bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Negotiating the necessity of biomedical animal use through relations with vulnerability
Authors: McGlacken Renelle 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn the UK, claims are often made that public support for animal research is stronger when such use is categorised as for medical purposes. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of writing from the Mass Observation Project, a national writing project documenting everyday life in Britain, this paper suggests that the necessity of using animals for medical research is not a given but understood relationally through interactions with inherent vulnerability. This paper stresses the ubiquity of ambivalence towards uses of animals for medical research, complicating what is meant by claims that such use is ‘acceptable’, and suggests that science-society dialogues on animal research should accommodate different modes of thinking about health. In demonstrating how understandings of health are bound up with ethical obligations to care for both human and non-human others, this paper reinforces the importance of interspecies relations in health and illness and in the socio-ethical dimensions of biomedicine.
Shortfalls of deliberative democracy in Georgia: the analysis of the General Assembly of a Settlement
Authors: Sultanishvili Tengiz 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT
This study analyzes the reasons for citizens’ refusal to participate in public deliberation through the Georgian mechanism of the General Assembly of a Settlement (GAofS) in the remote communities of Georgia. This paper draws on the existing academic literature on effective deliberation processes and reasons behind the public's disengagement from them to explain Georgian public's withdrawal from the deliberation processes. By applying the analytical framework on effective deliberation and logic of non-participation, this article uses the case study approach and qualitative research methods to show how façade deliberation processes cause public disenchantment with engagement in local decision-making processes and reinforce the public image of civic participation mechanisms as pointless efforts.
A review of the dynamic analysis and free vibration analysis on fiber metal laminates (FMLs)
Authors: Ma Quanjin , Merzuki M N M , Rejab M R M , Sani M S M , Zhang Bo 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
It is a challenging target to improve the dynamic analysis and free vibration analysis of fiber metal laminates (FMLs) while providing great promise as lightweight structural components. FMLs have attracted increasing research interest in various multi-stack FML components to enlarge industrial applications. This review paper concentrates on the free vibration analysis of FMLs, which mainly refers to dynamic analysis, macro mechanical and micro mechanical approaches, and temperature effects. The available types of experimental vibration methods on FMLs are described. Moreover, dynamic analysis of FMLs is mainly reviewed in recent studies of FMLs on the macro mechanical and micromechanical scale aspects, and the temperature effect is also studied. Furthermore, several classical theoretical equations of different FMLs on free vibration analysis are summarized. In addition, optimization studies on FMLs under dynamic analysis are further discussed.
Targeting Left Ventricular Mechanics In Patients With Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma: An Updated Meta-analysis
Authors: Cuspidi Cesare , Gherbesi Elisa , Faggiano Andrea , Sala Carla , Carugo Stefano , Grassi Guido , Tadic Marijana 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Numerous studies targeting left ventricular (LV) systolic function by measuring LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) either failed to reveal any impairment of this parameter or found a super-normal systolic function compared to essential hypertensives or normotensive controls. To provide an updated piece of information on LV systolic dysfunction in the PPGL setting, we performed a meta-analysis of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) studies investigating LV mechanics via global longitudinal strain (GLS), a more sensitive index of LV systolic function than LVEF.

Methods
A computerized search was performed using PubMed, OVID, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases from inception until September 30, 2022. Full articles reporting data on LV GLS and LVEF in patients with PPGL and controls were considered suitable.

Results
A total of 252 patients with PPGL and 187 controls were included in 6 studies. LV GLS was worse in the pooled PPGL group than in the control group (−17.3 ± 1.2 vs. −20.0 ± 0.6) with a standard means difference (SMD) of 1.13 ± 0.36 confidence interval (CI: 0.43–1.84, P = 0.002), whereas this was not the case for LVEF (67.3 ± 1.9 and 66.4 ± 1.6%, respectively), SMD: 0.12 ± 0.03, (CI: −0.41/0.65, P = 0.66). A meta-regression analysis in PPGL patients showed an inverse relationship between adrenergic activity and GLS (P &lt; 0.0001).

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that early changes in LV systolic function not detectable by conventional echocardiography in the PPGL setting can be revealed by STE; therefore, STE implementation in the workup of patients with PPGL may improve the detection of subclinical systolic dysfunction.
Theory of Mind in Typical Adults: Sex-Differences and Its Associations with Anxiety and Depression Symptoms
Authors: Petrovic Sanja Andric , Kaurin Nina , Knezevic Jelena , Maric Nadja P 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Objective
Despite an increased interest in research of theory of mind (ToM) in recent years — both related to psychopathology (depression and anxiety spectrum disorders) and within the typical adults, the existing literature is scarce and presents some conflicting results. Present study aimed to explore sex differences in ToM, alongside its associations with current anxiety and depression symptoms, in a large sample of typical adults collected online.

Method
Participants completed the 15-minutes survey obtaining socio-demographic data, current self-reported depression and anxiety symptom severity, and ToM ability (the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task). The sample comprised 605 participants —mostly younger adults, women, and high school graduate/student population.

Results
The majority of participants reported minimal/mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that were significantly more severe in women. Women also displayed significantly better overall ToM ability than men. Significant negative correlation between the severity of current depressive and anxiety symptoms and ToM ability was also observed, but only in individuals expressing the symptoms requiring clinical attention (such association was absent in those exhibiting minimal/mild symptoms).

Conclusions
Present research adds to the existing knowledge on the association between ToM ability, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in typical adults as well as on the sex-differences in this important social cognitive domain. Exploring the factors representing indicators of vulnerability for depression–anxiety spectrum disorders is important for their timely detection and treatment.
DeLIVR: a deep learning approach to IV regression for testing nonlinear causal effects in transcriptome-wide association studies
Authors: He Ruoyu , Liu Mingyang , Lin Zhaotong , Zhuang Zhong , Shen Xiaotong , Pan Wei 
Published: January 2023

Summary
Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) have been increasingly applied to identify (putative) causal genes for complex traits and diseases. TWAS can be regarded as a two-sample two-stage least squares method for instrumental variable (IV) regression for causal inference. The standard TWAS (called TWAS-L) only considers a linear relationship between a gene’s expression and a trait in stage 2, which may lose statistical power when not true. Recently, an extension of TWAS (called TWAS-LQ) considers both the linear and quadratic effects of a gene on a trait, which however is not flexible enough due to its parametric nature and may be low powered for nonquadratic nonlinear effects. On the other hand, a deep learning (DL) approach, called DeepIV, has been proposed to nonparametrically model a nonlinear effect in IV regression. However, it is both slow and unstable due to the ill-posed inverse problem of solving an integral equation with Monte Carlo approximations. Furthermore, in the original DeepIV approach, statistical inference, that is, hypothesis testing, was not studied. Here, we propose a novel DL approach, called DeLIVR, to overcome the major drawbacks of DeepIV, by estimating a related but different target function and including a hypothesis testing framework. We show through simulations that DeLIVR was both faster and more stable than DeepIV. We applied both parametric and DL approaches to the GTEx and UK Biobank data, showcasing that DeLIVR detected additional 8 and 7 genes nonlinearly associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, respectively, all of which would be missed by TWAS-L, TWAS-LQ, and DeepIV; these genes include BUD13 associated with HDL, SLC44A2 and GMIP with LDL, all supported by previous studies.
Characterizing quantile-varying covariate effects under the accelerated failure time model
Authors: Reeder Harrison T , Lee Kyu Ha , Haneuse Sebastien 
Published: January 2023

Summary
An important task in survival analysis is choosing a structure for the relationship between covariates of interest and the time-to-event outcome. For example, the accelerated failure time (AFT) model structures each covariate effect as a constant multiplicative shift in the outcome distribution across all survival quantiles. Though parsimonious, this structure cannot detect or capture effects that differ across quantiles of the distribution, a limitation that is analogous to only permitting proportional hazards in the Cox model. To address this, we propose a general framework for quantile-varying multiplicative effects under the AFT model. Specifically, we embed flexible regression structures within the AFT model and derive a novel formula for interpretable effects on the quantile scale. A regression standardization scheme based on the g-formula is proposed to enable the estimation of both covariate-conditional and marginal effects for an exposure of interest. We implement a user-friendly Bayesian approach for the estimation and quantification of uncertainty while accounting for left truncation and complex censoring. We emphasize the intuitive interpretation of this model through numerical and graphical tools and illustrate its performance through simulation and application to a study of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Flexible evaluation of surrogacy in platform studies
Authors: Sachs Michael C , Gabriel Erin E , Crippa Alessio , Daniels Michael J 
Published: January 2023

Summary
Trial-level surrogates are useful tools for improving the speed and cost effectiveness of trials but surrogates that have not been properly evaluated can cause misleading results. The evaluation procedure is often contextual and depends on the type of trial setting. There have been many proposed methods for trial-level surrogate evaluation, but none, to our knowledge, for the specific setting of platform studies. As platform studies are becoming more popular, methods for surrogate evaluation using them are needed. These studies also offer a rich data resource for surrogate evaluation that would not normally be possible. However, they also offer a set of statistical issues including heterogeneity of the study population, treatments, implementation, and even potentially the quality of the surrogate. We propose the use of a hierarchical Bayesian semiparametric model for the evaluation of potential surrogates using nonparametric priors for the distribution of true effects based on Dirichlet process mixtures. The motivation for this approach is to flexibly model relationships between the treatment effect on the surrogate and the treatment effect on the outcome and also to identify potential clusters with differential surrogate value in a data-driven manner so that treatment effects on the surrogate can be used to reliably predict treatment effects on the clinical outcome. In simulations, we find that our proposed method is superior to a simple, but fairly standard, hierarchical Bayesian method. We demonstrate how our method can be used in a simulated illustrative example (based on the ProBio trial), in which we are able to identify clusters where the surrogate is, and is not useful. We plan to apply our method to the ProBio trial, once it is completed.
FROM RENDERING TO REALITY WITH 3D TECHNOLOGY – A NEW INTRODUCER FOR GASTRIC BYPASS CIRCULAR ANASTOMOSIS
Authors: Díaz del Gobbo R , Pardo López S , Díaz del Gobbo G , Guariglia C A , Farré Font R , Güell Farré M , Ayala Márquez B , Collera Ormazábal P 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Introduction
A key step during laparoscopic gastric bypass circular anastomosis is the introduction of the stapler through the abdominal wall. The adipose panniculus and the 25mm circular flat surface of the endo-stapler involve a technical challenge.

Methods
To show the creative process and development of an innovative device designed directly by the surgeon, inspired by the technique of laparoscopic trocar placement for the introduction of the circular endo-stapler into the abdominal cavity. From a render, a digital image created with a 3D model, a realistic appearance is given to the initial idea. Using 3D printers, a first prototype is obtained, later adapted to achieve a safer shape and a more suitable size. Thus, a second prototype was born, meeting the safety and design standards to be used in the operating room. Its design and printing were conducted by a company, complying with patents, and guaranteeing the safety of the material used.

Results
We present three cases, standardizing the use of the device in the introduction of the endo-stapler and demonstrating its easier passage through the abdominal wall, serving as a guide, giving fluidity and less trauma to the procedure. After performing the anastomosis, we highlight its easy removal using a suture fixed on its peak, which allows it to be safely removed.

Conclusions
The surgeon is the one who best knows the instruments they need and how to optimize them. 3D technology makes it possible to give life to the innovative ideas of surgeons, for surgeons.
CORRELATION BETWEEN RADIOLOGICAL (PCIR) AND SURGICAL (PCIS) PERITONEAL CARCINOMATOSIS INDEX (PCI)
Authors: Ramos Montes C , Cernuda García A , Moreno Gijón M , Amoza Pais S , Mesa Álvarez A , Suárez A A , Sanz Álvarez L , Turienzo Santos E O 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Introduction
The Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) is used for the selection of candidates for cytoreductive surgery (CRS)+HIPEC and as a prognostic for resectability.
The accuracy of MDCT (Multidetector Computed Tomography) is evaluated by analyzing the degree of correlation between preoperative PCIr and surgical PCIs.

Methods
We conducted an observational, longitudinal, single-center and retrospective study between May 2014 and 2018 on patients operated upon for peritoneal carcinomatosis. Preoperative TCDM were interpreted by an expert radiologist and PCIs were calculated intraoperatively.
Comparison was performed using the Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC). The Bland-Altman method was used to represent the difference between observations, with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The sensitivity and specificity of PCIr &lt;20 as a predictor of resectability was also assessed.

Results
Mean PCIs of the 50 patients undergoing CRS+HIPEC was 11.8 (9.5), and mean PCIr was 11.0 (10.1). The CCC between both was 0.94 (95% CI 0.91–0.97). Sensitivity of PCIr was 0.82 (95%CI 0.68–0.92), being resectable 37/40 patients with PCIr &lt;20. Specificity of PCIr fell to 0.40 (95%CI 0.05–0.85), by failing to achieve complete cytoreduction in 2/10 patients with PCIr ≥20. Positive predictive value was 0.92 (95%CI 0.80–0.98), and negative predictive value was 0.20 (95%CI 0.03–0.56).

Conclusions
MDCT interpreted by an expert radiologist is an indispensable tool for the selection of patients who are candidates for CRS+HIPEC. A PCIr ≥20 is not synonymous with unresectability.
RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THE LAPAROSCOPIC APPROACH TO SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION
Authors: Carrasco Aguilera B , López-Negrete Cueto E , Martínez Izquierdo G , Rodicio Miravalles J L , Moreno Gijón M , Díaz Vico T , Sanz Álvarez L , Granero Trancón J E 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Introduction
Exploratory laparotomy has classically been the treatment for adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). Laparoscopic approaches have proven to be a beneficial technique in selected patients. Despite being minimally invasive and associated with low morbidity it is still not a widespread technique.

Methods
Descriptive, retrospective study from January 2011 to April 2022, of 43 patients with ASBO operated by laparoscopy in a tertiary hospital. Demographic, surgical and evolutionary variables were analysed.
Descriptive statistics using non-parametric tests. Univariate logistic regression.

Results
The median age was 67 years (44–77.5), 65% women and 63.3% had previous surgery. In CT (93%) mean loop dilatation was 37.2±6mm and reported as single adhesive band in 62.7%.
Time to surgery &lt;24h in 51.1% and mean operative time 85±48 minutes. 74.1% had AAST classification (The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma) ≤II, conversion rate 27.9% and 3 patients suffered iatrogenesis.
After surgery 43% had oral tolerance &lt;48h with a median postoperative stay of 6 days.
Median follow-up of 48.7 months with 6.9% reoperation, 4.6% readmission, Clavien-Dindo &lt;1 in 70% and no deaths.
There was a relation (p&lt;.05) between conversion-AAST grading ≤II (OR 0.33) and between conversion-surgical time (OR 1.02).

Conclusions
Laparoscopy is a safe approach in patients with OIB in our setting. Our series reflects effective results, in a prolonged mean follow-up, with a low readmission rate and a conversion to open surgery similar to previous series, with only an association between the degree of obstruction and the operative time with the obstruction.
DESIGN AND STUDY OF DIFFERENT PVDF STRUCTURES
Authors: Durán Rey D , Brito Pereira R , Ribeiro C , Sánchez Margallo J A , Cisóstomo V , Lanceros Méndez S , Sánchez Margallo F M 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Introduction
Tissue engineering (TE) is a promising technology that can develop structures very similar to native tissues to improve or replace their biological functions. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a new thermoplastic polymer widely used in biomedical applications. Each structure of PVDF has different mechanical and biological characteristics depending on its morphology and the methodology employed.

Methods
Doctor blade, salt leaching, and electrospinning methodologies were used to design different PVDF structures, including films, porous membranes, and electrospun membranes, respectively. Furthermore, electrospun PVDF membranes were developed according to the direction of the strands, obtaining membranes that were oriented as well as with random orientation. All these morphologies were subjected to mechanical, cytotoxicity and degradation studies.

Results
All PVDF morphologies underwent a minimum modification of 16% with respect to their original size. The porous membranes were the most fragile structures, and the electrospun membranes were the most resistant. According to ISO standard 10993–5, a material is considered to be biocompatible when the values are higher than 70%, and all PVDF morphologies had cell viability values above the 70% threshold. Finally, results showed that there was no degradability, regardless of the method or structure designed.

Conclusions
PVDF is a material with good mechanical characteristics, given that structures designed with electrospinning can withstand more stress. In addition, this material is non-degradable and biocompatible, broadening the range of biomedical and TE applications.
DESIGN AND STUDY OF DIFFERENT SILK FIBROIN STRUCTURES
Authors: Durán Rey D , Brito Pereira R , Ribeiro C , Sánchez Margallo J A , Cisóstomo V , Lanceros Méndez S , Sánchez Margallo F M 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Introduction
Tissue engineering (TE) has the capacity to design structures very similar to native tissues in order to restore, maintain or improve their biological functions. Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural protein that has been used in a wide variety of TE applications. Each SF structure has different mechanical and biological characteristics depending on the morphology and methodology employed.

Methods
Bombyx mori silkworm cocoons were extracted and processed to obtain SF. Subsequently, films, porous membranes, and electrospun membranes were designed using doctor blade, salt leaching, and electrospinning methodologies, respectively. Furthermore, electrospun SF membranes were developed according to the direction of the strands, obtaining membranes that were oriented as well as with random orientation. All these morphologies were subjected to mechanical, cytotoxicity and degradation studies.

Results
The most fragile SF structures were the films and the porous membranes, which underwent a maximum modification of approximately 5% with respect to their original size. However, electrospun membranes underwent a change in size of more than 20%. All SF morphologies had biocompatibility values close to 100%. Finally, there was a degradability between 3–5% at 4 weeks in all structures.

Conclusions
SF has very good mechanical characteristics when designed by electrospinning techniques. Although SF is biocompatible, there is a degradation of the material, which may affect the mechanical properties of the designed structure.
SUBJECTIVE USABILITY VALIDATION OF A LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ONLINE TRAINING OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY: COMPARISON BETWEEN EXPERTS AND STUDENTS
Authors: Sánchez-Peralta L F , Ortega-Morán J F , Gómez E J , Guzmán-García C , Ferencz A , Tiu C , Pagador J B , Sánchez-Margallo F M 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Introduction
Remote learning has been increasingly required after the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, an integrative Learning Management System (LMS) that connects external assets for technical and nontechnical skills training in minimally invasive surgery has been implemented. Before its wider use as a training tool, a comparison of usability perception between experts and students has been performed.

Methods
The system usability scale (SUS) was used. Users rated the 10-item questionnaire on a 5-point Likert-scale (5-Strongly agree, 1-Strongly disagree), with odd questions referring to positive aspects and even questions to negative ones. Two profiles were considered: experts in surgical training and students and residents. They were requested to use the LMS and complete any of the implemented courses. Comparison between groups was done with a Mann-Whitney U-test.

Results
Seven experts and 110 students participated in the study. Overall, SUS score by experts reached a mean value of 67.14 points [Q1 = 68.05, Q3= 76.81; interquartile range (IQR) = 9.67], while the mean SUS score given by students was 73.09 [Q1 = 65.00, Q3= 84.38; IQR = 19.38]. When comparing both groups, significant differences were not found (p-value=0.639).

Conclusions
Since SUS scores are usually considered to be valid when the average is greater than 68, experts were slightly below, while students surpassed this threshold. Nevertheless, since there were no significant differences, it might be assumed that usability of the LMS is acceptable and it will not hinder the training process, although further studies to prove its pedagogical value are required.