bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lithium in drinking water and crime rates in Japan: cross-sectional study
Authors: Kohno Kentaro , Ishii Nobuyoshi , Hirakawa Hirofumi , Terao Takeshi
Published: October 2020

Background

In pharmacological doses, lithium successfully treats bipolar disorder and it can reduce violent crimes committed by individuals with this disorder.

Aims

To investigate whether naturally occurring lithium in drinking water lowers rates of violent crime in the general population.

Method

We examined lithium levels in the drinking water of the 274 municipalities of Kyushu Island in Japan and compared these with the crime rates in each municipality.

Results

We found that lithium levels were significantly and inversely associated with crime rates in 2009.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that even very low levels of lithium in drinking water may play a role in reducing crime rates in the general population.
Serum Testosterone is Inversely and Sex Hormone-binding Globulin is Directly Associated with All-cause Mortality in Men
Authors: Yeap Bu B , Marriott Ross J , Antonio Leen , Chan Yi X , Raj Suchitra , Dwivedi Girish , Reid Christopher M , Anawalt Bradley D , Bhasin Shalender , Dobs Adrian S , Hankey Graeme J , Matsumoto Alvin M , Norman Paul E , O’Neill Terence W , Ohlsson Claes , Orwoll Eric S , Vanderschueren Dirk , Wittert Gary A , Wu Frederick C W , Murray Kevin
Published: October 2020

Context

Serum testosterone concentrations decline with age, while serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations increase.

Objective

To analyze associations of baseline serum testosterone and SHBG concentrations, and calculated free testosterone (cFT) values, with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in men.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The UK Biobank prospective cohort study of community-dwelling men aged 40–69 years old, followed for 11 years.

Main Outcome Measures

All-cause, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer-related mortality. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed, adjusting for age, waist circumference, medical conditions, and other covariates. Models for testosterone included SHBG and vice versa.

Results

In a complete case analysis of 149 436 men with 10 053 deaths (1925 CVD and 4927 cancer-related), men with lower testosterone had a higher mortality rate from any cause (lowest vs highest quintile, Q1 vs Q5, fully-adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06–1.22, overall trend P < 0.001), and cancer (HR = 1.20, CI = 1.09–1.33, P < 0.001), with no association for CVD deaths. Similar results were seen for cFT. Men with lower SHBG had a lower mortality rate from any cause (Q1 vs Q5, HR = 0.68, CI = 0.63–0.73, P < 0.001), CVD (HR = 0.70, CI = 0.59–0.83, P < 0.001), and cancer (HR = 0.80, CI = 0.72–0.89, P < 0.001). A multiply imputed dataset (N = 208 425, 15 914 deaths, 3128 CVD-related and 7468 cancer-related) and analysis excluding deaths within the first 2 years (9261, 1734, and 4534 events) yielded similar results.

Conclusions

Lower serum testosterone is independently associated with higher all-cause and cancer-related, but not CVD-related, mortality in middle-aged to older men. Lower SHBG is independently associated with lower all-cause, CVD-related, and cancer-related mortality. Confirmation and determination of causality requires mechanistic studies and prospective trials.
Postspatial, Postcolonial
Authors: Kamil Meryem
Published: October 2020

This article centers two new media projects that imagine Palestinian decolonization, given the occupation of Palestinian land: news site Al Jazeera English’s 360-degree video tour of al-Aqsa compound in East Jerusalem and Palestinian grassroots organization Udna’s three-dimensional rendering of destroyed village Mi’ar. These digital texts reimagine Palestinian access to land as a community-driven and intergenerational project. In this analysis, access is formulated as a term that invokes the following: new-media analyses of the digital divide (or differential resources for obtaining new media across lines of race, nation, gender, etc.); disability studies’ notions of access as intimately tied to political power and infrastructure; and postcolonial studies’ criticisms of colonial access in tourism and resource extraction of the global South. The article brings together these discursive nodes to formulate an understanding of space that imagines decolonial futurity. This future-oriented political practice works toward a vision of Palestine determined by Palestinians, as opposed to limiting pragmatic wars of maneuver. This inquiry therefore is centrally concerned with the ways activists for Palestine employ immersive digital media to formulate and work toward an attachment to decolonial futurity that is both practical and utopian.
The heart of the neural crest: cardiac neural crest cells in development and regeneration
Authors: George Rajani M. , Maldonado-Velez Gabriel , Firulli Anthony B.
Published: October 2020

Cardiac neural crest cells (cNCCs) are a migratory cell population that stem from the cranial portion of the neural tube. They undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and migrate through the developing embryo to give rise to portions of the outflow tract, the valves and the arteries of the heart. Recent lineage-tracing experiments in chick and zebrafish embryos have shown that cNCCs can also give rise to mature cardiomyocytes. These cNCC-derived cardiomyocytes appear to be required for the successful repair and regeneration of injured zebrafish hearts. In addition, recent work examining the response to cardiac injury in the mammalian heart has suggested that cNCC-derived cardiomyocytes are involved in the repair/regeneration mechanism. However, the molecular signature of the adult cardiomyocytes involved in this repair is unclear. In this Review, we examine the origin, migration and fates of cNCCs. We also review the contribution of cNCCs to mature cardiomyocytes in fish, chick and mice, as well as their role in the regeneration of the adult heart.
A simple manual method to estimate water-equivalent diameter for calculating size-specific dose estimate in chest computed tomography
Authors: Mihailidis Dimitris , Tsapaki Virginia , Tomara Pelagia
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Groups (TG) 204 and 220 introduced a method to estimate patient dose by introducing the Size-Specific Dose Estimate (SSDE). They provided patient size-specific conversion factors that could be applied to volumetric CT Dose Index CTDIvol to estimate patient dose in terms of SSDE based on either effective diameter (Deff) or water equivalent diameter (Dw). Our study presented an alternative method to manually estimate SSDE for the everyday clinical routine chest CT that can be readily used and does not require sophisticated computer programming.

Methods:

For 16 adult patients undergoing chest CT, the method employed an average relative electron density (ρe  lung = 0.3) for the lung tissue and a ρe  tissue of 1.0 for the other tissues to scale the lateral thickness and compute the effective lateral thickness on the patient’s axial image. The proposed method estimated a “corrected” Deff (Deff  corr) to replace Dw and compared results with TG220 and a second method proposed by Huda et al, for the same set of CT studies.

Results:

The results showed comparable behavior for all methods. There is overall agreement especially between this study and TG220. Largest differences were +13.3% and+15.9% from TG220 and Huda values, respectively. Patient size correlation showed strong correlation with the TG220 and Huda et al methods.

Conclusions:

A simple, quick manual method to estimate CT patient radiation dose in terms of SSDE was proposed as an alternative where sophisticated computer programming is not available. It can be readily used during any clinical chest CT scanning.

Advances in knowledge:

The paper is novel as it presents simple, quick manual method to estimate CT patient radiation dose in chest imaging. The process can be used as alternative in cases no sophisticated computer programming is available.
Decentralized solar-powered drinking water ozonation in Western Kenya: an evaluation of disinfection efficacy
Authors: Hendrickson Colin , Oremo Jared , Akello Oscar Oluoch , Bunde Simon , Rayola Isaac , Akello David , Akwiri Daniel , Park Sung-Jin , Dorevitch Samuel
Published: October 2020

Background: Decentralized drinking water treatment methods generally apply membrane-based treatment approaches. Ozonation of drinking water, which previously has only been possible at large centralized facilities, can now be accomplished on a small-scale using microplasma technology. The efficacy of decentralized solar-powered drinking water treatment systems has not previously been described.

Methods: We established a 1,000L decentralized solar-powered water treatment system located in Kisumu County, Kenya. Highly contaminated surface water is pumped to the treatment system, which includes flocculation and filtration steps prior to ozonation. Turbidity, total coliform bacteria, and E. coli were measured at various stages of water treatment, and bacterial log reduction values (LRVs) were calculated.

Results: Forty-seven trials were conducted in which1000L of water were flocculated, filtered, and ozonated for 180 minutes. Baseline turbidity and E. coli concentrations were reduced from a median of 238 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) and 2,419.7 most probable number/100mL, respectively, in surface water to 1.0 NTU and undetectable E. coli after ozonation for 180 minutes. The median E. coli LRV was 3.99.

Conclusions: The solar-powered, decentralized water treatment system that utilizes ozonation for disinfection was founded to reduce E. coli by more than 3 log-orders of magnitude despite the high turbidity of the raw water. Further research is needed to characterize limitations, scalability, economic viability, and community perspectives that could help determine the role for similar systems in other settings.
Effectiveness of face masks worn in community settings at reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2: A rapid review
Authors: Rohde Daniela , Ahern Susan , Clyne Barbara , Comber Laura , Spillane Susan , Walsh Kieran A. , Carty Paul G. , Drummond Linda , Boland Tina , Smith Susan M. , Connolly Máire A. , Harrington Patricia , Ryan Máirín , O'Neill Michelle
Published: October 2020

Background: The use of face masks is part of a suite of infection prevention and control measures intended to limit the transmission of respiratory viral diseases. The use of face masks by the general public has been subject to ongoing debate, with limited direct evidence on the effectiveness of face masks in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this review was to synthesise direct evidence on the effectiveness of wearing face masks at reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in community settings.

Methods: A rapid review was conducted. PubMed, Embase, NHS Evidence and Europe PMC were searched systematically from 1 January to 27 August 2020. Clinical trials, cohort, case control, and cross-sectional studies were included if they reported on the effectiveness of face masks in community settings at reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Studies were critically appraised and synthesised narratively.

Results:  Seven observational studies were identified, including one study set in households and six in community settings, that reported on the effectiveness of wearing face masks compared with not wearing face masks at reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Results suggested that face masks reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, all studies were at high risk of bias and the quality of the evidence was low.

Conclusions: This is to date the most comprehensive review of direct evidence on the effectiveness of wearing face masks in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is limited, low certainty direct evidence that wearing face masks reduces the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in community settings. Further high quality studies are required to confirm these findings.
Case Report: Disseminated, rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) infection in an immunocompromised child
Authors: Drysdale Simon B. , Kelly Dominic F. , Morgan Marcus , Peto Tim , Crook Derrick , Matthews Philippa C. , Walker Timothy M.
Published: October 2020

Background: Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is a live-attenuated vaccine used world-wide for prevention of tuberculosis disease. In some immunocompromised hosts it has the potential to cause disease. As with other members of the M. tuberculosis complex it has the potential for acquiring drug resistance.

Methods: We reviewed 10 years of paediatric clinical BCG strains referred to our clinical microbiology laboratory in Oxford where they underwent whole genome sequencing. We present a case series comparing clinical, pathogen genetic and pathogen phenotypic data, and consider the clinical implications.

Results: We identified 15 BCG isolates from 8 children under 16 years old. Only one child had clinical disease with the other seven reported as local inoculation-site reactions. Case 1 suffered disseminated disease secondary to an undiagnosed IL-12/IFNγ receptor defect and the BCG isolates evolved two different rifampicin resistance mutations. Across all 15 isolates, phenotypic resistance to each first line drug was seen. 

Conclusions: BCG is a safe and effective vaccine in children. Most clinical specimens in our series were not related to disease. However, in the context of rare pathogen-specific immunocompromise, BCG can cause pathology and acquire drug resistance under selection from therapy.
Study protocol: Comparison of different risk prediction modelling approaches for COVID-19 related death using the OpenSAFELY platform
Authors:   The OpenSAFELY Collaborative, Williamson Elizabeth J. , Tazare John , Bhaskaran Krishnan , Walker Alex J. , McDonald Helen I , Tomlinson Laurie A. , Bacon Sebastian , Bates Chris , Curtis Helen J. , Forbes Harriet , Minassian Caroline , Morton Caroline E. , Nightingale Emily , Mehrkar Amir , Evans Dave , Nicholson Brian D , Leon David , Inglesby Peter , MacKenna Brian , Cockburn Jonathan , Davies Nicholas G. , Hulme Will J. , Morley Jessica , Douglas Ian J. , Rentsch Christopher T. , Mathur Rohini , Wong Angel , Schultze Anna , Croker Richard , Parry John , Hester Frank , Harper Sam , Perera Rafael , Grieve Richard , Harrison David , Steyerberg Ewout , Eggo Rosalind M. , Diaz-Ordaz Karla , Keogh Ruth , Evans Stephen J.W. , Smeeth Liam , Goldacre Ben
Published: October 2020

On March 11th 2020, the World Health Organization characterised COVID-19 as a pandemic. Responses to containing the spread of the virus have relied heavily on policies involving restricting contact between people. Evolving policies regarding shielding and individual choices about restricting social contact will rely heavily on perceived risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19. In order to make informed decisions, both individual and collective, good predictive models are required.  

For outcomes related to an infectious disease, the performance of any risk prediction model will depend heavily on the underlying prevalence of infection in the population of interest. Incorporating measures of how this changes over time may result in important improvements in prediction model performance. 

This protocol reports details of a planned study to explore the extent to which incorporating time-varying measures of infection burden over time improves the quality of risk prediction models for COVID-19 death in a large population of adult patients in England. To achieve this aim, we will compare the performance of different modelling approaches to risk prediction, including static cohort approaches typically used in chronic disease settings and landmarking approaches incorporating time-varying measures of infection prevalence and policy change, using COVID-19 related deaths data linked to longitudinal primary care electronic health records data within the OpenSAFELY secure analytics platform.
Assessment of students' knowledge on iodine supplementation by women planning pregnancy
Authors: Obuchowska Aleksandra , Wójcik Justyna , Standyło Arkadiusz , Obuchowska Karolina , Ozga Alicja , Kimber-Trojnar Żaneta , Leszczyńska-Gorzelak Bożena
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Iodine is essential for the synthesis of the thyroid hormones. Proper thyroid function in a pregnant woman depends on the accumulated reserves of iodine in the pre-pregnancy period. If they are sufficient, the production of thyroid hormones is adequate even in the case of increased demand. Adequate iodine status during pregnancy is crucial for maternal health and foetal growth. Severe iodine deficiency causes maternal and foetal hypothyroxinaemia, leading to irreversible brain damage, manifested by mental retardation and neurological disorders. The daily requirement for iodine for pregnant women has been determined by The World Health Organization (WHO) at 250 µg. Most likely, the demand for it cannot be covered only by dietary iodine intake, so iodine should be supplemented in the form of tablets at a dose of 150-200 µg daily.Purpose: The aim of the study is to assess students' knowledge on iodine supplementation by women planning pregnancy and pregnant women.Material and method: Students' knowledge regarding the importance of iodine supplementation was verified using anonymous Internet questionnaire. The obtained results were analysed and checked on the basis of scientific literature.Results: The percentage of students who think iodine supplementation should be recommended is 22.7%, and 9.7% believe it is not necessary. Only 8.8% of the respondents chose the correct recommended dose of iodine. Surprisingly, most of the respondents do not know the recommended iodine dose, as much as 71.7% of them.Conclusions: The proper supply of iodine has a decisive impact on the proper functioning of the body, and its deficiency has serious consequences, especially in the womb. The problem of iodine deficiency is serious. This is also confirmed by the results of our surveys. It is important to educate students on the recommendations for iodine supplementation in women of childbearing age.
Endometriosis and an increased risk of malignancies
Authors: Krasa Aleksandra Maria , Kozioł Magdalena , Piecewicz-Szczęsna Halina , Pawlicki Mateusz , Łopuszyńska Anna , Krawiec Paulina , Piekarska Ewa
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disorder associated with pelvic pain and sub-fertility, affecting 7–15% of women of reproductive age. The disease is defined as the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity, primarily on pelvic organs. The aetiology of endometriosis is still uncertain. The disease rarely causes mortality, however, it may have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life. Moreover, several studies have consistently shown that endometriosis is associated with a higher risk of some types of malignancies.Results: Endometriosis shares several molecular characteristics with invasive cancer, such as inflammation, tissue invasion, angiogenesis, dysfunction of immune cells and pro-survival features. Studies have shown that ovarian cancer, especially clear cell, endometrioid and serous, has been associated with endometriosis. Furthermore, the risk of cancer of the uterine cervix has shown to be decreased and the results on the risk of the cancers of uterine corpus or breast are inconsistent. Among non‐gynecological cancers, melanoma of the skin, non‐Hodgkin‐lymphoma, brain and thyroid cancers have also been associated with endometriosis.Conclusions: Research results indicate that women with endometriosis have an increased risk for some types of malignancies, therefore, they should be under strict gynecological control, even many years after menopause. Further research is needed to prove the real risk of different types of malignant tumors among women with endometriosis. In addition, it is necessary to establish periodic examination schedules among these patients in order to prevent certain types of malignancies.
Hepatotoxicity of anabolic androgenic steroids in sport
Authors: Sekuła Michał Jakub , Świerczyńska Blanka , Smoluchowski Krzysztof , Undziakiewicz Adrian , Piecewicz-Szczęsna Halina
Published: October 2020

Introduction and purpose: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) abuse is a common practice among professional as well as recreational athletes. The prevalence of this phenomenon seems to be continuously escalating, too. Even though AAS abuse may provide a desirable haematopoietic and musculotrophic effect, it causes a wide variety of local and systemic side effects. This review aims to demonstrate the AAS induced hepatotoxicity, it is based on the medical literature from the last 10 years. Brief description of the state of knowledge: Orally administered 17-α-alkylated steroids are considered to be the most hepatotoxic. They increase the number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which directly injure the liver tissue. It may be manifested as an elevation of liver enzymes, peliosis hepatis or distinctive acute cholestasis. Furthermore, ASS abuse for a prolonged period of time may induce the growth of hepatocellular adenoma and hepatocellular cancer. Moreover, AAS intake can lead to liver enlargement, development of toxicant-associated fatty liver disease (TAFLD) and increase the risk of HCV and HBV infection. Conclusions: The collaboration of scientists, doctors, sports associations and governments is substantial. Introduction of innovative AAS detection methods and enforcement of stricter anti doping law may contribute to prevention of health consequences resulting from AAS abuse among athletes.
Laparoscopic myomectomy in the treatment of large myomas – unnecessary risk or effective method?
Authors: Ozga Alicja Maria , Obuchowska Aleksandra , Standyło Arkadiusz , Wójcik Justyna , Skorupski Paweł
Published: October 2020

Introduction:Mięśniaki macicy są najczęstszymi łagodnymi guzami macicy. Większość mięśniaków przebiega bezobjawowo i nie wymaga interwencji lekarskiej, jednak jeśli tak się dzieje, podstawą terapii pozostaje dostęp chirurgiczny. Miomektomia to jedna z chirurgicznych metod usuwania mięśniaków dla osób chcących zachować płodność. W dzisiejszych czasach udoskonalono techniki operacyjne i opracowano metody mniej inwazyjne, takie jak laparoskopowa miomektomia (LM). Jednak bezpieczeństwo i skuteczność LM jest dobrze udokumentowana w przypadku mięśniaków średniej wielkości. Dostęp laparoskopowy w przypadku większych guzów macicy (średnica> 10 cm) może budzić kontrowersje i może stanowić wyzwanie ze względu na możliwe trudności. Cel, powód: Ocena skuteczności, wyzwań technicznych i powikłań LM w leczeniu dużych mięśniaków. Materiały i metody: Przeszukaliśmy bazy danych Pubmed, Springer Link i ResearchGate.  Wyniki: Systematyczne analizy zakwalifikowane do tego przeglądu sugerowały, że pomimo wielu możliwych komplikacji i trudności, metoda może być z powodzeniem stosowana przez doświadczonego specjalistę. Jednak leczenie LM w dużych mięśniakach jest nadal rzadkie, a dane na ten temat są nadal ograniczone. Wnioski: Miomektomia laparoskopowa może być alternatywną metodą leczenia dużych mięśniaków. Chirurgia laparoskopowa dużych mięśniaków LM może stanowić wyzwanie, a skuteczność takiego leczenia zależy od umiejętności chirurga. Metoda jest również przydatna u kobiet rozważających ciążę.
The importance of communication in the educational process
Authors: Kurowicka Ewelina Anna
Published: October 2020

The process of communication is a necessary condition for interpersonal relationships. Cooperation in society is based on communication. The subjective approach to children and their parents determines factual communication, allows to avoid mistakes and overcome communication barriers, and as a result creates an atmosphere of openness and trust. The communication process can take place without any disturbances, which favors the formation of proper interpersonal bonds. There are also situations of various types of communication disruptions. This article defines the concept of communication and discusses the features of verbal and non-verbal communication. The aim of the article is to show the importance of communication in the educational process.
Creating Exercise Habits Using Incentives: The Trade-off Between Flexibility and Routinization
Authors: Beshears John , Lee Hae Nim , Milkman Katherine L. , Mislavsky Robert , Wisdom Jessica
Published: October 2020

Habits involve regular, cue-triggered routines. In a field experiment, we tested whether incentivizing exercise routines—paying participants each time they visit the gym within a planned, daily two-hour window—leads to more persistent exercise than offering flexible incentives—paying participants each day they visit the gym, regardless of timing. Routine incentives generated fewer gym visits than flexible incentives, both during our intervention and after incentives were removed. Even among subgroups that were experimentally induced to exercise at similar rates during our intervention, recipients of routine incentives exhibited a larger decrease in exercise after the intervention than recipients of flexible incentives.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, decision analysis.
Implied Tradeoffs of Chief Financial Officer Accounting Expertise: Evidence from Firm-Manager Matching
Authors: Bernard Darren , Ge Weili , Matsumoto Dawn , Toynbee Sara
Published: October 2020

We present evidence that although individuals with accounting expertise bring key skills to the financial reporting responsibilities of the chief financial officer (CFO) position, they tend to lack educational and career experiences relevant to nonaccounting responsibilities (e.g., operations and strategy). Assuming boards’ perceptions of CFO accounting expertise are correct on average, we provide evidence of tradeoffs of CFO accounting expertise by examining how differences in CFO backgrounds shape executive employment decisions. Firms with greater demand for nonaccounting expertise are less likely to hire an accounting expert CFO, consistent with ex ante firm-manager matching. Ex post, significant declines in firm-manager fit predict CFO turnover and other compensating changes in the composition of the senior management team. Accounting expert CFOs are also less likely to become chief executive officers, suggesting that CFO experience does not fully mitigate these tradeoffs. Collectively, the results suggest important tradeoffs inherent to CFO accounting expertise that shape the structure of the senior management team.

This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting.
Manejo de heridas traumáticas de difícil cicatrización con colgajos microvasculares
Authors: Ciudad Pedro , Vargas Maria I. , Castillo-Soto Ana , Sanchez Jefferson R. , Manrique Oscar J. , Bustos Samyd S. , Forte Antonio J. , Huayllani Maria T. , Soto Zoila , Grández-Urbina J. Antonio
Published: October 2020

Sinopsis

Objetivo:

El objetivo de este estudio fue presentar diferentes opciones de manejo de heridas de difícil cicatrización utilizando colgajos libres microvasculares.

Método:

Se llevó a cabo una revisión retrospectiva de todos los pacientes con heridas traumáticas de difícil cicatrización, a quienes se les realizó reconstrucción con colgajo libre. Se analizaron datos demográficos, etiología de la herida, diagnóstico, tratamiento previo de la herida, tipo de colgajo utilizado, dimensiones del defecto y del colgajo, vasos receptores, complicaciones, y seguimiento.

Resultados:

En total, 20 pacientes fueron sometidos a reconstrucciones con colgajos libres. La edad promedio fue de 39,5 años. Se realizaron 20 colgajos libres, entre ellos: 3 de piernas cruzadas, 1 de piernas cruzadas con puente vascular, 2 osteocutáneos de peroné, 6 fasciocutáneos anterolateral del muslo, 3 perforantes de la arteria toracodorsal, 3 miocutáneos dorsal ancho, y 2 fasciocutáneos de la perforante de la arteria femoral profunda. Un paciente requirió revisión de anastomosis microvascular debido a un hematoma. El resto de los pacientes no presentó intercurrencias en el postoperatorio. Respecto al tratamiento previo, 12 pacientes recibieron terapia de presión negativa, mientras que 8 tuvieron desbridamientos quirúrgicos con subsecuente aplicación de hidrogel con plata iónica.

Conclusión:

Las heridas de difícil cicatrización no tienen una buena respuesta al tratamiento convencional con curaciones, injertos o colgajos locales, sino que requieren la transferencia de tejidos similares a los que se han perdido. Las técnicas microvasculares pueden ser una alternativa.
Understanding and supporting children and young people with eating disorders
Authors: Burton Maddie
Published: October 2020

Eating disorders can have devastating effects on individuals and families. Maddie Burton explains the crucial role practice nurses can play in identifying and supporting patients

Children and young people's mental health conditions have continued to increase. The NHS Digital 2017 survey found that 1 in 8 children have a diagnosable mental health condition. During the current COVID-19 pandemic numbers are set to increase. Eating disorders make up a relatively small proportion of these statistics but have some of the most devastating effects on individuals and families. Anorexia nervosa, as discussed here, has the highest morbidity of any mental health condition. The issues are complex and a challenge to understand for both professionals and families, over typically a protracted period of illness. However, all work with children, young people and their families presents a ‘window of opportunity’ in being able to resolve issues within a developmental phase prior to the more concrete adult phase. The risk is highest for young people between the ages of 13 and 17 years. There are several theoretical models that aid understanding of how and why eating disorders emerge and are maintained. Practice nurses in primary care can have a crucial role in early identification and can be found to be less stigmatising than mental health professionals. Practice nurses can have an ongoing role in remaining involved with the young person and their family and as part of the wider specialist support system.
Research Roundup
Authors: Winter George
Published: October 2020

George Winter provides an overview of recently published articles that are of interest to practice nurses. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.
Development of Web-based Application for Teacher Candidate Competence Instruments: Preparing Professional Teachers in the IR 4.0 Era
Authors: Kartowagiran Badrun , Suyanta Suyanta , Hamdi Syukrul , Jaedun Amat , Ahman Ahman , Rusijono Rusijono , Laliyo Lukman A.R.
Published: October 2020

This research aimed to develop a web-based application for teacher candidate competence instruments to prepare professional teachers in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) era. Teacher candidate competencies consist of pedagogical, professional, social, and personality competences. This is a research and development with 8 stages, involving the development of instrument grids/ construct, focus group discussions, instrument item development, instrument validation, manual instrument testing, application development, application assessment by experts, application trial, and final revision of the application. The initial focus group discussions involved 9 experts, while the instrument validation involved 35 experts consisting of 21 experts for pedagogical and professional competences, 7 experts for social competences, 7 experts for the personality competences, and 4 media experts. The trial involved a total of 107 Mathematics, Indonesian, and English student teacher candidates. Expert validation was analyzed using the Aiken formula; application effectiveness and readability were described based on expert judgment, and discrimination tests on the results of social and personality competence tests between the study programs used the Multivariate Analysis of Variants. The results showed that there were no differences in social and personality competences between Mathematics, Indonesian, and English prospective teachers. The developed instruments for pedagogical, professional, personality, and social competences were deemed valid. The application has met the readability aspect and is scored well by experts with an average assessment rating of  .78. These results suggest that the application can be used by the government as a solution to assess teacher candidate competences in the IR 4.0 era.
Conversion of Lignocellulosic Sugarcane Bagasse Waste into Bioethanol Using Indigenous Yeast Strain
Authors: Vijayaraghavan K . , Akshaya G. M.
Published: October 2020

The article explores a novel way towards effective utilization of solid waste generated from sugarcane bagasse towards maximum energy extraction. Adopting acid treatment coupled with steam explosion deconstructed the hemicelluloses and lignocellulosic material maximizing the fermentable sugar production. The pretreatment of bagasse was optimized with respect to sulphuric acid dosage and steam explosion period. Sugarcane bagasse being source of second generation feedstock proved its capability in bioethanol production based on the effectiveness of pretreatment process. The fermentation of bagasse was carried out at an initial pH 4.5 using indigenous yeast strain isolated from the bagasse. The results showed that pretreated bagasses produced a fermentable sugar of 74±3 g/l. The bioethanol production was found to be 34±2 g/l during a fermentation period of 36 h. Steam exploded acid bagasse led to the efficient breakage of hemicelluloses and lignocellulosic matrix, thus paving the way for scaling-up towards bioethanol production at industrial level.
Kohl: A Widely used eye Cosmetic with Hazardous Biochemical Composition.
Authors: Buksh Erum , Naz Sehar Afshan , Zubair Arif , Yasmeen Kousar , Shafique Maryam , Jabeen Nusrat , Hamayun Muhammad
Published: October 2020

Kohl (Surma/Kajal) is a widely used eye cosmetic having traditional and religious importance in subcontinent and other parts of the world since ancient times. However, the use of Kohl has become hazardous for human health in recent times due to its changing compositions. In present study, we studied the antimicrobial potential of Kohl, presence of microbial pathogens and chemical contaminants in twenty Kohl samples collected from Karachi city, Pakistan. The samples included 85% branded and 15% unbranded Kohl samples. Our results showed that 75% of the samples possess higher antibacterial activity, while 30% of the samples showed antifungal potential. Moreover, pathogenic Bacillus and Aspergillus species were isolated from these Kohl samples as major microbial contaminants. Higher levels of arsenic, lead and cadmium were detected in 80%, 35% and 30% of the Kohl samples respectively, when compared against the standard limits. Current findings showed that presence of toxic metals and microbial pathogens in Kohl samples is hazardous for humans. Furthermore, Kohl shall not be used until the safe limits of carcinogenic metals and other contaminants in the Kohl are certified by the manufacturers.
Effect of Stress Factors on the Coagulogram of Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio
Authors: Berezina Daria Igorevna , Fomina Lyubov Leonidovna , Goreva Anna Dmitrievna
Published: October 2020

The paper presents the results of a study of the coagulogram of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) following stress induced through acute hypoxia within 72 hours. In addition, stress markers (glucose, cortisol, hemoglobin) were analyzed on the basis of correlation and regression. It has been established that by the increase in thrombin time (TT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and an increase in the level of fibrinogen in fish blood by the 4th day of the experiment, that the coagulation processes were accelerated under the influence of hypoxic stress. Also, the dynamics of the stress markers corresponds to the stages of the classical adaptation syndrome. It has been concluded that any of them can be used to indicate stressful conditions.
Standardization of Mannose Based Positive Selection in indica Rice Variety Swarna
Authors: Repalli Sai Krishna , Geda Chaitanya Kumar , Rao GJN
Published: October 2020

Successful transgenics require stringent production of large number of successful transgenic events where there is no solution from gene pools of donar varieties. However transgenic technology is a sequential, cumbersome and expensive process. Moreover, it is time consuming, one has to wait for the inheritance of successful transgene into the next generation. Selectable marker genes will play a pivotal role in transient gene confirmation. In the context where the application of herbicide/antibiotic genes as selectable markers is limited; Sugar based selection involving phospho mannose isomerase gene will be helpful in screening of the transformed events. Mannose based selection system is evaluated in indica rice and the optimum selection concentration is standardized. The results, prospects and consequences are discussed.
Knockout of miR-21-5p alleviates cartilage matrix degradation by targeting Gdf5 in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhang Aobo , Ma Shixing , Yuan Lingyu , Wu Shichao , Liu Shaopeng , Wei Xiang , Chen Lei , Ma Chuan , Zhao Huaqiang
Published: October 2020

Aims

The study aimed to determine whether the microRNA miR21-5p (MiR21) mediates temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) by targeting growth differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5).

Methods

TMJ-OA was induced in MiR21 knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice by a unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) procedure. Mouse tissues exhibited histopathological changes, as assessed by: Safranin O, toluidine blue, and immunohistochemistry staining; western blotting (WB); and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Mouse condylar chondrocytes were transfected with a series of MiR21 mimic, MiR21 inhibitor, Gdf5 siRNA (si-GDF5), and flag-GDF5 constructs. The effects of MiR-21 and Gdf5 on the expression of OA related molecules were evaluated by immunofluorescence, alcian blue staining, WB, and RT-qPCR.

Results

UAC altered the histological structure and extracellular matrix content of cartilage in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and KO of MiR21 alleviated this effect (p < 0.05). Upregulation of MiR21 influenced the expression of TMJ-OA related molecules in mandibular condylar chondrocytes via targeting Gdf5 (p < 0.05). Gdf5 overexpression significantly decreased matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) expression (p < 0.05) and reversed the effects of MiR21 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

MiR21, which acts as a critical regulator of Gdf5 in chondrocytes, regulates TMJ-OA related molecules and is involved in cartilage matrix degradation, contributing to the progression of TMJ-OA. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(10):689–700.
Single-shot common-path off-axis digital holography: applications in
bioimaging and optical metrology [Invited]
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Matoba Osamu , Quan Xiangyu , Rajput Sudheesh K. , Awatsuji Yasuhiro , Tamada Yosuke
Published: October 2020

The demand for single-shot and common-path holographic systems has
become increasingly important in recent years, as such systems offer
various advantages compared to their counterparts. Single-shot
holographic systems, for example, reduce computational complexity as
only a single hologram with the object information required to
process, making them more suitable for the investigation of dynamic
events; and common-path holographic systems are less
vibration-sensitive, compact, inexpensive, and high in temporal phase
stability. We have developed a single-shot common-path off-axis
digital holographic setup based on a beam splitter and pinhole. In
this paper, we present a concise review of the proposed digital
holographic system for several applications, including the
quantitative phase imaging to investigate the morphological and
quantitative parameters, as a metrological tool for testing of
micro-optics, industrial inspection and measurement, and sound field
imaging and visualization.
Design method for off-axis aspheric reflective optical system with extremely low aberration and large field of view
Authors: Wu Yue , Wang Liping , Yu Jie , Yu Bo , Jin Chunshui
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes a grouping design method based on a combination of spatial ray tracing and aberration correction to construct the initial structure for an off-axis multi-reflective aspheric optical system. This method establishes a mathematical parameter model of the optical system to satisfy the aberration balance and multi-constraint control requirements. The simulated annealing particle swarm algorithm is applied to calculate the initial optical system structure. Finally, an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography projection objective with six-reflective aspheric mirrors is used as an example to verify the reliability and effectiveness of this method. A 0.33 numerical aperture EUV lithographic objective with wavefront error better than

1

/

70
λ

(

λ
=

13.5

n
m

) root mean square (RMS) is obtained.
Continuous imaging of large-volume tissues with a machinable optical clearing method at subcellular resolution
Authors: Zhou Can , Zheng Ting , Luo Ting , Yan Cheng , Sun Qingtao , Ren Miao , Zhao Peilin , Chen Wu , Ji Bingqing , Wang Zhi , Li Anan , Gong Hui , Li Xiangning
Published: October 2020

Optical clearing methods are widely used for three-dimensional biological information acquisition in the whole organ. However, the imaging quality of cleared tissues is often limited by ununiformed tissue clearing. By combining tissue clearing with mechanical sectioning based whole organ imaging system, we can reduce the influence of light scattering and absorption on the tissue to get isotropic and high resolution in both superficial and deep layers. However, it remains challenging for optical cleared biological tissue to maintain good sectioning property. Here, we developed a clearing method named M-CUBIC (machinable CUBIC), which combined a modified CUBIC method with PNAGA (poly-N-acryloyl glycinamide) hydrogel embedding to transparentize tissue while improving its sectioning property. With high-throughput light-sheet tomography platform (HLTP) and fluorescent micro-optical sectioning tomography (fMOST), we acquired continuous datasets with subcellular resolution from intact mouse brains for single neuron tracing, as well as the fine vascular structure of kidneys. This method can be used to acquire microstructures of multiple types of biological organs with subcellular resolutions, which can facilitate biological research.
Os marcos de Colonha e de Tria e a reforma dos Pesos de Dom João II (1487-1488)
Authors: Seabra Lopes Luís Filipe
Published: October 2020

Nos reinados de Dom João II e Dom Manuel I, marcados pela reforma dos forais e pela centralização da administração, fazia especialmente sentido uniformizar os pesos e medidas. A nível europeu, também sopravam os ventos da uniformização metrológica. Logo no início do reinado, Dom João II mandou uniformizar as medidas de capacidade pelos padrões de Santarém. Em 1487-1488, trabalhou na reforma dos pesos. Coexistiam vários subsistemas de pesos para diferentes produtos. Na documentação já conhecida, algumas indicações sugerem que o marco usado no haver-de-peso era o marco de Tria, mas não permitem tirar uma conclusão definitiva. Em apêndice, publica-se uma carta régia em que é o próprio rei que faz essa identificação. Essa clarificação, conjugada com a restante documentação, e com a recente avaliação do marco manuelino, permite agora tirar conclusões mais fundamentadas sobre as equivalências das unidades ponderais anteriores à reforma. O rei acabou por abolir o marco de Tria, escolhendo como padrão único o marco de Colonha.
Methylprednisolone as an alternative therapy for Kawasaki disease: case series
Authors: Arafah Yudha Fadhol , Nugroho Sasmito , Noormanto Noormanto , Arafuri Nadya , Murni Indah Kartika
Published: October 2020

Kawasaki disease (KD), or mucocutaneous syndrome, is an acute, systemic vasculitis of small- and medium-sized arteries that predominantly affects patients younger than five years.1  KD is the leading cause of childhood acquired heart disease in the developed world.2 The incidence in those aged under 5 years varies widely throughout the world, accounting for 8.4 per 100,000 in the UK, 17.5 to 20.8 per 100,000 in the USA, and 239.6 per 100,000 in Japan.2

The diagnosis of classic KD is based on the simultaneous presence of high fever for 5 or more days with at least four of five other symptoms (bilateral conjunctival hyperemia, ulcerations of the lips and inflammation of the oral cavity, polymorphous rash, edema and desquamation of the extremities, and cervical lymphadenopathy), or fever associated with less than 4 of the diagnostic criteria and echocardiographic abnormalities of the coronary arteries.3
Sleep Quality and Associated Factors among Adolescents
Authors: Ozkan Asude Rabia , Kucukerdonmez Ozge , Kaner Gulsah
Published: October 2020

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate sleep quality and sleep patterns in adolescents. The second aim was to find out whether there was an association between sleep quality, sleep patterns, dietary habits, food consumptions, and anthropometric measurements in an adolescent population.Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 346 adolescents. Data was recorded with a questionnaire form. The questionnaire form included items on adolescents’ characteristics, sleep patterns, dietary habits, food consumptions, and anthropometric measurements. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: Sleep duration of >8 hours (67.6%) and sleep latency of 15 minutes (53.8%) were the most commonly identified sleeping patterns. The mean PSQI score was 3.07±2.54. PSQI scores revealed poor sleep quality in 13.6% of participants. A significant difference was observed between age, disease diagnosed by physician, skipping main meals, having regular breakfast, and PSQI score (p<0.05). PSQI score was found to be significantly associated with spending time in front of the computer and regular sleep. The amount of daily saturated fatty acid was statistically significantly lower (p=0.040) in individuals in the good PSQI. Conclusions: The vast majority of adolescents had good sleep quality. Sleep duration of adolescents was consistent with the recommended need. Individual factors, dietary habits, food consumption, and screen times were factors associated with sleep quality. This current study results support the development of interventions to help adolescents improve sleep quality. We recommend further investigation to clarify this finding.