bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining how observed need-supportive and need-thwarting teaching behaviours relate to pupils’ affective outcomes in physical education
Authors: Teraoka Eishin , Lobo de Diego Félix Enrique , Kirk David
Published: July 2023

This study aims to investigate the complexity of the practices of pedagogies of affect in physical education in response to urgent mental health issues among children and young people. As a proxy for measuring the effects of pedagogies of affect on pupils’ outcomes, self-determination theory (SDT) has informed teaching approaches for student motivation and psychological wellness and, thus, it could be an indicator perspective for mental health. Previous SDT studies in physical education have shown the relationship between pupils’ perceptions of need-supportive and need-thwarting teaching behaviours and affective outcomes. Nevertheless, no attempts have been made to test this teacher–pupil relationship involving observations of naturalistic teaching behaviour. Accordingly, this study examined how these observed teaching behaviours relate to pupils’ affective outcomes represented by basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration, (de)motivation, positive and negative affect, and sense of coherence. Employing a cross-sectional design, this study conducted observations of one indoor lesson per class and administered a set of questionnaires to pupils. In total, 20 teachers and 381 pupils aged 11 to 15 from seven different Scottish secondary schools participated in this study. The results showed that the factor of the observed structure before the activity was significantly related to affective outcomes, while the observed controlling teaching behaviour was related to negative outcomes. Although non-significant relationships between some factors of observed teaching behaviour and pupils’ variables were also found, this observational study is significant as it provides direct evidence of teacher–pupil interactions in the real-life context for developing pedagogies of affect.
Impacts of the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis on Caring for Sex-Trafficked Persons
Authors: Recknor Frances , Kelly C. Emma , Jacobson Danielle , Montemurro Frances , Bruder Rhonelle , Mason Robin , Mont Janice Du
Published: July 2023

Background

Sex trafficking of persons, a pervasive public health issue disproportionately affecting the most marginalized within society, often leads to health as well as social consequences. Social service provision to meet the resulting needs is critical, however, little is known about the current pandemic’s impact on providers’ capacity to deliver requisite care.

Method

To examine social service providers’ perspectives of care provision for domestically sex-trafficked persons in Ontario, Canada, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 providers and analyzed these using Braun and Clarke’s analytic framework.

Results

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on social service care provision were connected to individuals’ increased vulnerability to trafficking, difficulties safely and effectively providing services to sex-trafficked persons amid pandemic restrictions, and reduction in in-person educational activities to improve providers’ capacity to serve this client population. Securing safe shelter was particularly difficult and inappropriate placements could at times lead to further trafficking.

Conclusion

The pandemic created novel barriers to supporting sex-trafficked persons; managing these sometimes led to new and complex issues. Future efforts should focus on developing constructive strategies to support sex-trafficked persons’ unique needs during public health crises.
Volunteers as a resource for asset mapping and maintaining a living resource directory: lessons from an academic–community partnership
Authors: Li J , Sandhu S , Thomas C , Bettger JP
Published: July 2023

Aims:

Health and social services are fundamental to public and population health, and disruptions can have devastating effects on individuals of all ages. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the availability of health and social services rapidly changed. Existing resources experienced changes in operation and mode of service delivery, while new resources emerged to address escalating needs. Both the general public and service providers lacked access to accurate information on availability and access, and existing service directories became obsolete or unreliable. To address this gap, a committee of university students expanded its volunteer base, partnered with a local non-profit organization, and invested in maintaining a centralized, up-to-date resource directory for the region.

Methods/Results:

Student volunteers sourced and consolidated existing county-level directories to curate more than 370 resources across 12 healthcare and social care domains in a Google Sheets platform. This directory was publicly accessible, available in English and Spanish, adjustable to community feedback and needs, disseminated through the local health system intranet, synthesized into paper handouts for food pantries, and utilized to curate a directory aimed toward older adult needs. Students worked in a tiered leadership model and mobilized quickly to respond to immediate community needs.

Conclusion:

This academic–community partnership engaging student volunteers can be a low-cost, high-value resource to support public health systems meet the information needs of their community, particularly during periods of crisis or rapid changes in service availability.
Association of ABO blood types and clinical variables with COVID-19 infection severity in Libya
Authors: Abdulla Sara A , Elawamy Hayam A , Mohamed Negia AE , Abduallah Enas H , Amshahar Habsa AA , Abuzaeid Nadir K , Eisa Mohamed AM , Osman Makarim Elfadil M , Konozy Emadeldin Hassan E
Published: July 2023

Objective:

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic is a coronavirus-related health emergency (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Inadequate efforts are still being made to address the illness situation in Libya, and this must change. To address these issues, we looked into the demography and trend of the disease as well as the potential risk factors for infection.

Methods:

This study is a retrospective case–control study conducted online among 616 COVID-19 patients. The p0.05 value, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and analyzed from the drawn data.

Results:

Males were at high risk of COVID-19 than females (odds ratio = 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.042–1.622; p = 0.02). Anosmia and ageusia were more prominent in females. Patients with an “AB” blood group are significantly susceptible to infection. Adults (31 and above) are highly liable to infection. The univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that smoking is a risk factor for those above 60 years (odds ratio = 2.228, 95% confidence interval: 1.145–4.336; p = 0.018). Individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes and/or hypertension are more prone to COVID-19 (odds ratio = 10.045, 95% confidence interval: 3.078–32.794; p = 0.000 and odds ratio = 11.508, 95% confidence interval: 3.930–33.695; p = 0.000, respectively).

Conclusion:

This study provided for the first time the demographic data and the trend of COVID-19 infection in Libya, which will assist the stakeholders and governmental bodies in planning protection strategies against the pandemic.
Response of antibody titers to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and clinical outcomes during the predominance of the Omicron variant in Colombia
Authors: Montero Camilo , Torres Rodolfo , Reina Maricely , Flechas Jonth , Andrade David , Moreno Sebastián , Granados Camila , Yomayusa Nancy
Published: July 2023

Introduction:

The response to vaccination against the virus that causes severe acute respiratory infection syndrome coronavirus 2 is lower in renal transplant recipients than in the general population. The data obtained from Latin America showed reduced immunogenicity under inactivated virus vaccination schedules and messenger ribonucleic acid platforms.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study including renal transplant recipients from Colombia with a two-dose vaccination schedule against severe acute respiratory infection syndrome coronavirus 2 with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Jansen, and Sinovac vaccines between March 1, 2021 and December 1, 2021, was carried out with a follow-up period to evaluate outcomes until May 2022. The outcomes correspond to the titers of immunoglobulin G antibodies against the receptor binding domain of the severe acute respiratory infection syndrome coronavirus 2 spike and a composite outcome of mortality, general, and intensive care unit hospitalization.

Results:

In total, 215 renal transplant recipients with two doses of vaccination for severe acute respiratory infection syndrome coronavirus 2 during the predominance of the Omicron variant in Colombia were included, with the measurement of immunoglobulin G antibody titers against the receptor binding domain of the severe acute respiratory infection syndrome coronavirus 2 spike at 8 weeks of vaccination. The mean age was 52.1 years, and the standard deviation was ± 14.2; severe acute respiratory infection syndrome coronavirus 2 infection occurred in 20% of the population, of which 23.26% required hospitalization, 13.95% were under intensive care unit management, and four cases of mortality (9.3%) were reported. Of the total population, 52.5% had antibody titers higher than 0.8 IU/mL (median 0.77 IU/mL, interquartile range 0.4–131). Patients with severe acute respiratory infection syndrome coronavirus 2 infection had a median antibody titer of 0.4 IU/mL (interquartile range 0.4–3.45), and those without infection had a median antibody titer of 1.8 IU/mL (interquartile range 0.4–202) ( p = 0.015).

Conclusion:

Anti-severe acute respiratory infection syndrome coronavirus 2 antibody titers with a cutoff point less than 0.8 IU/mL are associated with increased risk of severe acute respiratory infection syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.
Experiencing authenticity: Sociability and the double lives of middle-class migrant youth in Beijing
Authors: Zhou Zepeng , Xiao Suowei
Published: July 2023

Youth spaces, public spaces established by urban youth to facilitate conversations and spiritual exchanges, have proliferated in China since 2012. Through participatory observation in one such youth space, Youth Space A, and in-depth interviews with 20 participants, this article examines the double lives experienced by middle-class migrant youths in Beijing under the conditions of institutionalized individualization. It argues that the highly competitive institutional environment of contemporary China, with the labor market as its core, has systematically pressured migrant youths into a utilitarian institutionalized life model. Under these circumstances, young migrants, on the one hand, are acting as “striving individuals” in order to adapt to these conditions; on the other hand, they are deeply suspicious and despondent, struggling with the paradox of institutional dependency and the need for autonomy. Constructing social interactions in youth spaces has become their way of exploring their “authentic selves”. In Youth Space A, migrant youths build transient “pure relationships” between strangers and participate in public life through noncompetitive relations and highly spiritual conversations. In so doing, they constitute an “authentic self” that enables them to reveal their true inner selves and resist social constraints. However, sociability in the youth space is built upon the premise of “anti-daily life” that precludes its integration into everyday action, and thus is incapable of changing the established structure of daily life. In fact, to a certain degree, it is confined by the logic of institutionalized life, such as utility and instrumentality, thus reducing migrant youths’ authenticity to a tangled, fragile, and place-specific experience. This study reflects on the utilitarian paradigm of the “striving individual” in the discussion of the individualization process in Chinese society, and among Chinese youths in particular. It furthers understanding of the dual connotations of institutionalized individualization. In addition, by analyzing the relationship between public life and the authentic self, it sheds light on the issue of the dilemma of publicness in the process of individualization, and its specifically Chinese manifestations.
Small Steps Towards an Inclusive Diabetes Prevention Program: How Small Steps for Big Changes is Improving Program Equity and Inclusion
Authors: Cranston Kaela D , MacPherson Megan M , Sim Jenna AP , Jung Mary E
Published: July 2023

Social determinants of health, the effects of colonialism, and systemic injustices result in some groups being at disproportionately higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Many T2D prevention programs have not been designed to provide equitable and inclusive care to everyone. This paper presents an example of the steps taken in an evidence-based community T2D prevention program, Small Steps for Big Changes (SSBC), to improve equitable access and inclusivity based on input from a stakeholder advisory group and the ConNECT Framework. To improve reach to those most at risk for T2D, SSBC has changed both eligibility criteria and program delivery. To ensure that all testing is done in an inclusive manner, changes have been made to measurements, and to training for those delivering the program. This paper also provides actionable recommendations for other researchers to incorporate into their own health programs to promote inclusivity and ensure that they reach those most at risk of T2D.
Outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
Authors: Labrosse Roxane , Chu Julia I. , Armant Myriam A. , Everett John K. , Pellin Danilo , Kareddy Niharika , Frelinger Andrew L. , Henderson Lauren A. , O’Connell Amy E. , Biswas Amlan , Coenen-van der Spek Jet , Miggelbrink Alexandra , Fiorini Claudia , Adhikari Hriju , Berry Charles C. , Cantu Vito Adrian , Fong Johnson , Jaroslavsky Jason , Karadeniz Derin F. , Li Quan-Zhen , Reddy Shantan , Roche Aoife M. , Zhu Chengsong , Whangbo Jennifer S. , Dansereau Colleen , Mackinnon Brenda , Morris Emily , Koo Stephanie M. , London Wendy B. , Baris Safa , Ozen Ahmet , Karakoc-Aydiner Elif , Despotovic Jenny M. , Forbes Satter Lisa R. , Saitoh Akihiko , Aizawa Yuta , King Alejandra , Nguyen Mai Anh Thi , Vu Vy Do Uyen , Snapper Scott B. , Galy Anne , Notarangelo Luigi D. , Bushman Frederic D. , Williams David A. , Pai Sung-Yun
Published: July 2023

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked disorder characterized by combined immunodeficiency, eczema, microthrombocytopenia, autoimmunity, and lymphoid malignancies. Gene therapy (GT) to modify autologous CD34+ cells is an emerging alternative treatment with advantages over standard allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients who lack well-matched donors, avoiding graft-versus-host-disease. We report the outcomes of a phase 1/2 clinical trial in which 5 patients with severe WAS underwent GT using a self-inactivating lentiviral vector expressing the human WAS complementary DNA under the control of a 1.6-kB fragment of the autologous promoter after busulfan and fludarabine conditioning. All patients were alive and well with sustained multilineage vector gene marking (median follow-up: 7.6 years). Clinical improvement of eczema, infections, and bleeding diathesis was universal. Immune function was consistently improved despite subphysiologic levels of transgenic WAS protein expression. Improvements in platelet count and cytoskeletal function in myeloid cells were most prominent in patients with high vector copy number in the transduced product. Two patients with a history of autoimmunity had flares of autoimmunity after GT, despite similar percentages of WAS protein–expressing cells and gene marking to those without autoimmunity. Patients with flares of autoimmunity demonstrated poor numerical recovery of T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), interleukin-10–producing regulatory B cells (Bregs), and transitional B cells. Thus, recovery of the Breg compartment, along with Tregs appears to be protective against development of autoimmunity after GT. These results indicate that clinical and laboratory manifestations of WAS are improved with GT with an acceptable safety profile. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01410825.
Novel XIAP mutation with early-onset Crohn’s disease complicated with acute heart failure: a case report
Authors: Peng Chendong , Jiang Yuang , Ou Xianhong , Liao Lei , Yang Chengying , Zhou Qiao , Wei Yan , Chang Lijia , Fan Xinrong
Published: July 2023

Background

The X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) protein is encoded by the XIAP gene and is critical for multiple cell responses and plays a role in preventing cell death. XIAP mutations are associated with several diseases, primarily including hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We report the clinical features and results associated with hemizygous mutation of the XIAP gene in a young male with Crohn’s disease complicated with acute heart failure.This 16-year-old patient ultimately died of heart failure.

Case presentation

A young male of 16 years of age was initially diagnosed with Crohn’s disease based on evidences from endoscopic and histological findings. Although supportive care, anti-infective drugs and biologics were administered consecutively for 11 months, his clinical manifestations and laboratory indices (patient’s condition) did not improved. Additionally, the patient exhibited a poor nutritional status and sustained weight loss. Subsequently, acute heart failure led to the exacerbation of the patient’s condition. He was diagnosed with wet beriberi according to thiamine deficiency, but the standard medical therapy for heart failure and thiamine supplementation did not reverse the adverse outcomes. Comprehensive genetic analysis of peripheral blood-derived DNA revealed a novel hemizygous mutation of the XIAP gene (c.1259_1262 delACAG), which was inherited from his mother.

Conclusion

A novel XIAP mutation (c.1259_1262 delACAG) was identified in this study. It may be one of the potential pathogenic factors in Crohn’s disease and plays an important role in the progression of heart failure. Additionally, thiamine deficiency triggers a vicious cycle.
Cholera and COVID-19 pandemic prevention in multiple hotspot districts of Uganda: vaccine coverage, adverse events following immunization and WASH conditions survey
Authors: Bwire Godfrey , Kisakye Annet , Amulen Esther , Bwanika John Baptist , Badebye Joan , Aanyu Christine , Nakirya Brenda Doreen , Okello Alfred , Okello Stephen Acellam , Bukenya Justine N. , Orach Christopher Garimoi
Published: July 2023

Background

Between March, 2020 and December, 2021 due to cholera and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemics, there were 1,534 cholera cases with 14 deaths and 136,065 COVID-19 cases with 3,285 deaths reported respectively in Uganda. This study investigated mass vaccination campaigns for the prevention of the two pandemics namely: oral cholera vaccine (OCV) and COVID-19 vaccine coverage; adverse events following immunization (AEFI); barriers and enablers for the vaccine uptake and assessed water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions in the six cholera and COVID-19 hotspot districts of Uganda.

Methods

A household survey was conducted between January and February, 2022 in the six cholera hotspot districts of Uganda which had recently conducted OCV mass vaccination campaigns and had ongoing COVID-19 mass vaccination campaigns. The survey randomly enrolled 900 households with 4,315 persons of whom 2,085 were above 18 years. Data were collected using a data entry application designed in KoBoToolbox and analysed using STATA version 14. Frequencies, percentages, odds ratios, means, confidence intervals and maps were generated and interpreted.

Results

The OCV coverage for dose one and two were 85% (95% CI: 84.2—86.4) and 67% (95% CI: 65.6—68.4) respectively. Among the 4,315 OCV recipients, 2% reported mild AEFI, 0.16% reported moderate AEFI and none reported severe AEFI. The COVID-19 vaccination coverage for dose one and two were 69.8% (95% CI: 67.8–71.8) and 18.8% (95% CI: 17.1–20.5) respectively. Approximately, 23% (478/2,085) of COVID-19 vaccine recipient reported AEFI; most 94% were mild, 0.6% were moderate and 2 cases were severe. The commonest reason for missing COVID-19 vaccine was fear of the side effects. For most districts (5/6), sanitation (latrine/toilet) coverage were low at 7.4%—37.4%.

Conclusion

There is high OCV coverage but low COVID-19 vaccine and sanitation coverage with high number of moderate cases of AEFI recorded due to COVID-19 vaccines. The low COVID-19 vaccine coverage could indicate vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, incorporation of WASH conditions assessment in the OCV coverage surveys is recommended for similar settings to generate data for better planning. However, more studies are required on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.
Time trend of global uterine cancer burden: an age-period-cohort analysis from 1990 to 2019 and predictions in a 25-year period
Authors: Yang Liu , Yuan Yue , Zhu Rongyan , Zhang Xuehong
Published: July 2023

Background

Uterine cancer remains a serious medical problem worldwide. This study aimed to explore the global time trends of uterine cancer burden using the age-period-cohort model and forecast incidence to 2044.

Methods

Data were downloaded from the Global Burden of Disease 2019. The age-period-cohort model was used to estimate age, period and birth cohort effects. We also predict uterine cancer incidence to 2044.

Results

Globally, there were 435,041 incident cases (95% UI: 245,710 to 272,470) and 91,640 deaths of uterine cancer (95% UI: 39,910 to 44,140) in 2019. During the past 30 years, the age-standardized incidence and death rates increased by 15.3% and decreased by 21.6%, respectively. Between 1990 and 2019, the high-sociodemographic index region had the highest overall annual percentage changes. The age effect showed the uterine cancer incidence rate first increased and then decreased with age. The period and cohort relative rate ratio showed upward trends during the study period. Incident cases of uterine cancer may increase to more than six hundred thousand in 2044.

Conclusion

Uterine cancer causes a high disease burden in high-income regions and the global incidence may continue to increase in the future. Improving awareness of risk factors and reducing the proportion of the obese population are necessary to reduce future burden.
Non-invasive arterial blood pressure measurement and SpO2 estimation using PPG signal: a deep learning framework
Authors: Chu Yan , Tang Kaichen , Hsu Yu-Chun , Huang Tongtong , Wang Dulin , Li Wentao , Savitz Sean I. , Jiang Xiaoqian , Shams Shayan
Published: July 2023

Background

Monitoring blood pressure and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation plays a crucial role in healthcare management for patients with chronic diseases, especially hypertension and vascular disease. However, current blood pressure measurement methods have intrinsic limitations; for instance, arterial blood pressure is measured by inserting a catheter in the artery causing discomfort and infection.

Method

Photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals can be collected via non-invasive devices, and therefore have stimulated researchers’ interest in exploring blood pressure estimation using machine learning and PPG signals as a non-invasive alternative. In this paper, we propose a Transformer-based deep learning architecture that utilizes PPG signals to conduct a personalized estimation of arterial systolic blood pressure, arterial diastolic blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.

Results

The proposed method was evaluated with a subset of 1,732 subjects from the publicly available ICU dataset MIMIC III. The mean absolute error is 2.52 ± 2.43 mmHg for systolic blood pressure, 1.37 ± 1.89 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure, and 0.58 ± 0.79% for oxygen saturation, which satisfies the requirements of the Association of Advancement of Medical Instrumentation standard and achieve grades A for the British Hypertension Society standard.

Conclusions

The results indicate that our model meets clinical standards and could potentially boost the accuracy of blood pressure and oxygen saturation measurement to deliver high-quality healthcare.
Pericardial malignant mesothelioma diagnosed in a dog by immunocytochemistry of the pericardial fluid: a case report
Authors: Choi Eun Wha
Published: July 2023

Background

Pericardial effusions are one of the most common cardiac diseases in dogs. Common causes of haemorrhagic pericardial effusions include neoplasia, such as hemangiosarcoma, mesothelioma, chemodectoma, and ectopic thyroid tumours, and benign idiopathic pericardial effusion. Distinguishing among reactive mesothelial cells, malignant mesothelioma, and adenocarcinoma in body effusions is a diagnostic challenge. Therefore, the author aimed to discover whether the observed cells were reactive mesothelial, mesothelioma, or adenocarcinoma cells through immunocytochemistry using five markers (cytokeratin, vimentin, desmin, E-cadherin, and calretinin) in a canine patient.

Case presentation

A 2.1 kg, spayed female, 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier dog presented to a local hospital with dyspnoea and was evaluated for pericardial effusion. The presence of pericardial fluid was confirmed, and she was referred to our hospital for further evaluation. In cytological evaluation, cells shed individually or in clusters were observed, along with numerous non-degenerative neutrophils and macrophages. The cells showed binucleation, anisocytosis, anisokaryosis, abnormal nucleoli, abundant basophilic cytoplasm, high nuclear–cytoplasmic ratio, and coarse chromatin. Large atypical multinucleate cells were also observed. Erythrophagia was observed, indicating chronic haemorrhage. Immunocytochemistry using pericardial fluid was positive for cytokeratin, vimentin, desmin, E-cadherin, and calretinin. Therefore, malignant mesothelioma was diagnosed.

Conclusions

Immunocytochemistry is a very useful diagnostic technique because it can determine whether several fluorescent markers are simultaneously expressed in the same cell. Further, E-cadherin and calretinin can be used for the differential diagnosis of reactive mesothelial cells, malignant mesothelioma, and adenocarcinoma in dogs.
Crosscorrelation-based dynamic time warping and its application in wave equation reflection traveltime inversion
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Dong Liangguo , Huang Chao , Wang Yilin
Published: July 2023

Crosscorrelation and dynamic time warping (DTW) are ubiquitous in time-shift estimation. However, the small-shift limitation of crosscorrelation and the instability and high sensitivity to noise of DTW seriously hinder their applications in complex situations. In this study, we develop a method called crosscorrelation-based DTW (CDTW) to address these issues. Our method constructs error matrices by local crosscorrelation instead of Euclidean distance to minimize the sensitivity to noise. The new error matrices are calculated in local windows and contain local structure similarity information of the two input signals. It improves the stability of the algorithm and makes the CDTW method less sensitive to noise and amplitude modulation. Our method estimates the time-varying shift using dynamic programming as the conventional DTW after the new error matrix is formulated. Numerical tests on pairs of signals and seismic images prove that our method can accurately estimate time shifts in cases of time-varying amplitude modulation and strong random noise contamination. Finally, we apply the CDTW method to wave equation reflection traveltime inversion (WRTI) and develop a CDTW-based WRTI method. Synthetic and field applications prove that this method can construct good background velocity models with the reliable reflection traveltime shifts produced by the CDTW method.
Platelet Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery: An Entropy-Balanced, Weighted, Multicenter Analysis
Authors: Fletcher Calvin M. , Hinton Jake V. , Xing Zhongyue , Perry Luke A. , Greifer Noah , Karamesinis Alexandra , Shi Jenny , Penny-Dimri Jahan C. , Ramson Dhruvesh , Liu Zhengyang , Williams-Spence Jenni , Segal Reny , Smith Julian A. , Coulson Tim G. , Bellomo Rinaldo
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND:

Platelet transfusion is common in cardiac surgery, but some studies have suggested an association with harm. Accordingly, we investigated the association of perioperative platelet transfusion with morbidity and mortality.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Australian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Surgery Database. We included consecutive adults from 2005 to 2018 across 40 centers. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting via entropy balancing to investigate the association of perioperative platelet transfusion with our 2 primary outcomes, operative mortality (composite of both 30-day and in-hospital mortality) and 90-day mortality, as well as multiple other clinically relevant secondary outcomes.

RESULTS:

Among 119,132 eligible patients, 25,373 received perioperative platelets and 93,759 were considered controls. After entropy balancing, platelet transfusion was associated with reduced operative mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.63; 99% confidence interval [CI], 0.47–0.84; P < .0001) and 90-day mortality (OR, 0.66; 99% CI, 0.51–0.85; P < .0001). Moreover, it was associated with reduced odds of deep sternal wound infection (OR, 0.57; 99% CI, 0.36–0.89; P = .0012), acute kidney injury (OR, 0.84; 99% CI, 0.71–0.99; P = .0055), and postoperative renal replacement therapy (OR, 0.71; 99% CI, 0.54–0.93; P = .0013). These positive associations were observed despite an association with increased odds of return to theatre for bleeding (OR, 1.55; 99% CI, 1.16–2.09; P < .0001), pneumonia (OR, 1.26; 99% CI, 1.11–1.44; P < .0001), intubation for longer than 24 hours postoperatively (OR, 1.13; 99% CI, 1.03–1.24; P = .0012), inotrope use for >4 hours postoperatively (OR, 1.14; 99% CI, 1.11–1.17; P < .0001), readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery (OR, 1.22; 99% CI, 1.11–1.34; P < .0001), as well as increased drain tube output (adjusted mean difference, 89.2 mL; 99% CI, 77.0 mL–101.4 mL; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

In cardiac surgery patients, perioperative platelet transfusion was associated with reduced operative and 90-day mortality. Until randomized controlled trials either confirm or refute these findings, platelet transfusion should not be deliberately avoided when considering odds of death.
Μελέτη της επίδρασης της θεραπείας με πλάσμα πλούσιο σε αιμοπετάλια στην αντιμετώπιση της ακράτειας ούρων από προσπάθεια
Authors: Καλαντζής Χρήστος
Published: July 2023

Η ακράτεια ούρων επηρεάζει εκατομμύρια γυναίκες παγκοσμίως. Στόχος της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν η εκτίμηση της αποτελεσματικότητας και της ασφάλειας των περιουρηθρικών ενέσεων με πλάσμα πλούσιο σε αιμοπετάλια (PRP) σε γυναίκες με ακράτεια ούρων από προσπάθεια. Η μελέτη ήταν διπλή-τυφλή τυχαιοποιημένη για τη σύγκριση του PRP με μία "sham" θεραπεία. Οι ασθενείς στην ομάδα PRP υπεβλήθησαν σε δύο συνεδρίες ενέσεων PRP με μεσοδιάστημα 4-6 εβδομάδων. Οι γυναίκες στην ομάδα sham έλαβαν ενέσεις φυσιολογικού ορού (Ν/S 0.9%). Πριν τις εγχύσεις, οι ασθενείς υπεβλήθησαν σε ουροδυναμική μελέτη, στο τεστ πάνας μίας ώρας και συμπλήρωσαν τα ερωτηματολόγια ICIC-FLUTS και KHQ. Στις επισκέψεις επανελέγχου (1,3 και 6 μήνες) οι ασθενείς επανέλαβαν το τεστ πάνας και συμπλήρωσαν τα ερωτηματολόγια ICIQ-FLUTS, KHQ και PGI-I. Πρωτεύον καταληκτικό σημείο ήταν η υποκειμενική εκτίμηση των συμπτωμάτων ακράτειας με βάση την απάντηση στην ερώτηση 11 του ICIQ-FLUTS. Δευτερεύοντα καταληκτικά σημεία ήταν τα σκορ των ερωτηματολογίων και η απώλεια των ούρων στο τεστ πάνας. Τέλος, εκτιμήθηκε το επίπεδο ενόχλησης που βίωσαν οι ασθενείς κατά τις εγχύσεις και η ασφάλειά τους. Κατά τη διάρκεια της περιόδου παρακολούθησης, το μέσο σκορ της ερώτησης 11 μειώθηκε σημαντικά περισσότερο στην ομάδα ασθενών PRP σε σχέση με αυτήν που έλαβε ενέσεις N/S 0.9%. Επίσης, τα ποσοστά υποκειμενικής ίασης ήταν σημαντικά υψηλότερα στην ομάδα PRP (32% vs 4%, p<0.001). Στην ομάδα PRP παρατηρήθηκε σημαντικά μεγαλύτερη μείωση της απώλειας ούρων στο τεστ πάνας μίας ώρας σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα sham στον τελευταίο επανέλεγχο των 6 μηνών. Τέλος, δεν παρατηρήθηκαν ανεπιθύμητες δράσεις. Συμπερασματικά, οι περιουρηθρικές ενέσεις με PRP ήταν αποτελεσματικότερες στη βελτίωση των συμπτωμάτων ακράτειας ούρων από προσπάθεια σε σχέση με τις ενέσεις N/S 0.9%.
Cooling effect of urban forests on the urban heat island in Seoul, South Korea
Authors: Hwang ByungMook , Sou Hong-Duck , Oh Jeong-Hak , Park Chan-Ryul
Published: July 2023

Air pollution and climate change amplify the urban heat island (UHI) effect, which has an adverse effect on human health. Urban forests (UFs) are important to reduce the UHI effect; however, the quantitative effect of UFs on UHI, relative to time and space, has not yet been investigated. In this study, we aimed to quantitatively measure the actual thermal environment in UFs. To this end, temperature and humidity loggers were installed in 17 UFs in Seoul for a year and analyzed according to vegetation characteristics and accessibility. The urban forests and park showed consistent temperature reduction, whereas the lawn showed higher temperature reduction effects during autumn-winter. The traffic island showed lower annual temperature reduction effect than other UFs. From spring to autumn, mixed and broadleaved forests showed better temperature reduction effect than coniferous forests. The temperature in UFs decreased by approximately 1.9°C over ~3 km from the traffic island near the city to the forest. This study revealed the difference in the cooling effect according to the type and location of UF and the vegetation structure. The functional characteristics of plants and the UF that reflects them can help reduce the negative impact of climate warming and UHI on human health.
Design, Construction And Operational Plans Of An Electric Paddle Wheel For A Laminated Bamboo Slats River Cruise Boat
Authors: Supomo Heri , Djatmiko Eko Budi , Nugroho Setyo , Supomo Wikaranosa Scotiandharu
Published: July 2023

River cruise tourism in Indonesia has a moderately high potential as there are so many rivers in Indonesia that offer beautiful natural and urban views. However, majority of river cruiser boats still use outboard engines, both two-stroke and four-stroke combustion engines. The working system of the outboard engine is to carry out the combustion process of the fuel oil. This combustion process usually has a loud sound, leading to noise pollutants that can harm the environment and make passengers uncomfortable. Burning fossil fuels also causes the residual compounds that increases environmental pollution, especially carbon emissions. In this paper, an analysis will be carried out on the operational costs of a river cruise ship with electric paddle wheel propulsion. With a boat design with an LOA size of 5.4 m, breadth of 1.4 m, height of 0.8 m, draft of 0.3 m, and CB of 0.68, the paddle wheel diameter is 70 cm, blade width of 30cm, and 6 blades. The motor used to drive the paddle wheel has a power of 672.69 watts, with a battery capacity of 100 Ah. According to operational planning, benefits will be obtained, including zero carbon emissions, no noise and operational benefits can be up to 90% greater when compared to the out-board engine drive.
Die Perspektive von Kindern in der islamischen Theologie und Religionspädagogik
Authors: Ulfat Fahimah
Published: July 2023

Das Bildungsverständnis in muslimisch geprägten Gesellschaften ist aufgrund historischer Entwicklungen mehrheitlich noch stark an Nachahmung und einseitiger Erziehung ausgerichtet. Daher spielt die Perspektive von Kindern in der Theologie bis dato keine Rolle. In der sich in Deutschland entwickelnden islamischen Religionspädagogik hat sich währenddessen ein Paradigmenwechsel im Verständnis von religiöser Bildung vollzogen, sodass die Perspektive von Kindern hier einen wesentlichen Platz einnimmt und ein traditionelles konservatives Theologie- und Bildungsverständnis irritieren und verstören kann. Es wird in diesem Beitrag aufgezeigt, dass die ganz eigene Wahrnehmung der kindlichen Spiritualität und des kindlichen theologischen Räsonierens einen beträchtlichen Mehrwert für den theologischen Erkenntnisgewinn hat.
Semantically negative adverbial clause-linkage: ‘let alone’ constructions, expletive negation, and theoretical implications
Authors: Olguín Martínez Jesús
Published: July 2023

One construction that has traditionally been neglected in the typological study of clause-linkage is that built on ‘let alone’ (e.g., the baby can’t even talk, let alone walk). The present study explores this construction in a convenience sample of 47 languages. There are languages in which ‘let alone’ clauses appear not only with a clause-linking device, but also with an optional standard negative marker. Moreover, there are languages in which standard negation is forbidden in the ‘let alone’ clause. Here it is shown that optional standard negation may be semantically empty or may have an expressive-evaluative layer of semantic interpretation. On the other hand, standard negation tends to be forbidden in ‘let alone’ clauses appearing with semantically monofunctional clause-linking devices. The paper further investigates whether the analysis advanced for ‘let alone’ clauses can be generalized to other semantically negative adverbial clauses: ‘without V-ing’, ‘instead of V-ing’, and ‘before’ clauses. It is demonstrated that in these latter adverbial clauses, standard negation may be forbidden or optional. Interestingly, unlike the situation with ‘let alone’ clauses, there are languages in which standard negation may be obligatory in the ‘without V-ing’, ‘instead of V-ing’, and ‘before’ clause. In this scenario, the adverbial relations are compositionally encoded by a standard negative marker together with a general marker.
The Impact of the Use of Soft Power in Social Media on Public Diplomacy for International Co-existence
Authors: Kaleem Mahmoud
Published: July 2023

Social media has become a game changer fundamentally in the way that it connects citizens, governments, and their ideas and voices across geographical divides. The policy process today requires decision making, feedback mechanisms, and quality input to be successful. Thus, social media presents itself as a quality instrument for incorporating a multitude of ideas, opinions, and voices for different stages of policy processes. This means that citizen engagement, which is crucial in policy making becomes easier via social media. However, social media also presents new challenges for soft power. The fast-paced nature of social media means that misinformation and fake news can quickly spread, which can undermine efforts to build relationships and promote understanding between countries. In addition, some countries use social media to spread propaganda, fake news, and extremist ideologies, which can also damage their soft power. This study examines the impact of the use of soft power in social media on public diplomacy for international co-existence in the context of the Middle East and Africa. The alternate methods of soft power include information and gathering data. For instance, social media is a great source of data and gathering information. Countries can achieve their objectives by attracting and persuading others to adopt their values and interests, rather than through coercion or force. Soft power is the ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion, rather than through threats or payment. The proliferation of social media such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter present powerful and new communication tools that are capable of influencing policy decisions by channelizing the political opinions of the masses. The upstart of social media and its engagement with the masses have influenced policy as well as politics which can be demonstrated in the Middle East. The Middle East, for instance, has been rife with regimes that have taken advantage of the region’s cultural, linguistic, and religious connections to shape the political environment. In addition, social media has also given voice to previously marginalized groups, particularly youth, women, and minorities, who have used these platforms to advocate for their rights and amplify their voices. This has created new opportunities for public diplomacy, as governments and civil society organizations can engage with these groups and build relationships with them. This study aims to look at the relationship between social media and public diplomacy and identify opportunities and challenges social media networks pose for international coexistence in the context of past and present events from the perspective of both policymakers and scholars. Furthermore, the public diplomacy process and the use of social media as a soft power have been analyzed through a framework and discussed further for a better understanding of the variables. involved.
The Role of Small Airways in Respiratory Failure Caused by Covid-19 Infection
Authors: Immanuels Taivans , Gunta Strazda , Normunds Jurka
Published: July 2023

Small airways are the “silent zone” of lungs because there is a limited range of methods to assess their function. At the same time this lung zone plays an important role in local distribution between ventilation and perfusion, that in turn influences the effectiveness of gas exchange. Small airways are incorporated into the lung elastic network and their patency is strongly influenced by the pathological processes that occur in lung parenchyma. ACE2 receptors which are the bindng sites for SARS-Cov-2 virus most densly are located on the epihelium of upper airways, second type alveolocytes and club cells. Damage to mucosa of pharynx and proximal bronchi explains the symptoms of mild covid-19 disease, but affections to alveolar epthelium opens the access to pulmonary vessels which increase permeability inducing interstitial oedema, initiate infiltration of lung interstitium with inflammatory cells and release from endothelial cells vasodilatory mediators which in turn inactivate the mechanism of hypoxic pu;monary vasoconstriction. Ventilation/perfusion mismatch in favour of perfusion that develpops as the consequence of described events leads to intrapulmonary blood shunting, arterial hypoxaemia and severe dispnoea that poorely associates with mild changes in X-ray examination findings. Progressing of parenchymal inflammation further increases the pulmonary vascular permeability that recruits more alveoli, increases the lung weight and affects gas diffusion through alveolo-capillary membrane making hypoxemia more severe. During the acute period of covid-19 pneumonia small airways demonstrate more functional rather than organic obstruction. However, during the post-acute period proliferation of bronchiolar epitelial cells occurs, they transdifferentiate and ingrow into alveolar space and initiate lung and airways fibrosis. This review has summarized recent research findings that uncover the small airways role in different pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the course of covid-19 infection both in acute and recovery period.
Особенности перехода исключительных прав на результаты интеллектуальной деятельности при реорганизации правообладателя
Authors: Горбунова М.В.
Published: July 2023

В статье анализируются особенности перехода исключительных прав на результаты интеллектуальной деятельности при реорганизации правообладателя. Рассматриваются понятие и формы реорганизации юридических лиц, отмечается, что данные формы относятся к случаям универсального правопреемства, которое является одним из механизмов бездоговорного перехода исключительных прав. Выявляется противоречие законодательного регулирования перехода исключительных прав при реорганизации правообладателя, приводится позиция Конституционного Суда по данному вопросу.
Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Adli Tıp Anabilim Dalında raporları düzenlenen vertebra kırığı olgularının retrospektif olarak değerlendirilmesi: 2021-2022
Authors: ŞENOL Ender , TEMÜRKOL Ramazan , CERAN Salih , ÇÖLLÜ Vural
Published: July 2023

Amaç: Maluliyet hesaplamaları Adli Tıp uygulamalarında önemli bir yer tutan ve maluliyet hesaplamasında kullanılan cetvellerindeki uygulama ve hesaplama farklarından doğan sorunlarla ilgili çalışmaların sıkça yapıldığı bir konudur. Yönetmeliklerin ekinde bulunan cetvellerin yaralanmanın değerlendirmesindeki bakış açılarının farklılığı, benzer arızalarda farklı sonuçlar ortaya çıkabilmesine, bazı olguların değerlendirmesinde yetersiz kaldığı durumlara neden olabilmektedir. Çalışmamızda çelişkili yorumlara neden olan ve ilgili yönetmeliklerdeki hesaplamalarda birden çok modeli bulunan ya da hiç karşılığı olmayabilen travmaya bağlı vertebra (omurga) kırığı olgularının değerlendirilmesi, maluliyet oranı değerlendirmesinde kullanılmakta olan yönetmelik maddelerinin tartışılması ve geliştirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmamıza 01.05.2021-01.05.2022 tarihleri arasında vertebra kırığı nedeniyle maluliyet raporu düzenlenmiş 75 olgunun sosyodemografik verileri, olaya ilişkin bilgileri, yaralanan vertebra bölgesi ve kısmı, uygulanan tedavi, değerlendirmede kullanılan çeşitli yönetmeliklere göre maluliyet oranları kaydedilerek frekans ve anlamlılık analizleri yapılmıştır. Bulgular: Olguların %84’ünde konservatif tedavi uygulanmışken %16’sında cerrahi tedavi tercih edilmiştir. Olguların meslekte kazanma gücünde azalma oranı ortalama 9,2±15,1, yaralanma modeline göre engellilik oranı 11,4±6,7, eklem hareket açıklığı modeline göre ise 9,6±7,4 olarak bulunmuştur. Korpus (gövde) kırığı olanların çoğunluğunda yaralanma mekanizması araç içi trafik kazası olarak bulunmuştur (p=0,013). Yalnızca korpus kırığı olan olgularda yaralanma modeline göre hesaplanan engellilik oranı eklem hareket açıklığı modeline göre hesaplanan engellilik oranından yüksek bulunmuştur (p=0,021). Cerrahi tedavi seçilen olgularda meslekte kazanma gücünde azalma oranı ve her iki modele göre hesaplanan engellilik oranları konservatif tedavi seçilenlere göre yüksek bulunmuştur (sırasıyla p=0,001, p=0,022 ve p=0,001). Sonuç: Vertebra yaralanmalarına bağlı maluliyet hesaplamalarında kullanılan yönteme göre değişen oranlar, itirazlar nedeniyle genellikle kişiler hakkında birden çok rapor düzenlenmesine, dolayısıyla hukuki sürecin uzamasına ve mağduriyetin artmasına neden olmaktadır. Bu sebeple bu tür travmalarda haksız kazanç ya da kayıpların önlenmesi ve hukuki sürecin uzamaması için her üç yönetmelikte de değişiklikler yapılması ya da kapsamlı tek bir yönetmelik üzerinde çalışılması gerektiğini düşünmekteyiz.