Στην βιολογία, το περιβάλλον μπορεί να καθοριστεί σαν ενα σύνολο κλιματικών, βιοτικών, κοινωνικών και εδαφικών παραγόντων που δρουν σε έναν οργανισμό και καθορίζουν την ανάπτυξη και την επιβίωση του. Έτσι, περιλαμβάνει οτιδήποτε μπορεί να επηρεάσει άμεσα τον μεταβολισμό ή τη συμπεριφορά των ζωντανών οργανισμών ή ειδών, όπως το φως, ο αέρας, το νερό, το έδαφος και άλλοι παράγοντες. Δείτε επίσης το άρθρο για το φυσικό περιβάλλον και τη φυσική επιλογή.
Στην αρχιτεκτονική, την εργονομία και την ασφάλεια στην εργασία, περιβάλλον είναι το σύνολο των χαρακτηριστικών ενός δωματίου ή κτιρίου που επηρεάζουν την ποιότητα ζωής και την αποδοτικότητα, περιλαμβανομένων των διαστάσεων και της διαρρύθμισης των χώρων διαβίωσης και της επίπλωσης, του φωτισμού, του αερισμού, της θερμοκρασίας, του θορύβου κλπ. Επίσης μπορεί να αναφέρεται στο σύνολο των δομικών κατασκευών. Δείτε επίσης το άρθρο για το δομημένο περιβάλλον.
Στην ψυχολογία, περιβαλλοντισμός είναι η θεωρία ότι το περιβάλλον (με τη γενική και κοινωνική έννοια) παίζει μεγαλύτερο ρόλο από την κληρονομικότητα καθορίζοντας την ανάπτυξη ενός ατόμου. Συγκεκριμένα, το περιβάλλον είναι ένας σημαντικός παράγοντας πολλών ψυχολογικών θεωριών.
Στην τέχνη, το περιβάλλον αποτελεί κινητήριο μοχλό και μούσα εμπνέοντας τους ζωγράφους ή τους ποιητές. Σε όλες τις μορφές της Τέχνης αποτελεί έμπνευση και οι Καλές Τέχνες φανερώνουν την επιρροή οπού άσκησε σε όλους τους καλλιτέχνες με όποιο είδος Τέχνης κι αν ασχολούνται. Ο άνθρωπος μέσα στο περιβάλλον δημιουργεί Μουσική, Ζωγραφική, Ποίηση, Γλυπτική, χορό, τραγούδι, θέατρο, αλλά και όλες οι μορφές τέχνης έχουν άμεση έμπνευση από το περιβάλλον.

Κυριακή 28 Φεβρουαρίου 2021

The Automatic Detection of Heart Failure Using Speech Signals

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Publication date: Available online 27 February 2021

Source: Computer Speech & Language

Author(s): M. Kiran Reddy, Pyry Helkkula, Y. Madhu Keerthana, Kasimir Kaitue, Mikko Minkkinen, Heli Tolppanen, Tuomo Nieminen, Paavo Alku

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Workhorse Free Functional Muscle Transfer Techniques for Smile Reanimation in Children with Congenital Facial Palsy: Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jan 31:S1748-6815(21)00050-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.01.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pediatric facial palsy represents a rare multifactorial entity. Facial reanimation restores smiling, thus boosting self-confidence and social integration of the affected children. The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of microsurgical workhorse free functional muscle transfer procedures with emphasis on the long-term functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a literature search of the PubMed database from 1995 to 2019 using the following search strategy: "facial paralysis"[Title/Abstract] OR "facial palsy"[Title]. We used as limits: full text, English language, age younger than 18 years, and humans. Two independent reviewers performed the online screening process using Covidence. Forty articles met the inclusion criteria. Th e protocol was aligned with the PRISMA statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, CRD42019150112) of the National Institute for Health Research.

RESULTS: Free functional muscle transfer procedures include mainly segmental gracilis, latissimus dorsi, and pectoralis minor muscle transfer. Facial reanimation procedures with the use of the cross-face nerve graft (CFNG) or masseteric nerve result in almost symmetric smiles. The transplanted muscle grows harmoniously along with the craniofacial skeleton. Muscle function and aesthetic outcomes improve over time. All children presented improved self-esteem, oral commissure opening, facial animation, and speech.

CONCLUSIONS: A two-stage CFNG plus an FFMT may restore a spontaneous emotive smile in pediatric facial palsy patients. Superior results of children FFMT compared to adults FFMT are probably att ributed to greater brain plasticity.

PMID:33637466 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.01.007

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Perceived utility of electronic noses in patients with loss of smell

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Feb 26. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06708-6. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:33638086 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-06708-6

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Thyroid chondroplastic flap for resection of laryngoceles

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Feb 27. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06677-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Large and combined laryngoceles usually need an external approach. One difficulty in such approach was the dissection at the paraglottic space. To overcome such difficulty, a thyroid chondroplastic flap approach to the paraglottic space was designed.

METHODS: This study is a case series of thirty consecutive patients (24 men and six women with an average age of 45.6 years), having large combined laryngocele resected externally between January 1995 and December 2019) at the department of ORL_HNS Tanta University, Egypt.

RESULTS: This approach allowed for excellent exposure of the paraglottic space, facilitating complete resection. Complications included perichondrial tearing in five patients, obstructing hematoma in two patient and minimal edema in four patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid chondroplastic flap is an excellent and safe approach for the paraglottic space facilitating complete resection of large laryngoceles.

PMID:33638087 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-06677-w

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Robotic Posterior Capsule Polishing by Optical Coherence Tomography Image Guidance

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Abstract

Background

In cataract surgery, polishing of the posterior capsule (PC) can lead to improved surgical outcomes but is currently avoided due to its high‐risk nature. This work developed a robotic system capable of performing PC polishing on ex vivo pig eyes using optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance.

Methods

The lenses of five ex vivo pig eyes were extracted and a thin layer of glue deposited onto the PC. Transpupillary OCT scans of the anterior segment were used to generate a PC‐polishing trajectory. During polishing, OCT B‐scans tracked the tool tip and were displayed to the operator.

Results

Complete removal of the glue was accomplished in all five trials with no PC rupture reported.

Conclusions

The feasibility of using a robotic system guided by OCT to perform PC polishing on a biological model was demonstrated. Contributions include modeling of the PC anatomy, intraoperative OCT visualization, and automated tool‐tip motion with scheduled aspiration pressures.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Relationship of triceps aponeurosis with radial nerve in anterior compartment of the arm

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Surg Radiol Anat. 2021 Feb 27. doi: 10.1007/s00276-021-02722-9. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:33638658 | DOI:10.1007/s00276-021-02722-9

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Impact of subspecialty training on management of laryngopharyngeal reflux: results of a worldwide survey

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Feb 27. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06710-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the management of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) among the subspecialties of practicing otolaryngology-head and neck surgeons and their trainees.

METHODS: A survey was sent to over 8000 otolaryngologists (OTOHNS) over 65 countries, utilizing membership lists of participating otolaryngological societies. The outcomes were answers to questions regarding LPR knowledge and practice patterns, and included queries about its definition, prevalence, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.

RESULTS: Of the 824 respondents, 658 practiced in one specific otolaryngologic subspecialty. The symptoms and findings thought to be the most related to LPR varied significantly between subspecialists. Extra-laryngeal findings were considered less by laryngologists while more experienced OTOHNS did not often conside r digestive complaints. Compared with colleagues, otologists, rhinologists and laryngologists were less aware of the involvement of LPR in otological, rhinological and laryngological disorders, respectively. Irrespective of subspecialty, OTOHNS consider symptoms and signs and a positive response to empirical therapeutic trial to establish a LPR diagnosis. Awareness regarding the usefulness of impedance pH-studies is low in all groups. The therapeutic approach significantly varies between groups, although all were in agreement for the treatment duration. The management of non-responder patients demonstrated significant differences among laryngologists who performed additional examinations. The majority of participants (37.1%) admitted to being less than knowledgeable about LPR management.

CONCLUSIONS: LPR knowledge and management vary significantly across otolaryngology subspecialties. International guidelines on LPR management appear necessary to improve knowledge and manageme nt of LPR across all subspecialties of otolaryngology.

PMID:33638681 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-06710-y

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Comparison of miRNA expressions among benign, premalignant and malignant lesions of the larynx: could they be transformation biomarkers?

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The malignancy potential of the laryngeal lesions are one of the major concerns of the surgeons about choosing the treatment options, forming surgical margins, deciding the follow-up periods. Finding a biomark...
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Identification of E2F transcription factor 7 as a novel potential biomarker for oral squamous cell carcinoma

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As a tumor-accelerating transcriptional factor, E2F transcription factor 7 (E2F7) was up-regulated in many forms of cancers. Nevertheless, little has been reported about the impacts of E2F7 on oral squamous ce...
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Preparation and validation of cyclodextrin-based excipients for radioiodinated hypericin applied in a targeted cancer radiotherapy

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Int J Pharm. 2021 Feb 24:120393. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120393. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Iodine-131 labeled hypericin (131I-Hyp) has been utilized as a necrosis-avid theragnostic tracer in a dual targeting pan-anticancer strategy called OncoCiDia. Widespread use of previously-tested solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is limited by safety concerns. To tackle this, the present study was designed to explore a clinically feasible excipient for the form ulation of the hydrophobic 131I-Hyp for intravenous administration.

METHOD: Solubility of Hyp in serial solutions of already-approved hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was evaluated by UVspectrophotometry and 50% HP-β-CD was chosen for further experiments. Two novel HP-β-CD-based formulations of 131I-Hyp were compared with previous DMSO-based formulation, with regards to necrosis-targetability and biodistribution, by magnetic resonance imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), gamma counting, autoradiography, fluorescence microscopy and histopathology.

RESULTS: Hyp solubility was enhanced with increasing HP-β-CD concentrations. The radiochemical purity of 131I-Hyp was higher than 90% in all formulations. The necrosis-targetability of 131I-Hyp in the novel formulations was confirmed in vivo by SPECT and in vitro by autoradiography, fluorescence microscopy and histopathology. The plasma clearance of r adioactivity was faster in the novel formulations.

CONCLUSION: The novel 131I-Hyp formulations with HP-β-CD could be a suitable pharmaceutical excipient for 131I-Hyp for intravenous administration.

PMID:33639227 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120393

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Remote medulla ablongata ventral acute subarachnoid hemorrhage following cervical spinal surgery: A case report

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Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021 Feb 22;80:105675. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.105675. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of remote intracranial hemorrhage (RICH) in patients during spinal surgery is rare and the detailed mechanism remains unclear.

PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 55-year-old man had undergone cervical discectomy and fusion at C5-6 and C6-7 due to herniated disc and secondary spinal canal stenosis. He had severe headache 20 h postoperatively and his drain output increased from 100 to 350 mL in the second 10 h after surgery. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed and he was diagnosed with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage in the ventral medulla oblongata. The drainage tube was quickly removed. Infusion of hypertonic saline was used to reduce intracranial pressure and nimodipine prevented vasospasm around the brainstem. The patient made a gradual, satisfactory recovery with conserv ative treatment.

DISCUSSION: The most likely pathomechanism leading to RICH is venous bleeding due to rapid leak of a large amount of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) after spinal surgery. If the patient has a headache or neurological complaints after spinal surgery, immediate imaging is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment depends on the amount and location of intracranial hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION: RICH is a serious but rare complication of spinal surgery and cerebellar hemorrhage is the most common. The most important pathomechanism leading to RICH after spinal surgery is venous bleeding due to rapid leak of a large amount of CSF. Timely CT is necessary to exclude RICH. Treatment of RICH depends on the size of the intracranial hematoma and the patient's symptoms.

PMID:33639502 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.105675

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Early transcriptional changes after UVB treatment in atopic dermatitis include inverse regulation of IL‐36γ and IL‐37

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Abstract

Phototherapy with narrow‐band Ultraviolet B (nb‐UVB) is a major therapeutic option in atopic dermatitis (AD), yet knowledge of the early molecular responses to this treatment is lacking. The objective of this study was to map the early transcriptional changes in AD skin in response to nb‐UVB treatment. Adult patients (n = 16) with AD were included in the study and scored with validated scoring tools. AD skin was irradiated with local nb‐UVB on day 0, 2 and 4. Skin biopsies were taken before and after treatment (day 0 and 7) and analysed for genome‐wide modulation of transcription. When examining the early response after three local UVB treatments, gene expression analysis revealed 77 significantly modulated transcripts (30 down‐ and 47 upregulated). Among them were transcripts related to the inflammatory response, melanin synthesis, keratinization and epidermal structure. Interestingly, the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐36γ was reduced after treatm ent, while the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐37 increased after treatment with nb‐UVB. There was also a modulation of several other mediators involved in inflammation, among them defensins and S100 proteins. This is the first study of early transcriptomic changes in AD skin in response to nb‐UVB. We reveal robust modulation of a small group of inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory targets, including the IL‐1 family members IL36γ and IL‐37, which is evident before any detectable changes in skin morphology or immune cell infiltrates. These findings provide important clues to the molecular mechanisms behind the treatment response and shed light on new potential treatment targets.

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