Search

Copyright of Ibis is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BackgroundDrug repurposing has become a widely adopted strategy to minimise research time, costs, and associated risks. Combinations of protease inhibitors such as lopinavir and darunavir with ritonavir have been repurposed as treatments for COVID-19. Although lopinavir-ritonavir (LPV/r) and darunavir-ritonavir (DRV/r) have shown in vitro efficacy against COVID-19, the results in human studies have been inconsistent. Therefore, our objective was to compare the efficacy of LPV/r and DRV/r in COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary centre in Romania.Research design and methodsA clinical dataset from 417 hospitalised patients was analysed. Patients were assigned to the LPV/r, DRV/r, or control (standard-of-care) group based on clinical decisions made by the attending infectious disease specialists, aligned with national treatment protocols. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were conducted to compare in-hospital mortality and to identify factors associated with clinical improvement or fatal outcomes.ResultsBy day 10, more patients showed improvement with LPV/r and DRV/r (p=0.03 and 0.01, respectively), but only LPV/r was associated with improved survival compared to the control group (p=0.05). Factors associated with mortality included male gender (HR: 3.63, p=0.02), diabetes (HR: 2.49, p=0.03), oxygen saturation below 90% at admission (HR: 5.23, p

The ARCR_Pred study was initiated to document and predict the safety and effectiveness of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) in a representative Swiss patient cohort. In the present manuscript, we aimed to describe the overall and baseline characteristics of the study, report on functional outcome data and explore case-mix adjustment and differences between public and private hospitals. Between June 2020 and November 2021, primary ARCR patients were prospectively enrolled in a multicenter cohort across 18 Swiss and one German orthopedic center. Baseline characteristics, including sociodemographic and diagnostic variables, were reported. Clinical scores and patient-reported outcome measures were assessed up to 24-month follow-up. After screening 2350 individuals, 973 patients with ARCR were included. Follow-up rates reached 99%, 95%, 89% and 88% at 6 weeks, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. While the proportion of massive tears was higher in the study population (44% vs. 20%, Std. Diff. = 0.56), there were no other major differences in key characteristics between enrolled and non-enrolled patients or in patients lost to follow-up. Functional scores improved over time, with positive changes rates ranging from 83% to 92% at 6-month, reaching 91% to 97% at 12- and 24-month follow-up. In linear mixed models, used to estimate the associations between baseline factors, hospital type and standardized 0-100 scores, marginal effects for time ranged from 20 to 30, 28 to 39 and 34 to 41 points at the 6-, 12- and 24-month follow-up, respectively. Except at the 12-month follow-up, where marginal effects for the interaction terms ranged from -5 to -4 points in the standardized scores, there were no consistent outcome differences between public and private hospitals. Increasing number of years of education was consistently associated with better scores, greater feelings of depression and anxiety, smoking and ASA group III-IV were consistently associated with worse scores. Tear severity showed a consistent negative association solely for the Constant-Score. The ARCR_Pred study shows high potential for generalizability to the population of patients undergoing an ARCR in Switzerland. Further analyses are needed to establish relevant clinimetrics for the Swiss population and to compare outcomes for surgical techniques, surgeon experiences profiles and post-operative management.

El Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA) es un trastorno del neurodesarrollo caracterizado por desafíos en la comunicación social y la conducta, que aparecen en etapas tempranas de la vida, y muestran una elevada heterogeneidad clínica. Presenta una alta heredabilidad, con causa multifactorial (factores medioambientales, epigenéticos y genéticos que alteren la neurogénesis y sinaptogénesis temprana). La prevalencia mundial se estima entre el 1-2%, aunque hay alertas de aumento de incidencia. Hay factores de riesgo relacionados con aspectos preconcepcionales, prenatales y postnatales tempranos. La identificación oportuna, el diagnóstico temprano y el tratamiento precoz pueden mejorar el pronóstico. El médico de cabecera (pediatra o médico de familia) tiene un rol crucial en la detección, acompañamiento y seguimiento del paciente y su familia. El diagnóstico es clínico, se basa en la observación de la conducta, entrevista orientada al desarrollo, reportes de diversos ámbitos y un examen físico completo realizado por profesionales con experiencia. Las herramientas estandarizadas y los exámenes complementarios se deben solicitar según el juicio clínico. Se deben pesquisar condiciones asociadas como otros trastornos del neurodesarrollo, condiciones psiquiátricas, problemas médicos, sensoriales. El diagnóstico en mujeres presenta algunos desafíos por sesgo profesional y una presentación clínica diferencial. Se recomiendan intervenciones tempranas, implementadas de manera precoz y basadas en la evidencia científica. Deben orientarse a mejorar las habilidades en áreas con desafíos y aprovechar las fortalezas, minimizar las barreras y optimizar el ambiente. Los apoyos deben contribuir a mejorar el perfil de funcionamiento y la participación social.

This study aims to test the prototype solar dryer using a hybrid drying mechanism. The study utilized direct and indirect drying models. The indirect drying used solar collectors. Solar collector serves to absorb heat captured by the black body inside. The solar collector media used are flat plates and corrugated plates. The hot air from the solar collector is blown and forced by the blower into the drying chamber. Blowers operate using electrical energy generated by solar panels. The experiment lasted for two days from 09.00 a.m. to 03.00 p.m. The observations focused on the temperature of the solar collector and the drying chamber as well as the output of electricity generated by the solar panels. The test results showed the highest temperature reached by the solar collector with a corrugated plate was 50.500C, while the flat plate was 49.600C. Furthermore, the highest electrical power produced by solar panel was 11.33 Watts.

Introduction: The Swiss Eosinophilic Esophagitis Cohort Study (SEECS) is a national cohort that was established in 2015 with the aim of improving quality of care of affected adults with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Between 2020 and 2022, paper questionnaires were gradually replaced by fully electronic data capture using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap®) software. We aim to provide an update of the SEECS 8 years after its launch. Methods: The SEECS prospectively includes adults (≥18 years of age) with EoE as well as patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and healthy control subjects (HC). Upon inclusion and follow-up (typically once every 12–18 months), patients and physicians complete REDCap® questionnaires, which are available in German, French, and English. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and biologic findings are assessed on the same day using validated instruments (EEsAI PRO for symptoms; EoE-QoL-A for QoL; EREFS for endoscopic activity; modified EoE-HSS for histologic activity). The SEECS biobank includes biosamples from patients with EoE, GERD, and HC. Results: As of July 2023, the SEECS included 778 patients (716 [92%] with EoE, 29 [3.8%] with GERD, and 33 [4.2%] HC; 559/778 [71.9%] were male). Mean age ± SD (years) at enrollment according to diagnosis was as follows: EoE 41.9 ± 12.9, GERD 53.6 ± 16.4, HC 51.7 ± 17.2. Concomitant GERD was found in 200 patients (27.9%) of the EoE cohort. Concomitant allergic disorders (asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema) were present in 500 EoE patients (74.4%). At inclusion, 686 (95.8%) of EoE patients were on ongoing treatment (orodispersible budesonide tablet [Jorveza®] in 281 patients [41%]; budesonide or fluticasone syrup or swallowed powder in 290 patients [42.3%]; proton-pump inhibitors in 162 patients [23.6%]; elimination diets in 103 patients [15%]; and esophageal dilation at last visit in 166 patients [24.2%]). A total of 8,698 biosamples were collected, of which 1,395 (16%) were used in the framework of translational research projects. Conclusion: SEECS continuously grows and is operational using fully electronic data capture. SEECS offers up-to-date epidemiologic and real-world clinical efficacy data on EoE and promotes clinical and translational research.

The concept of clean and renewable energy is currently a focus developed continuously. One of the abundant sources of clean and renewable energy is water. A water turbine is a mechanism to generate electrical energy by utilizing the water flow. Pico or nano hydro turbines produce electrical energy by taking advantage of the flow of water that rotates the shaft of the electric generator. This experimental study aims to analyze the effect of differences in the number of blades on a Horizontal axis drag-type Savonius turbine mounted of water flow in a vertical pipe. The variations of blades number used in the study are 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. The potential energy of the water is kept constant with a constant head of 2 meters. Four main parameters used as a benchmark for the performance of water turbines are rotor rotation, voltage, current and electrical power generated. The results showed that the rotor rotation, voltage, current, and generated electrical power decreased as the number of blades used increased. The water turbine of 3 blades produces the best performance compared to the other one. The magnitude of the rotor rotation, voltage, current, and electrical power generated is 846 rpm, 15.28 volts, 0.61 amperes, and 9.38 Watts, respectively.

This article examines private Palestinian Arabic periodicals established during the Second Ottoman Constitutional Era, shedding light on the shifts and transformations within the press market during this dynamic period. Its aim is to piece together the circulation and distribution patterns of these publications. The research explores various facets, such as subscriber statistics, the geographical distribution of readership, and the pricing strategies. Following the Young Turk Revolution, there was a great expansion in journalistic endeavours, resulting in the establishment of numerous periodicals based in the three urban centres of Jerusalem, Jaffa and Haifa. However, the ensuing years witnessed a gradual consolidation, so that by the outbreak of World War I, only a fraction of the Arabic periodicals founded earlier continued operations. These publications followed diverse trajectories: some folded quickly owing to the fierce competition and the multitude of challenges plaguing journalistic activities, while others experienced a gradual decline but managed to sustain operations for an extended period. By contrast, the most successful among them strengthened their position by attracting prominent advertisers, actively engaging with the crucial issues of the era, introducing innovative practices, and consistently expanding their readership base, ultimately reaching their peak at the outbreak of WWI.

The treatment of older patients with cancer is challenging owing to frailty and the presence of comorbidities, which complicate treatment decisions by impacting tolerance to therapeutic interventions, as well as poor representation of this patient population in clinical trials, leading to a lack of evidence-based data, especially in later lines of therapy. There is an urgent need for predictive models that could provide diagnostic and prognostic information relevant to older patients with cancer. Organoid technology has emerged as a promising frontier in cancer treatment, offering a versatile platform for personalized medicine and drug development. By recapitulating the three-dimensional (3D) architecture, cell-matrix interactions and tissue heterogeneity, organoid cultures provide an accurate representation of individual tumor properties, thus enabling the precise modeling of tumor behavior. Clinical trials have demonstrated a high predictive value and statistically significant correlation between the patient’s clinical response and tumor organoid response in different cancer types. The first ongoing Swiss registry study aims to apply organoid-based drug screening technology to identify optimal treatments in older cancer patients in the second or later therapy line setting. This study will help to identify optimal personalized treatment strategies while reducing unnecessary treatment-related toxicity and improving patient outcomes in this patient population. PEER REVIEWED ARTICLE **Peer reviewers:** Dr Andreas Hochstrasser, Hospital Thun, Thun, Switzerland Dr Bich Doan Nguyen-Sträuli, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland Received on April 22, 2024; accepted after peer review on October 23, 2024; published online on October 30, 2024.

The term intangible assets embraces a wide array of assets, resources and capabilities that contribute to the productive potential of firms, but which do not have physical substance. Most empirical studies simply use an aggregate measure of intangibles derived from data collated from firms’ financial statements (we refer here to recognized or written intangibles). But such a measure includes only some of the valuable intangibles that firms possess, and typically does not capture the value of many intangibles (e.g. managerial and organizational capabilities, market knowledge, trusted relationships) that are internally generated by the company. Yet it is likely that such unrecognized or non-written intangibles will have at least as important an impact on corporate performance as that of the written intangibles. We show empirically that the growth of both categories of intangible assets have significant effects on sales growth (our chosen measure of firm performance), and that the elasticity of firm performance with respect to the growth of written intangibles is significantly larger than the elasticity with respect to the growth of non-written intangibles. However, our analysis also reveals that the mean stock of non-written intangibles is three times larger than the stock of written intangibles, and that the mean growth of the non-written intangibles is three times faster than that of written intangibles.

The genetic inheritance of a tree species is fully expressed in the phenotype only when its ecological requirements are accomplished. Therefore, genetic tests provide the opportunity to simulate the change in the environment and determine the most suitable site conditions for specific populations. In light of the unpredictable climate conditions resulting from rapid environmental changes, the current study investigated possible signs of adaptation and productivity of European beech in the Romanian Carpathian region. For this purpose, the tree growth and stability performances, as well as the transfer effect, were examined in 17 international beech provenances tested in two different environments for 27 years. Growth and stability performances were evaluated using tree height (Th), breast height diameter (DBH), and survival (S). In the case of the transfer analyses, the ecodistance approach was applied. According to the results, the average of S was 13% higher in the Carbunari provenance trial, and DBH was higher in the Sacele trial by 15%, while no noticeable differences were registered for Th. The best-performing provenances were those originating from similar site conditions to the Romanian test sites, and the transfer function detected the sensitivity of beech provenances to increasing temperature. The general transfer response of provenances revealed a similar performance across sites and suggested that provenances exhibited adaptation and acclimation to the test environments from Romanian Carpathians.