bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of modified U-shaped and inverted L-shaped medial capsulorrhaphy in hallux valgus surgery: a prospective, randomized controlled trial of 75 patients
Authors: Wei Xiaohua , Liu Xiong , Zhang Peng , Liu Shifeng
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to report a modified U-shaped medial capsulorrhaphy and compare its clinical and radiological differences with an inverted L-shaped capsulorrhaphy in hallux valgus (HV) surgery.

Methods

A prospective study of 78 patients was performed between January 2018 and October 2021. All patients underwent chevron osteotomy and soft tissue procedures for HV, and the patients were randomly separated into 2 groups according to the medial capsule closing techniques: a modified U-shaped capsulorrhaphy (group U) and an L-shaped capsulorrhaphy (group L). All patients were followed for at least a year. The preoperative and follow-up data were collected for each patient and included patient demographics, weight-bearing radiographs of the foot, the active range of motion (ROM) of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot score. Mann–Whitney U test was used for the comparison of the postoperative measures between the groups.

Results

In total, 75 patients with 80 affected feet met the inclusion criteria, with 38 patients (41 feet) in group U and 37 patients (39 feet) in group L. One year after surgery, the mean hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and AOFAS score in group U improved from 29.5 to 7.1, from 13.4 to 7.1, and from 53.4 to 85.5, respectively. The mean HVA, IMA, and AOFAS score in group L improved from 31.2 to 9.6, from 13.5 to 7.9, and from 52.3 to 86.6, respectively. Comparing the 1-year postoperative measures between the 2 groups, a significant difference was found in HVA (P = 0.02), but not found in IMA and AOFAS score (P = 0.25 and P = 0.24, respectively). The mean ROM of the first MTP joint was 66.3 degrees preoperatively and 53.3 degrees at the 1-year follow-up in group U, while 63.3 and 47.5 in group L. The degrees of ROM after 1 year in group U were better than those in group L (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Compared to the inverted L-shaped capsulorrhaphy, the modified U-shaped capsulorrhaphy provided a better ROM of the first MTP joint; at 1 year following surgery, the modified U-shaped capsulorrhaphy maintained the normal HVA better.
Report of natural Mayaro virus infection in Mansonia humeralis (Dyar & Knab, Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: De Sousa Flávia Barreto , de Curcio Juliana Santana , do Carmo Silva Lívia , da Silva Diego Michel Fernandes , Salem-Izacc Silvia Maria , Anunciação Carlos Eduardo , Ribeiro Bergmann Morais , Garcia-Zapata Marco Tulio A. , de Paula Silveira-Lacerda Elisângela
Published: April 2023

Background

Arboviruses are a group of viruses transmitted to vertebrate hosts by certain blood-feeding arthropods. Among urban vectors of arboviruses, mosquitoes of the genus Aedes are the most common. However, other mosquitoes may be susceptible to infection and involved in the transmission, such as Mansonia spp. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether Mansonia humeralis can be infected with the Mayaro virus (MAYV).

Methods

These insects were collected from 2018 to 2020 in chicken coops of rural communities in Jaci Paraná in Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil, while performing blood-feeding on roosters. The mosquitoes were randomly grouped in pools from which the head and thorax were macerated and checked for the presence of MAYV by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The positive pools were used to infect the C6/36 cell line, and on different days post-infection, the supernatant of the infected cells was subjected to viral detection by RT-qPCR.

Results

A total of 183 pools of female mosquitoes were tested, of which 18% were positive for MAYV; some samples from insect pools inoculated into C6/36 cells showed in vitro multiplication capacity between 3 and 7 days post-infection.

Conclusions

This is the first report of Ma. humeralis mosquitoes that are naturally infected by MAYV, indicating that these vectors may be potential transmitting agents of this arbovirus.

Graphical Abstract
Analysis of antibiotic resistance gene cassettes in a newly identified Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum strain in Korea
Authors: Tran Thanh Quang , Park Minyoung , Lee Jong Eun , Kim Soo Hyun , Jeong Jae-Ho , Choy Hyon E.
Published: April 2023

Antimicrobial resistant pathogens are a global health threat driven by the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials. Antimicrobial resistance can be acquired by resistance genes encoded by mobile genetic elements. In this study, we identified a strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum (SG4021) from an infected chicken in Korea and characterized the presence of resistance genes in its plasmid by whole genome sequencing. The sequence was then compared with that of a plasmid (P2) from strain SG_07Q015, the only other strain of S. Gallinarum isolated in Korea for which a genome sequence is available. The results revealed that both strains harbored nearly identical DNA carrying antibiotic resistance gene cassettes inserted into integron In2 of the transposable element Tn21, namely an aadA1 resistance gene conferring resistance to aminoglycosides and a sul1 resistance gene conferring resistance to sulfonamide. Interestingly, despite the presence of sul1 in SG4021, an antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that it was sensitive to sulfonamides. Further analysis revealed that this disparity was due to the insertion of a ~ 5 kb ISCR16 sequence downstream of the promoter driving sul1 expression in SG4021. Using various mutants, we showed that the insertion of ISCR16 blocked the expression of the sul1 gene from the upstream promoter. Therefore, the functionality of antimicrobial resistance genes determines phenotypic antimicrobial resistance.
On a reverse Hardy–Hilbert-type integral inequality involving derivative functions of higher order
Authors: Huang Xingshou , Yang Bicheng , Huang Chunmiao
Published: April 2023

By means of the weight functions, the idea of introducing parameters and the technique of real analysis related to the beta and gamma functions, a new reverse Hardy–Hilbert-type integral inequality with the homogeneous kernel as $\frac{1}{(x + y)^{\lambda + m + n}}$

1

(
x
+
y
)

λ
+
m
+
n

($\lambda > 0$
λ
>
0
) involving two derivative functions of higher order is given. As applications, the equivalent statements of the best possible constant factor related to several parameters are considered, and some particular inequalities are obtained.
Conformable fractional versions of Hermite–Hadamard-type inequalities for twice-differentiable functions
Authors: Hezenci Fatih , Kara Hasan , Budak Hüseyin
Published: April 2023

In this paper, new inequalities for the left and right sides of the Hermite–Hadamard inequality are acquired for twice-differentiable mappings. Conformable fractional integrals are used to derive these inequalities. Furthermore, we provide our results by using special cases of obtained theorems.
Criminal law regulation of cyber fraud crimes—from the perspective of citizens’ personal information protection in the era of edge computing
Authors: Zhang Yu , Dong Haoyun
Published: April 2023

Currently, cloud computing provides users all over the globe with Information and Communication Technology facilities that are utility-oriented. This technology is trying to drive the development of data center design by designing and building them as networks of cloud machines, enabling users to access and run the application from any part of the globe. Cloud computing provides considerable benefits to organizations by providing rapid and adaptable ICT software and hardware systems, allowing them to concentrate on creating innovative business values for the facilities they provide. The right to privacy of big data has acquired new definitions with the continued advancement of cloud computing, and the techniques available to protect citizens’ personal information under administrative law have managed to grow in a multitude. Because of the foregoing, internet fraud is a new type of crime that has emerged over time and is based on network technology. This paper analyzed and studied China’s internet fraud governance capabilities, and made a comprehensive evaluation of them using cloud computing technology and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This paper discussed personal information security and the improvement of criminal responsibility from the perspective of citizens’ information security and designed and analyzed cases. In addition, this paper also analyzed and studied the ability of network fraud governance in the era of cloud computing. It also carried out a comprehensive evaluation and used the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to carry out the evaluation. A questionnaire survey was used to survey 100 residents in district X of city Z and district Y of the suburban area. Among the 100 people, almost all of them received scam calls or text messages, accounting for 99%, of which 8 were scammed. Among the people, more than 59.00% of the people expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s Internet fraud satisfaction survey. Therefore, in the process of combating Internet fraud, the government still needs to step up its efforts.
System, institutional, and client-level factors associated with formal healthcare utilisation among older adults with low income under a social protection scheme in Ghana
Authors: Agyemang-Duah Williams , Asante Dennis , Oduro Appiah Joseph , Morgan Anthony Kwame , Mensah Isaac Verberk , Peprah Prince , Mensah Anthony Acquah
Published: April 2023

Background

In sub-Saharan African context, effect of system, institutional and client-level factors on formal healthcare utilisation among older adults with low income, especially those under a social protection scheme (called Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty [LEAP] programme) is least explored in the literature. However, an adequate understanding of how these factors contribute to formal healthcare utilisation among older adults who are classified as poor (in terms of low income) is important to inform health policy decisions. The aim of this study, therefore, was to examine the contributions of system, institutional and client-level factors in formal healthcare utilisation among older adults with low income under the LEAP programme in Ghana.

Methods

Data associated with this study were obtained from an Ageing, Health, Lifestyle and Health Services survey conducted between 1 and 20 June 2018 (N = 200) in the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal and Atwima Nwabiagya North District of Ghana. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine system, institutional and client-level factors associated with formal healthcare utilisation among older adults with low income under the LEAP programme in Ghana. The significance of the test was set at a probability value of 0.05 or below.

Results

The study revealed that participants who relied on the LEAP programme and/or health insurance subscription to cater for their healthcare expenses (AOR: 11.934, CI: 1.151-123.777), those whose family/caregivers decided on when and where to use formal healthcare (AOR:12.409; CI: 2.198–70.076) and those who did not encounter communication problem with healthcare providers (AOR: 1.358; CI: 1.074–3.737) were significantly more likely to utilise formal healthcare services compared with their counterparts. The study further found that participants who perceived the attitude of healthcare providers as poor (AOR: 0.889; CI: 0.24–0.931) and those who spent 20–40 minutes at the healthcare facility were significantly less likely to utilise formal healthcare services compared with their counterparts (AOR: 0.070; CI: 0.006–0.195).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that reducing waiting time at healthcare facilities, improving social protection and/or health insurance schemes, improving patient-doctor communication and promoting attitudinal change programmes (such as orientations and supportive supervision) for healthcare providers may help to facilitate the use of needed formal healthcare services by older adults with low income in Ghana.
Positive mood-related gut microbiota in a long-term closed environment: a multiomics study based on the “Lunar Palace 365” experiment
Authors: Hao Zikai , Meng Chen , Li Leyuan , Feng Siyuan , Zhu Yinzhen , Yang Jianlou , Han Liangzhe , Sun Leilei , Lv Weifeng , Figeys Daniel , Liu Hong
Published: April 2023

Background

Psychological health risk is one of the most severe and complex risks in manned deep-space exploration and long-term closed environments. Recently, with the in-depth research of the microbiota–gut–brain axis, gut microbiota has been considered a new approach to maintain and improve psychological health. However, the correlation between gut microbiota and psychological changes inside long-term closed environments is still poorly understood. Herein, we used the “Lunar Palace 365” mission, a 1-year-long isolation study in the Lunar Palace 1 (a closed manned Bioregenerative Life Support System facility with excellent performance), to investigate the correlation between gut microbiota and psychological changes, in order to find some new potential psychobiotics to maintain and improve the psychological health of crew members.

Results

We report some altered gut microbiota that were associated with psychological changes in the long-term closed environment. Four potential psychobiotics (Bacteroides uniformis, Roseburia inulinivorans, Eubacterium rectale, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii) were identified. On the basis of metagenomic, metaproteomic, and metabolomic analyses, the four potential psychobiotics improved mood mainly through three pathways related to nervous system functions: first, by fermenting dietary fibers, they may produce short-chain fatty acids, such as butyric and propionic acids; second, they may regulate amino acid metabolism pathways of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, tryptophan, etc. (e.g., converting glutamic acid to gamma–aminobutyric acid; converting tryptophan to serotonin, kynurenic acid, or tryptamine); and third, they may regulate other pathways, such as taurine and cortisol metabolism. Furthermore, the results of animal experiments confirmed the positive regulatory effect and mechanism of these potential psychobiotics on mood.

Conclusions

These observations reveal that gut microbiota contributed to a robust effect on the maintenance and improvement of mental health in a long-term closed environment. Our findings represent a key step towards a better understanding the role of the gut microbiome in mammalian mental health during space flight and provide a basis for future efforts to develop microbiota-based countermeasures that mitigate risks to crew mental health during future long-term human space expeditions on the moon or Mars. This study also provides an essential reference for future applications of psychobiotics to neuropsychiatric treatments.
Increased interleukin-6 is associated with long COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yin Jing-Xian , Agbana Yannick Luther , Sun Zhi-Shan , Fei Si-Wei , Zhao Han-Qing , Zhou Xiao-Nong , Chen Jun-Hu , Kassegne Kokouvi
Published: April 2023

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can involve persistence, sequelae, and other clinical complications that last weeks to months to evolve into long COVID-19. Exploratory studies have suggested that interleukin-6 (IL-6) is related to COVID-19; however, the correlation between IL-6 and long COVID-19 is unknown. We designed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the relationship between IL-6 levels and long COVID-19.

Methods

Databases were systematically searched for articles with data on long COVID-19 and IL-6 levels published before September 2022. A total of 22 published studies were eligible for inclusion following the PRISMA guidelines. Analysis of data was undertaken by using Cochran's Q test and the Higgins I-squared (I2) statistic for heterogeneity. Random-effect meta-analyses were conducted to pool the IL-6 levels of long COVID-19 patients and to compare the differences in IL-6 levels among the long COVID-19, healthy, non-postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (non-PASC), and acute COVID-19 populations. The funnel plot and Egger's test were used to assess potential publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was used to test the stability of the results.

Results

An increase in IL-6 levels was observed after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The pooled estimate of IL-6 revealed a mean value of 20.92 pg/ml (95% CI = 9.30–32.54 pg/ml, I2 = 100%, P < 0.01) for long COVID-19 patients. The forest plot showed high levels of IL-6 for long COVID-19 compared with healthy controls (mean difference = 9.75 pg/ml, 95% CI = 5.75–13.75 pg/ml, I2 = 100%, P < 0.00001) and PASC category (mean difference = 3.32 pg/ml, 95% CI = 0.22–6.42 pg/ml, I2 = 88%, P = 0.04). The symmetry of the funnel plots was not obvious, and Egger’s test showed that there was no significant small study effect in all groups.

Conclusions

This study showed that increased IL-6 correlates with long COVID-19. Such an informative revelation suggests IL-6 as a basic determinant to predict long COVID-19 or at least inform on the “early stage” of long COVID-19.
Using corporate foresight to enhance strategic management practices
Authors: Demneh Mohsen Taheri , Zackery Ali , Nouraei Amir
Published: April 2023

The ever-increasing environmental complexity makes strategizing a difficult multidimensional task. In this paper, we conducted a corporate foresight case study in an SME in packaging industry in Iran. The case study offers a detailed procedure of implementing corporate foresight (CF) and how it can reshape traditional strategic planning. A multimethodological approach was taken in this case study. Once an intraorganizational team in studied company was formed, archival document analysis, PESTEL and weak signal analysis, importance/uncertainty matrix, cross-impact balanced (CIB) analysis, scenario construction, wind tunneling, robust decision-making, and premortem session were used to create foresight intelligence. This paper presents a detailed description of how CF can be linked to conventional strategizing and reshape it. Key variables, driving forces, critical uncertainties, and 4 plausible scenarios are presented. The case study illustrates that as alternative realities challenged the foresight teams ingrained presuppositions, they found the dialectic between “weight of history” and “pull of future” both revelatory and indigestible. The CF intervention illuminated the fragility of preexisting strategic objectives, the implicit optimism bias underlying them, and an overflowing-plate syndrome of formulating too many strategic objectives. Consequently, studied company decided to revisit their strategic objectives, prepare a contingency plan for worst-case scenarios, and begin developing a crisis-ready culture. The comprehensive case study demonstrates how CF can enhance and contradict traditional strategizing, presents a rich know-how of added value of scenarios, and provides some subtleties and complexities of CF interventions.
Canadian Women in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery part 1: The relationship of gender identity to career trajectory and experiences of harassment
Authors: Ioanidis Khrystyna , Naismith Kendra , Dzioba Agnieszka , MacNeil S. Danielle , Paradis Josée , Nayan Smriti , Strychowsky Julie E. , Graham M. Elise
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Women in surgical specialties face different challenges than their male peers. However, there is a paucity of literature exploring these challenges and their effects on a Canadian surgeon's career.

Methods

A REDCap® survey was distributed to Canadian Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) staff and residents in March 2021 using the national society listserv and social media. Questions examined practice patterns, leadership positions, advancement, and experiences of harassment. Gender differences in survey responses were explored.

Results

183 completed surveys were obtained, representing 21.8% of the Canadian society membership [838 members with 205 (24.4%) women]. 83 respondents self-identified as female (40% response rate) and 100 as male (16% response rate). Female respondents reported significantly fewer residency peers and colleagues identifying as their gender (p < .001). Female respondents were significantly less likely to agree with the statement “My department had the same expectations of residents regardless of gender” (p < .001). Similar results were observed in questions about fair evaluation, equal treatment, and leadership opportunities (all p < .001). Male respondents held the majority of department chair (p = .028), site chief (p = .011), and division chief positions (p = .005). Women reported experiencing significantly more verbal sexual harassment during residency (p < .001), and more verbal non-sexual harassment as staff (p = .03) than their male colleagues. In both female residents and staff, this was more likely to originate from patients or family members (p < .03).

Discussion

There is a gender difference in the experience and treatment of OHNS residents and staff. By shedding light on this topic, as a specialty we can and must move towards greater diversity and equality.

Graphical Abstract
Exergy and exergoenvironmental assessment of a geothermal heat pump and a wind power turbine hybrid system in Shanghai, China
Authors: Aryanfar Yashar , Alcaraz Jorge Luis García
Published: April 2023

Geothermal heat pumps are one of the most growing and cost-effective renewable energy technologies based on the temperature difference between the ground and the environment. In the cold seasons, the temperature inside the soil or water is higher than the ambient temperature. Therefore, the heat pump is used to extract the warm temperature of the ground into the house or any other controlled space. In the summer, the air temperature is higher than the temperature of the soil or water. This temperature difference is used again to cool the house or any other environment. This paper examines the energy and exergy assessments of a hybrid system in Shanghai, China, that employs a geothermal heat pump with an economizer for winter heating and a wind turbine to provide clean electricity. The complete set of procedures, as well as every component and every aspect of the hybrid system, have all been carefully examined. The heat pump's coefficient of performance is 3.916, its net power output is 22.03 kW, its overall energy efficiency is 77.2%, and its exergy efficiency is 25.49%.

Graphical Abstract
Teachers’ race and gender biases and the moderating effects of their beliefs and dispositions
Authors: Copur-Gencturk Yasemin , Thacker Ian , Cimpian Joseph R.
Published: April 2023

Background

Women and people of color continue to be underrepresented in many STEM fields and careers. Many studies have linked societal biases against the mathematical abilities of women and people of color to this underrepresentation, as well as to earlier measures of mathematical confidence and performance. Recent studies have shown that teachers may unintentionally have biases that reflect those in broader society. Yet, many studies on teachers’ reports of students’ abilities use data in the field—not experimental data—and thus often cannot say if the findings reflect bias or actual differences. The few experimental studies conducted suggest bias against the abilities of girls and students of color, but the prior work has limitations, which we seek to address (e.g., local samples, no exploration of moderators, no preregistration).

Methods

In this preregistered experiment of 458 teachers across the U.S., we randomly assigned gender- and race-specific names to solutions to math problems, then asked teachers to rate the correctness of the solution, as well as the student’s math ability and effort. Teachers also completed scales reflecting their own beliefs and dispositions, which we then assessed how those beliefs/dispositions moderated their biases. We used multilevel modeling to account for the nested data structure.

Results

Consistent with our preregistered hypotheses, when the solution was not fully correct, findings suggest teachers thought boys had higher ability, even though the same teachers did not report differences in the correctness of the solution or perceived effort. Moreover, teachers who reported that gender disparities no longer exist in society were particularly likely to underestimate girls’ abilities. Although findings revealed no evidence of racial bias on average, teachers’ math anxiety moderated their ability judgments of students from different races, albeit with only marginal significance; teachers with high math anxiety tended to assume that White students had higher math ability than students of color.

Conclusions

The present research identifies teachers’ beliefs and dispositions that moderate their gender and racial biases. This experimental evidence sheds new light on why even low-performing boys consistently report higher math confidence and pursue STEM—namely, their teachers believe they have higher mathematical ability.
Analysis of implicit robot control methods for joint task execution
Authors: Guinot Lena , Ando Kozo , Takahashi Shota , Iwata Hiroyasu
Published: April 2023

Body language is an essential component of communication. The amount of unspoken information it transmits during interpersonal interactions is an invaluable complement to simple speech and makes the process smoother and more sustainable. On the contrary, existing approaches to human–machine collaboration and communication are not as intuitive. This is an issue that needs to be addressed if we aim to continue using artificial intelligence and machines to increase our cognitive or even physical capabilities. In this study, we analyse the potential of an intuitive communication method between biological and artificial agents, based on machines understanding and learning the subtle unspoken and involuntary cues found in human motion during the interaction process. Our work was divided into two stages: the first, analysing whether a machine using these implicit cues would produce the same positive effect as when they are manifested in interpersonal communication; the second, evaluating whether a machine could identify the cues manifested in human motion and learn (through the use of Long-Short Term Memory Networks) to associate them with the appropriate command intended from its user. Promising results were gathered, showing an improved work performance and reduced cognitive load on the user side when relying on the proposed method, hinting to the potential of more intuitive, human to human inspired, communication methods in human–machine interaction.
Factors associated with the CVD risk factors and body fat pattern of postmenopausal Hindu caste and Lodha tribal populations living in India: An exploratory study
Authors: Kar Debasmita , Roy Subho
Published: April 2023

Background

Loss in ovarian function during mid-life results in adverse changes in the cardiovascular profile of women. The association between CVD risk factors and menopause differ cross-culturally since several modifiable factors play significant roles in explaining CVD mortality in addition to differences in endogenous estrogen. Very few of the studies from the Indian subcontinent have been concerned with the menopause-specific CVD risk factors, particularly among the tribal groups. Thus, we intended to study the variations in body fat pattern and CVD risk factors between Hindu caste and Lodha tribal postmenopausal women and how these risk factors were associated with differential socio-economic, reproductive and menstrual characteristics and lifestyle variables. The Lodha tribal populations is considered a Particularly Vulnerable Group (PVTG) in this country.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among the Bengali Hindu caste and Lodha tribal populations of the State of West Bengal, India covering three districts namely Howrah, Jhargram and East Midnapure. A total of 197 postmenopausal participants were recruited for this study (urban caste 69, rural caste 65 and rural Lodha 63). Data on blood glucose and total cholesterol levels, blood pressure, muscle mass, body fat distribution and sociodemographic, reproductive and menstrual history and lifestyle variables were collected following standard protocols. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to compare blood glucose, total cholesterol and blood pressure levels and body fat measures across the three populations. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to find out the factors associated with CVD risk factors. The data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Science version 20.0(IBM corporation, 2011).

Results

This cross-sectional comparison of women at midlife, though exploratory in nature showed significant differences in body fat pattern and CVD risk factors between caste and tribal groups owing to socioeconomic disparities and, differences in reproductive characteristics and lifestyle factors.

Conclusion

The caste and tribal populations differed significantly in body fat pattern and CVD risk factors and in the factors associated with CVD risk suggesting interplay between menopause and modifiable factors in explaining CVD risk factors during mid-life.
Study protocol for two pilot randomised controlled trials aimed at increasing physical activity using electrically assisted bicycles to enhance prostate or breast cancer survival
Authors: Bourne Jessica E. , Foster Charlie , Forte Chloe , Aning Jonathan , Potter Shelley , Hart Emma C. , Armstrong Miranda E. G. ,   the CRANK Trial Steering Committee
Published: April 2023

Background

In 2020, 1.4 and 2.3 million new cases of prostate cancer and breast cancer respectively were diagnosed globally. In the UK, prostate cancer is the most common male cancer, while breast cancer is the most common female cancer. Engaging in physical activity (PA) is a key component of treatment. However, rates of PA are low in these clinical populations. This paper describes the protocol of CRANK-P and CRANK-B, two pilot randomised controlled trials, involving an e-cycling intervention aimed at increasing PA in individuals with prostate cancer or breast cancer respectively.

Methods

These two trials are single-centre, stratified, parallel-group, two-arm randomised waitlist-controlled pilot trials in which forty individuals with prostate cancer (CRANK-P) and forty individuals with breast cancer (CRANK-B) will be randomly assigned, in a 1:1 allocation ratio, to an e-cycling intervention or waitlist control. The intervention consists of e-bike training with a certified cycle instructor, followed by the provision of an e-bike for 12 weeks. Following the intervention period, participants in the e-bike condition will be directed to community-based initiatives through which they can access an e-bike. Data will be collected at baseline (T0), immediately post intervention (T1) and at 3-month follow-up (T2). In addition, in the intervention group, data will be collected during the intervention and follow-up periods. Quantitative and qualitative methods will be used. The primary objectives are to determine effective recruitment strategies, establish recruitment and consent rates, adherence and retention in the study, and determine the feasibility and acceptability of the study procedures and intervention. The potential impact of the intervention on clinical, physiological and behavioural outcomes will be assessed to examine intervention promise. Data analyses will be descriptive.

Discussion

The findings from these trials will provide information on trial feasibility and highlight the potential of e-cycling as a strategy to positively impact the health and behaviour of individuals with prostate cancer and breast cancer. If appropriate, this information can be used to design and deliver a fully powered definitive trial.

Trial registration

CRANK-B: [ISRCTN39112034]. CRANK-P [ISRCTN42852156]. Registered [08/04/2022] https://www.isrctn.com.
Culturally adapted motivational interviewing with cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based relapse prevention for substance use disorder in Pakistan (CAMAIB): protocol for a feasibility factorial randomised controlled trial
Authors: Asif Muqaddas , Khoso Ameer B. , Husain M. Ali , Shahzad Salman , Van Hout Marie-Claire , Rafiq Noor-ul-Zaman , Lane Steven , Chaudhry Imran Bashir , Husain Nusrat
Published: April 2023

Background

The use of psychoactive substances significantly impacts the health, social and economic aspects of families, communities and nations. There is a need to develop and test psychological interventions aimed for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such as in Pakistan. The aim of this exploratory trial is to test the feasibility and acceptability of two culturally adapted psychological interventions in a factorial randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

The proposed project will be conducted in three phases. The first phase of the study will focus on cultural adaptation of the interventions through qualitative interviews with key stakeholders. The second phase will be to refine and produce manually assisted interventions. Third and last stage would be to assess the feasibility of the culturally adapted interventions through a factorial RCT. The study will be carried out in Karachi, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Recruitment of participants will take place from primary care and volunteer organisations/drug rehabilitation centres. A total of 260 individuals diagnosed with SUD (n = 65) in each of the four arms will be recruited. The intervention will be delivered weekly over a period of 12 weeks in both individual and group settings. Assessments will be carried out at baseline, at 12th week (after completion of intervention) and 24th week post-randomisation. The analysis will determine the feasibility of recruitment, randomisation, retention and intervention delivery. Acceptability of intervention will be determined in terms of adherence to intervention, i.e. the mean number of sessions attended, number of home assignments completed, attrition rates, as well as through process evaluation to understand the implementation process, context, participants’ satisfaction, and impact of the study intervention. The health resource use and impact on the quality of life will be established through health economic data.

Discussion

This study will provide evidence for feasibility and acceptability of culturally adapted manually assisted psychological interventions for individuals with SUD in the context of Pakistan. The study will have clinical implications if intervention is proven feasible and acceptable.

Trial registration

Name of the registry: ClinicalTrials.gov, Trial registration number: NCT04885569, Date of registration: 25th April 2021.
Understanding the identity of lived experience researchers and providers: a conceptual framework and systematic narrative review
Authors: Gupta Veenu , Eames Catrin , Golding Laura , Greenhill Beth , Qi Robert , Allan Stephanie , Bryant Alison , Fisher Peter
Published: April 2023

Background

Identity is how we understand ourselves and others through the roles or social groups we occupy. This review focuses on lived experience researchers and providers and the impact of these roles on identity. Lived experience researchers and providers use their lived experience of mental or physical disability either as experts by experience, researchers, peer workers, or mental health professionals with lived experience. They must navigate both professional and personal aspects to their roles which can be complex. Performing roles simultaneously embodying professional and lived experiences contribute towards a lack of clarity to identity. This is not adequately explained by the theoretical evidence base for identity.

Main body

This systematic review and narrative synthesis aimed to provide a conceptual framework to understand how identity of lived experience researchers and providers is conceptualised. A search strategy was entered into EBSCO to access Academic search complete, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Psych Articles, and Connected papers. Out of the 2049 yielded papers, thirteen qualitative papers were eligible and synthesised, resulting in a conceptual framework. Five themes explained identity positions: Professional, Service user, Integrated, Unintegrated and Liminal. The EMERGES framework, an original conception of this review, found themes of: Enablers and Empowerment, Motivation, Empathy of the self and others, Recovery model and medical model, Growth and transformation, Exclusion and Survivor roots contributed to lived experience researcher and provider identities.

Conclusions

The EMERGES framework offers a novel way to understand the identities of lived experience researchers and providers, helping support effective team working in mental health, education, and research settings.
The sensitivity and specificity of using the McGill pain subscale for diagnosing neuropathic and non-neuropathic chronic pain in the total joint arthroplasty population
Authors: Boljanovic-Susic Dragana , Ziebart Christina , MacDermid Joy , de Beer Justin , Petruccelli Danielle , Woodhouse Linda J.
Published: April 2023

Background

The purpose of this study was to describe the diagnostic performance of the Neuropathic Pain Subscale of McGill [NP-MPQ (SF-2)] and the Self-Administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) questionnaire in differentiating people with neuropathic chronic pain post total joint arthroplasty (TJA).

Methods

This study was a survey of a cohort of individuals who had undergone primary, unilateral total knee, or hip joint arthroplasty. The questionnaires were administered by mail. The time interval from operation to the completion of the postal survey varied from 1.5 to 3.5 years post-surgery. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the overall diagnostic power and determine the optimal threshold value of the NP-MPQ (SF-2) in identification of neuropathic pain.

Results

S-LANSS identified 19 subjects (28%) as having neuropathic pain (NP), while NP-MPQ (SF-2) subscale identified 29 (43%). When using the S-LANSS as the reference standard, a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis for NP-MPQ (SF-2) had an area under the curve of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.82, 0.97); a cut off score of 0.91 NP-MPQ (SF-2) maximized sensitivity (89.5%) and specificity (75.0%). Correlation between the measures was moderate (r = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.68).

Conclusion

These finding suggest some conceptual overlap but some variability in diagnosis of NP which may relate to scale-tapping into different dimensions of the pain experience, or the different scoring metrics.
Anesthetic management of cesarean hysterectomy using intra-aortic balloon occlusion in a patient with Fontan circulation and placenta increta: a case report
Authors: Ohsugi Eriko , Kato Rie , Hosokawa Yuki , Oe Katsunori
Published: April 2023

Background

In patients with Fontan circulation, hemorrhage can cause life-threatening circulatory collapse, since Fontan circulation strongly depends on the preload. Furthermore, parturients with placenta accreta spectrum are at a high risk of rapid and massive hemorrhage. Herein, we report the case of an intra-aortic balloon occlusion used for a Fontan-palliated parturient with placenta increta with successful anesthetic management.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old-female with Fontan circulation diagnosed with placenta increta underwent a cesarean hysterectomy. The main goal during anesthetic management was to maintain sufficient preload. Infrarenal intra-aortic balloon occlusion was used to reduce intraoperative hemorrhage. The hemodynamic changes caused were well tolerated in this case.

Conclusions

Intra-aortic balloon occlusion was used in a Fontan-palliated parturient with placenta increta with successful anesthetic management.
The western and non-western dichotomization of time in anthropology
Authors: Mughal Muhammad A. Z.
Published: April 2023

Early anthropological analyses of time produced Western vs. non-Western dichotomies of time. Later on, anthropology gradually shifted from a modernist to relativist and postmodernist tones in the analyses of time. This shift is the result of the criticism on the dichotomization from within the discipline that considered such dichotomization as West-centric or ethno-centric. Additionally, it is argued here that the anthropology’s interest in studying social change, particularly globalization, has contributed to this shift. This article presents the review of selected literature to discuss the way the Western and non-Western dichotomization was generated and later faded away. It provides an insight into how anthropological analyses related to time have changed throughout the history of the discipline.
Autistic traits and self-harm in adolescents: a study on interpersonal psychological theory of suicide
Authors: Aral Armagan , Usta Mirac Baris , Aral Ayse Erguner
Published: April 2023

Background

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether autistic traits predicted the presence and recurrence of self-harm and to determine any relationship mediated by the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS), which composed of the social influence of negative life experiences on suicide, is referred to as "acquired capability", while proximal social risk factors are referred to as "thwarted belonging and perceived burdensomeness."

Results

We evaluated any interaction with the Autistic Quotient (AQ) score and self-harm whether it was explained by the thwarted belonging/perceived burdensomeness in the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ), victimization in the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (OBVQ), and maltreatment in the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Communication and social skill as autistic traits predicted the presence of self-harm, yet the association vanished after including thwarted belonging and perceived burdensomeness, which are independent predictors of the presence of self-harm. Social skill and the sum score of autistic traits predicted the recurrence of self-harm, and the prediction was mediated largely by thwarted belonging and much less by perceived burdensomeness.

Conclusions

The unique interaction of autistic traits and IPTS increases the risk of self-harm. Within autistic traits, social skills, in particular, are likely associated to attempts at self-harm through acquired capability. The results of this research were identified as attention to loneliness and social support may be helpful in reducing self-harm in adolescents with autistic traits.
Utility of C arm aided, CT guided, and O arm navigation aids to surgically manage cases of spinal osteoblastoma over a decade
Authors: Hadgaonkar Shailesh Ramakant , Katkade Siddharth Manik , Bhilare Pramod Dashrath , Sancheti Parag Kantilal
Published: April 2023

Background

Spinal osteoblastoma needs surgical intervention, and over a decade with advancing technologies, different radiological aids have been utilized in the form of CT scan, fluoroscopy and O arm, but no study has compared its efficacy and outcomes. Here, in this case report of three cases, we have compared the intra- and post-operative course and effectiveness of three radiological modalities.

Case presentation

We reviewed three surgically treated cases of spinal osteoblastoma with aid of different generation radiological modalities like C arm, CT scan and O arm navigation treated over a span of more than 10 years in single institute by same surgeon. These 3 cases were assessed and compared in terms of intraoperative parameters (image acquisition type, image display, scan time, bone image quality, real-time imaging, radiation exposure, surgical time, blood loss, complications and others) and post-operative parameters (recovery, recurrence and follow-up). First case managed with aid of C arm showed fluoroscopically acquired two-dimensional images, poor bone image quality; higher scan time-surgical time and blood loss with higher radiation exposure and no real-time imaging. Second case managed with aid of CT scan provided three-dimensional images, better bone image quality; lower surgical time and blood loss but increased transport time with minimum radiological exposure to surgeon and OT personnel with no real-time imaging. Third case managed with O arm navigation provided 3-dimensional images, best bone image quality; less surgical time and blood loss with minimum radiological exposure to surgeon and OT personnel with real-time imaging. Additionally, O arm navigation improved accuracy of tumor localization and intraoperative confirmation of complete tumor excision. Whereas all three cases showed no clinico-radiological signs of recurrence on subsequent follow-ups.

Conclusion

O arm navigation in terms of best bone image quality, accuracy, intraoperative confirmation of tumor excision, surgical time, blood loss and post-operative recovery makes it superior to others.
Partial detachment of the aorta: a fatal complication of CPR chest compressions
Authors: Szemień Michał , Burchardt Bartosz , Dolińska-Kaczmarek Klaudia , Żaba Zbigniew , Żaba Czesław
Published: April 2023

Background

Partial aorta detachment is a rare and fatal complication of mechanical chest compression.

Case presentation

The paper describes a patient in cardiac arrest who died despite receiving CPR using mechanical chest compression. After death, an autopsy showed the presence of a partial rupture of the aortic wall in the intra-pericardial section.

Discussion

In the discussion, for this case, we propose to deepen our knowledge of post-resuscitation complications, which may help to understand the need to maintain the recommended parameters of chest compressions, respond more confidently to changes in the patient's condition during CPR, to interpret the results of bedside examinations better, and to understand the autopsy results better. In our opinion, the best method of diagnosing internal injuries, which we provide with Point-of-Care (POCUS) ultrasound, allows for therapeutic interventions that maximize the chances of spontaneous circulation. Education and skill development are also indispensable aspects of CPR. Particular attention should be paid to the same quality of chest compressions performed.

Conclusions

As conclusions drawn from the analysis of this case, we propose paying particular attention to the difficulty of explaining changes in the patient's condition during CPR, the widespread use of POCUS, and considering the use of compressions performed by staff in situations where it is possible and safe.