bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of hypoxia-inducible factors-1α and -2α and erythroferrone on hepcidin in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3–5 and renal anemia
Authors: Hong Jianghuai , Lai Jingjing , Chen Xiaoying , Yan Yan , Hong Yanyan , Ke Hailun , Zheng Jing
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α), and erythroferrone (ERFE) on hepcidin in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3–5 and renal anemia.

Methods

A total of 90 patients with CKD stages 3–5 and renal anemia were selected for the study at the Nephrology Department of Fujian Provincial People’s Hospital and divided into three groups, according to CKD stage, while another 30 healthy subjects who underwent a physical examination at the hospital during the same period were selected as the normal group. The serum levels of hepcidin, HIF-1α, HIF-2α, ERFE, and furin were measured using an avidin biotin peroxidase complex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to compare the differences between the groups in the related indicators.

Results

① Serum HIF-2α, HIF-1α, ERFE, and furin levels increased gradually in the patients with CKD stages 3–5 ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01). ②Simple correlation analysis:Serum hepcidin was positively correlated with HIF-2α, ERFE, and HIF-1α in the CKD patients ( p < 0.01). ③Serum hepcidin was positively correlated with HIF-2α, HIF-1α, and ERFE in the CKD patients injected with erythropoietin (EPO) ( p < 0.01), while serum hepcidin was positively correlated with HIF-2α and HIF-1α ( p < 0.01) in the patients not injected with EPO. ④ Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that HIF-1α, (β = 4.36, p < 0.01), serum ferritin(SF) (β = 0.13, p < 0.01), and HIF-2α (β = 0.66, p < 0.01) were significantly correlated with hepcidin.

Conclusion

HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and SF are factors which have an effect on hepcidin in patients with CKD stages 3–5 and renal anemia. The increase of HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and ERFE does not seem to inhibit the increase of hepcidin.
Identification of the communication time demands of educational leaders
Authors: Hochbein Craig
Published: May 2022

Email has become a prominent communication tool for principals. Although principals have reported benefits of communicating via email, they have also indicated that it has intensified their workload. Specifically, principals have indicated that they receive a large volume of email, which contributes to extending and fragmenting their workdays. From actual email records, this study examined how email contributed to principal time demands and time use. Results indicated that the sample of principals received a substantial amount of email, which occurred during an extensive portion of the day, and also intensified during instructional hours. The comparisons of the timing of email activity revealed that principals experienced similar time demands from email, but used their time differently to address the demands. In addition, the email activities of principals exhibited descriptive differences from school district leaders. The findings indicated the need for more studies of principals’ email activities and the time demands of principals, as well as suggested the need for principal preparation programs to provide specific training related to email and other such information technology.
Temporal measures of modern slavery victimisation
Authors: Lightowlers Carly , Broad Rose , Gadd David
Published: May 2022

This article examines police data to assess the duration for which different groups of victims of modern slavery endured exploitation and the length of time after their exploitation concluded before it was officially recorded. The article proposes that these measures of modern slavery victimisation can provide important insights into temporal dimensions of the problem and how best to intervene. Reference to current numbers of victims ‘rescued’, it is argued, can be misleading given the proportion of belated reports of exploitation. These are more indicative of systemic failures in the provision of statutory services that young and vulnerable people hesitate to call upon in the context of an increasingly hostile immigration environment.
Level of agreement and reliability of ADR encoder to monitor mean propulsive velocity during the bench press exercise
Authors: Moreno-Villanueva Adrián , Rico-González Markel , Pérez-Caballero Carlos Esteban , Rodríguez-Valero Guillermo , Pino-Ortega José
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and the level of agreement of the ADR encoder to measure the mean propulsive velocity (MPV) of the bar in the bench press (BP) exercise on the Smith machine. Eleven males (21.6 ± 1.5 years; body mass 76.05 ± 9.73 kg) performed the protocol with isometric phase prior to concentric muscle action (PP) and the protocol in the absence of isometric phase (N-PP) for BP exercise on Smith machine. ADR encoder reported reliability values with almost perfect correlations in all training zones and protocols (PP: ICC = 0.940–0.999, r = 0.899–0.997, CV = 1.56%–4.05%, SEM = 0.0022–0.0153,and MDC = 0.006–0.031 m/s; N-PP: ICC = 0.963–0.999, r = 0.946–0.998, CV = 0.70%–3.01%, SEM = 0.0012–0.0099, and MDC = 0.003–0.027 m/s). Although the levels of agreement were high in both protocols (PP: SEM = 0.0024–0.0204 m/s, MDC = 0.007–0.057 m/s; N-PP: SEM = 0.0034–0.0288 m/s, MDC = 0.009–0.080 m/s), ADR encoder considerably underestimated the MPV values in both protocols (PP: t = −2.239 to −9.486, p < 0.001–0.01; N-PP: t = −6.901 to −17.871, p < 0.001) with respect to the gold standard (T-Force). In conclusion, ADR encoder offers high reliability for the measurement of MPV in bench press exercise performed on Smith machine regardless of their execution mode, in the entire range of intensities. However, this device is not interchangeable with T-Force since it considerably underestimates the MPV values, especially at low loads (0%–40%). Furthermore, the use of too wide load ranges suggests that the data be interpreted with caution, pending further research to corroborate the findings presented.
Relationships between internal and external training load demands and match load demands in elite women volleyball players
Authors: Altundag Emre , Akyildiz Zeki , Lima Ricardo , Castro Henrique de Oliveira , Çene Erhan , Akarçeşme Cengiz , Miale Giovanni , Clemente Filipe Manuel
Published: May 2022

This study investigates the relationships between the internal and external load demands imposed on elite female volleyball players during training and matches. Fourteen elite female world champion volleyball league players participated in this study (mean ± standard deviation (SD); age, 22 ± 0.9 years; height, 195.1 ± 7.6 cm; body mass, 71.4 ± 6.3 kg). The research lasted for 10 months. Moderate positive relationships were found between match load and training load ( r = 0.48) and between high metabolic load distance (HMLD) in matches and HMLD in training ( r = 0.56). There were also strong positive relationships between local positioning system (LPS) recorded jumps in matches and during training (0.61), accelerations in matches and during training ( r = 0.72), and decelerations in matches and during training ( r = 0.68). A weak positive relationship was reported between training accelerations/decelerations and match accelerations/decelerations ( r = 0.28). The relationships between accelerations and decelerations in matches ( r = 0.92) and between accelerations and decelerations during training ( r = 0.90) were very strong. As a result, it is concluded that as the load, HMLD, jumps, accelerations, and decelerations values obtained during training increase, the values obtained in competitions also increase. The results of this study can help sports scientists and coaches understand the relationships between training and competition data obtained from electronic tracking devices.
Comprehensiveness, accuracy, quality, credibility and readability of online information about knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Goff Anthony J , Barton Christian J , Merolli Mark , Zhang Quah Andre Shi , Ki-Cheong Hoe Caleb , De Oliveira Silva Danilo
Published: May 2022

Background

People are increasingly using the Internet to retrieve health information about chronic musculoskeletal conditions, yet content can be inaccurate and of variable quality.

Objective

To summarise (i) comprehensiveness, (ii) accuracy and clarity, iii) quality of information about treatment choices, (iv) credibility and (v) readability of online information about knee osteoarthritis.

Method

Systematic appraisal of website content. Searches for “knee osteoarthritis” and “knee arthritis” were performed using Google and Bing (October 2020). The top 20 URLs of each search were screened for eligibility. Comprehensiveness, accuracy and clarity of content were matched against 14 pre-defined topic descriptors. DISCERN and HONcode were used to measure quality of information about treatment choices and website credibility, respectively. Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level tests were used to assess readability.

Results

Thirty-five websites were included. Websites were generally comprehensive (median, range = 12, 0–14/14) with descriptors available for 67% ( n = 330/490) of topics across all websites, but only 35% ( n = 116/330) were accurate and clear. Quality of information about treatment choices was generally low (median DISCERN score, range = 40, 16–56/80). Credibility descriptors were present for 65% ( n = 181/280) of items, with 81% ( n = 146/181) of descriptors being clear. Median Flesch reading ease was 53 (range = 21–74), and Flesch-Kincaid grade level was 8 (range = 5–11).

Conclusion

Few websites provide accurate and clear content aligned to key research evidence. Quality of information about treatment choices was poor, with large variation in comprehensiveness, credibility and readability.

Implications

Careful consideration is required by clinicians to identify what online information people with knee osteoarthritis have accessed and to address misinformed beliefs.
Treatment strategies for clozapine-induced hypotension: a systematic review
Authors: Tanzer Timothy David , Brouard Thomas , Pra Samuel Dal , Warren Nicola , Barras Michael , Kisely Steve , Brooks Emily , Siskind Dan
Published: May 2022

Background:

Clozapine is the most effective medication for treatment–refractory schizophrenia but is associated with significant adverse drug effects, including hypotension and dizziness, which have a negative impact on quality of life and treatment compliance. Available evidence for the management of clozapine-induced hypotension is scant.

Objectives:

Due to limited guidance on the safety and efficacy of pharmacological treatments for clozapine-induced hypotension, we set out to systematically review and assess the evidence for the management of clozapine-induced hypotension and provide guidance to clinicians, patients, and carers.

Design:

We undertook a systematic review of the safety and efficacy of interventions for clozapine-induced hypotension given the limited available evidence.

Data Sources and Methods:

PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane trial Registry were searched from inception to November 2021 for literature on the treatment strategies for clozapine-induced hypotension and dizziness using a PROSPERO pre-registered search strategy. For orthostatic hypotension, we developed a management framework to assist in the choice of intervention.

Results:

We identified nine case studies and four case series describing interventions in 15 patients. Hypotension interventions included temporary clozapine dose reduction, non-pharmacological treatments, and pharmacological treatments. Midodrine, fludrocortisone, moclobemide and Bovril® combination, and etilefrine were associated with improvement in symptoms or reduction in orthostatic hypotension. Angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin, and noradrenaline successfully restored and maintained mean arterial pressure in critical care situations. A paradoxical reaction of severe hypotension was reported with adrenaline use.

Conclusion:

Orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect during clozapine titration. Following an assessment of the titration schedule, salt and fluid intake, and review of hypertensive and nonselective α1-adrenergic agents, first-line treatment should be a temporary reduction in clozapine dose or non-pharmacological interventions. If orthostatic hypotension persists, fludrocortisone should be trialled with monitoring of potassium levels and sodium and fluid intake. Midodrine may be considered second-line or where fludrocortisone is contraindicated or poorly tolerated. For patients on clozapine with hypotension in critical care settings, the use of adrenaline to maintain mean arterial pressure should be avoided.

Registration:

PROSPERO (Registration No. CRD42020191530)
First-line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Sawhney Paramvir , Suyanto Suyanto , Michael Agnieszka , Pandha Hardev
Published: May 2022

Objectives:

To evaluate current first-line treatment strategies in advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and to review other promising treatments under investigations.

Materials and methods:

We reviewed all relevant pivotal first-line systemic therapy trials, and studies investigating the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy, metastectomy, and ablative radiotherapy in advanced or metastatic RCC.

Results:

In total we identified 21 relevant studies, investigating both systemic and non-systemic therapies, including treatments under investigations.

Conclusion:

Metastatic RCC (mRCC) is a highly heterogeneous disease that is notoriously difficult to treat, however, the discovery of novel targeted therapies over the past decade have revolutionised its management. The International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) is a prognostic model that is commonly used in both clinical trials and routine clinical care to risk-stratify patients with mRCC, which has helped with therapy selection for mRCC patients over the past decade. However, with an improved understanding of tumour biology and genetics, this has prompted a shift from cytokine therapy to receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and now to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs). Recent promising results from clinical studies with ICI combination treatments have transformed the treatment landscape for the management of intermediate- and poor- risk clear cell RCC, however, further research is still needed for favourable-risk, and non-clear cell patients.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable
Materialities of digital disease control in Taiwan during COVID-19
Authors: Perng Sung-Yueh
Published: May 2022

During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, a wide range of digital technologies and data analytics have been incorporated into pandemic response models globally, in the hope of better detecting, tracking, monitoring and containing outbreaks. This increased digital involvement in disease control has offered the prospect of heightened effectiveness in all of the above, but not without raising other concerns. This paper contributes to ongoing discussions of the digital transformation in disease control by proposing a materialist analysis of how such control has become operative and what its effects may be, both now and in the future. Using Taiwan's digital pandemic response as a case study, the paper explores specific ways in which material processes and arrangements have shaped digital measures, as well as the actions that rendered such measures operable, with their ensuing consequences. This analysis illustrates the importance of historical, material and technological specificities and contingencies to our understanding of how digital disease control takes a particular shape. It also demonstrates how shifting regimes of practice continually reconfigure the ways in which digital disease control functions. The paper argues that paying greater attention to the materialities of digital disease control can provide a more nuanced understanding of the complex ways in which society may be protected or harmed by its use, possibly simultaneously. It is hoped that such increased attentiveness may inform more considered and careful preparation for subsequent pandemics.
Stress-Buffering Effects of Mindfulness Programming for Adolescents in Schools During Periods of High- and Low-Stress
Authors: Helminen Emily C. , Zhang (张晓燕) Xiaoyan , Clawson Adam J. , Morton Melissa L. , Cary Emily L. , Sinegar Samantha E. , Janack Pamela , Felver Joshua C.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Stress is a risk factor for poor educational achievement and health. Mindfulness-based programming (MBP) is a viable technology for reducing stress, and Mindful Stress Buffering theory suggests that the benefits of MBP will be most pronounced during periods of high stress. This research details a replication of the MBP “Learning to BREATHE” in a racially diverse urban public high school during a period of relatively low stress (i.e., absence of high-stakes testing).

Design/Approach/Methods

Five classrooms ( n = 66) were randomly assigned by classroom to MBP or typical educational programming. Socioemotional attributes were measured pre–post-intervention. Data were contrasted with results from the initial project that occurred during a period of high stress (i.e., the presence of high-stakes testing).

Findings

Results indicate a failure to replicate significant intervention effects of MBP on socioemotional attributes. Results indicate that the original Felver et al.’s (2019) sample had higher self-reported stress than the current study's sample.

Originality/Value

These findings provide the first empirical data in support of the Mindful Stress Buffering theory among an adolescent sample, and this has implications for clinicians and researchers interested in utilizing MBP to support the wellbeing of student populations during other periods of high contextual stress (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic).
Psychometric and Gender Invariance Analysis of the Flourishing Scale in the Malaysian Context
Authors: Seok Chua Bee , Cosmas Getrude , Hashmi Shazia Iqbal , Ading Carmella
Published: May 2022

The Flourishing Scale is a new scale designed to measure psychological well–being. FS has been translated into more than 10 languages (e.g., Portuguese, Russian, Turki, Spanish, Egyptian, French, Chinses, Japanese, Malay, Urdu, and Persian). The psychometric analysis of the Flourishing Scale has not been explored in the Malaysian context. The aims of the current study were to examine the factor structure, reliability, concurrent validity (correlate with Satisfaction with Life Scale [SWLS] and Life Project Reflexivity Scale [LPRS]) of the Flourishing Scale (FS). The EFA was conducted to explore the factor structure of FS in the Malaysian context. Then, CFA was run to test the model fit of the FS in the Malaysian context. Test of measurement invariance was also conducted to ascertain the generalizability of the factor structure of FS across gender groups. A cross-sectional survey with 663 university students (435 female students and 228 male students) from a public university in Sabah, Malaysia was conducted. The EFA results revealed a single factor solution with a total explained variance of 68.31%. The CFA result also revealed a one-factor structure with all eight items loaded in one factor. The multi-group analysis of this model demonstrated invariance by gender. FS also demonstrated high reliability and good concurrent validity. The FS was positively and significantly correlated with Satisfaction with Life Scale scores, Life Project Reflexivity Scale score and its subscale. The results supported FS appears to be a valid measure of a flourishing state, and its utilities in the Malaysian context is proven, including gender comparisons.
A Review of the Role of Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Citizenship Behavior in Enhancing Corporate Sustainability: An Underpinning Role of Stern and Dietz’s Value Model
Authors: Hafeez Muhammad , Yasin Ida Md. , Zawawi Dahlia , Qureshi Naveed Akhtar , Hussain Syed Talib , Arif Muhammad
Published: May 2022

Organizations are under pressure to explore innovative sustainability practices that will enable organizations to handle the deteriorating issues of biodiversity and social inequality. Stern and Dietz’ model offered a set of values with which organizations can create sustainability. This study’s main purpose was to explore how Stern and Dietz’ model underpin the various dimensions of workplace spirituality and organizational citizenship behavior to accomplish corporate sustainability. To achieve the objective of the study, the previous literature was reviewed to construct a conceptual framework. This conceptual model is comprised of three phases egoistic, social altruistic, and biospheric. Based on prior literature, various dimensions of workplace spirituality and organizational citizenship behavior were underpinned to accomplish corporate sustainability. Even though this concept sets out basic guidelines. However relevant knowledge should be regarded in order to reconcile these steps in different instances. This article provides a systematic review of the Stern and Dietz value model to achieve various aspects of organizational sustainability. A constructive framework was developed to create corporate sustainability by incorporating workplace spirituality and organizational citizenship behavior into the context of the Stern Dietz’ value model. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed in this study.
Influence of Socio-emotional Wealth on Entrepreneurial Orientation in Family Firms: A Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Rodrigues Prajwala Preema , Pai Prasad Kochikar , Joshi Harisha G. , Prabhu Nandan
Published: May 2022

This article explores the effects of socio-emotional wealth on the family firms’ entrepreneurial orientation. The family firms aspire to attain economic goals and maintain family control and influence over their firms. These conflicting goals may become detrimental to their entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance. Against the background of the heterogeneity of family firms, this article deliberates on the effects of socio-emotional wealth on entrepreneurial orientation. This article has explored the research trajectories and themes of socio-emotional wealth and entrepreneurial orientation research discourse by adopting the methods of bibliometric analysis and systematic review research protocol. This article reviews the findings of the research discourse on the relationship between socio-emotional wealth and entrepreneurial orientation. In particular, this article inquires whether family firms’ entrepreneurial orientation decreases because they are concerned about preserving their socio-emotional wealth and, if so, under what conditions. This article also makes practical recommendations for using the desire to meet non-economic goals judiciously. This article provides insights into how family firms can change their business strategies to synthesize the much-needed entrepreneurial orientation to preserve their socio-emotional wealth.
Ruptured Ovarian Cyst Masking Diagnosis of Hernia Through Broad Ligament of Uterus: A Case Report
Authors: Agrawal Pankaj , Grab John T. , Howe Harold R. , Cross Kimberly
Published: May 2022

Small bowel obstruction is a common surgical emergency and frequent cause of hospitalization. Internal hernias account for less than 6% of all small bowel obstruction cases. Less frequently, hernias through the broad ligament of the uterus can occur and account for only 4-7% of total internal hernia cases. We report a case of a small bowel hernia through broad ligament of the uterus in a young female. Multiple diagnostic modalities suggested a ruptured ovarian cyst as the most probable cause for her abdominal pain. However, her symptoms were much more severe than an ovarian cyst would normally produce. Therefore, a diagnostic laparotomy was performed, which found a small intestine hernia through the left broad ligament of the uterus. The diagnosis of intestinal hernias, specifically through the broad ligament, is often delayed due to the infrequent occurrence, varied presentation, and difficulty of confirmation on computed tomography (CT) scan. Surgery is the gold standard for the diagnosis and treatment of internal hernias. This article draws attention toward a rare and potentially life-threatening cause of abdominal pain.
Dietary oily fish intake and progression of diffuse subcortical damage of vascular origin: A longitudinal prospective study in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Del Brutto Oscar H , Mera Robertino M , Del Brutto Victor J , Recalde Bettsy Y , Rumbea Denisse A , Sedler Mark J
Published: May 2022

Introduction:

Oily fish intake may reduce the progression of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) of presumed vascular origin due to their high content of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients. However, information on this relationship is limited. We aimed to assess the association between oily fish intake and WMH progression in older adults living in rural coastal Ecuador.

Methods:

Participants of the Atahualpa Project Cohort received baseline clinical interviews and brain MRIs. Oily fish intake was calculated at every annual door-to-door survey from enrollment to the end of the study. Individuals who also received a follow-up brain MRI were included. Poisson regression models were fitted to assess the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of WMH progression according to the amount of oily fish intake, after adjusting for demographics, level of education and traditional vascular risk factors.

Results:

The study included 263 individuals of Amerindian ancestry aged ⩾60 years (mean age: 65.7 ± 6.2 years; 57% women). The mean oily fish intake was 8.3 ± 4 servings per week. Follow-up MRIs demonstrated WMH progression in 103 (39%) individuals after a median follow-up of 6.5 years. A multivariate Poisson regression model showed an inverse relationship between oily fish intake and WMH progression (IRR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.84–0.95; p < 0.001). A similar model also revealed an inverse relationship between tertiles of oily fish intake and probabilities of WMH progression, which became significant when individuals allocated to the third tertile were compared to those in the first and second tertiles.

Conclusion:

Study results show an inverse relationship between the amount of oily fish intake and WMH progression in frequent fish consumers of Amerindian ancestry.
Addressing the Temporal Constraint in Sagittal Synostosis: Modification of the Extended Suturectomy Technique
Authors: Kurnik Nicole M. , Pflibsen Lacey R. , Howarth Ashley L. , Walton Mollie M. , Bristol Ruth E. , Beals Stephen P. , Shafron David H. , Singh Davinder J.
Published: May 2022

Introduction:

Numerous surgical techniques have been described for correction of sagittal synostosis. However, many do not address the often-persistent temporal constraint. To address the deformity, the endoscopic surgical technique used at this institution was modified to include frontal bone releasing osteotomies across the coronal sutures in the area of the temporal constraint. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early benefit of this technique.

Methods:

A retrospective review of electronic health records was performed for 31 consecutive patients who received frontal bone releasing osteotomies and 33 consecutive patients before frontal bone releasing osteotomies were initiated in May of 2015. Both cohorts were age matched and underwent the same postsurgical orthotic therapy protocol. The Whitaker classification system and a visual analog scale were used to evaluate for temporal constraint. Images were reviewed at 6 months after the postsurgical orthotic was removed.

Results:

Patients who received frontal bone releasing osteotomies had significantly improved Whitaker grade scores (1.27 vs 1.64, P < .05) and greater improvement in visual analog scores (39.97 vs 25.64, P < .05) compared with those who did not. Both ratings showed good interrater reliability.

Conclusions:

During the early postsurgical period, greater and more rapid improvement in the temporal constraint was seen in the group of patients who had additional frontal bone releasing osteotomies during the correction of sagittal synostosis. Longer-term follow-up is needed to evaluate maintenance of the improvement as relapse and poor growth in this area are known to occur.
Inside Inclusive Elementary Music Classrooms: Teachers and Their Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Brown Laura S. , Draper Ellary A. , Judith Jellison A.
Published: May 2022

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are frequently included in regular music classrooms, yet little is known about teachers’ and students’ classroom experiences. We sent a 35-question survey to all members of the National Association for Music Education who had identified themselves as elementary music teachers. We received a total of 569 responses; we analyzed the results from 441 who taught in the United States and who completed the entire survey. Most teachers were positive about including students with ASD and confident in teaching them. Teachers who expressed greater confidence in teaching students with ASD had more instruction related to special education during their undergraduate preparation and collaborated with more professionals in their school settings. Teachers reported that students with ASD were included in most of the regular music curriculum, and interactions with classmates were reported to be positive. Implications for teacher preparation, collaboration, and students’ music learning are discussed.
Implications of COVID-19 for future travel behaviour in the rural periphery
Authors: Nelson John D. , Caulfield Brian
Published: May 2022

Background

The design, management and operation of transport systems is a complex activity and this has only been exacerbated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Concern has been raised over the likelihood of the public transport sector surviving in some locations given the significant drops in patronage; this is especially so in rural environments where the existing provision was already limited. Furthermore, within the growing literature on the impact of COVID-19 on travel behaviour most of the focus is on urban areas with little documented experience of how rural travel behaviour has been impacted.

Purpose

This paper investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the transport sector and travel behaviour in the rural periphery.

Methods

Drawing on the work of the International Transport Forum (ITF) Working Group on Innovative Mobility for the Periphery, augmented by additional evidence and findings from the literature, this paper addresses three specific questions: Firstly, how COVID-19 has affected rural mobility. Secondly, how we can plan for sustainable rural transport solutions in the post-COVID world. Thirdly, the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 with implications for mobility.

Results

There will be substantial impacts from COVID-19 on rural societies and while the short-term impacts have been negative, in the longer-term there may be opportunity for changed mobility behaviours (including in response to modified work and activity patterns). Evidence suggests that it would seem likely that there are opportunities to foster new rural mobility solutions to support sustainable mobility (including Mobility-as-a-Service) and counter the traditionally fragmented transport base; this will be important as we learn to live with COVID-19.

Conclusions

While recognising the impact of changing funding priorities and the possible shift in economic activity as a result of the pandemic we conclude with suggestions for future rural transport policy.
Functional analysis of PagNAC045 transcription factor that improves salt and ABA tolerance in transgenic tobacco
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Cheng Zihan , Fan Gaofeng , Yao Wenjing , Li Wei , Chen Sixue , Jiang Tingbo
Published: May 2022

Background

Salt stress causes inhibition of plant growth and development, and always leads to an increasing threat to plant agriculture. Transcription factors regulate the expression of various genes for stress response and adaptation. It’s crucial to reveal the regulatory mechanisms of transcription factors in the response to salt stress.

Results

A salt-inducible NAC transcription factor gene PagNAC045 was isolated from Populus alba×P. glandulosa. The PagNAC045 had a high sequence similarity with NAC045 (Potri.007G099400.1) in P. trichocarpa, and they both contained the same conserved motifs 1 and 2, which constitute the highly conserved NAM domain at the N-terminus. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) prediction showed that PagNAC045 potentially interacts with many proteins involved in plant hormone signaling, DNA-binding and transcriptional regulation. The results of subcellular localization and transient expression in tobacco leaves confirmed the nuclear localization of PagNAC045. Yeast two-hybrid revealed that PagNAC045 protein exhibits transcriptional activation property and the activation domain located in its C-terminus. In addition, the 1063 bp promoter of PagNAC045 was able to drive GUS gene expression in the leaves and roots. In poplar leaves and roots, PagNAC045 expression increased significantly by salt and ABA treatments. Tobacco seedlings overexpressing PagNAC045 exhibited enhanced tolerance to NaCl and ABA compared to the wild-type (WT). Yeast one-hybrid assay demonstrated that a bHLH104-like transcription factor can bind to the promoter sequence of PagNAC045.

Conclusion

The PagNAC045 functions as positive regulator in plant responses to NaCl and ABA-mediated stresses.
Influence of different regimens of volumetric therapy on perioperative intestinal flora in the surgical patients with pancreas tumor, a randomized controlled trial study
Authors: Lu Xiaojian , Wang Ying , Luo Yan , Yu Buwei
Published: May 2022

Background

It is not clear whether the perioperative intestinal microenvironment of patients undergoing pancreatic tumor surgery is affected by intraoperative fluid therapy.

Method

Fifty-eight patients who underwent a confined excision of pancreas mass at this center were enrolled. The patients were grouped according to the random number table in these two groups: the liberal fluid infusion (LFI) group and the goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) group. Perioperative anesthesia management was carried out by the same team of anesthesiologists according to a preset anesthetic protocol. Fecal samples were collected twice: within 2 days before the surgery and at 6 to 8 days postoperatively. The collected fecal samples were sequenced through microbial diversity high-throughput 16 s-rDNA; and the differential changes of intestinal flora were analyzed.

Results

Main components of flora in the sample were significantly different between LFI and GDFT groups. As shown by the difference in species, in GDFT group, more constituent bacteria participated in the metabolism inside human body and the restoration of coagulation function, including: prevotella, roseburia, lachnospiracea, dialister and clostridium (P < 0.05); in LFI group, more constituent bacteria were opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, including: enterococcus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and acinetobacter baumannii (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

For surgical patients with pancreas tumor, there are significant differences of intestinal flora in diversity between GDFT and LFI. GDFT seems to play a more important role in protection and restoration of intestinal flora.

Clinical trial registration

ChiCTR2000035187.
COVID-19 in Japan, January–March 2020: insights from the first three months of the epidemic
Authors: Imai Natsuko , Gaythorpe Katy A. M. , Bhatia Sangeeta , Mangal Tara D. , Cuomo-Dannenburg Gina , Unwin H. Juliette T. , Jauneikaite Elita , Ferguson Neil M.
Published: May 2022

Background

Understanding the characteristics and natural history of novel pathogens is crucial to inform successful control measures. Japan was one of the first affected countries in the COVID-19 pandemic reporting their first case on 14 January 2020. Interventions including airport screening, contact tracing, and cluster investigations were quickly implemented. Here we present insights from the first 3 months of the epidemic in Japan based on detailed case data.

Methods

We conducted descriptive analyses based on information systematically extracted from individual case reports from 13 January to 31 March 2020 including patient demographics, date of report and symptom onset, symptom progression, travel history, and contact type. We analysed symptom progression and estimated the time-varying reproduction number, Rt, correcting for epidemic growth using an established Bayesian framework. Key delays and the age-specific probability of transmission were estimated using data on exposures and transmission pairs.

Results

The corrected fitted mean onset-to-reporting delay after the peak was 4 days (standard deviation: ± 2 days). Early transmission was driven primarily by returning travellers with Rt peaking at 2.4 (95% CrI: 1.6, 3.3) nationally. In the final week of the trusted period (16–23 March 2020), Rt accounting for importations diverged from overall Rt at 1.1 (95% CrI: 1.0, 1.2) compared to 1.5 (95% CrI: 1.3, 1.6), respectively. Household (39.0%) and workplace (11.6%) exposures were the most frequently reported potential source of infection. The estimated probability of transmission was assortative by age with individuals more likely to infect, and be infected by, contacts in a similar age group to them. Across all age groups, cases most frequently onset with cough, fever, and fatigue. There were no reported cases of patients < 20 years old developing pneumonia or severe respiratory symptoms.

Conclusions

Information collected in the early phases of an outbreak are important in characterising any novel pathogen. The availability of timely and detailed data and appropriate analyses is critical to estimate and understand a pathogen’s transmissibility, high-risk settings for transmission, and key symptoms. These insights can help to inform urgent response strategies.
Prediction and analysis of COVID-19 daily new cases and cumulative cases: times series forecasting and machine learning models
Authors: Wang Yanding , Yan Zehui , Wang Ding , Yang Meitao , Li Zhiqiang , Gong Xinran , Wu Di , Zhai Lingling , Zhang Wenyi , Wang Yong
Published: May 2022

Background

COVID-19 poses a severe threat to global human health, especially the USA, Brazil, and India cases continue to increase dynamically, which has a far-reaching impact on people's health, social activities, and the local economic situation.

Methods

The study proposed the ARIMA, SARIMA and Prophet models to predict daily new cases and cumulative confirmed cases in the USA, Brazil and India over the next 30 days based on the COVID-19 new confirmed cases and cumulative confirmed cases data set(May 1, 2020, and November 30, 2021) published by the official WHO, Three models were implemented in the R 4.1.1 software with forecast and prophet package. The performance of different models was evaluated by using root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE).

Results

Through the fitting and prediction of daily new case data, we reveal that the Prophet model has more advantages in the prediction of the COVID-19 of the USA, which could compose data components and capture periodic characteristics when the data changes significantly, while SARIMA is more likely to appear over-fitting in the USA. And the SARIMA model captured a seven-day period hidden in daily COVID-19 new cases from 3 countries. While in the prediction of new cumulative cases, the ARIMA model has a better ability to fit and predict the data with a positive growth trend in different countries(Brazil and India).

Conclusions

This study can shed light on understanding the outbreak trends and give an insight into the epidemiological control of these regions. Further, the prediction of the Prophet model showed sufficient accuracy in the daily COVID-19 new cases of the USA. The ARIMA model is suitable for predicting Brazil and India, which can help take precautions and policy formulation for this epidemic in other countries.
Differing clinical features between Japanese siblings with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis with a novel compound heterozygous CYP27A1 mutation: a case report
Authors: Koyama Shingo , Okabe Yuma , Suzuki Yuya , Igari Ryosuke , Sato Hiroyasu , Iseki Chifumi , Tanji Kazuyo , Suzuki Kyoko , Ohta Yasuyuki
Published: May 2022

Background

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an autosomal-recessive lipid storage disorder caused by mutations in the CYP27A1 gene encoding the key enzyme in the bile acid synthesis, sterol 27-hydroxylase. Here, we report two Japanese CTX siblings with a novel compound heterozygous CYP27A1 mutation, showing different clinical phenotypes and responses to chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) therapy.

Case presentation

The proband, a 32-year-old man, who had chronic diarrhea, bilateral cataracts, and xanthomas, demonstrated progressive neurological manifestations including ataxia, and spastic paraplegia during a 5-year follow-up period despite normalization of serum cholestanol after initiation of CDCA treatment. He also exhibited cognitive decline although improvement had been observed at the beginning of treatment. Follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed pronounced progressive atrophy in the cerebellum, in addition to expanding hyperintense lesions in the dentate nuclei, posterior limb of the internal capsule, cerebral peduncles, and inferior olives on T2-weighted images. In contrast, the two-year-younger sister of the proband presented with chronic diarrhea, cataracts, xanthomas, and intellectual disability but no other neurological symptoms at the time of diagnosis. CDCA treatment lead to improvement of cognitive function and there were no characteristic CTX-related MRI features during the follow-up period. The siblings shared a paternally inherited c.1420C > T mutation (p.Arg474Trp) and a maternally inherited novel c.1176_1177delGA mutation, predicting p.(Glu392Asp*20).

Conclusions

Our cases suggest that early diagnosis and subsequent initiation of CDCA treatment are crucial before the appearance of characteristic MRI findings and severe neurological manifestations related to CTX. Further studies are required to elucidate mechanisms responsible for the clinical diversity of CTX and prognostic factors for long-term outcomes following initiation of CDCA treatment.
Technical innovations in stroke rehabilitation – a survey for development of a non-invasive, brainwave-guided, functional muscle stimulation
Authors: Liebl Stefanie , Tischendorf Tim , Winterlich Julia , Schaal Tom
Published: May 2022

Background

Stroke is one of the most frequent causes of death in Germany and the developed countries. After a stroke, those affected often suffer particularly from functional motor restrictions of the upper extremities. Newer techniques such as the BCI-FES systems aim to establish a communication channel between the brain and external devices with a neuromuscular intervention. The electrical activity of the brain is measured, processed, translated into control signals and can then be used to control an application.

Methods

As a mixed-methods design (exploratory design), eight guideline-based expert interviews were conducted first. For the quantitative expert survey, 95 chief physicians from the field of neuromedicine in rehabilitation facilities nationwide were subsequently invited to participate in an online survey.

Results

In our data analysis, we found that doctors are largely open-minded towards new technical rehabilitation systems. In addition to the proper functioning of the system, they consider the understanding of the functionality and the meaningfulness of the system to be particularly important. In addition, the system should be motivating for individuals, generate meaningful movements, be easy to use, evidence-based and quick to set up. Concerns were expressed regarding the understanding of the system’s processes, especially in the acute phase after a stroke, as well as the excessive expectation of results from the system on the part of the persons. The experts named stroke patients in rehabilitation phase C, which is about mobilization and recovery, as well as all persons who can understand the language requirements as benefiting groups of people.

Conclusion

The present study shows that more research should and must be done in the field of BCI-FES interfaces, and various development trends have been identified. The system has the potential to play a leading role in the rehabilitation of stroke patients in the future. Nevertheless, more work should be done on the improvement and implementation as well as the system’s susceptibility to interference in everyday patient life.
Clinical outcomes and visual prognostic factors in congenital aniridia
Authors: Jacobson Adam , Mian Shahzad I. , Bohnsack Brenda L.
Published: May 2022

Background

Evaluate outcomes and identify prognostic factors in congenital aniridia.

Methods

Retrospective interventional case series of patients with congenital aniridia treated between 2012–2020. Ocular examination and surgical details were collected. Surgical failure was defined as disease progression or need for additional surgery for same/related indication. Kaplan–Meier survival curves, Wilcoxon test, and univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed.

Results

Ninety-four patients with congenital aniridia presented at median 19.0 years. Two-thirds of patients underwent ≥ 1intraocular surgery, with average of 1.7 ± 2.3 surgeries/eye. At final follow-up (median 4.0 years), 45% of eyes had undergone lensectomy. Aphakic eyes showed worse visual acuity (VA) than phakic or pseudophakic eyes. Glaucoma affected 52% of eyes, of which half required IOP-lowering surgery. Glaucoma drainage devices showed the highest success rate (71%) at 14.2 ± 15.4 years of follow-up. Keratopathy affected 65% of eyes and one-third underwent corneal surgery. Keratoprosthesis had the longest survival rates at 10-years (64% with 95% CI [32,84]). LogMAR VA at presentation and final follow-up were not statistically different. Half of patients were legally blind at final follow-up. Final VA was associated with presenting VA, glaucoma diagnosis, and cataract or keratopathy at presentation. Penetrating keratoplasty and keratoprosthesis implantation correlated with worse BCVA.

Conclusions

Most aniridic patients in this large US-based cohort underwent at least 1 intraocular surgery. Cataract, glaucoma, and keratopathy were associated with worse VA and are important prognostic factors to consider when managing congenital aniridia.