bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of testicular blood flow during testicular torsion surgery in children using the indocyanine green–guided near-infrared fluorescence imaging technique
Authors: Liu Xiaomeng , Xu Yi , Li Long , Bai Dongsheng 
Published: October 2023

ObjectiveThis study investigates the feasibility of the indocyanine green–guided near-infrared fluorescence (ICG-NIRF) imaging technique in evaluating testicular blood flow during testicular torsion (TT) surgery in pediatric cases.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the eight pediatric patients with TT who underwent surgery in our hospital between February and July 2023. The intraoperative two-step method of ICG-NIRF imaging and testicular incision was used to evaluate the testicular blood flow, followed by a selection of different surgical methods. The removed testes were pathologically examined after surgery, and all patients were followed up 1 month after surgery to evaluate testicular blood flow using gray-scale ultrasound and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI).ResultsEight pediatric TT patients aged 1–16 years, with a median age of 11.5 years, were enrolled. Time from the onset ranged from 4 to 72 h (mean 26.13 ± 25.09 h). A total of eight testes were twisted, including four on the left side and four on the right side. The twisting direction of the testes was clockwise in four cases and counterclockwise in four cases. The rotation of torsion was 180°–1,080° (mean 472.5° ± 396°). There was no statistically significant difference in the imaging time between the four patients with testicular blood vessel imaging on both the torsional and normal sides (P &gt; 0.05). The postoperative recovery was uneventful, with no complications during the follow-up period of 1 month. The postoperative histopathological results of three patients who underwent orchiectomy showed extensive hemorrhage, degeneration, and necrosis of the testicular tissue. Among the five patients who underwent orchiopexy, a gray-scale ultrasound and CDFI examinations showed uniform internal echo of the testes and normal blood flow signals in four patients. One patient with no testicular blood vessel imaging on the torsional side showed uneven internal echo of the testis and no blood flow signals.ConclusionICG-NIRF imaging is a feasible method to evaluate testicular blood flow during TT surgery. Testicular blood vessel imaging within 5 minutes after ICG injection might be the basis for testicular retention during TT surgery.
Cardiovascular risk of Janus kinase inhibitors compared with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis without underlying cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Song Yun-Kyoung , Lee Gaeun , Hwang Jinseub , Kim Ji-Won , Kwon Jin-Won 
Published: October 2023

Objectives: Despite the ethnic differences in cardiovascular (CV) risks and recent increase in the prescription of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, limited evidence is available for their CV outcomes in Asian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to compare the major adverse CV events (MACEs) of JAK inhibitors to those of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in Korean patients with RA without baseline CV disease (CVD).Methods: In a nationwide retrospective cohort study, patients newly diagnosed with RA without a history of CVD between 2013 and 2018 were identified using the National Health Insurance Service database. The cohort was followed up until the end of 2019 for the development of MACEs. Hazard ratios (HRs) for MACEs such as myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, or all-cause death, were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression in a propensity score-matched cohort.Results: In total, 4,230 matched patients with RA were included (846 JAK inhibitor users and 3,384 bDMARD users). The crude incidence rate (95% confidence intervals, CI) per 100 patient-years for MACEs was 0.83 (0.31–1.81) and 0.74 (0.53–1.02) in the JAK inhibitor and bDMARD groups, respectively. The risk of MACEs was not significantly different between JAK inhibitor and bDMARD users with an adjusted HR (95% CI) of 1.28 (0.53–3.11). There were no significant differences in the risk of MACEs between JAK inhibitors and bDMARDs in each subgroup according to the types of bDMARDs, age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index score, and comorbidities.Conclusion: Compared to bDMARDs, JAK inhibitors were not associated with the occurrence of MACEs in Korean patients with RA without a history of CVD.
Implementing competing risks in discrete event simulation: the event-specific probabilities and distributions approach
Authors: Franchini Fanny , Fedyashov Victor , IJzerman Maarten J. , Degeling Koen 
Published: October 2023

Background: Although several strategies for modelling competing events in discrete event simulation (DES) exist, a methodological gap for the event-specific probabilities and distributions (ESPD) approach when dealing with censored data remains. This study defines and illustrates the ESPD strategy for censored data.Methods: The ESPD approach assumes that events are generated through a two-step process. First, the type of event is selected according to some (unknown) mixture proportions. Next, the times of occurrence of the events are sampled from a corresponding survival distribution. Both of these steps can be modelled based on covariates. Performance was evaluated through a simulation study, considering sample size and levels of censoring. Additionally, an oncology-related case study was conducted to assess the ability to produce realistic results, and to demonstrate its implementation using both frequentist and Bayesian frameworks in R.Results: The simulation study showed good performance of the ESPD approach, with accuracy decreasing as sample sizes decreased and censoring levels increased. The average relative absolute error of the event probability (95%-confidence interval) ranged from 0.04 (0.00; 0.10) to 0.23 (0.01; 0.66) for 60% censoring and sample size 50, showing that increased censoring and decreased sample size resulted in lower accuracy. The approach yielded realistic results in the case study.Discussion: The ESPD approach can be used to model competing events in DES based on censored data. Further research is warranted to compare the approach to other modelling approaches for DES, and to evaluate its usefulness in estimating cumulative event incidences in a broader context.
A novel combined technology for treating hypertrophic scars: adipose tissue extract combined with fractional CO2 laser
Authors: Cai Yuan , Tian Jiao , Li Jianyi , Liu Xing , Li Fang , Zhang Lanfang , Xiao Shune , Jia Changsha , Deng Chengliang 
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Owing to the need for liposuction and its unsuitability for allogeneic transplantation, the clinical application of stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF-gel) combined with fractional CO2 laser for scar treatment is limited. Adipose tissue extract (ATE), rich in cytokines and growth factors, offers a more convenient option for clinical practice as it can be easily prepared using purely physical methods and has low immunogenicity. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ATE combined with fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of hypertrophic scars.Methods: ATE was prepared using discarded liposuction fluid from patients undergoing liposuction. A rabbit ear hypertrophic scar model was established and treated with ATE, fractional CO2 laser, or a combination. PBS was used as a control. The scar appearance and histological changes were observed. The immunohistochemistry method was used to evaluate the expression of α-SMA, while perilipin was detected using immunofluorescence. Additionally, the level of adipogenic signal C/EBPα and PPARγ mRNA was studied.Results: Following treatment, the volume of hypertrophic scar decreased, resulting in a softer texture and thinner dermis. Additionally, there was a decrease in the infiltration of inflammatory cells, and the collagen arrangement became looser and more regular, and the expression of α-SMA also decreased, with the combination of ATE and fractional laser showing the most significant improvement. Moreover, the combination group was found to promote subcutaneous fat regeneration and increase the expression of adipogenic signals C/EBPα and PPARγ.Conclusion: The combination of ATE and fractional CO2 laser treatment has been shown to inhibit the development of hypertrophic scars. This effect may be attributed to the enhancement of adipogenesis and decrease in collagen deposition.
Effects of topping and non-topping on growth-regulating hormones of flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)—a proteomic analysis
Authors: Gu Kaiyuan , Yang Li-E. , Ren Ke , Luo Xianxue , Qin Xiao , Op de Beeck Michiel , He Conglian , Jian Li , Chen Yi 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionUntil now, the mechanism underlying the impact of topping on hormone regulation in tobacco plants remains unclear, and most studies investigating the hormone signaling pathways in plants rely on genes or transcriptional pathways.MethodsThis study examines the regulatory mechanisms of hormones in the roots and leaves of tobacco plants with and without topping at the protein level.ResultsThe results demonstrate that, compared with non-topped plants, topping leads to a decrease in the levels of IAA (auxin), ABA (abscisic acid), and GA (gibberellin) hormones in the leaves, whereas the content of the JA (jasmonic acid) hormone increases. Furthermore, in the roots, topping results in an increase in the levels of IAA, ABA, and JA hormones, along with a decrease in GA content. In the leaves, a total of 258 significantly different proteins were identified before and after topping, with 128 proteins upregulated and 130 proteins downregulated. In the roots, there were 439 proteins with significantly different quantities before and after topping, consisting of 211 upregulated proteins and 228 downregulated proteins. Notably, these proteins were closely associated with the metabolic and biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites, as indicated by functional categorization.ConclusionsWhen integrating the hormone changes and the proteomics results, it is evident that topping leads to increased metabolic activity and enhanced hormone synthesis in the root system. This research provides a theoretical foundation for further investigations into the regulation and signaling mechanisms of hormones at the protein level before and after topping in plants.
Better than expected? Predictors of coping with expectation violations in the communication about death and dying
Authors: Bendel Yannik , Gesualdo Chrys , Pinquart Martin , von Blanckenburg Pia 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundEnd-of-life (EOL) communication is often avoided, especially among young adults. Negative expectations concerning EOL conversations with relatives or significant others are one major reason.ObjectiveTo investigate how best to violate negative expectations concerning EOL conversations by identifying predictors of coping with expectation violations in this context.MethodsVignettes describing expectation violations in the context of EOL communication were presented to a sample of 261 university students. In a first experiment, the credibility of the expectation-disconfirming information was manipulated. In a second experiment, the valence of the disconfirming evidence was manipulated. As outcome measures, the subjective likelihood of two different responses to the expectation violation was assessed: (1) ignoring the disconfirming evidence (immunization) and (2) changing expectations (accommodation).ResultsOverall, participants experiencing a worse-than-expected event showed more immunization [F(1, 257) = 12.15, p &lt; 0.001, ηp = 0.05], while participants experiencing a better-than-expected event showed more accommodation [F(1, 257) = 30.98, p &lt; 0.001, ηp = 0.11]. Participants with higher fear of death [F(1, 257) = 12.24, p &lt; 0.001, ηp = 0.05] as well as higher death avoidance tendencies [F(1, 257) = 17.16, p &lt; 0.001, ηp = 0.06] showed less accommodation in response to a better-than-expected event.ConclusionIn general, young adults appear to update their expectations quickly in response to unexpectedly positive experiences in the context of EOL communication. However, individuals with higher fear of death and higher death avoidance tendencies appear to be at higher risk of maintaining negative expectations despite disconfirming evidence.
COVID-19 knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices among government and private bank workers in Ethiopia
Authors: Hassen Seada , Adane Metadel 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundBank workers are among the many service-sector employees who are at risk of COVID-19 infection. Individual’s adherence to control measures is affected by their COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). Since KAP is an important cognitive key in public health prevention and promotion, this study aimed to identify COVID-19 KAP-related gaps among bank workers in Dessie City, Ethiopia and to guide banks and health authorities in taking corrective actions.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1st to 30th, 2021 among 413 bank workers. A binary logistic regression was applied to determine association of independent variables with outcome variables using three different models. Variables at 95% confidence interval (CI) with a p &lt; 0.25 from bivariate analysis were transported to three different multivariable logistic regression models and then variables with a p-value of 0.05 from the multivariable analysis of each model were declared as significantly associated with the outcome variables.ResultsThe results of this study show that 84.7% [95% CI: 81.1–88.1] of bank workers had good knowledge, 50.4% positive attitude, and 50.6% [95% CI: 45.8–55.0] good practice towards prevention of COVID-19. The only variable significantly associated with knowledge in this study was positive attitude (AOR = 8.89; 95%CI: 3.34–23.64). Being ≥35 years old (AOR = 2.46; 95%CI: 1.25–4.84) and getting information on COVID-19 (AOR = 3.81; 95%CI: 1.84–7.91) were among factors significantly associated with attitude towards COVID-19 prevention, whereas being female and ≥ 35 years old (AOR = 2.56; 95%CI: 1.29–5.06) and (AOR = 2.73; 95% CI: 1.15–6.51), respectively were factors associated with good preventive practice towards COVID-19.Conclusion and recommendationConsidering those significant factors responsible for determining COVID-19 KAP level of respondents, health education program and information dissemination are recommended, including appropriate strategies by policy makers and bank managers to develop effective interventions for COVID-19 transmission in banks.
Perceptions of Chinese hospital leaders on joint commission international accreditation: a qualitative study
Authors: Zhang HongFan , Huang Siou-Tang , Bittle Mark J. , Engineer Lilly , Chiu Herng-Chia 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundJoint Commission International (JCI) accreditation plays a significant role in improving the quality of care and patient safety worldwide. Hospital leadership is critical in making international accreditation happen with successful implementation. Little is known about how Chinese hospital leaders experienced and perceived the impact of JCI accreditation. This paper is the first study to explore the perceptions of hospital leaders toward JCI accreditation in China.MethodsQualitative semi-structured interviews were used to explore the perceptions of the chief operating officers, the chief medical officers, and the chief quality officers in five JCI-accredited hospitals in China. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts and identify the main themes.ResultsFifteen hospital leaders participated in the interviews. Three themes emerged from the analysis, namely the motivations, challenges, and benefits related to pursuing and implementing JCI accreditation. The qualitative study found that eight factors influenced hospital leadership to pursue JCI accreditation, five challenges were identified with implementing JCI standards, and eight benefits emerged from the leadership perspective.ConclusionPursuing JCI accreditation is a discretionary decision by the hospital leadership. Participants were motivated by prevalent perceptions that JCI requirements would be used as a management tool to improve the quality of care and patient safety in their hospitals. These same organizational leaders identified challenges associated with implementing and sustaining JCI accreditation. The significant challenges were a clear understanding of the foreign accreditation standards, making staff actively participate in JCI processes, and changing staff behaviors accordingly. The top 5 perceived benefits to JCI accreditation from the leaders’ perspective were improved leadership and hospital safety, improvements in the care processes, and the quality of care and the learning culture improved. Other perceived benefits include enhanced reputation, better cost containment, and a sense of pride in the staff in JCI-accredited hospitals.
Overexpression of ZmSTOP1-A Enhances Aluminum Tolerance in Arabidopsis by Stimulating Organic Acid Secretion and Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging
Authors: Liu Chan , Hu Xiaoqi , Zang Lei , Liu Xiaofeng , Wei Yuhui , Wang Xue , Jin Xinwu , Du Chengfeng , Yu Yan , He Wenzhu , Zhang Suzhi 
Published: October 2023

Aluminum (Al) toxicity and low pH are major factors limiting plant growth in acidic soils. Sensitive to Proton Rhizotoxicity 1 (STOP1) transcription factors respond to these stresses by regulating the expression of multiple Al- or low pH-responsive genes. ZmSTOP1-A, a STOP1-like protein from maize (Zea mays), was localized to the nucleus and showed transactivation activity. ZmSTOP1-A was expressed moderately in both roots and shoots of maize seedlings, but was not induced by Al stress or low pH. Overexpression of ZmSTOP1-A in Arabidopsis Atstop1 mutant partially restored Al tolerance and improved low pH tolerance with respect to root growth. Regarding Al tolerance, ZmSTOP1-A/Atstop1 plants showed clear upregulation of organic acid transporter genes, leading to increased organic acid secretion and reduced Al accumulation in roots. In addition, the antioxidant enzyme activity in roots and shoots of ZmSTOP1-A/Atstop1 plants was significantly enhanced, ultimately alleviating Al toxicity via scavenging reactive oxygen species. Similarly, ZmSTOP1-A could directly activate ZmMATE1 expression in maize, positively correlated with the number of Al-responsive GGNVS cis-elements in the ZmMATE1 promoter. Our results reveal that ZmSTOP1-A is an important transcription factor conferring Al tolerance by enhancing organic acid secretion and reactive oxygen species scavenging in Arabidopsis.
EMC of Inductive Automotive Charging Systems According to Standard SAE J2954
Authors: Sulejmani Emir , Beltle Michael , Tenbohlen Stefan 
Published: October 2023

To increase the acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs), inductive charging technology can be an important tool because of the simplified charging process for the user. This paper presents the fundamentals of wireless power transfer (WPT) for EVs, while focusing on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). This work deals with the investigation of the conducted and field-bound interference emissions using a WPT system with a max. input power of 3.6 kW. During the research, a new frequency-tracking algorithm is developed, to find the optimal operating frequency at any coil misalignment. The impedance behavior as well as the possible interference paths are investigated, showing the great geometric influence of the test bench setup. The conducted interference currents are analyzed and subsequently filtered. The filter shows good performance in attenuating common mode currents. The measured radiated magnetic field is directly rated against the proposed limits of various standards. Finally, the EMC influence of the direct current (DC) power supply line to the inverter is examined, which is not defined precisely in the standard. This underlines the significance of a standardized test setup, since the limit values can be met under different geometric circumstances of the DC cable.
En regardant l'école avec des yeux gitans
Authors: García Pastor Begoña 
Published: October 2023

Le désir d’apprendre comment sont éduqués et comment se construisent les enfants gitans, dans et en dehors de leur groupe socioculturel d’appartenance, m’a conduite à partager pendant 18 mois leur vie quotidienne. Après les 8 premiers mois, je suis entrée comme ethnographe dans l’école du quartier, pour une année scolaire complète, avec le projet d’observer, d’analyser et de comprendre comment le système éducatif participe au processus de scolarisation des enfants gitans et dans quelle mesure l’expérience de scolarisation peut influer sur la construction de leur identité.
La nudité en partage
Authors: Mons Alain 
Published: October 2023

Dans la civilisation chrétienne, le péché c’est la nudité, du moins lorsqu’elle a perdu son innocence et est entachée de désir. Car la nudité, avec ses pratiques et représentations, est le lieu d’un trouble profond entre la nature et la culture. Cependant, de multiples stratégies, ou «techniques du corps» pour parler comme Marcel Mauss, permettent d’échapper à de telles culpabilité et détermination. En effet, quoi de plus naturel que le corps nu, mais quoi de plus marqué culturellement que l’état de nudité ?
Enseigner les mathématiques en ZEP – Analyse de pratiques de professeurs débutants
Authors: Butlen Denis , Pézard Monique , Masselot Pascale 
Published: October 2023

Cet article présente une partie des résultats de travaux de recherche relatifs aux pratiques de professeurs des écoles débutants enseignant les mathématiques en ZEP. Ils éclairent la manière dont se construisent la cohérence et la cohésion des pratiques des enseignants débutants et permettent d''identifier des déterminants conduisant ces enseignants à s'inscrire dans un « genre » de pratique. Il s'agit d''étudier comment des facteurs sociologiques interviennent sur les pratiques et dans quelle mesure ces pratiques peuvent être à leur tour source de différenciation dans les apprentissages des élèves.
Se faire un corps et faire corps – Les pratiques sportives adolescentes
Authors: Bourgain Anne 
Published: October 2023

Le sport n’est jamais magique et nécessite un accompagnement individualisé, un travail de terrain au quotidien, un engagement militant. Il fonctionne si le désir est au rendez-vous et non sur prescription, à coups d’efforts visant à rendre l’autre sportif. Toute tentative de récupération idéologique est très vite déjouée sur le terrain. La croyance dans les valeurs pures de l’olympisme entretenant l’illusion d’une insertion facile par le sport justifie, parfois à peu de frais, des politiques d’intégration qui ne se donnent pas toujours les moyens de réalisation de leurs idéaux et notamment les outils de réflexion pour un travail de fond, comme l’a montré Patrick Mignon. Quel rapport y a-t-il entre ces pratiques de performance – toujours individuelles même dans les sports d’équipe – et ce qu’on peut voir ou ressentir, dans les quartiers, les rues, des pratiques adolescentes ?
À propos de la « réussite éducative » : le Réel comme impossible à éduquer
Authors: Sciara Louis 
Published: October 2023

La toute meilleure méthode éducative, quand bien même éclairée par les concepts psychanalytiques les plus adaptés, n’aboutit jamais à la réussite éducative supposée. Il y a toujours un hiatus du fait d’un impossible à maîtriser dans la relation qui se noue entre un jeune et son éducateur, cela relève de liens transférentiels complexes dont la dimension inconsciente échappe. Cela a amené Lacan à préciser ce qui relève de l’impossible, à savoir le Réel que les signifiants tendent à symboliser, sans jamais y parvenir. Il y a en effet du reste, du manque qui tient au Réel même, ce qui a fait dire à Lacan que « le Réel, c’est ce qui ne cesse pas de ne pas s’écrire ».