Search

The configuration factor (C-factor) is an index used to evaluate the relationship between cavity configuration and the development of polymerization shrinkage stress in dental restorations. Although C-factor has been widely researched, its correlation with stress analysis in dental restorations remains controversial. This review aims to discuss the application and limitations of C-factor and define the restricted conditions under which the C-factor "rule of thumb" is applicable. A thorough literature review was conducted on the application and limitations of C-factor in stress analysis of dental restorations. This was principally based on MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science databases and a review of the relevant studies and publications in scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals for the specific topic of C-factor and polymerization shrinkage. The C-factor alone cannot provide an accurate prediction of the shrinkage stress of restorations and the mechanical behavior of material-tooth interfaces. C-factor is only applicable under one condition not typically seen in clinical practice: low, near-rigid compliance. Conditions for the application of C-factor have been explicitly defined. A more accurate and precise understanding and utilization of the C-factor is of benefit as it contributes to better understanding of polymerization shrinkage behavior of restorations. [Display omitted] • The configuration factor (C-factor) "rule of thumb" works only in low, near-rigid compliance. • C-factor was introduced to predict shrinkage stress of materials. • C-factor cannot represent the biomechanical behavior of dental restorations. • Unlike polymerization shrinkage, shrinkage stress is not a material property. • New mathematical models have been developed to refine C-factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the liver (MCN-L) including biliary cystadenomas (BCA) and biliary cystadenocarcinomas (BCAC) are rare cystic lesions that comprise less than 5% of all liver cysts and affect only a small subset of individuals. We herein review the current evidence regarding the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, tumor markers, pathological findings, clinical management, and prognosis of MCN-L. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using MEDLINE/Pubmed and Web of Science databases. In PubMed, the terms "biliary cystadenoma," "biliary cystadenocarcinoma," and "non parasitic hepatic cysts" were queried to identify the most recent data on MCN-L. Results: US imaging, CT, and MRI, as well as consideration of clinicopathological features, are required to appropriately characterize and diagnose hepatic cystic tumors. BCA are premalignant lesions and cannot be reliably differentiated from BCAC based on imaging alone. As such, both types of lesions should be treated with margin-negative surgical resection. Following surgical resection, recurrence is fairly low among patients with BCA and BCAC. Despite having worse long-term outcomes than BCA, the prognosis following surgical resection of BCAC still remains more favorable than other primary malignant liver tumors. Conclusion: MCN-L are rare cystic liver tumors that include BCA and BCAC, which can be difficult to differentiate based on imaging alone. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of management for MCN-L with recurrence being generally uncommon. Future multi-institutional studies are still required to better understand the biology behind BCA and BCAC to improve the care of patients with MCN-L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radioembolization (RE) with 90Yttrium (Y90) has generally been used to treat patients with advanced disease. Recent data suggest, however, that RE is also safe and feasible to treat patients with early or intermediate stage disease. We herein review the current evidence regarding the use of RE with Y90 for patients with HCC. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science databases with a search end date of August 1, 2022. Results: Patients with HCC are often treated according to the BCLC staging system. Among patients with early-stage HCC (BCLC A), intermediate-stage HCC (BCLC B), and advanced-stage HCC (BCLC C), RE with Y90 has demonstrated promising results with comparable overall survival, time to disease progression, and radiological response compared with other standard of care treatment modalities. Moreover, Y90 RE can be used as a downstaging treatment modality for patients with advanced HCC who have a disease burden that is initially outside LT criteria. Radiation lobectomy (RL) has been described as a treatment modality with the intent of treating the ipsilateral liver that harbors the HCC, while also causing compensatory hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (FLR). Conclusion: While initially considered as a palliative option for HCC patients, Y90 RE has emerged as an important part of the multi-modality care of patients with HCC across a wide spectrum of clinical indications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital transformation has recently introduced itself as a groundbreaking phenomenon with profound impacts on societies, industries, businesses, and even individuals. Accordingly, several studies have attempted to give a literature review or analysis of digital transformation research during the last few years. However, most of them are domain-specific studies based on small data samples or subjective review methods, so we lack a general and robust understanding of the landscape of this field of research across different disciplines and domains. Taking a step toward filling this gap, the current study aims to shape an overall and reliable picture of the research realm on digital transformation. To the aim, a computational method namely topic modeling was applied to two big texts, one of which includes all digital transformation-related publications that were indexed in well-known Scopus and Web of Science databases (8639 documents), and the other one only contains studies that were published by high-quality JCR journals (1264 documents). As a result, 20 and 13 topics were respectively introduced as the underlying themes of the global trends and core knowledge in digital transformation research along with their temporal evolutionary paths throughout the recent years. Also, by comparing these two groups of topics, it was known that there are nine developing trends in this field of research that require more attention and advancements to establish themselves as the core knowledge of the field. Complementing the contributions of previous domain-specific or subjective reviews on digital transformation, this study tries to favor a better understanding of this scholarship through multidisciplinary and multidimensional analyses of digital transformation-related publications by using the topic modeling approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation was first demonstrated to be associated with cavernomagenesis in 1992. Since then, a growing body of literature has shown the unique course and presentation of radiation-induced cavernous malformations (RICMs). This study summarizes the literature on RICMs and presents a single-center experience. A prospectively maintained single institution vascular malformation database was searched for all cases of intracranial cavernous malformation (January 1, 1997–December 31, 2021). For patients with a diagnosis of RICM, information on demographic characteristics, surgical treatments, radiation, and surgical outcomes was obtained and analyzed. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases for all reported cases of RICM. A retrospective review of 1662 patients treated at a single institution yielded 10 patients with prior radiation treatment in the neck or head region and a subsequent diagnosis of intracranial RICM. The median (interquartile range) latency between radiation and presentation was 144 (108–192) months. Nine of 10 patients underwent surgery; symptoms improved for 5 patients, worsened for 3, and were stable for 1. The systematic literature review yielded 64 publications describing 248 patients with RICMs. Of the 248 literature review cases, 71 (28.6%) involved surgical resection. Of 39 patients with reported surgical outcomes, 32 (82%) experienced improvement. RICMs have a unique course and epidemiology. RICMs should be considered when patients with a history of radiation present with neurologic impairment. When RICMs are identified, symptomatic patients can be treated effectively with surgical excision and close follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 70 studies used interventions to reduce the VPD burden among migrants and refugees. • Interventions focused at the individual, community, provider and/or system level. • Effective, interventions were designed to overcome barriers to accessing services. • Cultural strategies addressed the heterogeneity of migrant and refugee communities. • Interventions should be tailored to address migrants' specific needs. • More evaluation research that reflects the current migration context is needed. Disparities in vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) burden and immunisation coverage between migrants and refugees and their host populations have been described in numerous countries worldwide. Effective strategies are required to reduce the health disparities and immunisation inequities experienced by migrants and refugees. Using Arksey and O'Malley's framework, we conducted a scoping review to identify available literature on interventions aimed at reducing VPD burden among migrants and refugees worldwide. We searched for relevant empirical, peer-reviewed literature published in English between 2006 and 2018 using MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science databases. Relevant information from the studies, including intervention type, details and outcomes, were charted in Microsoft Excel and results were summarised using a descriptive analytical method. Seventy studies met the inclusion criteria. The number of published studies increased over the years. The majority of studies were conducted in high-income countries. More studies were conducted among migrants (not including refugees) (n = 48, 66%) than specifically among refugees (n = 25, 34%). Interventions were implemented in a variety of settings, including health care (n = 31, 42%), community (n = 29, 39%), off-shore (n = 7, 9%), national (n = 4, 5%), school (n = 2, 3%), and workplace (n = 1, 1%). Studies reported interventions focused at the individual (to facilitate uptake of health services) (n = 4, 5%), community (to raise awareness) (n = 25, 34%), provider (to offer health services) (n = 12, 16%) and/or system (to increase compliance with recommendations) (n = 33, 45%) level. To be effective, interventions were designed to overcome commonly identified barriers to accessing services related to language, culture, distance and cost. Engagement with community members and organisations was an effective way to co-design interventions that address migrants' specific needs. Studies emphasised the importance of interventions that address the heterogeneity within and between migrant and refugee populations. Considerable variation in practice remains, therefore more evaluation of interventions is needed to inform policy and programme decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A review of skin picking in PWS described when skin picking occurs, what sites are chosen, what initiates and what sustains it. • The review also showed that skin picking is probably not part of the repetitive and ritualistic behaviours characteristic of the syndrome. • Behavioural interventions may be more effective than medication in our present state of knowledge. A search of the PubMed and Web of Science databases for articles on skin picking in PWS was undertaken identifying case studies; trials of specific treatments; and descriptions of when skin picking occurs, what sites are chosen, and what initiates and sustains this behaviour. Published papers have also considered how skin picking might link to the PWS genotype and whether it is best considered to be part of the repetitive and ritualistic behaviours characteristic of the syndrome. To answer specific questions raised as a result of the review additional analysis was undertaken using data from our earlier population-based study of PWS. We consider this behaviour of skin picking using the framework of the Research Domains Criteria that is cross diagnostic and focuses on the identification of specific neurobiological, psychological and cognitive processes. PWS illustrates the likely interplay between different processes that first initiate and then maintain such behaviour. Treatment development depends on better understanding these mechanisms and their relative contribution to the behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To conduct a review of the literature in order to identify the potential association between physical activity or exercise and the objective signs and/or subjective symptoms of dry-eye disease. A review of PubMed and Web of Science databases was performed, according to the PRISMA guidelines. The papers included in the review addressed the relationship of physical activity or exercise with dry-eye associated signs (changes in tear volume, osmolarity or biochemical composition) and/or subjective symptoms. A total of 16 papers were included. In eight, the changes in tear film volume, osmolarity and/or biochemical composition were studied after a single, acute bout of aerobic exercise. In another eight, changes in dry-eye associated symptoms were studied in relation to the habitual practice of physical activity or to prescribed exercise programmes. Acute responses of the tear film to exercise included: a) an increase of tear volume, without an increase of the tear break-up time; b) a trend to increase tear osmolarity, although within its physiological range; and c) a reduced concentration of several cytokines, and other molecular markers of inflammation or oxidative stress. Long-term exposure to physical activity or exercise programmes was associated with relief of dry-eye associated symptoms and a trend to increased tear break-up time. Despite a high heterogeneity in the studied population, study designs and methods, the current body of evidence suggests a potential role for physical activity as a modulatory stimulus for the proper functioning of the tear film and/or the relief of dry-eye symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 89% of studies reported higher VPD burden among migrants. • 70% of studies reported lower immunisation rates among migrants. • Future research needs consensus on employed methodologies and terminology. • Research should disaggregate migrant data to better understand migrant health. • Calls for more evaluation and reporting of screening and vaccination strategies. Studies of vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) burden and immunisation coverage among migrants compared to locally-born populations present a mixed picture on whether migrants experience disproportionate VPD rates and immunisation inequities, and what the associated factors are. We conducted a scoping review to explore differences in VPD burden and immunisation coverage between migrants and non-migrants worldwide. We followed Arksey and O'Malley's five stage scoping review method. We searched for empirical, peer-reviewed literature published in English that compared VPD burden and/or immunisation coverage between migrant and non-migrant groups published between 2006 and 2016 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science databases. Relevant information from the studies were charted in Microsoft Excel and results were summarised using a descriptive analytical method. Forty-five studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 13 reporting on VPD burden; n = 27 reporting on immunisation rates; n = 5 reporting on both). Studies that met the criteria only reported findings from high income countries or high-middle income countries. Accounting for results that were presented according to separate ethnic migrant sub-groups, almost all of the studies comparing VPD burden (n = 17, 89%) reported higher burden among migrants compared to non-migrants, while most studies measuring immunisation rates (n = 26, 70%) noted lower rates among migrants. Numerous factors contributed to these findings, including the influence of migrants' nativity, socio-economic status, migration background, generation status, residential duration, cultural/personal beliefs, language proficiency and healthcare utilisation. Considerable variability of study foci and methodologies limited our ability to make definitive conclusions and comparisons, but the literature suggests that migrant populations generally experience higher VPD burden and lower immunisation rates. The findings highlight a number of important considerations for future research and immunisation programme planning. Future research should explore factors that influence VPD burden and immunisation rates, and strategies to overcome barriers to vaccine uptake among migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Currently, a significant transformation for energy systems has emerged as a result of the trend to develop an energy framework without fossil fuel reliance, the concerns about climate change and air quality, and the need to provide electricity to around of 17% of world population who lacks the service. Accordingly, the deployment of power plants located close to end-users and including multiple energy sources and carriers, along with the growing share of renewable energies, have suggested changes in the energy sector. Despite their potential capabilities, the design of distributed energy systems (DES) is a complex problem due to the simultaneous goals and constraints that need to be considered, as well as to the high context dependence of this kind of projects. For these reasons, in this work a systematic literature review of DES including hydrogen as energy vector, was made analyzing 106 research papers published between the years 2000–2018, and extracted from Scopus® and Web of Science databases. The aim was to identify how hydrogen is employed (technologies, uses) and the criteria that are evaluated (economic, technical, social and environmental) when these systems are designed, planned and/or operated. The results constitute a baseline information covering the type of technologies, equipment sizes and hydrogen applications, that could be valuable for the preliminary stages of research or project planning of DES involving hydrogen. Furthermore, other factors have also been identified, such as the focus on techno-economic issues, and the lack of considering socio/political aspects and the uncertainty about input data like weather conditions, energy prices and demands. Additionally, a more integrated approach is needed including all the hydrogen supply chain stages and project stakeholders, to tackle issues like safety of the energy systems that could produce consumer rejections. Highlights • Distributed energy systems including hydrogen as energy carrier were studied. • The identification of hydrogen-related technologies and uses was done. • Different application scales of decentralized energy systems were included. • Baselines to early stage design of distributed energy systems are proposed. • There is a need of multi-dimensional approaches to evaluate this type of systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dupilumab, as an IL4Rα antagonist, showed a beneficial effect on BP. • We reported the clinical data for nine BP patients treated with dupilumab. • Previous literature describing the use of dupilumab for BP was summarized. Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering disease that affects the elderly mostly. First-line treatment of systemic corticosteroids may cause significant adverse effects, especially in patients with multiple co-morbidities. Dupilumab shows certain effectiveness in treating BP. We aim to profile our experience with dupilumab in a series of patients with BP and review the articles published to date. Medical records of 9 patients with moderate-to-severe BP were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were administered dupilumab. Response to dupilumab was evaluated by NRS scores, number of lesions, and the systemic corticosteroids' dosage. The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify eligible studies. The 9 patients were identified in this case series with a median age of 68 years (range 42–89) and the median duration of disease before being treated with dupilumab was 6 months (range 1–144). Complete remission was achieved in 6 patients while partial response was achieved in one patient. The NRS score had decreased to varying degrees at week 2 in all patients, and skin lesions improved within 2 to 6 weeks. Fifteen publications were included: 3 retrospective studies and 12 case series or reports, with a total of 63 patients. The overall complete response and partial response rates were 74.6 % and 11.1 %, respectively. Dupilumab appears to be a safe alternative for the treatment of patients with refractory BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleomorphic adenoma accounts for the majority of benign tumors of the salivary gland. It is also called mixed tumor because it is composed by ductal epithelial and myoepithelial cells, variably intermixed within a chondromyxoid stroma. The recurrence rate is around 3.4% and 6.3%, respectively at 5 and 10 years and, to date, there are no valuable predictive factors. Aim of our study was to assess the role of Ki67 proliferative index in our cases and through meta-analysis. Immunohistochemistry with Ki67 antibody was performed on 28 cases. A manual count of the signal was performed, to establish the proliferative activity. Statistical tests were applied to assess the correlation between the score and clinico-pathologic parameters. Further data were extrapolated from studies published on Pubmed, Cochrane and Web of Science database. Higher values of Ki67 were found among cases with larger size (p value = 0.0061) and showing greater cellularity (p value =0.0004). 19 papers were selected from the bibliographic search, concerning a total of 1187 patients affected by pleomorphic adenoma. In most of them, a higher Ki67 was detected among relapsing forms but results were controversial. In each study, several count methods were applied. The role of Ki67 in pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary glands remains unclear. The lack of homogeneity of the data makes it very difficult to standardize them in order to draw a conclusion. It would therefore be desirable to carry out a comparison study of the various possible methods of Ki67 counting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper conducts a bibliometric analysis of servitization and PSS by examining 690 selected papers from Web of Science database. Knowledge mapping techniques including collaboration analysis, co-citation analysis and keywords co-occurrence analysis methods are adopted in the bibliometric analysis. Our findings show that China and England are the top two countries publishing more papers, and Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark keep tight collaboration relationships with other regions. We also find that some active researchers play critical roles as interfaces to connect different research groups in the servitization and PSS fields. Some authors of highly cited papers in earlier years gradually turned to other research directions. In addition, 'Digital PSS and servitization', and 'territorial servitization' are found to be emerging trends in recent years. Although the earlier sustainability topics in the servitization field are more associated with eco-design and lifecycle extension, they gradually shift to sustainable business models in recent years. Compared with most of the literature reviews in the field, this study provides insights by revealing the distribution structure of literature, the collaboration relationship and the dynamic change of research trends with a transparent, repeatable and objective procedure. • The trend of interdisciplinary fusion in the field of servitization and PSS is revealed. • China and England are the top two countries publishing the most servitization papers. • Digital PSS and servitization, territorial servitization are two main emerging trends. • Sustainability-related topics are shifting from eco-design to sustainable business models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necrotizing epiglottitis (NE) is a rare but extremely serious variant of acute bacterial epiglottitis. So far, it has been reported mostly in immunocompromised adults and only seldomly in the pediatric population. We describe the case of a 15-month-old immunocompetent child who presented to our tertiary referral center with necrotizing epiglottitis. This manuscript emphasizes the need for rapid recognition and surgical management of this unusual condition, as well as the importance of laryngeal preservation when facing overwhelming necrosis around the laryngeal cartilaginous framework. A review of the literature using MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science databases was performed to discuss the epidemiology, bacteriology, treatment and prognosis of NE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]