bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The extent and barriers in providing pharmaceutical care services by community pharmacists in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Loh Pengyeow , Chua Siew Siang , Karuppannan Mahmathi
Published: August 2021

Background

Since the introduction of pharmaceutical care concept by Hepler and Strand in 1990, community pharmacists worldwide have been realigning their roles from being product-focused to patient-orientated to improve patient's quality of life. The objectives of this study were to determine the type of services, with emphasis on the extent of pharmaceutical care services provided by community pharmacists and the barriers in providing such services in Malaysia.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online questionnaire. Community pharmacists in Malaysia were invited to participate in the study via emails. The questionnaire was structured based on the Malaysian Community Pharmacy Benchmarking Guidelines, the five practice principles of pharmaceutical care by the American Pharmacists Association and other studies. The online questionnaire was opened for 6 months, from April to September 2018. A reminder to participate was sent via email to the community pharmacists every fortnight.

Results

A total of 420 community pharmacists responded to the online questionnaire. Besides essential services such as treatment for minor illness, medicine dispensing and counselling, most of the respondents were providing health screening and monitoring (99.5%), selection and recommendation of health supplements (90.5%), patient medication review (68.8%), weight management (52.4%) and counselling on smoking cessation (51.0%). More than half (53.3%) of the respondents reported that they were providing pharmaceutical care services to patients with chronic diseases. Based on the practice principles of pharmaceutical care, the respondents were involved in patients' data collection (23.3%), medical information evaluation (18.6%), formulating a drug therapy plan (9.3%), implementing a drug therapy plan (4.5%), and monitoring and modifying the plan (18.3%). Lack of separation between prescribing and dispensing was perceived as the main barrier to the implementation of pharmaceutical care services by a majority of the respondents (84.0%).

Conclusions

The present study found that pharmaceutical care services provided by community pharmacists in Malaysia were inadequate compared to international practice principles. Areas that need improvement included collaboration with patients' other health care providers; more proactive management of patient's medicine regimen; having proper patient monitoring and follow-up mechanisms, and documentation.
LncRNA CTD-3252C9.4 modulates pancreatic cancer cell survival and apoptosis through regulating IFI6 transcription
Authors: Yin Xin , Yang Jingyan , Chen Jintian , Ni Ruiqi , Zhou Yanhao , Song Hao , Jin Liang , Tang Tingting , Pan Yi
Published: August 2021

Background

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal cancer types with high degree of malignancy and poor prognosis. Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were associated with the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer. In the current study, we have investigated the expression, biological function and mechanism of a lncRNA CTD-3252C9.4 in pancreatic cancer.

Methods

The expression of CTD-3252C9.4 in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues was measured by qRT-PCR. In vitro and in vivo functional experiments assays were implemented for identifying CTD-3252C9.4 function in pancreatic cancer. Molecular relationships among CTD-3252C9.4, IRF1 and IFI6 were investigated via luciferase reporter assay, pulldown assay and ChIP assays.

Results

CTD-3252C9.4 was found remarkably decreased in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues. Overexpression of CTD-3252C9.4 suppressed migration, invasion and proliferation, yet facilitated apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Then, IFI6 was identified as a downstream target that could be down-regulated by CTD-3252C9.4 and IFI6 overexpression could counteract the effects of CTD-3252C9.4 upregulation on the survival and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, mechanism experiments revealed that IRF1 was a transcriptional factor of IFI6 that can be blocked by CTD-3252C9.4 to inhibit IFI6 transcription.

Conclusion

Our data indicated that CTD-3252C9.4 could promote pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis and restrain cell growth via binding IRF1 and preventing the transcription of IFI6, which may become a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
Investment case for malaria elimination in South Africa: a financing model for resource mobilization to accelerate regional malaria elimination
Authors: Njau Joseph , Silal Sheetal P. , Kollipara Aparna , Fox Katie , Balawanth Ryleen , Yuen Anthony , White Lisa J. , Moya Mandisi , Pillay Yogan , Moonasar Devanand
Published: August 2021

Background

Malaria continues to be a public health problem in South Africa. While the disease is mainly confined to three of the nine provinces, most local transmissions occur because of importation of cases from neighbouring countries. The government of South Africa has reiterated its commitment to eliminate malaria within its borders. To support the achievement of this goal, this study presents a cost–benefit analysis of malaria elimination in South Africa through simulating different scenarios aimed at achieving malaria elimination within a 10-year period.

Methods

A dynamic mathematical transmission model was developed to estimate the costs and benefits of malaria elimination in South Africa between 2018 and 2030. The model simulated a range of malaria interventions and estimated their impact on the transmission ofPlasmodium falciparummalaria between 2018 and 2030 in the three endemic provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. Local financial, economic, and epidemiological data were used to calibrate the transmission model.

Results

Based on the three primary simulated scenarios: Business as Usual, Accelerate and Source Reduction, the total economic burden was estimated as follows: for the Business as Usual scenario, the total economic burden of malaria in South Africa was R 3.69 billion (USD 223.3 million) over an 11-year period (2018–2029). The economic burden of malaria was estimated at R4.88 billion (USD 295.5 million) and R6.34 billion (~ USD 384 million) for the Accelerate and Source Reduction scenarios, respectively. Costs and benefits are presented in midyear 2020 values. Malaria elimination was predicted to occur in all three provinces if the Source Reduction strategy was adopted to help reduce malaria rates in southern Mozambique. This could be achieved by limiting annual local incidence in South Africa to less than 1 indigenous case with a prediction of this goal being achieved by the year 2026.

Conclusions

Malaria elimination in South Africa is feasible and economically worthwhile with a guaranteed positive return on investment (ROI). Findings of this study show that through securing funding for the proposed malaria interventions in the endemic areas of South Africa and neighbouring Mozambique, national elimination could be within reach in an 8-year period.
Application of compressed sensing for image compression based on optimized Toeplitz sensing matrices
Authors: Parkale Yuvraj V. , Nalbalwar Sanjay L.
Published: August 2021

In compressed sensing, the Toeplitz sensing matrices are generated by randomly drawn entries and further optimizes them with suitable optimization methods. However, during an optimization process, state-of-the-art optimization methods tend to lose control over the structure of measurement matrices. In this paper, we proposed the novel approach for optimization of Toeplitz sensing matrices based on evolutionary algorithms such as Genetic Algorithm (GA), Simulated Annealing (SA), and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for compression of an image signal. Furthermore, we investigated the performance of Basis Pursuit (BP) and Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) algorithms for the reconstruction of the images. The proposed optimized Toeplitz sensing matrices based on evolutionary algorithms such as GA, SA, and PSO exhibit a significant reduction in the mutual coherence (μ) and thus improved the recovery performance of 2D images compared to state-of-the-art non-optimized Toeplitz sensing matrices. The result reveals that the optimized Toeplitz sensing matrices with Basis Pursuit (BP) achieved more accurate results with a robust and uniform reconstruction guarantee compared to the OMP algorithm. However, BP shows the slow reconstruction performance of the image signal. On the other hand, an optimized Toeplitz sensing matrix with OMP shows a fast reconstruction guarantee, but at the cost of a reduction in the PSNR. Furthermore, the proposed approach retains the structure of Toeplitz sensing matrices and improves the image recovery performance of compressed sensing. Finally, the experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method based on evolutionary algorithms for image compression.
A cross-sectional study on the impact of the prevention and control response of the COVID-19 pandemic on minor’s orthopedic trauma in Shanghai
Authors: Qian Chuang , Zheng Yiming , Meng Junrong , Li Hao , Wang Dahui
Published: August 2021

Background

The Chinese government has taken strong prevention and control measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the pandemic is far from over, it has been effectively controlled in China. The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to study the influence of governmental prevention and control response on orthopedic trauma in minors.

Methods

We collected and reviewed data and information on minor’s orthopedic trauma from 1 January to 30 June of the past three year (2018, 2019 and 2020). The data were divided according to the time of prevention and control response level in 2020 (the first level response is from January 24 to March 22, the second level response is from March 23 to May 7, and the third level response is May 8 to now). By comparing the relevant data from orthopedic emergency and operating rooms from the past three years, the influence of governmental pandemic prevention measures on orthopedic trauma in minors was analyzed.

Results

A total of 36,301 minors were included in the study cohort. Before the prevention and control response, the data of the orthopedic emergency department of National Children Medical Center (Shanghai) in 2020 was the same as the previous two years. The condition of children undergoing surgery at the time of injury is significantly different under different levels of prevention and control response. Under the first-level response, the number of fractures, open injuries, radial head subluxation, and surgery were significantly reduced, and the severity of patients with surgery was also significantly reduced. Under the second-level response, the number of operations began to increase, and the severity of the disease also began to rise. Under the third-level response control, the number of fractures, open injuries, and operations have returned to the levels of the previous two years. The severity of the operation has also returned to its previous level. The number of subluxations of the radial head is still different from before.

Conclusion

The prevention and control response for the pandemic of COVID-19 can reduce the incidence of orthopedic trauma in minors by strengthening the guardian’s care and restricting children’s outdoor activities. With the control of the pandemic, the amount of orthopedic trauma in minors will not be affected by low-level prevention and control.
Effect of a dietary and exercise intervention in women with overweight and obesity undergoing fertility treatments: protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fawcett Kindann , Martinez Audrey , Crimmins Meghan , Sims Clark , Børsheim Elisabet , Andres Aline
Published: August 2021

Background

Distinct molecular, inflammatory, and metabolic signatures are present in oocytes and follicular fluid derived from women with obesity when compared to those derived from normal weight women, which suggest existing signals that may program future offspring for metabolic diseases. This study aims to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a peri-conception nutrition and exercise intervention on mitigating obesity-associated changes in oocyte gene expression profiles and follicular fluid metabolites.

Methods

This single blinded randomized control trial will include 120 women with a BMI of 25–45 kg/m2, ≥21 years of age, and undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Participants will be randomized to standard of care (N = 60) or an intervention group (N = 60) in a block design by polycystic ovary syndrome status. The intervention will combine a dietary component (Mediterranean meal plan) with exercise prescription following the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Participants will be assessed pre- and post-intervention. The standard of care group will be offered to join the intervention group if the IVF treatments are unsuccessful as a cross over design. Recruitment is anticipated to start in July of 2021. Primary outcomes will include single oocyte gene expression profiles and follicular fluid metabolites. Mann-Whitney U nonparametric tests will be used to assess potential differences for each stratum. Follicular fluid and serum metabolites will be analyzed using a one-factor Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at four levels, pair-wise comparisons using Tukey-Kramer post-hoc tests will be used to identify groups whose means differ significantly while retaining the family-wise error rate at 5%. When the design is balanced, two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), or non-parametric Friedman test will be used in data analysis. Additionally, general linear models and ANCOVA may be used to control for covariates. Significance will be set at p < 0.05. Findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed manuscripts and presentations at scientific conferences.

Discussion

This study will provide novel data and key information on the impact of a dietary and exercise intervention on oocyte gene expression and follicular fluid content. Results will demonstrate the potential of such intervention in mitigating obesity-induced changes in oocyte gene expression and follicular fluid metabolites.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04273048): submitted November 13, 2019; posted February 17, 2020.
Price distortions and municipal bonds premiums: evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Vukovic Darko B. , Rincon Carlos J. , Maiti Moinak
Published: August 2021

This study examines the pricing of municipal bonds before and after a currency shock in Switzerland. Two approaches are used to decompose the municipal to treasuries bond spreads into liquidity, maturity, and default risk premiums. The first approach is the model of the cross-sectional instrumental variables, and the second approach is the model of the instrumental variables with panel data. This study examines the composition of spreads for both approaches, in three scenarios: before, throughout, and after the currency shock. The study performed Durbin-Wu-Hausman tests for each decisive model to verify endogeneity issues, including the Lagrangian Multiplier test, the Cragg-Donald Wald F statistic to confirm the relationship of instrumental and endogenous variables, and the structural break test (Bai-Perron test) to determine the existence of structural breaks in bond distortions. This study finds that the currency price distortions of the Swiss franc in January 2015 made long-run changes in the composition of the municipal bond spreads. This research contributes to the understanding of municipal bond pricing by showing that default risk accounts for a large portion of the municipal bond spread, while maturity risk plays a lesser role. According to our empirical findings, unexpected large currency price shocks may have long-term implications on the municipal bond spreads.
Coronavirus disease and male fertility: a systematic review
Authors: Fathi Mobina , Vakili Kimia , Aliaghaei Abbas , Nematollahi Shahrzad , Peirouvi Tahmineh , Shalizar-Jalali Ali
Published: August 2021

Background

Based on the information from other SARS-CoV infections in the patients recovered from COVID-19, particularly cases in the reproductive age, gonadal function evaluation and andrological consultation comprising semen analysis are recommended.

Main body

Based on the COVID-19 infected patients’ seminal fluid analyses, SARS-CoV-2 may employ the male reproductive system as a transmission pathway. It has been also demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) can be strongly expressed at the protein levels in the testicular cells. The high expression of ACE2 in testes suggests that testes in the COVID-19 infected males can have an important role in the viral persistence and this subject needs further investigations. Several researchers have examined males recovered from COVID-19, but still, large-scale experiments are needed to determine the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the male reproductive system as well as viral transmission risk.

Conclusion

Comprehensive researches are required to figure out the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in seminal fluid as well as its sexual transmissibility and impact on sperm characteristics.
The phenomenology and impact of hallucinations concerning the deceased
Authors: Elsaesser Evelyn , Roe Chris A. , Cooper Callum E. , Lorimer David
Published: August 2021

Background

People who have suffered the loss of a loved one may subsequently report sensory experiences of the deceased (termed ‘after-death communications’, or ADCs). Such encounters are common and can be a source of comfort to the bereaved. Nevertheless, there has been limited empirical investigation of this phenomenon, and consequently mental health professionals feel ill-equipped to support those who disclose them.

Aims

To map the phenomenology of ADCs, and identify covariates and effects upon the recipient.

Method

We conducted an online mixed-methods survey comprising 194 items about all aspects of ADCs. A purposive sample of 1004 respondents across three language groups (English, French and Spanish) completed the survey.

Results

The most common form of ADC was during sleep, but large numbers of cases involved sensory modalities of touch, sight, hearing, smell and sense of presence that externalised the phenomenon for the recipient. Variations in incidence with participant gender and language group suggest a psychosocial component. ADCs were typically regarded by the participant as deeply meaningful and comforting. Respondents reported significant increases in their sense of spirituality, but not religiosity.

Conclusions

ADCs are a common feature of bereavement that occur unexpectedly, and are independent of any underlying pathology or psychological need. For the person experiencing the hallucination, they are important and meaningful events that they interpret in terms of continuing bonds with the deceased. This adaptive outcome may be stymied where mental health professionals trivialise or pathologise disclosures about ADCs.
VIDEO GAMES AS TECHNOLOGICAL RUINS OF A RECENT PAST
Authors: Metzitakos Rossetos , Panagiotakopoulos Dimitrios , Christodoulou Marina
Published: August 2021

The aesthetic cultivation of societal recollection is inextricably linked to the approach and preservation of the objects and the mnemonics that accompany them. This perception in modern society includes in its dormitories the historical evolution and retrospect of technology whose origins are pervasive in the realization of social impulses. Nostalgia and memories are no longer moved only through traditional ruins that reflect the aesthetics and sense of social development. In this context, it is important to examine whether video games nowadays can classify the early technological structures into the cradle of modern ruins, the evolutionary course of social memory. This article scrutinizes the multi-dimensional aspects of video games, approaching them as historical and technological achievements and identifying their aesthetic value as objects of the recent past that further stimulate quests lurking in this pixelated romanticism.
RUINS AS TROPES OF MODERNITY
Authors: GHEORGHIU Dragoş
Published: August 2021

Ruins were a fascinating subject for the last half-millennium culture in Europe. Their rhetoric structure, determined by the work of Nature-Time upon materials, stimulated the arts and architecture between the Middle Ages and Post-Modernism. The paper discussed the analogy between the human body and architecture, together with the material tropes identified in iconography and illustrated with two iconic sites, Petra and Jerash. An example presented to show the use of the tropes of ruins in creating Modern Art is Constantin Brancusi’s monumental work for the World War’s I soldiers.
DAMNATIO MEMORIAE: CONTEMPORARY CONDEMNATION OF MEMORY
Authors: Georgiadou Zoe , FLorou Vaso , Ilia - Georgiadou Ifigeneia
Published: August 2021

Mnemosyne in Greek mythology was the daughter of Gaea and Uranus, and mother of the nine Muses, whose father was Zeus. She was the personification of memory and was connected in this way to the Arts, as artists recalled primordial memories to draw inspiration for their creations. “Damnatio memoriae”, the Roman punishment meaning condemnation of memory, was an official sanction, successful in wiping out any remembrance of an individual who was convicted of being a tyrant, a traitor, or another sort of enemy of the state. The images of such condemned persons had to be destroyed, their names erased from inscriptions, and every element concerning their public presence was purged. In some cases, the residence of the condemned could be destroyed, and if the person was already dead, his grave was ruined and his last will nullified. Nowadays, the condemnation of memory could be connected to a series of incidents selected to be erased from the public conscience as if they have never happened, although they represent historical or even ordinary events – genocides, wars, migration flows, gender-based violence and others. This paper focuses on the contemporary condemnation of memory using Art as a methodological tool. We argue that art represents a way to investigate current circumstances that aim to wipe out collective memory. We probe these expressive forms that derive from historically transformed roles and compile these facts that are consigned to oblivion.
GRAPHIC DESIGN IN FILM: BUILDING CHARACTER IDENTITY AND VISUAL STYLE IN THE GREAT GATSBY (2013)
Authors: Tude Helena , Varzim Marta
Published: August 2021

Graphic design and cinema have worked together since the early days of filmmaking, driven by the effort to develop autonomous visual narratives in silent films, in much through the use of intertitles. It is meaningful to recognize how graphic design elements have invariably been a part of cinema’s hybrid language, as a material of expression manifested through the visual channel together with the filmed image. The different technological milestones that shaped cinema’s development also directly influenced the use of graphic language in movies, which became more complex with time. These graphic elements are present throughout an entire film narrative, from the choice of verbal, pictorial and schematic elements in titles and animations, to the creation (and curation) of printed or handmade graphic props, signage and logos filmed by the camera. Together, they form a movie’s graphic identity, which helps to convey meaning to the narrative as well as to bring a more dynamic and authentic storytelling. Through a case study of Hollywood’s 2013 movie adaptation of the literary masterpiece The Great Gatsby, this paper intends on exemplifying the strategic use of graphic design elements throughout the movie – in the physical and virtual formal natures – aiding in the construction of characters’ identities, contextualized into the roaring 1920’s aesthetics, as well as defining a clear visual style that is consistent with director Baz Luhrmann’s unique vision for the movie. In this way, the objective is to bring awareness to the potential of graphic design in building cinematic worlds that are historically accurate, aesthetically rich, and emotionally identifiable.
A COLLECTIVE MEMORY OF A CITY IRIS CULTURAL CENTER IN ELEUSINA
Authors: Bouras Constantine
Published: August 2021

The project is about the conversion of two listed buildings of the former paint factory IRIS in Eleusina into a multipurpose cultural center. Like all abandoned industrial relics in the area, the two listed buildings manifest strong ties with the industrial past of Eleusina and the collective memory of its inhabitants. The repurposing of the buildings by architect Constantine Bouras produces a space for theater, cinema, music, congresses, art exhibitions and other cultural activities, while part of it is home to the Aeschylus Museum.
Capacidade de coordenação e gerenciamento de riscos interorganizacionais
Authors: Tomaz Luiz Thiago , Maria Beuren Ilse , Costa Cortes Beatriz
Published: August 2021

Este estudo analisa a associação da capacidade de coordenação interorganizacional com o gerenciamento de riscos do relacionamento entre startups e seu parque tecnológico. Uma pesquisa de levantamento foi realizada com gestores de startups de parques tecnológicos brasileiros. Os dados foram submetidos à análise descritiva e testes de correlação e regressão para predizer o grau de associação entre as variáveis. Os resultados denotam correlações significantes entre as variáveis do estudo e a análise da regressão desvela a coordenação interorganizacional como antecedente do gerenciamento de riscos do relacionamento. Esses resultados elucidam a pertinência do relacionamento entre a startup e seu parque tecnológico.
Vulnerability of the Young Adult Consumer to Food Consumption
Authors: Ássimos Bruno Medeiros , Pinto Marcelo de Rezende , Marra Adriana Ventola
Published: August 2021

One of the major dietary problems in Brazil refers to being overweight affects about 25.4% of adolescents and 53.8% of adults. Thus, this paper sought to measure the vulnerability of young adults between 18 and 24 years old using the vulnerability scale proposed by Chi et al. (2017), relating it to the scale of nutritional interest of Balasubramanian and Cole (2002), obtaining n = 564. It was possible to identify more evidence of significance between product knowledge and nutritional interest, reinforcing the importance of information for the satisfactory evaluation of consumers and the reduction of their vulnerability.
Ensuring the Continuity of Preschool and Primary School Education: Organizing Work with Children Experiencing Learning Difficulties
Authors: Novikova Galina
Published: August 2021

The article analyzes the works of domestic teachers and psychologists, devoted to the organization of work with children experiencing difficulties in the process of mastering educational programs. On the basis of the ideas put forward by the researchers, the authors formulated and characterize the actual way of preventing the failure of first-graders - the implementation in practice of the principle of continuity of education during preschool childhood and at the first stage of school education. The urgent need for the manifestation of greater attention of primary school teachers to the analysis of the psychological and pedagogical reasons for school failure, as well as the organization of a differentiated approach to teaching children of special social groups is revealed.
MEMANTINE
Authors: Rees Sharon
Published: August 2021

In this column, Sharon Rees aims to refresh knowledge and interest in some of the commonly used drugs in a series of tweets. This month she is talking about #memantine
Understanding ivermectin
Authors: Winter George
Published: August 2021

George Winter examines the ongoing discussion as to whether invermectin can be used in the treatment of COVID-19, breaking down opposing viewpoints, the integrity of research, and the need for further analysis
Understanding primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Bostock Beverley
Published: August 2021

Nurses working in general practice play an important role in identifying those at risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and implementing person-focused risk reduction strategies. The NHS Health Check programme was designed to identify people between the age of 40 and 74 years with risk factors for CVD. Nurses in general practice have a key role to play in encouraging people to attend Health Checks and helping people to understand the potential benefits of CVD risk assessment and reduction strategies. Lifestyle interventions and pharmacological management allow modifiable risk factors to be managed in an evidence-based and person-focused way.
The revision partial knee classification system: understanding the causative pathology and magnitude of further surgery following partial knee arthroplasty
Authors: Garner Amy J. , Edwards Thomas C. , Liddle Alexander D. , Jones Gareth G. , Cobb Justin P.
Published: August 2021

Aims

Joint registries classify all further arthroplasty procedures to a knee with an existing partial arthroplasty as revision surgery, regardless of the actual procedure performed. Relatively minor procedures, including bearing exchanges, are classified in the same way as major operations requiring augments and stems. A new classification system is proposed to acknowledge and describe the detail of these procedures, which has implications for risk, recovery, and health economics.

Methods

Classification categories were proposed by a surgical consensus group, then ranked by patients, according to perceived invasiveness and implications for recovery. In round one, 26 revision cases were classified by the consensus group. Results were tested for inter-rater reliability. In round two, four additional cases were added for clarity. Round three repeated the survey one month later, subject to inter- and intrarater reliability testing. In round four, five additional expert partial knee arthroplasty surgeons were asked to classify the 30 cases according to the proposed revision partial knee classification (RPKC) system.

Results

Four classes were proposed: PR1, where no bone-implant interfaces are affected; PR2, where surgery does not include conversion to total knee arthroplasty, for example, a second partial arthroplasty to a native compartment; PR3, when a standard primary total knee prosthesis is used; and PR4 when revision components are necessary. Round one resulted in 92% inter-rater agreement (Kendall’s W 0.97; p < 0.005), rising to 93% in round two (Kendall’s W 0.98; p < 0.001). Round three demonstrated 97% agreement (Kendall’s W 0.98; p < 0.001), with high intra-rater reliability (interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.99; 95% confidence interval 0.98 to 0.99). Round four resulted in 80% agreement (Kendall’s W 0.92; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The RPKC system accounts for all procedures which may be appropriate following partial knee arthroplasty. It has been shown to be reliable, repeatable and pragmatic. The implications for patient care and health economics are discussed. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(8):638–645.
Impact of In Situ Education on Management of Cardiac Arrest after Cardiac Surgery
Authors:   Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN USA, Gali Bhargavi , Arteaga Grace , Au Glen , Herasevich Vitaly
Published: August 2021

Background: Advanced life support interventions have been modified for patients who have recently undergone sternotomy for cardiac surgery and have new suture lines. We aimed to determine whether the use of in-situ simulation increased adherence to the cardiac surgery unit-advanced life support algorithm (CSU-ALS) for patients with cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery (CAACS). Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of cardiac arrest management of patients who sustained CAACS before and after implementation of in-situ simulation scenarios utilizing CSU-ACLS in place of traditional advanced cardiac life support. We utilized classroom education of CSU-ACLS followed by in-situ high-fidelity simulated scenarios of patients with CAACS.. Interprofessional learners (n = 210) participated in 18 in-situ simulations of CAACS. Two groups of patients with CAACS were retrospectively compared before and after in situ training (preimplementation, n=22 vs postimplementation, n=38). Outcomes included adherence to CSU-ALS for resuscitation, delay in initiation of chest compressions, use of defibrillation and pacing before external cardiac massage, and time to initial medication. Results: Chest compressions were used less often in the postimplementation vs the preimplementation period (11/22 [29%] vs 13/38 [59%], P = 0.02). Time to initial medication administration, use of defibrillation and pacing, return to the operating room, and survival were similar between periods. Conclusion: In this pilot, adherence to a key component of the CSU-ALS algorithm—delaying initiation of chest compressions—improved
Local models for scatter estimation and descattering in polyenergetic X-ray tomography
Authors: McCann Michael T. , Klasky Marc L. , Schei Jennifer L. , Ravishankar Saiprasad
Published: August 2021

We propose a new modeling approach for scatter estimation and descattering in polyenergetic X-ray computed tomography (CT) based on fitting models to local neighborhoods of a training set. X-ray CT is widely used in medical and industrial applications. X-ray scatter, if not accounted for during reconstruction, creates a loss of contrast in CT reconstructions and introduces severe artifacts including cupping, shading, and streaks. Even when these qualitative artifacts are not apparent, scatter can pose a major obstacle in obtaining quantitatively accurate reconstructions. Our approach to estimating scatter is, first, to generate a training set of 2D radiographs with and without scatter using particle transport simulation software. To estimate scatter for a new radiograph, we adaptively fit a scatter model to a small subset of the training data containing the radiographs most similar to it. We compared local and global (fit on full data sets) versions of several X-ray scatter models, including two from the recent literature, as well as a recent deep learning-based scatter model, in the context of descattering and quantitative density reconstruction of simulated, spherically symmetrical, single-material objects comprising shells of various densities. Our results show that, when applied locally, even simple models provide state-of-the-art descattering, reducing the error in density reconstruction due to scatter by more than half.
Flexible and directional fibre optic ultrasound transmitters using photostable dyes
Authors: Colchester Richard J. , Little Callum D. , Alles Erwin J. , Desjardins Adrien E.
Published: August 2021

All-optical ultrasound transducers are well-suited for use in imaging during minimally invasive surgical procedures. This requires highly miniaturised and flexible devices. Here we present optical ultrasound transmitters for imaging applications based on modified optical fibre distal tips which allow for larger transmitter element sizes, whilst maintaining small diameter proximal optical fibre. Three optical ultrasound transmitter configurations were compared; a 400 µm core optical fibre, a 200 µm core optical fibre with a 400 µm core optical fibre distal tip, and a 200 µm core optical fibre with a 400 µm core capillary distal tip. All the transmitters used a polydimethylsiloxane-dye composite material for ultrasound generation. The material comprised a photostable infra-red absorbing dye to provide optical absorption for the ultrasound transduction. The generated ultrasound beam profile for the three transmitters was compared, demonstrating similar results, with lateral beam widths <1.7 mm at a depth of 10 mm. The composite material demonstrates a promising alternative to previously reported materials, generating ultrasound pressures exceeding 2 MPa, with corresponding bandwidths ca. 30 MHz. These highly flexible ultrasound transmitters can be readily incorporated into medical devices with small lateral dimensions.
Sound Streams: A Cultural History of Radio-Internet Convergence, Andrew J. Bottomley (2020)
Authors: Ribeiro Fábio
Published: August 2021

Review of: Sound Streams: A Cultural History of Radio-Internet Convergence, Andrew J. Bottomley (2020)

Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 339 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-47207-449-5, h/bk, £88.54, e-book, £41.83
On the Occasion of the Anniversary of Ivan I. Dedov
Authors: Editorial Article
Published: August 2021

On February 12, 2021, endocrinologists of our country celebrate the anniversary of Ivan Ivanovich Dedov, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences, President of the Endocrinology Research Centre, President of the Russian Association of Endocrinologists, chief freelance expert-endocrinologist of the Ministry of Health of Russia Ivan Ivanovich Dedov — a famous scientist who plays a key role in the organization and ideology of the country’s endocrinological service. The editorial board and editorial board of the journal «Clinical and Experimental Thyroidology» join the numerous congratulations addressed to Academician I.I. Dedov, wishing to continue to constantly implement his inspiring ideas and plans.
Effectiveness and safety of levilimab in combination with methotrexate in treatment of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis resistant to methotrexate monotherapy (double-blinded randomized placebo controlled phase III clinical study SOLAR)
Authors: Mazurov V. I. , Korolev M. A. , Prystrom A. M. , Kunder E. V. , Soroka N. F. , Kastanayan A. A. , Povarova T. V. , Plaksina T. V. , Antipova O. V. , Kretchikova D. G. , Smakotina S. A. , Tciupa O. A. , Puntus E. V. , Raskina T. A. , Shilova L. N. , Kropotina T. V. , Nesmeyanova O. B. , Popova T. A. , Vinogradova I. B. , Linkova Yu. N. , Dokukina E. A. , Plotnikova A. V. , Pukhtinskaia P. S. , Zinkina-Orikhan A. V. , Eremeeva A. V. , Lutckii A. A.
Published: August 2021

Levilimab is anti-interleukin-6 receptor (IL6R) monoclonal antibody. The article presents data obtained during 24 weeks of the SOLAR phase III study.Objective: to confirm efficacy and safety of levilimab in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in patients with methotrexate resistant active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Patients and methods. 154 adult patients, aged ≥18 years with the diagnosis of RA (ACR/EULAR 2010) and confirmed disease activity at screening despite treatment with MTX for at least 12 weeks (in a stable dose 15-25 mg/week). Patients were randomized 2:1 in levilimab (162 mg once a week, subcutaneously) + MTX (n=102) or placebo + MTX (n=52) group.The hypothesis of superiority of levilimab over placebo was tested for two co-primary efficacy endpoints: proportion of subjects who achieved ACR20 at week 12 and proportion of subjects who achieved low disease activity (LDA) of RA (DAS28-CRP <3.2) at week 24. Safety was assessed through monitoring of adverse events (AEs).Results and discussion. Seventy (68.6%) subjects who received levilimab and 20 (38.5%) who received placebo achieved ACR20 response at week 12. Fifty three (52%) subjects who received levilimab and 3 (5,8%) subjects who received placebo achieved LDA at week 24. The most common adverse events (reported in ≥5% of subjects) in levilimab and placebo arms, respectively were (by decreasing frequency): blood c holesterol increase (24% vs 12%), alanine aminotransferase elevation (11% vs 8%), lymphocyte count decrease (9% vs 8%), blood total bilirubin increase (11% vs 0%), blood triglycerides increase (10% vs 2%), aspartate aminotransferase elevation (7% vs 4%), positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) with M.tuberculosis antigen blood test (5% vs 6%), absolute neutrophil count decrease (8% vs 0%). No deaths were occurred.Conclusion. The study confirmed superior efficacy of levilimab + MTX over placebo + MTX in subjects with MTX resistant active RA. Levilimab showed favorable safety profile and low immunogenicity. No new important safety risks were detected.
Rehabilitation approaches in cervical dystonia
Authors: Zalyalova Z. A. , Iusupova E. R.
Published: August 2021

Cervical dystonia (CD) is a form of focal muscular dystonia. The pathophysiology of CD includes central and peripheral sensorimotor mechanisms that lead to a pathological posture, imbalance, gait disturbances, and pain. Current CD treatment guidelines include botulinum toxin (BT) injections as first-line therapy. It has been established that a combination of BT injections and rehabilitation programs can reduce the disease severity, disability, and pain, improve the quality of life, and increase the duration and intensity of the BT. Even though different opinions exist on rehabilitation standards in patients with CD, several strategies are distinguished for its different types. Currently, complex kinesiotherapy for CD is being introduced, proposed by the French specialist J.P. Bleton and based on sensorimotor retraining. Other rehabilitation methods include biofeedback, transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation, and proprioceptive rehabilitation. Each of these methods has its own pathophysiological rationale in CD.
Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies: a case report
Authors: Polynnikova A. K. , Zinovyeva O. E. , Solokha O. A. , Misyuryaeva E. V.
Published: August 2021

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of nerve compression. The first attack usually occurs in the second or third decade of life. In the majority of cases, HNPP is associated with a mutation at chromosome 17 p11.2-12 comprising the gene encoding peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22). Here we present a case report of a 43-year-old male with HNPP confirmed by DNA testing. The patient complained of recurrent episodes of bilateral foot extensor muscles weakness and/or hyperesthesia on the outer surface of the hands and forearms, which started after a prolonged posture maintaining and without evident precipitating factors. We also describe typical clinical, electrophysiological, and nerve ultrasound characteristics of the disease.
Computed tomography-based mathematical modeling of ischemic stroke outcomes based on the focus characteristics
Authors: Ershov V. I. , Chirkov A. N. , Gumalatova N. V. , Lozinskaya T. Yu. , Nazarov A. M. , Lutsai E. D. , Burdakov V. V. , Silkin V. V.
Published: August 2021

Objective: to identify the prognostic aspects of the ischemic stroke (IS) focus characteristics according to the data of computed tomography of the brain.

Patients and methods. We examined 80 patients with hemispheric IS up to 1-day old (50 patients for constructing mathematical models of disease outcomes and 30 patients for subsequent testing of the obtained models) aged 30-84 years.

Results and discussion. The analysis of the association between mortality probability and brain midline shift size shown that a brain midline shift of 4.5-5 mm did not increase mortality probability much, which indicates the synergistic stability of this system. System destabilization began after an increase of the brain midline shift for more than 5-5.5 mm. After a mild change in the initial indicator (6-8 mm), mortality probability increased from 25% to 90% and higher. When the brain midline shift was more than 8.5 mm, the system, from the synergistic viewpoint, became stable again but with an unfavorable prognosis. This analysis helps to identify the critical decision-making point when analyzing the IS focus neuroimaging characteristics. Thus, the point for the focus volume is 145 cm3, and for the brain midline shift - 5.0 mm.

Conclusion. The results of our study about the prognostic value of the IS focus characteristics according to CT data may have additional value for decision-making in the management of patients with a poor prognosis.
Treatment of antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism in schizophrenic patients
Authors: Vaiman E. E. , Shnayder N. A. , Neznanov N. G. , Nasyrova R. F.
Published: August 2021

Antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism (AIP) is one of the prognostically unfavorable complications of psychopharmacotherapy in patients with schizophrenia. Many studies have investigated various drugs that are used to treat this neurological side effect. This review analyzes drugs that are used and may be perspective for the treatment of AIP. We searched for full-text publications in Russian and English in the following databases: E-Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, using keywords and combined word searches over the past decade (2011—2020). The review covers drugs that are promising for the correction of AIP, including anticholinergic drugs; NMDA receptor antagonists; dopamine receptor agonists; selective inhibitors of monoamine oxidase B; catecholamine transferase inhibitors; melatonin preparations; melatonin receptor agonists; benzodiazepines; herbal preparations traditionally used for the prevention and correction of extrapyramidal syndrome of various etiologies. Currently, a small number of medications are used in clinical practice for the treatment of AIP. However, not all of them are registered in the Russian Federation. Along with the differences in the mechanisms of AIP pathogenesis in specific patients, the limited choice of AIP treatments makes it difficult to solve the problem of adverse neurological complications of psychopharmacotherapy in schizophrenia.
La influencia de las especialidades en el desempeño laboral de los egresados de licenciatura: el caso de una licenciatura en enseñanza del inglés
Authors: Ramirez-Romero José Luis , Ruiz-Chávez Adriana Erizeira , Peña-Medina Sergio
Published: August 2021

Ante la necesidad de formar profesores con una educación general básica que les permita ubicarse en cualquier tipo de institución y con una especialización que los ponga en ventaja sobre otros profesionistas, un alto porcentaje de universidades incluyen opciones de especialización en sus planes de estudios. En este artículo, analizamos en qué medida dicha inclusión podría ser considerada exitosa, a juzgar por el efecto que parece haber tenido en el desempeño laboral de los egresados de una licenciatura específica. Con tal fin, describimos el diseño metodológico y los resultados centrales de un estudio comparativo de egresados de tres especialidades de una licenciatura en enseñanza del inglés (LEI) de una universidad pública mexicana. La recolección de los datos se realizó mediante una encuesta electrónica a una muestra de 107 egresados. Para responder a la pregunta central de investigación aplicamos un Análisis de Varianza Multivariada (MANOVA). Encontramos que las especialidades no tienen una influencia estadísticamente significativa en el desempeño laboral de los egresados debido a varios factores entre los que destacan el contexto sociocultural y el mercado laboral. Concluimos el artículo presentando algunas proyecciones a futuro y recomendaciones para quienes formulan políticas relacionadas con la contratación y formación de profesores de inglés.