Comparison and interobserver reliability of three different methods for measuring the amount of the tibial tuberosity advancement in the preoperative planning of TTAT.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of preoperative planning techniques for advancement of the tibial tuberosity is to determine the amount of advancement required to achieve a postoperative patellar tendon angle of 90° and to select the optimal wedge size to achieve this target. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three radiographic methods for determining the advancement distance for the tibial tuberosity were evaluated for comparability and interobserver reliability. Among the methods developed, we decided to include the common tangent method, the tibial anatomy-based method, and the Bielecki method. For all techniques, radiographs were taken in mediolateral projection with the knee joint flexed at 135°. Three observers with different levels of experience independently evaluated and scored the degree of osteoarthritis for each stifle, as previously described, and performed measurements of the amount of advancement of the tibial tuberosity on 33 stifles using common tangent method, tibial anatomy-based method, and Bielecki method. RESULTS: According to the results, the overall score for osteoarthritis in the mediolateral view was influenced by the experience of the observers, which contradicts the results from a previous study. Regarding the measurement methods used to assess advancement, poor interobserver reliability was found for common tangent method and Bielecki method, while only a slightly moderate interobserver agreement was found for tibial anatomy-based method. DISCUSSION: These results are inconsistent with data collected by Bielecki and colleagues. Moreover, measurements from common tangent method and tibial anatomy-based method were overlapping, as confirmed previously. Conversely, Bielecki method showed no agreement with the other methods included in the present study, with a significantly higher mean rank, probably due to its correction formula. Based on the results of the present study, tibial anatomy-based method has better interobserver reliability and is easier to perform according to the observers.

Perceived climate change risk and global green activism among young people.

In recent years, the increasing number of natural disasters has raised concerns about the sustainability of our planet's future. As young people comprise the generation that will suffer from the negative effects of climate change, they have become involved in a new climate activism that is also gaining interest in the public debate thanks to the Fridays for Future (FFF) movement. This paper analyses the results of a survey of 1,138 young people in a southern Italian region to explore their perceptions of the extent of environmental problems and their participation in protests of green movements such as the FFF. The statistical analyses perform an ordinal classification tree using an original impurity measure considering both the ordinal nature of the response variable and the heterogeneity of its ordered categories. The results show that respondents are concerned about the threat of climate change and participate in the FFF to claim their right to a healthier planet and encourage people to adopt environmentally friendly practices in their lifestyles. Young people feel they are global citizens, connected through the Internet and social media, and show greater sensitivity to the planet's environmental problems, so they are willing to take effective action to demand sustainable policies from decision-makers. When planning public policies that will affect future generations, it is important for policymakers to know the demands and opinions of key stakeholders, especially young people, in order to plan the most appropriate measures, such as climate change mitigation.

A Comparison of Migrant Integration Policies via Mixture of Matrix-Normals.

In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in comparative studies about migrant integration, assimilation and the evaluation of policies implemented for these purposes. Over the years, the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) has become a reference on these topics. This index measures and evaluates the policies of migrants' integration in 52 countries over time. However, the comparison of very different countries can be difficult and, if not well conducted, can lead to misleading interpretations and evaluations of the results. The aim of this paper is to improve this comparison and facilitate the reading of the considered phenomenon, by applying a Mixture of Matrix-Normals classification model for longitudinal data. Focusing on data for 7 MIPEX dimensions from 2014 to 2019, our analysis identify 5 clusters of countries, facilitating the evaluation and the comparison of the countries within each cluster and between different clusters.

Relationship between Ground Reaction Forces and Morpho- Metric Measures in Two Different Canine Phenotypes Using Regression Analysis.

Force plate analysis assesses gait symmetry and limb loading. However, as previously described, individual and breed variability (body size and conformation) is related to breeding, body conformation, and size. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the influence of morphometric measures on the speed (V), peak of vertical force (PVF), vertical impulse (VI), and stance time (ST) in healthy dolichomorph and mesomorph dogs and their combined effect on and interactions with V, PVF, VI, and ST in the same morphological types. Fifty dogs were enrolled in the current study, and specific morphometric measurements were recorded for each dog. A force platform was used to record the ground reaction forces (GFRs), including PVF and VI. Multiple linear regression models were used for the study purposes. According to our results, GFRs are influenced by morphometric measures (body weight, withers height, and speed) not so much as a single contribution, but by the interaction between them. It is not possible to compare GFRs in dogs that do not belong to the same breed. However, the subjective variabilities make this comparison difficult and poorly reliable. According to the author, the comparison should be made between canine morphological types rather than breeds.

Outcome after Modified Maquet Procedure in dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture: Evaluation of recovery limb function by use of force plate gait analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Cranial cruciate ligament failure is one of the principal causes of canine lameness. Several surgical procedures were proposed to achieve joint stabilisation; among these, the Modified Maquet Procedure involves using a titanium foam wedge to achieve and maintain the tibial tuberosity advancement. The force-plate analysis provides to objectively assess normal and abnormal gait and the outcome of different surgical techniques. The study evaluates the outcome of limbs that underwent Modified Maquet Procedure using land-force plate analysis comparing the operated limb with its healthy contralateral one as a control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture were evaluated. Outcome after surgery was assessed by orthopaedic and radiographic evaluations and force plate gait analysis performed before surgery, at 15, 30 and 90 days after surgery. For objective comparison of ground reaction forces, data of operated limb were compared to contralateral limb on each time control and Symmetry Index at 90 days was determined. Healing radiographic signs, minor and major complication were reported. RESULTS: A significant improvement in ground reaction forces was reached in all the treated limbs between set time intervals. The median percentage increase in ground reaction forces was constant from 15 to 90 days, with a Symmetry Index >9 in 54.2% of patients suggesting a normal gait symmetry. A complete bone healing was noticed at 90 days follow-up radiographic assessment. We experienced three major (8.5%) and one minor (2.8%) complications. CONCLUSIONS: To the Authors' knowledge, this is the first study in the veterinary literature that assessed outcomes of dogs undergoing Modified Maquet Procedure for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture using force plate gait analysis and healthy contralateral limb as a control group. Our results confirm that Modified Maquet Procedure is an effective method to stabilise the stifle joint.

Clinical efficacy of Curcuvet and Boswellic acid combined with conventional nutraceutical product: An aid to canine osteoarthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative joint disease which is high prevalent in dogs. In the late stage of the disease, it determines chronic neuropathic pain which leads to reduced quality-of-life in affected patients. To date it has not yet been identified a specific treatment, but it has been proved that nutraceutical and dietary supplements may play an important role in controlling inflammation and pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by the use of force plate gait analysis, the clinical efficacy of Boswellia and Curcuvet® combined with conventional nutraceutical therapy compared with conventional nutraceutical alone in dogs affected by osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty client-owned dogs, over 12 months old and 20 kg of body-weight, with a confirmed diagnosis of Osteoarthritis, were included in this randomized, double-blinded study. The dogs were randomly divided into two groups: the first group (A) received a conventional nutraceutical (consisted in a preparation of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, fish-oil containing 80% of omega 3-fatty acid, vitamin C and E, saccharomyces Cerevisiae) with a combination of acid boswellic and Curcuvet®, while the second group (B) received a conventional nutraceutical. All the enrolled dogs underwent a washout period before starting the treatment with nutraceuticals products which were the only admitted treatment over the study period. A full orthopaedic and neurologic examination, and force plate gait analysis were performed before starting the treatment, at 45, 90, and 60 days post-treatment. Ground reaction forces were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty dogs were enrolled in the study. In both groups there was an increasing values of ground reaction forces. These results might indicate that both nutraceutical products determined a better condition in terms of pain feeling but that effect is much more visible after 60 days from the end of the administration in treated group. DISCUSSION: In conclusion Curcuvet in combination with Boswellic acid could be considered a valid aid in a multimodal treatment for canine osteoarthritis.

Social Representations of Insects as Food: An Explorative-Comparative Study among Millennials and X-Generation Consumers.

The aim of the research here presented is to describe and compare the social representations of entomophagy co-constructed and circulating among different groups of consumers. Social representations theory (SRT) allows us to understand a social reality that the individual builds based on his own experience in everyday life symbolic exchanges, whose primary function is to adapt concepts and abstract ideas using objectification and anchoring processes. We carried out this research within the structural approach methodological framework. We explored the structure (central core and peripheral schemes) and the content (information, opinions, attitudes, and beliefs) of the social representations of entomophagy by using mixed methodological strategies (hierarchized evocations, validated scales, check-list, projective tool, open-ended questions). Data were processed employing different R packages. The main results show an essential role played by generative processes (objectification and anchoring) as well as cognitive polyphasia and thémata in the co-construction of the social representations of entomophagy. Data could help in understanding the sensory characteristics of "insects as food" that should be used or avoided, for example, in communication aimed to promote entomophagy.

Global research trends in complex oral sensitivity disorder: A systematic bibliometric analysis of the structures of knowledge.

OBJECTIVES: A systematic bibliometric analysis of the structure of knowledge was performed to investigate the co-word analysis, the co-citation analysis, and the social network analysis regarding complex oral sensitivity disorder (COSD). METHODS: Web of Science database from 1985 to 2018 was systematically searched to identify all relevant articles using the MeSH terms "complex oral sensitivity disorder" and all synonyms used in the literature. We included original articles, review articles, letters to the editor, and book chapters in the English language and in 27 different ISI categories of medical sciences. Several bibliometric indicators were used. RESULTS: The co-word analysis identified 741 KeyWords Plus (KWP) grouped into 4 different clusters. The terms "pain," "management," "prevalence," and "efficacy" reached the highest centrality, whereas the top 10 KWP had a frequency of 7%-29% in 443 articles. Over a period of 32 years, a complex thematic evolution occurred, going from 2 to 6 different themes, and the KWP migration rate from one cluster to another ranged from 11% to 100%. The co-citation network analysis based on the complete reference list (5932 references) of 443 articles identified only 2 clusters for journals, authors, and articles. The most prominent co-cited journal was "Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology" (centrality: 171.75), the most co-cited author was "Grushka M" (centrality: 330.95), and the most co-cited article was "Grushka M. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol (1987) 63:30-36" (centrality: 269.79). On the other hand, the direct citation network revealed that "Scala A et al, 2003" reached both the highest global citation score (GCS = 231) and local citation score (LCS = 161). Lastly, the social network analysis revealed an isolated collaboration among groups of authors, or countries or institutions. The worldwide collaboration analysis indicated that United States-Israel and United Kingdom-Italy were the most collaborative countries. CONCLUSIONS: The structure of knowledge of publications on COSD revealed that research in this field has been dominated by few core topics and a limited collaboration among authors and institutions from different countries. More multicenter studies on COSD are warranted in the near future when launching new projects.

Evaluation of left ventricular dimension and systolic function by standard transthoracic echocardiography before and 24-hours after percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus in 120 dogs.

One hundred and twenty dogs were enrolled to value the effect of loading condition changes on left ventricular volumes before and 24-hours after the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion by Amplatzer Canine Duct Occluder (ACDO) using standard echocardiography. The animals were divided in pure breed (n. 94) and mixed breed (n. 26); subsequently, the pure breed dogs were divided on the basis of the size of the breed of belonging in 3 groups (small size n. 36; medium size n. 8; large size n. 50). Moreover, the animals were divided in three classes based on their age: until 6 months; 6-12 months; over 12 months. A significant reduction of all the examined parameters (left ventricle internal diameter at end-diastole-LVIDd; left ventricle internal diameter at end-systole-LVIDs; end-diastolic volume-EDV; end-systolic volume-ESV; end-diastolic volume index-EDVI; end-systolic volume index-ESVI; fractional shortening-FS) was observed after ductal closure. Twenty-four hours after the closure, the evaluation of the relative percentage difference (RPD) of the echocardiographic parameters showed a significant reduction, higher in small size breed than in large size breed dogs. No significant difference related to breed size was observed only for RPD_FS variable. A significant interaction effect, between breed size and age classes, was observed only for RPD_EDVI (F = 3.39; p = 0.039). Until six months of age there was no significant difference in RPD_EDVI reduction, but over 6 months a significant reduction between small size and large size breed dogs at 24-hours from the occlusion was observed. In conclusion, our data seem to indicate that small breed dogs show a greater tolerance to congenital volume overload than large breed dogs, and this finding could be justify a delay of PDA closure in order to simplify the interventional procedure.