bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Positive Youth Development and Being Bullied in Early Adolescence: A Sociocultural Analysis of National Cohort Data
Authors: D’Urso Giulio , Symonds Jennifer , Pace Ugo
Published: June 2020

In the current study, we investigated the developmental dynamics between positive youth development, being bullied in adolescence, gender, and sociocultural risk factors. Participants were 3,509 males (49%) and 3,656 females (51%) studied longitudinally across the ages of 9, 13, and 17 years in the Growing Up in Ireland study. Using structural equation modeling, we discovered that being bullied in early adolescence was most strongly predicted by having fewer close friends, higher family poverty, and living in neighborhoods with higher levels of disorder. However, the social disadvantage of a young person’s school did not impact being bullied. More positive reports of connection and caring in early adolescence were negatively predicted by neighborhood disorder and family poverty, and being female had positive association with relationships with teachers. Developing confidence, competence, and character in late adolescence was notably related to having fewer experiences of family trauma and transitions in childhood and to having higher levels of rapport with parents in early adolescence. The results highlight the importance of studying relationships and psychological development in sociocultural context.
Evaluation of adenomyosis after gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist therapy using ultrasound post-processing imaging: a pilot study
Authors: Chou Szu-Yuan , Chan Cindy , Lee Yu-Chieh , Yu Tzu-Ning , Tzeng Chii-Ruey , Chen Chi-Huang
Published: June 2020

Objective

We explored a method for the quantitative sonographic analysis of myometrial texture using computer-aided image analysis software to assess outcomes following treatment with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist for adenomyosis in women with infertility.

Method

Data for patients with ultrasound images of the myometrium obtained at Taipei Medical University Hospital from 1 September 2018 to 5 April 5 2019 were analyzed. Only 10 patients with 20 ultrasound images matched the eligibility criteria. The images were divided into pre-treatment (n = 10) and post-treatment images (n = 10) and quantitative grayscale histograms were obtained from the ultrasound images using publicly available ImageJ computer-aided image analysis software. We analyzed the differences between the pre- and post-treatment images using the Mann–Whitney test and compared the results with outcomes assessed by serum CA-125 levels.

Results

Image analysis of the grayscale histograms revealed significant differences between before and after treatment. The classification of the myometrium pre-treatment and post-treatment was similar using CA-125 and histogram grayscale analysis.

Conclusion

Computer-aided image analysis of grayscale histograms of the myometrium obtained from ultrasound images is an alternative method for assessing myometrial conditions after GnRH agonist treatment in patients with adenomyosis.
Management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with cancer: 2019 guidelines of the Italian Medical Oncology Association (AIOM)
Authors: Tralongo Antonino C. , Antonuzzo Andrea , Pronzato Paolo , Sbrana Andrea , Turrini Marianna , Zoratto Federica , Danova Marco
Published: June 2020

Neutropenia is the most frequent side effect of commercially available myelosuppressive drugs and its most significant complication is febrile neutropenia. It is associated with increased hospital admissions and higher probability of death. Prophylaxis with the administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor can prevent neutropenia caused by anticancer drugs. The correct administration of these drugs and the management of febrile neutropenia are extremely important in the treatment of patients with cancer.
Blurring Borders: Investigating the Western/Global South Identity of Human Security
Authors: Gelardi Maiken
Published: June 2020

In the globalizing international relations (IR) debate, the “West” and “Global South” have conventionally been presented as fundamentally different categories. This has disguised any interconnectedness between the two categories and variation within them. What does this mean for the quest for “Global South theorizing?” In order to address this binary logic in the globalizing IR literature, I analyze the case of human security as an example of Global South theorizing. First, I disentangle the Western/Global South origins and inflection of the human security concept and find that there is Global South agency related to its conceptual development, but also Western inflections. Second, I examine and compare the apparent rejection of the concept in two regions of the Global South—Southeast Asia and Latin America—and find both similarities and differences in their disinterest in engaging with the concept. Curiously, the similarities lie in the positionality of these regions and their difference to the West. In this way, the article points to the danger of using these categories in a manner that reemphasizes binary logics and their constitutive effects, and it exposes the complexity regarding what we consider Global South and Global South theorizing.
Regional and Geographical Disparities in Body Mass Index (BMI) Among Chinese Older Adults: The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey
Authors: Lee Yen-Han , Liu Ching-Ti , Shelley Mack , Chang Yen-Chang
Published: June 2020

This study examined the regional and geographical disparities in body mass index (BMI) among Chinese older adults. Using panel data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, participants included 3,740 older adults (age ≥ 65 years) who answered all three waves of the survey (2009–2014). Sex-stratified and multistate Cox regression was used to examine the disparities in BMI change. Results showed that both older males and older females who resided in the central-south had lower rates of weight change from nonobese to obese, compared with those from the east. Older females from urban regions had higher rate of weight change from nonobese to obese, compared with rural participants (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.13, 1.60]; p < .01). However, there were no disparities between urban and rural areas among older males ( p > .05). These results provided practical implications for regional and geographical disparities in BMI among Chinese older adults.
Different Roles for VIP Neurons in the Neonatal and Adult Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
Authors: Mazuski Cristina , Chen Samantha P. , Herzog Erik D.
Published: June 2020

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) drives circadian rhythms in locomotion through coupled, single-cell oscillations. Global genetic deletion of the neuropeptide Vip or its receptor Vipr2 results in profound deficits in daily synchrony among SCN cells and daily rhythms in locomotor behavior and glucocorticoid secretion. To test whether this phenotype depends on vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) neurons in the SCN, we ablated VIP SCN neurons in vivo in adult male mice through Caspase3-mediated induction of the apoptotic pathway in cre-expressing VIP neurons. We found that ablation of VIP SCN neurons in adult mice caused a phenotype distinct from Vip- and Vipr2-null mice. Mice lacking VIP neurons retained rhythmic locomotor activity with a shortened circadian period, more variable onsets, and decreased duration of daily activity. Circadian hormonal outputs, specifically corticosterone rhythms, were severely dampened. In contrast, deletion of neonatal SCN VIP neurons dramatically reduced circadian gene expression in the cultured SCN, mimicking the effects of global deletion of Vip or Vipr2. These results suggest that SCN VIP neurons play a role in lengthening circadian period and stimulating the daily surge in glucocorticoids in adults and in synchronizing and sustaining daily rhythms among cells in the developing SCN.
Multiple Victimizations and Overdose Among Women With a History of Illicit Drug Use
Authors: Ataiants Janna , Mazzella Silvana , Roth Alexis M. , Robinson Lucy F. , Sell Randall L. , Lankenau Stephen E.
Published: June 2020

The experiences of violence and overdose are highly prevalent among women who use illicit drugs. This study sought to ascertain whether multiple victimizations during adulthood increase the frequency of women’s overdose. The sample comprised 218 women recruited at Philadelphia harm reduction sites during 2016–2017. Victimization was assessed as exposure to 16 types of adulthood violence. Three measures were constructed for multiple victimizations: continuous and categorical polyvictimization, and predominant violence domain. Negative binomial regression estimated the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of lifetime overdoses from multiple victimizations. Lifetime history of opioid use (88.6%) and drug injection (79.5%) were common. Among overdose survivors (68.5%), the median of lifetime overdoses was 3. The majority of participants (58.7%) were victims of predominantly sexual violence, 26.1% experienced predominantly physical abuse/assault, and 3.7% were victims of predominantly verbal aggression/coercive control. Participants reported a mean of seven violence types; the higher-score category of polyvictimization (9–16 violence types) comprised 41.7% of the total sample. In multivariable models, one-unit increase in continuous polyvictimization was associated with 4% higher overdose rates (IRR: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.00, 1.08]). Compared to women who were not victimized (11.5%), those in the higher-score category of polyvictimization (IRR: 2.01; 95% CI: [1.06, 3.80]) and exposed to predominantly sexual violence (IRR: 2.10, 95% CI: [1.13, 3.91]) were expected to have higher overdose rates. Polyvictimization and sexual violence amplified the risk of repeated overdose among drug-involved women. Female overdose survivors need to be screened for exposure to multiple forms of violence, especially sexual violence. Findings underscore the need to scale-up victimization support and overdose prevention services for disenfranchised women.
Emerging advancements in flame retardancy of polypropylene nanocomposites
Authors: Idumah Christopher Igwe
Published: June 2020

Polypropylene (PP) burns very rapidly due to its wholly aliphatic hydrocarbon structure. Studies have shown that the rapid decomposition and flammability of PP are very high when compared with wood and other cellulosic materials. This has limited the application of PP and necessitated the need to inculcate flame-retardant (FR) behaviour to PP to further widen its scope of application especially in areas where FR is paramount. With the advent of nanotechnology, increasing inclusion of FR nanofillers in PP has demonstrated propensity to repressing critical flammability parameters such as heat release rate, peak of heat release rate, rate of carbon monoxide production, smoke production rate and total mass loss rate while simultaneously increasing limiting oxygen index, time of ignition and total peak of heat release rate. This efficiently represses PP flammability and provides greater opportunity to minimize loss and risks to life in actual fire scenario through creation of equal layers of carbonaceous char in the condensed phase capable of suppressing the thermal decomposition caused by oxygen and heat to PP matrix, thus effectively cutting-off the fire path. This article reviews recent developments in FR of PP composites, nanocomposites and nano-biocomposites. Market structures are also presented.
Impossible Futures? The Ambivalent Temporalities of Grassroots Humanitarian Action
Authors: Vandevoordt Robin , Fleischmann Larissa
Published: June 2020

While humanitarian action is often criticised for its focus on immediate needs in the present, social movements and political activists are usually thought to work towards a different future. With this article, we aim to complicate these clear-cut distinctions. We investigate how grassroots initiatives supporting migrants navigate different temporalities, relating their actions both to the present and to the future. These interwoven temporalities, however, come with ambivalent political effects. Drawing on cases from Belgium and Germany, we show how they range from potentially shrinking grassroots’ power to intervene to opening windows of political possibility. On the one hand, we illustrate how grassroots initiatives in Belgium feel stuck in a temporal dilemma, when they are forced to focus on the present. On the other hand, initiatives in Belgium and Germany have nonetheless engaged in strategies of future-making, trying to bring about more structural changes to migrants’ living conditions.
Medical students’ attitudes and perceptions towards the effectiveness of mobile learning: A comparative information-need perspective
Authors: Zhang Xin , Lo Patrick , So Stuart , Chiu Dickson K.W. , Leung Tin Nok , Ho Kevin K.W. , Stark Andrew
Published: June 2020

The rapid development of information and communication technologies has revolutionized the lifestyles and learning practices of the younger population worldwide. Various new mobile platforms and forms of social media have been so pervasive and influential in the world of higher education that they have contributed much to the training of the next generation of medical professionals. As such, the current study aimed to compare the adoption of mobile learning amongst three groups of medical science students at the University of Hong Kong – namely, students majoring in Clinical Science, Chinese Medicine and Nursing. For this study, the authors used a questionnaire survey to collect a total of 150 responses. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation test and multiple regression analysis. The results from the study revealed that the students in the three different medical majors at the University of Hong Kong engaged with their mobile devices at slightly different levels. Although a few significant differences were found, Clinical Science students tended to have more diverse information needs and use their mobile devices for a variety of learning-related activities. In comparison, Chinese Medicine students indicated that they were less active users of mobile devices in terms of both learning and non-learning activities.
Bayesian nonparametric latent class model for longitudinal data
Authors: Koo Wonmo , Kim Heeyoung
Published: June 2020

Latent class models have been widely used in longitudinal studies to uncover unobserved heterogeneity in a population and find the characteristics of the latent classes simultaneously using the class allocation probabilities dependent on predictors. However, previous latent class models for longitudinal data suffer from uncertainty in the choice of the number of latent classes. In this study, we propose a Bayesian nonparametric latent class model for longitudinal data, which allows the number of latent classes to be inferred from the data. The proposed model is an infinite mixture model with predictor-dependent class allocation probabilities; an individual longitudinal trajectory is described by the class-specific linear mixed effects model. The model parameters are estimated using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The proposed model is validated using a simulated example and a real-data example for characterizing latent classes of estradiol trajectories over the menopausal transition using data from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation.
Disruptive Innovations, Fundamental Strength and Stock Winners: Implications for Stock Index Revisions
Authors: Agrawal Tarunika Jain , Sehgal Sanjay , Agrawal Rahul
Published: June 2020

Globally, disruptions driven by technological advancements are visible in the form of unicorns and declining lifespan of the index constituents. Sectors such as information technology, financial services, energy, consumer goods and automobile are found to be more prone to disruptive innovation. Assessing the financial strength of the incumbents is crucial to assess their strength to endure disruption. We construct a fundamental strength index (FSI) using 11 financial performance measures covering 7 key attributes, namely profitability, efficiency, solvency, liquidity, net investments, pursuance of innovation and entry barriers, over the 5-year period 2014–2019. FSI helps in categorizing stocks of National Stock Exchange (NSE) 200 universe as ‘A’ being the fundamentally strongest and ‘C’ being the weakest. Potential crossovers can take place between ‘C’ category stock in Nifty 50 (Next 50) and ‘A’ category stock belonging to the Next 50 (Nifty Midcap 100). The results show that the disruptor’s portfolio (Next 50 stocks) outperforms the incumbent’s portfolio (Nifty 50 constituents) with a return of 1.61 per cent vs 0.47 per cent. A similar observation holds true for the Next 50 and Nifty Midcap 100, with the disruptor’s portfolio surpassing the incumbent’s portfolio (return of 2.59% vs 0.44%). The study has significant implications for the policymakers, investors, companies and academicians.
Electronic Symptom Assessment in Children and Adolescents With Advanced Cancer Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Ward Jessica A. , Balian Chelsea , Gilger Elizabeth , Raybin Jennifer L. , Li Zhanhai , Montgomery Kathleen E.
Published: June 2020

Background/Purpose: Effective symptom assessment and management for children with advanced cancer undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is critical to minimize suffering. The purpose of this subanalysis was to compare feasibility of electronic data collection data and symptom prevalence, frequency, severity, and distress from children with advanced cancer undergoing HSCT with a non-HSCT cohort. Method: An abbreviated Pediatric Quality of Life and Evaluation of Symptoms Technology Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale was electronically administered every 2 weeks to children with advanced cancer. A subanalysis was conducted for the cohort of children who received autologous or allogeneic HSCT. Results: Forty-six participants completed 563 symptom assessments during the study. However, 11 of these 46 children received HSCT and completed 201 symptom assessments. The median age in the HSCT cohort was 12.7 years, 73% were female, and most children had a hematologic (45%) or solid tumor (45%) malignancy. Pain (35%), nausea (30%), sleeping difficulty (29%), and fatigue (22%) were the most commonly reported symptoms in children receiving HSCT. Children in the HSCT cohort had similar total, subscale, and individual symptom scores compared with children who did not receive HSCT. Certain domains of gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, lack of appetite, and diarrhea) were higher for children receiving HSCT compared with children with advanced cancer not receiving HSCT ( p < .05). Conclusion: Elicitation of patient-reported symptom experiences using electronic methods improves nurses’ understanding of the symptom experience for children with advanced cancer undergoing HSCT and may promote timely assessment and treatment of distressing symptoms.
Feasibility, Acceptability, and Clinical Implementation of an Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention to Address Psychological Well-Being in Children and Adolescents With Cancer
Authors: Tennant Michelle , McGillivray Jane , Youssef George J. , McCarthy Maria C. , Clark Tara-Jane
Published: June 2020

Objective: Virtual reality (VR), a novel and highly immersive technology, offers promise in addressing potential psychological impacts of cancer treatments and hospitalization. The primary aim of this study was to examine multiple key user perspectives on the acceptability and feasibility of an Immersive VR therapeutic intervention for use with hospitalized patients with cancer. Secondary aims were to identify issues and opportunities related to the adoption and clinical implementation of VR in pediatric oncology settings. Method: The study was conducted at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Melbourne, Australia. Thirty multidisciplinary oncology health care professionals participated in an initial test of VR intervention usability (Stage 1). Ninety oncology inpatients (7-19 years) and their parent caregivers participated in a pilot randomized controlled study to examine the effectiveness of an Immersive VR therapeutic intervention (Stage 2). This mixed methods study reports Stages 1 and 2 quantitative and qualitative data related to VR feasibility and acceptability. Results: Results indicate favorable perceptions from health care professionals with respect to ease of use and usefulness of VR, and had positive intentions to use it in the future. Parent caregivers reported high acceptability of VR for their hospitalized child. Patients reported high satisfaction of the VR intervention within minimal adverse effects. Barriers and facilitators to VR use with seriously ill children and specific recommendations for content development were elicited. Conclusion: This study shows that there are several potential clinical uses for Immersive VR intervention, beyond medical procedural distraction, to support psychological adjustment to hospitalization and patient quality of life.
Integrating Mindfulness Into Leadership Development
Authors: Sanyal Chandana , Rigg Clare
Published: June 2020

In this article, we illustrate how ideas and practices of mindfulness can be integrated into management education, drawing from our work on postgraduate programs run with working managers. Our purpose is particularly to show how mindfulness can be introduced into the curriculum in a way that is acceptable for participants and clients, and brings benefit to participants. Following a brief review of literature on mindfulness in organizations, we share the curriculum innovation we designed and provide detail of its effectiveness derived from our follow-up evaluation.
A Multidimensional Measure of Responsible Leadership: Integrating Strategy and Ethics
Authors: Agarwal Swati , Bhal Kanika T.
Published: June 2020

Research on leadership generally discusses the normative and strategic perspectives of leadership separately. However, in the context of stakeholder theory and corporate sustainability, researchers and practitioners have called for the integration of these two seemingly disparate perspectives to create a hybrid leadership framework. In this regard, theoretical work on responsible leadership (RL) combines the disciplines of ethics and strategy to propose integrative behaviors. Nonetheless, RL mostly has been explored as a one-dimensional concept with stakeholder welfare as the focus. Although this aspect is salient, leaders must display other ethical and strategic behaviors to respond to the changing demands of business. Therefore, we combine such behaviors into one RL framework. Through a strategic lens, we define the first two dimensions of RL as sustainable growth focus and multistakeholder consideration. Furthermore, these goal-setting behaviors are looked upon as genuine when they depend on leaders’ ethical behaviors. Therefore, we consider ethical leadership to be an inherent part of RL through the dimensions of the moral person and moral manager. Across four quantitative studies, we test the construct validity of the suggested four-factor structure of RL as well as its ability to predict relevant organizational outcomes such as individual followers’ moral courage and citizenship behaviors toward stakeholders.
Cerebral Hemangioblastoma Without Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome: A Report of 6 Cases
Authors: Qu Limei , Lv Chuanqi , Ji Tiefeng , Wang Yinping , Yu Jinlu
Published: June 2020

Background. Hemangioblastoma occurs mainly in the cerebellum and rarely in the cerebrum. Objective. The present study aimed to analyze the clinical manifestations and radiological and pathological features of cerebral hemangioblastoma, and to improve the recognition of this tumor and avoid misdiagnosis. Methods. The characteristics of 6 patients with cerebral hemangioblastoma were analyzed, and a retrospective review of cerebral hemangioblastoma reported in the literature was performed. Results. All 6 patients were female, aged from 22 to 70 years (55 years on average), and all cases were wild-type sporadic, in which 4 cases occurred in the frontal lobe and 2 cases occurred in the parietal lobe. Imaging revealed a solid tumor in 4 cases, a cystic tumor in 1 case, and a mixed tumor in 1 case. Microscopically, the morphology and immunophenotype of tumor cells were not different from those of classical hemangioblastoma. All 6 patients survived tumor free during the follow-up period. Conclusions. Cerebral hemangioblastoma often simulates the imaging characteristics of meningioma or glioma. Enough attention should be paid to differential diagnosis before the operation, and exact diagnosis relies on the pathological examination.
Pancreatic Endocrine Heterotopia Involving Meckel’s Diverticulum: A Potential Mimic of Neuroendocrine Tumor
Authors: Rowan Daniel J. , Zhang Lizhi , Logunova Valentina
Published: June 2020

Pancreatic heterotopia most commonly occurs in the upper gastrointestinal tract, but can occur in other sites, including Meckel’s diverticulum. When multiple histologic elements of the pancreatic tissue (acini, ducts, and endocrine cells) are present, the diagnosis is typically straightforward. In this article, we report a rare case of pure endocrine pancreatic heterotopia involving a Meckel’s diverticulum, a potential mimic of a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. Several features were useful in making the distinction, including lack of desmoplasia and mass forming lesion, and immunohistochemical staining in a physiological pattern similar to that of islets of Langerhans. It is important for pathologists to be aware of this entity and its features to avoid misdiagnosis of a neuroendocrine tumor.
Comparison of Total Ankle Arthroplasty and Ankle Arthrodesis in End-Stage Hemophilic Arthropathy
Authors: Ahn Jungtae , Yoo Myung Chul , Seo Jeunghwan , Park Moonsu , Jeong Bi O
Published: June 2020

Background:

Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) can result in excellent outcomes in patients with end-stage arthritis, but most patients with end-stage hemophilic ankle arthropathy (ESHAA) still undergo ankle arthrodesis (AA). The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical and radiological results of TAA and AA for ESHAA.

Methods:

A total of 29 cases (16 TAAs and 13 AAs) of painful ESHAA were included. For clinical outcome evaluation, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Foot Function Index (FFI), and range of motion (ROM) were analyzed. Postoperative clinical and radiological complications were also analyzed. The mean duration of follow-up was 6.8 ± 3.0 years. The mean age was 44.1 ± 9.9 years.

Results:

The VAS for pain was significantly improved from 5.5 ± 2.3 to 0.9 ± 1.2 ( P < .001). The FFI scale was significantly improved from 61.6% ± 15.5% to 16.6% ± 15.4% ( P < .001). In FFI disability and activity subscales, the TAA group exhibited meaningful outcomes relative to those of the AA group ( P = .012 and .036, respectively). The total ROM in the TAA group changed from 30.8 ± 12.6 degrees to 37.3 ± 12.8 degrees at final follow-up ( P = .090). Three cases of osteolysis and 1 case of heterotopic ossification were noted in the TAA group. No cases of nonunion were noted in the AA group. Progressive arthrosis of adjacent joints after AA was observed in 1 case.

Conclusion:

Both TAA and AA in ESHAA exhibited significant improvement in pain based on VAS and FFI scales. Compared to AA, TAA resulted in superior outcomes in FFI disability and activity subscales, suggesting that TAA may be considered as a surgical option alongside AA for ESHAA.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Effects of a Consensus-Based Pulmonary Embolism Treatment Algorithm and Response Team on Treatment Modality Choices, Outcomes, and Complications
Authors: Melamed Roman , St. Hill Catherine A. , Engstrom Bjorn I. , Tierney David M. , Smith Claire S. , Agboto Vincent K. , Weise Brynn E. , Eckman Peter M. , Skeik Nedaa
Published: June 2020

Pulmonary embolism (PE) treatment depends on disease severity and risk of complications. Physician and institutional expertise may influence the use of reperfusion therapy (RT) such as systemic thrombolysis (SL) and catheter-directed interventions (CDI). We aimed to investigate the effects of a consensus-based treatment algorithm (TA) and subsequent implementation of PE response team (PERT) on RT modality choices and patient outcomes. A cohort of PE patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital between 2012 and 2017 was retrospectively evaluated. Demographics, clinical variables, RT selections, and patient outcomes during 3 consecutive 2-year periods (baseline, with TA, and with TA+PERT) were compared. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. A total of 1105 PE patients were admitted, and 112 received RT. Use of RT increased from 4.7% at baseline to 8.2% and 16.1% during the TA and TA+PERT periods. The primary RT modality transitioned from CDI to SL, and reduced-dose SL became most common. Treatment selection patterns remained unchanged after PERT introduction. Hospital length of stay decreased from 4.78 to 2.96 and 2.81 days ( P < .001). Most of the hemorrhagic complications were minor, and their rates were similar across all 3 periods and between SL and CDI. No major hemorrhages occurred in patients treated with reduced-dose SL. In conclusion, TA and PERT represent components of a decision support system facilitating treatment modality selection, contributing to improved outcomes, and limiting complications. Treatment algorithm emerged as a factor providing consistency to PERT recommendations.
Procalcitonin as a Marker of Comorbid Atrial Fibrillation in Chronic Kidney Disease and History of Sepsis
Authors: Bontekoe Jack , Bansal Vinod , Lee Justin , Syed Mushabbar , Hoppensteadt Debra , Maia Paula , Walborn Amanda , Liles Jeffrey , Vasaiwala Smit , Fareed Jawed
Published: June 2020

Cardiovascular disease and infection are the leading causes of mortality in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis (CKD5-HD). Inflammation is a large component in the pathogenesis of both atrial fibrillation (AF) and sepsis and may link these conditions in CKD5-HD. Procalcitonin (PCT) is an inflammatory biomarker elevated in systemic infection and CKD5-HD, yet its value with regard to comorbid AF has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study sought to evaluate circulating inflammatory markers, including PCT, Angiopoietin-1, Angiopoetin-2, CD40-L, C-reactive protein, d-dimer, and von Willebrand factor in relation to these conditions. Plasma levels of inflammatory markers were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method in CKD5-HD (n = 97) patients and controls (n = 50). Procalcitonin levels were significantly elevated ( P = .0270) in CKD5-HD with comorbid AF compared to those without AF. Further analysis of patients with a history of sepsis demonstrated significantly elevated levels of PCT ( P = .0405) in those with comorbid AF (160.7 ± 39.5 pg/mL) compared to those without AF (117.4 ± 25.3 pg/mL). This study demonstrates that the inflammatory biomarker PCT is further elevated in the presence of both AF and a history of sepsis in hemodialysis patients and suggests that underlying chronic inflammation following sepsis resolution may place these patients at greater risk of developing AF.
Numerical solution for fractional optimal control problems by Hermite polynomials
Authors: Yari Ayatollah
Published: June 2020

In this study, a numerical method based on Hermite polynomial approximation for solving a class of fractional optimal control problems is presented. The order of the fractional derivative is taken as less than one and described in the Caputo sense. Operational matrices of integration by using such known formulas as Caputo and Riemann–Liouville operators for computing fractional derivatives and integration of polynomials is introduced and used to reduce the problem of a system of algebraic equations. The convergence of the proposed method is analyzed, and the error upper bound for the operational matrix of the fractional integration is obtained. To confirm the validity and accuracy of the proposed numerical method, three numerical examples are presented along with a comparison between our numerical results and those obtained using Legendre polynomials. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the new technique.
Control effect on deep cavity noise by slanted walls at low Mach numbers
Authors: Guo Zhifei , Liu Peiqing , Guo Hao
Published: June 2020

Experimental and numerical studies on noise radiated by flow past a rectangular two-dimensional deep cavity with passive control are conducted to research the mechanism of cavity noise reduction at low Mach numbers. The clean cavity has a depth-to-length ratio of 1.5 and a width-to-length ratio of 3. The passive control method is used by slanting the front and rear walls. Using acoustic microphones, both the surface noise and far-field noise are tested in an aeroacoustic wind tunnel. It is observed that the slanted rear wall can suppress the noise effectively, but for the slanted front wall, the tones will be enhanced at some velocities. Numerical simulation is conducted to reveal the mechanism. The results reveal that the slanted rear wall can reflect the unsteadiness back to the shear layer and break up the vortices in it. These vortexes will diffuse after impacting the rear wall and prevent the perturbation from moving deeper, which brings a stable flow field into the cavity. As for the slanted front wall, the vortices will be enlarged and become accelerated in the shear layer, which makes the impingement of it to the rear wall more intense, thus leading to an increase in the noise level.
Spatial Correlates of Gun Deaths in Harris County, Texas
Authors: Levine Ned , Drake Stacy A. , Reynolds Thomas F. , Yang Yijiong , Wolf Dwayne A. , Persse David , Wade Charles E. , Holcomb John B.
Published: June 2020

Firearm homicide and suicide deaths for 2014 were examined in Harris County, Texas, for spatial variation and socio-economic correlates. Higher firearm homicide rates were found closer to central Houston than firearm suicide rates. Local hot spots were identified for both types but overlapped at only two locations. A Poisson–Gamma–Exposure regression model showed the homicide rate was associated with higher percentages of persons who are Black, aged 15 to 29 years, and living in poverty whereas the suicide rate was associated with a higher percentage of persons of non-Hispanic White ethnicity. Firearm policies that reduce homicides may also reduce suicides.
Evaluation of whisker stress in cats
Authors: Slovak Jennifer E , Foster Taylor E
Published: June 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine if cats fed from a commercially advertised whisker-friendly dish vs their normal food dish would spend more time at the food dish, eat more and drop less food.

Methods

Forty indoor cats were enrolled in the study. Owners fasted their cats for 12 h and fed them their normal measured amount of dry food in their normal dish. Owners filmed their cats eating for up to 5 mins, and measured how much food was eaten and dropped from the dish. Owners then switched to feeding their cats from a whisker-friendly dish for a 7-day transition period. Following this transition, owners were instructed to fast their cats for 12 h and then feed them their normal food from the new dish and film them eating, as previously described. The following day the owners offered food in both dishes to determine their cat’s preference.

Results

No evidence was found that eating from the whisker-friendly dish increased the amount of time spent eating ( P = 0.8), decreased the amount of food dropped ( P = 0.9) or increased the amount of food eaten ( P = 0.7). The estimated probability for the cats to prefer the whisker-friendly dish was 0.74 with a 95% confidence interval.

Conclusions and relevance

Cats fed from a whisker-friendly dish did not spend more time eating, drop less food or eat more food in a 5-min period. Some cats appeared to prefer the new whisker-friendly dish over their normal food dish. Overall, food dish-associated whisker stress did not affect the eating habits of the study cats.
Law and order of modern ophthalmology: Teleophthalmology, smartphones legal and ethics
Authors: Shahbaz Rawan , Salducci Mauro
Published: June 2020

In recent years, new technologies used in the field of ophthalmology have been emerging and developing rapidly. Two major aspects of these advancements are teleophthalmology and smartphones, which have enabled practitioners to achieve optimal outcomes in record time with minimal costs. Several rules and regulations have been applied to these technologies in order to frame them under the appropriate medico-legal ethics, and specialized committees have been dedicated to maintaining their efficacy and avoiding shortcomings. In addition multiple studies and case reports conducted worldwide have assessed them according to specific diseases or global concerns. This review article constitutes an up-to date account of almost all of the applications and medico-legal perspectives of technologies used in ophthalmology in order to summarize and better visualize their advantages and disadvantages.
Iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens explantation
Authors: Duignan Emma S , Quigley Clare , Treacy Maxwell P , Aldouri Azher , O’Keefe Michael
Published: June 2020

Background/aims:

To evaluate the visual outcomes and indication for surgery in a series of patients who underwent explantation of a phakic intraocular lens (PIOL).

Methods:

A retrospective case series of patients who underwent PIOL explantation in our institution was performed. The indication for explantation and visual and refractive outcomes were examined. The method of explantation is described.

Results:

Twenty-two eyes of 16 patients underwent PIOL explantation with a mean time to explantation of 7 ± 3 years (range 3–11.4). The mean age at explantation was 50.3 ± 9.3 years. Sixteen Artisan PIOLs and six Artiflex PIOLs were explanted. The indications for explanation were cataract development (17/22), endothelial cell loss (4/22) and synechiae formation (1/22). All patients with cataract underwent a combined procedure with explantation and phacoemulsification and the placement of a posterior chamber IOL. Mean corrected vision after explantation was 0.22 ± 0.10 logMAR (range 0.1–0.3 logMAR). One patient with endothelial cell loss required a Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK).

Conclusion:

Removal of PIOLs was necessitated most frequently by cataract followed by endothelial cell loss. Both explantation alone and explantation with concurrent phacoemulsification are safe procedures with good visual outcomes and will become more frequent in the future as more patients with PIOLs reach cataractous age.
Multiple deep tissue cultures in primary total hip arthroplasty: prognostic value for periprosthetic infection
Authors: Ferro Fernando P , Bessa Felipe S , Miyahara Hélder , Ejnisman Leandro , Vicente Jose RN , Croci Alberto T
Published: June 2020

Background:

The risk of infection after total hip replacement (THR) is significant, with negative impact on quality of life and high costs. Bacteria can contaminate the surgical site despite aseptic techniques; however, there is debate regarding the benefit of identifying bacteria during the primary procedure. Although taking multiple samples for culture is a well-established practice in revision arthroplasty, doing so in primary cases remains controversial. We aimed to investigate whether there is a prognostic value in the culture of samples taken during primary THR, seeking a correlation between the positivity of the cultures and subsequent prosthetic joint infection (PJI).

Methods:

Deep samples (capsule, femoral and acetabular bone) were collected from 426 patients undergoing elective primary THR. Follow-up was at least 3 years. Microbiological profiles of cultures were analysed. Patient data were reviewed for the identification of risk factors presumably associated with a higher risk of PJI.

Results:

54 surgeries (12.6%) had positive cultures. 16 cases (3.8%) developed infection, of which 5 had a positive culture in the primary surgery. Infection rate was 9.3% in patients with positive culture and 3% in those with negative culture ( p < 0.05), with an odds ratio of 3.34 (95% CI, 1.09–10.24). Patients with previous hip surgery had an infection rate of 8.5%, compared to 2.9% in patients with no previous surgery ( p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Routinely harvesting microbiologic samples in primary THR is not justified, as it has no consequence in clinical decision for most patients. It might be recommended in selected cases that are suspected to be at high risk for infection, especially previously operated patients (conversion arthroplasty).
The Effect of Nail Lacquer on Taxane-Induced Nail Changes in Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Alshari Osama , Aleshawi Abdelwahab , Al Sharie Ahmed H , Msameh Ala’a , Al-Omari Isra , Msameh Renad , Almegdadi Abdallah , Albals Dima
Published: June 2020

Objective:

Taxane-induced nail changes are considered as an important cosmetic manifestation with an incidence that reaches up to 44% of patients treated with taxane-included therapeutic regimens. In this article, we represent a clinical observational study to evaluate the effect of cosmetic nail lacquer on taxane-induced nail changes in female patients diagnosed with breast cancer.

Methods:

Prospectively, we identified those women who were diagnosed with breast cancer, scheduled to have AC-Taxol protocol. Any female with previous dermatological or systemic disorders that affect nails was excluded from the study. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on the utilization of nail lacquer. The first group includes women who started to use the nail lacquer after development of nail changes. The second group comprises those women who did not use the nail lacquer at any occasion.

Results:

A total of 59 female patients were included in the study; 46 (78%) of them developed nail changes and the main change was nail discoloration. The first group which has used nail lacquer (17, 28.8%) showed an improvement among 15 (78.9%) patients, whereas 2 (7.4%) of them continued to have worsening symptoms. On the contrary, most of the second group (25, 92.9%) did not show any improvement in nail changes. A statistical significance between the tested groups was observed ( P = .000). There is no statistical association between the progression of nail changes and the age of patients.

Conclusions:

Taxane-induced nail changes are considered as an important clinical, cosmetic, and psychological complication, especially for female patients with cancer. This article suggests that nail lacquer may have an effect in the improvement of nail changes, especially nail discoloration. Further investigations are recommended to prove the efficacy of nail lacquer.
Appraisement of PM10 Concentrations at Residential Areas Influenced by Informal E-Waste Dismantling Activity, Buriram Province, Thailand
Authors: Prueksasit Tassanee , Chanthahong Siriwipha , Kanghae Yatima
Published: June 2020

The PM10 contributed in the e-waste dismantling community at Banmaichaiyaphot District, Buriram Province, was investigated due to the e-waste dismantling houses randomly located neighboring non-e-waste dismantling houses. The sampling was performed at non- and e-wastes dismantling houses and compared with the reference house in Daengyai subdistrict. The 24-hour average outdoor PM10 concentrations (81.957 ± 18.724 μg/m3) at e-waste dismantling sites were higher than those of the non-e-waste dismantling houses (80.943 ± 32.740 μg/m3) and control house (36.717 ± 19.516 μg/m3). The 24-hour average indoors PM10 concentrations of the e-waste dismantling houses (116.171 ± 64.635 μg/m3) showed higher concentrations than those of the non-e-waste dismantling (113.637 ± 64.641 μg/m3) and reference house (70.907 ± 22.464 μg/m3), but there were no statistically significant differences ( P > .05). Both indoor and outdoor PM10 concentrations between non- and e-waste dismantling houses did not have significant differences, whereas those of non- and e-waste dismantling houses were significantly higher than that of the reference house locating approximately 5 km away. The positive correlation between indoor and outdoor concentrations of non- and e-waste dismantling houses was satisfactory significant with the r of .613 and .825, respectively. The results indicate that the existing indoor PM10 of either non- or e-waste dismantling houses could result from neighborhood e-waste dismantling.
Bevacizumab-Induced Pneumonitis in a Patient With Metastatic Colon Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Pervaiz Sami , Homsy Sylvester , Narula Naureen , Ngu Sam , Elsayegh Dany
Published: June 2020

Bevacizumab is a vascular endothelial growth factor–directed humanized monoclonal antibody used to treat many types of cancer and some eye diseases. Due to inhibition of angiogenesis, many adverse reactions such as bowel necrosis, nasal septal perforation, and renal thrombotic microangiopathy have been described. However, its association with interstitial pneumonitis is scarcely reported in the literature. We report a case of a 79-year-old woman with metastatic colon cancer who presented with cough and dyspnea on exertion the day after initiation of bevacizumab. She was found to have bilateral airspace opacities on imaging. Infectious and cardiogenic etiologies of dyspnea were ruled out. Due to the temporal relationship with the initiation of chemotherapy, she was suspected to have developed bevacizumab-induced interstitial pneumonitis. She improved rapidly with high-dose steroids. Follow-up imaging showed resolution of infiltrates. This is the first reported case in the literature that directly links bevacizumab to interstitial pneumonitis.
Comparison of Vancomycin Pharmacokinetics in Cystic Fibrosis Patients Pre and Post-lung Transplant
Authors: White Shannon , Sakon Colleen , Fitzgerald Linda , Kam Charissa , McDade Erin , Wong Alanna
Published: June 2020

Background:

Vancomycin is commonly used to treat acute cystic fibrosis (CF) exacerbations associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Multiple studies have demonstrated pharmacokinetic differences of antimicrobials in the CF population. Very little data exist regarding pharmacokinetics postlung transplant, but 2 studies have noted changes in tobramycin pharmacokinetics. No such studies exist evaluating vancomycin in CF patients postlung transplant.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort review of CF patients who underwent lung transplantation and received vancomycin pre- and posttransplant was conducted. CF patients who underwent transplant between 2007 and 2016 at 4 medical centers throughout the United States were included. The primary endpoint was the change in elimination rate constant. The secondary endpoints were subgroup analyses of patients grouped by age, time posttransplant, and number of nephrotoxic medications.

Results:

A total of 25 patients were included, of which just under half were pediatric. Patients were significantly older and heavier posttransplant and had higher serum creatinine and number of nephrotoxic medications. The change in elimination rate constant from pre- to posttransplant was −0.50 hr−1 which was statistically significant ( P < .001). This significant decrease was consistent among all subgroups of patients evaluated with the exception of pediatric patients.

Conclusion:

Vancomycin pharmacokinetics are significantly altered in CF patients in the posttransplant setting as evidenced by a decrease in elimination rate constant. This decrease may be related to a decrease in renal clearance and higher numbers of nephrotoxic medications posttransplant. Regardless, pretransplant vancomycin regimens may not predict appropriate posttransplant regimens.