bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LONG-TERM TREATMENT RESULTS OF SURGICAL POSTERIOR NEURECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH ANTERIOR CUTANEOUS NERVE ENTRAPMENT SYNDROME
Authors: ten Have T , Jacobs M L Y E , Scheltinga M R M , Zwaans W A R , Roumen R M H 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
The current step-up treatment approach for Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES) involves tender point injections, pulsed radiofrequency, and surgical neurectomy. If anterior neurectomy fails or pain recurs, a secondary posterior neurectomy is considered as a final surgical option. We analyzed long-term treatment outcomes of a posterior neurectomy.

Method
All ACNES patients (2012–2022) who underwent unilateral posterior neurectomy received a questionnaire regarding their current pain status. Patients who not completed the questionnaire were excluded. Primary outcome was short- and long-term treatment success, defined as ≥50% pain relief. Based on the indication for posterior neurectomy patients were stratified: a. persistent pain and, b. recurrent pain (&gt;3 months) after initial anterior neurectomy. Short-term outcomes were derived from medical records, long-term outcomes from the questionnaires.

Results
258 of the 379 patients (68.1%) were included. Short-term outcomes were similar between in- and excluded patients, suggesting no selection bias. The recurrent pain group had significantly better treatment outcomes compared to the persistent pain group, in both short-term (7 weeks; treatment success 79.2% vs. 53.2%, p &lt;0.001) as well as the long-term (58 months; treatment success 61.1% vs. 41.9%, p &lt;0.001). Additionally, 24 of the 37 patients (64.9%) with recurrent pain after posterior neurectomy were again successfully treated. Fifteen (minor) complications (5.8%) were reported, resulting in three re-interventions (1.2%).

Conclusion
Posterior neurectomy shows favorable success rates (60%), especially for recurrent pain cases. Persistent pain after the first anterior neurectomy has significantly less successful results (40%). These data are helpful in proper patient counseling.
SAFETY AND PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURES IN ELDERLY PATIENTS UNDERGOING TOTALLY EXTRAPERITONEAL (TEP) INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR
Authors: Tsakanov S , Moolan Y , Badiani S , Rajkumar K , Berney C R 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Laparoscopic hernia repair has become a popular minimally invasive surgical option in recent decades, offering advantages such as reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. However, there is ongoing debate regarding its safety and effectiveness in elderly patients.

Methods
This retrospective cohort study included all consecutive patients aged ≥75 years old who underwent elective laparoscopic (TEP) inguinal hernia repair between 2005 and 2023. Data collected included pre-operative and post-operative Visual Analogue Score (VAS), Modified Carolina's Comfort Scale (MCCS) and CCS scores, complications, as well as associated pathologies.

Results
There were 93 patients (79 males: 84.9%) with a mean age of 79.3 years who underwent 122 TEP inguinal hernia repairs, including 18 (14.8%) recurrence. Twenty-nine (31.2%) were bilateral, 80 (65.6%) were indirect. Associated pathologies consisted of 10 femoral hernias, with three (21.4%) occurring in 14 females and seven (8.9%) in 79 males. Additionally, 10 obturator hernias were identified, with five occurring in females (35.7%) and five in males (6.3%). Minor complications were observed in seven (7.5%) individuals, but no major complications.
The average preoperative VAS pain score was 3.4, which decreased to 1.0 at 2-weeks and 0.11 at 6-weeks postoperatively. The preoperative cumulative average MCCS score was 12/75 (ratio: 0.16 +/- 0.2), and postoperative average CCS scores were 3.57/100 (ratio: 0.04 +/- 0.07) at 2-weeks and 0.64/115 (ratio: 0.01 +/- 0.02) at 6-weeks respectively.

Conclusion
TEP inguinal hernia repair in elderly patients offers satisfactory outcome with minimal morbidity and significant improvement in functional and pain scores.
IMPLEMENTATION OF ERAS PRINCIPLES IN TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH INGUINAL HERNIAS REPAIRED WITH LICHTENSTEIN OPERATION
Authors: Ushnevych Z O , Khomyak V V , Lerchuk O M 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
More than 60% of patients operated for inguinal hernia (IH) are at working age, so quick recovery of working capacity is main goal and 40% are elderly patients, who requires special attention to prevention of postoperative complications. Goal – effect of implementing ERAS principles in the perioperative period of treatment of patients with IH.

Method
In 2023, in surgical department of the Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital 77 patients were operated on for IH by the Lichtenstein operation, average age – 54.6 ± 11.3 years, all patients were men. Patients were divided: I group (n = 36) – classical preoperative preparation; II group (n = 41) – perioperative ERAS principles: no premedication, stop solid food 6 hours and drinking liquids 2 hours before surgery, inhalation anesthesia in combination with a TAP block, prevention of nausea and vomiting.

Results
The dosages of Fentanyl used during surgery and the blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the group II (P &lt;0.05). The VAS scores of the group II were considerably lower at 4, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery (P &lt;0.05). In postoperative period opioid analgesics were used for pain relief (4 hours after the operation) in all patients group I and not used in group II patients. Group I vs. II respectively, 5 (13.9%) vs. 1 (2.4%) on the 1st day post-surgery experienced nausea and vomiting. Postoperative hospitalization time was longer in group I patients (2.5 ± 0.5 days vs. 1.5 ± 0.5 days).

Conclusion
ERAS principles in clinical practice allows to speed up recovery of patients and reduce frequency of postoperative complications.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 3D IN VITRO RECTUS SHEATH TISSUE MODEL FOR THE PURPOSE OF HERNIA MESH TESTING
Authors: Whitehead-Clarke T , Grillo A , Khader R , Nerincx C , Mitchell R , Mudera V , Kureshi A 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
The are many models and experimental comparators used in the field of mesh testing. Overall, the field lacks standardization and requires improvement. Over recent decades the advent of cell culture and tissue engineering have given rise to the development of 3D tissue models. Such models have been used to study disease processes and assess treatments, but not to examine medical devices. We introduce the first work developing a 3D rectus sheath tissue model to test hernia meshes.

Method
Primary rectus sheath fibroblasts (RSFs) were isolated from posterior rectus sheath of human volunteers. Cells were seeded into 3D fibroblast populated collagen matrices and used to assess a selection of commercial meshes for 3 comparators: rate of mesh shrinkage, rate of fibroblast migration across mesh and effect of meshes upon cell viability.

Results
Our model induced notable shrinkage of around 10% in one mesh, without significant difference in any other mesh groups. Cell viability was not significantly impacted by any of the meshes compared to our non-mesh control. Fibroblasts were seen to migrate through each of the meshes without significant difference between the products.

Conclusion
Whilst none of our experiments yielded statistically significant results, our work introduces a number of important discoveries. This is the first study to prove the viability of culturing primary human RSFs alongside hernia mesh. Our work has proven the capacity of Human RSFs to shrink mesh in vitro, for RSFs to migrate through mesh, and for their metabolic activity to be measurable in 3D culture.
DOUBLE-MESH FOR MANAGEMENT OF FULL-THICKNESS ABDOMINAL WALL DEFECTS FOLLOWING TUMOR RESECTION. CAN FURTHER SEQUELS BE AVOIDED?
Authors: Zanellato A , Coke E , Goudie S , Patton S 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas are high-grade, aggressive soft-tissue sarcomas capable of invasion, recurrence, and metastasis. En bloc surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment with adjunctive. A 63-year-old man was referred with a painful, enlarging, 27 × 13 cm mass on the anterior left rectus muscle. Once diagnosed as a high-grade sarcoma on biopsy, the patient underwent surgery. Following tumour resection, reconstruction of the abdominal wall was performed in 3 steps/layers: 1) covering of the viscera after a TAR to mobilize the right posterior rectus sheath to the left side and close the gap by suturing to remaining transversalis on the left side, 2) reinforcement of the posterior leaflet with implantation of 30 × 45 Poly-4-hydroxybutyrate mesh (an extensively overlapping, flank-to-flank mesh and 3) stabilization of defect by bridging with inlay trimmed heavy polypropylene mesh. The large absorbable mesh was used to create an overlap up to the psoas bilaterally and so wrapping the whole abdomen from flank to flank. The defect was stabilized by suturing the wound borders into the non-absorbable mesh. A week following the initial operation, the patient was surgically fit for discharge. This procedure allowed a complex abdominal wall reconstruction after full thickness tumor resection, avoiding a vascularised tissue transfer (pediculated graft) and its sequels, giving a good functional and cosmetic results.
Media-Based Social Work as a Modality for the Enhancement of Public Awareness of Violence against Women: A Comparative Analysis of Two Cases Covered by the Israeli Media during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ben-Shlomo Shirley , Levin-Keini Noga , Primor Shani 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Utilising framing theory and conceptual metaphor theory, the present study delves into how media can aid social workers in enhancing public awareness of social problems. A comparative content analysis was conducted, focusing on two Israeli cases involving the attempted murder of women by their partners during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Of the 570 reports analysed, 210 reports focused on the two cases of attempted murder of women by their partners. The first case received only episodic framing in contrast to the second case, which transitioned from episodic framing to thematic framing, leading to noteworthy social and legislative changes. Three transformative factors were identified as contributors to the shift in media coverage: the timing of the event; the willingness of the victim to be interviewed and the presence of a family member or professional accompanying the media story. This study also underscores the importance of understanding the metaphorical language employed by the media in influencing public awareness. On a practical level, the findings of the study offer insights into the essential elements of media-based social work that can foster the recognition of social problems and their prevention, complementing other social work interventions.
Does self-employment provide a bridge to retirement?
Authors: Hoogendoorn Brigitte , O’Hagan-Luff Martha , Ramezani Sanaz , van Stel André 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNon-employment including early retirement among individuals of older working age is a considerable concern. As life expectancies across the developed world continue to increase, individuals’ retirement savings often turn out to be inadequate. In policy circles, given the increasing old-age dependency ratio, self-employment is often seen as a potential route to extend the working lives of older labour force participants. By studying labour market switches of wage workers of 50 years and older, we investigate to what extent self-employment serves as a bridge to retirement. Using a longitudinal data base in European countries over the period 2005–2015, our findings suggest that although self-employment does serve as a bridge to retirement, this is much less likely to be the case for precarious wage workers—especially those with poor job prospects—than for wage workers at the higher end of the labour market, including those who are in good health and who have good job prospects in their current wage job. We also find that wage workers with precarious job conditions are more likely to switch into non-employment rather than into self-employment. Policy implications are discussed.
Feet on the Clouds, Head against the Ground: Antonio Cassese’s Militant Legal Idealism
Authors: Gradoni Lorenzo 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
This article examines Antonio Cassese’s profound engagement with international law through the lens of intellectual biography. Drawing from unexplored archival materials and early writings, it illuminates the evolution and nuances of Cassese’s international legal thought and practice before his rise to prominence as an architect of post-Cold War international criminal law, including his thinly disguised espousal of natural law thinking; his early defiance of the Italian school’s formalism, matched by an enduring attachment to it; his complicated attitude towards Marxism – a major intellectual force in Italy until the late 1970s – and his brief association with Third-Worldism. This article shows how Cassese’s formation within a school that emphasized the exclusively scientific character of legal scholarship inculcated in him a strong culture of expertise that he sought to exploit politically, reconnecting with a Euro-American reformist or ‘progressive’ tradition for which such expertise was instrumental to the realization of a grand design for world peace and justice.
Season, household registry and isolated birth defects: a population-based case-control study in Danyang, China
Authors: Miao Shuhan , Liu Liqun , Tang Yanlin , Ge Hongyan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
A birth population-based study was conducted in Danyang, Jiangsu Province, to evaluate major birth defects in emerging regions in China with similar maternal and neonatal care conditions.

Methods
We conducted a population-based study in a cohort of infants born in Danyang from 2014 to 2021, including 55 709 perinatal infants. Four categories of isolated birth defects were defined as cases: congenital heart defects (CHDs; n=2138), polydactyly (n=145), cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P; n=76) and accessory auricles (n=93). Infants with congenital malformations were identified by the Chinese Birth Defects Monitoring Network.

Results
Compared with autumn, conception in spring (OR=1.31 [1.16–1.48]) and winter (OR=1.39 [1.23–1.58]) was associated with an increased risk of CHD. Increased risk of CHD, CL/P and accessory auricles was significantly associated with non-local registered residence (OR=1.17 [1.07–1.28], OR=2.73 [1.52–4.88] and OR=2.11 [1.20–3.71], respectively). Individuals of Han nationality were less likely to have polydactyly (OR=0.23 [0.05–0.98]).

Conclusions
The season of pregnancy was significantly associated with CHDs. Offspring of mothers with non-local registered hometown had greater risks of CHDs, CL/P and accessory auricles.
Suppression of anthracnose disease by orsellinaldehyde isolated from the mushroom Coprinus comatus
Authors: Cabutaje Enrico M , Ueno Kotomi , dela Cruz Thomas Edison E , Ishihara Atsushi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Aims
Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species is one of the most devastating diseases of fruits and crops. We isolated and identified an antifungal compound from the mushroom Coprinus comatus and investigated its inhibitory potential against anthracnose disease-causing fungi with the goal of discovering natural products that can suppress anthracnose-caused plant disease.

Methods and results
The culture filtrate of C. comatus was subjected to a bioassay-guided isolation of antifungal compounds. The active compound was identified as orsellinaldehyde (2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzaldehyde) based on mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. Orsellinaldehyde displayed broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against different plant pathogenic fungi. Among the tested Colletotrichum species, it exhibited the lowest IC50 values on conidial germination and germ tube elongation of Colletotrichum orbiculare. The compound also showed remarkable inhibitory activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes. The staining of Colletotrichum conidia with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide demonstrated that the compound is fungicidal. The postharvest in-vivo detached fruit assay indicated that orsellinaldehyde suppressed anthracnose lesion symptoms on mango and cucumber fruits caused by C. gloeosporioides and C. orbiculare, respectively.

Conclusions
Orsellinaldehyde was identified as a potent antifungal compound from the culture filtrate of C. comatus. The inhibitory and fungicidal activities of orsellinaldehyde against different Colletotrichum species indicate its potential as a fungicide for protecting various fruits against anthracnose disease-causing fungi.
Imiglucerase, cholecalciferol, and bone-diet in skeletal health management of type I Gaucher disease patients: a pilot study and systematic review
Authors: Barbato Antonio , Vergatti Anita , Giaquinto Alfonso , Pizzulo Ilaria Libera , Perna Ludovica , Perruolo Giuseppe , Abate Veronica , Sibilio Michelina , Mainolfi Ciro , Soscia Ernesto , De Filippo Gianpaolo , Formisano Pietro , Galletti Ferruccio , Strazzullo Pasquale , Rendina Domenico 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Skeletal anomalies represent a characteristic feature of type 1 Gaucher disease (GD1). Here we evaluated the impact of an integrated therapy comprising enzyme-replacement therapy (ERT), cholecalciferol, and a normocalcemic-normocaloric-hyposodic diet (bone diet) on bone health in GD1 patients. We also performed a systematic review to compare our results with available data. From January 1, 2015 to February 28, 2019, all GD1 patients referred to Federico II University were enrolled and treated with the integrated therapy. Bone turnover markers and bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated at baseline (T0) and after 24 months (T24). We enrolled 25 GD1 patients, all showing 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels &lt; 50 nmol/l (hypovitaminosis D) at T0. Response to cholecalciferol treatment was effective, showing a direct relationship between 25OHD levels before and after treatment. At T0, 2 GD1 patients showed fragility fractures, 5 the Erlenmeyer flask deformity, 3 osteonecrosis, and 7 a BMD Z-score ≤ –2. Overall, GD1 patients with bone anomalies showed higher C-terminal telopeptide levels compared with those without bone anomalies. No new bone anomalies occurred during 2 years of follow-up. At T24, BMD remained stable across the entire study cohort, including in patients with bone anomalies. The systematic review showed that our study is the first that evaluated all bone health parameters. Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent in GD1 patients. The response to cholecalciferol treatment was effective but different to healthy subjects and in patients with metabolic bone disorders. Integrated therapy including ERT, cholecalciferol, and bone diet guarantees bone health.
Machine overstrain prediction for early detection and effective maintenance: A machine learning algorithm comparison
Authors: Mota Bruno , Faria Pedro , Ramos Carlos 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Machine stability and energy efficiency have become major issues in the manufacturing industry, primarily during the COVID-19 pandemic where fluctuations in supply and demand were common. As a result, Predictive Maintenance (PdM) has become more desirable, since predicting failures ahead of time allows to avoid downtime and improves stability and energy efficiency in machines. One type of machine failure stands out due to its impact, machine overstrain, which can occur when machines are used beyond their tolerable limit. From the current literature, there are little to no relevant works that focus on machine overstrain failure detection or prediction. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to implement and compare four Machine Learning (ML) algorithms for PdM applied to machine overstrain failures: Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Gradient Boosting, Random Forest and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Moreover, it proposes a training methodology for imbalanced data and the automatic optimization of hyperparameters, which aims to improve performance in the ML models. To evaluate the performance of the ML models, a synthetic dataset that simulates industrial machine data is used. The obtained results show the robustness of the proposed methodology, with the ANN and SVM models achieving a perfect recall score, with 98.95% and 98.85% in accuracy, respectively.
Enhancing buoy-based swinging energy harvesters through bat algorithm optimization: a comprehensive study
Authors: Chiu Min-Chie , Cheng Ho-Chih 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Due to the threat of greenhouse gas emissions on Earth's sustainability, low carbon with green energy is crucial. Ocean hydropower is inexhaustible, with wave energy being a feasible green energy source. Previous low-frequency domain wave energy capture mainly used linear piston-type electromagnetic induction generators. However, this method produced weak electrical energy. To address this, a novel wave power generation method is proposed. It involves setting up a raft-like float, which is pushed by waves. A spring and damping assembly for buffering is added between the float and a vertical rod. The spring and damping assembly connect to a rod element online, and through a rod and gear mechanism, convert the float's linear motion into oscillatory motion to drive a generator. A raft-style float for sufficient buoyancy and a rod and gear mechanism to convert linear motion into rotational motion, driving a generator is adopted to produce more significant electrical energy. This study adopts a Lagrangian energy method and complex variable functions to deal with a double-mass dynamic system. Additionally, using a surface sinusoidal wave with amplitude of 0.3 m and a frequency of 2 rad/s as an example, the study combines bat algorithms to optimize the energy harvester for maximum power generation. Consequently, simulations demonstrate a maximal electrical power output of 4470 watts. The applied force and moment on the gear to induce electrical power measure 19 000 N and 5700 N-m, respectively.
Cecal volvolus herniation through the Winslow Foramen: a case report and literature review of surgical management
Authors: Gramellini Marco , Solimene Folco , Menz Moritz , Hinterleitner Lorenz , Breitenstein Stefan , Kambakamba Patryk 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Both cecal volvolus and Winslow hernia are rare clinical presentations accounting for 1–1.5 and 0.08% of bowel obstructions. The combination of the two phenomena has been described so far in 13 case reports. Our patient underwent laparotomy with lesser Sac opening, manual hernia reduction, right hemicolectomy and partial Foramen closure with two simple stitches of PDS 4.0. Due to the scarcity of literature guidelines are not available, the intraoperative state of the tissues and the likelihood of a hernia recurrence play a decisive role in surgical management.