, pharmacists, decision makers, and healthcare systems, since they may contribute to evidence-based decision-making, strengthening the contribution of community pharmacists to health care.

Trial registration

Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020191701.
MicroRNA-138-1-3p sensitizes sorafenib to hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting PAK5 mediated β-catenin/ABCB1 signaling pathway
Authors: Li Tong-tong , Mou Jie , Pan Yao-jie , Huo Fu-chun , Du Wen-qi , Liang Jia , Wang Yang , Zhang Lan-sheng , Pei Dong-sheng
Published: August 2021

Background

Sorafenib is a kinase inhibitor that is used as a first-line therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, the existence of sorafenib resistance has limited its therapeutic effect. Through RNA sequencing, we demonstrated that miR-138-1-3p was downregulated in sorafenib resistant HCC cell lines. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-138-1-3p in sorafenib resistance of HCC.

Methods

In this study, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western Blot were utilized to detect the levels of PAK5 in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells and parental cells. The biological functions of miR-138-1-3p and PAK5 in sorafenib-resistant cells and their parental cells were explored by cell viability assays and flow cytometric analyses. The mechanisms for the involvement of PAK5 were examined via co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), immunofluorescence, dual luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). The effects of miR-138-1-3p and PAK5 on HCC sorafenib resistant characteristics were investigated by a xenotransplantation model.

Results

We detected significant down-regulation of miR-138-1-3p and up-regulation of PAK5 in sorafenib-resistance HCC cell lines. Mechanistic studies revealed that miR-138-1-3p reduced the protein expression of PAK5 by directly targeting the 3′-UTR of PAK5 mRNA. In addition, we verified that PAK5 enhanced the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of β-catenin that increased the transcriptional activity of a multidrug resistance protein ABCB1.

Conclusions

PAK5 contributed to the sorafenib resistant characteristics of HCC via β-catenin/ABCB1 signaling pathway. Our findings identified the correlation between miR-138-1-3p and PAK5 and the molecular mechanisms of PAK5-mediated sorafenib resistance in HCC, which provided a potential therapeutic target in advanced HCC patients.
Commentary: Novel strategies and new tools to curtail the health effects of pesticides
Authors: Benbrook Charles , Perry Melissa J. , Belpoggi Fiorella , Landrigan Philip J. , Perro Michelle , Mandrioli Daniele , Antoniou Michael N. , Winchester Paul , Mesnage Robin
Published: August 2021

Background

Flaws in the science supporting pesticide risk assessment and regulation stand in the way of progress in mitigating the human health impacts of pesticides. Critical problems include the scope of regulatory testing protocols, the near-total focus on pure active ingredients rather than formulated products, lack of publicly accessible information on co-formulants, excessive reliance on industry-supported studies coupled with reticence to incorporate published results in the risk assessment process, and failure to take advantage of new scientific opportunities and advances, e.g. biomonitoring and “omics” technologies.

Recommended Actions

Problems in pesticide risk assessment are identified and linked to study design, data, and methodological shortcomings. Steps and strategies are presented that have potential to deepen scientific knowledge of pesticide toxicity, exposures, and risks.

We propose four solutions:

(1) End near-sole reliance in regulatory decision-making on industry-supported studies by supporting and relying more heavily on independent science, especially for core toxicology studies. The cost of conducting core toxicology studies at labs not affiliated with or funded directly by pesticide registrants should be covered via fees paid by manufacturers to public agencies.

(2) Regulators should place more weight on mechanistic data and low-dose studies within the range of contemporary exposures.

(3) Regulators, public health agencies, and funders should increase the share of exposure-assessment resources that produce direct measures of concentrations in bodily fluids and tissues. Human biomonitoring is vital in order to quickly identify rising exposures among vulnerable populations including applicators, pregnant women, and children.

(4) Scientific tools across disciplines can accelerate progress in risk assessments if integrated more effectively. New genetic and metabolomic markers of adverse health impacts and heritable epigenetic impacts are emerging and should be included more routinely in risk assessment to effectively prevent disease.

Conclusions

Preventing adverse public health outcomes triggered or made worse by exposure to pesticides will require changes in policy and risk assessment procedures, more science free of industry influence, and innovative strategies that blend traditional methods with new tools and mechanistic insights.
Distinct differences in analytical performance of two commercially available assays for specific IgE to egg white and house dust mite allergens
Authors: Ito Komei , Tagami Kazunori
Published: August 2021

Background

Measurements of allergen-specific IgE antibodies with different manufacturers’ assays show modest or poor agreement. This study compares analytical performance of specific IgE tests for whole allergen extracts and individual allergen components of two assay systems, IMMULITE and ImmunoCAP, using human sera as well as monoclonal antibodies.

Methods

Comparisons were performed for specific IgE to house dust mite (HDM, n = 44), egg white (EW, n = 36) and the allergen components rDer p 1, rDer p 2, nGal d 1, nGal d 2 and nGal d 4 in human sera and with monoclonal mouse/human chimeric IgE antibodies specific for the same allergen components. Competitive interference with IgE measurement was investigated using allergen-specific monoclonal IgG and IgG4 antibodies.

Results

Measurements of IgE to HDM and EW in serial dilutions of human sera revealed weaker dilution linearity with IMMULITE than with ImmunoCAP. Analysis of five different monoclonal IgE antibodies with total and specific IgE assays, expected to return similar levels, gave an average specific/total IgE ratio of 0.96 (range 0.71–1.14) with ImmunoCAP and 1.89 (range 0.76–2.85) with IMMULITE, indicating overestimation of specific IgE by IMMULITE. With the EW IgE tests of both assay systems, measurements of a chimeric anti-Gal d 2 IgE antibody were unaffected by a competing mouse IgG antibody. While the same was true for measurement of a chimeric anti-Der p 1 IgE antibody using the HDM test in ImmunoCAP, a suppression of measured concentrations by up to 42% was observed in IMMULITE. Similarly, measurement of HDM-specific IgE in human sera by ImmunoCAP was unaffected by a competing monoclonal anti-Der p 2 IgG4 antibody while IMMULITE displayed a reduction of HDM-specific IgE values by up to 30%.

Conclusions

In this evaluation of analytical performance of two widely used assay systems, ImmunoCAP showed higher accuracy in quantitation of specific IgE and greater resistance against competing allergen-specific non-IgE antibodies which may arise through natural or dietary exposure, or as a result of allergen immunotherapy treatment.
Primary ovarian high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma: a case report
Authors: Lee Ji Sun , Lee Dayong , Lee Jisun , Han Man-Hoon , Hong Dae Gy , Lee Hyun Jung
Published: August 2021

Background

Primary ovarian high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma is a very rare disease. Even though it has poor prognosis, the gold standard treatment has not been established owing to its rarity. This report aimed to present therapeutic options for primary ovarian high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma.

Case presentation

A 49-year-old Asian woman presented with disseminated intravascular coagulation due to ruptured primary high-grade ovarian endometrial stromal sarcoma with multiple intraperitoneal metastases. After the initial surgery, the patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy with three courses of Adriamycin (75 mg/m2). We performed the secondary debulking operation including total hysterectomy, metastasectomy, omentectomy, peritonectomy, appendectomy, and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (paclitaxel 175 mg/m2). Currently she has been alive for 28 months under a new chemotherapy regimen.

Conclusion

We suggest cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy could be a therapeutic option for primary high-grade ovarian endometrial stromal sarcoma with peritoneal dissemination.
Evaluation of the internal stability of well-graded silty sand through the long-term seepage test
Authors: Lee Hee-Jun , Kim In-Hyun , Chung Choong-Ki
Published: August 2021

Suffusion is the phenomenon responsible for internal erosion, and is the process by which finer soil particles are moved through the constrictions between the larger soil particles by seepage forces. Generally, gap-graded soil is known to be susceptible to suffusion. Meanwhile, suffusion of well-graded silty sand and the resulting soil behavior are not well understood. Moreover, the previous researches on laboratory suffusion tests focused on the study of the critical hydraulic gradient, which triggers the internal instability of the soils within a short period of time. Therefore, in this study, long-term suffusion tests were conducted on well-graded silty sand under a hydraulic gradient lower than the critical value. As a result, abrupt increases in permeability and amount of soil discharged were observed due to the progressive migration of the soil particles, resulting in suffusion even at a relatively low hydraulic gradient.
Antiproliferative effect of extracts and fractions of the root of Terminalia avicennioides (Combretaceae) Guill and Perr. on HepG2 and Vero cell lines
Authors: Aliyu-Amoo Hadiza , Isa Hamza Ibrahim , Njoya Emmanuel Mfotie , McGaw Lyndy Joy
Published: August 2021

Background

Terminalia avicennioides Guill and Perr (Combretaceae) is an important West African medicinal plant. The plant is used locally against microbes and parasites in both humans and animals and studies have demonstrated its cytotoxicity potential. Thus, this study was carried out to test the cytotoxic effect of the extracts and fractions of the root of the medicinal plant Terminalia avicennioides Guill and Perr (Combretaceae) in two different cell lines.

Methods

Methanol, ethanol, 30 % ethanol, hot water and cold water extracts and ethylacetate, hexane, chloroform, butanol and residual water fractions, were evaluated at 1000, 750, 500, 250, 100 and 50 µg/mL concentrations, with doxorubicin as positive control. The cells were incubated with the extracts for 48 h at 37 °C in a 5 % CO2 humidified incubator. The inhibition of cell viability, determined with the methyl blue thiazole tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, was used to assess the anti-proliferative effect of the extracts, in normal Vero Monkey kidney and human liver cancer (HepG2) cell lines.

Results

There was a concentration-dependent inhibition of cell viability in both the HepG2 and Vero cell lines. For HepG2 cells, antiproliferative effect was highest for the hexane fraction (viability ranged from 19.63 ± 1.10 % to 70.30 ± 1.78 % for 1000 and 50 µg/mL, respectively. For Vero cells, the highest antiproliferative effect, at 1000 µg/mL, was with hexane fraction (cell viability 21.37 ± 3.50 %), while at 50 µg/mL the chloroform fraction demonstrated the highest effect (viability of 86.10 ± 1.95 %).

Conclusions

The extracts and fractions from the root of Terminalia avicennioides have antiproliferative effect on the Vero and HepG2 cell lines tested. However, the extracts and fractions were not more toxic to the HepG2 than to the Vero cells. The cytotoxic effect of stem-bark and leaf extracts could be evaluated in the future to determine its anticancer potential.
Dynamic spillovers between the term structure of interest rates, bitcoin, and safe-haven currencies
Authors: Aharon David Y. , Umar Zaghum , Vo Xuan Vinh
Published: August 2021

This study examines the connectedness between the US yield curve components (i.e., level, slope, and curvature), exchange rates, and the historical volatility of the exchange rates of the main safe-haven fiat currencies (Canada, Switzerland, EURO, Japan, and the UK) and the leading cryptocurrency, the Bitcoin. Results of the static analysis show that the level and slope of the yield curve are net transmitters of shocks to both the exchange rate and its volatility. The exchange rate of the Euro and the volatility of the Euro and the Canadian dollar exchange rate are net transmitters of shocks. Meanwhile, the curvature of the yield curve and the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, and British Pound act mainly as net receivers. Our static connectedness analysis shows that Bitcoin is mainly independent of shocks from the yield curve’s level, slope, and curvature, and from any main currency investigated. These findings hint that Bitcoin might provide hedging benefits. However, similar to the static analysis, our dynamic analysis shows that during different periods and particularly in stressful times, Bitcoin is far from being isolated from other currencies or the yield curve components. The dynamic analysis allows us to observe Bitcoin’s connectedness in times of stress. Evidence supporting this contention is the substantially increased connectedness due to policy shocks, political uncertainty, and systemic crisis, implying no empirical support for Bitcoin’s safe-haven property during stress times. The increased connectedness in the dynamic analysis compared with the static approach implies that in normal times and especially in stressful times, Bitcoin has the property of a diversifier. The results may have important implications for investors and policymakers regarding their risk monitoring and their assets allocation and investment strategies.
Research progress in the population differentiation and geographical adaptation of cotton
Authors: LI Fuguang
Published: August 2021

Recently, Du and his team revealed the genomic basis of population differentiation and geographical distribution of Chinese cultivated G. hirsutum (upland cotton). Our previous study showed that the large-scale inversions on chromosome A08 are widely distributed in a core collection of upland cotton and have driven population differentiation in G. hirsutum. With 3248 tetraploid cotton germplasms, He et al. identified new inversions on chromosome A06, and found these inversions together with those in chromosome A08 caused subpopulation differentiation Chinese cultivars that were highly consistent with their corresponding geographical distributions. This work provides new perspectives to further understand environmental adaptation of Chinese upland cotton germplasms.
Relationship between smoking, clinical, inflammatory, and radiographic parameters in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Farouk Hanan M. , Abdel-Rahman Maryam A. , Hassan Rasha Mohamad
Published: August 2021

Background

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune multisystemic disease that attacks the spine, sacroiliacs, and often causes asymmetrical peripheral oligoarthritis. It results from the interaction between the genetic factors mainly Human Leukocyte Antigen B27 (HLA B27) and environmental factors. Current smoking has been reported to be a major risk factor for the incidence and progression of ankylosing spondylitis. So, we aim to explore the relationship between smoking and each of the clinical, inflammatory markers, functional limitation, and radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Results

Fifty ankylosing spondylitis patients were included in this study. Comparisons of clinical data, radiographic, and inflammatory markers among smokers and nonsmokers revealed that AS current smokers showed a statistically significant decrease in chest expansion, increase in the occiput to wall distance (p < 0.001**), higher inflammatory marker, higher disease activity indices (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index), higher Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis functional index, and modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score than nonsmokers (P < 0.001**). The smoking index was positively correlated with BASFI, ASDAS, (mSASSS) (r = 0.584, p = 0.005*) and negatively correlated with chest expansion.

Conclusions

Current smoking in ankylosing spondylitis patients is associated with higher disease activity, inflammatory markers, functional disability, and radiological progression. This may add to the disease burden and thus interferes with the personal daily activities, physical mobility, life quality, and the response to TNFi therapy. So, stopping smoking is a mandatory step in controlling the disease activity and having favorable outcome.
Introduction to this special section: Surface-wave applications
Authors: Sloan Steve , Morton Sarah L.
Published: August 2021

The use of surface waves can be found at all levels of seismology, from the near surface to exploration to earthquakes. Once the scourge of reflection processing, the need to remove this coherent noise source led to a variety of in-field techniques to minimize its impact, including the application of geophone arrays, low-cut analog filters, and high-frequency geophones, not to mention the multitude of processing schemes devised to reduce surface-wave amplitudes after data collection. Although commonly labeled as noise, surface waves have proven to be versatile and resilient over the years, lending themselves to engineering applications in the shallow subsurface and developing velocity models to improve complex imaging in the oil and gas sector. This special section includes six papers that are equally representative, running the gamut from the first few meters of the surface to hundreds of meters deep. It includes examples of active and passive acquisition, modeling and field data, as well as geophones and fiber-optic sensors.
Simulation of scattered seismic surface waves on mountainous onshore areas: Understanding the “ground roll energy cone”
Authors: Sánchez-Galvis Ivan Javier , Serrano Jheyston , Sierra Daniel A. , Agudelo William
Published: August 2021

The accurate simulation of seismic surface waves on complex land areas requires elastic models with realistic near-surface parameters. The SEAM Phase II Foothills model, proposed by the SEG Advanced Modeling (SEAM) Corporation, is one of the most comprehensive efforts undertaken by the geophysics community to understand complex seismic wave propagation in foothills areas. However, while this model includes a rough topography, alluvial sediments, and complex geologic structures, synthetic data from the SEAM consortium do not reproduce the qualitative characteristics of the scattering energy that is generally interpreted as the “ground roll energy cone” on shot records of real data. To simulate the scattering, a near-surface elastic model in mountainous areas ideally must include the following three elements: (1) rough topography and bedrock, (2) low-velocity layer, and (3) small-scale heterogeneities (size approximately Rayleigh wavelength). The SEAM Foothills model only includes element (1) and, to a lesser extent, element (2). We represent a heterogeneous near surface as a random medium with two parameters: the average size of the heterogeneities and fractional fluctuation. A parametric analysis shows the influence of each parameter on the synthetic data and how similar it is compared to real data acquired in a foothills area in Colombia. We perform the analysis in the shot gather panel and dispersion image. Our study shows that it is necessary to include the low-velocity layer and small-scale distributed heterogeneities in the shallow part of the SEAM model to get synthetic data with realistic scattered surface-wave energy.
Reviews
Authors: Avakian Bob , Green William R.
Published: August 2021

Introduction to Machine Learning, fourth edition, by Ethem Alpaydin, ISBN 978-0-262-04379-3, 2020, MIT Press, 712 p. Governing the Climate-Energy Nexus: Institutional Complexity and Its Challenges to Effectiveness and Legitimacy, by Fariborz Zelli, Karin Bäckstrand, Naghmeh Nasiritousi, Jakob Skovgaard, and Oscar Widerberg, ISBN 978-1-108-48481-7, 2020, Cambridge University Press, 300 p.
Paul Rosenstein-Rodan and the Birth of Development Economics
Authors: Alacevich Michele
Published: August 2021

This article, based on previously untapped archival sources, offers an assessment of the life and thought of Paul Rosenstein-Rodan, a pioneer of development economics and one of the first articulators of both the “Big Push” and “balanced growth” theories. In addition to documenting the early life of Rosenstein-Rodan, this article discusses two critical junctures in the history of development economics, namely, the birth of the discipline in the late 1940s and its decline approximately a quarter century later. Rosenstein-Rodan was a fundamental player in both instances. Through the lens of his experience it is possible to understand the eclectic beginnings of development economics and locate some of its most important roots in the intellectual milieu of interwar Europe, from Vienna to London via Eastern and Southern Europe. What is more, Rosenstein-Rodan’s subsequent career epitomizes the arc of development economics, casting new light on the debates and practices that shaped the discipline during its rise and on the unresolved issues that help explain its decline.
A dual role of YAP in driving TGFβ-mediated endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Savorani Cecilia , Malinverno Matteo , Seccia Roberta , Maderna Claudio , Giannotta Monica , Terreran Linda , Mastrapasqua Eleonora , Campaner Stefano , Dejana Elisabetta , Giampietro Costanza
Published: August 2021

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is the biological process through which endothelial cells transdifferentiate into mesenchymal cells. During embryo development, EndMT regulates endocardial cushion formation via TGFβ/BMP signaling. In adults, EndMT is mainly activated during pathological conditions. Hence, it is necessary to characterize molecular regulators cooperating with TGFβ signaling in driving EndMT, to identify potential novel therapeutic targets to treat these pathologies. Here, we studied YAP, a transcriptional co-regulator involved in several biological processes, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). As EndMT is the endothelial-specific form of EMT, and YAP (herein referring to YAP1) and TGFβ signaling cross-talk in other contexts, we hypothesized that YAP contributes to EndMT by modulating TGFβ signaling. We demonstrate that YAP is required to trigger TGFβ-induced EndMT response, specifically contributing to SMAD3-driven EndMT early gene transcription. We provide novel evidence that YAP acts as SMAD3 transcriptional co-factor and prevents GSK3β-mediated SMAD3 phosphorylation, thus protecting SMAD3 from degradation. YAP is therefore emerging as a possible candidate target to inhibit pathological TGFβ-induced EndMT at early stages.
The Acute Effects of Prolonged Uninterrupted Sitting on Vascular Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: TAYLOR FRANCES C. , PINTO ANA J. , MANIAR NIRAV , DUNSTAN DAVID W. , GREEN DANIEL J.
Published: August 2021

Objective

This study aimed to determine the dose–response relationship between prolonged sitting and vascular function in healthy individuals and those with metabolic disturbances and to investigate the acute effects, on vascular function, of interventions that target interrupting prolonged sitting.

Design

This is a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Data Sources

Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline, PubMed, and CINAHL were searched from inception to 4 December 2020.

Eligibility Criteria

Randomized crossover trials, quasi-randomized trials, and parallel group trials where vascular function (flow-mediated dilation [FMD]) was assessed before and after an acute period of sedentary behavior was used in this study.

Results

Prolonged sitting resulted in a significant decrease in the standardized mean change (SMC) for lower-limb FMD at the 120-min (SMC = −0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −1.32 to −0.38) and 180-min (SMC = −1.18, 95% CI = −1.69 to −0.66) time points. A similar pattern was observed for lower-limb shear rate. No significant changes were observed for any outcomes in the upper limb. Subgroup analysis indicated that prolonged sitting decreased lower-limb FMD in healthy adults (SMC = −1.33, 95% CI = −1.89 to −0.78) who had higher a priori vascular endothelial function, but not in those with metabolic and vascular dysfunction (SMC = −0.51, 95% CI = −1.18 to 0.15). Interrupting sitting with active interruptions increased the standardized mean difference for FMD, relative to prolonged sitting, but it was not statistically significant (0.13, 95% CI = −0.20 to 0.45).

Conclusions

Lower-limb vascular function is progressively impaired as a consequence of prolonged sitting, up to 180 min. A similar trend was not observed in upper-limb vascular function. Subgroup analysis indicated that prolonged sitting negatively affects healthy populations, a finding not observed in those with metabolic disturbances. Regularly interrupting sitting with activity may be beneficial for those with metabolic disturbances.
Personal Activity Intelligence e-Health Program in People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: COOMBES JEFF S. , KEATING SHELLEY E. , MIELKE GREGORE I. , FASSETT ROBERT G. , COOMBES BROOKE K. , O’LEARY KAITLYN P. , COX EMILY R. , BURTON NICOLA W.
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Innovative strategies are needed to enable people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) to self-manage physical activity (PA). Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) is a new metric that uses the heart rate response to PA to inform the user as to whether they are doing enough PA to reduce the risk of premature mortality. The PAI score reflects PA over the previous 7 d with the goal to maintain a score ≥100. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the PAI e-Health Program in people with T2D.

Methods

Thirty participants with T2D who were not meeting PA guidelines were randomly assigned to 12 wk of either 1) PAI e-Health Program or 2) PA attention control. The PAI e-Health Program consisted of receiving a wrist-worn heart rate monitor and an app with the PAI metric, and attending 4 × 2 h·wk−1 sessions of exercise and counseling. Feasibility and acceptability of the program were evaluated by achievement of a PAI score ≥100 and participant feedback. Efficacy was determined from changes in glycemic control, cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise capacity (time-on-test), body composition, sleep time, and health-related quality of life.

Results

Program participants in the PAI e-Health Program had a mean ± SD PAI score of 119.7 ± 60.6 and achieved ≥100 PAI on 56.4% of the days. The majority of participants (80%) intended to continue to use PAI monitoring. Compared with control, the PAI group significantly improved their exercise capacity (mean difference, 95% confidence interval) (63 s, 17.9–108.0 s), sleep time (67.2 min, 7.2–127.1 min), total percent body fat (−1.3%, −2.6% to −0.1%), and gynoid fat percent (−1.5%, −2.6 to −0.5).

Conclusions

The PAI e-Health Program is feasible, acceptable, and efficacious in people with T2D.
Case Report: Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma in a female patient from Nepal
Authors: Devkota Anirudra , Paudel Amrit , Sapkota Simit , Pandit Subash , Baniya Aashish
Published: August 2021

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung is an uncommon subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Even in the early stages, pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) has a dismal prognosis when compared to other kinds of NSCLC with a mean survival of 9–12 months and a five-year survival rate of around 20%. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman with a two-month history of shortness of breath and cough. Initial computed tomography (CT) scan showed features of interstitial lung disease with chronic obstructive airway changes. After 34 months, the patient’s condition worsened with newer complaints of sore throat and hemoptysis. A repeat CT scan showed a ∼49x38x59mm size lesion in the superior segment of the left lower lobe. A core needle biopsy was performed, which revealed tumor cells consisting of irregular tubules and sarcomatoid components. The patient was started on chemotherapy. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her disease. Our case highlights the aggressiveness of PSC.
Representation of published core outcome sets for research in regulatory guidance: protocol
Authors: Dodd Susanna , Fish Rebecca , Gorst Sarah , Hall Deborah , Jacobsen Pamela , Kirkham Jamie , Main Barry , Matvienko-Sikar Karen , Saldanha Ian J. , Trépel Dominic , Williamson Paula R.
Published: August 2021

Background: The COMET Initiative promotes the development and use of ‘core outcome sets’ (COS), agreed standardised sets of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all studies in a particular clinical condition. COS are determined by consensus amongst key stakeholders, including health professionals, policymakers and patients, ensuring that the priorities and expertise of these representatives inform the choice of the most important outcomes to measure for a given condition. There is increased recognition of the need to integrate COS across the healthcare system and with existing regulatory apparatus, to ensure that outcomes being recorded are those of key relevance to important stakeholders. The aim of this study is to assess the degree of concordance between outcomes recommended in COS for research and in guidance provided by two key regulators: US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Methods: COS for research published during 2015-2019 with patient involvement and covering drug or device interventions will be compared against relevant regulatory guidelines, matched by condition. Guidance documents matching in scope (relating to intervention and population) to a COS for research will be scrutinised to identify all suggested outcomes for comparison against the core outcomes in the corresponding COS.

Discussion: This study will identify variation between outcomes suggested in FDA and EMA regulatory guidance relative to outcomes included in published COS for research, thus demonstrating the degree of representation of COS in regulatory guidance and vice versa. We will share the study findings (in particular, highlighting any lack of concordance between COS and regulatory guidance overall or for particular disease areas) and will invite feedback from FDA and EMA; we will seek to highlight where findings support the recommendations towards using well-developed COS or will make recommendations to COS developers on outcomes of importance to these key regulators.
Film mit Untertitel für Hörgeschädigte in Spanien. Eine Korpus-Studie
Authors: Martinez Martinez Silvia , Jung Linus
Published: August 2021

Dieser Artikel untersucht, wie Filme in Spanien für Hörgeschädigte untertitelt werden. Bei einem Korpus von 30 Filmen beruht unsere Untersuchungsmethode auf einem System semantischer Etikettierung, das zwei unterschiedliche Aspekte herauszuarbeiten versucht (Martínez-Martínez 2015). Vor allem geht es um die Frage, welche akustischen Elemente in der intersemiotischen Übersetzungspraxis als Wörter wiedergegeben werden und welche Übersetzungstechniken dabei zum Einsatz kommen. Dabei fällt auf, dass die akustischen Elemente nicht nur unterschiedlich intersemiotisch übersetzt werden, sondern es auch keine direkte Verbindung zwischen akustischem Element und angewandter Übersetzungstechnik gibt. Beide Phänomene dürften auf einem fehlenden Konsens beruhen. Offensichtlich wäre eine offene Debatte zwischen Translationswissenschaftlern und professionellen Übersetzern erforderlich, die epistemologische, theoretische und methodologische Fragestellungen diskutiert, um letztendlich den komplexen Übersetzungsprozess zwischen zwei semiotisch differenzierten, mit eigenen grammatikalischen und funktionalen Strukturen versehenen Kommunikationsmedien genauer zu erfassen und beschreiben zu können.
Impulsar la mediación como mecanismo extrajudicial para resolver las controversias sobre teletrabajo: ¿una oportunidad perdida durante la pandemia de la Covid-19 y para el futuro.
Authors: Miranda Plata Maria del Pilar
Published: August 2021

El Covid–19 ha originado una pandemia que ha provocado una gran crisis económica. La urgencia y lo novedoso de la situación ha dado lugar a una sucesión de normas jurídicas que en muchos casos incluyen lagunas y deficiencias. Lo deseable sería potenciar los medios extrajudiciales de resolución de conflictos, especialmente la mediación, como vía alternativa a los tribunales, especialmente en conflictos individuales, en materias tan utilizadas en estos tiempos de crisis como es el teletrabajo, lo cual evitaría una mayor saturación de la vía judicial. Podemos preguntarnos: ¿Se ha perdido una oportunidad en el ordenamiento jurídico-laboral español patra fomentar la mediación para resolver los conflictos del o vinculados al teletrabajo atendiendo a las eventuales imprecisiones de la nueva normativa y el aumento y acumulación de este tipo de conflictos debido a la pandemia de la COVID-19 y, todo ello pensando hacia el futuro?
Estimation of Preference Heterogeneity in Markets with Costly Search
Authors: Morozov Ilya , Seiler Stephan , Dong Xiaojing , Hou Liwen
Published: August 2021

The paper shows preference heterogeneity is overestimated when not accounting for search frictions and studies the impact of search frictions on optimal price setting.
Healthcare professionals' roles within UK welfare-to-work provision: a multiple case study exploration
Authors: Ceolta-Smith Jenny , Kenney Christine
Published: August 2021

Background/aims

Healthcare professionals play an important role in vocational rehabilitation for people receiving welfare support. The research questions for this study were: how do qualified healthcare professionals operate in UK welfare-to-work settings? What factors influence healthcare professionals' practice within a UK welfare-to-work setting?

Methods

A qualitative methodology was adopted. Four semi-structured interviews were conducted and additional documents (the awarded Work and Health Programme bids and job descriptions) about the healthcare professionals' roles were reviewed. Inductive thematic analysis was undertaken.

Results

Five themes were generated from the interview data: supporting frontline staff to understand clients' health needs; moving clients with complex needs closer to work; getting it right for the client by individualising support; gaining consent and maintaining confidentiality; and seeking and organising clinical supervision. These themes were corroborated with the document data.

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals have a key role within welfare-to-work provision. Further research is needed to determine if the proposed healthcare professional roles have come to fruition, to identify their prevalence, and to explore their effectiveness.
Muscle energy technique versus active release technique on motor functions in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Abd Elrazik Gad Elhak Reda Kotb , Battesha Hanan Hosny M , Samir Sara Mohamed
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common median nerve neuropathy, accounting for 90% of all neuropathies, with prevalence in the general UK adult population ranging from 7–16% and bilateral symptoms reported in more than 50% of all cases. The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the median nerve compression and traction are thought to be complex. This study compared the effectiveness of muscle energy technique and active release technique in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods

This study involved a total of 30 male and female patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, aged between 30 and 50 years. The patients were randomly assigned to two equal groups, group A and group B. Group A received muscle energy technique, and group B received active release technique.

Results

Independent one-tailed t-tests revealed that the intragroup comparisons showed statistically significant increases in pinch grip strength and motor nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve post-treatment in group A (P=0.001 and 0.0001 respectively), while in group B, there were statistically significant increases in pinch grip strength and motor nerve conduction velocity post-treatment (P=0.037 and 0.043 respectively). The intergroup comparisons showed statistically significant differences in favour of group A.

Conclusions

Because there was little significant difference between the two groups, this study concluded that both treatment techniques were effective in increasing median motor nerve conduction and hand grip strength. However, muscle energy technique increased motor nerve conduction velocity and pinch grip muscle strength more than active release technique.
Risk factors for ankle valgus in children with hereditary multiple exostoses: A retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Wanglin , Wang Zhigang , Chen Mu , Li Yuchan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for ankle valgus in children with hereditary multiple exostoses (HME).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with HME who were examined at our hospital between 2010 and 2020. Patients’ age and sex were recorded along with radiographic variables including mechanical axis deviation (MAD), mechanical lateral distal tibia angle (LDTA), fibula/tibia length ratio (F/T); distal fibula station according to Malhotra's classification, location of exostoses at the ankle joint and fibular neck/physis width (N/P) ratio, which were measured from radiographs. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant independent risk factors for ankle valgus.

Results

There were 61 children (20 girls and 41 boys; 122 ankles) who met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 10.4 years (sd 3.4) and mean LDTA was 83° (sd 7°). Ankle valgus was found in 64 ankles (52%). In addition to younger age, exostoses involving the lateral aspects of the distal tibial and the medial aspect of the distal fibula (odds ratio (OR) = 4.091; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.065 to 15.712; p = 0.040), F/T ratio < 0.96 (OR = 4.457; 95% CI 1.498 to 13.261; p = 0.007) and N/P ratio > 1.6 (OR = 2.855; 95% CI 1.031 to 7.907; p = 0.043) were associated with an increased risk of developing ankle valgus, while sex and MAD were unrelated to its occurrence.

Conclusion

Young age, exostoses involving both the distal tibia and fibula, the F/T ratio < 0.96 and fibular N/P width ratio > 1.6 seemed to be risk factors of developing ankle valgus.

Levels of evidence

Prognostic studies, IV
Imaging of bee honey sugar crystals by second-harmonic generation
microscopy
Authors: Flores-Moreno J. M. , De La Torre Manuel H. , Frausto-Reyes C. , Casillas Rafael
Published: August 2021

Bee honey is an exceptionally nutritious food with unique chemical and mineral
contents. This report introduces the use of the second-harmonic
generation (SHG) microscopy for imaging honey sugar crystals’
morphology as an alternative for its authentication process. The
crystals and their boundaries are clearly observed with SHG compared
with bright-field microscopy, where the liquid honey avoids the
visualization of a sharp image. Four different honey samples of
Mexico’s various floral origins and geographical regions are analyzed
in our study. These samples are representative of the diversity and
valuable quality of bee honey production. The SHG image information is
complemented with Raman spectroscopy (RS) analysis, since this optical
technique is widely used to validate the bee’s honey composition
stated by its floral origin. We relate the SHG imaging of honey
crystals with the well-defined fructose and glucose peaks measured by
RS. Size measurement is introduced using the crystal´s length ratio to
differentiate its floral origin. From our observations, we can state
that SHG is a promising and suitable technique to provide a sort of
optical fingerprint based on the floral origin of bee honey.
Optical design and stray light control for a space-based laser space debris removal mission
Authors: Han Peixian , Guo Junli , Bao Qihong , Qin Tao , Ren Ge , Liu Yong
Published: August 2021

In low-Earth orbit, the already existing population of small and medium debris (between 1 cm and several dozens of cm) is a concrete threat to operational satellites. A space-based laser space debris removal (SLDR) system that can remove hazardous debris around selected space assets appears to be a flexible and effective project. To achieve high-precision tracking and emitting, the optical system of the SLDR mission includes a target-detection telescope and emitting telescope, adopting a common light path structure. The optical design results, system performance, tolerance budget, and detailed stray light control design are presented in this paper. The large-aperture off-axis two-mirror beam-narrowing system characteristics are also discussed in terms of stray light control. This paper will present the lateral-displacement (LD) setting, two-stage fore baffle design, black baffle surface selection, and opening direction of the telescope door. The results showed that the stray light elimination reaches a

10

−
9

order, meeting design requirements.
Foveated light-field display and real-time rendering for virtual
reality
Authors: Gao Chen , Peng Yifan , Wang Rui , Zhang Zhuopeng , Li Haifeng , Liu Xu
Published: August 2021

Glasses-free light field displays have significantly progressed due to advances in high-resolution microdisplays and high-end graphics processing units (GPUs). However, for near-eye light-field displays requiring portability, the fundamental trade-off regarding achieved spatial resolution remains: retinal blur quality must be degraded; otherwise, computational consumption increases. This has prevented synthesizing the high-quality light field from being fast. By integrating off-the-shelf gaze tracking modules into near-eye light-field displays, we present wearable virtual reality prototypes supporting human visual system-oriented focus cues. An optimized, foveated light field is delivered to each eye subject to the gaze point, providing more natural visual experiences than state-of-the-art solutions. Importantly, the factorization runtime can be immensely reduced, since the image resolution is only high within the gaze cone. In addition, we demonstrate significant improvements in computation and retinal blur quality over counterpart near-eye displays.
Design, alignment, and calibration of a focused laser differential interferometer
Authors: Neet Mallory C. , Lawson Joel M. , Austin Joanna M.
Published: August 2021

Methods are presented for systematic selection of optical components and dimensions for the design of both single- and double-focused laser differential interferometers (FLDIs). Step-by-step instructions for the assembly and alignment of each FLDI component are given, including detailed figures of the interferometer fringe behavior, as the required infinite-fringe configuration is approached. Calibration and data post-processing techniques are provided in order to obtain quantitative signals from the FLDI.