by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 02 April 2024;  Published: 03 April 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2402022

Acupuncture, as a promising complementary therapy for cancer patients, offers personalized symptom management and improved quality of life alongside conventional treatments. With its proven efficacy in alleviating chemotherapy-induced side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and pain, acupuncture stands as a holistic approach to cancer care. Tailored to individual needs and boasting a favorable safety profile, acupuncture addresses both physical symptoms and psychological distress, promoting resilience and quality of [...]

by Michael Fossel

Received: 20 March 2018;  Published: 28 March 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1801004

All of us are intuitively aware, and many of us explicitly aware as well, of the meaning of geriatrics as a specialty. After all, most of us practice geriatrics or we have been intimately involved with this area and we are know the reality of geriatrics. Or do we? Geriatrics is an oddly ill-defined specialty when you look at it more carefully. Some of us practice medicine, some of us practice in the social sciences, and many of us simply do our jobs day-to-day and try to get by. What we share, however, is the heart [...]

by Jennifer Marchbank  , KJ Reed  , Claire Robson  , Gloria Gutman  and Balbir Gurm

Received: 04 January 2024;  Published: 18 March 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2401274

Elder abuse occurs to older adults who are members of gender and sexual minorities (GSM). Whilst most of that abuse is similar to that experienced by their heterosexual and cisgender peers GSM older adults face particular vulnerabilities due to their life experiences and changes. In this article we report on our findings from a literature search and knowledge synthesis, conducted as part of a larger project to inform Canadian policy makers working to eliminate gender and sexuality-based inequalities. The review inc [...]

by Regiani Aparecida de Almeida  , Ricardo Vicente de Paula Rezende  , Flavia Aparecida Reitz Cardoso  and Lucio Cardozo Filho

Received: 17 December 2022;  Published: 18 April 2023;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2302016

In this work with CFD simulations, the evaluation of the supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) process for producing nanoparticles from an expanded solution of ethanol/solute in carbon dioxide is reported. The influence of the solution and antisolvent flow rates on mean particle size, the flow dynamic, and the supercritical mixture's jet velocity must be well established in the literature and analyzed. The high flow rate of the anti-solvent resulted in increased mean particle sizes for all studied cases. At the lowe [...]

by William E Vargas  , Federico Muñoz-Rojas  , Esteban Avendaño  , Victoria Quirós-Cordero  and Marcela Hernández-Jiménez

Received: 30 July 2022;  Published: 12 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2204019

Spectrophotometry has been widely used to retrieve the dielectric function of a bulk iridium sample using an extended version of the Drude–Lorentz model. The parameters of the model are optimized using a spectral-projected-gradient-method-assisted acceptance-probability-controlled simulated annealing approach. Furthermore, optimized values of Drude parameters corresponding to the optical response of electrons and holes (scattering frequency of electrons, the ratio between scattering frequencies of holes and electro [...]

by Clément Dumont  , Madeleine Lefèvre  , Quiterie Aussedat  , Pierre-Louis Régnier  , Alexandra Masson-Lecomte  , Evanguelos Xylinas  , Hélène Gauthier  , Virginie Fossey-Diaz  , Amélie Arégui  and Stéphane Culine

Received: 23 July 2021;  Published: 08 November 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2104183

Cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (C-NAC) has been the standard of care in localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, the feasibility and benefit of C-NAC in elderly patients remain uncertain since this population has always been underrepresented in pivotal trials and is often barred from chemotherapy in routine practice because of their perceived frailty. Therefore, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of C-NAC in elderly patients with MIBS, we retrospectively reviewed the medical files of [...]

by Nicholas J. Geraghty  , Amal Elhage  , Peter Cuthbertson  , Debbie Watson  and Ronald Sluyter

Received: 06 June 2022;  Published: 06 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2203166

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a curative therapy for hematological malignancies, but its efficacy is limited by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This life-threatening disorder develops when donor (graft) immune cells cause inflammatory damage to recipient (host) tissues. The immune cell receptor channel P2X7 and its ligand adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) have been implicated in GVHD pathogenesis. Therefore, this signaling axis represents a potential therapeutic target. This study aime [...]

by Vardan Apinyan

Received: 30 March 2023;  Published: 24 June 2023;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2302026

This paper considers a finite-sized two-leg ladder of spin-1/2 particles with local inter-chain Ising interaction. We include the effects of an external magnetic field by incorporating a Zeeman-type coupling between the magnetic field and the spins localized on the lattice sites. To analyze the system, we utilize the transfer-matrix formalism to calculate the partition function. We compute the magnetization for different configurations by varying the system's parameters. We observe the presence 3of spontaneous magn [...]

by Takeshi Hatta  , Taketoshi Hatta  , Junko Hatta  , Akihiko Iwahara  , Kazumi Fujiwara  , Kimiko Kato  and Yukiharu Hasegawa

Received: 15 October 2021;  Published: 24 February 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2201190

In the present study, we identified the factors of cognitive and physical performances predicting self-rated health perception (SRH) using an SRH questionnaire in 660 (298 men and 362 women) upper-middle-aged community dwellers. In addition, neuropsychological test battery and physical ability tests were applied. A multiple regression analysis was conducted using the forced entry method; digit cancellation test (D-CAT1), logical memory test, verbal fluency test, back strength, timed-up and-go (TUG), balancing test, [...]

by Carsten Croonenbroeck  and David Hennecke

Received: 20 July 2021;  Published: 25 October 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2104044

In this study, we address the wind farm layout optimization (WFLO) problem and tackle the issue of optimal turbine placement by incorporating additional aspects of an economically driven target function. Firstly, we have analyzed the effect of wind direction on a given turbine arrangement. Based on the direction-dependent wake pattern, practitioners sometimes shut down certain turbines on their farms. Our method computes which turbines should be shut down in which wake situation. On this basis, we have developed a [...]

by Raffaele Pezzilli

Received: 07 February 2019;  Published: 10 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1902017

Acute pancreatitis still represents a challenge for physicians; it ranges from mild self-limiting forms Walled-off necrosis (WON), previously called by other names, such as organized pancreatic necrosis, necroma, pancreatic sequestration, pseudocyst associated with necrosis and subacute pancreatic necrosis is a new entity of complications of acute pancreatitis. It is defined as a mature, encapsulated collection of pancreatic and/or peripancreatic necrosis which has developed a well-defined inflammatory wall. WON us [...]

by Annapaola Mariniello  and Silvia Novello

Received: 15 November 2018;  Published: 22 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1901069

Immune oncology treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is revolutionizing therapeutic approach for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, in terms of longer survival and improved quality of life. To date, the widely used and approved biomarker is programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on tumour cells, but it is considered not accurate and it is more likely that many factors, related to both cancer and host, may better predict response to ICI. Among those factors, great attention is [...]

by David J. Ross

Received: 27 March 2020;  Published: 31 March 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2001106

by Gilda F. Pardey Bracho  , Karine Collomb  and Astrig Topouzkhanian

Received: 09 May 2022;  Published: 28 July 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203030

The patient as the custodian of their own care is a concept that has been evolving for several years and can help the patient to a better and quicker recovery. Medical Hypnosis (MH) assist the practitioner to reduce the patient’s pain and disorders and help the patient to understand, accept, and manage their situation. Recently, this technique has been increasingly used in awake surgery protocols. This paper describes three examples of the successful perioperative management of patients who benefited from an awake [...]

by Diana Eréndira Lara-Llanderal  , Juan Carlos Castro Dominguez  and Karla Graciela Cedano Villavicencio

Received: 02 September 2024;  Published: 07 February 2025;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2501010

This article explores a strategy to empower vulnerable communities by transferring solar technology as a path to energy justice development. The proposed methodology is based on preliminary research on energy uses according to the needs, practices, and customs of the communities. The study focuses on the cases of three women with productive vocations based on entrepreneurship in different phases of incubation found in a peri-urban community in central Mexico. In this community, productive energy uses include a) the [...]

by Keita Kiuchi  , Katsumasa Kishi  and Kanto Araki

Received: 23 December 2020;  Published: 17 March 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2101010

This study investigated the physical and psychological impacts of elements related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and demographic data in Japan both directly and as mediated by stressors, immediately following the rescinding of the state of emergency declaration accompanying the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 outbreak. An online survey was administered to 1,500 Japanese registered with an online outsourcing service. Data were analyzed with structural equation modeling using Mplus. Relatively lar [...]

by Russell Razzaque

Received: 28 January 2018;  Published: 27 March 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1801001

The value of mindfulness for clinical staff in the mental health field has thus been increasingly recognised over recent year and thus is now culminating in the evaluation and, potential future role out, of whole system approaches like Open Dialogue that put clinician mindfulness at the heart of the model. It is anticipated that this will ultimately be for the benefit of both staff and clients of these services alike, creating improvements and improving lives, therefore, on many levels.

by Tammy Lennox  and Angela Kennedy

Received: 08 February 2022;  Published: 20 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303030

The current article describes the application of the Compassion Focussed (CF) formulation to the interaction between individuals and their social context. The standard CF formulation [1] would see the person’s fears as inadvertently reinforced by their attempts to cope with the underlying issue. However, sometimes such attempts to cope can also reinforce the fears of another person or party. Interpersonal CF formulations could provide a compassionate, non-blaming way of enlightening people in their interactions to [...]

by Nicholas J Cook

Received: 14 April 2021;  Published: 25 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2102027

A refined and extended version of the Offset Elliptical Normal mixture model has been developed to parameterise the seasonal diurnal wind vector automatically. Automated using R scripts, the method eliminates any potential risk of confirmation bias posed by the manual supervision in the original method. Refinements to the method include the latest algorithms for clustering of Gaussian mixtures, with Bayesian regularisation to set the number of components and to limit the predisposition to overfit. A new extension u [...]

by Jigar Jogia

Received: 17 April 2017;  Published: 09 July 2017;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1702006

There is a need for early diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Traditional assessments of cognitive decline have been found to lack sensitivity and accuracy in differentiating varying stages of Dementia and cognitive decline as well as being time consuming in their administration. Key components of cognition namely memory and executive function have been identified as most predicative of AD status. Brief cognitive screening tools such as the Montreal C [...]

by Sigal Shaklai  , Meital Grafi-Cohen  , Orli Sharon  , Gabi Shefer  , Dalia Somjen  and Naftali Stern

Received: 17 April 2019;  Published: 27 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1903082

Background: Estradiol 17-beta (E2) enhances the function and survival of pancreatic beta-cells, but its clinical use has been questioned due to concerns regarding oncogenic potential and feminizing effects in males. The G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), expressed in pancreatic islets, exhibits estrogenic beta-cell protective effects without the feminizing effects of the nuclear ERs. Here, we examine the outcome of selective activation of the three estrogen receptors ERα, ERβ, and GPER on rep [...]

by Jacqueline Cramer

Received: 24 September 2023;  Published: 21 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2304050

This paper investigates the practical implementation of transitioning to a circular economy through network governance in conjunction with public governance. The research focuses on a comparative, longitudinal analysis of three Dutch product chains (mattresses, concrete, and textiles) from 2016 to the present. The study based on action research, utilizes documents, reports from all meetings, and personal observations. Drawing from the fields of public administration and transition management, the paper addresses tw [...]

by Bin Ni  , Nidhi Sharma  , Ashley Rosko  , Don M. Benson  and Yvonne A. Efebera

Received: 12 April 2021;  Published: 09 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2103148

Prior to the advent of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) was relatively contraindicated for multiple myeloma (MM) patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to issues associated with stem cell harvest and the risk of opportunistic infections. With the widespread use of ART for control of HIV, ASCT is now the preferred treatment for relapsed lymphoma, the leading hematopoietic malignancy associated with HIV/AIDS. Hence, MM patients with HIV controlled by ART may benefit [...]

by Ibrahim El-Serafi  , Sandra Oerther  , Ying Zhao  and Moustapha Hassan

Received: 08 July 2022;  Published: 27 July 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2203163

Cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) is one of the recently discovered enzymes that is involved in the metabolism of several drugs. It is mainly an extrahepatic enzyme which can, to some extent, explain some the drugs’ side effects such as cyclophosphamide (Cy). Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that is commonly used in conditioning prior to stem cell transplantation. It is a prodrug that is bio-activated by several CYPs including CYP2J2. Cy is known to have several side effects and its extrahepatic activation by CYP [...]

by Joep Geraedts

Received: 13 January 2020;  Published: 14 January 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2001102

At the beginning of a new year it is always good to look both backwards and forwards and to highlight a few items that are relevant with respect to the long-term development of our journal. As everybody knows, the principle of open access publishing is that the authors pay fees (the article‐processing charges or APCs) to publish in the journal rather than that the readers pay subscription costs for the journal. Three years ago, OBM Genetics started as an open access journal publishing its first papers totally free [...]