bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El influjo del castellano como lengua techo en la Fala del Xálima (Cáceres)
Authors: Flores Ana Alicia Manso , Condé Valéria Gil
Published: November 2022

El Val de Xálima ‘Valle de Jálama’ o Val do Ellas tiene la particularidad de albergar una variedad lingüística conocida como Fala, valego o xalimego. Este enclave del noroccidente extremeño, frontera con Salamanca y Portugal, está conformado por los pueblos de Valverde del Fresno, Eljas y San Martín de Trevejo, donde dicha variedad, al adoptar unos caracteres propios, recibe los nombres de “valverdeiru”, “lagarteiru” y “mañegu”. El estudio de su estructura permite adscribirla al abstand gallego-portugués, si bien, el contacto con otras lenguas y dialectos explica otros rasgos. Con estos precedentes, se mostrarán los resultados de un corpus de ochocientos lemas de elaboración propia. Este se obtuvo mediante encuestas propuestas a treinta informantes de diferente sexo y edad. Más específicamente, se estudiarán los casos donde la presión de la lengua techo ha favorecido algún cambio de fonético, morfológico o léxico. En consecuencia, se pondrá de manifiesto la tendencia a la sustitución léxica, más acusada según disminuya la edad del hablante.
“Cuelgan racimos de ángeles, que enrizan”: comentário ao soneto de Lope de Vega na Agudeza y arte de ingenio (1648) de Baltasar Gracián
Authors: Borghi Gustavo Luiz Nunes
Published: November 2022

No transcorrer do século XVII, denominado pela crítica espanhola como “Siglo de Oro”, duas preceptivas foram fundamentais para a sistematização da agudeza e dos conceitos: a Arte de ingenio, tratado de la agudeza (1642) e a “Agudeza y arte de ingenio” (1648), de Baltasar Gracián. Nelas, o letrado espanhol, utilizando diversos poetas coetâneos e antigos, apresenta a taxonomia das agudezas, suas espécies e divisões. Dentre uma ampla lista de poetas citados, encontramos um grande número de poemas de Lope de Vega. Nesse artigo, buscamos comentar e compreender um soneto do poeta espanhol presente no tratado de 1648 de Gracián.
Two new species of Simothraulopsis Demoulin, 1966 (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) from Roraima State, northern Brazil
Authors: BOLDRINI RAFAEL , LIMA LUCAS RAMOS COSTA , DE OLIVEIRA ISMAEL BARRETO , DE PAIVA OTTONI BOLDRINI BIANCA MAIRA , SALLES FREDERICO FALCÃO
Published: November 2022

Two new species of Simothraulopsis (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) are described and illustrated, based on recent collections and specimens deposited in the Zoological Collection of Universidade Federal de Roraima (UFRR), northern Brazil. Simothraulopsis pacaraima sp. nov. differs from others species by the telopenis being spine-like, short (less than the half of total length of penis lobes) and slightly directed laterally, and the penis lobes with a medial knob between them. Simothraulopsis rainori sp. nov. differs from others species by the telopenis being spine-like, mid-sized (less than the half of total length of penis lobes) and ventrally directed with the apex bent outward, and the penis lobes fused in their basal 1/3, with a well-marked sclerotized region; each lobe is laterally swollen and protruding.
Density Functional Theory Calculation of Structure and Electronic Properties in N-Carbon Dioxide Hydrate
Authors: Qiang Luo , Heng Yang , Ping Guo , Jiangfeng Zou , Zhonghua Liu , Zhiwei Ma
Published: November 2022

We chose the first-principles method of density functional theory to study new carbon dioxide hydrate structures, obtain structure, electronic and optical properties. The results show that the side length and hydrogen bond length of the N-carbon dioxide hydrate water cage will not change
significantly with CO2, the structure H binding energy is −0.247 eV that is the most stable. The binding energy and volume changes indicate that CO2 molecule has a very weak effect on the water cage which belongs to the van der Waals force, CO2 molecule
can stabilize the water cage structure. The addition of CO2 molecule causes the bottom of the configuration’s conduction band to shift down and the band gap value decreases. The density of states of CO2 molecule in the hydrate shifted to the left while the density
of states of the water cages did not change much, the s state electrons change slightly in the energy region of 5–15 eV. The N-carbon dioxide hydrate’s ability to store electromagnetic fields in the low frequency range is enhanced, it is weakened in the high frequency range. The
microwave loss in the 2.5–25 eV frequency band increases and the reflectivity peaks at 9.06 eV.
A Coordinated Control Method of Cascaded Multilevel Converter Based on Improved Time Series
Authors: Bai Linxu , Shen Lifei
Published: November 2022

Cascaded multilevel converter is a new type of converter suitable for light DC transmission system. Its control performance has a direct impact on the operation stability of transmission system. In order to effectively control the output waveform of cascaded multilevel converter, the
coordinated control method of cascaded multilevel converter based on improved time series is studied. According to the structure form of module unit, the cascaded multilevel converter is divided into the same unit and different units. The time series method is used to predict the AC side and
DC side voltages of various cascaded multilevel converters. Considering that the AC side and DC side voltages of cascaded multilevel converters belong to non-stationary process, the difference method is used to improve the time series. The non-stationary process of voltage value is transformed
into an approximately stationary random process. On this basis, the idea of phase-shifting carrier modulation strategy is adopted to equalize the capacitance of cascaded multilevel converter by reassigning the trigger pulse sequence of module. The experimental results show that this method
can accurately predict the AC side and DC side voltage of the converter, and make more modules in series, and the output waveform will be very close to the sine wave, so as to realize the capacitor voltage equalization control of the module.
First Principles Study on the Thermodynamic Properties, Elastic Properties and Electronic Structure of Li-Doped Mg2Si
Authors: Zhao Yun-Peng , Zou Xue , Pan Ying , Liu Tong-Yu , Liu Wei-Hua , Li Ying-Min , Yu He
Published: November 2022

The topic of this study is the thermodynamic properties, elastic properties and electronic structure of Mg2Si and Li-doped Mg2Si (Mg7Si4Li, Mg8Si3Li and Mg8Si4Li) by first principles based on density
functional theory method. The analysis of lattice constants manifests that When Li is doped in Mg2Si, structure cell will generate lattice distortion, which can change lattice constants and total volumes. All the studied compounds are stable. However, the structure will be not as
stable as Mg2Si, when Li is doped in. Intrinsic Mg2Si, exhibit the best stiffness and the strongest brittleness. Li-doped Mg2Si, can refine the brittleness but reduce the stiffness. Density of State, band structure, Mulliken electrons and electron density difference
show that electrical conductivity is enhanced after Li doping in Mg2Si. Specially, Mg8Si3Li exhibits a worst stability and stiffness, a best plasticity and electroconductibility.
An experimental investigation into ballistic performance of woven fabrics with single and multiple layers
Authors: Xu LZ , Ren WK , Wang JB , Wang XD , Gao GF
Published: November 2022

One of the challenges in improving the protective performance of flexible body armor is optimizing woven fabric, so it is critical to understand how different fabrics and fabric arrangements with the same areal density affect their ballistic resistance. An object of this article is to comparatively investigate the ballistic resistance of single-layer and multi-layer woven fabrics with the same areal density. Four single-layer fabrics with areal densities of 70, 125, 200, and 280 g/m2 were selected, and multi-layer fabrics (comprising two, three, and four layers) were assembled by folding a single-layer fabric with an areal density of 70 g/m2. Ballistic impact tests were carried out on the single-layer and multi-layer fabrics to compare their ballistic resistance. The results show that the specific energy absorption of the multi-layer fabric assembly is more than 7% higher than that of the single layer fabric; the multi-layer fabric mainly improves the ballistic resistance by increasing dynamic in-plane force, while the single-layer fabric does so by increasing the maximum transverse deflection. Moreover, from the perspective of fabric application in the flexible body armor, the energy absorption at ballistic limit of the single-layer and multi-layer fabrics was transformed into energy absorption per unit transverse displacement, and the index of the multi-layer fabric is obviously better than that of the single-layer fabric.
Special Themed Section on Emerging Findings From the Frontlines of Juvenile Justice Transformation
Authors: Walker Sarah C. , Taxman Faye S.
Published: November 2022

In this special themed section, we desired to highlight findings in transformative areas of juvenile justice operations. Our initial goal was not to focus on ancillary treatment programs, probation programs, court processes, diversion, and/or leadership training. That is, we were interested in scholarly studies that examined fundamental transformations in system operations. We discovered that there was little academically oriented research that was being devoted to documenting, studying, and measuring the impact of these transformation, and that there are few efforts to advance our knowledge about both how to do transformation and the resulting impacts of these transformations. We were primarily interested in system change at the macro-level to help inform others about what transformation no the ground looks like, and how it affects the operations of a juvenile justice system.
QADM: A quality-aware data model for freelancing applications based on recommendation systems
Authors: Bokhari Arwa , Cherif Asma
Published: November 2022

Freelancing systems such as Freelancer and Upwork have recently been increasing in popularity due to their ability to provide efficient solutions. Nevertheless, the success of freelancing depends on the delivery of high-quality freelanced output. Indeed, quality control is a major concern and is affected by the uncertainty stemming from human factors relating to the diversity of workers’ skills and the workers’ changing behaviour over time. This article proposes a quality-aware freelancing data model (QADM) that takes into account both the diversity of worker skills and workers’ changing behaviour. The QADM is comprised of three submodels: skill, task and worker. The main goal is to model worker quality appropriately, and it does so by effectively modelling (1) worker suitability for new tasks, (2) worker reputation, (3) worker accuracy in completed tasks and (4) worker expected accuracy in new tasks. To improve the worker accuracy estimation, a task-to-task similarity algorithm is developed that achieves higher accuracy than Cos(topic), Cos(tf-idf) and Jaccard similarity methods. The quality-aware task assignment decision problem is solved as a top-k task recommendation problem. The results achieved in this article show that the QADM accomplishes a high recommender system mean average precision for the assignment decisions.
Sickle cell trait screening in students in a Ugandan university: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kisakye Erina , Gavamukulya Yahaya , Barugahare Banson John
Published: November 2022

Objective

To determine the uptake, knowledge level and attitude towards sickle cell trait screening in students aged 18 to 35 years in a Ugandan university.

Methods

This was a university-based, cross-sectional study of students aged 18 to 35 years who were students at the Busitema University Faculty of Health Sciences. We used a simple random sampling technique to recruit participants. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to establish the association between factors such as age, year of study, marital status and uptake of sickle cell trait screening (SCTS) services.

Results

A total of 315 students participated in the study. The uptake rate of SCTS was 24.4%. The knowledge level regarding sickle cell disease/SCTS was 93.7%, and 73.3% of respondents had a positive attitude towards SCTS, with a mean score of 23.32 ± 5.84. A multivariate analysis showed that those aged 25 to 29 years were 7.8 times more likely to have SCTS, while married respondents were 1.3 times more likely to be screened.

Conclusion

The uptake of SCTS services was low relative to the total number of participants recruited in this study. Therefore, the uptake of SCTS needs to be encouraged in students at universities.
New Zealand's princess of the pool: Post-ableism and the media narrativisation of Sophie Pascoe
Authors: Falcous Mark , Scott Georgia
Published: November 2022

Recent research has highlighted the shifting media representation of para-athletes some of whom have been increasingly visible as national sporting figures. Their mediation entangles themes of disability, nationalism, gender and technology. In this light, we explore New Zealand print media narrativisation of the nation's most prolific disability athlete, para swimmer Sophie Pascoe. First, we contextualise Pascoe's emergence as a national sporting icon characterised by plaudits and awards. Second, we explore the press narrativisation of Pascoe between 2005 and 2020 which entangled intersecting tropes of disability, athleticism, femininity and ‘kiwi’ nationalism. Pascoe is narrated as a national hero who overcomes both competitors and her disability, which is made ‘hypervisible’. There are contradictions and tensions in this narration. Her gendering reflects a ‘post-feminist’ sensibility; poised between individualistic strength and overcoming, yet simultaneously emotional fragility, dependence and dimunition as a ‘babe’ and ‘princess’. Her celebration contradictorily affirms hierarchies of disability, centring the ‘able-disabled’. The mediation of Pascoe is symptomatic of an ableist rehabilitation supercrip narrative that frames New Zealand sport (and the nation writ large) as progressive and inclusive, yet selectively celebrates an idealised type of disabled athlete.
Finding the On Ramp: Accessing Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education in an Urban Setting
Authors: Moran Kaitlin K. , Sheppard Mary E.
Published: November 2022

Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) are critical services for children with disabilities and their families. Urban areas are charged with providing EI/ECSE services to a large number of children, who come from diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and whose parents may or may not have economic resources. To better understand the nuances of EI/ECSE systems in urban contexts, we interviewed stakeholders in a large Mid-Atlantic U.S. city, examining the process of accessing EI/ECSE. We interviewed parents, medical professionals, early care providers, and special education personnel, and reviewed and analyzed artifacts using content analysis to inform the research questions and verify findings. Findings showed a strained system with both structural and situational challenges, specifically for families from diverse backgrounds.
Impact of choice of nostril on nasotracheal intubation when using video rigid stylet: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Wang Li-Kuan , Zhang Xiang , Wu Hai-Yin , Cheng Tong , Xiong Guo-Li , Yang Xu-Dong
Published: November 2022

Background

Patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgeries under general anesthesia usually require nasotracheal intubation. When presented with patients with equally patent nostrils, selection of the nostril to use for intubation is an important decision for facilitating intubation. The objective of this trial is to determine whether choice of nostril impacts nasotracheal intubation when using a video rigid stylet in patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Methods

Fifty patients scheduled for elective oral and maxillofacial surgery requiring nasotracheal intubation were randomly allocated into two groups to undergo nasotracheal intubation through the left nostril (Group L, n = 25) or the right nostril (Group R, n = 25). Intubation was performed by experienced anesthesiologists using a video rigid stylet. The primary endpoint was time to successful intubation, which was defined as the duration from when the tip of the stylet-tube assembly entered the selected nostril to when the tube entered the trachea. Secondary outcomes included: length of time for device insertion; length of time for tube insertion; total success rate; first-attempt success rate; number of intubation attempts; requirement of airway assisted maneuvers; incidence and severity of epistaxis. Intubation-related adverse events were monitored for up to postoperative 24 h.

Results

Median time (interquartile range) to tracheal intubation was 25.3 seconds (20.7 to 27.6) in Group L and 26.8 seconds (22.5 to 30.0) in Group R (median difference (MD) = 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) –1.8 to 5.7, P = 0.248). Nasotracheal intubation was successful in all patients in both groups and the first-attempt success rates in both groups were similar (Group L: 96% (24/25); Group R: 96% (24/25); relative risk (RR) 1.0; 95% CI 0.9 to 1.1; P > 0.999). No significant difference of requirement of assisted maneuvers was noted between the two groups (Group L: 36% (9/25); Group R: 28% (7/25); RR 0.8; 95% CI 0.3–1.8; P = 0.544). Furthermore, all patients showed a high quality of visualization of the glottis (Cormack and Lehane Grade I). For safety outcomes, the incidence and severity of epistaxis during intubation was comparable between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the selection of nostrils and intubation-related adverse events up to 24 h after surgery.

Conclusions

When considering which nostril to use for intubation with video rigid stylet, either nostril can be used similarly.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT05218590.
The relationship between serum C-reactive protein and senile hypertension
Authors: He Le , Fan Chenyang , Li Gang
Published: November 2022

Background

Hypertension has become an important health risk factor in the twenty-first century, especially for the elderly. Studies have confirmed that inflammation is involved in the development of hypertension and that the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein(CRP) is significantly associated with hypertension. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore the CRP correlation with hypertension in the elderly.

Methods

Serum CRP levels were measured in 196 hospitalized patients, and the CRP level was used as a criterion to divide them into the group with elevated CRP (> 10 mmol/L, n = 120) and the group with normal CRP (0 < CRP ≤ 10 mmol/L, n = 76). and the patient's baseline characteristics were collected and compared between the groups, and the correlation between CRP and other factors and hypertension in the elderly was analyzed by multi-factor logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of hypertension, coronary artery disease and joint reactive inflammation was significantly higher in the group with elevated CRP. There was also a significant association between the use of alcohol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and steroids and elevated CRP; logistic regression showed that elevated CRP (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.14–3.99, p = 0.019), body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.10, 95% CI:1.01–1.90, p = 0.030), diabetes (OR = 2.68, 95% CI:1.24–5.79, p = 0.012) were positively associated with hypertension, while statins use was negatively associated with hypertension (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.25–0.94, p = 0.013).

Conclusions

Elevated CRP, BMI, and diabetes are positively associated with hypertension in the elderly, and early screening for CRP and initiation of treatment may help prevent further inflammatory responses in hypertension.
Agreement and correlation of abdominal skeletal muscle area measured by CT and MR imaging in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Xu Zhengyu , Luo Jia , Yang Dawei , Xu Hui , Jia Jidong , Yang Zhenghan
Published: November 2022

Background

CT-based abdominal skeletal muscle area (SMA) serves as a standard for assessing muscle mass in patients with cirrhosis. Few studies have used MR imaging to measure SMA in cirrhotic patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the agreement and correlation of the SMA measured by MRI and CT in cirrhotic patients.

Methods

CT and MR images from 38 cirrhotic patients were analyzed using the Slice-O-Matic V5.0 software. One observer independently measured SMA at the mid-third lumbar vertebral (L3) level on CT and MR images. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson correlation coefficient, and Bland–Altman plot were used to evaluate the agreement and correlation between CT and MRI SMA and their relationship with the sarcopenia severity and Child–Pugh grades.

Results

CT and MRI had a high intraobserver agreement, with ICCs ranging from 0.991 to 0.996. CT and MRI measurements were closely correlated (r = 0.991–0.998, all for P < 0.01), and the bias of the measurements was 0.68–3.02%. Among all MR images, T1w water images had the strongest correlation (r = 0.998, P < 0.01) and the minimum bias of 0.68%. The measurements of mid-L3 SMA on CT and T1w water images remained highly consistent in cirrhotic patients with different severities of sarcopenia and Child–Pugh grades.

Conclusions

MRI and CT showed high agreement and correlation for measuring mid-L3 SMA in cirrhotic patients. In addition to CT, MR images can also be used to assess muscle mass in cirrhotic patients, regardless of the severity of sarcopenia and Child–Pugh grades.
Different azithromycin protocols for management of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Abdelfattah Laila Ezzat , Aboshama Rehab Abdelhamid , Abdelbadie Amr S. , Abulhasan Mohamed H. , Anan Mohamed A. , Abdelaal Ibraheem I
Published: November 2022

Background

Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes is associated with polymicrobial infection; hence broad-spectrum antibiotics are recommended. Nowadays, Azithromycin is used instead of Erythromycin due to erythromycin shortages, its ease of administration, decreased cost, and better side effect profile. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different azithromycin protocols for the conservative management of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes.

Methods

It was a single-blinded randomized clinical trial including pregnant women at 24–36+6 weeks with viable singleton pregnancies and confirmed preterm prelabor rupture of membranes from January 01, 2020, to June 01, 2021. The participants were randomized into two groups: Group I was made of women who received Azithromycin 1000 mg PO once, and Group II of women who received Azithromycin 500 mg PO once, followed by Azithromycin 250 mg PO daily for four days. The primary study outcome was the length of the latency period from the diagnosis of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes to delivery (days).

Results

The latency period in group I was significantly higher than that in Group II (5.80 ± 5.44 days vs. 2.88 ± 2.37; respectively, p = 0.0001). The mean gestational age at the time of delivery was significantly higher in Group I (p = 0.0001). However, postpartum endometritis and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) rates were significantly higher in Group II (p = 0.003 and p = 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusion

The higher dose of Azithromycin was associated with better maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Trial registration

Clinical trial identification number: Clinical trial.gov: NCT04202380 (17/ 12/ 2019).

Date of registration: 1/1 /2020.

Date of initial participant enrollment30 /1/2020.

URL of the registration site: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04202380
Differential diagnosis of benign and malignant patchy ground-glass opacity by thin-section computed tomography
Authors: Liang Zhang-rui , Ye Min , Lv Fa-jin , Fu Bin-jie , Lin Rui-yu , Li Wang-jia , Chu Zhi-gang
Published: November 2022

Background

Previous studies confirmed that ground-glass nodules (GGNs) with certain CT manifestations had a higher probability of malignancy. However, differentiating patchy ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and GGNs has not been discussed solely. This study aimed to investigate the differences between the CT features of benign and malignant patchy GGOs to improve the differential diagnosis.

Methods

From January 2016 to September 2021, 226 patients with 247 patchy GGOs (103 benign and 144 malignant) confirmed by postoperative pathological examination or follow-up were retrospectively enrolled. Their clinical and CT data were reviewed, and their CT features were compared. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to reveal the predictors of malignancy.

Results

Compared to patients with benign patchy GGOs, malignant cases were older (P <  0.001), had a lower incidence of malignant tumor history (P = 0.003), and more commonly occurred in females (P = 0.012). Based on CT images, there were significant differences in the location, distribution, density pattern, internal bronchial changes, and boundary between malignant and benign GGOs (P <  0.05). The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the independent predictors of malignant GGOs were the following: patient age ≥ 58 years [odds ratio (OR), 2.175; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.135–6.496; P = 0.025], locating in the upper lobe (OR, 5.481; 95%CI, 2.027–14.818; P = 0.001), distributing along the bronchovascular bundles (OR, 12.770; 95%CI, 4.062–40.145; P < 0.001), centrally distributed solid component (OR, 3.024; 95%CI, 1.124–8.133; P = 0.028), and well-defined boundary (OR, 5.094; 95%CI, 2.079–12.482; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In older patients (≥58 years), well-defined patchy GGOs with centric solid component, locating in the upper lobe, and distributing along the bronchovascular bundles should be highly suspected as malignancy.
Effect of neonatal reticulocytosis on glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity and G6PD deficiency detection: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pimpakan Thanaporn , Mungkalasut Punchalee , Tansakul Pornchinee , Chanda Makamas , Jugnam-Ang Watcharapong , Charucharana Supamas , Cheepsunthorn Poonlarp , Fucharoen Suthat , Punnahitananda Santi , Cheepsunthorn Chalisa Louicharoen
Published: November 2022

Background

Screening for G6PD deficiency in newborns can help prevent severe hemolysis, hyperbilirubinemia, and bilirubin encephalopathy, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). It has been speculated that the presence of a high number of reticulocytes in newborns interferes with the diagnosis of G6PD deficiency since reticulocytes contain higher amounts of G6PD enzyme than mature erythrocytes. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to assess the effect of reticulocytosis in the determination of blood G6PD activity in Thai newborns by using a novel automated UV-based enzymatic assay and to validate the performance of this assay for the detection of G6PD deficiency in newborn samples.

Methods

The levels of reticulocytes and G6PD activity were measured in blood samples collected from 1,015 newborns. G6PD mutations were identified using TaqMan® SNP genotyping assay, PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP), and direct sequencing. The correlation between the levels of reticulocytes and G6PD activity was examined. The performance of the automated method was compared with that of the fluorescent spot test (FST) and the standard quantitative assay.

Results

The automated assay detected G6PD deficiency in 6.5% of the total newborn subjects compared to 5.3% and 6.1% by the FST and the standard method, respectively. The minor allele frequencies (MAFs) of G6PD ViangchanG871A, G6PD MahidolG487A, and G6PD UnionC1360T were 0.066, 0.005, and 0.005, respectively. The reticulocyte counts in newborns with G6PD deficiency were significantly higher than those in normal male newborns (p < 0.001). Compared with normal newborns after controlling for thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies, G6PD-deficient patients with the G6PD ViangchanG871A mutation exhibited elevated reticulocyte counts (5.82 ± 1.73%, p < 0.001). In a group of G6PD normal newborns, the percentage of reticulocytes was positively correlated with G6PD activity (r = 0.327, p < 0.001). However, there was no correlation between G6PD activity and the levels of reticulocytes in subjects with G6PD deficiency (r = -0.019, p = 0.881). The level of agreement in the detection of G6PD deficiency was 0.999, while the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve demonstrated that the automated method had 98.4% sensitivity, 99.5% specificity, 92.4% positive predictive value (PPV), 99.9% negative predictive value (NPV), and 99.4% accuracy.

Conclusions

We report that reticulocytosis does not have a statistically significant effect on the detection of G6PD deficiency in newborns by both qualitative and quantitative methods.
A latent profile analysis of emotional expression among patients with unintentional injuries
Authors: Wang Xinlu , Tu Qiongyao , Huang Dongdong , Jin Pinpin , Cai Xue , Zhao Haifeng , Lu Zhongqiu , Dong Chaoqun
Published: November 2022

Background

Emotional expression has been suggested to affect the well-being of individuals with unintentional injuries. However, few studies have investigated it as a heterogeneous phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to characterize the patterns of emotional expression among patients with unintentional injuries using latent profile analysis, and to examine the relationship among these latent profiles and cognitive processing, posttraumatic growth, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out at two general hospitals in Wenzhou, China. In total, 352 patients with unintentional injuries completed the socio-demographic questionnaire, Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire, Ambivalence Over Emotional Expression Questionnaire, Event-Related Rumination Inventory, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version. 

Results

Three unique profiles were identified: high emotional expressivity (n = 238, 67.6%), moderate emotional expressivity (n = 45, 12.8%), and low emotional expressivity (n = 69, 19.6%). The ANOVA and chi-square tests demonstrated significant differences among the three groups concerning deliberate rumination and posttraumatic growth. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that monthly income and time since injury significantly predicted profile membership.

Conclusions

Most patients showed high emotional expressivity after an unintentional injury. Emotional expression profiles were associated with deliberate rumination and posttraumatic growth. Emotional expression interventions tailored for different profiles are warranted after an unintentional injury.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy on psychological stress and quality of life in subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis: a community-based cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zuo Xiaowei , Dong Zongmei , Zhang Peng , Zhang Pan , Zhu Xianghua , Qiao Cheng , Yang Yongjie , Lou Peian
Published: November 2022

Background

Anxiety and depression are two common psychological disorders in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. We aimed to explore the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on psychological stress and quality of life in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Methods

From September 2018 to November 2018, 20 communities (461 participants in total) were randomly assigned in an intervention or control group following a two-level cluster random design. The intervention group underwent CBT for 2 months, whereas the control group received routine follow-up. Anxiety, depression, and quality of life were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7), and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scales, respectively. Comparisons between the two groups were conducted using independent samples t-tests, and differences between the two groups before and after treatment were analyzed using paired samples t-tests.

Results

There were a total of 454 participants in the final analysis. After 2 months of CBT intervention, the CBT group had a GAD-7 score that was 1.72 lower than the control group (1.47–1.99, p < 0.001), a PHQ-9 score of the CBT group that was 2.05 lower than that of the control group (1.74–2.37, p < 0.001). The CBT group had a total SF-36 score that was 10.7 lower than that of the control group (95% CI: 7.9–13.5, p < 0.001). In patients with different degrees of anxiety and depression, only those in the intervention group who had mild and moderate anxiety and depression symptoms showed a significant reduction in anxiety and depression scores following the intervention.

Conclusions

CBT can relieve anxiety, and depression symptoms and increase the quality of life in subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Trials registration

ChiCTR-TRC-12001958 Date of Registration: 22/02/2012.
Dimensional changes of upper airway after slow vs rapid miniscrew-supported maxillary expansion in adolescents: a cone-beam computed tomography study
Authors: Yacout Yomna M. , El-Harouni Nadia M. , Madian Ahmed M.
Published: November 2022

Background

To date, the effects of different activation rates of miniscrew-supported expanders on the airway have not been compared. Hence, the purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate and compare the effects of slow and rapid miniscrew-supported maxillary expansion on the upper airway dimensions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods

Data of 20 patients (Age 12 to 16 years old) treated using miniscrew-supported expanders at the Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University was collected. The patients were equally divided into two groups according to the activation protocol; slow maxillary expansion (SME): activation once every other day, and rapid maxillary expansion (RME): activation twice daily. CBCT scans obtained pre-expansion and 5 months post-expansion were used to evaluate the changes in the upper airway dimensions. Comparisons between the two time points within each group were done using paired samples t-test. SME and RME groups were compared using independent samples t-test. Significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Both groups showed a significant increase in anterior, middle, and posterior nasal cavity width. SME resulted in significantly greater increase of the anterior nasal cavity width than RME (Mean difference between the groups, 2.64 mm; 95% CI, 0.83, 4.45; p = 0.007). The dimensions of the retropalatal and retroglossal airways did not change significantly in either group. Both groups resulted in a significant increase of maxillary width, palatal width, and inter-molar width. RME showed a significantly larger increase of inter-molar width than SME (Mean difference between the groups, − 2.44 mm; 95% CI, − 3.88, − 1.00; p = 0.002).

Conclusions

The use of either a slow or rapid activation protocol is effective in expanding the nasomaxillary complex, with greater expansion achieved in the anterior section of the nasal cavity using the slow rate. However, the expander design employed in the current study does not affect the dimensions of the retropalatal or retroglossal airways.
Clinical and radiographic prospective study of customized one-piece titanium and one-piece fusion-sputtered zirconia implants: five-year mean follow-up
Authors: Hassouna Mahy , Al-Zordk Walid , Aboshilib Moustafa , Ghazy Mohamed
Published: November 2022

Background

To evaluate the clinical and radiographic assessment of customized fusion-sputtered one-piece zirconia implants.

Methods

Twenty-eight patients received either fusion sputtered one-piece zirconia implants (n = 14) or one-piece titanium implants (n = 14). All implants were one-piece designs. After 4 months of immediate loading, all implants were restored with a monolithic zirconia crown. All implants were evaluated at baseline, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years. Implant mobility, plaque index, and gingival index evaluations were performed. The measurements of marginal bone level were calculated radiographically.

Results

All implants were well maintained through the evaluation period with a 100% survival rate without any clinical complications. Regarding gingival index, there was no statistically significant difference (P = .364) between zirconia (3.3 ± 0.7 mm) and titanium (3.5 ± 0.6 mm) implants, after 5 years. There was no statistically significant difference (P = .470) between zirconia (1.77 ± 0.039 mm) and titanium (1.80 ± 0.28 mm) implants regarding marginal bone loss, after 5 years.

Conclusions

One-piece fusion-sputtered zirconia implant represents a reliable treatment modality in replacing a missing tooth in the esthetic zone.
Clinical nurses’ moral courage and related factors: an empowerment perspective
Authors: Hu Kaili , Liu Juan , Zhu Lisi , Zhou Yanrong
Published: November 2022

Background

Moral courage as part of the moral competence of nurses has received increasing attention. Determination of the factors affecting moral courage is important in improving the quality of care. The purpose of this study was to investigate moral courage and related factors among frontline nurses from an empowerment perspective.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using data collection instruments comprising four main parts: the self-designed form of demographic characteristics, Conditions for Work Effectiveness II (CWEQ-II), Spreitzer’s Psychological Empowerment Scale (PES) and Nurses’ Moral Courage Scale (NMCS). Data were collected from 226 nurses in a tertiary hospital between February and March 2022 in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province in central China. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data.

Results

The means of the total scores for the CWEQ-II, PES and the NMCS were 3.52 (SD = 0.69), 3.85 (SD = 0.53) and 3.90 (SD = 0.67), respectively. All the dimensions and the total scores of the CWEQ-II and PES were significantly correlated with the NMCS (p < 0.001). According to the multivariate stepwise regression analysis, CWEQ-II and PES were determined to be factors affecting NMCS. These variables explained 35.9% of the total variance in the moral courage scores of nurses.

Conclusion

The level of moral courage among nurses is above average. Structural empowerment and psychological empowerment were the key factors affecting the promotion of moral courage. Hospital and organizational administrations should be conscious of the role of attach structural empowerment and psychological empowerment in the nursing workplace in increasing moral courage.
Tracking, naming, specifying, and comparing implementation strategies for person-centred care in a real-world setting: a case study with seven embedded units
Authors: Fridberg Helena , Wallin Lars , Tistad Malin
Published: November 2022

Background

The implementation of person-centred care (PCC) is advocated worldwide. Stakeholders in charge of implementing PCC as a broad-scale change across the health care sector face two intertwined and complex challenges. First, making sense of PCC as an intervention with complex innovation characteristics and second, staging implementation of PCC by choosing appropriate implementation strategies. We aimed to explore one of these challenges by tracking, naming, specifying, and comparing which strategies and how strategies were enacted to support the implementation of more PCC in a real-world setting represented by one health care region in Sweden.

Methods

A case study with seven embedded units at two organisational levels within a health care region was conducted from 2016 to 2019. Data were collected from three sources: activity logs, interviews, and written documents. Strategies were identified from all sources and triangulated deductively by name, definition, and cluster in line with the taxonomy Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) and specified according to recommendations by Proctor and colleagues as actor, action, action target, temporality, dose, outcome, and justification.

Results

Four hundred thirteen activities were reported in logs, representing 43 discrete strategies identified in ERIC (n = 38), elsewhere (n = 1), or as emerging strategies (n = 4). The highest reported frequencies of discrete strategies were identified as belonging to two clusters: Train and educate stakeholders (40%) and Develop stakeholder interrelationships (38%). We identified a limited number of strategies belonging to the cluster Use evaluative and iterative strategies (4.6%) and an even smaller number of strategies targeting information to patients about the change initiative (0.8%). Most of the total dose of 11,076 person-hours in the 7 units was spent on strategies targeting health care professionals who provide PCC (81.5%) while the dose of strategies targeting support functions was 18.5%.

Conclusions

Our findings show both challenges and merits when strategies for implementation of PCC are conducted in a real-world setting. The results can be used to support and guide both scientists and practitioners in future implementation initiatives.
Bio-nanocomplexes with autonomous O2 generation efficiently inhibit triple negative breast cancer through enhanced chemo-PDT
Authors: Zeng Zhihong , Wang Zhou , Chen Simin , Xiao Chang , Liu Minzhuo , Zhang Jie , Fan Jialong , Zhao Yanzhong , Liu Bin
Published: November 2022

As one kind of aggressive cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has become one of the major causes of women mortality worldwide. Recently, combinational chemo-PDT therapy based on nanomaterials has been adopted for the treatment of malignant tumor. However, the efficacy of PDT was partly compromised under tumor hypoxia environment due to the lack of sustainable O2 supply. In this study, CeO2-loaded nanoparticles (CeNPs) with peroxidase activity were synthesized to autonomously generate O2 by decomposing H2O2 within tumor region and reprogramming the hypoxia microenvironment as well. Meanwhile, the compound cinobufagin (CS-1) was loaded for inhibiting TNBC growth and metastasis. Moreover, the hybrid membrane camouflage was adopted to improve the biocompatibility and targeting ability of nanocomplexes. In vitro assay demonstrated that decomposition of H2O2 by CeO2 achieved sustainable O2 supply, which accordingly improved the efficacy of PDT. In turn, the generated O2 improved the cytotoxicity and anti-tumor migration effect of CS-1 by downregulating HIF-1α and MMP-9 levels. In vivo assay demonstrated that the combination of CS-1 and PDT significantly inhibited the growth and distance metastasis of tumor in MDA-MB-231 bearing mice. Thus, this chemo-PDT strategy achieved satisfactory therapeutic effects by smartly utilizing the enzyme activity of nanodrugs and special micro-environment of tumor.
Evaluation of CSF albumin quotient in neuronal surface antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis
Authors: Lai Qi-Lun , Cai Meng-Ting , Zheng Yang , Fang Gao-Li , Du Bing-Qing , Shen Chun-Hong , Wang Jia-Jia , Weng Qin-Jie , Zhang Yin-Xi
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives

Disruption of brain barriers is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of neuronal surface antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis (NSAE), but few studies have focused on their relationship. We aimed to explore the association between the integrity of brain barriers and clinical and paraclinical characteristics in patients with NSAE.

Methods

This retrospective study consecutively recruited patients with NSAE. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) / serum albumin quotient (Qalb) was used to evaluate the function of brain barriers. The data on demographic information, clinical manifestations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CSF findings and prognosis were collected and analyzed.

Results

Of the 93 patients included, 33 (35.5%) patients were assigned to the elevated Qalb group and 60 (64.5%) patients to the normal Qalb group. Males and prodromal symptoms were more common in elevated Qalb group (both P < 0.05). The CSF white blood cell, protein, immunoglobulin G and albumin were significantly higher in elevated Qalb group (all P < 0.05). Patients with elevated Qalb were more likely to have brain lesions on MRI (60.6% versus 33.3%, P = 0.011). The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at discharge and at last follow-up were significantly higher in patients with elevated Qalb than those with normal Qalb (both P < 0.05). After univariate and multivariate analyses, Qalb elevation (adjusted odds ratio = 3.96, 95% confidence interval = 1.15–13.59, P = 0.029) was demonstrated as the only independent risk factor for a poor prognosis.

Discussion

Males, prodromal symptoms, brain lesions on MRI, CSF pleocytosis, and elevated CSF protein were more common in NSAE patients with increased Qalb. Qalb elevation was an independent prognostic indicator for a poor prognosis in NSAE.
Outpatient management of acute uncomplicated appendicitis after laparoscopic appendectomy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Elvira López Jordi , Sales Mallafré Ricard , Padilla Zegarra Erlinda , Carrillo Luna Luis , Ferreres Serafini Joan , Tully Roisin , Memba Ikuga Robert , Jorba Martin Rosa
Published: November 2022

Objective

To confirm the safety and efficacy of outpatient management of laparoscopic appendectomy, with an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol, in adult patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis.

Summary background data

Outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy is feasible and secure in selected patients in observational studies. The benefits include reduced length of stay (LOS) and postoperative complications. This is the first randomized controlled trial of outpatient management following ERAS protocol.

Methods

Patients admitted from the emergency department with acute appendicitis were randomized into one of two groups: standard care within the hospital (HG) or the outpatient group (OG). An ERAS protocol was followed for both groups. Patients in the HG were admitted to the surgical ward. Patients in the OG were referred to the day-surgery unit. The primary endpoint was the length of stay.

Results

Ninety-seven patients were included: 49 in the OG and 48 in the HG. LOS was significantly shorter in the OG (mean 8.82 h) than in the HG (mean 43.53 h), p < 0.001. There was no difference in readmission rates (p = 0.320); we observed only one readmission in the OG. No further emergency consultations or complications were observed. The cost saving was $516.52/patient as a result of the intervention.

Conclusion

Outpatient management of appendectomy is safe and feasible procedure in selected patients. This approach could become the standard of care for patients with uncomplicated appendicitis, showing fewer complications, lower LOS and cost.

Trial registration: Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05401188) Clinical Trial ID: NCT05401188
The exact solutions of Fokas-Lenells equation based on Jacobi elliptic function expansion method
Authors: Zhao Yan-Nan , Wang Na
Published: November 2022

The Fokas-Lenells (FL) equation, which is rich in physical property in soliton theory as well as optical fiber, is a generalization of the higher-order Schrödinger equation. We construct the periodic solutions of the FL equation based on the Jacobi elliptic function expansion method in this context. Moreover, the characteristics of the obtained solutions are visualized graphically by selecting appropriate parameters.