bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Virtual reality simulation—the future of orthopaedic training? A systematic review and narrative analysis
Authors: Clarke Elinor 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Virtual reality (VR) simulation provides users with an immersive, 3D experience that can be used to allow surgical trainees to practice skills and operations in a safe yet realistic environment. The field of orthopaedics is yet to include VR in core teaching, despite its advantages as a teaching aid, particularly against current simulation tools. This study aims to conduct a systematic review to investigate the efficacy of VR in orthopaedic training, against current methods.

Methods
A systemic review of databases Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials focusing on VR training against conventional training in orthopaedic surgery was performed. Data synthesis was performed through narrative analysis due to the heterogeneous nature of the data.

Results
A total of 16 studies from 140 titles were identified, across 6 specialty areas. Four hundred and thirty-one participants were included. Control groups included VR, cadaver and benchtop simulators. Forty-seven outcomes were measured, focusing on skill and proficiency assessment. No outcomes focused on patient safety. Although significance between intervention and control was not always achieved, most studies found that the intervention outperformed the control.

Conclusion
VR provides a modern and immersive teaching tool that can develop skills and give confidence to trainees. This study demonstrates the potential for VR simulation as a training aid in orthopaedics and encourages its use alongside conventional teaching methods. However, long-term analysis of the results of VR training on surgical trainees has yet to be conducted. To provide conclusive justification for its inclusion in surgical training, this study recommends that future research follows trainees using VR into the operating room, to determine that VR teaches skills that are transferable onto actual surgeries, subsequently leading to better patient outcomes.
Effect of different single herbicide doses on sugar beet yield, quality and associated weeds
Authors: Abd El Lateef E. M. , Mekki B. B. , Abd El-Salam M. S. , El-Metwally I. M. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
The objective of this work is to identify the most proper herbicidal treatment on sugar beet to compare different single weed control herbicide doses on sugar beet traits and associated weeds as well as yield and quality under sandy soil conditions. Therefore, two field experiments were conducted during the winter seasons of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 at the Experimental Farm of the National Research Centre, El-Beheira Governorate. Tigro at 1.0 and 0.750 l fed−1, Betasana-Trio at 0.675 and at 0.9 l fed−1, Select Super at 0.5 and 0.375 l fed−1 and Betanal MaxxPro at 0.5 l fed−1 besides the unweeded and hand weeded twice were used.

Results
The results showed that the herbicides Betasana-Trio at 0.9 l fed−1, Tigro at 1.0 l fed−1 and Betasana-Trio at 0.675 l fed−1 when sprayed twice could effectively and/or completely eliminate the broadleaved weeds associated with sugar beet plants. Moreover, the results indicated and confirmed that Tigro and Betasana-Trio herbicides are effective in controlling broadleaved weeds. Similar tendency was recorded for the narrow-leaved weeds, where Select Super or Betanal MaxxPro at 0.5 l fed−1 as well as Select Super at 0.375 l fed−1 could completely eliminate or minimize the narrow-leaved weeds associated with sugar beet plants. The greatest significant root length, root diameters and root yield plant−1 were recorded when hand weeding twice followed by Betanal MaxxPro at 0.5 l fed−1 without significant differences. Gross sugar % ranged between 12.08 and 15 .7% and extractable sugar % ranged between 8.97 and 13.8% for Betasana-Trio at 0.09 l fed−1 and Betanal MaxxPro at 0.5 l fed−1.

Conclusion
Betanal MaxxPro gave the highest values of root and biological yield ton fed−1. Betanal MaxxPro followed by hand weeding treatment twice resulted in the greatest sugar yield fed−1. The highest sugar yield resulted from the herbicidal treatment with Betanal MaxxPro or Tigro at 1.0 l fed−1, which gave the greatest gross and extractable sugar yield fed−1 and exceeded the hand weeding treatment by 10.4 and 7.8%.
Vascular endothelial growth factor in relation to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C virus patients treated by direct-acting antivirals
Authors: ElGhandour Ahmed Mohamed , Bayoumy Essam Mohamed , Ibrahim Wesam Ahmed , Sayed Moataz Mohamed , Salama Ashraf Bekheet , Teama Nahla Mohamed , Salama Mohamed Magdy 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comprises 5.6% of all cancers worldwide representing the sixth most common cancer. It is also the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortality. Angiogenesis is a main factor in the development of HCC. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered as the force for physiological and pathological angiogenesis, and overexpression of VEGF is prominent in HCC. We aimed to study the effect of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) on VEGF considered as the key regulator of angiogenesis in HCC. This cross-sectional study involved fifty patients who were divided into two groups: group I—twenty-five chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients as (cases) subjected to treatment with direct-acting antiviral drugs for 3 months; group II—twenty-five chronic HCV patients developed HCC as (controls). Serum VEGF level was measured in of group I at baseline, at end of treatment, and 3 months after the end of treatment by sofosbuvir 400 mg plus daclatasvir 60 mg for 3 months in the HCV patient group, also VEGF was assessed in group II with HCC.ResultsSerum VEGF was high in both groups, but it was higher in the HCC group with a statistically significant difference (p< 0.001), also serum VEGF in the HCV group decreased after 3 months at the end of DAA treatment from 209.5 ± 137.6 to 44.1 (31.8–55.3) mg/ml, and all patients who received DAAs achieved sustained virologic response (SVR).ConclusionWe found that change in serum VEGF in HCV patients treated with DAAs in this study cannot explain the risk of HCC after treatment by DAAs.
Applications of polymer blends in drug delivery
Authors: Nyamweya Nasser N. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Polymers are essential components of many drug delivery systems and biomedical products. Despite the utility of many currently available polymers, there exists a demand for materials with improved characteristics and functionality. Due to the extensive safety testing required for new excipient approval, the introduction and use of new polymers is considerably limited. The blending of currently approved polymers provides a valuable solution by which the limitations of individual polymers can be addressed.

Main body
Polymer blends combine two or more polymers resulting in improved, augmented, or customized properties and functionality which can result in significant advantages in drug delivery applications. This review discusses the rationale for the use of polymer blends and blend polymer-polymer interactions. It provides examples of their use in commercially marketed products and drug delivery systems. Examples of polymer blends in amorphous solid dispersions and biodegradable systems are also discussed. A classification scheme for polymer blends based on the level of material processing and interaction is presented.

Conclusion
The use of polymer blends represents a valuable and under-utilized resource in addressing a diverse range of drug delivery challenges. It is anticipated that new drug molecule development challenges such as bioavailability enhancement and the demand for enabling excipients will lead to increased applications of polymer blends in pharmaceutical products.

Graphical abstract
Donor-Acceptor Type [5]Helicene Derivative with Strong Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Authors: Kubo Hiromu , Hirose Takashi , Shimizu Daiki , Matsuda Kenji 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) of unsubstituted helicenes is weak due to their low fluorescence quantum yield (Φf) and small dissymmetry factor (gCPL). In this study, we designed and synthesized a donor-acceptor type [5]helicene, 5,10-dicyano-2,13-bis(3,4,5-tris(n-octyloxy)phenyl)[5]helicene. This helicene showed high fluorescence quantum yield (Φf = 0.63) and good |gCPL| (4.2 × 10−3) due to symmetry-allowed transition and its helical structure. Moreover, the helicene showed solvatofluorochromism while maintaining gCPL.
Check the diastolic blood pressure twice in aortic dissection as it is associated with prognosis
Authors: Sari Sezai , Sener Kemal , Calis Mustafa , Polat Mustafa , Kaya Adem , Yolcu Sadiye 
Published: January 2021

Objective: In this study we aimed to determine the prediction level of admission diastolic blood pressure (DBP) on the prognosis and mortality in aortic dissection patients over 65 years old and under 65 years old.
Methods: We included 72 patients in this retrospective study and study groups were divided into two groups according to 65 age. Demographic data, dissection type (Stanford A-B), DBP, systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arteriel pressure (MAP), heart rate (/min) main complaints, preoperative length of stay, hospitalisation clinic (clinic/intensive care unit), length of hospitaliisation, complications during hospitalisation (renal failure etc..) and the outcome (death/dischargement) results were noted. Preoperative lenth of stay, hospitalisation length, outcome and complications were compared between groups according to SBP, DBP, MAP and heart rate.
Results: Mean blood pressure values of the Stanford type B patients over 65 years old were higher than the other group (p<0.05). Fifty percent of patients under 65 years old were discharged but this ratio was 26.9% in the elder group. DBP was positively correlated with preoperative length of stay and hospitalisation length and negatively correlated with mortality. DBP under 65 mmHg was significantly related with high mortality (p<0.05). When the age and presentation time heart rate is added to each other, the values over 142 were significantly related with high mortality (p<0.05).
Conclusions: The presentation time vital signs especially the DBP may be helpful for emergency clinicians to predict the prognosis and outcome in aortic dissection patients which has high mortality ratio in patients over 65 years of age.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.2877
How to cite this:Sari S, Sener K, Calis M, Polat M, Kaya A, Yolcu S. Check the diastolic blood pressure twice in aortic dissection as it is associated with prognosis. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):339-344. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.2877
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Recommendations for the development of Egyptian human biobanking ethical guidelines
Authors: Samir Abdelhafiz Ahmed , W. L. Ho Calvin , Chuan Voo Teck 
Published: January 2021

Background: The development of biobanks is associated with the emergence of new ethical challenges. In Egypt, several biobanks have been established, but there are no specific local ethical guidelines to guide their work. The aim of this study is to develop recommendations for the Egyptian human biobanking ethical guidelines, which take into consideration the specific cultural and legal framework in Egypt. Methods: We searched the literature for available biobanking ethical guidelines. Six themes were the concern of search, namely; informed consent, data protection, return of results, sharing of samples and data, community engagement, and stakeholder engagement. If a document refers to another guideline, the new source is identified and the previous step is repeated. Results: Ten documents were identified, which were analyzed for the themes mentioned above. Guidelines and best practices were identified, and then compared with the published documents about ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI) related to biomedical research in Egypt to reach best recommendations. Conclusions: We have proposed, by way of recommendations, key characteristics that a national ethics framework in Egypt could have. On informed consent, the practice of broad consent may be harmonized among biobanks in Egypt. Clear policies on return of research results, training requirements and availability of genetic counseling could also be instituted through the national framework. Additionally, such a framework should facilitate community and stakeholders engagement, which is important to secure trust and build consensus on contentious issues arising from sample and data sharing across borders and commercialization, among other concerns.
Engaging publics in biobanking and genetic research governance - a literature review towards informing practice in India
Authors: Warrier Prasanna , Ho Calvin Wai-Loon , Bull Susan , Vaz Mario , Vaz Manjulika 
Published: January 2021

Background:There is growing interest in advancing biobanking and genetic research in many countries, including India. Concurrently, more importance is being placed on participatory approaches involving the public and other stakeholders in addressing ethical issues and policymaking as part of a broader governance approach. We analyse the tools, purposes, outcomes and limitations of engaging people towards biobanking and genetic research governance that have been undertaken worldwide, and explore their relevance to India.Methods:Papers to be reviewed were identified through a targeted literature search carried out using ProQuest and PubMed. Retrieved papers were analysed with theRpackage forQualitative Data Analysisusing inductive coding and thematic analysis, guided by the Framework Method.Results:Empirical studies on public and community engagement in the context of biobanking and or genetic research show a predominance towards the end of the last decade, spanning 2007 to 2019. Numerous strategies—including public meetings, community durbars, focus group discussions, interviews, deliberations, citizen-expert panels and community advisory boards—have been used to facilitate communication, consultation and collaboration with people, at the level of general and specific publics. Engagement allowed researchers to understand how people’s values, opinions and experiences related to the research process; and enabled participants to become partners within the conduct of research.Conclusions: Constructs such as ‘co-production’, ‘engagement of knowledges’, ‘rules of engagement’ and ‘stewardship’ emerge as significant mechanisms that can address the ethical challenges and the governance of biobanking and genetic research in India. Given the inherent diversity of the Indian population and its varying cultural values and beliefs, there is a need to invest time and research funds for engagement as a continuum of participatory activity, involving communication, consultation and collaboration in relation to biobanking and genetic research. Further research into these findings is required to explore their effective employment within India
Evolution of the TcPO2values following hyperoxygenated fatty acids emulsion application in patients with diabetic foot disease: results of a clinical trial
Authors: Lázaro-Martínez José Luis , López-Moral Mateo , García-Alamino Josep M , Bohbot Serge , Sanz-Corbalán Irene , García-Álvarez Yolanda 
Published: January 2021

Objective:The use of emollients to lubricate dry skin to prevent diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), especially in neuroischaemic feet, has been recommended. This study analyses the effect of daily topical application of hyperoxygenated fatty acids emulsion on transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) in the feet of neuropathic and neuroischaemic patients with diabetes.Method:Patients with diabetes and no active foot ulcer were included in this longitudinal, prospective, non-comparative clinical trial. The evolution of TcPO2(mmHg) values after the application of the tested emulsion (Corpitol Emulsion, Laboratoires Urgo Medical, France) was evaluated for a three-month period. Modifications of skin features (skin dryness, skin shedding and skin colour) were also analysed. TcPO2was performed using a TCM400 device (Radiometer, Denmark).Results:A total of 50 patients were included in the study. Patients with neuroischaemia showed a significant increase in TcPO2values (35.69±13.88mmHg) after two months' application of the tested emulsion that remained at month three (day 60: 42.34±10.98mmHg; p=0.006; day 90: 41.62±10.88mmHg; p=0.011). Skin dryness and shedding showed an improvement from baseline to the end of the study in both groups, secondary to the use of the tested emulsion (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Skin colour also showed differences from baseline to the final visit in the neuroischaemic patients (p=0.029). Patients with neuropathy did not show any change in skin colour from baseline to the final visit.Conclusions:Analysis of the use of the tested emulsion showed an increase in TcPO2and an improvement in skin trophism in patients with neuroischaemic foot.
Dealuminated and Desilicated Natural Zeolite as a Catalyst for Hydrocracking of Used Cooking Oil into Biogasoline
Authors: Wijaya Karna , Purba Susi Erfina , Trisunaryanti Wega - , Pratika Remi Ayu 
Published: January 2021

<p align="justify">The modification of natural zeolite has been conducted by dealumination and desilication using HCl and NaOH treatments as a catalyst for hydrocracking of used cooking oil into biogasoline. This research aimed to study the effect of dealumination and desilication on the natural zeolite activity and selectivity of a hydrocracking process. A variety of catalysts was prepared by applying 3, 6, and 9 M HCl in the dealumination of natural zeolite to produce DNZ(3-1), DNZ(3-2) DNZ(3-3), DNZ(6-1), DNZ(6-2), DNZ(6-3), DNZ(9-1), DNZ(9-2), and DNZ(9-3) catalysts and NaOH in the desilication of natural zeolite to obtain NZB catalyst. The results showed that the dealumination and the desilication treatments affected the liquid product conversion of used cooking oil from catalytic hydrocracking. The hydrocracking of used cooking oil with NZB catalyst produced the highest gasoline fuel conversion of 94.87%. </p><p align="justify"> </p><p align="justify"> </p>
Energy-saving all-weather window based on selective filtering of solar spectral radiation
Authors: Chowdhary Ashish Kumar , Bhowmik Tanmay , Gupta Jegyasu , Sikdar Debabrata 
Published: January 2021

Passive all-weather windows, capable of selectively transmitting visible and infrared solar radiation, could help in bringing down fossil-fuel energy consumption globally by reducing the carbon footprint of typical air-conditioning systems for buildings and motor vehicles. Here, we report on designing metal–insulator–metal thin-films for application in passive windows, optimized for different climatic conditions. We analyze designs comprising different noble metals as well as their relatively inexpensive alternatives. By finding an optimal choice of materials and thicknesses of the metal and dielectric layers, our lithography-free simple design can provide all-weather solutions for passive windows with desired visible and infrared transmission/blocking capability. Obtained theoretical results agree well with full-wave simulations. Thus, our proposed designs enable developing low-cost, ultra-thin (thickness: 47–85 nm), polarization-independent, angle-insensitive (up to 83 deg), and large-area-compatible passive windows with improved solar-radiation control for different weather/climatic conditions. The figure-of-merit calculation shows that the relatively inexpensive metals used in our passive glasses can outperform industry-standard commercial glasses and previously reported infrared-blocking plasmonic glasses.
Comprehensive characterization of protective face coverings made from household fabrics
Authors: Guha Suvajyoti , Herman Alexander , Carr Ian A. , Porter Daniel , Natu Rucha , Berman Shayna , Myers Matthew R. 
Published: January 2021

Background
Face coverings constitute an important strategy for containing pandemics, such as COVID-19. Infection from airborne respiratory viruses including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can occur in at least three modes; tiny and/or dried aerosols (typically < 1.0 μm) generated through multiple mechanisms including talking, breathing, singing, large droplets (> 0.5 μm) generated during coughing and sneezing, and macro drops transmitted via fomites. While there is a growing number of studies looking at the performance of household materials against some of these situations, to date, there has not been any systematic characterization of household materials against all three modes.

Methods
A three-step methodology was developed and used to characterize the performance of 21 different household materials with various material compositions (e.g. cotton, polyester, polypropylene, cellulose and blends) using submicron sodium chloride aerosols, water droplets, and mucous mimicking macro droplets over an aerosol-droplet size range of ~ 20 nm to 0.6 cm.

Results
Except for one thousand-thread-count cotton, most single-layered materials had filtration efficiencies < 20% for sub-micron solid aerosols. However, several of these materials stopped > 80% of larger droplets, even at sneeze-velocities of up to 1700 cm/s. Three or four layers of the same material, or combination materials, would be required to stop macro droplets from permeating out or into the face covering. Such materials can also be boiled for reuse.

Conclusion
Four layers of loosely knit or woven fabrics independent of the composition (e.g. cotton, polyester, nylon or blends) are likely to be effective source controls. One layer of tightly woven fabrics combined with multiple layers of loosely knit or woven fabrics in addition to being source controls can have sub-micron filtration efficiencies > 40% and may offer some protection to the wearer. However, the pressure drop across such fabrics can be high (> 100 Pa).