bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Low Dose Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant to Levobupivacaine in Ultrasoundguided Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Thakur Simpika , Kaur Sarvjeet , Singh Amanjot , Kaur Jaspreet
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Ultrasound-guided Interscalene Brachial (USGISB) plexus block is known to provide effective analgesia for upper limbs surgery. Low-dose dexamethasone as additive with levobupivacaine in USG-ISB plexus block is known to provide effective analgesia for upper limbs surgery. Aim: To evaluate whether dexamethasone, use as an additive with levobupivacaine during an USG-ISB plexus block for upper limb surgery, has sufficient analgesic effect. Materials and Methods: The randomised clinical trial was conducted at GGS Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab, India, from March 2018 to August 2019. Sixty patients who were scheduled to have upper limb surgery using USG-ISB with 0.5% levobupivacaine were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A (n=30) received one ml of normal saline, while group B (n=30) received 4 mg of dexamethasone. A fourpoint Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS) for pain was used to evaluate postoperative analgesia. The duration of analgesia, time to onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade, and pain ratings were measured. Unpaired student's t-test, Chisquare and Fisher’s-exact tests were used to analyse the data. Results: The mean duration of analgesia was significantly longer for group B than for group A (854.67±10.08 min vs 743.00±23.22 min; p-value<0.001). The onset of sensory and motor blocks in group B began to develop earlier (8.42±0.35 min, and 9.72±0.55 min) than those in group A (10.10±0.80 min, and 11.02±0.84 min; p-value<0.001). The duration of the sensory and motor block in group B was longer (653±16.17 min and 582.83±14.18 min) than that in group A (595±17.29 min and 487.33±21.04 min; p-value<0.001). Conclusion: Perineural dexamethasone with levobupivacaine provides greater postoperative analgesia, also speed up the onset of sensory and motor effects, and prolongs the duration of interscalene brachial plexus block.
Effects of Receiving Hearing Aids on Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults With Mild Hearing Loss
Authors: Zahl Sverre Morten
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: Hearing aid (HA) use is a common rehabilitation method for people with hearing loss. This study aimed to investigate whether the use of HA will advance the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Subjects andMethods: Patients referred to a public audiological department in Norway were invited to participate in this pre-post interventional study. The RAND-SF-36, a generic HRQoL questionnaire, was administered to the participants before and three months after HA fitting. Changes in HRQoL dimensions were analyzed for the whole group and for subgroups based on sex, age, and presence of tinnitus.Results: A total of 202 adults (109 men; mean age, 66.68 years [SD=10.92]) were included in the study. After a mean observation time of 91.63 days (SD=45.61), pain and general health significantly improved. Women aged ≥70 years without tinnitus improved in social functioning, while men aged <70 years with tinnitus improved in general health.Conclusions: Adults with mild hearing loss reported better general health and less bodily pain three months after HA fitting than before. The patient subgroups reported improved general health and social functioning. However, causation remains uncertain because of methodological limitations. A randomized, controlled trial with a longer follow-up time could clarify such issues.
Impact of Hearing Aid Usage on Emotional and Social Skills in Persons With Severe to Profound Hearing Loss
Authors: Yadav Arun Kumar , Ahsan Amra , Kumar Vijay
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: Severe to profound hearing loss impacts the capacity for verbal communication as well as the social, emotional, and overall quality of life; however, the association between socio-emotional rehabilitation and post-hearing aid use is not widely explored. This study aimed to investigate the socio-emotional change in post-hearing aid fitted individuals with severe to profound hearing loss.Materials and Methods: A total of 60 individuals comprised of 15 females and 45 males with severe to profound hearing loss within the age range of 40-60 years (mean age and standard deviation of 53.4±6.1), participated in this study. Participants were divided into two categories with a 10-year age interval i.e., 40–50 and 51-60 years. These participants were equally divided into hearing aid user (HAU) and non-hearing aid user (NHAU) groups. The hearing handicapped inventory for the adults-short version (HHIA-S) adapted from Weinstein & Ventry (1983) was used in this study.Results: The mean social score of all the participants was significantly higher than the mean emotional score. However, no such advantage was observed between the HAU and NHAU groups. The mean social score of females in the HAU category was significantly higher than males. The mean social and emotional scores were also compared across two age categories in the age range of 40-50 and 51-60 years and revealed no significant difference between mean social and emotional score across the age categories (p=0.026).Conclusions: In individuals with severe to profound hearing loss, social rehabilitation occurs quicker than emotional. In the HAU group, socialization occurred faster in females than males. These findings suggest that a customized counselling should be developed for the social and emotional wellbeing as these two parameters improve distinctly.
Rise of Faculty Scholars: Building Capacity for a Stronger Future. Chiropractic Educators Research Forum (CERF), December 3, 2022
Authors:   Chiropractic Educators Research Forum
Published: January 2023

This conference was convened by the Chiropractic Educators Research Forum (CERF) on December 3, 2022. This meeting provided a forum for the presentation of scholarly works in education theory and practice. This conference specifically focused on research related to education research and building faculty scholarship and research capacity. During the December 2022 CERF meeting, presenters and panelists took an in-depth look at education research and how chiropractic programs work to enhance research and scholarship capacity.
The use of Fermented Feed on the Growth of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): A Review
Authors: Pratiwy Fittrie Meyllianawaty , Agustiani Dini
Published: January 2023

Feed is the most important factor that must be considered for fish growth. Feed is also an important factor and affects the survival and growth of fish. The growth of tilapia is very dependent on physical and chemical influences and their interactions. Tilapia fish are included in omnivorous fish or all-eating. These fish can breed with a variety of foods, both animals and plants. Tilapia when it is still in the form of seeds, its food is plankton and moss, while when it is an adult, it can be given additional food in the form of artificial feed. The purpose of this study was to find out how the use of fermented feed on the growth of tilapia and the addition of fermented doses of 2% to 6%. The method used is a descriptive exploratory method from various previous research literature, both from national journals and international journals: Research Gate, Directory of Open Access Journals and Google Scholar. Fermentation is microbial activity in food to produce the desired product. Microbes that are generally involved in fermentation are bacteria, yeast and mold. Fermentation will simplify the particles in the feed ingredients so that it will increase the nutritional value of the feed. The results of the addition of fermentation to feed greatly affect the growth of tilapia with research giving doses of 2 to 6% fermented products with the highest growth, FCR and survival.
Factors Responsible for Discrimination against Single Adults in Tenant Selection in the Akure Property Market, Nigeria
Authors: Agboola Oladotun N. , Olukolajo Michael A. , Atere Odedapo O. , Ademola Komolafe Emmanuel
Published: January 2023

It is the aim of the sustainable development goal 10.3 to put an end to all discriminatory practices by 2030. However, despite the agenda, discrimination still thrives in the property market. The study identifies factor responsible for discrimination against single adults in Akure property market in order to determine its prevalence. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from a sample of Estate Surveying and Valuation firms in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The obtained information was examined using Weighted Mean Score and Factor Analysis. Factor analysis is a statistical approach for describing variability in observed variables in terms of a possibly smaller number of unseen variables known as factors. The findings of this study shows that four (4) factors namely default in the payment of rent, susceptibility to crime and immorality, unemployment and un-definable movements majorly influence discrimination against single adults at tenants selection in the Akure rental market. Also, the research showed that other factors like poor attitude towards property maintenance, default in the payment of utility bills and service charge, not being security conscious, non-cooperative attitudes with co-tenants, not cleaning premises, subletting the property, having many visitors, promiscuity do not fuel the chances of being discriminated against by Estate Surveyors and Valuers at tenants selection. Therefore, this study recommends that housing equity lectures should be included in the MCPD programmes organized by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) both at the state and national levels.
Formulation Design and Optimization of Hydrophilic Matrix Based Sustained Release Tablet of Clarithromycin Using a Design of Experiment (DoE)
Authors: Nandi Tirtha , Kumar Uttom , Bhadra Subrata , Rouf Abu Shara Shamsur
Published: January 2023

A well-defined and strictly controlled dissolution rate plays vital role in optimization of sustained release dosage form. For this purpose, a computer optimized technique, based on a response surface methodology (RSM) utilizing a quadratic equation and factorial design has been widely used for designing and optimization of different pharmaceutical formulations, which requires smaller number of experimental runs and is less time consuming than conventional formulation methods. The aim of the present study was to design and evaluate once daily sustained release clarithromycin tablet, using two molecular weight grades hydrophilic polymers, i.e. Methocel® K15M CR and Methocel® K100M CR as release retarding materials, utilizing a Design of Experiment (DoE) approach. The tablets were manufactured by response surface methodology based on 32 full factorial design utilizing a polynomial equation where both polymers used as independent variables, along with other requisite excipients. The cumulative percentages of drug released at 2, 12 and 24 hr were selected as dependent variables and restricted to 0-20%, 45-70%, and 80-100%, respectively. Regression and response surface analyses were performed using Design ExpertÒ software and found that the release pattern of clarithromycin from the matrix followed non-linear model at 2 and 12hrs but at 24hrs, the pattern was linear. From the overlay plot, one of among different proposed was prepared practically for further investigation and then evaluated for physical and biopharmaceutical properties. The predicted error for observed response of in vitro dissolution studies was found to be -0.57, -1.78 and 0.49% at 2, 12 and 24hr, respectively. Finally, modelling of the in vitro drug release data suggested that, the drug release from the optimized formulation followed Higuchi model and anomalous/non-Fickian type release mechanism.
Assessing—and Extending—California’s Insulin Manufacturing Initiative
Authors: Sherkow Jacob S. , Adashi Eli Y. , Cohen I. Glenn
Published: January 2023

This Viewpoint reviews California’s recently proposed CalRx initiative to manufacture biosimilar insulin, highlights challenges facing the initiative, and suggests ways in which, if successful, the initiative could serve as a model for state-managed development of drugs other than insulin, reduce drug prices, and provide other benefits.
Title 42 Exclusions of Asylum Seekers—A Misuse of Public Health Powers
Authors: Gostin Lawrence O. , Friedman Eric A.
Published: January 2023

This JAMA Forum discusses the harms of Title 42 on health, the lack of public health justification for its use in the US and how it violates international law, and the proposed reforms to promote public health instead of border control.
Assessment of Consumer Attitudes Following Recent Changes in the US Hearing Health Care Market
Authors: Singh Jasleen , Dhar Sumitrajit
Published: January 2023

Importance

The addition of over-the-counter hearing aid (HA) options has transformed the way individuals can access hearing health care (HHC). However, although critical to their adoption and use, consumer attitudes and opinions about direct-to-consumer (DTC) models of health care are often understudied.

Objective

To assess how recent DTC market changes in HHC delivery may be associated with consumer choice and attitudes towards specific HHC models.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A mixed-methods survey, distributed online between March 22 and 25, 2022, using Qualtrics Survey Panels. Participants were US residents older than 50 years with no previous hearing aid experience, enrolled using consecutive sampling. A minimum of 1000 completed responses was set; once the 70% threshold was met, any future respondent who identified as White would not be given the survey.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Respondents were asked to report their level of comfort with using different variations of DTC-HHC and asked about their previous experience with other DTC health care models. Respondents then reported which model (in-person vs online) of HHC they would most likely pursue.

Results

Of 1377 respondents, 1037 were included in the survey study (mean [SD] age, 61.4 [7.84] years; 714 [69.0%] were female; 674 [65.0%] were White). Most respondents reported discomfort with pursuing hearing aids via DTC pathways, with 84% (874 of 1037) indicating they would pursue HHC via an in-person model. Individuals who were older (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.98), reported an income greater than $150 000 (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.08-0.91), and were not interested in HA (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23-0.79) were less likely to pursue HHC online. Those who had previous experience with DTC health care (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.27-3.02), and did not have (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.59-4.31) or were uncertain (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.13-3.70) about their insurance coverage for HA were more likely to pursue HHC online.

Conclusions and Relevance

Current consumer attitudes and opinions found in this survey study suggest that DTC-HHC may not find immediate acceptance by most potential HA seekers in the US.
Crystal structures of OrfX1, OrfX2 and the OrfX1–OrfX3 complex from the orfX gene cluster of botulinum neurotoxin E1
Authors: Gao Linfeng , Lam Kwok‐ho , Liu Shun , Przykopanski Adina , Lübke Johanna , Qi Ruifeng , Krüger Maren , Nowakowska Maria B. , Selby Katja , Douillard François P. , Dorner Martin B. , Perry Kay , Lindström Miia , Dorner Brigitte G. , Rummel Andreas , Jin Rongsheng
Published: January 2023

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are among the most lethal toxins known to humans, comprising seven established serotypes termed BoNT/A–G encoded in two types of gene clusters (ha and orfX) in BoNT‐producing clostridia. The ha cluster encodes four non‐toxic neurotoxin‐associated proteins (NAPs) that assemble with BoNTs to protect and enhance their oral toxicity. However, the structure and function of the orfX‐type NAPs remain largely unknown. Here, we report the crystal structures for OrfX1, OrfX2, and an OrfX1–OrfX3 complex, which are encoded in the orfX cluster of a BoNT/E1‐producing Clostridium botulinum strain associated with human foodborne botulism. These structures lay the foundation for future studies on the potential roles of OrfX proteins in oral intoxication and pathogenesis of BoNTs.
Ca2+‐binding‐region‐dependent cell surface localization of NADPH oxidase Nox5
Authors: Miyano Kei , Kajikawa Mizuho
Published: January 2023

Six gene splice variants of superoxide‐generating NADPH oxidase 5 (Nox5) have been identified in humans, and they differ in the sequence of their N‐terminal cytoplasmic domains, which comprise four EF‐hand motifs. Here, we demonstrated that the Ca2+‐dependent association and dissociation between the N‐ and C‐terminal cytoplasmic domains of the Nox5β variant are affected by the alanine substitution of the conserved Ile‐113 or Leu‐115 at the connecting loop between the third and fourth EF‐hand motifs. These substitutions impair the cell surface localization of Nox5β. In addition, the Nox5ε/S variant, lacking all EF‐hand motifs, does not localize to the plasma membrane. Thus, the Ca2+‐sensitive intramolecular interaction determines the Nox5 subcellular localization, that is, whether Nox5 variants generate superoxide in the extracellular or intracellular space.
Liquid‐Phase Epitaxy
Authors: Mauk Michael G.
Published: January 2023

Liquid‐phase epitaxy (LPE) is a crystal growth method that produces single‐crystal films or layers of semiconductors and other types of materials on a supporting substrate. LPE‐grown structures include light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes, and photodetectors; energy conversion devices such as photovoltaic cells, and various magnetic and optical devices. LPE is typically affected by solidifying a film comprising solute components precipitated from a molten metallic solution at temperatures ranging from several hundred to >1200 °C. A common LPE technology is based on a crucible slider apparatus in a temperature‐programmed furnace with a hydrogen ambient at atmospheric pressure. Multiple layer depositions generate a wide range of structures, and LPE has proven especially useful for III–V compound semiconductor heterostructures. Present‐day uses of LPE stem from favorable features such as fast growth rates, low defect densities, a wide choice of impurity dopants, and straightforward formulations based on phase equilibria and kinetics data and models. While LPE was a prominent epitaxy technology in the 1970s and 1980s, nowadays LPE is relegated to niche applications. Compared to competing epitaxy technologies such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), LPE falls short with regard to the achievement of ultrathin layered structures, strained or lattice‐mismatched structures, abrupt interfaces, and areal uniformity. Still, there are significant application areas well served by LPE or by modified LPE techniques, as reviewed here.
Reinforced Wool Keratin Fibers via Dithiol Chain Re‐bonding
Authors: Zhu Jin , Ma Ning , Li Shuo , Zhang Liang , Tong Xiaoling , Shao Yanyan , Shen Chao , Wen Yeye , Jian Muqiang , Shao Yuanlong , Zhang Jin
Published: January 2023

Regenerated wool keratin fibers (RWKFs) have heretofore attracted tremendous interest according to environmental friendliness, ample resource, and intrinsic biocompatibility for broad applications. In this realm, both uncontrollable keratin fibril assembly procedure and resultant insufficient mechanical strength, have greatly hindered their large‐scale manufacture and commercial viability. Herein, a continuous wet‐spinning strategy is put forward to rebuild wool keratin into compact regenerated bio‐fibers with improved strength via disulfide re‐bonding. Dithiothreitol (DTT) has been introduced to renovate disulfide linkage inside keratin polypeptide chains, and bridge keratin fibrils via covalent thiol bonding to form a continuous backbone as mechanical support. A thus‐derived RWKF manifests a tensile strength of 186.1 ± 7.0 MPa and Young's modulus of 7.4 ± 0.2 GPa, which exceeds those of natural wool, feathers, and regenerated wool or feather keratin fibers. The detailed wet‐spinning technical parameters, such as coagulation, oxidation, and post‐treatment, have been systematically optimized to guarantee the continuous preparation of high‐strength regenerated keratin fibers. This work offers insight into solving the concurrent challenges for continuous manufacture of regenerated protein fibers and sustainability concerns about biomass waste.
Thiourea‐Promoted Cascade Dihalogenation‐Cyclization of Cyclohexadienone‐Containing 1,6‐Enynes
Authors: Zhao Jia‐Ying , Liao Qi , Zhang Jian‐Wei , Lin Guo‐Qiang , Wang Zhengtao , Gao Dingding , Li Qing‐Hua , Tian Ping
Published: January 2023

Organohalogens play an important role in the drug discovery and functional materials. However, the convenient preparation of organohalogens still remains a challenging task. Herein, we report a metal‐free cascade dihalogenation‐cyclization of cyclohexadienone‐containing 1,6‐enynes in a biodegradable solvent to generate the dibrominated cis‐tetrahydrobenzofuran‐5(4H)‐ones and cis‐dihydrobenzopyran‐6(5H)‐ones respectively bearing 1,4‐dibromobut‐1‐enyl subunit in trans‐trans and trans‐cis form. A subgram‐scale experiment and several downstream transformations are presented for elaborating the synthetic utility. Moreover, the potent anticancer activity is observed against MDA‐MB‐468 cells for the corresponding products.

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Drug Permeability: From the Blood–Brain Barrier to the Peripheral Nerve Barriers
Authors: Sun Yifei , Zabihi Mahmood , Li Qi , Li Xiaosi , Kim Brandon J. , Ubogu Eroboghene E. , Raja Srinivasa N. , Wesselmann Ursula , Zhao Chao
Published: January 2023

Drug delivery into the peripheral nerves and nerve roots has important implications for effective local anesthesia and treatment of peripheral neuropathies and chronic neuropathic pain. Similar to drugs that need to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–spinal cord barrier to gain access to the central nervous system (CNS), drugs must cross the peripheral nerve barriers (PNBs), formed by the perineurium and blood–nerve barrier to modulate peripheral axons. Despite significant progress made to develop effective strategies to enhance BBB permeability in therapeutic drug design, efforts to enhance drug permeability and retention in peripheral nerves and nerve roots are relatively understudied. Guided by knowledge describing structural, molecular, and functional similarities between restrictive neural barriers in the CNS and peripheral nervous system, it is hypothesized that certain CNS drug delivery strategies are adaptable for peripheral nerve drug delivery. Here, the molecular, structural, and functional similarities and differences between the BBB and PNB are described, existing CNS and peripheral nerve drug delivery strategies are summarized and compared, and the potential application of selected CNS delivery strategies to improve efficacious drug entry for peripheral nerve disorders is discussed.
Unravelling and Quantifying the Biophysical– Biochemical Descriptors Governing Protein Thermostability by Machine Learning
Authors: Kumar Shashi , Duggineni Vinay Kumar , Singhania Vibhuti , Misra Swayam Prabha , Deshpande Parag A.
Published: January 2023

Analysis of protein thermostability is vital in protein science to aid the understanding of evolutionary aspects of organic life as well as in protein engineering for modern day industrial applications. In the present study, supervised machine learning (ML) algorithms are employed to unravel potential patterns behind protein thermostability. This computational analysis conclusively shows inverse gamma turns, VIII turns, and the propensity of cysteine (Cys) to be the most important biophysical–biochemical attributes responsible for protein thermostability. From the propensity analysis of amino acids, polar residues, specifically glutamine (Gln) and serine (Ser), and charged residues, specifically glutamic acid (Glu) and lysine (Lys), are found to favor the enhancement of protein thermostability. The study demonstrates the feasibility of assigning quantifiable descriptors of thermostability which is expected to aid protein engineering.
Remote‐Controlled Droplet Chains‐Based Electricity Generators
Authors: Zheng Huanxi , Wu Hao , Yi Zhiran , Song Yuxin , Xu Wanghuai , Yan Xiantong , Zhou Xiaofeng , Wang Steven , Wang Zuankai
Published: January 2023

Harnessing ambient renewable mechanical energies for achieving carbon‐neutrality demands the rational design of materials and architectures which are favorable for both energy collection and conversion simultaneously. However, the direct coupling of energy collection and conversion modules leads to many unwanted problems such as material wearing, the spatial constraint for large‐scale integration, and low energy conversion efficiency. Herein, a remote‐controlled energy harvesting strategy that cleverly harnesses the unique advantage of diffusive, long‐range airflow within a confined capillary channel is developed. The reported device separates the energy collection unit, made of an elastic cavity that directly transforms external mechanical motion to pneumatic motion, from the conversion units, made of encapsulated droplet chains that serve to translate their recurring motion within the capillary channel into electrical output. In contrast to single‐drain electrode design for electricity generation from fresh droplets in open spaces, two drain electrodes are designed to collect and release electrostatically induced charges from recurring droplets in the confined channel, respectively, thereby eliminating unwanted charge accumulation on recurring droplets and leading to efficient output performance. The integration of multiple electricity generation units with such a two‐drain electrode architecture with a single energy collector improves the design resilience and relaxes the spatial limitation.
Essential updates 2021/2022: Surgical outcomes of oligometastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yasuda Satoshi , Nagai Minako , Terai Taichi , Kohara Yuichiro , Sho Masayuki
Published: January 2023

Oligometastatic disease has been proposed as an intermediate state between localized and polymetastatic disease that can benefit from multimodal treatment, including surgery. There is a growing concern about performing surgery for oligometastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, although there is still little evidence. We reviewed articles published between 2021 and 2022, focusing mainly on surgical outcomes. Furthermore, we summarized the current status of surgery in the multidisciplinary treatment of oligometastatic pancreatic cancer and discuss future perspectives. In liver oligometastasis, multimodal treatment including surgery achieved favorable long‐term survival, especially in patients with good responses to preoperative chemotherapy, with a median survival time from 25.5 to 54.6 months. In addition, the data from the National Cancer Database in the United States showed that patients who underwent surgery for oligometastatic liver metastases had a significantly longer overall survival than those who received chemotherapy alone. Prognostic biomarkers were identified, including carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19‐9) levels at diagnosis and preoperative chemotherapy with normalization of CA19‐9 levels or favorable radiological response. Patients with lung oligometastasis had a more favorable long‐term prognosis than those with other recurrence sites, and the updated literature further confirmed the previous studies. Overall survival was favorable, with 84 months after initial surgery and 29.2 months after metastasectomy, and a 5‐year survival rate of 60.6% was also reported. In peritoneal oligometastasis, the results of conversion surgery after good responses to preoperative treatment with intraperitoneal therapy or systematic chemotherapy were reported, and the conversion rate and long‐term prognosis were favorable. There is a growing concern about performing surgery for oligometastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We reviewed articles published between 2021 and 2022, focusing mainly on surgical outcomes. Furthermore, we summarize the current status of surgery in multidisciplinary treatment of oligometastatic pancreatic cancer and discuss future perspectives.
Survival impact of surgical site infection in esophageal cancer surgery: A multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Matsuda Akihisa , Maruyama Hiroshi , Akagi Shinji , Inoue Toru , Uemura Kenichiro , Kobayashi Minako , Shiomi Hisanori , Watanabe Manabu , Fujita Takeo , Takahata Risa , Takeda Shigeru , Fukui Yasuo , Toiyama Yuji , Hagiwara Nobutoshi , Kaito Akio , Matsutani Takeshi , Yasuda Tomohiko , Yoshida Hiroshi , Tsujimoto Hironori , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: January 2023

Aim

This study was performed to evaluate the oncological impact of surgical site infection (SSI) and pneumonia on long‐term outcomes after esophagectomy.

Methods

The Japan Society for Surgical Infection conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study involving 407 patients with curative stage I/II/III esophageal cancer at 11 centers from April 2013 to March 2015. We investigated the association of SSI and postoperative pneumonia with oncological outcomes in terms of relapse‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Ninety (22.1%), 65 (16.0%), and 22 (5.4%) patients had SSI, pneumonia, and both SSI and pneumonia, respectively. The univariate analysis demonstrated that SSI and pneumonia were associated with worse RFS and OS. In the multivariate analysis, however, only SSI had a significant negative impact on RFS (HR, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.36; P = 0.010) and OS (HR, 2.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.41–3.01; P < 0.001). The presence of both SSI and pneumonia and the presence of severe SSI had profound negative oncological impacts. Diabetes mellitus and an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of III were independent predictive factors for both SSI and pneumonia. The subgroup analysis showed that three‐field lymph node dissection and neoadjuvant therapy canceled out the negative oncological impact of SSI on RFS.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that SSI, rather than pneumonia, after esophagectomy was associated with impaired oncological outcomes. Further progress in the development of strategies for SSI prevention may improve the quality of care and oncological outcomes in patients undergoing curative esophagectomy.
Octopus‐Inspired Suction Cups with Embedded Strain Sensors for Object Recognition
Authors: Shahabi Ebrahim , Visentin Francesco , Mondini Alessio , Mazzolai Barbara
Published: January 2023

The octopus has unique capacities are sources of inspiration in developing soft robotic‐enabling technologies. Herein, soft, sensorized, suction cups inspired by the suckers ofOctopus vulgarisare presented. The suction cups using direct casting are fabricated, so that materials with different mechanical properties can be combined to optimize sensing and grasping capabilities. The artificial suckers integrate four embedded strain sensors, individually characterized and placed in a 90° configuration along the rim of the suction cup. Based on this arrangement, how well the sensory suction cup can detect 1) the direction and 2) the angle (from 30° to 90°) of a touched inclined surface and 3) the stiffness of a touched flat object (shore hardness between 0010 and D50) both in air and underwater is evaluated. Data processing on neural networks is based using a multilayer perceptron to perform regression on individual properties. The results show a mean absolute error of 0.98 for angles, 0.02 for directions, and 97.9% and 93.5% of accuracy for the material classification in air and underwater, respectively. In view of the results and scalability in manufacturing, the proposed artificial suckers would seem to be highly effective solutions for soft robotics, including blind exploration and object recognition.
Optical Nanofiber Skins for Multifunctional Humanoid Tactility
Authors: Tang Yao , Yu Longteng , Pan Jing , Yao Ni , Geng Weidong , Li Xiong , Tong Limin , Zhang Lei , Zhang Zhengyou , Song Aiguo
Published: January 2023

Humanoid tactility has been boosting robotic intelligence in object recognition, dexterous manipulation, and human–robot interaction. For many artificial tactile sensors, especially those based on optical principles, inflexibility, bulkiness, and monomodality limit their potential to function as humanoid skins. Herein, by embedding lab‐made optical nanofibers (ONFs) into elastomeric films, soft, flexible, thin (around 500 μm, similar to human skin), and multimodal (force and thermosensitive) robotic skins are achieved. These superior characteristics arise from the low flexural rigidity and large evanescent field of ONFs, due to their subwavelength diameters (down to 450 nm). By tuning light wavelength, ONF diameter, and skin thickness, variable sensitivities and sensing ranges for both force and temperature are reported. Depending on different sensing requirements, special modules can be further assembled on the ONF skins for various surface properties, including hardness, texture, and thermal conductivity. The ONF skins can enable a commercial robot to emulate human behaviors, including adaptive grasping of flimsy objects, contactless temperature measurement, and even the perception of leaf veins. It is anticipated that these ONF skins could offer a unique solution in multiple intelligent systems such as robotics, prosthetics, human–machine interface and wearable devices.
Inchworm‐Like Soft Robot with Multimodal Locomotion Using an Acrylic Stick‐Constrained Dielectric Elastomer Actuator
Authors: Hu Tete , Lu Xinjiang , Liu Jin
Published: January 2023

Inchworm‐like robots have been increasingly investigated in recent years. However, most studies have focused on one or several locomotion modes, lacking in terms of inverted climbing, movement with a heavy load, and climbing a vertical plane. Herein, an inchworm‐like soft robot is actuated with multimodal locomotion using an acrylic stick‐constrained dielectric elastomer actuator (ASCDEA). By assembling the ASCDEA with a flexible support frame, a soft saddle‐like shape body is designed to provide the shape deformation ability for the robot. This design enables the robot to move under a heavy load. Two electroadhesion actuators are designed to implement the anchoring action. Additionally, a coordination control strategy is developed to synchronize the shape deformation and electroadhesion for multimodal locomotion. Experimental results confirm that the designed robot can move at a maximum velocity of 39.55 mm s−1 (0.53 body length s−1) on an inverted plane. Moreover, the robot is capable of multimodal locomotion, including inverted climbing, vertical climbing, horizontal crawling, turning locomotion, and rapid movement with a heavy load. The developed soft robot can navigate through a confined horizontal tunnel while carrying a payload, cross a gap, circumvent obstacles, and is particularly robust owing to its compliance.
A Bioinspired Gripper with Sequential Motion and Mutable Posture Enabled by Antagonistic Mechanism
Authors: Wang Tianhong , Jin Tao , Zhang Quan , Li Long , Wang Guopeng , Tian Yingzhong , Yi Sicheng , Lin Yangqiao
Published: January 2023

Human finger excels at delicate and dynamic gripping tasks via coordinating soft tissues and rigid components, which is yet considerably challenging for robotic grippers. Herein, inspired by the human finger, a soft‐rigid structured gripper composed of three variable‐stiffness fingers with the antagonistic mechanism is proposed. Each finger can change its joint stiffness by selectively applying pretension to the springs so that it can exhibit different stiffness gradients to conform to the surfaces. Theoretical models are established to evaluate both the deformation and stiffness properties, and several experiments verify that it can increase the stiffness to 6.4 times after aggravating the antagonistic effect. Based on the variable stiffness, the finger performs sequential motion to conform to different curvatures, resulting in a larger contact area. Moreover, by stiffening joints, the proposed gripper can improve its grasping performance with a large grasping force while providing gentle contact. Furthermore, the gripper presents the capability of handling various objects with the optimal posture and gently grasping fragile objects like the paper ring and plasticine cylinder. Whereas this gripper can coordinate the relationship between high compliance and variable stiffness, the exploration of the gripper provides shed light on robotic design and practical application.
High‐Speed NIR‐Driven Untethered 3D‐Printed Hydrogel Microrobots in High‐Viscosity Liquids
Authors: Chen Yin , Li Mingliang , Tang Qianqian , Cheng Yifan , Miao Anqi , Cheng Liang , Zhu Shilu , Luo Tingting , Liu Guangli , Zhang Lijiu , Niu Fuzhou , Zhao Liang , Chen Jialong , Yang Runhuai
Published: January 2023

Untethered synthetic microrobots have significant potential to revolutionize biomedical interventions therapy in the future. However, the relatively slow speed of microrobots and viscosity biofluid environments are some of barriers standing in the way of microrobots’ biomedical applications. Herein, inspired by high‐speed biological escape propulsion, NIR‐driven microrobots with a high‐speed, unidirectional propulsion in the high‐viscosity liquid are proposed. The bubble's growth and ejection cause the proposed 3D‐printed microrobot to propel forward. The 3D‐printed claw‐like microrobot achieves motion average speed of 1.4 mm s−1 (three‐body length (bl) s−1) when driven by NIR light in a pure glycerol viscous (945 mPa s, 25 °C) environment, which has a viscosity that is more than 200 times the viscosity of blood and of 54 mm s−1 (120 bl s−1) when driven by NIR light in deionized (DI) water. This work provides more ideas for the design and propulsion of light‐driven microrobots in a high‐viscosity vivo environment, which may broaden the applications of microrobots in the biomedical field, such as propulsion and navigation in confined and hard‐to‐reach body location areas.
A Wearable Master–Slave Rehabilitation Robot Based on an Epidermal Array Electrode Sleeve and Multichannel Electromyography Network
Authors: Zhang Xiabing , Mo Xiaoyi , Li Cunbo , Li Fali , Jin Jing , Xie Ping , Yao Guang , Lin Yuan , Yao Dezhong , Xu Peng
Published: January 2023

Investigating electromyography (EMG) signals is vital to promote the development of both rehabilitative robots and understanding of the movement neural mechanism. Interactions between various muscle units are paramount to be measured through network analysis, aiming to reveal how information is propagated and integrated. Herein, an EMG network using an epidermal array electrode sleeve to record multichannel EMGs is constructed. Then, a master–slave rehabilitation robot by adopting the EMG network as a feature for movement intention recognition is built. The results demonstrate that the sleeve can record signals with high quality, characterized by better signal robustness and higher movement recognition performance. The different finger movements evoke the specific spatial network patterns, characterized by the dominated hub at the muscle in charge of the corresponding movement, and the proposed EMG network‐based approach consistently achieves the highest recognition accuracy. Moreover, the proposed approach also shows the relatively less influence of signal length and electrode positions on the movement recognition. Finally, the proposed robot system can achieve 98.21% ± 2.37 accuracy for online control. These results provide a novel theoretical and practical basis for neural prosthesis control and hemiplegic hand rehabilitation.
Blood pressure variability, dementia, and role of antihypertensive medications in older adults
Authors: Mahinrad Simin , Bennett David A. , Sorond Farzaneh A. , Gorelick Philip B.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

We assessed the association between visit‐to‐visit blood pressure variability (BPV) up to 12 years and subsequent dementia risk, and tested the modifying effect of antihypertensive medications.

Methods

We studied 2234 participants from two community‐based cohorts of older adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment. Participants were followed through annual assessments for up to 27 years. Visit‐to‐visit BPV was quantified over 3, 6, 9, and 12 years, respectively.

Results

Higher systolic BPV (SBPV) during 3, 6, 9, and 12 years was associated with a subsequent increased risk of dementia, with hazard ratios ranging from 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.04) to 1.10 (95% CI: 1.05–1.16). The association between SBPV and dementia risk was stronger among participants not taking calcium channel blockers (p‐for interaction < 0.05).

Discussion

Among older adults, long‐term exposure to higher visit‐to‐visit SBPV is associated with an increased risk of dementia later in life, and calcium channel blockers may modify this association.

Highlights

Among adults aged >65, higher systolic blood pressure variability spanning 3–12 years is associated with an increased risk of dementia later in life.

Single blood pressure measurement or mean blood pressure levels does not seem to associate with dementia risk among older adults.

The association between systolic blood pressure variability and dementia risk is stronger among those not taking calcium channel blocker medications.
Regulation binary electromagnetic filler networks in segregated poly(vinylidenefluoride) composite for absorption‐dominated electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Zhang Qimei , Cui Jian , Zhao Shuai , Gao Ailin , Zhang Guangfa , Yan Yehai
Published: January 2023

Excellent conductivity and optimized impedance matching are vital for superior absorption‐dominated electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. An efficient binary electromagnetic filler network regulation method has been proposed. Poly‐ (vinylidenefluoride)‐ferroferric oxide‐reduced graphene oxide/single‐wall carbon nanotube (PVDF‐Fe3O4‐RGC) composite has been synthesized as a layered segregated polymer composite structure by using an electrostatic assembly and hot compression strategy. Binary electromagnetic filler networks have surpassed the obstacles of magnetic materials in conductive networks, and are thereby beneficial for outstanding conductivity and impedance matching. Therefore, a superior conductivity of 1.28 S cm−1 and an outstanding electromagnetic shielding interference and effectiveness of 44.5 dB have been obtained for loading of 2.02 vol.% single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), with an absorption rate larger than 85.0% in the X‐band. The enhanced EMI shielding performance is attributed to the regulation of the binary electromagnetic filler network.
A landmarking protocol for geometric morphometric analysis of squamate endocasts
Authors: Allemand Rémi , López‐Aguirre Camilo , Abdul‐Sater Jade , Khalid Waqqas , Lang Madlen M. , Macrì Simone , Di‐Poï Nicolas , Daghfous Gheylen , Silcox Mary T.
Published: January 2023

Landmark‐based geometric morphometrics is widely used to study the morphology of the endocast, or internal mold of the braincase, and the diversity associated with this structure across vertebrates. Landmarks, as the basic unit of such methods, are intended to be points of correspondence, selected depending on the question at hand, whose proper definition is essential to guarantee robustness and reproducibility of results. In this study, 20 landmarks are defined to provide a framework to analyze the morphological variability in squamate endocasts. Ten species representing a cross‐section of the diversity of Squamata from both phylogenetic and ecological (i.e., habitat) perspectives were considered, to select landmarks replicable throughout the entire clade, regardless of the degree of neuroanatomical resolution of the endocast. To assess the precision, accuracy, and repeatability of these newly defined landmarks, both intraobserver and interobserver error were investigated. Estimates of measurement error show that most of the landmarks established here are highly replicable, and preliminary results suggest that they capture aspects of endocast shape related to both phylogenetic and ecologic signals. This study provides a basis for further examinations of squamate endocast disparity using landmark‐based geometric morphometrics.
Diet supplementation with egg yolk powder fattens the beetle Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Moura‐Silva Julia , Tavares Matheus P. S. , Almeida‐Oliveira Fernanda , Majerowicz David
Published: January 2023

Insects have become essential models in studying human metabolic diseases, mainly due to their low maintenance cost and available tools. Both mutations and modified diets induce metabolic states similar to human obesity and diabetes. Here, we explore the effect of a high‐calorie, high‐fat diet on the metabolism of the beetle Tribolium castaneum. Supplementation of the wheat flour diet with powdered egg yolk for 3 weeks increased the total triacylglycerol and accelerated larval development. In addition, this diet increased the triacylglycerol levels of adult beetles. However, this egg yolk supplementation did not alter the larvae's total glucose levels or lipogenic capacity and ATP citrate lyase activity. The diet also did not change the expression profile of several lipid and carbohydrate metabolism genes and insulin‐like peptides. Thus, we conclude that the diet supplemented with egg yolk induces increased fat without causing diabetes phenotypes, as seen in other hypercaloric diets in insects.
Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Nomenclature of Interphases with Liquid or Solid‐State Electrolytes
Authors: Amponsah Kyeremateng N. , Elia Giuseppe A. , Hahn Robert , Slater Peter R.
Published: January 2023

Although lithium‐ion batteries are playing a paramount role in everyday life around the world, from portable electronics to electric vehicles, there seems to be no international organization governing its development since the commercialization began in 1991. As a consequence, there is no clearly defined nomenclature for certain aspects of lithium‐ion batteries. For instance, no international consensus has been reached on the nomenclature of the interphases that play a very crucial role in the operation of lithium‐ion batteries. Unfortunately, this absence of proper nomenclature for interphases has been trending for far too long and it is confusing for emerging scientists, especially as it is being dragged to emerging technologies such as solid‐state batteries and post‐lithium chemistries. Here, the nomenclature problem of the interphases in lithium‐ion batteries is critically addressed.