bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moving a missing hand: children born with below elbow deficiency can enact hand grasp patterns with their residual muscles
Authors: Fitzgerald Justin J. , Battraw Marcus A. , James Michelle A. , Bagley Anita M. , Schofield Jonathon S. , Joiner Wilsaan M.
Published: January 2024

Children with a unilateral congenital below elbow deficiency (UCBED) have one typical upper limb and one that lacks a hand, ending below the elbow at the proximal/mid forearm. UCBED is an isolated condition, and affected children otherwise develop normal sensorimotor control. Unlike adults with upper limb absence, the majority of whom have an acquired loss, children with UCBED never developed a hand, so their residual muscles have never actuated an intact limb. Their ability to purposefully modulate affected muscle activity is often assumed to be limited, and this assumption has influenced prosthetic design and prescription practices for this population as many modern devices derive control signals from affected muscle activity. To better understand the motor capabilities of the affected muscles, we used ultrasound imaging to study 6 children with UCBED. We examined the extent to which subjects activate their affected muscles when performing mirrored movements with their typical and missing hands. We demonstrate that all subjects could intentionally and consistently enact at least five distinct muscle patterns when attempting different missing hand movements (e.g., power grasp) and found similar performance across affected and typically developed limbs. These results suggest that although participants had never actuated the missing hand they could distinctively and consistently activate the residual muscle patterns associated with actions on the unaffected side. These findings indicate that motor control still develops in the absence of the normal effector, and can serve as a guide for developing prostheses that leverage the full extent of these children’s motor control capabilities.
The application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in emergent airway management - a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Fan Zhijun , Zhu Simin , Chen Jinling , Wen Junlin , Li Binfei , Liao Xiaozu
Published: January 2024

Background

Emergent airway occurrences pose a significant threat to patient life. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been proven to be an effective method for managing emergent airways.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients receiving ECMO as an adjunct for emergent airway management from January 2018 to December 2022 at the People’s Hospital of Zhongshan City. We collected the basic information of the patients, their blood gas data before and after ECMO, the related parameters of ECMO, and the outcome and then analyzed and summarized these data.

Results

Six patients, with an average age of 51.0(28–66) years, received veno-venous (VV)- ECMO as an adjunct due to emergent airway issues. The average ECMO support duration was 30.5(11–48) hours. All six patients were successfully weaned off ECMO support, with five (83.3%) being successfully discharged after a hospital stay of 15.5(7–55) days. All six patients underwent VV-ECMO through femoral-internal jugular vein cannulation. Among these, five patients, whose airway obstruction was due to hemorrhage, underwent a non-anticoagulant ECMO strategy with no recorded thrombotic events.

Conclusions

The rapid establishment of ECMO support is aided by the establishment of a standardized ECMO initiation protocol and the formation of a multidisciplinary rapid-response ECMO team, which is particularly crucial for emergent airway management. When airway obstruction results from hemorrhagic factors, the early adoption of a non-anticoagulant ECMO strategy can be considered when implementing VV-ECMO.
Establishing and validation of the VBV score for assessing Lung ground-glass nodules based on high-resolution computed tomography
Authors: Zhou Yuwei , Cao Xiaoqing , Gu Haiyong , Gao Shenhu , Wu Yuxuan , Li Haoyang , Xiong Bing , Dong Haiyang , Lv Yan , Yang Rong , Wu Yihe
Published: January 2024

Background

The widespread utilization of chest High-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) has prompted detection of pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGNs) in otherwise asymptomatic individuals. We aimed to establish a simple clinical risk score model for assessing GGNs based on HRCT.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 574 GGNs in 574 patients undergoing HOOK-WIRE puncture and pulmonary nodule surgery from January 2014 to November 2018. Clinical characteristics and imaging features of the GGNs were assessed. We analyzed the differences between malignant and benign nodules using binary logistic regression analysis and constructed a simple risk score model, the VBV Score, for predicting the malignancy status of GGNs. Then, we validated this model via other 1200 GGNs in 1041 patients collected from three independent clinical centers in 2022.

Results

For the exploratory phase of this study, out of the 574 GGNs, 481 were malignant and 93 were benign. Vacuole sign, air bronchogram, and intra-nodular vessel sign were important indicators of malignancy in GGNs. Then, we derived a VBV Score = vacuole sign + air bronchogram + intra-nodular vessel sign, to predict the malignancy of GGNs, with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 95.6%, 80.6%, and 93.2%, respectively. We also validated it on other 1200 GGNs, with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 96.0%, 82.6%, and 95.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

Vacuole sign, air bronchogram, and intra-nodular vessel sign were important indicators of malignancy in GGNs. VBV Score showed good sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for differentiating benign and malignant pulmonary GGNs.
Ambulance nurses’ experiences as the sole caregiver with critical patients during long ambulance transports: an interview study
Authors: Wästerhed Jenny , Ekenberg Erika , Hagiwara Magnus Andersson
Published: January 2024

Background

Working in rural areas involves tackling long distances and occasional lack of supportive resources. Ambulance nurses are faced with the responsibility of making immediate autonomous decisions and providing extended care to critically ill patients during prolonged ambulance transport to reach emergency medical facilities. This study aims to expose the experiences of ambulance nurses acting as primary caregivers for critically ill patients during lengthy ambulance transfers in rural regions.

Method

Fifteen nurses employed in an ambulance service within sparsely populated rural areas were subjected to semi-structured interviews. The collected data underwent qualitative content analysis.

Result

The analysis resulted in one overarching theme with two categories. The theme is ‘Safety in the Professional Role,’ and the two categories are ‘Working in sparsely populated areas presents challenges’ and ‘Rare events: when routine cannot be established.’ The findings suggest that working as an ambulance nurse in a rural setting poses various challenges that can be highly stressful. Delivering care to critically ill patients during extended ambulance transports requires the knowledge, experience, and careful planning of the healthcare provider in charge.

Conclusions

The findings underscore the necessity for thorough planning and adaptable thinking when attending to critically ill patients during extended transport scenarios. The absence of supporting resources can render the task demanding. Nevertheless, participants reported an inherent tranquility that aids them in maintaining focus amid their responsibilities.
A genome-wide association study of contralateral breast cancer in the Women’s Environmental Cancer and Radiation Epidemiology Study
Authors: Sun Xiaohui , Reiner Anne S. , Tran Anh Phong , Watt Gordon P. , Oh Jung Hun , Mellemkjær Lene , Lynch Charles F. , Knight Julia A. , John Esther M. , Malone Kathleen E. , Liang Xiaolin , Woods Meghan , Derkach Andriy , Concannon Patrick , Bernstein Jonine L. , Shu Xiang
Published: January 2024

Background

Contralateral breast cancer (CBC) is the most common second primary cancer diagnosed in breast cancer survivors, yet the understanding of the genetic susceptibility of CBC, particularly with respect to common variants, remains incomplete. This study aimed to investigate the genetic basis of CBC to better understand this malignancy.

Findings

We performed a genome-wide association analysis in the Women’s Environmental Cancer and Radiation Epidemiology (WECARE) Study of women with first breast cancer diagnosed at age < 55 years including 1161 with CBC who served as cases and 1668 with unilateral breast cancer (UBC) who served as controls. We observed two loci (rs59657211, 9q32, SLC31A2/FAM225A and rs3815096, 6p22.1, TRIM31) with suggestive genome-wide significant associations (P < 1 × 10–6). We also found an increased risk of CBC associated with a breast cancer-specific polygenic risk score (PRS) comprised of 239 known breast cancer susceptibility single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rate ratio per 1-SD change: 1.25; 95% confidence interval 1.14–1.36, P < 0.0001). The protective effect of chemotherapy on CBC risk was statistically significant only among patients with an elevated PRS (Pheterogeneity = 0.04). The AUC that included the PRS and known breast cancer risk factors was significantly elevated.

Conclusions

The present GWAS identified two previously unreported loci with suggestive genome-wide significance. We also confirm that an elevated risk of CBC is associated with a comprehensive breast cancer susceptibility PRS that is independent of known breast cancer risk factors. These findings advance our understanding of genetic risk factors involved in CBC etiology.
FMRP-mediated spatial regulation of physiologic NMD targets in neuronal cells
Authors: Kurosaki Tatsuaki , Rambout Xavier , Maquat Lynne E.
Published: January 2024

In non-polarized cells, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) generally begins during the translation of newly synthesized mRNAs after the mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm. Binding of the FMRP translational repressor to UPF1 on NMD targets mainly inhibits NMD. However, in polarized cells like neurons, FMRP additionally localizes mRNAs to cellular projections. Here, we review the literature and evaluate available transcriptomic data to conclude that, in neurons, the translation of physiologic NMD targets bound by FMRP is partially inhibited until the mRNAs localize to projections. There, FMRP displacement in response to signaling induces a burst in protein synthesis followed by rapid mRNA decay.
PICLS with human cells is the first high throughput screening method for identifying novel compounds that extend lifespan
Authors: Alfatah Mohammad , Zhang Yizhong , Naaz Arshia , Cheng Trishia Yi Ning , Eisenhaber Frank
Published: January 2024

Gerontology research on anti-aging interventions with drugs could be an answer to age-related diseases, aiming at closing the gap between lifespan and healthspan. Here, we present two methods for assaying chronological lifespan in human cells: (1) a version of the classical outgrowth assay with quantitative assessment of surviving cells and (2) a version of the PICLS method (propidium iodide fluorescent-based measurement of cell death). Both methods are fast, simple to conduct, cost-effective, produce quantitative data for further analysis and can be used with diverse human cell lines. Whereas the first method is ideal for validation and testing the post-intervention reproductive potential of surviving cells, the second method has true high-throughput screening potential. The new technologies were validated with known anti-aging compounds (2,5-anhydro-d-mannitol and rapamycin). Using the high-throughput screening method, we screened a library of 162 chemical entities and identified three compounds that extend the longevity of human cells.
Exploring the causal association between rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of cervical cancer: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xu Minxian , Chen Huan , Tan Tao , Xie Kaihong , Xie Hui , Li Qing
Published: January 2024

Objective

Whether rheumatoid arthritis patients have an increased risk of cervical cancer remains controversial, and further research is needed on this clinical question. This study aims to investigate the association between rheumatoid arthritis and the susceptibility to cervical cancer by employing Mendelian randomization methodology, utilizing the extensive dataset from human genome-wide association data analysis.

Methods

The publicly accessible MR base database was utilized to obtain the complete genome, relevant research findings, and summarized data pertaining to rheumatoid arthritis and cervical cancer. Genetic tool variables, specifically single-nucleotide polymorphisms closely linked to rheumatoid arthritis, were chosen for analysis. Four methods, namely inverse variance weighted analysis, weighted median analysis, weighted mode, and MR-Egger regression, were employed. Statistical analysis was conducted to explore the potential association between rheumatoid arthritis and susceptibility to cervical cancer.

Results

The results of the inverse variance weighted analysis (OR = 1.096, 95% CI: 1.018–1.180, P = 0.015) indicate a significant causal relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and an increased risk of cervical cancer. Furthermore, the absence of horizontal pleiotropic effects (MR-Egger intercept = 0.00025, P = 0.574) and heterogeneity (QEgger = 2.239, I2Egger = 0.225, PEgger = 0.268, QIVW = 2.734, I2IVW = 0.220, PIVW = 0.999) suggests that the observed association is not influenced by confounding factors. Sensitivity analysis and other statistical methods also support the conclusion that genetic pleiotropy does not introduce bias to the findings.

Conclusion

There is a causal relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and the occurrence of cervical cancer. People with rheumatoid arthritis is one of the high-risk groups for early screening of cervical cancer. The IL-18 may play a significant role in elevating the risk of cervical cancer among rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Assessment of lung deformation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with elastic registration technique on pulmonary three-dimensional ultrashort echo time MRI
Authors: Yang Xiaoyan , Yu Pengxin , Sun Haishuang , Deng Mei , Liu Anqi , Li Chen , Meng Wenyan , Xu Wenxiu , Xie Bingbing , Geng Jing , Ren Yanhong , Zhang Rongguo , Liu Min , Dai Huaping
Published: January 2024

Objective

To assess lung deformation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) using with elastic registration algorithm applied to three-dimensional ultrashort echo time (3D-UTE) MRI and analyze relationship of lung deformation with the severity of IPF.

Methods

Seventy-six patients with IPF (mean age: 62 ± 6 years) and 62 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (mean age: 58 ± 4 years) were prospectively enrolled. End-inspiration and end-expiration images acquired with a single breath-hold 3D-UTE sequence were registered using elastic registration algorithm. Jacobian determinants were calculated from deformation fields and represented on color maps. Jac-mean (absolute value of the log means of Jacobian determinants) and the Dice similarity coefficient (Dice) were compared between different groups.

Results

Compared with healthy controls, the Jac-mean of IPF patients significantly decreased (0.21 ± 0.08 vs. 0.27 ± 0. 07, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the Jac-mean and Dice correlated with the metrics of pulmonary function tests and the composite physiological index. The lung deformation in IPF patients with dyspnea Medical Research Council (MRC) ≥ 3 (Jac-mean: 0.16 ± 0.03; Dice: 0.06 ± 0.02) was significantly lower than MRC1 (Jac-mean: 0. 25 ± 0.03, p < 0.001; Dice: 0.10 ± 0.01, p < 0.001) and MRC 2 (Jac-mean: 0.22 ± 0.11, p = 0.001; Dice: 0.08 ± 0.03, p = 0.006). Meanwhile, Jac-mean and Dice correlated with health-related quality of life, 6 min-walk distance, and the extent of pulmonary fibrosis. Jac-mean correlated with pulmonary vascular-related indexes on high-resolution CT.

Conclusion

The decreased lung deformation in IPF patients correlated with the clinical severity of IPF patients. Elastic registration of inspiratory-to-expiratory 3D UTE MRI may be a new morphological and functional marker for non-radiation and noninvasive evaluation of IPF.

Critical relevance statement

This prospective study demonstrated that lung deformation decreased in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and correlated with the severity of IPF. Elastic registration of inspiratory-to-expiratory three-dimensional ultrashort echo time (3D UTE) MRI may be a new morphological and functional marker for non-radiation and noninvasive evaluation of IPF.

Key points

• Elastic registration of inspiratory-to-expiratory three-dimensional ultrashort echo time (3D UTE) MRI could evaluate lung deformation.

• Lung deformation significantly decreased in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, compared with the healthy controls.

• Reduced lung deformation of IPF patients correlated with worsened pulmonary function and the composite physiological index (CPI).

Graphical Abstract
Updated cranial and mandibular description of the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) baenid turtle Saxochelys gilberti based on micro-computed tomography scans and new information on the holotype-shell association
Authors: Spicher Gaël E. , Lyson Tyler R. , Evers Serjoscha W.
Published: January 2024

Saxochelys gilberti is a baenid turtle from the Late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation of the United States of America known from cranial, shell, and other postcranial material. Baenid turtles are taxonomically diverse and common fossil elements within Late Cretaceous through Eocene faunas. Detailed anatomical knowledge is critical to understanding the systematics and morphological evolution of the group. This is particularly important as baenids represent an important group of continental vertebrates that survived the mass extinction event associated with the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary. High-resolution micro-computed tomography scanning of the holotype skull reveals additional anatomical details for the already well-known Saxochelys gilberti. This includes the revision of some anatomical statements from the original description, but also detailed knowledge on internal anatomical features of the braincase and the description of a well-preserved axis (cervical vertebra 2). Our new detailed description and previous work on the shell and postcrania make Saxochelys one of the best-described, nearly complete baenid turtles, which are often only known from either isolated shell or cranial material. A revised phylogenetic analysis confirms the position of Saxochelys gilberti as a derived baenid (Eubaeninae) more closely related to Baena arenosa than to Eubaena cephalica.
Cow milk derived-fat inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer-cells
Authors: Ediriweera Meran Keshawa , Cuong Do Manh , Cho Somi Kim
Published: January 2024

Cow milk is a widely consumed liquid diet, and its fatty acid composition impacts its nutritional and biochemical properties. However, research on the anticancer efficacy of cow milk-derived fat in liver cancer cells is limited. This study investigated the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of cow milk-derived fat in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Additionally, the effects of cow milk-derived fat on cell cycle progression and Janus kinase (JAK)-2/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 signaling in HepG2 cells were assessed. Furthermore, the histone deacetylase inhibitory and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging potential of cow milk-derived fat were examined. The results demonstrate that cow milk-derived fat can exert antiproliferative and anticlonogenic effects and induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells dose-dependently. Furthermore, cow milk-derived fat induced cell cycle arrest, suppressed the levels of pJAK-2 and pSTAT-3, and inhibited the total histone deacetylase activity in HepG2 cells. The fatty acid profile of cow milk-derived fat revealed that palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids were abundant as saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Our findings provide a new scientific basis for the development of anticancer strategies that utilize cow milk-derived fat and its derivatives against liver cancer.
Dual-modal radiomics nomogram based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound to improve differential diagnostic accuracy and reduce unnecessary biopsy rate in ACR TI-RADS 4–5 thyroid nodules
Authors: Ren Jia-Yu , Lv Wen-Zhi , Wang Liang , Zhang Wei , Ma Ying-Ying , Huang Yong-Zhen , Peng Yue-Xiang , Lin Jian-Jun , Cui Xin-Wu
Published: January 2024

Background

American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS, TR) 4 and 5 thyroid nodules (TNs) demonstrate much more complicated and overlapping risk characteristics than TR1-3 and have a rather wide range of malignancy possibilities (> 5%), which may cause overdiagnosis or misdiagnosis. This study was designed to establish and validate a dual-modal ultrasound (US) radiomics nomogram integrating B-mode ultrasound (BMUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging to improve differential diagnostic accuracy and reduce unnecessary fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) rates in TR 4–5 TNs.

Methods

A retrospective dataset of 312 pathologically confirmed TR4-5 TNs from 269 patients was collected for our study. Data were randomly divided into a training dataset of 219 TNs and a validation dataset of 93 TNs. Radiomics characteristics were derived from the BMUS and CEUS images. After feature reduction, the BMUS and CEUS radiomics scores (Rad-score) were built. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted incorporating both Rad-scores and clinical/US data, and a radiomics nomogram was subsequently developed. The performance of the radiomics nomogram was evaluated using calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness, and the unnecessary FNAB rate was also calculated.

Results

BMUS Rad-score, CEUS Rad-score, age, shape, margin, and enhancement direction were significant independent predictors associated with malignant TR4-5 TNs. The radiomics nomogram involving the six variables exhibited excellent calibration and discrimination in the training and validation cohorts, with an AUC of 0.873 (95% CI, 0.821–0.925) and 0.851 (95% CI, 0.764–0.938), respectively. The marked improvements in the net reclassification index and integrated discriminatory improvement suggested that the BMUS and CEUS Rad-scores could be valuable indicators for distinguishing benign from malignant TR4-5 TNs. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that our developed radiomics nomogram was an instrumental tool for clinical decision-making. Using the radiomics nomogram, the unnecessary FNAB rate decreased from 35.3 to 14.5% in the training cohort and from 41.5 to 17.7% in the validation cohorts compared with ACR TI-RADS.

Conclusion

The dual-modal US radiomics nomogram revealed superior discrimination accuracy and considerably decreased unnecessary FNAB rates in benign and malignant TR4-5 TNs. It could guide further examination or treatment options.
Antimicrobial resistance crisis: could artificial intelligence be the solution?
Authors: Liu Guang-Yu , Yu Dan , Fan Mei-Mei , Zhang Xu , Jin Ze-Yu , Tang Christoph , Liu Xiao-Fen
Published: January 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health threat, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a priority list of the most threatening pathogens against which novel antibiotics need to be developed. The discovery and introduction of novel antibiotics are time-consuming and expensive. According to WHO’s report of antibacterial agents in clinical development, only 18 novel antibiotics have been approved since 2014. Therefore, novel antibiotics are critically needed. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been rapidly applied to drug development since its recent technical breakthrough and has dramatically improved the efficiency of the discovery of novel antibiotics. Here, we first summarized recently marketed novel antibiotics, and antibiotic candidates in clinical development. In addition, we systematically reviewed the involvement of AI in antibacterial drug development and utilization, including small molecules, antimicrobial peptides, phage therapy, essential oils, as well as resistance mechanism prediction, and antibiotic stewardship.
Changes of synaptic vesicles in three-dimensional synapse models by treatment with umbelliferone in scopolamine-induced hippocampal injury model
Authors: Choi Ga-Young , Moon Eunyoung , Choi Hyosung , Kweon Hee-Seok
Published: January 2024

The neuroprotective effects of umbelliferone (UMB) were visualized in three-dimensional (3D) images on vesicle density changes of organotypic hippocampal slice tissues (OHSCs) induced by scopolamine by high voltage electron microscopy. Observations revealed that the number of vesicles decreased in OHSCs induced by scopolamine, and UMB was found to inhibit scopolamine-induced reduction in vesicles, resulting in an increase in vesicle count. These 3D models provide valuable insight for understanding the increase of synapse vesicles in hippocampal tissues treated with UMB.
Model-based clustering for count and mixed mode data
Authors: Πανάγου Φωτεινή
Published: January 2024

Οι μέθοδοι ομαδοποίησης που βασίζονται σε μοντέλα κατανομής για τον πληθυσμό, είναι μια κοινή προσέγγιση για τη μοντελοποίηση δεδομένων με τη χρήση πεπερασμένων μίξεων παραμετρικών κατανομών. Για μετρήσιμα δεδομένα, η επιλογή της πολυμεταβλητής κατανομής Poisson μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε αυξημένο υπολογιστικό κόστος. Η έννοια της μεθόδου της σύνθετης πιθανοφάνειας με τη χρήση δι-μεταβλητών περιθωριων κατανομών μπορεί να προσφέρει ευελιξία στις εκτιμήσεις. Προκειμένου να μειωθεί περαιτέρω ο χρόνος εκτίμησης των παραμέτρων που σχετίζονται με τη σύνθετη μέθοδο πιθανοφάνειας, εισάγουμε μεθόδους δειγματοληψίας που μπορούν να προσφέρουν επαρκή αποτελέσματα, ειδικά σε μεγάλων διαστάσεων δεδομένα.Όσον αφορά τα δεδομένα μεικτού τύπου, η από κοινού κατανομή δεν είναι πάντα εύκολο να βρεθεί. Τα copulas είναι ευρέως γνωστά ως ευέλικτα μοντέλα που επιτρέπουν τη δημιουργία πολυμεταβλητών κατανομών όταν δίνονται οι περιθώριες κατανομές. Ως εκ τούτου, μπορούν να δημιουργήσουν μια πληθώρα πολυμεταβλητών μοντέλων συμπεριλαμβανομένων μοντέλων με διαφορετικές περιθώριες. Σκοπός της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι κυρίως να επεκτείνει τα μέχρι τώρα αποτελέσματα της χρήσης μοντέλων που βασίζονται σε copula για εφαρμογές ομαδοποίησης. Το Gaussian Copula προσφέρει ευελιξία για την περιγραφή των συσχετίσεων μεταξύ διαφορετικών τύπων μεταβλητών. Στόχος μας είναι να μειώσουμε περαιτέρω το υπολογιστικό κόστος που προκύπτει από τη χρήση του Gaussian copula και του πλήρως παραμετροποιημένου μοντέλου που μελετήσαμε εκτενώς, καθώς αυτή η προσέγγιση είναι χρονοβόρα, γεγονός που προκύπτει από την προσθήκη διαφορετικών πινάκων συσχέτισης για κάθε ομάδα που πρέπει να εκτιμηθεί. Έτσι, ο κύριος στόχος είναι να επιτευχθεί ευελιξία στην εκτίμηση με τη χρήση κατάλληλων τεχνικών. Στην παρούσα διατριβή έχουμε προτείνει ευέλικτες εναλλακτικές που βασίζονται σε προσεγγίσεις μείωσης των διαστάσεων, όπως η ανάλυση παραγόντων ή έξυπνες αναπαραστάσεις των πινάκων συσχέτισης (δομημένοι πίνακες συσχέτισης).
Αξιολόγηση της θεραπείας με πλούσιο σε αιμοπετάλια πλάσμα στη στυτική δυσλειτουργία
Authors: Πούλιος Ευάγγελος
Published: January 2024

Υπόβαθρο: Μελέτες σε ζώα υποστηρίζουν ότι οι ενέσεις πλάσματος πλούσιου σε αιμοπετάλια (PRP) βελτιώνουν βασικά στοιχεία των παθοφυσιολογικών μηχανισμών που οδηγούν σε στυτική δυσλειτουργία (ΣΔ). Σκοπός: Η διεξαγωγή της πρώτης διπλής-τυφλής, τυχαιοποιημένης, ελεγχόμενης με εικονικό φάρμακο μελέτης για την αξιολόγηση της αποτελεσματικότητας και της ασφάλειας των ενέσεων PRP σε ασθενείς με ήπια και μέτρια ΣΔ. Μέθοδοι: Εξήντα σεξουαλικά ενεργοί ασθενείς με ήπια και μέτρια ΣΔ κατανεμήθηκαν τυχαία σε δύο συνεδρίες, με διαφορά ενός μήνα, 10 mL PRP (n = 30) ή εικονικού φαρμάκου (n = 30) ενδοσηραγγωδών ενέσεων. Χρησιμοποιήθηκε ένα εγκεκριμένο από τον FDA σύστημα διαχωρισμού. Οι ασθενείς αξιολογήθηκαν στους 1, 3 και 6 μήνες μετά την ολοκλήρωση του πρωτοκόλλου θεραπείας. Όλοι οι συμμετέχοντες σταμάτησαν οποιαδήποτε θεραπεία για ΣΔ κατά τη διάρκεια της μελέτης. Αποτελέσματα: Η επίτευξη ελάχιστης κλινικά σημαντικής διαφοράς (MCID) στον Διεθνή Δείκτη Στυτικής Λειτουργίας -Τομέας Στύσης (IIEF-EF) από την έναρξη έως τους 6 μήνες μετά την τελική θεραπεία. Αξιολογήθηκε επίσης η στυτική λειτουργία σε όλα τα χρονικά σημεία, καθώς και η ασφάλεια των ενέσεων PRP. Αποτελέσματα: Στους 6 μήνες, επιτεύχθηκε MCID από 20/29 (69%) ασθενείς στην ομάδα PRP σε σύγκριση με 7/26 (27%) στην ομάδα του εικονικού φαρμάκου. Η διαφορά κινδύνου μεταξύ των δύο ομάδων ήταν 42% (95%CI: 18-66), P < 0,001 και η προσαρμοσμένη στην αρχική τιμή μέση διαφορά μεταξύ των ομάδων στη βαθμολογία IIEF-EF ήταν 3,9 μονάδες (95%CI: 1,8- 5.9). Ομοίως, μια στατιστικά σημαντική διαφορά τόσο του αριθμού των συμμετεχόντων που πέτυχαν MCID όσο και του IIEF-EF, παρατηρήθηκε επίσης στην αξιολόγηση 1 και 3 μηνών μεταξύ των δύο ομάδων. Αντίστοιχα, οι ασθενείς που έλαβαν PRP ήταν πιο ικανοποιημένοι με τη θεραπεία. Δεν παρατηρήθηκαν ανεπιθύμητες ενέργειες κατά την περίοδο της μελέτης. Κλινικές εφαρμογές: Η θεραπεία με ενδοσηραγγώδη ένεση PRP που χρησιμοποιείται όπως περιγράφεται σε αυτή τη μελέτη φαίνεται να είναι μια ασφαλής και αποτελεσματική βραχυπρόθεσμη θεραπεία για τη διαχείριση της ήπιας έως μέτριας στυτικής δυσλειτουργίας. Πλεονεκτήματα & Περιορισμοί: Πραγματοποιήσαμε την πρώτη κλινική δοκιμή που διερευνά τον ρόλο του PRP στη διαχείριση της ΣΔ. Αντίθετα, τα ευρήματά μας στερούνται εξωτερικής εγκυρότητας λόγω του ότι έγινε σε ένα κέντρο. Επιπλέον, τα αποτελέσματά μας δεν μπορούν να επεκταθούν σε άλλα συστήματα διαχωρισμού PRP. Συμπεράσματα: Οι ενδοσηραγγώδεις ενέσεις PRP μπορεί να είναι μια πολλά υποσχόμενη προσθήκη στο οπλοστάσιο του ουρολόγου για τη διαχείριση της ΣΔ. Ωστόσο, απαιτούνται περαιτέρω μελέτες υψηλής ποιότητας για να επιβεβαιώσουν τα ευρήματά μας.
Σχέσεις Ηπειρωτικής Ελλάδος και Ιονίων Νήσων με την Αδριατική και με την Βόρεια Ιταλία κατά την ύστερη χαλκοκρατία
Authors: Οικονομίδης Σταύρος
Published: January 2024

Στη διδακτορική διατριβή αναλύονται οι γεωγραφικοί, μετεωρολογικοί, ωκεανογραφικοί, αρχαιολογικοί και κοινωνικοί παράγοντες που επέτρεψαν την εμπορική διάδραση μεταξύ των μυκηναϊκών κέντρων σε ηπειρωτική Ελλάδα, Ιόνια Νησιά και της Βόρειας Ιταλίας κατά την Ύστερη Εποχή του Χαλκού. Ιδιαίτερη έμφαση δίνεται στη μεταλλουργική παραγωγή Κεντρικής Ευρώπης, Βόρειας Ιταλίας και μυκηναϊκών επικρατειών, όπως και σε όσα αρχαιολογικά τεκμήρια εμπεριστατώτουν την αλληλεπίδραση μεταξύ των δύο πόλων έρευνας. Επίσης, γίνεται αναλυτική περιγραφή των ναυσιπλοϊκών στοιχείων που οδηγούν στην τεκμηρίωση του διάπλου των μυκηναϊκών σκαφών κατά μήκος του Ιονίου και της Αδριατικής. Τέλος, παρατίθενται αρχαιολογικά ευρήματα από τις παραπάνω περιοχές ενδιαφέροντος.
Determinants and implications of physical activity in hip and knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Καναβάκη Μαρία-Αρχόντισσα
Published: January 2024

Η παρούσα διατριβή είχε ως στόχο να εξελίξει την κατανόηση των προβλεπτικών παραγόντων της φυσικής δραστηριότητα (ΦΔ) σε άτομα με οστεοαρθρίτιδα ισχίου και γόνατος. Η συστηματική ανασκόπηση ποιοτικών δεδομένων για παράγοντες που αποτελούν εμπόδια ή διευκολύνουν τη ΦΔ αποκάλυψε μια περίπλοκη αλληλεπίδραση μεταξύ σωματικών, ψυχολογικών, κοινωνικών και περιβαλλοντικών παραγόντων. Στη συνέχεια, μια ποσοτική μελέτη αξιολόγησε βασικούς παράγοντες από κάθε κατηγορία, χρησιμοποιώντας επιταχυνσιόμετρα για τη μέτρηση της ΦΔ. Η κατηγοριοποίηση της ΦΔ ως προς την ένταση, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του καθιστικού χρόνου, με βάση μια ευρέως χρησιμοποιούμενη οριοθέτηση συγκρίθηκε οριοθέτηση εξειδικευμένη ηλικιακά. Η παραπάνω σύγκριση έδειξε σημαντικές διαφορές ως προς την ποσότητα του χρόνου που κατηγοριοποιείται ως μέτρια-προς-έντονη ΦΔ, αλλά δεν συνεπαγόταν διαφορές ως προς τη συσχέτιση του χρόνου αυτού με δείκτες υγείας και ψυχικής ευεξίας. Επίσης, αντλώντας από την Κοινωνικο-Γνωστική και Οικολογική Θεωρία, ελέγχθηκε στατιστικά ένα ενοποιημένο μοντέλο, από την αίσθηση αυτό-αποτελεσματικότητας και χαρακτηριστικά του φυσικού περιβάλλοντος της γειτονιάς στην πρόβλεψη της μέτριας-προς-έντονης έντασης ΦΔ, που με τη σειρά της προέβλεπαν δείκτες λειτουργικότητας και την ποιότητα ζωής. Το μοντέλο είχε καλή εφαρμογή όταν η ΦΔ αυτής της έντασης μετριόταν ανά περιόδους, αλλά όχι όταν μετριόταν ανά λεπτό. Τέλος, μια ποιοτική έρευνα για τις εμπειρίες ΦΔ και καθιστικής ζωής των συμμετεχόντων, αποκάλυψε ότι οι εμπειρίες αυτές ήταν πολύπλευρες και οι σχετικές συμπεριφορές ήταν το αποτέλεσμα μιας δυναμικής διαπραγμάτευσης ανάμεσα στη σοβαρότητα της οστεοαρθρίτιδας, της ανάγκης να διατηρήσουν τη λειτουργικότητά τους/ να συνεχίσουν να απολαμβάνουν τη ζωή και το πλαίσιο της καθημερινής τους ζωής. Συνολικά, τα ευρήματα υποδεικνύουν πιθανούς προσδιοριστικούς παράγοντες και αποτελέσματα της ΦΔ που μπορούν να αποτελέσουν στόχο ή να ληφθούν υπόψη σε μελλοντικές παρεμβάσεις.
L'activité textile en Attique (Ve et IVe siècles avant notre ère)
Authors: Σπαντιδάκη Στέλλα
Published: January 2024

Η διατριβή εκπονήθηκε με μια διεπιστημονική έρευνα στις αρχαίες πηγές. Τα δεδομένα από τις γραπτές πηγές, την εικονογραφία, τα εργαλεία κλωστοϋφαντουργίας και τα κατάλοιπα αρχαίων υφασμάτων τέθηκαν σε αντιπαράθεση προκειμένου να δημιουργηθεί μια κατά το δυνατόν πιο ολοκληρωμένη εικόνα της κατασκευής υφασμάτων στην Αττική της κλασικής περιόδου. Η έρευνα υποδεικνύει μια έντονη υφαντική δραστηριότητα κατανεμημένη ανάμεσα στο οικιστικό περιβάλλον και σε εργαστήρια και η οποία απασχολούσε ισχυρό αριθμό ανδρών και γυναικών. Οι αρχαίοι Έλληνες είχαν κληρονομήσει μια μακρά υφαντική παράδοση και τεχνικές γνώσεις που, σε συνδυασμό με μια καλή κατανόηση του φυσικού περιβάλλοντος, τους επέτρεπαν να κάνουν τις σωστές επιλογές (σε πρώτες ύλες και τεχνικής κατασκευής και διακόσμησης) για να δημιουργήσουν, κάθε φορά, το επιθυμητό αποτέλεσμα. Διαφορές στην ποιότητα των πρώτων υλών, και στις τεχνικές κατασκευής και διακόσμησης και αναφορές στις γραπτές πηγές, μαρτυρούν την ύπαρξη υφασμάτων ποικίλων ποιοτήτων που ικανοποιούσαν τις ανάγκες όλων των κοινωνικών στρωμάτων.
Imágenes con embrujo: una aproximación estética a las nuevas imágenes técnicas como entidades epistémicas en la ciencia y el arte.
Authors: Díaz Rodríguez Óscar
Published: January 2024

Lo icónico siempre se ha empleado para vehicular conocimientos de un modo propio con distintos grados de validez. En este artículo se busca pensar esta cuestión a propósito del fenómeno pictorial de nuestra época: las “nuevas imágenes técnicas”. Así, tras delimitar sus características, se especificarán sus modulaciones en el campo científico, tomando las neuroimágenes como estudio de caso, y en el artístico, haciendo hincapié en el arte algorítmico. Se pondrán en tela de juicio cinco nociones estético-epistémicas: verdad, realidad, novedad, imaginación y creatividad; perfilando finalmente la posibilidad de genuina creatividad en la estética algorítmica a partir del concepto de “probabilidad’’. Palabras claves: Teoría de la imagen; Imágenes técnicas; Neuroimagen; Arte algorítmico; Estética contemporánea.
Narrativas visuales en la era de la posverdad.
Authors: Arrebola-Parras Simón
Published: January 2024

El siguiente artículo trata de investigar los diferentes tipos de narrativas visuales derivadas de las distorsiones de la posverdad como son la manipulación, la viralidad y el cuerpo humano considerado como documento. Para finalizar hablaremos de un tipo de ilustraciones que fomentan la construcción del pensamiento escéptico. Previamente contextualizaremos la situación actual donde tienen lugar el fenómeno de la posverdad y cómo procede ideológicamente de la forma de pensamiento posmoderno donde se exalta el lado irracional y la intuición.
Injusticias epistémico-estéticas: una aproximación desde la estética de lo cotidiano.
Authors: Godoy Domínguez María Jesús
Published: January 2024

Este trabajo afronta la deriva escéptica de la estética reciente, que ha cuestionado muchas verdades asumidas por la estética moderna, en especial las que hicieron prevalecer el arte sobre el no-arte. La estructura de poder así generada y ahora descubierta se aborda aquí desde el enfoque de las injusticias epistémicas de Fricker, relacionándolas con la conocida como estética de lo cotidiano al haber sido éste desprovisto tradicionalmente de su capacidad hermenéutica y testimonial por no responder al patrón artístico dominante. Lo cotidiano aparece entonces como correctivo a las injusticias cometidas por la estética moderna al elevar el arte a dogma de fe
Desde la praxis individual de Pirrón de Élide hacia la praxis colectiva de Matthew Lipman: escepticismo y filosofía para niños.
Authors: Ruiz Sánchez José Carlos
Published: January 2024

A lo largo de la historia, la filosofía ha situado gran parte del foco de su quehacer en el constructo intelectual de sistemas de pensamiento que profundizaran en el análisis del mundo. Si embargo, existe una tendencia marginal, dentro de la tradición filosófica, que apuesta por acercarse a la filosofía como una disciplina práctica. En este artículo trataremos de focalizar la investigación en dos pensadores, separados por más de dos mil años, que apostaron por situar la praxis en el epicentro de la filosofía: Pirrón de Élide y Matthew Lipman. El primero dio lugar a un escepticismo donde la ejemplaridad del acto configuraba la doctrina. El segundo, Matthew Lipman, diseñó una metodología de filosofía para niños que ensalza la praxis comunitaria como eje desde el que fundamentar el aprendizaje de la filosofía. Cada uno, desde diferentes planos, el individual por parte de Pirrón y el colectivo en el caso de Lipman, han sido esenciales para poner el valor el sentido práctico de la filosofía. Palabras clave: Práctica; Praxis; Filosofía; Lipman; Pirrón.
J. F. Lyotard: un adorniano improbable.
Authors: Vilar Gerard
Published: January 2024

El artículo expone la influencia de la teoría estética de Th. W. Adorno en la filosofía contemporánea o, más concretamente, en la obra del postestructuralista J. F. Lyotard. Se centra en una interpretación novedosa de cuatro conceptos fundamentales en ambos autores: el de crítica, la adhesión a una ética radical, la elección del panteón de los artistas preferidos por uno y otro y la defensa de ambos, frente a las estéticas sistemáticas y totales, de una estética micrológica. Palabras clave: Teoría estética; Micrología; Crítica; Ética; Arte.
Más allá del deseo sublimado y la satisfacción desinteresada: el arte como escritura inconsciente de las figuras de la consciencia en la estética de Th. W. Adorno.
Authors: Vidal Vanessa
Published: January 2024

El artículo expone la crítica de Adorno a las estéticas centradas en el sujeto y su relación afirmativa o negativa con el deseo en Kant y Freud desde una revisión de la concepción objetiva y dialéctica de la estética de Hegel que, a su vez, es criticada y ampliada desde una lectura del inconsciente freudiano como “posible saber”. Todo ello quiere contribuir a clarificar la concepción del arte de Adorno como escritura inconsciente de la historia
La concepción de lo humano en la contraposición Descartes-Montaigne. Apuntes sobre el primer párrafo del Discurso del método.
Authors: Palacios Cruz Víctor
Published: January 2024

En Montaigne, el yo es producto de la pluralidad y no existe separado de la naturaleza. En Descartes, por el contrario, la “voz de la razón” justifica una soledad que renuncia al cuerpo, a los sentidos y a la voz de los demás. Según Montaigne, el saber se busca en permanente relación con el mundo, sin la expectativa de una certeza absoluta que superaría nuestra pequeñez natural. Según Descartes, la investigación individual es más segura que aquella en la que varios intervienen. Sin embargo, la diferencia entre ambos pensadores no se limita al plano del conocimiento. Tiene en realidad raíces biográficas y, sobre todo, responde a dosvisiones de la condición humana profundamente contrapuestas.
Por una cultura raciovitalista, deportiva y festival. Cien años de El tema de nuestro tiempo de Ortega y Gasset.
Authors: Gutiérrez-Pozo Antonio
Published: January 2024

En El tema de nuestro tiempo Ortega responde filosóficamente al nuevo tiempo que está naciendo desde comienzos del s. XX. La época anterior, la modernidad, ha estado dominada por el binomio formado por el idealismo culturalista y la comprensión economicista de la vida como trabajo. Esta cultura moderna opone razón y vida. Por eso ha entrado en crisis, porque no es capaz de llegar al corazón de los seres humanos ni de orientar la existencia. En El tema de nuestro tiempo Ortega presenta una cultura de la razón vital basada en la síntesis entre lo cultural y lo vital, y en la comprensión de la vida como deporte y fiesta. Solo una cultura que se mantiene en permanente contacto con la vida podrá orientar la existencia. La razón vital comprende la realidad y el conocimiento como perspectiva.
(Post)prawda i zawód dziennikarza – perspektywa prawna
Authors: du Vall Katarzyna
Published: January 2024

The XXI century has been labelled the post-truth era. The validity of such an assumption is debatable: time and again in the history of mankind, reason has given way to superstition and primitive intuition. Likewise, journalism has repeatedly used manipulation, half-truths and outright lies. The ubiquity of falsehood in politics is therefore not surprising whatsoever. Regardless of the above, it is difficult to ignore that the term ‘post-truth’ has become widespread in both public debate and academic literature. This disturbing (anti)quality in dealing with facts has also become a subject of debate among journalists. Finally, it is worth looking at these issues from a legal perspective. Thus, the aim of my text is to present the normative model for professional journalism, against the background of Polish law and judicial practice.
A Neural Separation Algorithm for the Rounded Capacity Inequalities
Authors: Kim Hyeonah , Park Jinkyoo , Kwon Changhyun
Published: January 2024

The cutting plane method is a key technique for successful branch-and-cut and branch-price-and-cut algorithms that find the exact optimal solutions for various vehicle routing problems (VRPs). Among various cuts, the rounded capacity inequalities (RCIs) are the most fundamental. To generate RCIs, we need to solve the separation problem, whose exact solution takes a long time to obtain; therefore, heuristic methods are widely used. We design a learning-based separation heuristic algorithm with graph coarsening that learns the solutions of the exact separation problem with a graph neural network (GNN), which is trained with small instances of 50 to 100 customers. We embed our separation algorithm within the cutting plane method to find a lower bound for the capacitated VRP (CVRP) with up to 1,000 customers. We compare the performance of our approach with CVRPSEP, a popular separation software package for various cuts used in solving VRPs. Our computational results show that our approach finds better lower bounds than CVRPSEP for large-scale problems with 400 or more customers, whereas CVRPSEP shows strong competency for problems with less than 400 customers.

History: Accepted by Andrea Lodi, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms–Discrete.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIT) [RS-2023-00259550] and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIT) [2022-0-01032, Development of Collective Collaboration Intelligence Framework for Internet of Autonomous Things].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2022.0310 .
Digital health evolution and application: astronauts, starlings and Hedwig Kiesler
Authors: Sibson Lynda
Published: January 2024

Digital health technologies in the NHS have had a largely leisurely uptake over recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, witnessed a sharp rise in their application, with remote clinical consultations in primary, secondary and tertiary care being undertaken using readily available software. Similar applications have supported the implementation of virtual wards, enabling early supported patient discharge, and numerous examples of home health technologies have enabled patients to be monitored remotely for range of health conditions. There are several terms for digital health, including telemedicine, e-health and telecare. While the pandemic contributed to the rise in digital healthcare, many of these technologies have been in existence for several years. This paper will brieﬂy explore the history and evolution of digital health technology and discuss a number of key policies and guidance documents in some detail, including their impact on urgent and prehospital practice.
The imaginal morphology of the species Kangella brocha (Kang and Yang, 1995) from southern China (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae)
Authors: DING MANQING , GONG DEWEN , ZHOU CHANGFA
Published: January 2024

Kangella brocha (Kang & Yang, 1995), a mayfly species known on nymphs only, has been previously placed in three different genera. Here, their first-found adults and additional nymphs from southern China reveal some new characteristics. Apart from its elongated mouthparts, extended outer incisors, widened prothorax, and shortened caudal filaments in the nymph stage, the adult exhibits a robust thorax, straight forceps, and large penes with dorsal projections. These distinct features, observed in both immature and alate stages, provide compelling evidence that this species deserves an independent genus. Therefore, the genus Kangella Sartori, 2004 is reinstated, and this species is reclassified under it. Functionally, the outstanding outer incisor likely serves purposes such as digging or capturing prey. Our finding not only narrows the distribution gap between two populations of this species but also enriches the diversity of ephemerellids in terms of ecological adaptations.
COMPARISON OF PAIN AND EXTENT OF ANAESTHESIA IN DIGITAL BLOCKS FOR ISOLATED FINGER LACERATIONS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Al-Jasim A. , Jarragh A. , Lari A. , Burhamah W. , Alherz M. , Nouri A. , Alshammari Y. , Alrefai S. , Alnusif N.
Published: January 2024

Background

Digital injuries are among the most common presentations to the emergency department. In order to sufficiently examine and manage these injuries, adequate, prompt, and predictable anaesthesia is essential. In this trial, we aim to primarily compare the degree of pain and anaesthesia onset time between the two-injection dorsal block technique (TD) and the single-injection volar subcutaneous block technique (SV). Further, we describe the temporal and anatomical effects of both techniques for an accurate delineation of the anesthetized regions.

Methods

A single-centre prospective randomized controlled trial involving patients presenting with isolated wounds to the fingers requiring primary repair under local anaesthesia. Patients were randomized to either the SV or TD blocks. The primary outcome was procedure-related pain (Numerical Rating Scale). Further, we assessed the extent of anaesthesia along with the anaesthesia onset time.

Results

A total of 100 patients were included in the final analysis, 50 on each arm of the study. The median pain score during injection was significantly higher in patients who received TD block than patients who received SV block (median [interquartile range] = 4 [2.25, 5] vs. 3 [2, 4], respectively, P = 0.006). However, anaesthesia onset time was not statistically different among the groups (P = 0.39). The extent of anaesthesia was more predictable in the dorsal block compared to the volar block.

Conclusion

The single-injection volar subcutaneous blocks are less painful with a similar anaesthesia onset time. Injuries presenting in the proximal dorsal region may benefit from the two-injection dorsal blocks, given the anatomical differences and timely anaesthesia of the region.