bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Colpocleisis as an obliterative surgery for pelvic organ prolapse: is it still a viable option in the twenty-first century? Narrative review
Authors: Grzybowska Magdalena Emilia , Futyma Konrad , Kusiak Aida , Wydra Dariusz Grzegorz 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
The aims were to review the literature from the last two decades and analyze treatment efficacy and findings of the studies on colpocleisis.

Methods
A systematic search was conducted within the MEDLINE/PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases, using the following keywords: pelvic organ prolapse (POP), colpocleisis, obliterative, and LeFort. All English full-text prospective and retrospective observational and interventional studies were included. Anatomical and subjective success, surgical techniques, concomitant procedures, complication rates, anesthesia methods, and decision regret were analyzed.

Results
A total of 237 papers were identified and 49 met the inclusion criteria. Mean patient age was 69.0 ± 8.0 to 84 ± 3.1. Over 90.2% of patients undergoing colpocleisis were diagnosed with POP stage ≥ 3. The follow-up ranged from 30 days to a median of 5 years. Anatomical success, defined as POP-Q stage ≤ 1 and no prolapse beyond the hymen, was achieved in 62.5 to 100% and 87.5 to 100% of all patients respectively. Subjective success ranged from 88% to 100%. Regret over the loss of coital ability ranged from 0% in many studies to 12.9%, general decision regret from 0% to 13.8%. After concomitant midurethral sling surgery, 86.8% to 94% of all patients were continent, with a 0–14% sling revision rate due to urinary retention. Urinary tract infection was the most common postoperative complication (4.3 to 9% confirmed with urine culture, 34.7% based on symptom definition). Bowel (0 to 2.7%) and urinary tract (0 to 9.1%) injuries were the consequences of concomitant procedures. The mortality rates were up to 1.3%.

Conclusions
Colpocleisis is a heterogeneous procedure, characterized by high subjective and objective success, low coital ability regret, and a low risk of complications.
Laparoscopic pectopexy: the learning curve and comparison with laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy
Authors: Chuang Fei Chi , Chou Yu Min , Wu Ling Ying , Yang Tsai Hwa , Chen Wen Hsin , Huang Kuan Hui 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
In addition to laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LS), laparoscopic pectopexy (LP) is a novel surgical method for correcting apical prolapse. The descended cervix or vaginal vault is suspended with a synthetic mesh by fixing the bilateral mesh ends to the pectineal ligaments. This study was aimed at developing a learning curve for LP and to compare it with results with LS.

Methods
We started laparoscopic/robotic pectopexy in our department in August 2019. This retrospective study included the initial 18 consecutive women with apical prolapse receiving LP and another group undergoing LS (21 cases) performed by the same surgeon. The medical and video records were reviewed.

Results
The age was older in the LP group than in the LS group (65.2 vs 53.1 years). The operation time of LP group was significantly shorter than that of the LS group (182.9 ± 27.2 vs 256.2 ± 45.5 min, p < 0.001). The turning point of the LP learning curve was observed at the 12th case. No major complications such as bladder, ureteral, bowel injury or uncontrolled bleeding occurred in either group. Postoperative low back pain and defecation symptoms occurred exclusively in the LS group. During the follow-up period (mean 7.2 months in LP, 16.2 months in LS), none of the cases had recurrent apical prolapse.

Conclusions
Laparoscopic pectopexy is a feasible surgical method for apical prolapse, with a shorter operation time and less postoperative discomfort than LS. LP may overcome the steep learning curve of LS because the surgical field of LP is limited to the anterior pelvis and avoids encountering the critical organs.
Parent–offspring conflict and transition to crèche phase in Chinstrap Penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica)
Authors: Morandini Virginia , Viñuela Javier , Belliure Josabel , Ferrer Miguel 
Published: August 2021

AbstractParent–offspring conflict theory predicts that offspring seek to prolong the parental care period, while parents strive to shorten it as much as possible. Transition to the crèche phase in penguins involves changes in the dynamic of parental investment in chicks, and thus may be modulated by interests that benefit parent or offspring. We explored parent–offspring interactions in the Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) to understand the influence such interactions would have on transition to crèche phase. We studied the effect of hatching date, nestling age, brood size, and nest location on parent–offspring interactions and the length of the guard phase. All behavioral variables related to nestling demands for parental investment increased as well as parental aggression towards their chicks, with increased nestling age. Brood size showed significant effects on both nestling and parental behavior. Hatching date was negatively correlated with the age at crèche. Consequently, the decision to leave the chicks unguarded seemed to be more based on the condition of adults rather than of the chicks. Given the short time available for breeding in Antarctica and that penguins are long-lived birds with several opportunities to breed, there may be conflicting selective factors between investment in feeding chicks versus extending the period of resource acquisition and storage prior to moult.
The slip velocity of nearly neutrally buoyant tracers for large-scale PIV
Authors: Faleiros David Engler , Tuinstra Marthijn , Sciacchitano Andrea , Scarano Fulvio 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe behaviour of nearly neutrally buoyant tracers is studied by means of experiments with helium-filled soap bubbles and numerical simulations. The current models used for estimating the slip velocity of heavy micro particles and neutrally buoyant particles are reviewed and extended to include the effect of unsteady forces and particle Reynolds number. The particle motion is analysed via numerical simulations of a rectilinear oscillatory flow and in the flow around an airfoil within a particle flow parameter space that is typical of large-scale PIV experiments. An empirical relation is obtained that estimates the particle slip velocity, depending on the particle-to-fluid density ratio, the particle Reynolds number and frequency of the local flow fluctuations. The model developed is applied to assess the slip velocity of helium-filled soap bubbles in a large-scale experiment conducted at the German–Dutch wind (DNW) tunnels in the flow around an airfoil, with chord Reynolds numbers up to three millions. Furthermore, a procedure is proposed that can be used to retrieve the bubbles mean density and dispersion from measurements of mean velocity and fluctuations, respectively.
Graphic abstract
Density assessment and reporting for Phlebotomus perniciosus and other sand fly species in periurban residential estates in Spain
Authors: Muñoz C. , Risueño J. , Pérez-Cutillas P. , Bernal L. J. , Ortiz J. M. , Ruiz de Ybáñez R. , Sánchez-López P. F. , Martínez-Carrasco C. , Del Río L. , De la Rúa P. , García-Martínez J. D. , Gonzálvez M. , Murcia L. , Collantes F. , Goyena E. , Spitzova T. , Elshanat S. , Berriatua E. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractGreen periurban residential areas in Mediterranean countries have flourished in the last decades and become foci for leishmaniasis. To remedy the absence of information on vector ecology in these environments, we examined phlebotomine sand fly distribution in 29 sites in Murcia City over a 3-year period, including the plots of 20 detached houses and nine non-urbanized sites nearby. We collected 5,066 specimens from five species using “sticky” interception and light attraction traps. The relative frequency of the mainLeishmania infantumvectorPhlebotomus perniciosusin these traps was 32% and 63%, respectively. Sand fly density was widely variable spatially and temporally and greatest in non-urbanized sites, particularly in caves and abandoned buildings close to domestic animal holdings.Phlebotomus perniciosusdensity in house plots was positively correlated with those in non-urbanized sites, greatest in larger properties with extensive vegetation and non-permanently lived, but not associated to dog presence or a history of canine leishmaniasis. Within house plots, sand fly density was highest in traps closest to walls. Furthermore, the study provides a guideline for insect density assessment and reporting and is envisioned as a building block towards the development of a pan-European database for robust investigation of environmental determinants of sand fly distribution.
Native and alien species suffer from late arrival, while negative effects of multiple alien species on natives vary
Authors: Ferenc Viktoria , Merkert Christian , Zilles Frederik , Sheppard Christine S. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractOngoing globalisation and climate change are causing plant species to invade new habitats and thereby alter biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Since numbers of plant invasions continue to increase globally, it is crucial to investigate the effects of multiple co-occurring alien species on native communities. Furthermore, priority effects due to the earlier emergence of certain species affecting fitness of later arriving species can shape community structure and affect native species performance. We investigate in a common garden pot experiment the interactions among five alien-native species pairs. First we focus on the effect of growing with either one or two alien neighbour species on a native plant, second we alter the arrival time of the alien or native neighbour by 3 weeks. Generally, native species performance decreased when surrounded by two alien species compared to only one, although the magnitude of this effect varied depending on species, with one species even performing better with alien neighbours than in monoculture. Species performance greatly decreased when arriving second in the pot, for both native and alien species. In contrast, alien species tended to benefit more from arriving early. Given that we studied annual ruderal species, their potentially lower competitive ability might explain why we detected negative effects of late arrival. We highlight the need to further elucidate underlying mechanisms of small-scale invasion dynamics to achieve generalisations concerning the response of multiple alien and native plants given their species-specific differences in response to neighbour species and arrival time.
Online Makespan Scheduling with Job Migration on Uniform Machines
Authors: Englert Matthias , Mezlaf David , Westermann Matthias 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn the classic minimum makespan scheduling problem, we are given an input sequence of n jobs with sizes. A scheduling algorithm has to assign the jobs to m parallel machines. The objective is to minimize the makespan, which is the time it takes until all jobs are processed. In this paper, we consider online scheduling algorithms without preemption. However, we allow the online algorithm to change the assignment of up to k jobs at the end for some limited number k. For m identical machines, Albers and Hellwig (Algorithmica 79(2):598–623, 2017) give tight bounds on the competitive ratio in this model. The precise ratio depends on, and increases with, m. It lies between 4/3 and $$\approx 1.4659$$

≈
1.4659

. They show that $$k = O(m)$$

k
=
O
(
m
)

is sufficient to achieve this bound and no $$k = o(n)$$

k
=
o
(
n
)

can result in a better bound. We study m uniform machines, i.e., machines with different speeds, and show that this setting is strictly harder. For sufficiently large m, there is a $$\delta = \varTheta (1)$$

δ
=
Θ
(
1
)

such that, for m machines with only two different machine speeds, no online algorithm can achieve a competitive ratio of less than $$1.4659 + \delta $$

1.4659
+
δ

with $$k = o(n)$$

k
=
o
(
n
)

. We present a new algorithm for the uniform machine setting. Depending on the speeds of the machines, our scheduling algorithm achieves a competitive ratio that lies between 4/3 and $$\approx 1.7992$$

≈
1.7992

with $$k = O(m)$$

k
=
O
(
m
)

. We also show that $$k = \varOmega (m)$$

k
=
Ω
(
m
)

is necessary to achieve a competitive ratio below 2. Our algorithm is based on maintaining a specific imbalance with respect to the completion times of the machines, complemented by a bicriteria approximation algorithm that minimizes the makespan and maximizes the average completion time for certain sets of machines.
SARS-CoV-2 screening in cancer outpatients during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Berger Julia M. , Gansterer Margaretha , Trutschnig Wolfgang , Bathke Arne C. , Strassl Robert , Lamm Wolfgang , Raderer Markus , Preusser Matthias , Berghoff Anna S. 
Published: August 2021

SummaryBackgroundDuring the second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic Austria suffered one of the highest severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rates worldwide. We report performance parameters of a SARS-CoV‑2 screening program established for cancer outpatients at our center.MethodsInstitutional policy recommended routine biweekly SARS-CoV‑2 testing. Adherence to the testing recommendation during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic between 1 October and 30 November 2020 was analyzed. The SARS-CoV‑2 infection rate during first wave period (21 March to 4 May 2020) was compared to the one during second wave.ResultsA total of 1577 cancer patients were seen at our outpatient clinic during the second wave. In 1079/1577 (68.4%) patients, at least 1 SARS-CoV2 test was performed. Overall 2833 tests were performed, 23/1577 (1.5%, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.0–2.2%) patients were tested positive for SARS-CoV‑2, which indicates a significant increase compared to the first wave (4/1016; 0.4%, 95% CI 0.1–1.0%) with an odds ratio of 3.9 (95% CI 1.5–10.1;p < 0.005). Patients undergoing active anticancer treatment (172/960; 17.9% not tested) were more likely to have undergone a SARS-CoV‑2 test than patients in follow-up or best supportive care (326/617; 52.8% not testedp < 0.001). Furthermore, patients with only 1 visit within 4 weeks were more likely to not have undergone a SARS-CoV‑2 test (386/598; 64.5%) compared to patients with 2 or more visits (112/979; 11.4%;p < 0.001). The projected number of patients with undetected SARS-CoV‑2 infection during the study period was 5.ConclusionWe identified clinical patient parameters influencing SARS-CoV‑2 testing coverage in cancer outpatients. Our data can provide information on generation of standard operating procedures and resource allocation during subsequent infection waves.
Experiences of being a family caregiver to a patient treated for oesophageal cancer—1 year after surgery
Authors: Ringborg Cecilia H. , Schandl Anna , Wengström Yvonne , Lagergren Pernilla 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Purpose
There is a need to put family caregivers on the cancer survivorship research agenda. Therefore, the aim of this is study is to explore the experiences of being a family caregiver to a patient treated for oesophageal cancer.

Method
This qualitative study was based on the ongoing nationwide and prospective Oesophageal Surgery on Cancer patients – Adaptation and Recovery study (OSCAR) including patients surgically treated for oesophageal cancer in Sweden and their closest family caregiver. One year after the patient’s surgery, each family caregiver received a self-report questionnaire kit to fill in. For the purpose of this study, the responses to the open-ended question “Is there anything else you would like to share?” were used and analysed by conducting thematic analysis.

Results
In total, 112 responses to the open-ended question were transcribed and analysed. The text rendered three themes:
Discontinued support from healthcare—mostly a positive experience before surgery and in the acute survivorship phase. However, after discharge from the hospital, the family caregiver felt as though they were left alone, fully responsible for the patient’s care.
A changed life—unprepared for life-changing situation after the patient received the cancer diagnosis. A feeling that nothing will ever be the same and like your sense of self is lost.
Psychological distress—was described as a feeling of being alone. Family caregivers felt invisible and no longer important to family and friends. The patient was the one that mattered.

Conclusion
This study indicates that patients and family caregivers would benefit from a more family-centred healthcare, where the patients’ as well as the caregivers’ perspectives would be acknowledged.
Dielectric Coupler for General Purpose Q-Band EPR Cavity
Authors: Judd Martyna , Jolley Greg , Suter Dieter , Cox Nicholas , Savitsky Anton 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHere, we report on a robust and efficient mechanism for tuning the microwave coupling of a Q-band (34 GHz), general purpose, cylindrical EPR cavity operating in the TE011mode. This novel mechanism allows for both the adjustment of the cavity’s coupling over a wide frequency range, as well as its bandwidth from that of a high-Q cavity (about 10 MHz), to a broadband cavity (above 1 GHz). The coupling element consists of a dielectric plate fixed onto a movable waveguide short that allows for two modes of operation. In the first mode, the dielectric plate does not influence the resonance properties of the coupling iris and allows for precise, critical coupling of the high-Q cavity. In the second mode, the dielectric plate is positioned in front of the coupling iris, varying the iris’ resonance properties and allowing very strong overcoupling to be achieved. This mechanism can be generalized for other types of EPR cavities, in particular at high microwave frequencies.
Coverage of complex tissue defects following open cervicothoracic spine surgery with a lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap—an interdisciplinary approach
Authors: Osmanagic Armin , Schütz Alessa , Bayard Ivo , Raabe Andreas , Olariu Radu , Schär Ralph T. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The study design is a clinical case series. The objective of this study was to present the concept and efficacy of the lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap (LTIMF) for management of complex wound healing disorders following open cervicothoracic spine surgery. Wound healing disturbances with myocutaneous defects after open spine surgery at the cervical and upper thoracic spine are well-described complications. In severe cases, plastic reconstructive coverage is often required as a last resort. A review of all adult patients with deep wound dehiscence and tissue defects following open cervicothoracic spine surgery, who were managed with plastic surgery reconstruction using a LTIMF at our institution, was conducted. Synopses of these cases are presented. Seven patients with a mean age of 73 years ± 13 (range 50 to 89 years) were included in this case series. Six out of seven patients had instrumented posterior fusion added to their decompression. All patients were managed with a LTIMF for wound coverage. No spinal implants were removed prior to LTIMF surgery. The mean follow-up was 5.2 months (± 5.4 months). No major flap failure occurred, and all patients presented with satisfactory cosmetic results. The only minor complication was development of a sterile subcutaneous seroma in two patients, which were successfully managed by puncture and aspiration. The LTIMF is an effective and reliable salvage treatment option for spine surgery patients offering stable coverage of deep tissue defects resulting from complex wound healing disorders at the cervical and upper thoracic spine.
The frequency and clinical significance of DNA polymerase beta (POLβ) expression in breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Authors: Al-Kawaz Abdulbaqi , Ali Reem , Toss Michael S. , Miligy Islam M. , Mohammed Omar J. , Green Andrew R. , Madhusudan Srinivasan , Rakha Emad A. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
The prediction of clinical behaviour of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and its progression to invasive disease remains a challenge. Alterations of DNA damage repair mechanisms are associated with invasive breast cancer (BC). This study aims to assess the role of base excision repair (BER) DNA Polymerase Beta (POLβ) in DCIS.

Methods
A cohort of DCIS comprising pure DCIS (n = 776) and DCIS coexisting with invasive BC (n = 239) were prepared as tissue microarrays. POLβ protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome. Preclinically, we investigated the impact of POLβ depletion on stem cell markers in representative DCIS cell line models.

Results
Reduced POLβ expression was associated with aggressive DCIS features including high nuclear grade, comedo necrosis, larger tumour size, hormonal receptor negativity, HER2 overexpression and high Ki67 index. Combined low nuclear/low cytoplasmic POLβ expression showed the strongest association with the features’ characteristics of aggressive behaviour. There was a gradual reduction in the POLβ expression from normal breast tissue, to DCIS, with the lowest expression observed in the invasive BC. Low POLβ expression was an independent predictor of recurrence in DCIS patients treated with breast conserving surgery (BCS). POLβ knockdown was associated with a significant increase in cell stemness markers including SOX2, NANOG and OCT4 levels in MCF10-DCIS cell lines.

Conclusion
Loss of POLβ in DCIS is associated with aggressive behaviour and it can predict recurrence. POLβ expression in DCIS provides an additional feature for patients’ risk stratification for personalised therapy.
Comparison and performance of two cosmogenic nuclide sample preparation procedures of in situ produced 10Be and 26Al
Authors: Ruszkiczay-Rüdiger Zsófia , Neuhuber Stephanie , Braucher Régis , Lachner Johannes , Steier Peter , Wieser Alexander , Braun Mihály ,   ASTER Team, Bourlès Didier , Aumaître Georges , Keddadouche Karim 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCosmogenic radionuclide 10Be and 26Al targets (BeO and Al2O3) for AMS analysis are produced by a growing number of geochemical laboratories, employing different sample processing methods for the extraction of Be and Al from environmental materials. The reliability of this geochronological tool depends on data reproducibility independent from the preparation steps and the AMS measurements. Our results demonstrate that 10Be and 26Al concentrations of targets processed following different, commonly used protocols and measured at two AMS facilities lead to consistent results. However, insoluble fluoride precipitates, if formed during processing, can cause decreased 26Al results, while 10Be concentrations are unaffected.