bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economy or culture? How the relative salience of policy dimensions shapes partisan effects on welfare state generosity
Authors: Hillen Sven
Published: January 2022

Whether parties matter for welfare policy is debated in comparative research. This article argues that one reason for dwindling partisan effects is that with the rising salience of cultural issues, political conflict has become increasingly two-dimensional. The argument expects parties to be more prone to shape welfare policy in ways expected by partisan theory if the salience of the economic policy dimension vis-à-vis the cultural dimension increases. To assess the relative salience of the dimensions, the article relies on parties’ emphases on economic issues compared to cultural issues from election manifestos. In a quantitative analysis of welfare benefits in 16 European countries between 1970 and 2011, partisan effects are shown to depend on the relative salience of the economic dimension in party competition: with increasing dominance of economic issues, the positive effect of left parties on welfare state generosity increases while partisan effects dissipate after elections dominated by cultural issues.
Understanding Discrimination: Outcome-Relevant Information Does Not Mitigate Discrimination
Authors: Pedersen Mogens Jin , Nielsen Vibeke Lehmann
Published: January 2022

People experience discrimination across a variety of domains, including at work and in dealings with public institutions, but what makes some individuals discriminate against others? Two dominant scholarly approaches—“statistical” and “taste-based”—offer different explanations. Statistical discrimination models imply that discrimination occurs because of incomplete information (informational bias), whereas taste-based discrimination models emphasize more elusive and deep-rooted cognitive biases. Adding new insights into whether discrimination is “statistical” or “taste-based,” this article examines how providing information that reduces informational bias affects discrimination. Using a preregistered survey experimental design, a representative sample of Danish residents (n = 2,024) are exposed to three unique vignettes, each involving a choice of service provider (general practitioner, babysitter, and house cleaner). Relating to gender and nativity stereotypes, we manipulate the gender of the general practitioners and the babysitters, and the country of origin of the house cleaners. Moreover, we manipulate exposure to rating cues about the service providers’ task performance, thus mitigating informational bias to some extent. Contrasting the expectations of statistical discrimination models, the performance ratings cues do not mitigate discrimination. Across all three vignettes, the participants exhibit stereotypical preferences, and the performance rating cues do not affect these discriminatory biases.
MSC therapy in livestock models
Authors: Harness Ellen M , Mohamad-Fauzi Nuradilla Binti , Murray James D
Published: January 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have great value as therapeutic tools in a wide array of applications in regenerative medicine. The wide repertoire of cell functions regarding tissue regeneration, immunomodulation, and antimicrobial activity makes MSC-based therapy a strong candidate for treatment options in a variety of clinical conditions and should be studied to expand the current breadth of knowledge surrounding their physiological properties and therapeutic benefits. Livestock models are an appropriate resource for testing the efficacy of MSC therapies for their use in biomedical research and can be used to improve both human health and animal agriculture. Agricultural animal models such as pigs, cattle, sheep, and goats have grown in popularity for in vivo research relative to small animal models due to their overlapping similarities in structure and function that more closely mimic the human body. Cutaneous wound healing, bone regeneration, osteoarthritis, ischemic reperfusion injury, and mastitis recovery represent a few examples of the types of disease states that may be investigated in livestock using MSC-based therapy. Although the cost of agricultural animals is greater than small animal models, the information gained using livestock as a model holds great value for human applications, and in some cases, outcompetes the weight of information gained from rodent models. With emerging fields such as exosome-based therapy, proper in vivo models will be needed for testing efficacy and translational practice, i.e., livestock models should be strongly considered as candidates. The potential for capitalizing on areas that have crossover benefits for both agricultural economic gain and improved health of the animals while minimizing the gap between translational research and clinical practice are what make livestock great choices for experimental MSC models.
Impacts of polyclonal antibody preparations from avian origin on nutrient digestibility and performance of backgrounding beef cattle
Authors: Silva Gleise M , Schulmeister Tessa M , Podversich Federico , Tarnonsky Federico , Garcia-Ascolani Mariana E , DiLorenzo Nicolas
Published: January 2022

This study evaluated the effects of feeding an avian-derived polyclonal antibody preparation (PAP; CAMAS, Inc.) against Streptococcus bovis, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and lipopolysaccharides (LPS; 40%, 35%, and 25% of the preparation, respectively) on growth performance (Exp. 1) and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients (Exp. 2) of beef cattle consuming a backgrounding diet. In Exp. 1, Angus crossbred heifers (n = 70; 360 ± 24 kg of initial body weight; BW) and steers (n = 20; 386 ± 24 kg of BW) were used in a generalized randomized block design. Heifers and steers were allocated to 1 of 18 concrete-surfaced pens (6 pens per treatment) to receive a common ad libitum diet (35% cottonseed hulls, 34% dry-rolled corn, and 20% corn gluten pellets; 15.9% crude protein on a dry matter [DM] basis, 1.58 Mcal/kg DM of net energy [NE] of maintenance, and 0.98 Mcal/kg DM of NE of gain) and 1 of the 3 treatments consisting of feeding 1 (PAP1), 3 (PAP3), or 0 g (CON) of PAP per day for 56 d. Feed intake was recorded daily and BW was obtained on days −1, 0, 14, 28, 42, 55, and 56 to assess average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), and gain:feed (G:F). Plasma concentrations of glucose and haptoglobin were measured on days 0, 14, 28, 42, and 56. In Exp. 2, 25 Angus crossbreed steers (390 ± 24 kg BW) were used in a completely randomized design to receive the same diet and treatments from Exp. 1 (CON: n = 8; PAP1: n = 9; and PAP3: n = 8). Following a 14-d adaptation to diets, feed and fecal samples were collected to determine apparent total tract nutrient digestibility. In Exp. 1, overall BW, DMI, ADG, G:F, and plasmatic measurements did not differ among treatments over the 56-d period (P ≥ 0.16). However, from days 0 to 14, a quadratic effect was observed for ADG, in which cattle receiving PAP1 had greater (P = 0.04) ADG compared with CON. In Exp. 2, no difference in DMI was observed (P = 0.88), yet DM, organic matter, neutral and acid detergent fiber, and starch digestibility were least (P ≤ 0.05) for PAP3, whereas digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was greatest (P < 0.01) for PAP1. In summary, feeding 1 g/d of a PAP against S. bovis, F. necrophorum, and LPS improved growth performance in the first 14 d and increased fiber digestibility of beef cattle consuming a backgrounding diet. Further research is needed to understand the impaired responses on nutrient digestibility when greater doses are provided.
Neurotoxicity of an Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Transcript Inhibitor in 13-Week Rat and Monkey Studies
Authors: Lake April D , Holsapple Kevin , McDonnell Tanya , Arezzo Joseph C , Ramirez Ricardo , Gamelin Lindsay , Yu Mei , Glatt Dylan , Dick Ryan , Xie Xiaodong , Choy Regina , Cheng Guofeng , Tay Chin H , Chester Anne , Kato Darryl , Burns-Naas Leigh Ann
Published: January 2022

The nonclinical safety profile of GS-8873, a hepatitis B virus RNA transcript inhibitor was evaluated in rat and monkey 13-week toxicity studies with 8-week recovery phases. Vehicle or GS-8873 was dosed orally for 13 weeks at 2, 6, 20, and 60 mg/kg/day to Wistar Han rats and at 0.5, 1.5, 3, and 6 mg/kg/day to cynomolgus monkeys. In vitro and in vivo screening results from an analog discovered prior to GS-8873 informed the 13-week toxicology study designs. Neuroelectrophysiology and neurobehavioral evaluations were included at weeks 4 and 13 of the dosing and recovery phases for GS-8873. No adverse neurobehavioral effects were observed. Significant nerve conduction velocity (NCV) decreases and latency increases occurred at the high doses after 4 weeks of dosing. By week 13, dose-responsive NCV reductions and latency increases worsened across all dose groups compared with controls. Some reversal occurred 8 weeks after the last dose administered, but not to vehicle control levels. A minimal, axonal degeneration was observed in rat spinal and peripheral nerves across dose groups compared with controls. No monkey nervous system microscopic findings were observed. No-observed-adverse-effect-levels could not be determined for either species due to the neuroelectrophysiology findings and development was halted in the interest of safety. A retrospective risk assessment approach utilizing benchmark dose (BMD) modeling contributed 13-week NCV BMDL estimates (lower limits of the 95% confidence interval) in lieu of no-observed-adverse-effect-levels. The best-fitted models extrapolated NCV BMDLs for the rat caudal and monkey sural nerve at 0.3 and 0.1 mg/kg/day, respectively.
Guardian-Reported Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lifestyle of Children with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Vyas Varuna , Singh Kuldeep , Pareek Puneet , Garg Mahendra Kumar , Didel Siyaram , Priyanka Priyanka , Goel Akhil Dhanesh , Misra Sanjeev
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the lives and lifestyles of people of all ages worldwide. Lifestyle has an essential role in the management of diabetes mellitus in children.

Methods

The study was carried out at a tertiary care centre in India. A telehealth survey was conducted among the parents/guardians of children with diabetes to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey evaluated the effects on lifestyle, diabetes management and challenges in connecting to a new telemedicine programme.

Results

The survey was completed by guardians of 91 patients. The mean age of the patients was 13.0 ± 3.8 years in boys and 11.9 ± 4.5 years in girls. Fifty-seven per cent of them were boys, and 63.7% stayed in rural areas. The pandemic has resulted in a significant increase in screen time and sleep duration. The median non-educational screen time has gone up from 1.00 (0.5–2.0) to 2.50 (1.0–4.0) h. The mean sleep duration in children increased from 9.1 ± 1.4 to 9.7 ± 1.4 h. Telemedicine services have been established with minimum resources, but they have limitations, and awareness about them is also limited.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has made the lifestyle of children with diabetes more sedentary. Some of them have also faced challenges with regard to diabetes-related supplies and management. It would be fair to anticipate more complications related to this sedentary lifestyle in the future and work towards identifying and treating them.
Lecanosticta pharomachri and Its Newly Discovered Sexual State Causing a Serious Needle Disease of Pinus spp. in Colombia
Authors: Theron Cheyenne A. , Marincowitz Seonju , Rodas Carlos A. , Wingfield Michael J. , Barnes Irene
Published: January 2022

Brown spot needle blight (BSNB), caused by the fungal pathogen Lecanosticta acicola, is a well-known disease of Pinus spp. in several northern hemisphere countries. In the southern hemisphere, this disease has been reported only in Colombia and, apart from a single report of severe defoliation of Pinus radiata plantations in the early 1980s, has not caused serious damage in this country. An outbreak of a disease resembling BSNB on Mesoamerican Pinus spp. grown in Colombia has raised concern that L. acicola may have reemerged as a pathogen. DNA sequence-based analyses for the internal transcribed spacers, translation elongation factor 1-α and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit regions showed that the outbreaks were caused by L. pharomachri, a species distinct from, but closely related to, L. acicola. The discovery of L. pharomachri in Colombia is the first incidence of the pathogen causing a serious disease problem and the first occurrence on the hosts P. patula and P. maximinoi. A sexual state for L. pharomachri was discovered for the first time, and the description of the species has thus been emended.
The Current State of Nursing
Authors: Seegert Liz
Published: January 2022

Workforce issues, challenges, and opportunities.
Rheumatoid arthritis and DVT risk
Authors: Quisenberry Susan L. , Atchison Phillip T. , Cottrell Damon B.
Published: January 2022

Studies show that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) compared with the general population. This article discusses the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of RA, explores the DVT risk in patients with RA, and outlines critical nursing actions to care for these patients.
A little goes a long way
Authors: Schneider Melissa A. , Smith Carolyn E. , Howard Katrina A.
Published: January 2022

This article discusses the impact of staffing shortage on nurses' mental health, and outlines ways, including a successful rounder initiative, for nurse leaders and facilities to address nurses' stress and burnout.
Treatment Options for Dupuytren’s Disease: Tips and Tricks
Authors: Denkler Keith A. , Park Keon Min , Alser Osaid
Published: January 2022

Background:

Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a common fibroproliferative condition of the hand.

Methods:

Management of DD includes observation, non-operative management, and operative management. Operative treatments include percutaneous needle fasciotomy (PNF), open fasciotomy (OF), Clostridium collagenase histolyticum (CCH) injections, limited fasciectomy (LF) and dermofasciectomy (DF). The various methods of DD treatment are reviewed.

Results:

We summarize the highlights of each treatment option as well as the strengths and weaknesses. PNF has an immediate improvement, but a higher recurrence rate, potential problematic skin tears, and rare tendon or nerve complications. Limited fasciectomy removes the thickened, diseased tissue but has a more prolonged recovery and has a higher rate of significant complications. Dermofasciectomy has the highest complication rate, and the lowest recurrence. Also, secondary fasciectomy after a previous dermofasciectomy has an unexpected amputation rate as high as 8%. Collagenase injections require two visits, have an increased number of minor side effects such as skin tears, and have rare but significant side effects such as tendon rupture.

Conclusions:

This article gives an overview of different treatment options for DD and each of their strengths and weaknesses and provides procedural tips.
Treatment of Keloids: A Meta-analysis of Intralesional Triamcinolone, Verapamil, and Their Combination
Authors: Klomparens Kara , Simman Richard
Published: January 2022

Background:

Keloids are skin lesions of abnormal and excessive scar proliferation that have no agreed upon gold standard of therapy. Extensive research in this area has shown that both intralesional triamcinolone and verapamil are effective in their treatment.

Methods:

A review of these two treatment modalities was conducted via an extensive search of existing literature published in PubMed, Scopus Libraries, and Science Direct databases using keywords “keloid,” “verapamil,” “triamcinolone,” “intralesional,” “treatment,” and “corticosteroid” published between 1996 and 2021. From these included studies, clinical trials that directly compared the effects of intralesional triamcinolone and verapamil from 2008 to 2021 were included in a meta-analysis. Lastly, the minimal current research pertaining to a potential future direction of their combination was described.

Results:

Over 30 publications were included in this literature review to describe the current state of keloid treatment and outline the advantages and disadvantages of intralesional triamcinolone and verapamil. Eight of these studies were included in the meta-analysis which had varying results. In all studies, greater improvement was seen in the triamcinolone acetonide group compared with the verapamil group. However, these improved results were associated with a higher rate of adverse effects.

Conclusions:

When comparing the modalities of triamcinolone acetonide and verapamil for keloid treatment, triamcinolone acetonide shows more significant and rapid improvement compared with verapamil; however, there are also increased adverse effects. Minimal combination studies of these treatments have shown that perhaps using them together can augment their mechanisms without the unwanted side effects.
Hypertension and contraceptive use among women of child-bearing age in the United States from 2001 to 2018
Authors: Kovell Lara C. , Meyerovitz Claire V. , Skaritanov Ekaterina , Ayturk Didem , Person Sharina D. , Kumaraswami Tara , Juraschek Stephen P. , Moore Simas Tiffany A.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Hypertension (HTN) in pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States. Contraception is widely used, and estrogen-based combined hormonal forms are known to increase blood pressure (BP). With nearly half of pregnancies unplanned and many antihypertensive medications teratogenic, appropriate contraception is critical in child-bearing age women with HTN.

Methods:

Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2001 to 2018, we evaluated contraception and antihypertensive medication use in women of child-bearing age (20–50 years). Women who had undergone sterilization or menopause were excluded. HTN was defined based on a self-reported provider diagnosis and BP ≥130/80 mm Hg or antihypertensive medication use. Contraception included non-barrier methods (pills/patch/ring, injections, long-acting reversible contraceptives) or consistent condom use. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model the odds of contraception use. Temporal trends in contraception use were reported.

Results:

Of the 8726 women, 12.4% had HTN with mean age (standard error) 36.0 (0.3) years. In women with HTN, 9.2% used non-barrier contraception and 10.4% used condoms only. Over half (52.7%) of women with HTN on antihypertensive medications were taking medications contraindicated in pregnancy, with no difference seen by contraceptive status. In logistic regression models, contraceptive use was lower in the older-aged women. In women with HTN on non-barrier contraception, combined hormonal contraceptive use declined, from 100% (2001–2006) to 81.4% (2013–2018, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Many women with self-reported HTN are not using adequate contraception. Of the small proportion on non-barrier contraceptives, the majority are using estrogen-based, BP-raising methods.
A nigra–subthalamic circuit is involved in acute and chronic pain states
Authors: Yin Cui , Jia Tao , Luan Yiwen , Zhang Xue , Xiao Cheng , Zhou Chunyi
Published: January 2022

The basal ganglia modulate somatosensory pain pathways, but it is unclear whether a common circuit exists to mitigate hyperalgesia in pain states induced by peripheral nociceptive stimuli. As a key output nucleus of the basal ganglia, the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) may be a candidate for this role. To test this possibility, we optogenetically modulated SNr GABAergic neurons and examined pain thresholds in freely behaving male mice in inflammatory and neuropathic pain states as well as comorbid depression in chronic pain. We observed that stimulation of either SNr GABAergic neurons or their projections to the subthalamic nucleus (STN) significantly alleviated nociceptive responses in all pain states on the contralateral side and comorbid depression in chronic pain, and that this analgesic effect was eliminated when SNr–STN GABAergic projection was blocked. However, SNr modulation did not affect baseline pain thresholds. We also found that SNr–STN GABAergic projection was attenuated in pain states, resulting in disinhibition of STN neurons. Thus, impairment of the SNr–STN GABAergic circuit may be a common pathophysiology for the maintenance of hyperalgesia in both inflammatory and neuropathic pain states and the comorbid depression in chronic pain; compensating this circuit has potential to effectively treat pain related conditions.
Preconditioning by voluntary wheel running attenuates later neuropathic pain via nuclear factor E2–related factor 2 antioxidant signaling in rats
Authors: Green-Fulgham Suzanne M. , Harland Michael E. , Ball Jayson B. , Li Jiahe , Lacagnina Michael J. , D'Angelo Heather , Dreher Renee A. , Willcox Kendal F. , Lorca Sabina A. , Kwilasz Andrew J. , Maier Steven F. , Watkins Linda R. , Grace Peter M.
Published: January 2022

Animal and human studies have shown that exercise prior to nerve injury prevents later chronic pain, but the mechanisms of such preconditioning remain elusive. Given that exercise acutely increases the formation of free radicals, triggering antioxidant compensation, we hypothesized that voluntary running preconditioning would attenuate neuropathic pain by supporting redox homeostasis after sciatic nerve injury in male and female rats. We show that 6 weeks of voluntary wheel running suppresses neuropathic pain development induced by chronic constriction injury across both sexes. This attenuation was associated with reduced nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity—a marker for peroxynitrite—at the sciatic nerve injury site. Our data suggest that prior voluntary wheel running does not reduce the production of peroxynitrite precursors, as expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and NADPH oxidase 2 were unchanged. Instead, voluntary wheel running increased superoxide scavenging by elevating expression of superoxide dismutases 1 and 2. Prevention of neuropathic pain was further associated with the activation of the master transcriptional regulator of the antioxidant response, nuclear factor E2–related factor 2 (Nrf2). Six weeks of prior voluntary wheel running increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation at the sciatic nerve injury site; in contrast, 3 weeks of prior wheel running, which failed to prevent neuropathic pain, had no effect on Nrf2 nuclear translocation. The protective effects of prior voluntary wheel running were mediated by Nrf2, as suppression was abolished across both sexes when Nrf2 activation was blocked during the 6-week running phase. This study provides insight into the mechanisms by which physical activity may prevent neuropathic pain. Preconditioning by voluntary wheel running, terminated prior to nerve injury, suppresses later neuropathic pain in both sexes, and it is modulated through the activation of Nrf2-antioxidant signaling.
Reversal of neuropathic pain is associated with corticostriatal functional reorganization after nerve repair in the spared nerve injury model
Authors: Bao Qi-Yuan , Chang Pei-Ching , Centeno Maria Virginia , Farmer Melissa A. , Baliki Marwan , Procissi Daniel , Zhang Weibin , Apkarian A. Vania
Published: January 2022

Following surgical repair after peripheral nerve injury, neuropathic pain diminishes in most patients but can persist in a small proportion of cases, the mechanism of which remains poorly understood. Based on the spared nerve injury (SNI), we developed a rat nerve repair (NR) model, where a delayed reconstruction of the SNI-injured nerves resulted in alleviating chronic pain-like behavior only in a subpopulation of rats. Multiple behavioral measures were assayed over 11-week presurgery and postsurgery periods (tactile allodynia, pain prick responses, sucrose preference, motor coordination, and cold allodynia) in SNI (n = 10), sham (n = 8), and NR (n = 12) rats. All rats also underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging under anesthesia at multiple time points postsurgery, and at 10 weeks, histology and retrograde labeling were used to calculate peripheral reinnervation. Behavioral measures indicated that at approximately 5 weeks postsurgery, the NR group separated to pain persisting (NR persisting, n = 5) and recovering (NR recovering, n = 7) groups. Counts of afferent nerves and dorsal root ganglion cells were not different between NR groups. Therefore, NR group differences could not be explained by peripheral reorganization. By contrast, large brain functional connectivity differences were observed between NR groups, where corticolimbic reorganization paralleled with pain recovery (repeated-measures analysis of variance, false discovery rate, P < 0.05), and functional connectivity between accumbens and medial frontal cortex was related both to tactile allodynia (nociception) and to sucrose preference (anhedonia) in the NR group. Our study highlights the importance of brain circuitry in the reversal of neuropathic pain as a natural pain-relieving mechanism. Further studies regarding the therapeutic potentials of these processes are warranted.
Does the Addition of Whole-Body Vibration Training Improve Postural Stability and Lower Limb Strength During Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis
Authors: Rowe Patrick Lawrence , Taflan Semih , Hahne Andrew John
Published: January 2022

Objectives:

To investigate whether the addition of whole-body vibration therapy to standard rehabilitation improves postural stability and lower limb strength following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Data sources:

A computer-based literature search of MEDLINE, AMED, SPORTDiscus, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) included studies up to October 2019.

Main results:

Seven randomised controlled trials of moderate-to-high methodological quality involving 244 participants were included. Meta-analysis found statistically significant improvements in medial–lateral stability [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.50; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12-0.88] and overall stability (SMD = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.14-1.06) favoring whole-body vibration therapy, but effects were not significant for quadriceps strength (SMD = 0.24; 95% CI, −0.65 to 1.13), hamstring strength (SMD = 0.84; 95% CI, −0.05 to 1.72), lower limb strength (SMD = 0.76; 95% CI, −0.16 to 1.67), or anterior-posterior stability (SMD = 0.19; 95% CI, −0.39 to 0.76).

Conclusions:

The addition of whole-body vibration therapy to standard postoperative rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction does not appear to significantly improve lower limb strength and anterior–posterior stability but may improve medial–lateral and overall postural stability. We found small sample sizes in all included trials, statistical heterogeneity, and methodological quality concerns, including publication bias, suggesting that larger high-quality trials are likely to be influential in this field. Registration: PROSPERO 155531.
Transtemporal Sigmoid Sinus Decompression: A Novel Surgical Procedure for the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulsatile Tinnitus
Authors: Slater Patrick W. , Duhon Bailey H. , Feldman David J.
Published: January 2022

Objective:

Idiopathic pulsatile tinnitus (IPT) is associated with high patient morbidity although treatment methods remain unsatisfactory. In the present study, the transtemporal sigmoid sinus decompression is used in the treatment of idiopathic pulsatile tinnitus.

Study Design:

Retrospective case study.

Setting:

Tertiary referral center.

Patients:

From 2005 to 2020, 287 patients presented with a complaint of pulsatile tinnitus. After exclusion criteria, 25 patients were diagnosed with IPT. Those patients underwent treatment and were included in a retrospective study.

Interventions:

Following failed conservative therapies, the primary author performed a transtemporal sigmoid sinus decompression surgery on the patients under general anesthesia.

Main Outcome Measures:

Long-term resolution of IPT was measured using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Outcome measurements were taken preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, three months postoperatively, and the status of all 25 patients is known at the time of this study.

Results:

Transtemporal sigmoid sinus decompression was performed on 25 patients (mean age: 51.7 years, 80.0% female). Out of the 25 patients, 23 (92.0%) patients experienced complete resolution of their IPT. Statistically significant differences based on preoperative THI (mean THI: 4.19) were evident immediately after surgery (mean THI: 1.31; p < 0.001), at 3 months postoperatively (mean THI: 1.19; p < 0.001), and over a mean follow-up time of 68.7 months (range, 3–168 months) (mean THI: 1.38; p < 0.001). Out of the two patients considered unsuccessful, Case 21 experienced a partial resolution. No major postoperative complications occurred.

Conclusions:

Transtemporal sigmoid sinus decompression is a safe and effective surgical procedure demonstrated to give near total resolution in properly selected patients and provides long-term relief for patients with IPT.
Management of Severe Facial Nerve Cross Stimulation by Cochlear Implant Replacement to Change Pulse Shape and Grounding Configuration: A Case-series
Authors: Eitutis Susan T. , Carlyon Robert P. , Tam Yu Chuen , Salorio-Corbetto Marina , Vanat Zebunnisa , Tebbutt Karen , Bardsley Rhian , Powell Harry R. F. , Chowdhury Shibasis , Tysome James R. , Bance Manohar L.
Published: January 2022

Objectives:

To investigate the combined effect of changing pulse shape and grounding configuration to manage facial nerve stimulation (FNS) in cochlear implant (CI) recipients.

Patients:

Three adult CI recipients with severe FNS were offered a replacement implant when standard stimulation strategies and programming adjustments did not resolve symptoms. Our hypothesis was that the facial nerve was less likely to be activated when using anodic pulses with “mixed-mode” intra-cochlear and extra-cochlear current return.

Intervention:

All patients were reimplanted with an implant that uses a pseudo-monophasic anodic pulse shape, with mixed-mode grounding (stimulus mixed-mode anodic)—the Neuro Zti CI (Oticon Medical). This device also allows measurements of neural function and loudness with monopolar, symmetric biphasic pulses (stimulus MB), the clinical standard used by most CIs as a comparison.

Main Outcome Measures:

The combined effect of pulse shape and grounding configuration on FNS was monitored during surgery. Following CI activation, FNS symptoms and performance with the Neuro Zti implant were compared with outcomes before reimplantation.

Results:

FNS could only be recorded using stimulus MB for all patients. In clinical use, all patients reported reduced FNS and showed an improvement in Bamford-Kowal-Bench sentences recognition compared with immediately before reimplantation. Bamford-Kowal-Bench scores with a male speaker were lower compared with measurements taken before the onset of severe FNS for patients 1 and 2.

Conclusions:

In patients where CI auditory performance was severely limited by FNS, charge-balanced pseudo-monophasic stimulation mode with a mixed-mode grounding configuration limited FNS and improved loudness percept compared with standard biphasic stimulation with monopolar grounding.
Management of lateral neck nodes in common and aggressive variants of thyroid cancer
Authors: Shaha Ashok R.
Published: January 2022

Purpose of review

Although nodal metastasis in thyroid cancer does not have a major impact on outcome, it does have some prognostic implication in adverse metastasis and aggressive histology. The purpose of this review is to discuss evaluation and management of lateral neck nodes in thyroid cancer.

Recent findings

There is a high incidence of central and lateral neck node metastasis in thyroid cancer. Appropriate preoperative evaluation is key prior to first surgical procedure. The distribution of nodal metastasis is well recognized and so generally a modified neck dissection is recommended from levels II through V. The risk of nodal metastasis at level IIb is rare. The complications of lateral neck dissection, though rare, are of significant importance to the quality of life.

Appropriate preoperative evaluation, including good ultrasound and CT scan with contrast, is recommended. Preoperative FNA of the lateral neck node will be helpful, along with thyroglobulin management if indicated. The neck dissection should include significant levels of neck, avoiding neural injury. Nonsurgical therapies may be recommended in selected patients.
A Case Report of Intracardiac Hodgkin Lymphoma in an Adolescent Female
Authors: Seddiq Marjilla , Zaidi Ahmar U. , Powell William , Henry Meret
Published: January 2022

Primary cardiac tumors are quite rare in children, and only a small portion are malignant. Presenting symptoms may be nonspecific, often mimicking those of congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism, and syncope. Due to location and potential detrimental outcomes, diagnosis and management are of the utmost importance. Secondary and metastatic cardiac tumors are more frequent in comparison to primary tumors of the heart. Primary Hodgkin lymphoma of the heart is exceedingly rare with no standardized approach for treatment. Here we describe a case of an adolescent girl with primary cardiac Hodgkin lymphoma.
Identifying and Treating Severe Bone Marrow Necrosis and Fat Embolism Syndrome in Pediatric Patients With Sickle Cell Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Bosch Alessandra , Watad Salmas , Willmott Shannon , McKinnon Nicole K. , Malcolmson Caroline , Kirby Melanie
Published: January 2022

Fat embolism syndrome after bone marrow necrosis is an extremely rare complication in sickle cell disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis. This case report will assist pediatric clinicians and hematologists to recognize this severe complication in patients with sickle cell disease and to promptly initiate treatment. Red flags include severe bone pain, respiratory distress, neurological impairment, decreasing platelet count, peripheral leukocyte left shift, elevated nucleated red blood cells, and significant elevation in plasma ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase. We report a pediatric patient who was diagnosed early, received urgent red cell exchange transfusion and plasma exchange, and ultimately survived this devastating complication.
Fighting Nutrition and Health Misinformation
Authors: Rowe Sylvia , Alexander Nick
Published: January 2022

The twin phenomena of scientific misinformation and disinformation have recently been the object of an intense discussion among communicators of nutrition, health, and other science information. Especially with the rapidly evolving social media ecosystem, issues of public trust in consensus science have increasingly concerned those professionals whose mission it is to convey truthful and credible information. For several years, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have been studying the “Science of Science Communication” and other aspects of public credulity in scientific findings, and recently, the National Academy of Medicine published a discussion article proposing strategies for combatting the spread of health misinformation—including the creation of source-vetting guidance to be enacted by the major social media platforms. In the present article, the authors, who for years have explored issues around public trust and new media communication of science, explore the Academy's proposals and offer their own guidance on reconciling public perceptions with “authoritative” health and other science communications.
Food Perceptions, Beliefs, and Behaviors Amid a Global Pandemic
Authors: Sollid Kris , Webster Allison Dostal , Paipongna Marisa , Smith Kristen
Published: January 2022

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) is keenly interested in public perceptions of topics related to health, nutrition, food safety and agriculture. The International Food Information Council's signature consumer research effort, the annual Food & Health Survey, has captured the opinions, behaviors, and beliefs of the American population on these topics since 2006. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted Americans' behaviors and perspectives around food, creating an opportunity to explore specific impacts of this ongoing event. This overview of the results of the 2021 Food & Health Survey, conducted in the shadow of a global pandemic, aims to assess both general consumer trends and how COVID-19 has shaped the way we think about our food choices. Topics include eating and snacking habits, shopping trends, health priorities and their connection to food choices, the influence of food labeling and the impact of food production and sustainability on food purchasing decisions.
Objective Measures of Near Viewing and Light Exposure in Schoolchildren during COVID-19
Authors: Bhandari Khob R. , Shukla Divya , Mirhajianmoghadam Hanieh , Ostrin Lisa A.
Published: January 2022

SIGNIFICANCE

Wearable sensors provide the opportunity for continuous objective measurement of the visual environment with high resolution. Our findings show that absolute and temporal properties of near viewing and time outdoors vary between myopic and nonmyopic schoolchildren, which are important considerations when studying refractive error pathogenesis.

PURPOSE

Numerous behavioral factors, including near work, time outdoors, electronic device use, and sleep, have been linked to myopia. The purpose of this study was to assess behaviors using subjective and objective methods in myopic and nonmyopic schoolchildren in the United States.

METHODS

Forty children (aged 14.6 ± 0.4 years) simultaneously wore two sensors for 1 week, a Clouclip for objective measurement of near viewing and light exposure and an Actiwatch for objective measurement of activity and sleep. Parents completed an activity questionnaire for their child. Near-viewing distance, daily duration, short-duration (>1 minute) and long-duration (>30 minutes) near-viewing episodes, light exposure, time outdoors, electronic device use, and sleep duration were analyzed by refractive error group and day of the week.

RESULTS

Objectively measured daily near-viewing duration was 6.9 ± 0.3 hours. Myopes spent more time in near + intermediate viewing than nonmyopes (P = .008) and had higher diopter hours (P = .03). Short- and long-duration near-viewing episodes were similar between groups (P < .05 for both). Daily light exposure and time outdoors were significantly lower for myopes (P < .05 for both). Electronic device use (12.0 ± 0.7 hours per day) and sleep duration (8.2 ± 0.2 hours per night) were similar between groups (P > .05 for both).

CONCLUSIONS

Objective and subjective measures confirm that myopic and nonmyopic schoolchildren exhibit different behaviors. Combining wearable sensors with questionnaires provides a comprehensive description of children's visual environment to better understand factors that contribute to myopia.
Jumping stump phenomenon: a case report
Authors: Rombauts Maarten , Duinslaeger Eva , Peers Koen , Kiekens Carlotte
Published: January 2022

Case description:

The jumping stump phenomenon is a peripherally induced movement disorder that is due to peripheral nerve damage. We report on a very resistant case in which different treatment strategies were applied.

Objectives:

To inform physicians about this condition, its implications, and treatment options.

Study design:

Case report of a 52-year-old man with a transtibial amputation, experiencing very painful involuntary muscle contractions in the residual limb.

Treatment and outcomes:

Various drug treatments, including baclofen, diazepam, clonazepam, clotiazepam, pramipexole, and pregabalin, peroneal nerve block, prosthesis modifications, and physiotherapy were ineffective for our patient. Botulinum toxin A treatment showed temporary decrease of symptoms but was not repeated because of high cost for the patient and his fear of injections. In our case, tibial nerve neuroma had no ectopic trigger zone, so local treatment was not indicated. Surgical interventions, based on contraction location and muscle tension, were partially successful. Eventually, due to serious functional and psychological impact, a transfemoral amputation was performed, with complete resolution of symptoms but recurrence later that year. Relapse was correlated with recurrence of local residual limb pain.

Conclusions:

Treating this phenomenon remains challenging because pathophysiology is still not fully understood, and the available literature is limited. A multiprofessional and interdisciplinary treatment approach is recommended, and botulinum toxin treatment is promising.
Does socket liner material affect clinical outcomes in lower limb prosthesis users? Insights from a randomized control trial
Authors: Fiedler Goeran , Singh Anita , McKernan Gina
Published: January 2022

Among the noted disadvantages of prosthesis suspension by flexible liner is the increased rate of perspiration within the socket, which has the potential to cause discomfort, suspension issues, and tissue damage. In recent years, phase change material technology has been adopted for the use in prosthesis liners. These promise to improve temperature control and, consequently, reduce sweating. Previous work has demonstrated that this approach is effective in slowing the temperature increase at the limb-socket interface, but it was not clear how this would translate to clinical outcomes. This study had the aim to compare conventional and phase change material liners regarding prosthesis utilization, physical performance, and patient-reported outcome measures.

A randomized double-blind cross-over study design with 6-month intervention periods was used.

Of the 42 enrolled participants, only 50% completed the protocol. The high attrition was in large part because of the COVID-19 pandemic that started disrupting daily life and thereby the data collection midway through the study period.

The findings indicate that the temperature control liners were, by trend, associated with better prosthesis utilization. The found effects did not reach the level of statistical significance, which is likely a result of the unduly reduced sample size.
High seroconversion rate after vaccination with mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 among people with HIV – but HIV viremia matters?
Authors: Xu Xinling , Vesterbacka Jan , Aleman Soo , Nowak Piotr
Published: January 2022

Our clinical trial of SARS-COV-2 mRNA vaccine in 90 HIV-infected persons on antiviral treatment demonstrated high seroconversion rate and high levels of spike IgG antibodies after two doses of vaccine. The vaccine was well tolerated and not associated with HIV RNA blips. However, the levels of spike IgG antibodies were lower in HIV patients than in healthy controls, especially among those with HIV RNA more than 50 copies/ml at baseline.
Characterizing Scatter Correction Software of 5 Mobile Radiography Units
Authors: Gossye Tim , Buytaert Dimitri , Smeets Peter V. , Morbée Lieve , Vereecke Elke , Achten Eric , Bacher Klaus
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Bedside radiographs are usually obtained gridless, without a physical scatter correction grid because of several limitations. Therefore, multiple manufacturers of mobile radiography systems provide the possibility to apply scatter correction software (SC SW) on those images. The purpose of this study was to characterize different series of radiographs—gridless, SC SW, and physical grid—with an image quality assessment algorithm (IQAA). Furthermore, we investigated the potential dose reduction and the correlation between the output of the IQAA and the human observers.

Materials and Methods

We obtained different series of radiographs with an anthropomorphic phantom (multipurpose chest phantom N1 “Lungman,” Kyoto Kagaku, Kyoto, Japan). All radiographs were obtained with flat-panel detectors of 5 different manufacturers in a wall bucky system. An IQAA to analyze the radiographs was implemented in our department but was originally developed by the research group of the Duke University Medical Center. Seven physical quantities were calculated by the IQAA: rib-lung contrast (RLcontrast
), subdiaphragm-lung contrast (SLcontrast
), lung detail (Ldetail
), mediastinum detail (Mdetail
), lung noise (Lnoise
), mediastinum noise (Mnoise
), and rib-lung sharpness (RLsharpness
). In a proof of concept, the results of the IQAA were validated by 3 experienced radiologists.

Results

Regression coefficients (b) of the linear regression model indicate that the human observer results correlate well with the IQAA (b ≥ 0.89, R
2 ≥ 0.83). All manufacturers have SC SW that increases the 7 physical quantities of the gridless images. However, several manufacturers have SC SW that increases the physical metrics to the same level as the physical grid images. The SC SW radiographs obtained with a reduced tube load have an increased level of contrast, detail, sharpness, and noise compared with the gridless images obtained with the higher tube load.

Conclusions

We have proven in a proof of concept that the originally developed IQAA can be used to characterize different series of images of different manufacturers. Based on the physical quantities, SC SW increases the contrast, detail, sharpness, and noise. The experimental results in this study assume a patient dose reduction could be possible when SC SW is applied.
Incidental Detection of Mandibular Metastasis in Renal Cell Carcinoma on 99mTc-MIBI Scan
Authors: Rungta Rachita , Pereira Melvika , Singh Natasha , Shivdasani Divya , Kesariya Jugal , Roy Debdip , Dang Shreya
Published: January 2022

MIBI scintigraphy is the most widely used modality to identify parathyroid adenomas preoperatively. However, MIBI is also known to accumulate in multiple benign and malignant lesions. In renal cell carcinoma, 30% of the patients present with distant metastasis, commonly lungs and bone; however, jaw bone metastases are extremely rare (<1% of oral malignancies). Here we present a rare case of MIBI-avid mandibular metastasis in bilateral renal cell carcinoma on 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy. Thus, we emphasize on careful interpretation of 99mTc-MIBI scans, which in addition to parathyroid adenomas can incidentally detect concurrent malignant lesions.