bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Indocyanine Green to Mitigate Wound Complications in Component Separation Technique for Ventral Hernia Repair—Our Early Experience
Authors: Gandhi Jignesh , Banker Amay , Chaudhari Sadashiv , Shinde Pravin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe ease of the anterior component separation technique (ACST) makes it an attractive surgical option for ventral hernia repairs (VHR). Incorporation of indocyanine green‐fluorescence angiography (ICG‐FA) to map soft tissue perfusion during open ACST is an effective way to minimize the wound complications. This study aims to evaluate the impact of adoption of ICG‐FA on wound‐related complications following open ACST in VHR.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent VHR with the open ACST at a single centre between March 2018 and July 2020. The study comprised of consecutive cases of open ACST with onlay meshplasty done before (March 2018–April 2019) and after (May 2019 to July 2020) implementation of ICG‐FA for intra‐operative perfusion mapping of subcutaneous tissue and skin.ResultsThe pre‐ICG group and post‐ICG group were similar in terms of baseline patient demographics and peri‐operative details. The rate of surgical site occurrence's was higher in the pre‐ICG group, but this result was not statistically significant (46% vs. 26%; p value 0.189). Skin necrosis, however, was observed in significantly less patients of the post‐ICG cohort (29% vs. 5%; p value 0.045).ConclusionThis study demonstrates the effectiveness of perfusion mapping by the use of ICG angiography to determine potential areas of decreased perfusion and thereby minimize wound complications. Using ICG‐FA to guide removal of at‐risk tissue to minimize wound complications may substantially improve the patients outcome.
At the origins of Pompeii: the plant landscape of the Sarno River floodplain from the first millennium bc to the ad 79 eruption
Authors: Vignola Cristiano , Bonetto Jacopo , Furlan Guido , Mazza Michele , Nicosia Cristiano , Russo Ermolli Elda , Sadori Laura 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe ad 79 eruption of the Vesuvius severely affected the floodplain surrounding the ancient city of Pompeii, i.e. the Sarno River floodplain. The landscape was covered with volcaniclastic materials that destroyed the ecosystem but, at the same time, preserved the traces of former environmental conditions. This study provides—for the first time—a pollen sequence reconstructing the environmental evolution and the plant landscape of the Sarno floodplain between 900 and 750 cal bc and ad 79, i.e. before and during the foundation of the city, and during its life phases. Previous geomorphological studies revealed that the portion of the Sarno floodplain under the “Pompeii hill” was a freshwater backswamp with patchy inundated and dry areas. Palynology depicts a thin forest cover since the Early Iron Age, suggesting an open environment with a mosaic of vegetation types. The local presence of Mediterranean coastal shrubland, hygrophilous riverine forest and mesophilous plain forest is combined with the regional contribution of mountain vegetation through the sequence. Oscillations between inundated and wet ground characterized the studied area until the ad 79 eruption. Such a natural environment shows anthropogenic traits since pre-Roman times: pasturelands, cultivated fields and olive groves, which probably occupied drier soils. The most important change in the land use system was the introduction of cabbage cultivation in the fourth century bc and its intensification from the second century bc, when Roman influence grew. The presence of tree crops and of ornamental trees reveals the opulence of the Imperial age until the catastrophic eruption.
Development of a nomogram predicting the probability of stone free rate in patients with ureteral stones eligible for semi-rigid primary laser uretero-litothripsy
Authors: De Nunzio Cosimo , Ghahhari Jamil , Lombardo Riccardo , Russo Giorgio Ivan , Albano Ana , Franco Antonio , Baldassarri Valeria , Nacchia Antonio , Lopez Juan , Luque Pilar , Ribal Maria Jose , Alcaraz Antonio , Tubaro Andrea 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Few tools are available to predict uretero-lithotripsy outcomes in patients with ureteral stones. Aim of our study was to develop a nomogram predicting the probability of stone free rate in patients undergoing semi-rigid uretero-lithotripsy (ULT) for ureteral stones.

Methods
From January 2014 onwards, patients undergoing semi-rigid Ho: YAG laser uretero-lithotripsy for ureteral stones were prospectively enrolled in two centers. Patients were preoperatively evaluated with accurate clinical history, urinalysis and renal function. Non-contrast CT was used to define number, location and length of the stones and eventually the presence of hydronephrosis. A nomogram was generated based on the logistic regression model used to predict ULT success.

Results
Overall, 356 patients with mean age of 54 years (IQR 44/65) were enrolled. 285/356 (80%) patients were stone free at 1 month. On multivariate analysis single stone (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.05–3.53, p = 0.034), stone size (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87–0.97, p = 0.005), distal position (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.29–3.48, p = 0.003) and the absence of hydronephrosis (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.08–3.78, p = 0.029) were predictors of success and these were used to develop a nomogram. The nomogram based on the model presented good discrimination (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.75), good calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow test, p > 0.5) and a net benefit in the range of probabilities between 15 and 65%. Internal validation resulted in an AUC of 0.74.

Conclusions
The implementation of our nomogram could better council patients before treatment and could be used to identify patients at risk of failure. External validation is warranted before its clinical implementation.
Audiological results and subjective benefit of an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device in patients with congenital aural atresia
Authors: Volgger Veronika , Schießler Inge Teresa , Müller Joachim , Schrötzlmair Florian , Pollotzek Marlene , Hempel John Martin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To review functional and subjective benefit after implantation of an active transcutaneous bone conduction device (BCD) in patients with congenital microtia with atresia or stenosis of the external auditory canal.

Methods
Retrospective chart analysis and questionnaire on the subjective impression of hearing ( Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ-B) of patients treated between 2012 and 2015.

ResultsResults
18 patients (24 ears) with conductive or mixed hearing loss in unilateral (n = 10) or bilateral (n = 8) atresia were implanted with a BCD. No major complications occurred after implantation. Preoperative unaided air conduction pure tone average at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz (PTA 4 ) was 69.2 ± 11.7 dB, while postoperative aided PTA 4 was 33.4 ± 6.3 dB, resulting in a mean functional hearing gain of 35.9 +/- 15.6 dB. Preoperatively, the mean monosyllabic word recognition score was 22.9 % ± 22.3 %, which increased to 87.1 % +/- 15.1 % in the aided condition. The Oldenburger Sentence Test at S0N0 revealed a decrease in signal-to-noise-ratio from − 0.58 ± 4.40 dB in the unaided to − 5.67 ± 3.21 dB in the postoperative aided condition for all patients investigated. 15 of 18 patients had a subjective benefit showing a positive SSQ-B score (mean 1.7).

Conclusion
The implantation of an active bone conduction device brings along subjective and functional benefit for patients with conductive or combined hearing loss.
Long-term improvement of quality of life in patients with breast cancer: supporting patient-physician communication by an electronic tool for inpatient and outpatient care
Authors: Lindberg-Scharf Patricia , Steinger Brunhilde , Koller Michael , Hofstädter Andrea , Ortmann Olaf , Kurz Jan , Sasse Jonathan , Klinkhammer-Schalke Monika 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The effectiveness of a pathway with quality of life (QoL) diagnosis and therapy has been already demonstrated in an earlier randomized trial (RCT) in patients with breast cancer. We refined the pathway by developing and evaluating an electronic tool for QoL assessment in routine inpatient and outpatient care.

Methods
In a single-arm study, patients with breast cancer with surgical treatment in two German hospitals were enrolled. QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-BR23) was measured with an electronic tool after surgery and during aftercare in outpatient medical practices (3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months) so that results (QoL-profile) were available immediately. Feedback by patients and physicians was analyzed to evaluate feasibility and impact on patient-physician communication.

Results
Between May 2016 and July 2018, 56 patients were enrolled. Physicians evaluated the QoL pathway as feasible. Patients whose physician regularly discussed QoL-profiles with them reported significantly more often that their specific needs were cared for (p < .001) and that their physician had found the right treatment strategy for these needs (p < .001) compared with patients whose doctor never/rarely discussed QoL-profiles. The latter significantly more often had no benefit from QoL assessments (p < .001).

Conclusion
The QoL pathway with electronic QoL assessments is feasible for inpatient and outpatient care. QoL results should be discussed directly with the patient.

Clinical trial information
NCT04334096, date of registration 06.04.2020
Evasion guidance for air-breathing hypersonic vehicles against unknown pursuer dynamics
Authors: Yan Tian , Cai Yuanli , Xu Bin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe rapid development of hypersonic vehicles has motivated the related research dramatically while the evasion of the hypersonic vehicles becomes one of the challenging issues. Different from the work based on the premise that the pursuers’ information is fully known, in this paper the evasion guidance for air-breathing hypersonic vehicles (AHVs) against unknown pursuer dynamics is studied. The gradient descent is employed for parameter estimation of the unknown dynamics of the pursuer. The energy-optimized evasion guidance algorithm is further developed by taking the acceleration constraint and energy optimization into consideration. Under the proposed algorithm, the system can deal with the unknown pursuer dynamics effectively and provide more practical guidance for the evasion process. The simulation results show that the proposed method can enable the AHV to achieve successful evasion.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dental-maxillofacial emergency service of a German university hospital in the year 2020
Authors: Thiem D. G. E. , Polsak M. , Römer P. , Gielisch M. , Blatt S. , Al-Nawas B. , Kämmerer P. W. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objectives
COVID-19 is considered one of the most serious pandemic in history and has posed major challenges to the world’s health care. Dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery (CMFS) are particularly affected due to direct exposure to the respiratory tract, as the reservoir of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, the impact of the COVID-19-pandemic on a dental and CMFS emergency services in Germany in 2020 was first time investigated and correlated with governmental restriction measures in public life.

Materials and methods
Epidemiological data of a German University Hospital were analysed from a total of 8386 patients in 2019 and 2020. Parameters included information on demographics, time, weekday and reason for presentation, as well as diagnosis and therapy performed. Data from 2020 were compared with those from 2019, taking into account the nationwide periods of public life restrictions.

Results
In 2020, 22% fewer patients presented via dental and CMFS emergency service. In a monthly comparison, there were negative peaks of up to − 41% in November, but also a plus of 26% in July. The largest decreases were recorded during the lockdown periods in spring (− 33%) and winter (− 39%). Further, a threefold increase in actual emergencies and inpatient admissions revealed during these time periods (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the dental and CMFS emergency service in 2020 resulting in more severe cases.

Clinical relevance
This study underlines the importance of maintaining an emergency service system and basic outpatient care in these specialities, which requires uniform recommendations from the medical-dental societies and politics.
Tracing the acid-base catalytic properties of MON2O mixed oxides (M = Be, Mg, Ca; N = Li, Na, K) by theoretical calculations
Authors: Faron Dawid , Skurski Piotr , Anusiewicz Iwona 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe stability and acid-base properties of MON2O mixed oxides (where M = Be, Mg, Ca; N = Li, Na, K) are studied by using ab initio methods. It is demonstrated that (i) the basicity of such designed systems evaluated by estimation of electronic proton affinity and gas-phase basicity (defined as the electronic and Gibbs free energies of deprotonation processes for [MON2O]H+) were found significant (in the ranges of 272–333 and 260–322 kcal/mol, respectively); (ii) in each series of MOLi2O/MONa2O/MOK2O, the basicity increases with an increase of the atomic number of alkali metal involved; (ii) the Lewis acidity of the corresponding [MON2O]H+ determined with respect to hydride anion (assessed as the electronic and Gibbs free energies of H− detachment processes for [MON2O]H2) decreases as the basicity of the corresponding oxide increases. The thermodynamic stability of all [MON2O]H2 systems is confirmed by estimating the Gibbs free energies for the fragmentation processes yielding either H2 or H2O.
The impact of varicella vaccination on paediatric herpes zoster epidemiology: a Canadian population-based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Rafferty Ellen , Reifferscheid Laura , Russell Margaret L. , Booth Stephanie , Svenson Lawrence W. , MacDonald Shannon E. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe impact of universal varicella vaccination on herpes zoster (HZ) risk in unvaccinated and vaccinated children, and its long-term influence on HZ epidemiology, remains unknown. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using population-based administrative health data for children born between 1993 and 2018 (n = 924,124). We calculated age-specific cumulative HZ incidence rates by vaccination status for cohorts born before (1993–1999) and after (2000–2018) programme implementation; results were used to calculate relative risk of HZ by age group, vaccination status and vaccine availability period. Annual HZ incidence rates were calculated for 1993–2018. HZ risk was higher among unvaccinated children compared to vaccinated children across age groups; 64% higher before universal vaccination (RR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.39), and 32% higher after universal vaccination (RR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.73). Among unvaccinated children, HZ risk was 60% lower after vaccine programme implementation (RR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.43). Two-dose receipt corresponded with a 41% lower risk of HZ compared to one-dose receipt (RR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.65). Crude annual HZ incidence rates declined 64% after programme implementation, with decreases observed across age groups. Universal varicella vaccination programme implementation corresponds to decreased paediatric HZ incidence across age groups, in both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Results from this study can be used to help inform varicella vaccination programme decision-making in other countries.
Genetic differentiation of indigenous (Quercus robur L.) and late flushing oak stands (Q. robur L. subsp. slavonica (Gáyer) Mátyás) in western Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia)
Authors: Burger Katrin , Müller Markus , Rogge Martin , Gailing Oliver 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSlavonian oaks (Quercus robur subsp. slavonica (Gáyer) Mátyás) originating from Croatia have been cultivated in Germany mainly in the Münsterland region of North Rhine-Westphalia since the second half of the nineteenth century. Compared to indigenous pedunculate oak stands in Germany, they are characterised by their late bud burst, but also by their excellent bole shape and faster height growth. Previously, Slavonian pedunculate oaks (= late flushing oaks) were mainly studied at chloroplast (cp) DNA markers in order to determine their geographical origin. The origin of the material is probably the Sava lowland between Zagreb and Belgrade. In the present study, the aim was to genetically differentiate between indigenous Quercus robur and Slavonian oak stands using nuclear DNA markers. For this purpose, we used 20 nuclear Simple Sequence Repeats (nSSRs). A total of 37 pedunculate oak stands (mean: 18.6 samples per population with an age of 95 to 210 years) were examined, of which 21 were characterized as Slavonian late flushing oaks and three stands for which the Slavonian origin was not clear. Maternally inherited chloroplast markers were analysed earlier in all 37 stands to validate their geographic origin. We found that the stands of native pedunculate oaks and Slavonian pedunculate oaks are represented by two genetic clusters which are weakly differentiated. Slavonian oaks (Na = 9.85, Ar = 8.689, Ho = 0.490, He = 0.540) showed similar levels of genetic variation as native oak stands (Na = 7.850, Ar = 7.846, Ho = 0.484, He = 0.526). Differences in growth and phenology and low but consistent genetic differentiation between groups suggest that both taxa represent different ecotypes with specific local adaptations, which are perhaps separated by less overlapping flowering phenologies. The nuclear microsatellite markers in combination with the cpDNA markers are suitable to differentiate between Slavonian and local oak stands.
Heavy metal and metalloid accumulation in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta L., 1758 complex, Osteichthyes: Salmonidae) from a mountain stream in Sardinia by ICP-OES
Authors: Alberto Angioni , Francesco Corrias , Atzei Alessandro , Andrea Sabatini , Francesco Palmas , Carla Lai , Mariateresa Russo 
Published: June 2021

Abstract This paper reports heavy metal and metalloid accumulation in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta L., 1758 complex) raised in freshwater and uncontaminated Sardinia system (Italy). Metals are widespread pollutants of aquatic systems, and their contamination can originate from anthropogenic activities such as industrial waste, agricultural and domestic environments, and geochemical release. Fish has a relevant position within the human diet; moreover, fishes can accumulate metals, making them a valuable tool as biomarkers for risk assessment studies. The concentration of 22 metals and metalloids after chemical digestion was assessed by inductively coupled plasma-optic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) in both the guts and the edible part (EP, muscle + skin) of brown trout. The results, expressed as μg g−1, showed different levels of accumulation in the EP and guts, following the series Cu > Zn > Ba > Al > Sr > Fe > Pb and Fe > Al > Hg > As > Mn > Cu > Ba > B > Zn > Pb, respectively. PCA analysis showed a fairly good correlation between the total lipid and SAFA content and Cd, Hg, and Pb accumulation in the gut. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment, expressed as THQ (target hazard quotient), showed values far below 1 for all metals in muscles, while high As and Hg contamination of the gut draws attention to possible health risks which should be discarded from the fish before consumption. TR (target cancer risk) values showed alarmingly high values for As and Cd when the fish were consumed entirely (gut + EP), while Pb levels were far below the safety levels.
Assessing the impact of mechanism of green public consumption policy on environmental equity: evidence from China
Authors: Li Chunmei , Chandio Abbas Ali , Farooq Usman , Sahito Jam Ghulam Murtaza , He Ge 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the impact of the mechanism of green public consumption policy on environmental equity and provides a feasible reference for the rational formulation of corresponding policies for China. Establish a mediation effect model using the stepwise regression and bootstrap analysis method, this study explores the direct and indirect effects of fiscal expenditure intensity on environmental equity. The results revealed that increasing fiscal expenditure on energy conservation and environmental protection cannot directly and significantly affect environmental equity, but it has a significant indirect positive impact on environmental equality through fiscal decentralization. It is also found that the impact of green public consumption policy on environmental equity varies in the eastern, central and western parts of China. Our findings indicated that the expenditure of energy conservation and environmental protection indirectly affects environmental equity through fiscal decentralization. The willingness of the government to protect the environment regulates the impact of green public consumption policies on environmental equity. The phenomenon of feeding the east from the west of resources and environment is obvious. According to the characteristics of regional development, we should formulate energy conservation and environmental protection policies and adjust the direction of policies to promote regional environmental equity.
Embryo selection with artificial intelligence: how to evaluate and compare methods?
Authors: Kragh Mikkel Fly , Karstoft Henrik 
Published: June 2021

AbstractEmbryo selection within in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process of evaluating qualities of fertilized oocytes (embryos) and selecting the best embryo(s) available within a patient cohort for subsequent transfer or cryopreservation. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been used extensively to improve and automate the embryo ranking and selection procedure by extracting relevant information from embryo microscopy images. The AI models are evaluated based on their ability to identify the embryo(s) with the highest chance(s) of achieving a successful pregnancy. Whether such evaluations should be based on ranking performance or pregnancy prediction, however, seems to divide studies. As such, a variety of performance metrics are reported, and comparisons between studies are often made on different outcomes and data foundations. Moreover, superiority of AI methods over manual human evaluation is often claimed based on retrospective data, without any mentions of potential bias. In this paper, we provide a technical view on some of the major topics that divide how current AI models are trained, evaluated and compared. We explain and discuss the most common evaluation metrics and relate them to the two separate evaluation objectives, ranking and prediction. We also discuss when and how to compare AI models across studies and explain in detail how a selection bias is inevitable when comparing AI models against current embryo selection practice in retrospective cohort studies.