Search Results (15)

Objective: The aim of our study was to compare two questionnaires regarding their ability to globally assess the impact of headaches on daily functioning in children as a primary endpoint and, secondarily, to evaluate their correlation to frequency and headache strength. Background: Headache is a common complaint in children and adolescents, leading to functional impairment. The impact of primary headaches, such as migraine and tension-type headaches, varies according to pain severity and frequency. Although the PedMIDAS questionnaire is a validated tool for assessing headache-related impact in children, it can be difficult for children to complete. The HIT-6 questionnaire is user-friendly but has been validated exclusively for use in adults. Methods: Our method involved a prospective cohort study in children aged 6–18 years who visited the headache clinic at Bnai Zion Medical Center due to primary headaches. All children filled in both the PedMIDAS and HIT-6. Data on headache diagnosis, frequency and intensity along with demographic data were obtained. Results: Of the 100 children participating, 96 completed both questionnaires. The final sample was 66% (63) female, and the average age was 14 years (±3.3). Migraine was reported by 62% (60), followed by tension-type headaches (18%) and mixed headache (15%). A weak positive spearman correlation was observed between PedMIDAS and HIT-6 scores to age (respectively, ρ 0.3 with p value < 0.005, and ρ 0.2 with p value < 0.05), a weak positive spearman correlation as well between the HIT-6 score and both disease duration and headache intensity (respectively, ρ 0.221 with p value < 0.05 and ρ 0.250 with p value < 0.05). PedMIDAS score was weakly positively correlated to headache frequency (ρ 0.27 with p value < 0.05). A moderately positive spearman correlation was found between the PedMIDAS and HIT scores with ρ 0.6 and p value < 0.005. Linear regression analysis revealed a stronger correlation with headache frequency for the HIT-6 than for the PedMIDAS, when adjusted to gender and headache type. Conclusions: The HIT-6 questionnaire correlates with the PedMIDAS questionnaire and can serve as a good alternative for easily evaluating headache burden in children. Full article

Purpose: Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) can lead to oromyofascial dysfunction which affects breathing, swallowing, speech, and posture. This study presents the evolution and outcomes of a refined lingual frenuloplasty protocol that integrates individualized myofunctional therapy to address compensatory patterns. Methods: A prospective cohort of 445 patients (≥4 years) was treated between 2021 and 2023 using a fascia-preserving CO₂ laser protocol with structured pre- and postoperative myofunctional therapy. Patients were stratified as pediatric (<12 years) or adolescent/adult (≥12 years). Key refinements included fascia-sparing dissection, reduced suture tension with cyanoacrylate adhesive, defined functional endpoints, structured myofunctional therapy, and standardized wound-healing strategies. Results: Among 379 patients (85% response) with >2 months follow-up, the 2025 protocol achieved an 86% satisfaction rate and significantly fewer complications compared with 2019 (pain 3.7% vs. 15.8%; bleeding 1% vs. 13%; revision 2.1% vs. 6.6%). Deeper genioglossus dissection increased swelling risk (OR = 4.0, p < 0.0001) but did not affect satisfaction. Conclusions: The refined 2025 protocol represents an outcome-tracked advancement in ankyloglossia management. By emphasizing fascia preservation, functional diagnostics, and integrated myofunctional therapy, the approach improves safety, efficacy, and patient-centered outcomes. Full article

This study presents both laboratory measurements and numerical modeling of wettability alterations following carbon dioxide (CO₂) injection in limestone carbonate reservoirs. Both synthetic and crude oil systems were evaluated using a Drop Shape Analyzer (DSA-100) to quantitatively measure the contact angle and interfacial tension (IFT) on limestone core samples under ambient and reservoir conditions. The results demonstrated that carbonated brine significantly reduced the IFT (2.0–4.1 dynes/cm) and contact angle (11.9–16.0°), indicating a shift toward more water-wet conditions, compared with the modest reductions in contact angle achieved with standard brine (1.6–6.7°). Synthetic fluid systems containing naphthenic acid initially exhibited stronger oil-wet behavior but also experienced wettability alterations when exposed to CO₂. A previously developed compositional reservoir simulation model, which was based on assumed relative permeability endpoints, was revised to incorporate the experimental findings of this study as a supporting tool. Incorporating the experimental wettability alteration effect of CO₂ in the numerical model by a 5.2% reduction in the residual oil saturation (the relative permeability endpoint) caused 2% increase in the oil recovery factor and 12% improvement in the CO₂ utilization efficiency (9780 standard cubic feet per stock tank barrel (SCF/STB) vs. 8620 SCF/STB). Overall, this work provides critical laboratory validation and supports by numerical simulation that CO₂-induced wettability alteration is a key mechanism underpinning CO₂-based enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) deployment in limestone carbonate formations. Full article

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the two-year continuous efficacy, risk factors, and safety profile of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in Japanese individuals diagnosed with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) who underwent SLT as either a first-line or second-line treatment. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients with NTG who underwent SLT as either an initial or secondary therapy at 26 medical institutions in Japan between January 2020 and December 2021 with a 2-year follow-up. The primary endpoint was a reduction in the rate of intraocular pressure (IOP) over 2 years after SLT. To estimate the time-varying effect of IOP reduction, a linear mixed-effects model was employed. The secondary endpoints were numerical IOP reduction, treatment success rates shown by a Kaplan–Meier analysis, and complications. Success was defined as an outflow pressure improvement rate (ΔOP) ≥ 20% (definition A) or an IOP reduction rate ≥ 20% (definition B) without further treatment. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors to successful SLT treatment. The study was registered with UMIN-CTR (ID: UMIN R000064045). Results: A total of 230 eyes from 230 individuals participated in this study, with 148 eyes receiving SLT as an initial (first-line) therapy and 82 eyes undergoing SLT as a secondary (second-line) intervention. In the first-line group, the mean IOP dropped from 16.7 ± 2.3 mmHg to 13.7 ± 2.4 mmHg at two years post-treatment, reflecting a 16.8% reduction. In the second-line group, the average IOP declined from 15.9 ± 2.5 mmHg to 13.2 ± 2.0 mmHg, marking a 14.4% decrease over the same period. The treatment success rate according to definition A (ΔOP ≥ 20%) was 73.7% at 2 years. Analysis using a linear mixed-effects model identified time (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.044), baseline IOP (p < 0.001), and central corneal thickness (CCT) (p < 0.001) as statistically significant contributors to IOP reduction following SLT. However, neither the Group (first-line vs. second-line) variable (p = 0.386) nor the Time × Group interaction (p = 0.298) reached statistical significance. A lower baseline IOP and a thicker CCT were confirmed as significant predictors of SLT treatment failure. Conclusions: Both initial and secondary SLT treatments for NTG proved to be effective and safe over a two-year period, although the extent of IOP reduction was smaller in cases with a lower baseline IOP. Our findings indicate that the IOP-lowering effect of SLT in NTG is influenced by pretreatment IOP levels, aligning with previous studies on primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. However, in contrast to those earlier findings, our research identified pretreatment central corneal thickness as a statistically significant factor influencing SLT efficacy in NTG. These results support the role of SLT as a reliable and safe therapeutic option for managing NTG. Full article

To protect submarine power cables from damage caused by anchoring and fishing, submarine power cables in shallow water areas are buried to a certain depth through a cable laying machine. However, limited attention has been paid to studying the stress behavior of submarine power cables while considering the effects of burial depth. In this research, static and dynamic analyses are carried out using three-dimensional numerical models performed by the OrcaFlex v11.0 to investigate the effects of burial depths on cable tension during the cable installation under various conditions. Numerical simulation results show that the peak tension of the submarine power cable increases linearly with the increase in burial depth. In addition, the burial depth can also change the tension state at the endpoint of the submarine power cable. The endpoint of the cable is in a compressed state when h < 2 m and the cable turns into a tensile state when h ≥ 2 m. Finally, genetic programming (GP) is used to analyze numerical simulation results to propose a prediction model that can be used to estimate the peak tension of the submarine power cable during cable installation under various burial depths in shallow sea areas. It should be noted that the proposed GP model is based on the analyses of numerical results; therefore, the GP model is open for further improvements as more experimental data become available. Full article

We investigated the effects of Lactobacillus paragasseri OLL2716 on gastrointestinal symptoms in healthy adults with gastric complaints. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 174 healthy Japanese adults were randomly assigned to an OLL2716 or placebo group, and each group consumed 85 g of yogurt containing L. paragasseri OLL2716 or placebo yogurt daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in gastric symptoms from baseline as per the participants’ questionnaires at 6 and 12 weeks. The secondary endpoints were changes from baseline in the short-form Nepean Dyspepsia Index (SF-NDI), the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and the Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire-Japanese (CNAQ-J) scores at 6 and 12 weeks. The primary endpoint data showed that the changes in “epigastric pain” at 6 and 12 weeks were significantly decreased in the OLL2716 group compared with those in the placebo group. Additionally, the changes in “epigastric pain syndrome-like symptoms” were significantly decreased in the OLL2716 group compared with those in the placebo group at 6 weeks. The SF-NDI items that improved at 6 weeks were “irritable, tense, or frustrated”, “enjoyment of eating or drinking”, and “tension”, which are sub-scales related to mental stress. The items “Over-all” in the GSRS and “feeling hungry” in the CNAQ-J significantly improved in the OLL2716 group compared with the placebo group at 12 weeks. The results suggest that regular intake of L. paragasseri OLL2716 may improve both gastric discomfort and mental stress in healthy adults with gastric complaints, such as postprandial fullness or early satiety. Full article

Background and Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic magnified the importance of gas exchange abnormalities in early respiratory failure. Pulse oximetry (SpO₂) has not been universally effective for clinical decision-making, possibly because of limitations. The alveolar gas monitor (AGM100) adds exhaled gas tensions to SpO₂ to calculate the oxygen deficit (OD). The OD parallels the alveolar-to-arterial oxygen difference (AaDO₂) in outpatients with cardiopulmonary disease. We hypothesized that the OD would discriminate between COVID-19 patients who require hospital admission and those who are discharged home, as well as predict need for supplemental oxygen during the index hospitalization. Methods: Patients presenting with dyspnea and COVID-19 were enrolled with informed consent and had OD measured using the AGM100. The OD was then compared between admitted and discharged patients and between patients who required supplemental oxygen and those who did not. The OD was also compared to SpO₂ for each of these outcomes using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Thirty patients were COVID-19 positive and had complete AGM100 data. The mean OD was significantly (p = 0.025) higher among those admitted 50.0 ± 20.6 (mean ± SD) vs. discharged 27.0 ± 14.3 (mean ± SD). The OD was also significantly (p < 0.0001) higher among those requiring supplemental oxygen 60.1 ± 12.9 (mean ± SD) vs. those remaining on room air 25.2 ± 11.9 (mean ± SD). ROC curves for the OD demonstrated very good and excellent sensitivity for predicting hospital admission and supplemental oxygen administration, respectively. The OD performed better than an SpO₂ threshold of <94%. Conclusions: The AGM100 is a novel, noninvasive way of measuring impaired gas exchange for clinically important endpoints in COVID-19. Full article

Diamond wire sawing is the main processing method for hard and brittle materials, but the unreasonable matching of process parameters will reduce its cutting ability and stability. In this paper, the asymmetric arc hypothesis of a wire bow model is proposed. Based on this hypothesis, an analytical model of the wire bow between the process parameters and the wire bow parameters was established and verified with a single-wire cutting experiment. The model considers the asymmetry of the wire bow in diamond wire sawing. The tension at both ends of the wire bow is called the endpoint tension; by calculating the difference in tension between the two ends, a reference for the cutting stability and a tension range for the selection of the diamond wire were provided. The model was used to calculate the wire bow deflection and the cutting force, providing theoretical guidance for the matching of process parameters. Based on the theoretical analysis of the cutting force, endpoint tension and wire bow deflection, the cutting ability, cutting stability, and the risk of wire cutting were predicted. Full article

This paper presents the design and implementation of a flexible manipulator formed of connected continuum kinematic modules (CKMs) to ease the fabrication of a continuum robot with multiple degrees of freedom. The CKM consists of five sequentially arranged circular plates, four universal joints intermediately connecting five circular plates, three individual actuated tension cables, and compression springs surrounding the tension cables. The base and movable circular plates are used to connect the robot platform or the neighboring CKM. All tension cables are controlled via linear actuators at a distal site. To demonstrate the function and feasibility of the proposed CKM, the kinematics of the continuum manipulator were verified through a kinematic simulation at different end velocities. The correctness of the manipulator posture was confirmed through the kinematic simulation. Then, a continuum robot formed with three CKMs is fabricated to perform Jacobian-based image servo tracking tasks. For the eye-to-hand (ETH) experiment, a heart shape trajectory was tracked to verify the precision of the kinematics, which achieved an endpoint error of 4.03 in Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). For the eye-in-hand (EIH) plugging-in/unplugging experiment, the accuracy of the image servo tracking system was demonstrated in extensive tolerance conditions, with processing times as low as $58\pm 2.12$ s and $83\pm 6.87$ s at the 90% confidence level in unplugging and plugging-in tasks, respectively. Finally, quantitative tracking error analyses are provided to evaluate the overall performance. Full article

This multicenter retrospective cohort study compared the effectiveness and safety of long-term tafluprost, travoprost, or latanoprost in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). Data were extracted from electronic medical records of 300 patients treated with tafluprost, travoprost, or latanoprost for >6 months. Propensity matching for age and sex was used for effectiveness and safety comparisons. The primary endpoint was visual field (VF) progression via mean deviation (MD) slope. Secondary endpoints were change of MD, intraocular pressure, pattern standard deviation, VF index, and advanced glaucoma intervention study score. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were also compared between groups. Overall, 216 POAG or NTG patients were matched into Match Set 1 (72 patients/group), and 177 NTG-only patients in Match Set 2 (59 patients/group) according to: age (mean: 61, 62 years) and sex (male: 53, 56%). There were no statistically significant between-group differences regarding MD slope (p = 0.413, p = 0.374 in Match Sets 1 and 2, respectively). There were no significant between-group differences/tendencies regarding secondary endpoints. No AEs were serious, and there were no significant between-group differences regarding reported AEs. In patients with POAG or NTG, long-term tafluprost, travoprost, or latanoprost showed similar effects. All three prostaglandin analogs had good long-term safety profiles. Full article

Currently, transcutaneous oxygen tension measurement (TCpO2) is the most favorable non-invasive test for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) healing prognosis. Photo-optical TCpO2 is novel, less time-consuming and more practical in use compared to regular electro-chemical TCpO2. We prospectively investigated the clinical value of photo-optical TCpO2 to predict DFU healing. Patients with suspected DFU undergoing conservative treatment underwent an ankle pressure, toe-pressure and photo-optical TCpO2 test. The primary endpoint was DFU wound healing at 12 months. Based on their clinical outcome, patients were divided into a DFU healing and DFU non-healing group. Healing was defined as fully healed ulcers and non-healing as ulcers that deteriorated under conservative treatment or that required surgical amputation. Differences between groups were analyzed and an optimal TCpO2 cut-off value was determined. In total, 103 patients were included, of which 68 patients (66%) were classified as DFU healing. The remaining 35 patients (34%) had deteriorated ulcers, of which 29 (83%) eventually required surgical amputation. An optimal TCpO2 cut-off value of 43 mmHg provided a sensitivity, specificity and odds ratio of 0.78, 0.56 and 4.4, respectively. Photo-optical TCpO2 is an adequate alternative tool to validate the vascular status of the lower extremity indicating healing prognosis in patients with DFU. Therefore, we recommend that photo-optical TCpO2 can be safely coapplied in clinical practice to assist in DFU treatment strategy. Full article

Foodborne illnesses, such as infections or food poisoning, can be caused by bacterial biofilms present in food matrices or machinery. The production of biofilms by several strains of Bacillus cereus on different materials under different culture conditions was determined, as well as the relationship of biofilms with motility, in addition to the enterotoxigenic profile and candidate genes that participate in the production of biofilms. Biofilm production of B. cereus strains was determined on five materials: glass, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), PVC/glass; in three culture media: Phenol red broth, tryptic soy broth, and brain heart infusion broth; in two different temperatures (37 °C and 25 °C), and in two different oxygen conditions (oxygen and CO₂ tension). Furthermore, the strains were molecularly characterized by end-point polymerase chain reaction. Motility was determined on semi-solid agar. The B. cereus strains in this study were mainly characterized as enterotoxigenic strains; statistically significant differences were found in the PVC material and biofilm production. Motility was positively associated with the production of biofilm in glass/PVC. The sipW and tasA genes were found in two strains. The results of this study are important in the food industry because the strains carry at least one enterotoxin gene and produce biofilms on different materials Full article

As a fixed reservoir rock property, pore throat size distribution (PSD) is known to affect the distribution of reservoir fluid saturation strongly. This study aims to investigate the relations between the PSD and the oil–water relative permeabilities of reservoir rock with a focus on the efficiency of surfactant–nanofluid flooding as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique. For this purpose, mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) tests were conducted on two core plugs with similar rock types (in respect to their flow zone index (FZI) values), which were selected among more than 20 core plugs, to examine the effectiveness of a surfactant–nanoparticle EOR method for reducing the amount of oil left behind after secondary core flooding experiments. Thus, interfacial tension (IFT) and contact angle measurements were carried out to determine the optimum concentrations of an anionic surfactant and silica nanoparticles (NPs) for core flooding experiments. Results of relative permeability tests showed that the PSDs could significantly affect the endpoints of the relative permeability curves, and a large amount of unswept oil could be recovered by flooding a mixture of the alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) surfactant + silica NPs as an EOR solution. Results of core flooding tests indicated that the injection of AOS + NPs solution in tertiary mode could increase the post-water flooding oil recovery by up to 2.5% and 8.6% for the carbonate core plugs with homogeneous and heterogeneous PSDs, respectively. Full article

Biofilms located within the root canals of teeth are a unique and pressing concern in dentistry and in medical microbiology. These multispecies biofilms, which include fungi as well as bacteria, form in a protected site with low shear stress and low oxygen tension. Systemic antibiotics are of limited value because of the lack of blood flow of the site, and issues with innate and acquired resistance. Physical disruption using hand or rotary powered instruments does not reach all locations in the root canal system where biofilms are present. Alternative strategies including agitated irrigation fluids, continuous chelation, materials with highly alkaline pH, and antimicrobial nanoparticles are being explored to meet the challenge. Detection and quantification of biofilms using fluorescence-based optical methods could provide an indication of successful biofilm removal and an endpoint for physical and chemical treatments. Full article

The goal of sustainability involves a consensus among economic, environmental and social factors. Due to climate change, environmental concerns have increased in society. The construction sector is among the most active high environmental impact sectors. This paper proposes new features to consider a more detailed life-cycle assessment (LCA) of reinforced or pre-stressed concrete structures. Besides, this study carries out a comparison between two optimal post-tensioned concrete box-girder road bridges with different maintenance scenarios. ReCiPe method is used to carry out the life-cycle assessment. The midpoint approach shows a complete environmental profile with 18 impact categories. In practice, all the impact categories make their highest contribution in the manufacturing and use and maintenance stages. Afterwards, these two stages are analyzed to identify the process which makes the greatest contribution. In addition, the contribution of CO₂ fixation is taken into account, reducing the environmental impact in the use and maintenance and end of life stages. The endpoint approach shows more interpretable results, enabling an easier comparison between different stages and solutions. The results show the importance of considering the whole life-cycle, since a better design reduces the global environmental impact despite a higher environmental impact in the manufacturing stage. Full article