bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soft-Tissue Techniques in Sports Injuries Prevention and Rehabilitation
Authors: Mylonas Konstantinos , Angelopoulos Pavlos , Tsepis Elias , Billis Evdokia , Fousekis Konstantinos
Published: March 2021

Participation in sports, in addition to its positive effects, leads to injuries caused by contact with the opponent or the high loads that develop on the musculoskeletal structures during the sports activities. Sports injuries mainly include (a) acute injuries such as muscle strains and ligament sprains, tendon injuries, dislocations and subluxations, fractures, and skin injuries but also (b) overuse injuries such as tendinopathies and painful myofascial syndromes. Many therapeutic techniques are used to treat these injuries, such as therapeutic exercise, various electrotherapy procedures and soft tissue techniques. Soft tissue techniques aim to promote health and well-being through their mechanical effects on the body’s soft tissues such as friction, compression, tissues sliding and myofascial release. Sports soft-tissue procedures are applied either directly with the hands of therapists such as classical massage or with the use of special equipment such as tools made of stainless steel (ERGON instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization), elastic ischemic bandages (Kinetic flossing technique) and cups (cupping therapy). The following chapter analyzes the therapeutic effects of the above therapeutic interventions by presenting recent scientific evidence that supports their effects on the soft tissue’s dysfunctions of the human body and various pathological conditions.
Jamming the assessment: The viability of a Twine game jam as a learning evaluation tool in higher education
Authors: Roine Hanna-Riikka , Meriläinen Mikko , Kankainen Ville
Published: March 2021

While game jams, rapid game co-creation events, have seen increased interest in learning contexts, their potential is still largely untapped. In this paper, we examine game jams as a form of playful assessment. We evaluate the potential of game jams to serve as a tool for assessing learning processes and goals of higher education students.The study is built around two instances of a university course focusing on the analysis of storytelling in digital media, taught during the autumn terms of 2018 and 2019 at the University of Helsinki. Both instances included a Twine game jam with the idea of giving the students a hands-oninsight into highly abstract topics. In our qualitative study, we examined game jam experiences of the students through their written reports. Following research questions were formulated: Is game jamming with Twine a viable tool for assessing student learning on a university course? What limitations and requirements are there in the use of game jamming in assessment?Through thematic analysis, we identified categories related to student learning and their experience of the game jam in the data. Categories were examined against the learning goals to discern how students were applying knowledge and concepts obtained during the courses.Our results suggest that the game jam format encourages reflection of the course content as well as its application. Game jams potentially complement existing, more conventional assessment methods as they strongly encourage the jammers to engage with and apply knowledge they have acquired.
Play in research? Yes, it is “proper” practice
Authors: James Alison
Published: March 2021

Playful practices can be viewed with suspicion within Higher Education,as not “proper” practice. This paper reports on research that show how practitionersengage in playful research practices, and why they use play for scholarship andresearch. It shows some of the challenges that could be embraced to enable theincreased legitimisation of play and playfulness as serious research.
A framework for developing playfulness, experimentation and critical thinking within the concepts of Technological Comprehension and Computational Thinking
Authors: Francis Merethe Haahr , Rasmusen Søren Baltzer
Published: March 2021

This article draws on insights from cases of researching, developing and teaching Computational Thinking (CT) and Technological Comprehension (TC) within the Arts/Humanities; to show how a guiding framework might enable teaching and learning as a co-operative playful academic community in educational practice. The cases are a research project on implementing Technological Comprehension within the subject of Danish in elementary school (2018-2019); Computational Network Zealand (2019); a Master’s course in CT and design processes at Aarhus University (2019-2020). The cases were selected within the context of integrating CT and TC in the educational system of Denmark. The article aims to create a guiding framework for scaffolding pedagogical processes and creating educational design patterns. Through the process of creating Educational design Patterns the educators are supported in creating curriculum development from a bottom-up perspective. This is done through tinkering and playfulness in design collaboratories with a pedagogical foundation submerged in the liberating bildung and critical pedagogy.This article promotes a guiding framework for developing playfulness, experimentation and critical thinking within the concepts of TC and CT.
Exceeding and digital materiality in the classroom a student’s perspective on roleplay in higher education
Authors: Marchetti Emanuela
Published: March 2021

Roleplayhas become a common learning practice across different educations in Denmark,among which Engineering and Healthcare. Building on the notion of play practicesand moods (Karoff 2013, Toft 2019) and intra-action (Barad 2007), intended as amutual entanglement of human and non-human actors, this study compares how engineeringstudents from the program of Experience Technology (ET) and healthcare studentsfrom Occupational Therapy (OT) experience play during roleplay as a playfullearning practice. Ethnographic data were gatheredduring observations of ET students (during a course I have taught myself),while learning how to use ethnography in design practice, filming and observingeach other while engaging with computer games. OT students were observed whilelearning how to perform the clinical dialogue, an ethnographic,diagnostic practice, in which therapists observe patients to formulate adiagnosis and negotiate a therapy together with their patients.Interestingly both groups of studentsgradually increased the rhythm of their play during class exercises, switchingin an exceeding play practice (Karoff 2013). The students started from asliding play practice, while engaging with the provided digital technologiesand media (phones, slides and videos), which gave a reference for the students’actions in relation to the learning goals and mutual intra-action. For ETstudents, digital technologies are native supports for their professional practice,while OT students experience a haptic dissonance (O’Reagan and Nöe 2001), whilelearning from visual material an embodied practice. However, both groupsexperienced genuine play through an exceeding play practice (Karoff 2013), whichis defined by a euphoric mood, hence enabling the students to enjoy and expressthemselves through loud laughs, wide gestures, and mutual teasing. Exceeding providedopportunities for the students to engage in the freedom of play, building theiraffinity spaces (Gee 2017), defined as bubbles for the students to socialize,flirt, or simply regain room for fun in the classroom. 
Durable Response to PD-1 Blockade in a Patient With Metastatic Pancreatic Undifferentiated Carcinoma With Osteoclast-Like Giant Cells
Authors: Besaw Robert J. , Terra Adrienne R. , Malvar Grace L. , Chapman Tobias R. , Hertan Lauren M. , Schlechter Benjamin L.
Published: March 2021

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (UCOGC) of the pancreas is a rare and potentially aggressive variant of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Data on this disease are sparse, and despite genetic similarities to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, UCOGC clinical outcomes can be markedly different. We report on a female patient aged 62 years who presented with UCOGC with pulmonary metastases initially treated with 2 lines of cytotoxic chemotherapy. After rapid disease progression with both cytotoxic treatments, the patient’s tissue was sent for next-generation sequencing, which revealed a high tumor mutation burden (32 mutations per megabase), as well as somatic mutations in BRAF, NF1, PIK3CA, CDKN2A, TERT, and TP53. Pancreatic cancers have previously demonstrated suboptimal responses to immunotherapeutic approaches. However, given the high tumor mutation burden and distinctiveness of the tumor class, the patient began third-line pembrolizumab monotherapy after palliative radiation to the rapidly progressing and painful abdominal mass from her primary tumor. She had a marked response in her primary UCOGC tumor and metastatic sites, and she remains on pembrolizumab monotherapy with ongoing response after 32 months of therapy. Recent evidence showing significant PD-L1 enrichment on neoplastic cells of undifferentiated carcinomas (including UCOGC) may indicate a role for immunotherapeutic approaches in these patients. Rare cancers such as UCOGC and other undifferentiated carcinomas may benefit from next-generation sequencing to inform treatment decisions when standards of care are absent, as in this report.
Reconstruyendo el conocimiento práctico en confinamiento. Una experiencia de enseñanza en la formación inicial de docentes.
Authors: Soto Gómez Encarnación , Maldonado-Ruiz Gonzalo , Márquez-Román Ana , Peña Trapero Noemí
Published: March 2021

Este artículo presenta la experiencia y los dilemas de enseñanza de un grupo de docentes en la formación inicial de profesorado del Grado en Educación Infantil, en su adaptación a la virtualidad ocasionada por la COVID-19. Un proyecto que, con 10 años de andadura, ofrece una oportunidad para repensar la formación inicial en el marco del confinamiento. Inicialmente se describe el complejo e incierto contexto social actual y los retos ineludibles para la formación inicial del profesorado: la reconstrucción del conocimiento práctico de nuestras estudiantes y el diseño de un habitus vivencial y crítico como sostén de los principios pedagógicos de la experiencia que describimos en la segunda parte. Un triángulo didáctico en relación permanente con las reflexiones de las estudiantes y los debates e inquietudes que como docentes hemos compartido en los espacios de coordinación y adaptación a la virtualidad. Las conclusiones de esta experiencia sitúan la coordinación y la tutorización como ejes relevantes, al mismo tiempo en el que se advierten las dificultades e imposibilidad de que una experiencia de formación inicial de docentes íntegramente virtual -sin una práctica en relación y presencia de los niños y niñas- facilite la reconstrucción del conocimiento práctico de maestras y maestros de Educación Infantil.

This article presents the experience and teaching dilemmas of a group of teachers in the Initial Early Childhood Teachers’ Training, in their adaptation to the virtuality caused by COVID-19. A 10-year-old project that offers an opportunity to rethink Initial Teacher Training in confinement. Initially, the complex and uncertain current social context and the inescapable challenges for Initial Teacher Training are described: the reconstruction of the practical knowledge of our students and the design of an experiential and critical habitus as support for the pedagogical principles of the experience that we describe in the second part. A didactic triangle in permanent relationship with the students’ reflections and the debates and concerns that we, as teachers, have shared in the spaces of coordination and adaptation to virtuality. The conclusions of this experience place coordination and tutoring as relevant axes. At the same time, the difficulties and impossibility of a fully virtual Initial Teacher Training experience facilitating the reconstruction of the practical knowledge of Early Childhood Education teachers without a practice in relation to children are noted.
Los humanos delante retos de escala planetaria
Authors: Cavaller Víctor
Published: March 2021

Para hacer las cosas bien no hay que agotar todas las posibilidades de hacerlas mal. La inteligencia –cuando no la experiencia– a menudo muestra atajos para ahorrar tiempo y males mayores. Sin embargo, cuando se niega a reconocer el descrédito de la propia incompetencia, la realidad, que es todavía más obstinada, muestra las cosas tal como son, para desesperación de las víctimas. La crisis de la COVID es un ejemplo perfecto para evaluar, como si de un laboratorio se tratara, hasta qué extremos son capaces de llegar la estupidez y la pretensión humanas.
Truth even unto its innermost parts
Authors: Marder Eve
Published: March 2021

Challenging anyone who spreads falsehoods is an important part of respecting the truth in both science and the wider world.
Perspectives on aesthetics and vulnerability through the life stories of five young men
Authors: Møller-Skau Marie
Published: March 2021

This article examines what five young men in vulnerable positions tell about their experiences with aesthetics and actualises aesthetics in the context of health and life skills, emphasised in the Norwegian curriculum (2020). For research purposes, an interview with an indirect approach is used to gain insights into these young men’s experiences and lives by allowing them to fully play the roles as storytellers. According to the young men’s stories, their experiences with aesthetics can be presented through three categories of findings: (1) the connection between their life situations and aesthetics, (2) their emotional moments of aesthetic experiences and (3) their experiences of aesthetics as meaningful phenomena. Furthermore, the findings are discussed against aesthetic theory, which highlights how emotions can be experienced, reflected, symbolised, expressed and sorted out through aesthetics. Thus, a picture of aesthetic experiences is drawn as emotional processes.
Change at the Museum - The Knowledge Production of Human Evolution
Authors: Ceder Simon
Published: March 2021

Museums today play an important role as a space for learning about science and the world. For this article, the phenomenon of human evolution is explored as an example of knowledge production about change. Empirical materials on exhibitions of human evolution were collected from visits to 25 historical and natural history museums.

The empirical materials are analyzed together with a posthuman version of evolutionary theory, with a focus on aspects of change. This is based on a post-anthropocentric and relational approach to human evolution and change. The analysis shows that (i) museums face an anthropocentric tension, (ii) evolutionary change is seen as both an inherent quality of the individual species and as an entanglement of humans and the natural environment, (iii) the notion of ‘the first human’ produces various and contentious versions of knowledges about evolutionary change.
Stock Price Volatility Modelling with Regimes in Conditional Mean and Variance
Authors: Salami Abdulganiyu , Olasehinde Timilehin
Published: March 2021

This study examined the presence and nature of volatility in the Nigerian Stock market. Through a graphical presentation of the Nigerian stock prices, it was observed that there exist two regimes of volatility clustering between the periods of 1985M6 to 1999M12 and 2000M1 to 2018M6. Employing a regime covariate autoregressive (AR-X) with an exponential GARCH model, that allows for a shift in intercept, it was found that the second regime, 2000 M1 to 2018 M6, is more volatile, and that modelling of Nigerian stock market requires a technique that considers more than one regime of volatility clustering. Consequently, the study recommends that local and foreign investors take into consideration the high volatility of the recent Nigerian stock prices in making their investment decision and that policymakers take cognizance of the volatility in designing macroeconomic policies.
Comparative Analysis of the Nutritive Value of Smoked, Dried Procambarus clarkii (Freshwater Crayfish) from Three Nigerian States
Authors: Omole Oluwafemi Akinsola , Adepoju Oluwafunmike Blessing , Moradeyo Oluwasola Toluwalope , Okuneye Olayinka Josephine , Bello Adunola Abosede
Published: March 2021

The nutritive value of smoked, dried Procambarus clarkii sourced from Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Lagos states of Nigeria were evaluated and compared.  The proximate composition of the crayfish samples were determined using official methods of analysis, mineral composition were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and  the amino acid composition were analysed using Amino Acid Analyser. The proximate composition of the crayfish samples from three different locations (Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Rivers states) such as moisture, crude protein, crude fat and ash contents showed significant difference (p<0.05) across the selected locations while crude fibre and carbohydrate content showed no significant difference (p<0.05) across the selected locations. The amino acids composition gave the crayfish sample from Akwa Ibom state as the richest source of essential amino acids. The mineral contents of the crayfish samples such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and calcium showed significant difference (p<0.05) across the selected locations while calcium, zinc and sodium contents showed no significant difference (p<0.05) across the selected locations. Comparing their nutrient component, smoked, dried P. Clarkia from Awka Ibom state possess the richest nutritive value.
Effect of Curcumin, Exelon and their Combination on Brain in Alzheimer’s Disease-Induced Rats
Authors: Abdel-Atty Mohy Eldin Abd EL-Fattah , Khalil Waleed Fathi , Mohamed Shahinda Mahmoud
Published: March 2021

Because of the continues rising in the number of patients who have Alzheimer’s disease (AD) throughout the twenty-first century, the looking for remedies increase by scientists. The treatment of AD remains a challenge due to an incomplete understanding of' reasons that lead to the selective neurodegeneration typical of Alzheimer’s brains. Among treatment for AD, the renewed interest in curcumin is rise for its potential medication. As kind of natural product curcumin with anti-AD properties is very important for prevention and treatment. The aim of the present study was evaluated the activity of curcumin in the recession of AD induced in adult male albino rats. The results showed that treatment of AD groups with curcumin or rivastigmine experienced significant decreased in brain AChE, Aβ (1-42), and MAD levels with respect to untreated group associated with significant increase in brain GSH, SOD, and CAT. activity. Further showed combination of curcumin with rivastigmine was more efficacious in treatment of AD as compared to their effect alone.
Hepato-Renal-Curative Effect of the Herbal Supplement of Aloe vera Linn Gel versus Moringa oleifera on Acetaminophen-Induced Damage on the Liver and Kidney of Wistar Rats (Rattus novergicus)
Authors: Abaekwume Chukwunyere Ogechi , Kagbo Hope Delesi
Published: March 2021

Background: Acetaminophen (APAP, paracetamol) is the most frequently used over-the counter analgesic and antipyretic drug. Conversely, its overdose leads to both liver and kidney damage. Several scientific reports have focused majorly on protective effects of medicinal plants on APAP –induced hepato-renal-toxicity. actually, there is a dearth of work on the hepato-renal-curative effects of the herbal drugs supplements on APAP induced toxicity.

Aims: In the present study, Aloe vera (ALOV) gel versus Moringa oleifera (MORN) leaf supplement effects was evaluated curatively against Acetaminophen (APAP) induced hepato- renal-toxicity. 

Study Design:  This study was an experimental study in the Animal House of the Department of Pharmacology University of Port Harcourt. The work lasted for 7 days.

Methodology: Twenty adult wistar rats weighing 185-220 g were divided into four (4) groups of five (5) animals each and treated orally as follows: group 1(normal control) received distilled water (7days), group 2 received 1 g/kg acetaminophen (APAP) (2 days), whereas group 3-4  received APAP (2 days) followed by 500 mg/kg of ALOV and MORN supplements respectively for 5 days. At the end of the experiment, animals from different groups were anaesthesized, the liver and kidney tissues were dissected and blood collected subjected to different biochemical, antioxidants, and histopathological test.

Statistical Analysis: was done using One-Way Anova followed by Tukey’s Post-hoc Test.

Results: APAP caused significant (P<0.05) decrease in creatinine with significant (P<0.01) increase and decrease in liver enzymes and renal catalase levels respectively in relation to normal control. Treatment of rats with the ALOV and MORN supplements attenuated the elevated liver and kidney biochemistry as well as improved histopathological alterations by APAP treatment.

Conclusion: The supplements demonstrated restorative ability. MORN and ALOV supplements extract can be suggested as a convincing remedy against APAP-induced hepato-renal-toxicity.
Systematic Modification of UiO‐66 Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Glucose Conversion into 5‐Hydroxymethyl Furfural in Water
Authors: Oozeerally Ryan , Burnett David L. , Chamberlain Thomas W. , Kashtiban Reza J. , Huband Steven , Walton Richard I. , Degirmenci Volkan
Published: March 2021

Metal organic framework UiO‐66 is studied as an adaptable heterogeneous catalyst for glucose conversion. UiO‐66 was modified by; i) partial linker substitution, ii) particle size modulation and iii) linker defects. We studied the effect of crystallinity and functional groups on the glucose conversion and product yields. The main products are: i) fructose from the isomerisation of glucose, ii) mannose from the epimerisation of glucose and iii) 5‐hydroxymethyl furfural from the dehydration of fructose. We found that defective and nano crystalline UiO‐66 catalyst performs best for isomerisation. When 50 % of the linkers of UiO‐66 are replaced by a sulfonate‐containing linker, the catalyst shows higher isomerisation activity than other UiO‐66 catalysts. Naphthalene‐dicarboxylate linkers were introduced to induce hydrophobicity and this catalyst further increased isomerisation activity showing 31 % fructose selectivity. Finally, the promising catalysts were tested in a flow reactor and a bifunctional mixed linker catalyst possessing both hydrophobic and acidic functional groups is shown to be stable in a time‐on‐stream study.
Use of MCM‐41 as an Efficient Adsorbent for Removal of Nonionic Surfactant from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Akbari Benghar Sedigheh , Zanjanchi Mohammad Ali , Sohrabnezhad Shabnam
Published: March 2021

The as‐synthesized MCM‐41 and its modified forms are used as adsorbents for the removal of nonylphenol ethoxylate (NP‐10) from aqueous solutions. The partial template containing MCM‐41 is prepared by treating the as‐synthesized sample with ethanolic ammonium nitrate solution. Complete removal of the template is performed using the calcination process. The prepared adsorbents are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen physisorption techniques. The effect of adsorbent weight, pH, contact time, and initial concentration on the adsorption efficiency is studied. The equilibrium adsorption data are well defined, and they are fitted with Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacities (qm) and pseudo‐second‐order rate constants (k2) are calculated. The best adsorbent, in terms of removal efficiency, results to be the thermally treated MCM‐41, characterized by the highest surface area, and thus with the largest porosity. Specifically, the removal efficiency for NP‐10 is around 84% (558 mg g−1) with an initial concentration of 700 mg L−1, which is increased to 91% (455 mg g−1) for a 500 mg L−1 initial concentration. Thermodynamic studies depict that the adsorption of NP‐10 onto MCM‐41 is an endothermic process and the spontaneity is controlled by entropy.
Cell lineage‐ and expression‐based inference of the roles of forkhead box transcription factor Foxc2 in craniofacial development
Authors: Takenoshita Manami , Takechi Masaki , Vu Hoang Tri , Furutera Toshiko , Akagawa Chisaki , Namangkalakul Worachat , Aoto Kazushi , Kume Tsutomu , Miyashin Michiyo , Iwamoto Tsutomu , Iseki Sachiko
Published: March 2021

Background

Foxc2 is a member of the winged helix/forkhead (Fox) box family of transcription factors. Loss of function of Foxc2 causes craniofacial abnormalities such as cleft palate and deformed cranial base, but its role during craniofacial development remains to be elucidated.

Results

The contributions of Foxc2‐positive and its descendant cells to the craniofacial structure at E18.5 were examined using a tamoxifen‐inducible Cre driver mouse (Foxc2‐CreERT2) crossed with the R26R‐LacZ reporter mouse. Foxc2 expression at E8.5 is restricted to the cranial mesenchyme, contributing to specific components including the cranial base, sensory capsule, tongue, upper incisor, and middle ear. Expression at E10.5 was still positively regulated in most of those regions. In situ hybridization analysis of Foxc2 and its closely related gene, Foxc1, revealed that expression domains of these genes largely overlap in the cephalic mesenchyme. Meanwhile, the tongue expressed Foxc2 but not Foxc1, and its development was affected by the neural crest‐specific deletion of Foxc2 in mice (Wnt1‐Cre; Foxc2fl/fl).

Conclusions

Foxc2 is expressed in cranial mesenchyme that contributes to specific craniofacial tissue components from an early stage, and it seems to be involved in their development in cooperation with Foxc1. Foxc2 also has its own role in tongue development.
Extending coverage and thematic resolution of compositional land cover maps in a hierarchical Bayesian framework
Authors: Szewczyk Tim M. , Ducey Mark J. , Pasquarella Valerie J. , Allen Jenica M.
Published: March 2021

Ecological models are constrained by the availability of high‐quality data at biologically appropriate resolutions and extents. Modeling a species' affinity or aversion with a particular land cover class requires data detailing that class across the full study area. Data sets with detailed legends (i.e., high thematic resolution) and/or high accuracy often sacrifice geographic extent, while large‐area data sets often compromise on the number of classes and local accuracy. Consequently, ecologists must often restrict their study extent to match that of the more precise data set, or ignore potentially key land cover associations to study a larger area. We introduce a hierarchical Bayesian model to capitalize on the thematic resolution and accuracy of a regional land cover data set, and on the geographic breadth of a large area land cover data set. For the full extent (i.e., beyond the regional data set), the model predicts systematic discrepancies of the large‐area data set with the regional data set, and divides an aggregated class into two more specific classes detailed by the regional data set. We illustrate the application of our model for mapping eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) forests, an important timber species that also provides habitat for an invasive shrub in the northeastern United States. We use the National Land Cover Database (NLCD), which covers the full study area but includes only generalized forest classes, and the NH GRANIT land cover data set, which maps White Pine Forest and has high accuracy, but only exists within New Hampshire. We evaluate the model at coarse (20 km2) and fine (2 km2) resolutions, with and without spatial random effects. The hierarchical model produced improved maps of compositional land cover for the full extent, reducing inaccuracy relative to NLCD while partitioning a White Pine Forest class out of the Evergreen Forest class. Accuracy was higher with spatial random effects and at the coarse resolution. All models improved upon simply partitioning Evergreen Forest in NLCD based on the predicted distribution of white pine. This flexible statistical method helps ecologists leverage localized mapping efforts to expand models of species distributions, population dynamics, and management strategies beyond the political boundaries that frequently delineate land cover data sets.
Electrochemical Methods to Evaluate the Antioxidant Activity and Capacity of Foods: A Review
Authors: Haque Md Azizul , Morozova Ksenia , Ferrentino Giovanna , Scampicchio Matteo
Published: March 2021

Antioxidants are an important class of food additives playing the fundamental role of retarding oxidation reactions in food. Although their functional role is well‐established, less clear is their mechanism of action. Electrochemical methods based on cyclic, differential pulse, square wave voltammetry and coulometry allow direct and rapid screening of antioxidant activity. Their main advantages are sensitivity, rapidity, simplicity and the capacity to directly measure the number of electrons transferred by an antioxidant offer advantage over conventional spectrophotometric assays. This review aims to summarize the most recent efforts towards the use of electrochemical methods to evaluate the antioxidant activity of foods.
The contribution of human papilloma virus infection to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Bhavsar‐Bhakta Preeya , Hamza Mugahed , Mehravaran Sepideh , Krishnan Bhuvaneswari , He Qin , Tyring Steven , Rady Peter , Rivero Gustavo , Cohen Daniel N. , Sosa Iberia Romina
Published: March 2021

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a B‐cell malignancy characterized by impaired humoral and cellular immunity, are at increased risk of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide and it has been associated with various malignancies, including cSCC. Impaired cell‐mediated immunity is considered a primary risk factor in HPV‐induced cSCC. We examined cSCC lesions from CLL patients with consensus review and HPV genetic analysis to further characterize the relationship between HPV and prevalence of cutaneous malignancy in this population. Eleven patients with CLL contributed 35 cSCCs. Treatment with chemotherapy shortened the latency time to first cSCC. HPV was detected in 54% of the lesions. Among the HPV‐positive cSCC lesions, 84% of the lesions contained alpha‐genus HPV, 42% contained beta‐genus HPV, and 26% of the lesions contained both genera. There was a significant association between HPV‐containing lesions and peritumoral lymphocytic inflammation, suggesting this as a future area for further characterization. The majority of the lesions, including those with alpha‐genus HPV, occurred in sun‐exposed areas, such as the scalp and face. These findings may lead to practice‐changing recommendations for skin cancer, including the use of vaccinations to reduce HPV‐associated skin cancer.
Direct enantioselective gradient reversed‐phase ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for 3‐hydroxy alkanoic acids in lipopeptides on an immobilized 1.6 μm amylose‐based chiral stationary phase
Authors: Karongo Ryan , Jiao Junjing , Gross Harald , Lämmerhofer Michael
Published: March 2021

3‐Hydroxy fatty acids are important chiral building blocks of lipopeptides and metabolic intermediates of fatty acid oxidation, respectively. The analysis of the stereochemistry of such biomolecules has significant practical impact to elucidate and assign the enzymatic specificity of the biosynthesis machinery. In this work, a new mass spectrometry compatible direct chiral ultra high performance liquid chromatography separation method for 3‐hydroxy fatty acids without derivatization is presented. The application of amylose tris(3,5‐dimethylphenyl carbamate) based polysaccharide chiral stationary phase immobilized on 1.6 μm silica particles (CHIRALPAK IA‐U) allows the enantioseparation of 3‐hydroxy fatty acids under generic electrospray ionization mass spectrometry friendly reversed phase gradient elution conditions. Adequate separation factors were achieved with both acetonitrile and methanol as organic modifiers, covering hydrocarbon chain lengths between C6 and C14. Elution orders were derived from rhamnolipid (R‐95) of which enantiomerically pure or enriched (R)‐3‐hydroxy fatty acids were recovered after ester hydrolysis. The S‐configured acids consistently eluted before the respective R‐enantiomers. The method was successfully applied for the elucidation of the absolute configuration of 3‐hydroxy fatty acids originating from a novel lipopeptide with unknown structure. The work furthermore demonstrates that gradient elution is a viable option also in enantioselective (ultra)high performance liquid chromatography, even for analytes with modest separation factors, although less commonly exploited.
Determinants of online brand communities’ and millennials’ characteristics: A social influence perspective
Authors: Ozuem Wilson , Willis Michelle , Howell Kerry , Lancaster Geoff , Ng Raye
Published: March 2021

Online communities have evolved to allow larger numbers of individuals to interact with other users to form a collective virtual environment influenced by members within the community. Existing studies on online brand communities (OBCs) tied millennials’ participation and interactions to a unidimensional view. Specifically, OBCs scholars generally aggregate individual millennials’ participation and commitment, ignoring the variance among the demographic cohort. Our exploration challenges not only the existing ensemble interpretation within studies of OBC but also the characterisation of millennials’ burgeoning participation in OBCs. Unlike other competing epistemologies, the authors developed a conceptual framework that links a holistic set of OBCs’ characteristics (brand sentiment, identification with source, affirmative experience, conspicuous effect) to consumers’ perceptions in the fashion sector. Drawing on social influence theory along with a constructivist perspective, we conducted fine‐grained in‐depth interviews to explore millennials’ participation in online communities and brand perceptions in the fashion industry. The main findings reveal four categories of customer engagement in OBCs (bias situators, sugar‐coaters, rationalisers, judgmentalists). These key categories are explored to create a framework for future research in this area, and further contribute to the field of online brand engagement, particularly in the fashion industry.
An Appraisal of Laboratory Models of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ntshingila S. , Khumalo N. P. , Engel M. , Arowolo A. T.
Published: March 2021

Background

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of non-scarring alopecia in humans. Several studies have used different laboratory models to study the pathogenesis and interventions for AGA. These study models have proved beneficial and have led to the approval of two drugs. However, the need to build on existing knowledge remains by examining the relevance of study models to the disease.

Objective

We sought to appraise laboratory or pre-clinical models of AGA.

Method

We searched through databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, World CAT, Scopus and Google Scholar) for articles on AGA-related studies from 1942 to March 2019 with a focus on study models.

Results

The search rendered 101 studies after screening and deduplication. Several studies (70) used in vitro models, mostly consisting of two-dimensional monolayer cells for experiments involving the characterization of androgen and 5-alpha reductase (5AR) and inhibition thereof, the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and biomarker(s) of AGA. Twenty-seven studies used in vivo models of mice and monkeys to investigate DHT synthesis, the expression and inhibition of 5AR and hair growth. Only four studies used AGA-related or healthy excisional/punch biopsy explants as ex vivo models to study the action of 5AR inhibitors and AGA-associated genes. No study used three-dimensional [3-D] organoids or organotypic human skin culture models.

Conclusion

We recommend clinically relevant laboratory models like human or patient-derived 3-D organoids or organotypic skin in AGA-related studies. These models are closer to human scalp tissue and minimize the use of laboratory animals and could ultimately facilitate novel therapeutics.
Rational Design of All‐Organic Nanoplatform for Highly Efficient MR/NIR‐II Imaging‐Guided Cancer Phototheranostics
Authors: Hu Xiaoming , Chen Zejing , Jin Albert J. , Yang Zhen , Gan Deqiang , Wu Aifang , Ao Haiyong , Huang Wei , Fan Quli
Published: March 2021

Organic theranostic nanomedicine has precision multimodel imaging capability and concurrent therapeutics under noninvasive imaging guidance. However, the rational design of desirable multifunctional organic theranostics for cancer remains challenging. Rational engineering of organic semiconducting nanomaterials has revealed great potential for cancer theranostics largely owing to their intrinsic diversified biophotonics, easy fabrication of multimodel imaging platform, and desirable biocompatibility. Herein, a novel all‐organic nanotheranostic platform (TPATQ‐PNP NPs) is developed by exploiting the self‐assembly of a semiconducting small molecule (TPATQ) and a new synthetic high‐density nitroxide radical‐based amphiphilic polymer (PNP). The nitroxide radicals act as metal‐free magnetic resonance imaging agent through shortened longitudinal relaxation times, and the semiconducting molecules enable ultralow background second near‐infrared (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm) fluorescence imaging. The as‐prepared TPATQ‐PNP NPs can light up whole blood vessels of mice and show precision tumor‐locating ability with synergistic (MR/NIR‐II) imaging modalities. The semiconducting molecules also undergo highly effective photothermal conversion in the NIR region for cancer photothermal therapy guided by complementary tumor diagnosis. The designed multifunctional organic semiconducting self‐assembly provides new insights into the development of a new platform for cancer theranostics.
Edge Computing und Industrie 4.0
Authors: Appius Dominik , Probst Roger Andreas , Tokarski Kim Oliver
Published: March 2021

Durch die industrielle, digitale Transformation, insbesondere durch die Vernetzung von Fertigungsanlagen, wird zusehends eine sehr große Datenmenge in der Schweizer Fertigungsindustrie generiert. Viele Daten bleiben dabei lokal (oft) ungenutzt oder werden über weite Transportwege an zentrale Rechenzentren zur Analyse gesendet. Vor diesem Hintergrund stellt sich die Frage, wie Daten so genutzt werden können, dass lange Transportwege entfallen und zeitgleich, durch die Verarbeitung dieser Daten, Wissen generiert werden kann. Dieser Beitrag liefert erste Antworten auf der Basis von empirischen Erkenntnissen, welche durch Befragungen von Anbietern, Beratungsunternehmen und Fertigungsunternehmen im Bereich Edge Computing durchgeführt wurden. Dabei liefert die vorliegende Studie Erkenntnisse in den Bereichen technisches Verständnis, Geschäftsmodelle und Anwendungsszenarien sowie praktische Umsetzungen im Sinne von Pilotierungen und Rollouts als Proof of Concept.
Open Banking und standardisierte Schnittstellen auf dem Finanzplatz Schweiz
Authors: Birkhofer Marco , Bächli Sandro
Published: March 2021

Die Studie untersucht die Auswirkungen von Open Banking und standardisierten Schnittstellen auf die Schweizer Bankenindustrie. Ziel war es, den Stand von Open Banking in der Schweiz, die Chancen und Risiken des Ansatzes sowie den Einfluss auf die Geschäftsmodelle zu untersuchen und daraus Handlungsempfehlungen für die Praxis abzuleiten. Es wurde aufgezeigt, dass Open Banking in der Schweiz noch in den Anfängen steckt und gegenüber den Vorreitern aus Großbritannien und der Europäischen Union Nachholbedarf besteht. Open Banking bietet die Chance, mit innovativen Services das bestehende Angebot zu erweitern und so die Customer Experience auf ein neues Level zu heben. Weitere Chancen sind Partnerschaften mit FinTechs und der Aufbau von Ökosystemen. Die etablierten, geschlossenen Geschäftsmodelle müssen hierzu aufgebrochen werden und der Trend deutet auf digitale Ökosysteme mit klarem Kundenfokus hin.
Surgical tracheostomy in a cohort of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Schuler Patrick J. , Greve Jens , Hoffmann Thomas K. , Hahn Janina , Boehm Felix , Bock Bastian , Reins Johannes , Ehrmann Ulrich , Barth Eberhard , Traeger Karl , Jungwirth Bettina , Wepler Martin
Published: March 2021

Background

One of the main symptoms of severe infection with the new coronavirus‑2 (SARS-CoV-2) is hypoxemic respiratory failure because of viral pneumonia with the need for mechanical ventilation. Prolonged mechanical ventilation may require a tracheostomy, but the increased risk for contamination is a matter of considerable debate.

Objective

Evaluation of safety and effects of surgical tracheostomy on ventilation parameters and outcome in patients with COVID-19.

Study design

Retrospective observational study between March 27 and May 18, 2020, in a single-center coronavirus disease-designated ICU at a tertiary care German hospital.

Patients

Patients with COVID-19 were treated with open surgical tracheostomy due to severe hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation.

Measurements

Clinical and ventilation data were obtained from medical records in a retrospective manner.

Results

A total of 18 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV‑2 infection and surgical tracheostomy were analyzed. The age range was 42–87 years. All patients received open tracheostomy between 2–16 days after admission. Ventilation after tracheostomy was less invasive (reduction in PEAK and positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP]) and lung compliance increased over time after tracheostomy. Also, sedative drugs could be reduced, and patients had a reduced need of norepinephrine to maintain hemodynamic stability. Six of 18 patients died. All surgical staff were equipped with N99-masks and facial shields or with powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that open surgical tracheostomy can be performed without severe complications in patients with COVID-19. Tracheostomy may reduce invasiveness of mechanical ventilation and the need for sedative drugs and norepinehprine. Recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) for surgical staff should be followed when PPE is available to avoid contamination of the personnel.
Diagnostic yield of cerebrospinal fluid analysis in status epilepticus: an 8-year cohort study
Authors: Dittrich Tolga D. , Baumann Sira M. , Semmlack Saskia , De Marchis Gian Marco , Hunziker Sabina , Rüegg Stephan , Marsch Stephan , Tschudin-Sutter Sarah , Sutter Raoul
Published: March 2021

Background

We investigate the frequency and diagnostic yield of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis in adult patients with status epilepticus (SE) and its impact on the outcome.

Methods

From 2011 to 2018, adult patients treated at the University Hospital Basel were included. Primary outcomes were defined as the frequency of lumbar puncture and results from chemical, cellular, and microbiologic CSF analyses. Secondary outcomes were differences between patients receiving and not receiving lumbar puncture in the context of SE.

Results

In 18% of 408 patients, a lumbar puncture was performed. Of those, infectious pathogens were identified in 21% with 15% detected ± 24 h around SE diagnosis. 74% of CSF analyses revealed abnormal chemical or cellular components without infectious pathogens. Screening for autoimmune diseases was only performed in 22%. In 8%, no or late (i.e., > 24 after SE diagnosis) lumbar puncture was performed despite persistent unknown SE etiology in all, transformation into refractory SE in 78%, and no recovery to premorbid neurologic function in 66%. Withholding lumbar puncture was associated with no return to premorbid neurologic function during hospital stay independent of potential confounders. Not receiving a lumbar puncture was associated with presumed known etiology and signs of systemic infectious complications.

Conclusions

Withholding lumbar puncture in SE patients is associated with increased odds for no return to premorbid neurologic function, and CSF analyses in SE detect infectious pathogens frequently. These results and pathologic chemical and cellular CSF findings in the absence of infections call for rigorous screening to confirm or exclude infectious or autoimmune encephalitis in this context which should not be withheld.
Molecular pathology of thymomas: implications for diagnosis and therapy
Authors: Marx Alexander , Belharazem Djeda , Lee De-Hyung , Popovic Zoran V. , Reißfelder Christoph , Schalke Berthold , Schölch Sebastian , Ströbel Philipp , Weis Cleo-Aron , Yamada Yosuke
Published: March 2021

Thymomas exhibit a unique genomic landscape, comprising the lowest on average total mutational burden among adult human cancers; a unique point mutation in the GTF2I gene in WHO type A and AB thymomas (and rarely others); almost unique KMT2A-MAML2 translocations in rare WHO type B2 and B3 thymomas; a unique YAP1-MAML2 translocation in almost all metaplastic thymomas; and unique miRNA profiles in relation to GTF2I mutational status and WHO histotypes. While most thymomas can be diagnosed solely on the basis of morphological features, mutational analyses can solve challenging differential diagnostic problems. No molecular biomarkers have been identified that predict the response of unresectable thymomas to chemotherapy or agents with known molecular targets. Despite the common and strong expression of PDL1 in thymomas, immune checkpoint inhibitors are rarely applicable due to the poor predictability of common, life-threatening autoimmune side effects that are related to the unrivaled propensity of thymomas towards autoimmunity.
How I do it: endoscopic endonasal resection of tuberculum sellae meningioma
Authors: Wiedmann Markus , Lashkarivand Aslan , Berg-Johnsen Jon , Dahlberg Daniel
Published: March 2021

Background

Tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) adherent to neurovascular structures are particularly challenging lesions requiring delicate and precise microneurosurgery. There is an ongoing debate about the optimal surgical approach.

Method

We describe technical nuances and challenges in TSM resection using the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) in two cases of fibrous tumors with adherence to neurovascular structures. The cases are illustrated with a video (case 1) and figures (cases 1 and 2).

Conclusion

A dedicated team approach and precise microsurgical technique facilitate safe resection of complex TSMs through the EEA.