bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TOWARDS PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTED NONUNION OF FEMUR OR TIBIA WITH TARGETED PROTEOMICS IN BLOOD PLASMA
Authors: Weisemann Ferdinand , Siverino Claudia , Trenkwalder Katharina , Heider Anja , Moriarty Fintan , Hackl Simon 
Published: November 2023

AimDifferentiation of infected (INF) nonunion from aseptic (AS) nonunion is crucial for the choice of intra- and postoperative treatment. Preoperative diagnosis of infected nonunion is challenging, especially in case of low-grade infection lacking clinical signs of infection. Standard blood markers such as C-reactive protein or leucocyte count do not aid in preoperative diagnosis. Proteomic profiling has shown promising results for differentiation of numerous chronic disease states, and in this study was applied to preoperative blood samples of patients with nonunion in an attempt to identify potential biomarkers.MethodThis prospective multicenter study enrolled patients undergoing revision surgery of femur or tibia nonunion. Patients with implant removal after regular fracture healing (HEAL) were included as a control-group. Preoperative blood samples, intraoperative tissue samples, sonication of osteosynthesis material and 1-year-follow-up questionnaire were taken. Nonunion patients were grouped into INF or AS after assessing bacterial culture and histopathology of retrieved samples. Diagnosis of infection followed the fracture related infection consensus group criteria, with additional consideration of healing one year after revision surgery. Targeted proteomics was used to investigate a predefined panel of 45 cytokines in preoperative blood samples. Statistical differences were calculated with Kruskal Wallis and Dunn's post hoc test. Cytokines with less than 80% of samples being above the lower limit of detection range (LLDR) were excluded for this study.ResultsWe recruited 62 AS, 43 INF and 32 HEAL patients. Patients in the two nonunion groups (INF and AS) did not differ concerning smoking, diabetes or initial open or closed fracture. Thirty-two cytokines were above LLDR in >80% of patients. INF patients showed a significant difference in expression of 8 cytokines compared to AS, with greatest differences observed for Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor 1 (MCSF-1) and Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) (p<0.01). In comparing AS with HEAL patients, 9 cytokines displayed significant differences, including interleukin (IL)-6, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA), Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1). Comparison of INF with HEAL patients revealed significantly different expression of 20 cytokines, including. IL-6, IL-18, VEGFA or MMP-1.ConclusionsOur study revealed differences in plasma cytokine profile of blood samples from INF and AS patients. Although no single biomarker is sufficient to differentiate these patients preoperatively in isolation, future multivariant analysis of this cytokine data in combination with clinical characteristics may provide valuable diagnostic insights.Funded by German Social Accident Insurance (FF-FR 0276) and AO Trauma (AR2021_04).
DAIR TO STOP: SUPPRESSIVE ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT AFTER 12 WEEKS OF THERAPY IS NOT BENEFICIAL FOR ACUTE PERIPROSTHETIC JOINT INFECTIONS
Authors: Tai Geno , Tande Aaron , Langworthy Benjamin , Have Bas Ten , Jutte Paul , Zijlstra Wierd , Soriano Alex , Wouthuyzen-Bakker Marjan 
Published: November 2023

AimDebridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) is a viable treatment option for acute periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). The landmark DATIPO trial of Bernard et al. concluded that six weeks is not non-inferior to 12-week antibiotic therapy for DAIR. However, it is unknown if suppressive antibiotic treatment (SAT) would improve patient outcomes. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the utility of SAT after 12 weeks of therapy.MethodWe performed a retrospective study of patients with acute hip or knee PJI managed with DAIR at five institutions; in the U.S. (n=1), Netherlands (n=3), and Spain (n=1) from 2005–2020. We analyzed the effect of SAT using a Cox model among patients after 12 weeks of antibiotic treatment. The primary covariate of interest was whether the patient was on antibiotics after week 12, which was coded as a time-varying covariate. We decided a-priori to control for the clinically important risk factors such as age, sex, type of infection, modular exchange, joint, and presence of bacteremia and Staphylococcus aureus. We excluded patients who died, had treatment failure, or were lost to follow-up before 12 weeks. We defined treatment failure as infection recurrence (same or different organism), unexpected reoperation, or death due to infection.ResultsThere were 504 patients included in the study. The majority were female (58%, n=292), with a mean age of 70 years ago (SD 11). Hips and knees were equally proportioned. Primary arthroplasties represented 69% of the total cohort (n=349). Treatment failure was 11.9% in the total cohort (n=60). There was no statistically significant association between SAT after 12 weeks and treatment failure (HR 1.25, p=0.45, 95% CI 0.70–2.24). This finding was consistent across different subgroups, including hip or knee joints, early or late acute infections, cohort, and a subgroup of knee joints after 180 days.ConclusionsSAT after 12 weeks of antibiotic treatment for acute PJI managed with DAIR does not appear to improve patient outcomes.
BIOFILM OF CUTIBACTERIUM ACNES: TARGET OF DIFFERENT ACTIVE SUBSTANCES
Authors: d'Epenoux Louise Ruffier , Fayoux Erwan , Veziers Joelle , Dagnelie Marie-Ange , Khamari Amir , Deno Brigitte , Corvec Stephane 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundAlthough described as a commensal bacterium with low pathogenicity, Cutibacterium acnes involvement has been reported in many clinical entities: infections associated with devices, such as shoulder prosthetic joint infections, osteosynthesis, breast implants or cerebrospinal fluid shunts. Various studies show that C. acnes grows as a biofilm, contributing to its persistence by allowing its escape from the action of the immune system and antibiotics.PurposeOur aim was to assess the activity of different active substances (erythromycin, clindamycin, doxycycline and Myrtacine®) on eight different well-characterized C. acnes strains after growth in biofilm mode.MethodsEight susceptible strains of C. acnes were selected for this study, including two reference strains (ATCC6919 and ATCC11827) and six clinical strains. All C. acnes strains were studied using two different methods to study the biofilm production at different time points: the BioFilm Ring Test® technique (early stages of adhesion) and the Crystal Violet (CV) method (mature biofilm). In a second step, the impact of different active substances (erythromycin, clindamycin, doxycycline and Myrtacine®) was studied. For the CV technique, two types of tests were performed: preventive tests (addition of active substances and bacteria at the same time) and curative challenge tests (addition of active substances on a biofilm already formed after 48h). Transmission electron microscopy was performed to investigate the morphology modifications.ResultsC. acnes isolates from phylotypes IA1 and IA2, seem to produce more mature biofilm in the first stages of adhesion than other phylotypes. Curative assays were performed to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotics and Myrtacine® on mature biofilm. Significant efficacy of Myrtacine® at 0.03% was observed for C. acnes strains. Moreover, the combination of Myrtacine® and doxycycline appears to decrease the total biofilm biomass. The effect of doxycycline as a preventive measure was minimal. On the contrary, a similar use of Myrtacine® as early as 0.001% showed significant efficacy with a significant decrease in total biofilm biomass for all C. acnes strains. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a significantly decreased biofilm growth in treated bacteria with Myrtacine® compared to untreated bacteria. Moreover, the total number of bacteria decreased as the concentration of Myrtacine® increased suggesting also an antimicrobial effect.ConclusionThese results confirm the difference in biofilm producing ability depending on C. acnes phylotypes. These results suggest that Myrtacine® may be a promising alternative antibacterial and anti-biofilm agent like peroxide de benzoyle to prevent shoulder prosthetic joint infection involving planktonic and biofilm C. acnes.
MENTAL HEALTH AND EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPAIRMENT IN PATIENTS WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL INFECTIONS
Authors: Wetzel Katinka , Mueller Annabell , Mathys Mandy , Morgenstern Mario , Clauss Martin 
Published: November 2023

AimMusculoskeletal infection is a serious complication, however literature is lacking prospective data on its impact on mental health. The study aimed to assess mental health in patients with musculoskeletal infections and how they experience the possible mental and physical impairment.MethodAll patients treated in our unit for musculoskeletal infections between July 2020 and March 2022 were prospectively included. To assess specific patient reported outcomes the following questionnaires were used: World-Health-Organization Quality-Of-Life (WHOQOL)-BREF and the Veterans-RAND-12Item Health Survey (VR-12) for mental & physical health; Patient-Health-Questionnaire (PHQ-8) for depression symptoms; Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder-Scale-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety symptoms and Somatic-Symptom-Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) for experience of mental & physical impairment. The surveys were conducted at baseline, 6 and 12-weeks and 1-year.ResultsIn total 199 patients were included (31 fracture-related infections, 80 prosthetic joint infections, 40 diabetic foot syndromes and 48 other musculoskeletal infections).Physical health was significantly worse 6 weeks after treatment compared to baseline (WHOQOL p=.002; VR-12 p<.001), but significantly better at 3-months (p<.001; p=.006) and 12-months (p=.003; p<.001). Mental health was significantly worse at 3-months (WHOQOL p=.002), but at final follow-up significantly better (VR-12 p=.046). Social relationships (domain of WHOQOL) were perceived significantly worse 6 weeks and 12 months after treatment initiation (p=.003; p=.007), as were environmental factors.At baseline moderate to severe depression symptoms (PHQ-8≥10) and moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (GAD-7≥10) were observed in 14.6%, respectively 10.6% of all patients. At 12-months these were 7.4% and 3%.Over the course of treatment, only patients with DFS showed a significant change in experienced psychological or physical impairment, which was perceived significantly less compared 6 weeks to 12 months (p=.042).ConclusionsPatients with musculoskeletal infections suffer from a considerable impact on their mental health. The greatest impairment in physical health was seen 6 weeks after beginning of treatment. The psychological well-being was worse at 3-months. Environmental factors, such as mobility, activities of daily living and dependence on medication or medical treatment were worst at 3-months. Also increasingly worse social relationships over the course of treatment was observed.Further studies are needed to identify psychological impairment and related factors, as well as to determine how patients cope with their disease and treatment. This could serve as a foundation to implement treatment algorithms in order to improve patient related outcome and quality of life.
Nrf3 alleviates oxidative stress and promotes the survival of colon cancer cells by activating AKT/BCL-2 signal pathway
Authors: Cai Bi-Qing , Chen Wan-Meng , Chen Meng-Wei , Chen Ya-Hui , Tang Jian-Cai 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Oxidative stress is closely linked to tumor initiation and development, conferring a survival advantage to cancer cells. Therefore, understanding cancer cells’ antioxidant molecular mechanisms is crucial to cancer therapy. In this study, we discovered that H2O2-induced oxidative stress increased Nrf3 expression in colon cancer cells. Overexpression of Nrf3 decreased H2O2-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Furthermore, Nrf3 reduced reactive oxygen species levels and malondialdehyde concentrations after H2O2 treatment. Mechanistically, H2O2-mediated cell apoptosis involves multiple signaling proteins, including Akt, bcl-2, JNK, and p38. An increase in Nrf3 expression in colon cancer cells treated with H2O2 partly reversed Akt/Bcl-2 inhibition, whereas it decreased activation of p38 and JNK. In addition, we found that increasing Nrf3 decreased stress-associated chemical-induced cell death, resulting in drug resistance. According to these results, Nrf3 is critical for drug resistance and oxidant adaptation.
Utilization of computational methods for the identification of new natural inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase in inflammation therapy
Authors: Alzain Abdulrahim A. , Elbadwi Fatima A. , Al-Karmalawy Ahmed A. , Elhag Rashid , Osman Wadah , Mothana Ramzi A. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) plays a crucial role in causing tissue damage in various chronic and inflammatory disorders, making it a target for treating inflammatory diseases. While some inhibitors of HNE’s activity have been identified, only a few have made it to clinical trials. In this study, computational methods were employed to identify potential natural products (NPs) capable of targeting the active site of HNE. The protein–ligand complex has been used to generate a pharmacophore model. A library of 449,008 NPs from the SN3 database was screened against the generated model, resulting in 29,613 NPs that matched the pharmacophore hypothesis. These compounds were docked into the protein active site, resulting in the identification of six promising NPs with better docking scores than the bound ligand to HNE. The top two NPs (SN0338951 and SN0436937) were further evaluated for their interaction stability with HNE through molecular dynamics simulations. Further, the pharmacokinetics and toxicity properties of these compounds were predicted. The results indicated that these two compounds have stable interactions with HNE, as well as, acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. These findings pave the path for further in vitro and in vivo studies of SN0338951 and SN0436937 as promising agents against inflammatory diseases.
A Non-Human Theory of Rights from Latin America
Authors: Gonzalez Chacon Christian 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This paper contributes to the ongoing construction of non-human rights. I will argue that international law should move towards the recognition of animals and nature as subjects of rights (positive and negative). I will propose to combine two paths that show ways out of the anthropocentrism of international human rights law. The first is the capabilities approach of Martha Nussbaum that, while remaining indebted to Rawlsian liberalism, can provide a framework for the protection of non-humans in human rights practice through an understanding of rights as basic capabilities to flourish. The second path is the Earth Constitutionalism and jurisprudence in Latin America. Heavily influenced by indigenous legal philosophies, Latin American jurisprudence highlights ways in which we could move beyond the thin social goods of liberalism and promote human rights as a harmonizer force that protects nature as having worth by itself. These approaches combined pave the way for a postliberal approach to rights in which we move from the rationality-autonomy-freedom justification of rights towards a capabilities-harmony-sustainability approach to rights.
Anticorruption, Privacy, and (Gay) Family – The CJEU Rules on Financial Disclosure of Public Officials (C-184/20)
Authors: Hoppe Tilman 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The recent corruption scandal in Brussels has put the spotlight back on integrity measures for public officials. The obligation of public officials to publicly disclose their finances and interests is one important cornerstone in this regard. This disclosure obligation exists in most European Union Member States and also on the level of the European Union itself. A new decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union of August 2022 props up financial disclosure with legal certainty. At the same time, it draws some technical limits on the outer borders of particularly far-reaching disclosure systems. This case note explores answers to the following three questions: What are the ramifications of this decision? Will the decision affect the effectiveness of financial disclosure? What reform steps will countries have to put in place to comply with this decision?
Self-perceived competence and its related factors in nursing students at graduation: the role of self-efficacy
Authors: Ayik Cahide , Akyol Merve Aliye 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to investigate the level of perceived competence and explore the predictors of competence in nursing students at graduation.

Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted with students at the point of graduation (n=239). A sociodemographic form and three different scales assessing students’ competence, self-efficacy, and self-reflection and insight were used to collect data. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess students’ satisfaction (i.e., the role as nursing students in the nursing program), job-related stress (i.e., perceived stress related to nursing program), and coping behaviors. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical linear regression.

Results
The mean scores of perceived competence, self-reflection, insight, and self-efficacy were 5.25 ± 0.96 (range: 1–7), 54.51 ± 7.83 (range: 12–96), 33.36 ± 5.40 (range: 8–48), 84.13 ± 12.27 (range: 0–100), respectively. Self-efficacy was the most significant associated factor of the entire group of variables in competence.

Conclusions
Scores of perceived competence of students were optimistic. Self-efficacy was the most important factor affecting competence; that is, the greater the self-efficacy, the better the perceived competence.
About a dubious proof of a correct result about closed Newton Cotes error formulas
Authors: López David J. , Padilla Jose A. , Ruiz Juan , Tapia Carlos , Trillo Juan C. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In this study, we comment about a wrong proof, at least incomplete, of the closed Newton Cotes error formulas for integration in a closed interval

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These error formulas appear as an intuitive generalization of the simple proof for the error formula of the trapezoidal rule, and their proofs present one controversial step, which converts the proofs in mischievous, or at least, this step needs a clear clarification that it is not easy to derive. The correct proof of such formulas comes from a technique based on the Peano kernel.
Pack-boriding of Sleipner steel: microstructure analysis and kinetics modeling
Authors: Orihel Peter , Ptačinová Jana , Gogola Peter , Keddam Mourad , Jurči Peter 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In this research work, we subjected the Sleipner steel to pack-boronizing within the temperature range of 1173–1323 K, lasting from 1 to 10 h. Our study involved assessing the steel’s microstructure by examining interphase morphology and measuring the layers’ thicknesses through scanning electron microscopy. To determine the phase composition of the boronized layers, we employed X-ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, we investigated the redistribution of certain elements during the boronizing process using EDS mapping and EDS point analysis. The boride layers were found to consist of FeB and Fe2B phases. We conducted microhardness testing using the Vickers method on the diffusion zone, Fe2B, and FeB. Lastly, we utilized a diffusion model to evaluate the activation energies of boron in FeB and Fe2B, and we presented the results in terms of activation energies.
Computational analysis of reconstructing current and sag of three-phase overhead line based on the TMR sensor array
Authors: Si Wenrong , Shou Yiru , Ju Dengfeng , Deng Hui , Qian Sen , Gu Yingjie , Yang Jian 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The development of overhead lines has met the electricity demand of the rapidly developing society. However, the large-scale installation of overhead lines and the natural environmental differences in different regions increase the complexity of the real-time management of the lines. To improve the efficiency of line management, this article constructs a theoretical and simplified electromagnetic field model of 500 kV three-phase overhead lines and studies the method of monitoring the current-sag state of the lines based on analyzing the distribution of magnetic field intensity under the three-phase overhead lines. Moreover, the placement of the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor array was analyzed, and the current and sag reconstruction algorithm of the line was further proposed. The calculation results show that the simplified magnetic field model is accurate in most areas under the overhead line. The comparison of condition number and sensor position sensitivity value on sensor placement evaluation shows that the sensor position sensitivity value is more comprehensive, and it is recommended to use dual-axis TMR magnetic sensors. The relative error of the line sag calculated by the proposed TMR sensor array and algorithm is less than 3% and 4% for balanced and unbalanced three-phase line currents, respectively.
Rereading Authorship at Saint-Urbain, Troyes
Authors: Olympios Michalis 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Since the 1950s, the papal collegiate church of Saint-Urbain at Troyes has been viewed as the product of two visually distinct building campaigns headed by different architects, the first exemplifying mid-thirteenth-century French Rayonnant architecture and the second embodying or presaging late medieval Flamboyant aesthetics. The present article challenges this narrative of linear progression by reexamining the architecture of the building’s little-studied west front and exploiting largely unpublished archival testimony. It attempts to demonstrate that matching specific sets of forms to (undocumented) individual architects is not as straightforward as hitherto thought, and that the choice of visual language was ultimately predicated as much on funding as on patronal intentions. In so doing, it updates the narrative of Saint-Urbain’s creation to comply with current scholarly conceptions about the material imprint of the artistic personalities of medieval architects.
Pluralität der Zeiten: Über Erinnerung, Zeit und Geschichte im Werk von Charles Simonds
Authors: Molderings Herbert 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In the 1970s, American sculptor Charles Simonds created more than a hundred miniature settlements (Dwellings), reminiscent of the architectures of the ancient Puebloans of the American Southwest, in the dilapidated streets of SoHo and Manhattan’s Lower East Side. These Dwellings until now have been discussed exclusively in the context of Land Art and Process Art. This essay offers an alternative perspective by focusing on their character as ephemeral “sites of memory” and on the new concepts of time and history which lie at their roots. Based on the principle of pluri-temporality in history, they share remarkable similarities with concepts of time in critical anthropology and philosophy, namely Johannes Fabian’s critique of “the denial of coevalness” to ethnographic Others and the concept of “folded time” as put forth by Michel Serres.