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Purpose: To evaluate the peri-implant outcomes of customized healing abutments (CstHA) placed on dental implants inserted in fresh tooth extraction sockets. Materials and Methods: The study was registered on PROSPERO: CRD42022304320. A systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted between April 2022 and October 2022 to identify clinical studies involving immediate implant surgery associated with CstHA placement. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal and RoB2 tool were performed for the risk of bias analysis. Results: A total of 12 studies were included, most of them with low risk of bias. Four studies compared CstHA vs conventional healing abutments (CnvtHA), two compared CstHA vs cover screw and collagen matrix (CMa), and six were clinical case series. For the CstHA vs CnvtHA comparison, favorable results were observed for CstHA considering papilla maintenance and probing depth, yet the mean marginal bone level was statistically similar between CstHA and CnvtHA. CstHA showed advantages when compared to CMa for total bone volume, papilla height, and midfacial mucosa maintenance. Significantly less horizonal bone loss was reported when using CstHA compared with CMa. Horizontal and vertical bone loss was observed in a few (or no) sites in the case series using CstHA. Conclusions: CstHA provides favorable peri-implant response because in general it does not result in a significant loss of soft and hard tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundStrategies to improve the selection of appropriate target journals may reduce delays in disseminating research results. Machine learning is increasingly used in content-based recommender algorithms to guide journal submissions for academic articles. ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the performance of open-source artificial intelligence to predict the impact factor or Eigenfactor score tertile using academic article abstracts. MethodsPubMed-indexed articles published between 2016 and 2021 were identified with the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms “ophthalmology,” “radiology,” and “neurology.” Journals, titles, abstracts, author lists, and MeSH terms were collected. Journal impact factor and Eigenfactor scores were sourced from the 2020 Clarivate Journal Citation Report. The journals included in the study were allocated percentile ranks based on impact factor and Eigenfactor scores, compared with other journals that released publications in the same year. All abstracts were preprocessed, which included the removal of the abstract structure, and combined with titles, authors, and MeSH terms as a single input. The input data underwent preprocessing with the inbuilt ktrain Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) preprocessing library before analysis with BERT. Before use for logistic regression and XGBoost models, the input data underwent punctuation removal, negation detection, stemming, and conversion into a term frequency-inverse document frequency array. Following this preprocessing, data were randomly split into training and testing data sets with a 3:1 train:test ratio. Models were developed to predict whether a given article would be published in a first, second, or third tertile journal (0-33rd centile, 34th-66th centile, or 67th-100th centile), as ranked either by impact factor or Eigenfactor score. BERT, XGBoost, and logistic regression models were developed on the training data set before evaluation on the hold-out test data set. The primary outcome was overall classification accuracy for the best-performing model in the prediction of accepting journal impact factor tertile. ResultsThere were 10,813 articles from 382 unique journals. The median impact factor and Eigenfactor score were 2.117 (IQR 1.102-2.622) and 0.00247 (IQR 0.00105-0.03), respectively. The BERT model achieved the highest impact factor tertile classification accuracy of 75.0%, followed by an accuracy of 71.6% for XGBoost and 65.4% for logistic regression. Similarly, BERT achieved the highest Eigenfactor score tertile classification accuracy of 73.6%, followed by an accuracy of 71.8% for XGBoost and 65.3% for logistic regression. ConclusionsOpen-source artificial intelligence can predict the impact factor and Eigenfactor score of accepting peer-reviewed journals. Further studies are required to examine the effect on publication success and the time-to-publication of such recommender systems.

A violência sempre fez parte da história da vida humana e estudos divergem quanto à sua inerência, considerando que a natureza é quem oferece as bases do comportamento violento que, no entanto, é modulado pelo ambiente em constante variação. Na atualidade, a violência encontra-se em uma escalada que assola e preocupa o país, chegando a todas as classes sociais. Para que o homem possa conviver socialmente, ele precisa controlar estes conflitos ou mantê-los em patamares aceitáveis de socialização e, para isso, conta com algumas ferramentas, como a política. Portanto, é preciso que políticas públicas para a prática de resolução dos conflitos sejam priorizadas pelo poder público. Esse artigo apresenta uma proposta de política pública direcionada à Polícia Civil do Estado do Paraná, com base nos princípios da Justiça Restaurativa e com o objetivo de melhorar a qualidade no atendimento da Polícia Civil, investindo na formação dos “policiais restaurativos” e, finalmente, proporcionar a satisfação das partes envolvidas nos conflitos (vítima, ofensor e comunidade). A proposta de política pública tendo como base a Justiça Restaurativa não se configura como solução milagrosa para o problema, mas sim como uma forma de reestabelecer laços que foram rompidos, compreendendo que custa muito para todos os seres humanos que sofreram alguma espécie de violência recuperar-se por completo. Tecidas tais considerações, conclui-se que, na realidade, o que existe não é um processo finalizado, mas sim a interação entre uma proposta de política pública e uma sociedade em mudança e acredita-se que, por meio de novas alternativas de enfrentamento dos conflitos, a sociedade possa ser transformada de maneira a diminuir os índices de violência que assustam o país.

Improving food preservation technologies is a key aspect in the struggle to reduce global food waste, and natural antimicrobial substances, such as essential oil (EO) components represent very promising food preserving agent. However, their intrinsic chemico‐physical properties, such as the low melting point, low water solubility and high volatility, pose some practical difficulties in exploiting them for practical applications. Cocrystallization is used to stabilize liquid or volatile EO components providing them whit a crystalline environment, thus improving their potential application as antibacterial agents. Five EO active ingredients (THY = thymol, CAR = carvacrol, EUG = eugenol, CAD = trans‐cinnamaldehyde, and VAN = o‐vanillin) and two coformers (INA = Isonicotinamide, and HBA = 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid) have been combined and the corresponding cocrystals have been studied for their potential inhibiting effect against four food spoilage bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Serratia marcescens). The structures of the five cocrystals have been used to derive structure‐activity relationships in terms of release energy of the active ingredients form the crystalline environment, and a correlation has been derived with the Intermolecular Interaction Energies of the EO molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hearing Voices Groups (HVGs) are a peer support system for people with acoustic-verbal hallucinations. Few empirical studies have assessed their effectiveness. The main objective of this study is to evaluate a wide range of effects of HVGs and to compare them to those of regular therapeutic groups. Method: This comparative study is based on the responses of 20 French-speaking voice- hearers to an original self-administered questionnaire on the effects of their participation in a HVG in addition to a recovery assessment, the STORI. Our control group is composed of participants in Metacognitive Training programs (MCT, n = 14). Results: Results show a good homogeneity between the two populations in terms of sociodemographics, diagnosis, care pathways, and stages of recovery. The averages of the total satisfaction scores are very similar (162.15/230 for the HVG and 165.28 for the MCT groups) and indicate a very positive appraisal. Some differences can be observed in the type of benefits derived. Discussion: HVGs can be considered as settings that favour recovery and could have a complementary role, especially for users who would otherwise tend to leave or avoid the conventional field of psychiatric treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the clinical and cost outcomes of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for mitral regurgitation (MR) in heart failure (HF) patients. Methods: All 162 HF patients undergoing TEER for MR between January 2019 and March 2023 were included. A propensity-adjusted analysis was used to compare 32 systolic vs. 97 diastolic vs. 33 mixed (systolic + diastolic) HF patients. Systolic, diastolic, and mixed HF patients were defined according to AHA guidelines. The primary outcome was the long-term incidence of all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs, all-cause mortality + stroke + myocardial infarction + repeat intervention). Results: The mean age was 76.3 vs. 80.9 vs. 76 years old, and the mean ejection fraction (EF) was 39.5% vs. 59.8% vs. 39.7% in systolic vs. diastolic vs. mixed HF, respectively. Postoperatively, the diastolic vs. systolic HF group had a higher intensive care unit stay (21 vs. 0 h; HR 67.5 (23.7, 111.4)]; lower ventilation time [2 vs. 2.3 h; HR 49.4 (8.6, 90.2)]; lower EF [38% vs. 58.5%; HR 9.9 (3.7, 16.1)]. In addition, the diastolic vs. mixed HF groups had a lower incidence of EF < 50% (11 vs. 27 patients; HR 6.6 (1.6, 27.3) and a lower use of dialysis (one vs. three patients; HR 18.1 (1.1, 287.3), respectively. At a mean 1.6 years follow-up, all-cause death [HR 39.8 (26.2, 60.5)], MACCEs [HR 50.3 (33.7–75.1)], and new pacemaker implantations [HR 17.3 (8.7, 34.6)] were higher in the mixed group. There was no significant total hospital cost difference among the systolic (USD 106,859) vs. diastolic (USD 91,731) vs. mixed (USD 120,522) HF groups (p = 0.08). Conclusions: TEER for MR evidenced the worst postoperative and follow-up clinical outcomes in the mixed HF group compared to diastolic and systolic HF groups. No total hospital cost differences were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Student‐led Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) provide formative learning opportunities prior to Faculty‐led OSCEs. It is important to undertake quality assurance measurements of peer‐led assessments because, if they are found to be unreliable and invalid, they may have detrimental impacts. The objectives of this study were to explore and evaluate Student‐led OSCEs hosted by fifth‐year medical students. Methods: Student‐led OSCE results were analysed to examine reliability (Cronbach's alpha). The relationship between Student‐led and Faculty‐led OSCEs was evaluated using linear regression. Qualitative data were acquired by survey and semi‐structured interviews and were analysed using an inductive content analysis approach. Results: In total, 85 (94%) of 91 eligible students consented to study participation. Student‐led OSCEs had a low‐moderate reliability [Cronbach alpha = 0.47 (primary care) and 0.61 (human reproduction/paediatrics) (HRH)]. A statistically significant, positive relationship between Student‐led and Faculty‐led OSCE results was observed. Faculty‐led OSCE grades increased by 0.49 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.80) to 1.09 (95% CI: 0.67, 1.52), for each percentage increase in Student‐led OSCE result. Student‐led OSCE participants highly valued the authentic peer‐assessed experience. Reported benefits included a reduction of perceived stress and anxiety prior to Faculty‐led OSCEs, recognition of learning gaps, contribution to overall clinical competency and facilitation of collaboration between peers. Discussion: Student‐led OSCEs are moderately reliable and can predict Faculty‐led OSCE performance. This form of near‐peer assessment encourages the metacognitive process of reflective practice and can be effectively implemented to direct further study. Faculties should collaborate with their student bodies to facilitate Student‐led OSCEs and offer assistance to improve the quality, and benefits, of these endeavours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare form of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) associated with complement dysregulation; aHUS may be associated with other 'triggers' or 'clinical conditions'. This study aimed to characterize this patient population using data from the Global aHUS Registry, the largest collection of real‐world data on patients with aHUS. Methods: Patients enrolled in the Global aHUS Registry between April 2012 and June 2021 and with recorded aHUS‐associated triggers or clinical conditions prior/up to aHUS onset were analysed. aHUS was diagnosed by the treating physician. Data were classified by age at onset of aHUS (< or ≥18 years) and additionally by the presence/absence of identified pathogenic complement genetic variant(s) and/or anti‐complement factor H (CFH) antibodies. Genetically/immunologically untested patients were excluded. Results: 1947 patients were enrolled in the Global aHUS Registry by June 2021, and 349 (17.9%) met inclusion criteria. 307/349 patients (88.0%) had a single associated trigger or clinical condition and were included in the primary analysis. Malignancy was most common (58/307, 18.9%), followed by pregnancy and acute infections (both 53/307, 17.3%). Patients with an associated trigger or clinical condition were generally more likely to be adults at aHUS onset. Conclusion: Our analysis suggests that aHUS‐associated triggers or clinical conditions may be organized into clinically relevant categories, and their presence does not exclude the concurrent presence of pathogenic complement genetic variants and/or anti‐CFH antibodies. Considering a diagnosis of aHUS with associated triggers or clinical conditions in patients presenting with TMA may allow faster and more appropriate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The measurement and recording of vital signs may be impacted by biases, including preferences for even and round numbers. However, other biases, such as variation due to defined numerical boundaries (also known as boundary effects), may be present in vital signs data and have not yet been investigated in a medical setting. We aimed to assess vital signs data for such biases. These parameters are clinically significant as they influence care escalation. Methods: Vital signs data (heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and systolic blood pressure) were collected from a tertiary hospital electronic medical record over a 2‐year period. These data were analysed using polynomial regression with additional terms to assess for underreporting of out‐of‐range observations and overreporting numbers with terminal digits of 0 (round numbers), 2 (even numbers) and 5. Results: It was found that heart rate, oxygen saturation and systolic blood pressure demonstrated 'boundary effects', with values inside the 'normal' range disproportionately more likely to be recorded. Even number bias was observed in systolic heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure. Preference for multiples of 5 was observed for heart rate and blood pressure. Independent overrepresentation of multiples of 10 was demonstrated in heart rate data. Conclusion: Although often considered objective, vital signs data are affected by bias. These biases may impact the care patients receive. Additionally, it may have implications for creating and training machine learning models that utilise vital signs data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The impact of blood pressure on neurological symptoms and risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is unknown in primary and secondary thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs). Methods We measured baseline systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP in consecutive 563 patients with adjudicated primary and secondary TMAs, and assessed its association with the risk of ESKD. Results Normal BP, grade 1, 2 and 3 hypertension were present in 243 (43.1%), 132 (23.4%), 101 (17.9%) and 88 (15.6%), respectively. Significant BP differences were noted in relation to the cause of TMA: highest BP values were found in patients with atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (aHUS), pregnancy, transplantation and auto-immune-related TMAs. Normal BP or grade 1 hypertension was found in 17/18 (94.4%) patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic patients (only 1/18 (5.6%) had a SBP value>150 mmHg). In contrast, BP values could not differentiate isolated “essential” malignant hypertension (MH) from MH associated with aHUS (isolated MH (n=15): BP (median (IQR)): 220 (182-249)/132 (101-150) mmHg; MH with aHUS (n=5): BP: 223 (196-245)/131 (111-144) mmHg). The risk of vigilance disturbances (6.9%, 15.0%, 25.0%, respectively), epileptic seizures (1.5%, 4.0%, 12.5%, respectively) and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (0.76%, 2.97%, 6.82%, respectively) increased with increasing baseline BP values from grade 1 to grade 3 hypertension. ESKD occurred in 35/563 (6.2%) patients (1.23%, 2.27%, 11.9% and 19.3% of patients with normal BP, grade 1, 2 and 3 hypertension, respectively). As compared to patients with normal BP (

PURPOSETo generate and present the survey results on critical issues relevant to screening, diagnosis, and staging tools for prostate cancer (PCa) focused on developing countries.METHODSA total of 36 of 300 questions concern the main areas of interest of this paper: (1) screening, (2) diagnosis, and (3) staging for various risk levels of PCa in developing countries. A panel of 99 international multidisciplinary cancer experts voted on these questions to create recommendations for screening, diagnosing, and staging tools for PCa in areas of limited resources discussed in this manuscript.RESULTSThe panel voted publicly but anonymously on the predefined questions. Each question was deemed consensus if 75% or more of the full panel had selected a particular answer. These answers are based on panelist opinion not a literature review or meta-analysis. For questions that refer to an area of limited resources, the recommendations consider cost-effectiveness and the possible therapies with easier and greater access. Each question had five to seven relevant answers including two nonanswers. The results were tabulated in real time.CONCLUSIONThe voting results and recommendations presented in this document can be used by physicians to support the screening, diagnosis, and staging of PCa in areas of limited resources. Individual clinical decision making should be supported by available data; however, as guidelines for screening, diagnosis, and staging of PCa in developing countries have not been developed, this document will serve as a point of reference when confronted with this disease.

Hydraulic models include many uncertainties related to model parameters. Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) and Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) allow to quantify these uncertainties and identify the most influent parameters. To use traditional methods of UQ and GSA, the inputs must be independent. Therefore, this research aims to show that the dependence between inputs should not be neglected in uncertainty studies. To illustrate this, we used a simple hydraulic model built with TELEMAC-2D, representing a hypothetical linear river protected by a dyke that can break. The methodology is completed following these steps: the uncertain inputs and the outputs of interest are identified. Then, the inputs margins are defined through a statistical analysis using real dataset. The dependence structure between inputs is figured using copulas. Kriging metamodels are used to increase the number of experiences in a short time period. Finally, UQ and GSA are achieved. Regarding the UQ results, the outputs distribution is different if the inputs are considered dependent or not, whereas regarding the GSA, some parameters, usually considered non-influent in the hypothesis of independent inputs, have a real impact on the outputs. These results suggest that it could be interesting to consider the dependencies between inputs for “real” applications.