bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laser treatments as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy in subjects with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Corbella Stefano , Calciolari Elena , Donos Nikolaos , Alberti Alice , Ercal Pinar , Francetti Luca
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Periodontal disease and diabetes have an extensively investigated bidirectional correlation. Non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) was proven to contribute to glycemic control. Moreover, it may benefit from the association of adjunctive therapies. The aim of the present systematic review is to assess the clinical efficacy of NSPT in association with laser (LT) or photodynamic therapy (PDT) in controlled or uncontrolled diabetic patients, and to grade the level of evidence.

Materials and methods

Randomized controlled clinical trials with at least 3-month follow-up were searched in MEDLINE via OVID, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central, screened for inclusion, and grouped based on the performed treatments, follow-up time, type of diabetes, and level of glycemic control.

Results

Eleven RCTs with 504 total subjects were included. The adjunct of PDT showed a statistically significant 6-month difference in PD changes (with low certainty of evidence), but not in CAL changes, while a significant difference in 3-month PD and CAL changes was found with the adjunct of LT (low certainty of evidence). Patients treated with PDT registered a higher decrease in HbA1c levels at 3 months, but no significant difference was noted at 6 months; LT also led to better HbA1c changes at 3 months with a moderate certainty of evidence.

Conclusion

Despite the promising short-term HbA1c decrease, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the small effect sizes and the statistical heterogeneity, and further evidence from well-designed RCTs is needed to support the routine use of PDT or LT in adjunct to NSPT.
Speed-sintering and the mechanical properties of 3–5 mol% Y2O3-stabilized zirconias
Authors: Lubauer Julia , Schuenemann Fernanda Haverroth , Belli Renan , Lohbauer Ulrich
Published: March 2023

Ever faster workflows for the fabrication of all-ceramic restorations are of high economic interest. For that purpose, sintering protocols have been optimized for use in modern sintering furnaces, the so-called speed-sintering. However, conventional furnaces are still the most widely used equipment to sinter zirconia restorations. In this in-vitro study, we evaluated the feasibility of a speed-sintering protocol using a conventional sintering furnace to sinter different dental zirconias (stabilized with 3 mol% up to 5.4 mol% Y2O3) in comparison to a conventional sintering program. The properties evaluated were Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, density, biaxial flexural strength, and fracture toughness. We show here that despite differences being dependent on material, the physical and mechanical properties of speed-sintered zirconia are comparable to those obtained by the conventional sintering.
Wirksamkeit der iktalen Neurostimulation
Authors: Hirsch Martin , Schulze-Bonhage Andreas
Published: March 2023

Hintergrund

Die Neurostimulation ist ein etabliertes Verfahren zur Behandlung pharmakoresistenter Epilepsien, wobei Ergebnisse aus kontrollierten und unkontrollierten klinischen Studien auf eine durch Neuromodulation vermittelte mit der Therapiedauer zunehmende Wirksamkeit hinweisen. Akute anfallsunterbrechende Effekte werden für die VNS (Vagusnervstimulation) und für die RNS (responsive Neurostimulation) postuliert und für die transkranielle fokale Kortexstimulation (FCS) untersucht.

Ziel

Es folgt die Prüfung der Evidenz für die akute, anfallsunterbrechende Wirksamkeit verschiedener Neurostimulationsverfahren.

Material und Methoden

Es wurde eine Literaturrecherche durchgeführt. Eine Kasuistik zur FCS wird dargestellt.

Ergebnisse

Es existieren tierexperimentelle Belege für die Wirksamkeit der iktalen Stimulation. In der klinischen Anwendung beim Menschen gelang der Wirksamkeitsnachweis unter kontrollierten Bedingungen bisher lediglich in Einzelfällen. Es gibt einen ersten kasuistischen Hinweis für eine Wirksamkeit der iktalen FCS.

Schlussfolgerung

Für den interessanten und wichtigen Therapieansatz einer direkten Anfallsunterbrechung mittels Neurostimulation besteht eine unzureichende Evidenzlage. Obgleich Studien zum Wirksamkeitsnachweis große methodische Herausforderungen darstellen, sollte die Evidenz in Studiendesigns unter standardisierten Bedingungen im Video-EEG-Monitoring verbessert werden.
Kognitive Begleiteffekte neurostimulativer Therapieverfahren
Authors: Winter Yaroslav , Ellwardt Erik , Civelek Arda
Published: March 2023

Kognitive Störungen sind ein häufiger Begleiter chronisch verlaufender Epilepsieerkrankungen. Neben der anfallssupprimierenden Wirkung weisen aber auch Neurostimulationsverfahren in der Behandlung von therapierefraktären Epilepsien Begleiteffekte auf die kognitive Leistung auf. Die meisten Daten liegen für die Vagusnervstimulation (VNS) vor, die eine positive Wirkung auf das verbale Gedächtnis hat. Dieser Effekt ist ausgeprägter bei Kindern als bei Erwachsenen und geht mit einer Verbesserung der Konzentration und der schulischen Leistung einher. Die tiefe Hirnstimulation (THS) des anterioren Thalamuskerns führt zu keinen anhaltenden kognitiven Störungen im Langzeitverlauf. Gleichzeitig können THS und responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) eine weitere Verschlechterung der zum Zeitpunkt der Implantation vorbestehenden Gedächtnisstörungen bewirken, so dass eine entsprechende Patientenselektion erforderlich ist. Während die Datenlage für die trigeminale Nervenstimulation und transkranielle Magnetstimulation noch unzureichend ist, scheint die transkranielle Gleichstromstimulation (tDCS) ein vielversprechendes Verfahren bezüglich positiver kognitiver Begleiteffekte zu sein. Die kathodale tDCS geht nach den aktuellsten Studiendaten nicht mit einer Verschlechterung der kognitiven Leistung einher. Insgesamt sind die neurostimulativen Verfahren bei Epilepsie hinsichtlich ihrer positiven Begleiteffekte auf die kognitive Leistung vielversprechend. Vom besonderen Interesse sind auch die neuen Verfahren der fokalen kortikalen Stimulation (z. B. „epicranial application of stimulation electrodes for epilepsy“, EASEE), die in weiteren Studien mit größeren Patientenzahlen untersucht werden sollen.
Fuzzy clustering with entropy regularization for interval-valued data with an application to scientific journal citations
Authors: D’Urso Pierpaolo , De Giovanni Livia , Alaimo Leonardo Salvatore , Mattera Raffaele , Vitale Vincenzina
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the research of statistical methods to analyze complex structures of data has increased. In particular, a lot of attention has been focused on the interval-valued data. In a classical cluster analysis framework, an interesting line of research has focused on the clustering of interval-valued data based on fuzzy approaches. Following the partitioning around medoids fuzzy approach research line, a new fuzzy clustering model for interval-valued data is suggested. In particular, we propose a new model based on the use of the entropy as a regularization function in the fuzzy clustering criterion. The model uses a robust weighted dissimilarity measure to smooth noisy data and weigh the center and radius components of the interval-valued data, respectively. To show the good performances of the proposed clustering model, we provide a simulation study and an application to the clustering of scientific journals in research evaluation.
Robust inverse dynamics by evaluating Newton–Euler equations with respect to a moving reference and measuring angular acceleration
Authors: Gießler Maximilian , Waltersberger Bernd
Published: March 2023

Maintaining stability while walking on arbitrary surfaces or dealing with external perturbations is of great interest in humanoid robotics research. Increasing the system’s autonomous robustness to a variety of postural threats during locomotion is the key despite the need to evaluate noisy sensor signals. The equations of motion are the foundation of all published approaches. In contrast, we propose a more adequate evaluation of the equations of motion with respect to an arbitrary moving reference point in a non-inertial reference frame. Conceptual advantages are, e.g., getting independent of global position and velocity vectors estimated by sensor fusions or calculating the imaginary zero-moment point walking on different inclined ground surfaces. Further, we improve the calculation results by reducing noise-amplifying methods in our algorithm and using specific characteristics of physical robots. We use simulation results to compare our algorithm with established approaches and test it with experimental robot data.
Love is Elsewhere: Internal Migration and Marriage Prospects in China
Authors: Xiong Wanru
Published: March 2023

Migration and marriage are major life events that might interact and be jointly decided. Places with good labor market opportunities may or may not provide good marriage options. In this paper, I quantify gains and losses in marriage prospects for unmarried migrants and natives during the population redistribution driven by internal migration. I also examine how the experiences differ by individual characteristics and regional factors. The analysis measures marriage prospects using the availability ratio (AR) with adaptive assortative matching norms for every unmarried individual from sample data of the 2010 China population census. The AR quantifies the intensity of competition for suitable partners in the local marriage market. I compare (1) migrants’ current AR with an alternative AR if the migrant returned to the hometown and (2) natives’ AR with a hypothetical AR if all migrants returned to their hometown. The first comparison shows that among migrants moving for labor market opportunities, most women have higher ARs (better marriage prospects) in the place of residence than in their hometown, especially those of rural origin. In contrast, migrant men’s ARs mostly decrease after migration except for the best educated. The second comparison reveals small negative externalities of internal migration on ARs for native women but positive impacts for some native men. The results suggest a conflict between labor market opportunities that dominate internal migration decisions and marriage market opportunities in China. This study demonstrates a method to quantify and compare marriage prospects and extends the literature on how migration and marriage interact.
Veganism and Its Challenges: The Case of Iceland
Authors: Luciano Eugenio , Geirsdóttir Ólöf Guðný , Ögmundardóttir Helga , Ögmundarson Ólafur
Published: March 2023

Our research discusses how four main ethical challenges to veganism manifest in the context of Iceland. Veganism is becoming an increasingly popular lifestyle in many parts of the world, especially in OECD countries. Studies on the motivation for choosing a vegan lifestyle (which includes, but is not restricted to, following a vegan diet) include ethical considerations, dietary choices, personal health, taste, religious and political beliefs, or environmental concerns. Ethics plays a particularly important role, and as such, veganism has become a central object of interest in recent conversations on animal rights and welfare among ethicists. Our analysis reviews four ethical challenges (i.e., the challenge of universality, demandingness, causal impotence, and the least environmental harm principle) in the literature that problematize the norms and rationale underpinning veganism and vegan discourse and discusses how each applies within the context of Icelandic society and geography. We conjecture that the particular economic, demographic, and geographic characteristics of Iceland indicate that being vegan in Iceland does not free oneself of having global social and environmental impacts on account of chosen dietary options. All diets constitute global systems that account for dependencies and opportunities, vulnerabilities, and strengths, which may challenge the assumption that veganism is a more socially and environmentally sustainable dietary option within this particular regional context.
Fostering physical activity-related health competence after bariatric surgery with a multimodal exercise programme: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Schmid Julia , Schorno Nina , Groux André , Giachino Daniel , Zehetner Jörg , Nett Philip , Nakas Christos T , Herzig David , Bally Lia
Published: March 2023

Regular physical activity (PA) supports the long-term success of bariatric surgery. However, integrating health-enhancing physical activity in daily life requires specific competences. In this study, we evaluated a multimodal exercise programme to build these competences.

Forty adults who underwent bariatric surgery were randomised to a multimodal exercise programme or control group. Primary outcomes were the facets of PA-related health competences, namely the control competence for physical training, PA-specific affect regulation, motivational competence and PA-specific self-control. Secondary outcomes were PA behaviour and subjective vitality. Outcomes were assessed before, directly after the intervention and at 3 months follow-up.

Significant treatment effects were found for control competence for physical training and PA-specific self-control but not for PA-specific affect regulation and motivational competence. Significant treatment effects were further observed for self-reported exercise and subjective vitality, all in favour of the intervention group. In contrast, no treatment effect was found for device-based PA. Overall, this study provides a foundation for future research to optimise long-term post bariatric surgery outcomes.
“I Wasn’t Gonna Quit, but by Hook or by Crook I was Gonna Find a Way Through for the Kids”: A Narrative Inquiry, of Mothers and Practitioners, Exploring the Help-seeking of Mothers’ Experiencing Child to Parent Violence
Authors: Toole-Anstey Chye , Townsend Michelle , Keevers Lynne
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Child to parent violence is a significant concern that has been researched over the last sixty years. However, little is known about the help-seeking pathways of parents experiencing child to parent violence (CPV). Barriers and enablers to disclosing CPV have been explored, and responses to address CPV have been nominally researched. The mapping of a disclosure to a choice of where to get help has not occurred. This study seeks to map help-seeking pathways of mothers and considers these pathways in regards to the relations within families and sociomaterial conditions.

Method

This narrative inquiry utilizes response-based practice and Barad’s concept ‘intra-action’ to examine interviews with mothers (n = 11) who experience CPV, and practitioners (n = 19) who work with families experiencing CPV.

Results

Five help-seeking pathways of mothers are found in this study. Three themes evident across the pathways are explored including: (1) help-seeking within pre-existing relationships; (2) mothers’ feelings of fear, shame and judgement entangled with help-seeking; and (3) conditions which enable and hinder help-seeking from family.

Conclusions

This study finds sociomaterial conditions such as single motherhood and judgement limit help-seeking possibilities. Further, this study finds help-seeking occurs within pre-existing relationships along with the entanglement of CPV with other issues such as intimate partner violence (IPV) and homelessness. This study demonstrates the benefits of employing a response-based approach alongside ‘intra-action’ within a research and practice context.
A palaeoecological study investigating the impacts of multiple tephra depositions on a lacustrine ecosystem in Northeast China, using diatoms as environmental indicators
Authors: Deng Yuqiao Natalie , Rioual Patrick , Jones Vivienne J. , Sun Chunqing , Mingram Jens
Published: March 2023

Tephra layers are common in lake sediments and although they have often been used as chronological controls, few studies have investigated the impacts of past tephra depositions on lake ecosystems (Tephropalaeoecology). For the first time we systematically assess how different types of tephra layers vary in their ecological impact on the same lacustrine system. We use a diatom-based tephropalaeoecological approach to infer the impacts of five tephra deposits on Lake Sihailongwan, a well-studied volcanic lake in Northeast China, over the past 30,000 years. The five tephra layers (including two micro-tephras) have varying thicknesses and were deposited in time periods with different climatic conditions. Changes in diatom communities and chrysophyte-cyst concentrations between pre- and post-tephra samples were used to infer changes in lake conditions and highlight the importance of lake background conditions in mediating the impact of tephra. While the two micro-tephra layers did not cause observable changes, the three thicker tephras induced pronounced changes in lake conditions and thus diatom communities. The two thick tephras deposited in more eutrophic and warmer lake conditions caused larger responses from diatoms. We argue that water-column phosphorus decreased due to reduced sediment–water-phosphorus loading as thick tephra layers formed an impermeable layer at the lake bottom. This is supported by a decrease in total diatom concentration and a decline in high phosphorus-requiring taxa such as Discostella stelligeroides and Stephanodiscus minutulus as well as modern limnological observations which showed that groundwater influxes from the lake bottom are the main source of nutrients to the lake. By contrast, the thick tephra deposited in more oligotrophic and colder lake conditions caused less conspicuous changes. When the lake was already low in phosphorus, diatoms did not respond to a further decline in phosphorus but rather responded to the minor increase in silica from the dissolution of tephra particles in the water column. This was inferred from the slight increases in overall diatom concentration and opportunistic taxa such as Pantocsekiella comensis f. minima. Diatom analysis of the post-tephra sediments above the three thick tephras showed that the aquatic ecosystem did not completely recover, indicating the long-lasting effects of these thick tephras and shifts to new lake-ecosystem equilibria.
Voting Rights, Markov Chains, and Optimization by Short Bursts
Authors: Cannon Sarah , Goldbloom-Helzner Ari , Gupta Varun , Matthews JN , Suwal Bhushan
Published: March 2023

Finding outlying elementsin probability distributions can be a hard problem. Taking a real example from Voting Rights Act enforcement, we consider the problem of maximizing the number of simultaneous majority-minority districts in a political districting plan. An unbiased random walk on districting plans is unlikely to find plans that approach this maximum. A common search approach is to use a biased random walk: preferentially select districting plans with more majority-minority districts. Here, we present a third option, called short bursts, in which an unbiased random walk is performed for a small number of steps (called the burst length), then re-started from the most extreme plan that was encountered in the last burst. We give empirical evidence that short-burst runs outperform biased random walks for the problem of maximizing the number of majority-minority districts, and that there are many values of burst length for which we see this improvement. Abstracting from our use case, we also consider short bursts where the underlying state space is a line with various probability distributions, and then explore some features of more complicated state spaces and how these impact the effectiveness of short bursts.
Patterns and Causes of Female Labor Force Participation: An Age–Period–Cohort Analysis for Pakistan
Authors: Amber Hina , Chichaibelu Bezawit Beyene
Published: March 2023

Female participation rates in Pakistan’s labor force are well below regional averages despite approximately 9 percent growth in the past three decades. To probe the underlying causes of the dynamics of female labor force participation in Pakistan, we use a synthetic panel constructed from nationally representative labor force surveys (1990–2017). The results indicate that the rising population share of working-age women does not account for changes in aggregate labor force participation rates. The age–period–cohort analysis demonstrates that for cohorts born since the 1900s, urban females’ age effects follow a slight M-shaped curve, representing the child-raising phase during which females reduce labor force participation. The cohort effects signal an increase in the labor force participation of cohorts born after the 1950s. This is particularly the case for married females and females with less education that traditionally have weaker attachments to the labor market due to social norms. Therefore, understanding and identifying the factors that can have an effect on the inhibiting role of social norms are central to devising policies to foster female labor force participation.
Earnings Trajectories After Divorce: The Legacies of the Earner Model During Marriage
Authors: Brüggmann Daniel , Kreyenfeld Michaela
Published: March 2023

Divorce marks the legal endpoint of a marital union. While divorce is increasingly seen as a ‘clean break’, the past marital history of the couple may nevertheless shape their present conditions. In particular, there may be a legacy of a highly gendered division of labour during marriage that may affect the ex-spouses’ earning trajectories beyond the date of divorce. Using register data from the German Pension Fund, we examine the earning trajectories of heterosexual couples who filed for a divorce in 2013 (24,616 men and 24,616 women). Using fixed-effects and matching techniques, we compare the earning trajectories of divorcees with those of a control group of married persons in the period spanning two years before and two years after divorce. In particular, we examine how the earner models divorcees followed during marriage shaped their future earning trajectories. Our results show that, on average, the earnings of a divorced woman in a male breadwinner constellation increased after divorce, while the earnings of her male ex-spouse declined. Nevertheless, large gender differences in earnings persisted: 2 years after separation, a divorced woman who had been in a male breadwinner constellation was, on average, earning 72% less than her ex-spouse. We discuss our findings against the background of recent policy reforms in Germany, which assume that ex-partners should be economically ‘self-reliant’ after divorce.
Development of a diverse set of standard short forms based on the EORTC CAT Core item banks
Authors: Petersen Morten Aa. , Vachon Hugo , Groenvold Mogens ,   the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Group
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Group has developed item banks covering the 14 domains of the EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life questionnaire. These allow for dynamic assessment and for forming population/study specific static short forms. To simplify selection of relevant short forms, we here present a portfolio of standard short forms with measurement properties optimized for different populations.

Methods

For each domain, a brief and a long version were constructed for each of three populations having mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, respectively. The most informative items were prioritised while also taking content into consideration. All short forms included at least one QLQ-C30 item. The measurement precision/power of the short forms was compared to the corresponding QLQ-C30 scales using simulations.

Results

In total, 84 short forms were constructed. The brief versions included 3–5 items each, the long versions 5–9 items. Estimated sample size savings using the suggested short forms while maintaining the same power as with the QLQ-C30 ranged 3–50% across domains with median savings of 19% (brief versions) and 28% (long versions), respectively.

Conclusion

The suggested short forms allow for simple selection of items particularly relevant for patients with mild, moderate, or severe symptoms, respectively. They facilitate the use of smaller samples without loss of power compared to the QLQ-C30 scales. The suggested short forms may be used as they are or adapted to the specific aims of individual studies/settings.
The Method of Observation in Science Education: Characteristic Dimensions from an Educational Perspective
Authors: Kraus Simon F.
Published: March 2023

Observation is widely regarded as a fundamental way of studying nature. However, due to its complexity, proposing a comprehensive characterization is challenging. Observation is a method of studying nature that can be divided into several dimensions. Each of these dimensions can be presented as a pair of terms, which are elaborated in this paper based on the epistemological, philosophical, and educational literature. In addition, the dimensions can be assigned to two levels, which can be used to group the individual dimensions. This epistemological perspective on the method is enriched by historical examples from different periods in physics and astronomy to substantiate and illustrate the classifications. The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of the epistemological features of the method in terms of these dimensions, which may be helpful for discussions in teacher training courses.
A Critique of Existential Loneliness
Authors: Gallagher Shaun
Published: March 2023

After a brief review of different definitions and types of loneliness I offer an analysis of the concept of existential loneliness and its philosophical background. In contrast to the interpersonal aspects of other types of loneliness, existential loneliness has been characterized as an intrapersonal default state of incommunicability or profound aloneness, part of or based on a fundamental ontological or transcendental structure in human existence. There are both conceptual and practical issues with the notion of existential loneliness, with implications for psychotherapy. I offer a critical approach, and argue that there is no good philosophical basis for this conception of existential loneliness, and that although loneliness can be existential in some respect, it typically manifests itself in interpersonal contexts, and should not be considered a fundamental ontological structure of human existence.
Efficient adsorption of cesium cations and chromate anions by one-step process using surfactant-modified zeolite
Authors: Hamoud Moustafa A. , Abo-Zahra Shereen F. , Attia Mohamed A. , Someda Hanan H. , Mahmoud Mamdoh R.
Published: March 2023

Natural zeolite is organically modified with the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and employed as a dual-function material for simultaneous adsorption of Cs+ cations and HCrO4− anions from aqueous solutions. Unmodified and modified zeolites are characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that CTAB-zeolite had the efficiency to simultaneously adsorb the concerned species in the pH range 2.5–4.2. The kinetic data showed that 90 and 300 min for Cs(I) and Cr(VI), respectively, were sufficient to attain equilibrium and the data are well-fitted by the double-exponential kinetic model. Of the studied adsorption isotherm models, Redlich-Peterson was the best one for describing the equilibrium adsorption isotherms. Values of ∆H°, ∆S°, and ∆G° for the present adsorption processes are estimated. CTAB-zeolite exhibited adsorption capacities of 0.713 and 1.216 mmol/g for Cs(I) and Cr(VI), respectively, which are comparable with the data reported in the literature. The adsorption mechanism of the concerned (radio)toxicants is proposed.
Microstructural Evolution of Ni-SiC Composites Manufactured by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Chmielewski Marcin , Zybała Rafał , Strojny-Nędza Agata , Piątkowska Anna , Dobrowolski Artur , Jagiełło Jakub , Diduszko Ryszard , Bazarnik Piotr , Nosewicz Szymon
Published: March 2023

The presented paper concerns the technological aspects of the interface evolution in the nickel-silicon carbide composite during the sintering process. The goal of our investigation was to analyse the material changes occurring due to the violent reaction between nickel and silicon carbide at elevated temperatures. The nickel matrix composite with 20 vol pct SiC particles as the reinforcing phase was fabricated by the spark plasma sintering technique. The sintering tests were conducted with variable process conditions (temperature, time, and pressure). It was revealed that the strong interaction between the individual components and the scale of the observed changes depends on the sintering parameters. To identify the microstructural evolution, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy were used. The silicon carbide decomposition process progresses with the extension of the sintering time. As the final product of the observed reaction, new phases from the Ni-Si system and free carbon were detected. The step-by-step materials evolution allowed us to reveal the course of the reaction and the creation of the new structure, especially in the reaction zone. The detailed analysis of the SiC decomposition and formation of new components was the main achievement of the presented paper.
Genetic Testing in Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Is It for Everyone?
Authors: Medeiros A. M. , Bourbon M.
Published: March 2023

Purpose of Review

Lipid measurements and genetic testing are the main diagnostic tools for FH screening that are available in many countries. A lipid profile is widely accessible, and genetic testing, although available worldwide, in some countries is only performed in a research context. Still FH is diagnosed late, showing lack of early screening programs worldwide.

Recent Findings

Pediatric screening of FH was recently recognized by the European Commission Public Health Best Practice Portal as one on the best practices in non-communicable disease prevention. The early diagnosis of FH and the lowering of LDL-C values over lifespan can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and offer health and socioeconomic gains.

Current knowledge about FH shows that early detection through appropriate screening needs to become a priority in healthcare systems worldwide. Governmental programs for FH identification should be implemented to unify the diagnosis and increase patient identification.
A multimodal sentiment analysis system for recognizing person aggressiveness in pain based on textual and visual information
Authors: Ghosh Anay , Dhara Bibhas Chandra , Pero Chiara , Umer Saiyed
Published: March 2023

This article proposes a multimodal sentiment analysis system for recognizing a person’s aggressiveness in pain. The implementation has been divided into five components. The first three steps are related to a text-based sentiment analysis system to perform classification tasks such as predicting the classes into non-aggressive, covertly aggressive, and overtly aggressive classes. The remaining two components are related to an image-based sentiment analysis system. A deep learning-based approach has been employed to do feature learning and predict the three types of pain classes. An aggression dataset for the text-based system and the UNBC-McMaster database for an image-based system has been employed, respectively. Experimental results have been compared with the state-of-the-art methods, showing the superiority of the proposed approach. Finally, the scores due to text-based and image-based sentiment analysis systems are fused to obtain the performance for the proposed multimodal sentiment analysis system.
Effects of a preseason triphasic resistance training program on athletic performance in elite volleyball players—an observational study
Authors: Rebelo André , Pereira João R. , Valente-dos-Santos João
Published: March 2023

Volleyball is a sport that requires high levels of maximal strength, reactive strength, and power at the elite level. Various training methods exist to maximize these physical qualities. The purpose of the triphasic training method is to maximize sport performance by enhancing all three muscle actions to create a strong link between eccentric, isometric, and concentric phases. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of a 6-week (three times per week) triphasic resistance training program during the preseason period in professional male volleyball athletes. Fourteen male elite volleyball players (mean [± standard deviation] age: 28.88 ± 5.59 years; height: 192 ± 10 cm; body mass: 88.00 ± 14.54 kg) completed several body composition assessments and physical tests. Squat jump performance (p = 0.02, d = 0.27, 3.16%) and both lower (p < 0.001, d = 0.71, 16.56%) and upper body (p = 0.002, d = 0.45, 7.98%) maximal strength significantly increased from pre to post intervention. Strength and conditioning professionals should consider this type of training if they seek to improve maximal strength and concentric power. However, if the goals are to improve reactive strength and change-of-direction speed, then coaches must shift towards a power-type training to improve these stretch-shortening cycle activities.
Estrogen-dependent activation of NCOA3 couples with p300 and NF-κB to mediate antiapoptotic genes in ER-positive breast cancer cells
Authors: Wang Jun , Zhou Zhiyong
Published: March 2023

Circumvention of apoptosis by the elevation of antiapoptotic proteins is an important cause of carcinogenesis. The induction of antiapoptotic genes, including B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2), BCL2 related protein A1 (BCL2A1), BCL2 like 1 (BCL2L1), BCL2L2, and myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1), has been observed in multiple cancers, including breast cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms of their overexpression are still being investigated. Here, we revealed that BCL2, BCL2A1, BCL2L2, and MCL1 but not BCL2L1 were overexpressed in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells and clinical biopsies. Stimulation with estrogen in ER-positive cell lines resulted in a dose-dependent increase in BCL2, BCL2A1, BCL2L2, and MCL1 mRNA levels. Molecular investigation revealed that nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) recruited histone acetyltransferase p300 and nuclear receptor coactivator 3 (NCOA3) to form a transcriptional complex. This complex docked the promoters of BCL2, BCL2A1, BCL2L2, and MCL1 and activated their expression. Interestingly, estrogen exposure dose-dependently activated NCOA3. Depletion of the NCOA3-p300-NF-κB components or blockage of NCOA3 function with inhibitors (gossypol and bufalin) in ER-positive cells suppressed BCL2, BCL2A1, BCL2L2, and MCL1 expression, while also decreasing cell viability, colony formation, cell invasion, and tumor growth. Collectively, our results demonstrate an upstream signaling that activates four antiapoptotic genes in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Importantly, our results also imply that targeting NCOA3 or blocking the assembly of the NCOA3-p300-NF-κB complex may be promising therapeutic strategies for treating ER-positive breast cancer.
Hydrogeochemical studies of groundwater in semi-arid areas of northern Ethiopia using geospatial methods and multivariate statistical analysis techniques
Authors: Hailu Haftay , Haftu Solomon
Published: March 2023

The present study focused on evaluating the groundwater hydrogeochemical of shallow aquifers in the semi-arid areas of northern Ethiopia, using geospatial modelling and multivariate statistical techniques. Physico-chemical parameters, including pH, major ions, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), pollution index (PI) and other parameters, from 22 samples have been used to assess water quality, sources of various ions, water types and factors controlling groundwater chemistry. Results showed that the spatial distribution of major ions, EC, TDS, TH and PI values in these samples significantly differ from one location to another due to geological variations and anthropogenic activities of the area. The quality of most groundwater is generally unfit for drinking due to their PI, EC, TH, calcium, potassium, total iron and bicarbonate (HCO3−) values that found to be above the permissible limits of WHO and Ethiopian standards. The parameters like sodium percentage, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium bicarbonate, permeability index, magnesium hazard and Kelly’s ratio revealed good quality of groundwater for irrigation utilization, whereas EC of irrigation water (ECiw), combined effects of ECiw − SAR and bicarbonate hazard values indicated that majority of groundwater are not suitable for irrigation use. Piper trilinear diagram classified majority of samples under temporary hardness with Ca–Mg–HCO3 type. Further, Gibbs diagram reveals that water–rock interaction is the major hydrogeochemical processes governing the water chemistry of the study area. Therefore, it is recommended to perform a constant water quality checking program and improvement of tangible management practices for sustainable utilization of groundwater resources.
Structural Design for Roll-Formed Aluminium Alloy Perforated Channels Subjected to Interior-Two-Flange Web Crippling: Experimental Tests, Numerical Simulation, and Neural Network
Authors: Fang Zhiyuan , Roy Krishanu , Lim James B. P.
Published: March 2023

This study analyses the interior-two-flange (ITF) web crippling strength of roll-formed aluminum alloy lipped channels (RA channels) with web holes employing experimental testing, numerical modeling, and deep neural network (i.e., Deep belief Network, DBN). A total of 30 experimental tests on web crippling behavior were carried out, with the results utilized to validate a finite element (FE) model, developed in this study. The experimental results were compared to the data produced by the validated FE model, which was then used to train the DBN model. The results of the DBN prediction were shown to be around 5% more conservative than the FE results. In order to evaluate the effects of associated factors on the ITF web crippling strength of RA channels, a comprehensive parametric study was conducted using the DBN. The design guidelines that are currently available in the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI 2016), the Australian and New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS 1997; AS/NZS (2018)), and the Eurocode (CEN 2007) were found to be unreliable while determining the ITF web crippling strength of RA channels. The DBN's predictions developed new formulae for calculating the web crippling strength reduction factors. After conducting a reliability study, it was found that the developed strength reduction factor equations are reliable when calculating the ITF web crippling strength of such perforated roll-formed aluminium alloy channels.
Laparoscopic antireflux surgery for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease: long-term clinical outcomes
Authors: Ugliono Elettra , Rebecchi Fabrizio , Mantova Serena , Osella Giulia , Mansour Ahmed Mohammed Farid Mahmoud Hamdy , Morino Mario
Published: March 2023

Persistent symptoms despite adequate Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) treatment are described in up to 40% of patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The efficacy of Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery (LARS) in PPI non-responder patients is still unclear. This observational study aims to report the long-term clinical outcomes and predictors of dissatisfaction in a cohort of refractory GERD patients submitted to LARS. Patients with preoperative refractory symptoms and objective GERD evidence submitted to LARS between 2008 and 2016 were included in the study. Primary endpoint was overall satisfaction with the procedure, secondary endpoints were long-term GERD symptom relief and endoscopic findings. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare satisfied and dissatisfied patients, in order to identify preoperative predictors of dissatisfaction. A total of 73 refractory GERD patients who underwent LARS were included in the study. At a mean follow-up of 91.2 ± 30.5 months, the satisfaction rate was 86.3%, with a statistically significant reduction in typical and atypical GERD symptoms. Causes of dissatisfaction were severe heartburn (6.8%), gas bloat syndrome (2.8%), and persistent dysphagia (4.1%). Multivariate analysis showed that a number of Total Distal Reflux Episodes (TDRE) > 75 was a predictive factor of long-term dissatisfaction after LARS while a partial response to PPI was a protective factor against dissatisfaction. LARS guarantees a high level of long-term satisfaction for selected refractory GERD patients. An abnormal TDRE at 24 h-multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring and the lack of response to preoperative PPI were predictors of long-term dissatisfaction.
Emotions and Automation in a High-Tech Workplace: a Commentary
Authors: Umbrello Steven
Published: March 2023

In a recent article, Madelaine Ley evaluates the future of work, specifically robotised workplaces, via the lens of care ethics. Like many proponents of care ethics, Ley draws on the approach and its emphasis on relationality to understand ethical action necessary for worker wellbeing. Her paper aims to fill a research gap by shifting away from the traditional contexts in which care ethics is employed, i.e., health and care contexts and instead appropriates the approach to tackle the sociotechnicity of robotics and how caring should be integrated into non-traditional contexts. This paper comments on that of Ley’s, making the case that the author does, in fact, achieve this end while still leaving areas of potential future research open to buttressing the approach she presents.
Considerations for Contraceptive Use Among Patients with Migraines
Authors: Lyall Melinda , de Oliveira Bella Ribeiro , Mody Sheila K.
Published: March 2023

Purpose of Review

There is an overlap in the populations of patients who suffer from migraine headaches and patients who seek contraception. The purpose of this review is to present recent studies on contraception among patients with migraines and provide clinical recommendations.

Recent Findings

Migraine with aura and combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) use are associated with increased ischemic stroke risk. The use of CHCs in patients with migraine with aura produces a higher risk of ischemic stroke than either factor individually; therefore, CHC is contraindicated in this population by certain guidelines. However, recent studies suggest that oral contraceptive may reduce migraine days, pain scores, and migraine medication use.

Certain guidelines recommend against use of CHCs in patients with migraine with aura. CHC use is acceptable among patient with migraines without aura. In patients with menstrual-related migraines, there may be benefit from continuous use of oral contraceptives. Further studies are needed on migraine and specific formulations of CHC, if the frequency of migraines with aura impacts ischemic stroke risk and the impact of oral and non-oral contraceptives on menstrual headaches.
Wear mechanism and debris analysis of PEEK as an alternative to CoCrMo in the femoral component of total knee replacement
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Zhang Tao , Chen Kai , Xu Handong , Feng Cunao , Zhang Dekun
Published: March 2023

The polyetheretherketone (PEEK)-highly cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), all-polymer knee prosthesis has excellent prospects for replacing the traditional metal/ceramic-polyethylene joint prosthesis, improving the service life of the joint prosthesis and the quality of patients’ life. The long-term wear mechanism of PEEK-XLPE knee joint prosthesis is comprehensively evaluated from wear amount, wear morphology, and wear debris compared to that of CoCrMo-XLPE joint prosthesis. After 5 million cycles ofin vitrowear, the wear loss of XLPE in PEEK-XLPE (30.9±3.2 mg) is lower than that of XLPE in CoCrMo-XLPE (32.1±3.1 mg). Compared to the XLPE in CoCrMo-XLPE, the plastic deformation of XLPE in PEEK-XLPE is more severe in the early stage, and the adhesive peeling and adhesion are lighter in the later stage. The size distribution of XLPE wear debris in PEEK-XLPE is relatively dispersed, which in CoCrMo-XLPE is relatively concentrated. Wear debris is mainly flake and block debris, and the wear mechanism of XLPE was abrasive wear. The wear volume per unit area of PEEK femoral condyle (10.45×105µm3/mm2) is higher than that of CoCrMo (8.32×105µm3/mm2). The PEEK surface is mainly furrows and adhesions, while the CoCrMo surface is mainly furrows and corrosion spots. The PEEK wear debris is mainly in flakes and blocks, and the CoCrMo wear debris is mainly in the shape of rods and blocks. The wear mechanism of PEEK is abrasive wear and adhesion, and that of CoCrMo is abrasive wear and corrosion.
Calcium balance in peritoneal dialysis patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) cyclers
Authors: Davenport Andrew
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Although vascular calcification is a recognised complication for haemodialysis patients, peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are also at risk. As such we wished to review peritoneal and urinary calcium balance and the effect of calcium containing phosphate binders (CCPBs).

Methods

Twenty-four-hour peritoneal calcium balance and urinary calcium were reviewed in PD patients undergoing their first assessment of peritoneal membrane function.

Results

Results from 183 patients, 56.3% male, 30.1% diabetic, mean age 59.4 ± 16.4 years, median 2.0 (2–6) months of PD, 29% treated by automated PD (APD), 26.8% continuous ambulatory (CAPD) and 44.2% APD with a day-time exchange (CCPD) were reviewed. Peritoneal calcium balance was positive in 42.6%, and remained positive in 21.3% after including urinary calcium losses. PD calcium balance was negatively associated with ultrafiltration (odds ratio 0.99 (95% confidence limits 0.98–0.99), p = 0.005. PD calcium balance was lowest with APD (APD − 0.45 (− 0.78 to 0.05) vs CAPD − 0.14 (− 1.18 to 0.59) vs CCPD − 0.03) − 0.48 to 0.5) mmol/day), p < 0.05, with 82.1% of patients with a positive balance prescribed icodextrin, when combining peritoneal and urinary losses. When considering CCPB prescription, then 97.8% of subjects prescribed CCPD had an over-all positive calcium balance.

Discussion

Over 40% of PD patients had a positive peritoneal calcium balance. Elemental calcium intake from CCPB had a major effect on calcium balance, as median combined peritoneal and urinary calcium losses were < 0.7 mmol/day (26 mg), so caution is required to prevent excessive CCPB prescribing, increasing the exchangeable calcium pool and thus potentially increasing vascular calcification, particularly for anuric patients.

Graphical abstract
The evolving diagnosis and classification of CNS hypersomnolence disorders
Authors: Lammers Gert Jan , Kallweit Ulf
Published: March 2023

Purpose of Review

We describe the evolution and limitations of current diagnostic criteria and classification systems of CNS hypersomnolence disorders and propose some changes.

Recent Findings

An unsupervised cluster analysis of 1100 Europeans with hypersomnolence identified the narcolepsy type 1 phenotype but not other categories listed in ICSD-3.

There are long-standing unsolved issues regarding the diagnosis and classification of central disorders of hypersomnolence. These include delineating and identifying phenotypes and unique conditions (“sui generis”), sleep deprivation’s impact on phenotypes and how to separate sleep deprivation as a trigger from other causes, as well as the association of excessive sleepiness with other disorders. We discuss these issues and present a novel, straightforward classification system with consistent terminology to get out of the impasse and do justice to people with hypersomnolence.