Search Results (28)

This article highlights the importance of the discourse on sound media for the development of so-called “cosmic music” in Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Already the slogan of the Ohr record label “Macht das Ohr auf” (Open up your ears) testifies to the awareness of Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser, the founder of the label, and the bands gathered around him about the impact of media on everyday practices and the reflection on the physiological effect of sound. In particular, this article focuses on the figure of Kaiser and his Buch der neuen Pop-Musik (1969), where the author stresses the emancipatory potential of popular music starting from the considerations put forward by H. Marcuse, T. W. Adorno and M. McLuhan. On the basis of these suggestions, Kaiser envisages the possibility of a ‘functional transformation’ of sound media, placing himself in a long German tradition of reflections on the relationship between man and technology, in which it is possible to identify a line that proposes a progressive and socialist use of technical reproduction apparatuses (Benjamin, Brecht, Enzensberger) and another line that questions the connection between media and mystical experience (Mann, Hesse). In this sense, this paper explores the intellectual and literary context of the media anthropology on which the sound aesthetics of German cosmic music was founded. Full article

Background: In the 21st century, the management of groin hernias (GHs) has evolved from watchful waiting (WW) to robotic hernia repair (RHR). The present study interrogates the status of robotics in the context of current repairs and provides one author’s perspectives. Methods: A systematic review was undertaken using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for studies comparing open (OHR) to robotic hernia repair (RHR); RHR to laparoscopic hernia repair (LHR); or OHR vs. LHR vs. RHR. The historical context was extracted from previous reviews. Results: Fifty-four studies were included in the analysis. Three techniques have withstood the test of time: OHR (tissue and mesh repairs), laparo-endoscopic (TEP and TAPP), and RHR. The literature indicates that RHR is safe and effective for the management of groin hernias. Operative times and costs remain a concern when using this technique. While the number of overall complications with RHR is similar to OHR, in a minority of cases, complications are more consequential with the robotic platform. Conclusions: RHR has emerged as an unequivocally powerful technique for the management of GHs. OHR remains the technique of choice for local/regional anesthesia, posterior recurrences, and in centers that lack other platforms. In low- and middle-income countries, OHR is the most utilized technique. Centers of excellence should offer all techniques of repair including WW. Full article

Background/Objectives: Defects in maxillary and mandibular alveolar ridges are common in maxillofacial practice. Reconstruction with microvascular bone grafts and subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation is the gold standard treatment. This study investigated patients’ quality of life (QoL) after microvascular alveolar ridge reconstruction with subsequent dental rehabilitation. The effect of the underlying disease and success rates of the prosthetic treatment on QoL were analysed. Methods: OHIP-49 was used to evaluate oral health-related QoL (OHrQoL). The SF-36 was used to assess disease-nonspecific QoL. Results: Fifty-eight patients were enrolled and divided into four diagnostic (malignancy, osteoradionecrosis, benign disease, and cleft palate) and five prosthetic groups (no prosthetics, removable partial dentures, complete dentures, implant-supported removable dentures, and implant-supported fixed dentures). There was a significant difference between the diagnostic groups in the total score of their OHIP-49 (p = 0.008). Patients with malignant disease and osteoradionecrosis had worse QoL scores than those with benign diseases and cleft palate. Implant-supported prostheses had the best OHrQoL. Removable partial dentures and patients in whom dental rehabilitation was not possible had the worst OHrQoL (p = 0.042). The SF-36 subscale score showed no statistically significant differences between the diagnostic and prosthetic groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: OHrQoL after microvascular alveolar ridge reconstruction differs significantly based on underlying diagnoses and prosthetic restorations. Benign diseases and implant-supported dentures have the highest scores. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dental rehabilitation after extended tumour resection and jaw reconstruction is challenging. The present study aimed to report the prosthetic outcome and quality of life (QoL) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) after microvascular alveolar ridge reconstruction. Methods: The prosthetic outcomes of all consecutive patients with HNC who underwent microvascular alveolar ridge reconstruction at the University Hospital Salzburg between 2011 and 2018 were investigated. Oral health-related QoL (OHrQoL) and overall QoL were assessed using the validated Oral Health Impact Profile-49 (OHIP-49) and Short Form-36 questionnaires. Results: During the study period, 115 consecutive patients with head and neck cancer underwent microvascular jaw reconstruction. Among them, 23.3% and 27.4% received conventional tissue-borne prostheses and implant-supported prostheses, respectively, while 48.7% did not undergo dental rehabilitation. The prosthetic outcome was not associated with tumour stage (p = 0.32). Oral health-related quality of life (OHrQoL) was best in patients with implant-supported dental rehabilitation (OHIP-49 median score = 7) and worst in those with conventional removable dentures (OHIP-49 median score = 54). The corresponding OHIP-49 median score for patients who could not undergo dental rehabilitation was 30.5. All Short Form-36 subscale scores were equal to or higher than the malignancy norm scores. Conclusions: After microvascular jaw reconstruction, approximately one-third of the HNC patients received adequate implant-supported dental rehabilitation. However, the risk of dental rehabilitation failure was 50%. The different prosthetic outcomes affected OHrQoL, but not overall QoL. Full article

Rice bran, a byproduct of rice milling, is rich in fiber and phytochemicals and confers several health benefits. However, its effects on gut microbiota and obesity-related muscle atrophy in postmenopausal status remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of rice bran on gut microbiota, muscle synthesis, and breakdown pathways in estrogen-deficient ovariectomized (OVX) mice receiving a high-fat diet (HFD). ICR female mice were divided into five groups: sham, OVX mice receiving control diet (OC); OVX mice receiving HFD (OH); OVX mice receiving control diet and rice bran (OR); and OVX mice receiving HFD and rice bran (OHR). After twelve weeks, relative muscle mass and grip strength were high in rice bran diet groups. IL-6, TNF-α, MuRf-1, and atrogin-1 expression levels were lower, and Myog and GLUT4 were higher in the OHR group. Rice bran upregulated the expression of occludin and ZO-1 (gut tight junction proteins). The abundance of Akkermansiaceae in the cecum was relatively high in the OHR group. Our finding revealed that rice bran supplementation ameliorated gut barrier dysfunction and gut dysbiosis and also maintained muscle mass by downregulating the expression of MuRf-1 and atrogin-1 (muscle atrophy-related factors) in HFD-fed OVX mice. Full article

In this paper, the synthesis and crystal structure of pyrazine-2,5-diyldimethanol (pyzdmH2, C₆H₈N₂O₂), a new symmetric water-soluble N,O-chelating tetra-dentate organic ligand, is reported and an environmentally friendly method is used to synthesize coordination compounds in water under ambient conditions, from the reaction of pyzdmH2 with the halide salts of Cu(II), Zn(II), Hg(II) and Cd(II): {[Cu(pyzdmH2)_0.5(µ-Br)(Br)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n 1, {[Zn₂(pyzdmH2)(µ-Cl)(Cl)₃(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n 2, [Hg₂(pyzdmH2)_0.5(µ-Cl)₂(Cl)₂]_n 3, {[Cd₂(pyzdmH2)(µ-Cl)₄]·H₂O}_n 4, and {[Cd₂(pyzdmH2)(µ-Br)₄]·H₂O}_n 5. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that 1–3 are 1D coordination polymers and 4 and 5 are 3D coordination networks, all constructed by bridging pyrazine-2,5-diyldimethanol and halogen ions. The hydroxyl groups in the organic linker extend the 1D chains to non-covalent 3D networks. In all non-covalent and covalent 3D networks, water molecules are trapped by strong hydrogen bond interactions. Supramolecular analysis reveals strong O-H···O, O-H···N, O-H···X, and weak C-H···O, C-H···X (X = Cl, Br) hydrogen bonds, as well as π-π(pyrazine ring), metal-halogen···π(pyrazine ring), and O-H···ring(5-membered chelate ring) interactions. In addition, X···O weak halogen bonds are present in 1–5 (X = Cl and Br). Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are byproducts of oxygen metabolism produced by virtually all organisms living in an oxic environment. ROS are also produced by phagocytic cells in response to microorganism invasion. These highly reactive molecules can damage cellular constituents (proteins, DNA, and lipids) and exhibit antimicrobial activities when present in sufficient amount. Consequently, microorganisms have evolved defense mechanisms to counteract ROS-induced oxidative damage. Leptospira are diderm bacteria form the Spirochaetes phylum. This genus is diverse, encompassing both free-living non-pathogenic bacteria as well as pathogenic species responsible for leptospirosis, a widespread zoonotic disease. All leptospires are exposed to ROS in the environment, but only pathogenic species are well-equipped to sustain the oxidative stress encountered inside their hosts during infection. Importantly, this ability plays a pivotal role in Leptospira virulence. In this review, we describe the ROS encountered by Leptospira in their different ecological niches and outline the repertoire of defense mechanisms identified so far in these bacteria to scavenge deadly ROS. We also review the mechanisms controlling the expression of these antioxidants systems and recent advances in understanding the contribution of Peroxide Stress Regulators in Leptospira adaptation to oxidative stress. Full article

The objective of this prospective study was to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHR-QoL) in patients with periodontitis and nonsurgical periodontal treatment. A prospective, longitudinal case series study was carried out at the University Dental Clinic of the Morales Meseguer Hospital in Murcia. Eighty periodontal patients with periodontitis, aged 22 to 72 years, were included in this study. The Spanish version of the Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14sp) questionnaire was used on two occasions: at the first visit and one month after completing the nonsurgical periodontal treatment. Clinical measurements of probing depth, plaque index and bleeding on probing were performed at baseline and after periodontal therapy. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test and analysis of variance. We found statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between the pre- and post-treatment in all the dimensions studied except disability. Similarly, statistically significant differences were also found according to the degree or stage of the disease. However, these differences were not observed with respect to the extent of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease has a negative impact on the OHRQoL of periodontal patients, especially in severe stages (III–IV). Basic periodontal treatment can improve the OHRQoL of periodontal patients one month after treatment. Full article

Converting floodwater into power without increasing flood risk is critical for energy-stressed regions. Over the past decades, numerous methods have been proposed to solve this problem. However, few studies have investigated the theoretical explanation of the trade-offs between power generation and flood risk. This study establishes an analytical framework to derive optimal hedging rules (OHR) and explains the economic insights into flood risk reduction and power generation improvement. A two-stage model based on the concept of dynamic control of carryover storage (DCCS) was developed as part of the framework, considering forecast uncertainty and risk tolerance. The results illustrated that hedging and trade-offs between power generation and flood risk during DCCS only occurs when the forecasted inflow and forecast uncertainty are within certain ranges, beyond which there is no hedging and trade-offs analysis; either power generation or flood risk becomes the dominant objective. The OHR was divided into three cases under different levels of forecast uncertainty and risk tolerance. Compared to forecast uncertainty, downstream risk tolerance plays a more important role in determining which case of the OHR is adopted in real-world operations. The analysis revealed what and how intense trade-offs are between power generation and flood risk under different scenarios of forecasted inflow, forecast uncertainty, and risk tolerance. The framework serves as a guideline for less abundant water resources or energy-stressed areas of operational policy. Nierji Reservoir (located in northeast China) was taken as a case study to illustrate the analysis, and the application results showed that OHR increases the average annual power generation by 4.09% without extra flood risk compared to current operation rules. Full article

Organic fluorescent materials are widely applied in different important fields, such as light-emitting display, explosive detection, molecular imprinting, and so on, because of their low cost, easy functionalization, and large-scale fabrication. In this work, we designed and synthesized a new kind of organic fluorescent polysulfate composite material through post-sulfonation sulfur-fluorine exchange polymerization (a new kind of click chemistry) by symmetric molecular. Sulfur-fluorine exchange polymerization: symmetrical structure SO2F−R1−SO2F molecular reacted with symmetrical OH−R2−OH molecular through nucleophilic reaction in the presence of inorganic base. The polysulfate material was further modified by ClSO₃H to get PSE−SO₃H materials. Tb³⁺ was highly dispersed on PSE−SO₃H to afford organic-inorganic hybrid fluorescent materials through the conventional coordination chemistry method. The emission wavelength of the organic-inorganic hybrid fluorescent polymer PSE−SO₃H−Tb³⁺ was between 475 and 685 nm, the quantum yield reached 1.18%, and fluorescence lifetime lasted for 730.168 us, with the pure green light emission and long light-emitting lifetime. The fluorescence film was prepared through phase transformation method by the fluorescent polymer material PSE−SO₃H−Tb³⁺. The film has the strong stability property in different pH conditions (pH 1~13). Thus, this kind of organic fluorescent polysulfate composite material may have certain prospects application in terms of detection and luminescence in extreme chemical environments in the future. Full article

Obesity is a worry because it is associated with a greater burden of disease, and it has been shown to be related to the health habits and physical condition of children and adolescents. Objective: To associate physical fitness, screen time, and sleep habits with the different categories of obesity in schoolchildren from the extreme south of Chile. Methods: 583 schoolchildren were included in this cross-sectional analysis. The screen time and sleep habits were measured with the Sleep Self-Report questionnaire, while the physical fitness was assessed with the Alpha Fitness test battery. The Body Mass Index/age (BMI/age) and the Waist-to-Height ratio (WtHr) were used to define adiposity using the following categories: healthy weight/low-risk waist-to-height ratio (H/LR), healthy weight/high-risk waist-to-height ratio (H/HR), overweight/low-risk waist to height ratio (O/LR), and overweight/high-risk waist to height ratio (O/HR). Results: A considerable number of schoolchildren (23.2%) presented sleep problems, while the mean screen time was 9.3 (95% CI: 8.4; 10.1) hours/day. Schoolchildren classified as H/HR showed better physical fitness than the O/HR group but worse physical fitness than the H/LR group. Conclusions: Significant differences were evidenced in the physical fitness between the adiposity categories, which could open future lines of research concerning the characterization of the healthy weight-obese adiposity categories in children. Full article

Sulfane sulfur, including organic persulfide and polysulfide, is a normal cellular component, and its level varies during growth. It is emerging as a signaling molecule in bacteria, regulating the gene regulator MarR in Escherichia coli, MexR in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and MgrA of Staphylococcus aureus. They are MarR-family regulators and are often repressors for multiple antibiotic resistance genes. Here, we report that another MarR-type regulator OhrR that represses the expression of itself and a thiol peroxidase gene ohr in P. aeruginosa PAO1 also responded to sulfane sulfur. PaOhrR formed disulfide bonds between three Cys residues within a dimer after polysulfide treatment. The modification reduced its affinity to its cognate DNA binding site. An Escherichia coli reporter system, in which mKate was under the repression of OhrR, showed that PaOhrR derepressed its controlled gene when polysulfide was added, whereas the mutant PaOhrR with two Cys residues changed to Ser residues did not respond to polysulfide. The expression of the PaOhrR-repressed mKate was significantly increased when the cells enter the late log phase when cellular sulfane sulfur reached a maximum, but the mKate expression under the control of the PaOhrR-C9SC19S double mutant was not increased. Furthermore, the expression levels of ohrR and ohr in P. aeruginosa PAO1 were significantly increased when cellular sulfane sulfur was high. Thus, PaOhrR senses both exogenous and intrinsic sulfane sulfur to derepress its controlled genes. The finding also suggests that sulfane sulfur may be a common inducer of the MarR-type regulators, which may confer the bacteria to resist certain stresses without being exposed to the stresses. Full article

The pathologic mechanism of diabetic retinopathy is directly related to the underlying hyperglycemia associated with diabetes. Hyperglycemia causes non-enzymatic cross-linking of collagen fibrils which contributes mechanistically to tissue stiffening. However, investigations on diabetic retinopathy-associated alteration in ocular biomechanics remain scarce, especially in living human eyes. Ocular rigidity is classically defined as a measure of the change in intraocular pressure produced by a change in ocular volume. We recently implemented an approach for the direct in-vivo non-invasive estimate of ocular rigidity using optical coherence tomography, allowing for the evaluation of the biomechanical behavior in eyes with diabetic retinopathy. Our preliminary results showed that diabetic retinopathy exhibited higher ocular rigidity and higher scleral stiffness compared to normal controls, which may possibly be attributed to hyperglycemia-induced collagen cross-linking in the ocular tissues. Knowledge of diabetic retinopathy-associated biomechanical changes will equip us with new quantitative tools to identify diagnostic markers in diabetic retinopathy. Full article

Given the stagnating progress in the fight against malaria, there is an urgent need for area-wide integrated vector management strategies to complement existing intra-domiciliary tools, i.e., insecticide-treated bednets and indoor residual spraying. In this study, we describe a pilot trial using drones for aerial application of Aquatain Mosquito Formulation (AMF), a monomolecular surface film with larvicidal activity, against the African malaria mosquito Anopheles arabiensis in an irrigated rice agro-ecosystem in Unguja island, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Nine rice paddies were randomly assigned to three treatments: (a) control (drone spraying with water only), (b) drone spraying with 1 mL/m², or (c) drone spraying with 5 mL/m² of AMF. Compared to control paddies, AMF treatments resulted in highly significant (p < 0.001) reductions in the number of larvae and pupae and >90% fewer emerging adults. The residual effect of AMF treatment lasted for a minimum of 5 weeks post-treatment, with reductions in larval densities reaching 94.7% in week 5 and 99.4% in week 4 for the 1 and 5 mL/m² AMF treatments, respectively. These results merit a review of the WHO policy regarding larval source management (LSM), which primarily recommends its use in urban environments with ‘few, fixed, and findable’ breeding sites. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can rapidly treat many permanent, temporary, or transient mosquito breeding sites over large areas at low cost, thereby significantly enhancing the role of LSM in contemporary malaria control and elimination efforts. Full article

Purpose: Aberrant mTOR pathway and somatostatin receptor signaling are implicated in thyroid cancer and offer potential therapeutic targets. We assessed the clinical efficacy of everolimus and Pasireotide long-acting release (LAR) in radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Patients and methods: Adults with progressive MTC and DTC untreated or treated with no more than one systemic agent were eligible. The trial was designed to establish the most promising regimen and the optimal combination sequence. Patients were randomized to start treatment with single agent everolimus (10 mg QD; Arm A), pasireotide-LAR (60 mg intramuscular injection, Q4 weeks; Arm B), or the combination (Arm C). At initial progression (PFS1), patients on Arm A or B switched to the combination and continued until progression (PFS2). Efficacy was measured by RECIST criteria. Results: Study enrolled 42 patients: median age 65 years; female 17 (40.5%); White 31 (73.8%), African American 6 (14.3%), others 5 (11.9); DTC 32 (76.2%); MTC 10 (23.8%). There was no objective response by RECIST criteria across the three arms. Median and 1-year PFS1 rates were 8.3, 1.8, 8.1 months and 49.9%, 36.4%, 25.0% for Arms A, B, C, respectively. Median and 1-year PFS2 rates were 26.3, 17.5, 8.1 months and 78.4%, 70.0%, 25% for Arms A, B, C, respectively. The most frequent adverse events were anemia, stomatitis, fatigue, hyperglycemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Conclusions: The combination of everolimus and pasireotide-LAR showed promising efficacy over single agent. The delayed combination of everolimus and pasireotide-LAR following progression on single agent everolimus appeared intriguing as a combination strategy. Full article