bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endocrine and glycolipid metabolism characteristics of diminished ovarian reserve in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Wang Chaojun , Di Wen , Gu Zhuowei
Published: March 2020

Objective

This study was performed to evaluate the endocrine and glycolipid metabolism characteristics of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) in Chinese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

In total, 1179 patients with PCOS and 70 healthy women who presented to the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology in Ren Ji Hospital from June 2015 and June 2019 were enrolled in this study. Parameters of endocrine and glycolipid metabolism were measured. The differences in indices among the control group, simple PCOS group, and PCOS with DOR group were analyzed.

Results

The prevalence of DOR in Chinese women with PCOS was 20.8%. The body mass index and waist/hip ratio were significantly higher in the simple PCOS group than in the PCOS with DOR group. There were significant differences in the concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, testosterone, and androstenedione among the three groups. The fasting serum insulin concentration and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance were significantly higher in the simple PCOS group than in the PCOS with DOR group.

Conclusions

The endocrine and glycolipid metabolism characteristics were different between the simple PCOS group and PCOS with DOR group.
Diagnostic value of serum pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, and gastrin-17 levels for population-based screening for early-stage gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Yaping , Zhu Zhiyong , Liu Zhilan , Zhao Zhen , Xue Xiaohong , Li Xiaolin , Li Pingying , Rong Guanghong , Ma Yingcai
Published: March 2020

Objective

Diagnosing gastric cancer (GC) at early stages is important for reducing its mortality. This study evaluated the diagnostic value of serum pepsinogen (PG) I, PGII, and gastrin-17 (G17) levels in screening for early-stage GC.

Methods

Serum levels of PGI, PGII, and G17 were measured in patients with upper digestive tract symptoms or GC family histories, and the PGI to PGII ratio (PGR) was calculated. Receiver operator characteristic curves were used to determine the thresholds of PGI, PGR, and G17 for GC diagnosis.

Results

Among the 949 patients examined by gastroscopy, 13 (1.37%) had GC, including five cases of early-stage GC and eight cases of progressive GC. PGI, PGR, and G17 showed good specificity and sensitivity for early-stage and progressive GC. The optimal thresholds of PGI, G17, and PGR were 71.85 μg/L, 15.65 pmol/L and 5.04 for the diagnosis of early-stage GC, respectively, and were 42.55 μg/L, 20.55 pmol/L, and 2.79 for the diagnosis of progressive GC, respectively.

Conclusion

Combining PG and G17 serum levels with gastroscopy could be a promising approach to screen for early-stage GC.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety Symptoms and Help Seeking in Psychiatric Staff: Trouble de stress post-traumatique, dépression, symptômes d’anxiété et recherche d’aide chez le personnel psychiatrique
Authors: Seto Michael C. , Rodrigues Nicole C. , Ham Elke , Kirsh Bonnie , Hilton N. Zoe
Published: March 2020

Background And Methods:

In this study, we surveyed 761 psychiatric hospital staff (69% women, 71% full-time, 56% nursing) regarding their exposure to trauma in the workplace; symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety; help seeking; and perceived barriers for help seeking.

Results:

Significant proportions of staff met the screening cutoffs for probable PTSD (16%), depression (20%), and anxiety (16%). Comorbidity was high, with approximately half of those meeting the screening cutoff for PTSD also meeting the cutoffs for depression or anxiety. Only PTSD symptoms were uniquely associated with exposure to trauma in the workplace, but both PTSD and depression symptoms significantly predicted help seeking. Staff who met one or more screening cutoffs perceived more barriers to help seeking such as difficulty with accessing services.

Conclusion:

Implications for supporting psychiatric staff exposed to trauma are discussed.
An Assessment of Officer-Involved Shooting Data Transparency in the United States
Authors: Matusiak Matthew C. , Cavanaugh Michael R. , Stephenson Matthew
Published: March 2020

Although researchers and the public intuitively know that the lack of available data on the topic of officer-involved shootings (OIS) is a problem, the scope of the problem has not been identified. A lack of transparency regarding OIS data contributes to the legitimacy crisis facing policing in the United States. Valid and reliable OIS data would create the ability to craft and assess informed public policy. In addition, police organizations’ roles could then be evaluated allowing for accountability and additional training based on OIS incidents. Employing content analysis of websites for police agencies, their municipal/county governments, and sheriffs’ offices servicing populations of 100,000 or more according to the 2010 U.S. Census, the availability of OIS data is identified and classified. It was found that 155 (of 277) police agencies and 96 (of 548) sheriffs’ offices made some form of data available related to OIS incidents across five categories (annual reports, OIS summary reports, individualized shooting reports, press releases, and spreadsheet reports). The current assessment is the first in the literature to systematically evaluate the transparency of law enforcement organizations servicing large jurisdictions regarding OIS incidents. Those reports and data available are described and placed within the context of the recommended national database proposed by Klinger and colleagues to begin to assess the extent of OIS data transparency issues facing policing. In addition, agencies providing data were compared utilizing one-way analysis of variance on a number of structural variables drawn from the 2008 Census of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies to evaluate any patterns demonstrated by those organizations providing data. Findings suggest great variation in the type, classification, and quality of data presented by law enforcement organizations, which limits its utility for the purposes of research as well as policy creation and evaluation.
In Pursuit of Design Vision Through Design Practice
Authors: Hahn Kim Hongyoun
Published: March 2020

This article is about the designer’s journey in design research where the designer has developed a body of work. The development of each project’s design process, method, technique, and practice-led research are addressed. The purpose of this article was to contribute to the design discipline by sharing an example of how a design researcher develops a body of work. This article first describes the designer’s design value and design process which has guided the designer’s creative work and practice. The 10 different creative works are presented in chronological order as the designer’s design development progressed. The designer’s design framework is presented along with the future direction of the designer’s design work.
Do Female Occupations Pay Less but Offer More Benefits?
Authors: Hodges Leslie
Published: March 2020

Workers in predominantly female occupations have, on average, lower wages compared to workers in predominantly male occupations. Compensating differentials theory suggests that these wage differences occur because women select into occupations with lower pay but more fringe benefits. Alternatively, devaluation theory suggests that these wage differences occur because work performed by women is not valued as highly as work performed by men. One theory assumes that workers choose between wages and benefits. The other assumes that workers face constraints that restrict their wages and benefits. To examine whether female occupations pay less but offer more benefits, I used individual-level data from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey and occupation-level data from the American Community Survey and from the Occupational Information Network. Contrary to compensating differentials theory, results from multivariate regression analysis provide little evidence that benefits explain wage differences between male and female occupations. Instead, consistent with devaluation theory, workers in female occupations are less likely to be offered employer health insurance coverage and are less likely to have retirement plans compared with workers in male occupations.
Open Circle: Playing Coexistence in Ten Movements
Authors: Uria-Iriarte Esther , Prendergast Monica
Published: March 2020

The central focus of this article is Open Circle, a play written by Esther Uria-Iriarte that follows Arts Based Research (ABR) methods in theatrically interpreting the results of a doctoral research study carried out in four secondary schools in The Basque Country of Spain. The research aims to analyze the implications of theater as a methodological strategy for the improvement of coexistence in secondary students of The Basque Country. Open Circle is accompanied by the relevant theoretical foundations that support the ABR methodology and the aesthetic strategies applied to writing the play. In an intercalated way, we present various fragments of the theatrical work that reflect the researcher’s feelings during the research process, including her difficulties and vulnerability in working with adolescent participants, as well as her frustrations in facing the contradictions in her research results.
Recurrence of clinical events at the same anatomical location in patients with MOG antibody-associated disease
Authors: Hyun Jae-Won , Kwon Young Nam , Lee Hye Lim , Jeong Woo Kyo , Lee Hye Jung , Kim Byoung Joon , Kim Seung Woo , Shin Ha Young , Shin Hyun-June , Oh Sun-Young , Lee Min Young , Kim Su-Hyun , Huh So-Young , Kim Woojun , Park Min Su , Kim Sun-Young , Kim Sung-Min , Kim Ho Jin
Published: March 2020

Objectives:

Likelihood of clinical events occurring within the same anatomical location in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) was retrospectively investigated.

Methods:

A total of 236 clinical events in 90 patients with MOGAD from nine referral hospitals were analyzed via logistic regression, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Anatomical lesion location was divided into four groups; optic nerve, spinal cord, cerebral hemisphere, and brainstem/cerebellum.

Results:

At all locations, there was an increased likelihood of a second attack occurring at the same location as the initial event (cerebral hemisphere OR = 22.14, brainstem/cerebellum OR = 18.4, spinal cord OR = 9.1, and optic nerve OR = 7.8). There was an increased likelihood of a third attack occurring at the same location as the initial event in the optic nerve (OR = 14.9), cerebral hemisphere (OR = 11.7), and spinal cord (OR = 6.7). There were positive trends toward a third clinical event occurring at the same location as the first and/or second events if the event was in the optic nerve (OR = 13.5), cerebral hemisphere (OR = 6.9), or spinal cord (OR = 5.7).

Conclusions:

The current study suggests that clinical relapses of MOGAD during early stage tend to recur at the same anatomical locations in the central nervous system.
Do subcortical gray matter volumes and aerobic capacity account for cognitive-motor coupling in multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Motl Robert W , Sandroff Brian M , Benedict Ralph HB , Hubbard Elizabeth A , Pilutti Lara A , Sutton Bradley P
Published: March 2020

Background:

There is evidence of cognitive-motor coupling in multiple sclerosis (MS) such that the slowing of cognitive processing speed correlates with the worsening of walking speed and endurance.

Objective:

The current study first established the presence of cognitive-motor coupling and second examined the possibility that volumes of subcortical gray matter (SGM) structures and aerobic capacity might explain the coupling of cognitive and motor functions in persons with MS.

Methods:

We included data from 62 persons with clinically definite MS who underwent assessments of cognitive processing speed, walking performance, and aerobic capacity, and completed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 7 days of the aforementioned assessments.

Results:

The strong correlations between cognitive processing speed and walking performance were attenuated in magnitude and not statistically significant when controlling for aerobic capacity alone and aerobic capacity and SGM volumes together. The associations between cognitive processing speed and walking performance remained statistically significant when controlling for SGM volumes alone.

Conclusion:

Aerobic capacity may be an important target for neurorehabilitation-based approaches for managing co-occurring cognitive and motor dysfunction in MS.
Intraoperative high dose rate brachytherapy during breast-conserving surgery: A prospective pilot study
Authors: Wickberg Åsa , Liljegren Göran , Ahlgren Johan , Karlsson Leif , With Anders , Johansson Bengt
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate feasibility, quality of life, toxicity, and cosmetic outcome for intraoperative breast cancer brachytherapy after breast-conserving surgery using high dose rate brachytherapy.

Methods:

Fifty-two consecutive women, ⩾50 years old, diagnosed with a unifocal non-lobular breast cancer ⩽3 cm, N0, underwent breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy. Twenty-five women received intraoperative brachytherapy pre-pathology at primary surgery and the others post-pathology, during a second procedure. An applicator, connected to a high dose rate afterloader, was used. Two of the women were excluded due to metastases found per-operatively at a frozen section from the sentinel node. Quality of life was evaluated using two validated health questionnaires. Treatment toxicity was documented according to the LENT-SOMA scale by two oncologists. The cosmetic result was evaluated using the validated freely available software BCCT.core 2.0.

Results:

The clinical procedure worked out well logistically. Seven women received supplementary external radiotherapy due to insufficient margins and, in one case, poor adaptation of the breast parenchyma to the applicator. No serious adverse effects from irradiation were registered. The results from the health questionnaires showed no major differences compared with reference groups from the Swedish population. Only two women were registered as having a “poor” cosmetic result while a majority of the women had a “good” outcome.

Conclusions:

This pilot study shows that intraoperative brachytherapy is a feasible procedure and encourages further trials evaluating its role in treatment of early breast cancer.
Effects of Pomegranate Concentrate Powder: Eucommiae Cortex: Achyranthis Radix 5:4:1 (w/w) Mixed Formula on Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats
Authors: Choi Beom-Rak , Kang Su-Jin , Kim Jong-Lae , Lee Young-Joon , Ku Sea-Kwang
Published: March 2020

We examined the antiosteoarthritis effect of a mixture of powdered pomegranate concentrate, eucommiae cortex, and achyranthis radix (5:4:1 w/w) (PEA-Mix). After the injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA), PEA-Mixs were orally administered. To assess pain-related behaviors, a von Frey filament test and open field test were performed. We also examined the knee thickness, maximum knee extension angle, bone mineral density (BMD), and compressive strength of the knee joint and performed a histopathologic analysis. The number of COX-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine immunoreactive cells, the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 5-lipoxygenase (LPO) levels, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, and mRNA levels of chondrogenesis-related genes were analyzed. PEA-Mix significantly inhibited the MIA-induced decrease in the paw-withdrawal threshold and total distance moved, and the MIA-induced increases in the maximum knee extension angle and knee thickness. Also, the MIA-induced loss of the knee joint articular surface region and decrease in the BMD were significantly suppressed by PEA-Mix. The MIA-induced increases in the 5-LPO, PGE2, MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, and TNF-α mRNA levels were reduced by PEA-Mix. PEA-Mix increased the MIA-mediated reduction in the SOX-9 and aggrecan mRNA levels. The number of PARP-positive cells was smaller in PEA-Mix-administered rats than in MIA-administered rats, while the number of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine-positive cells was larger. Therefore, PEA-Mix relieved the MIA-induced pain-related behaviors, chondrocyte proliferation, and anti-inflammatory activity.
Negotiating Privacy and Mobile Socializing: Chinese University Students’ Concerns and Strategies for Using Geosocial Networking Applications
Authors: Li Haili
Published: March 2020

Privacy risks have significant increase with the widespread use of geosocial networking applications (GSNAs). The Facebook data breach case in 2018 triggered many users’ concerns and focused attention on the debate about the trustworthiness of GSNAs globally. Particularly, the rapid development of Chinese GSNAs such as WeChat and Momo has been frequently cited as contributing to an increase in privacy risks in recent years. However, existing studies have primarily focused on the privacy risks of using GSNAs in Western contexts, while little is known about these issues in the Chinese context. This study thus attempts to expand upon prior research by examining concerns about GSNAs, as well as attitudes and strategies to address these concerns among Chinese university students. By conducting 47 semi-structured interviews, this study finds that although participants are generally concerned about the privacy risks of GSNAs, a few of them have taken steps to address their concerns. Five types of social privacy concerns, including information leakage/misuse, location tracking, malicious personal attacks, sexual harassment, and individual-targeted advertising, and three types of institutional privacy concerns, including information leaks, information tracking, and surveillance by apps and the Chinese government, have been identified in this research. Most participants have taken little action to address their privacy concerns and display an attitude of trust, ignoring and accepting the privacy risks of GSNAs. Comparatively, few participants have developed active strategies to mitigate their concerns, such as abstaining from or exercising caution when using apps and functions, and reporting privacy threats to app platforms. Significantly, this study offers new insights into users’ privacy concerns that are specifically associated with Chinese social and cultural contexts. However, as this research mainly focuses on privacy concerns and strategies from users’ perspectives, future studies are encouraged to delve into solutions and strategies to mitigate users’ privacy concerns in the global context of social media.
Comparative Propensity-Weighted Mortality After Isolated Acute Traumatic Axis Fractures in Older Adults
Authors: Catalino Michael P. , Pate Virginia , Stürmer Til , Bhowmick Deb A.
Published: March 2020

Introduction:

In older patients with axis fractures, the survival benefit from surgery is unclear due to high baseline mortality. Comparative effectiveness research can provide evidence from population level cohorts. Propensity weighting is the preferred methodology for reducing bias when analyzing national administrative cohort data for these purposes but has not yet been utilized for this important surgical conundrum. We estimate the effect of surgery on mortality after isolated acute traumatic axis fracture in older adults.

Materials and Methods:

We used a retrospective population-based cohort of Medicare patients and generated a propensity score-weighted nonsurgical cohort and compared mortality with and without surgery. This balanced the comorbid conditions of the treatment groups. Incident fractures were defined using a predetermined algorithm based on enrollment, code timing, and billing location. The primary outcome was adjusted all-cause 1-year mortality.

Results:

From 12 372 beneficiaries with 1-year continuous enrollment and a coded axis fracture, 2676 patients met final inclusion/exclusion criteria. Estimated incidence was 16.5 per 100 000 person-years overall in 2014 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.0-18.0) and was stable from 2008 through 2014. Patients with axis fracture had a mean age of 82.8 years, 30.2% were male, and 91.9% were Caucasian. Mortality was 3.8 times higher (CI 3.6-4.1) compared with the general population of older US adults. Propensity-weighted mortality at 1 year for nonsurgical patients was 26.7 of 100 (CI: 24.5-29.0). Mortality for surgical patients was significantly lower (19.7/100; CI 14.5-25.0). Risk difference was 7.0 fewer surgical deaths per 100 patients (CI: 1.3-12.7). Surgical patients aged 65 to 74 years had the largest difference in mortality with 11.2 fewer deaths per 100 (CI: 1.1-21.3).

Discussion:

Patients with axis fractures are predominantly older Caucasian women and have a higher mortality rate than the general population. Propensity-weighted mortality at 1-year was lower in the surgical patients with the largest risk difference occurring in patients 65 to 74 years old.

Conclusions:

Surgery may provide an independent survival benefit in patients aged 65 to 75 years, and the mortality difference diminishes thereafter.
Re-Examination of Synonymy in the Standard Igbo
Authors: Okeke Gloria Tochukwu , Mbah Boniface Monday , Okeke Chukwuma Onyebuchi
Published: March 2020

This study examines synonymy in Standard Igbo (SI) to empirically determine if absolute synonyms actually exist in SI. By the application of cognitive linguistic theory and by adopting a descriptive survey method, the study tries to ascertain the factual behavior of synonyms in SI. The data used for this research work are gathered from documented materials from authors who have written on Igbo synonymy. Forty-six pairs of Igbo synonyms are subjected to analysis using the interchangeablity/substitution method to determine if members of a pair can always substitute each other in all contexts. The study discovers that there are always subtle but noticeable meaning differences realized between the members of the pairs, which is caused by contextual, collocational, and connotative restrictions. The study concludes that members of synonymous pairs in the SI differ from each other when they are placed in certain contexts. Hence, absolute synonyms do not exist in SI as claimed by some of previous scholars.
Multi-disciplinary Rehabilitation Outcome Checklist: Italian validation of an instrument for risk of discharge in patients with total hip and/or knee replacement
Authors: Viglianese Silvia , Servadio Annamaria , Maggi Giuseppe , Mollica Roberta , Valente Donatella , Galeoto Giovanni
Published: March 2020

Object:

This article describes the translation and cultural adaptation of the Multi-disciplinary Rehabilitation Outcome Checklist Scale in Italian and reports the procedures to test their validity and reliability.

Methods:

The forward and backward translation was conducted by specialized and certified translators, independently from each other. The scale was then reviewed by a group of 20 experts. The process of cultural adaptation and validation took place on a cohort of patients who performed a joint replacement of hip and/or knee surgery in two hospitals of Rome.

Results:

The culturally adapted scale was administered to 114 patients. It results that the interoperator reliability is equal to intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.977 for hip and ICC = 0.97 for knee. The construct validity and the responsiveness are statistically significant.

Conclusion:

It is a scale capable of assessing the patient in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary manner at the time of hospital discharge, useful for dismissing the patient in the most appropriate timing and with the best clinical and functional conditions.
Re-(Modi)fying India’s Israel Policy: An Exploration of Practical Geopolitical Reasoning Through Re-representation of ‘India’, ‘Israel’ and ‘West Asia’ Post-2014
Authors: Pate Tanvi
Published: March 2020

Narendra Modi became the first Prime Minister of India to undertake a stand-alone visit to Israel from 4 to 6 July 2017. Although India–Israel relations had been normalised in 1992, the nature of this bilateral relationship remained murky as India avoided any explicit recognition. However, with Modi’s visit, the policy of ‘equidistance’ or ‘de-hyphenation’ of ‘Israel’ and ‘Palestine’ was formally operationalised proclaiming that India’s relations with one country will have no impact on relations with the other. Conventional academic wisdom attributes causal determinants to Indian foreign policy vis-à-vis Israel as guided by international and domestic factors. This article contends that a constitutive approach to understanding India’s foreign policy towards Israel and the Middle East offers a viable alternative. Adopting Gearoid O Tuathail’s theoretical framework of practical geopolitical reasoning, this article critically explores the geopolitical representations of ‘India’, ‘Israel’, ‘Palestine’, ‘West Asia’, ‘South Asia’ and ‘Middle East’ in the National Democratic Alliance government’s foreign policy discourse through an analysis of ‘grammar of geopolitics’, ‘geopolitical storylines’ and ‘geopolitical script’. The article demonstrates that re-representation of ‘India’ as a ‘global actor’ and re-representation of ‘Israel’ as a country in ‘West Asia’ have enabled the Modi-led government to implement India–Israel bilateral partnership which underscores strategic cooperation in full visibility via overt normalisation.
India–Thailand Security Cooperation: Strengthening the Indo-Pacific Resolve
Authors: Cogan Mark Shawn , Mishra Vivek
Published: March 2020

In the past, India’s resolve to connect with countries further to its east centred on its relationship with ASEAN as a group and lacked a holistic outlook as it emphasised on a lopsided approach that left out the security dimension. The bilateral relationship between Bangkok and New Delhi marks an emerging departure from this past trend. In the recent past, Thailand has emerged as a bright spot in India’s vast array of security relationships, with growing focus on maritime security, counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, joint patrols and exchange of personnel in training. Besides boosting interoperability, increasing joint actions seek to marry India’s Act East policy with Thailand’s Look West policy, both of which emerged in the past decade of the twentieth century. Both countries look to strengthening their resolve in the Indo-Pacific, even as the region’s stability gets further complicated by sharpening Great Power politics. This article scrutinises the India–Thailand relationship from a security perspective and tests the compatibility of this emerging bilateral relationship with a regional security architecture conceptualisation in the Indo-Pacific. As such, this article seeks to fulfil two important goals: fill the literature deficit in India–Thailand relations that has often been eclipsed and subsequently neglected by the overarching canvass of India–ASEAN relations and analyse India–Thailand bilateral relations from the perspective of an emerging security partnership in the complex labyrinth of relationships in the Indo-Pacific.
Iran-Hezbollah Alliance Reconsidered: What Contributes to the Survival of State-Proxy Alliance?
Authors: Khan Akbar , Zhaoying Han
Published: March 2020

States often build alliances with non-state actors to address their security needs and pursue their strategic objectives, but such alliances are highly unreliable and fraught with grave risks for the allying parties. The gradually increasing capabilities of a non-state actor may embolden it to give preferences to its own geopolitical agenda, thereby adversely affecting the alliance. Thus, states and non-state actors have mostly failed to maintain stable relationships due to diverging interests and opportunistic politics. Iran and Hezbollah have however maintained an alliance, which has entered its fourth decade of organisational existence, and this potentially hostile alliance is transforming the regional strategic landscape. The longevity of their alliance is somewhat puzzling. This article contends that the Iran-Hezbollah alliance has withstood collapse because Iran gives significant autonomy to Hezbollah, and Hezbollah controls and optimizes its resources and revenue which are at its disposal. Additionally, the chaotic regional structure and their intersecting interests play a pivotal role, not only fostering this nexus but also significantly potentiating the survival of their alliance while reducing the likelihood of opportunistic dissociation.
Distinguishing Central Serous Chorioretinopathy From Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Prospective Study
Authors: Grewal Parampal S. , Lapere Steven R.J. , Rudnisky Christopher J. , Somani Rizwan , Tennant Matthew T.S.
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

This article identifies clinical features that differentiate central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR) from neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and uses this information to develop a diagnostic tool.

Methods:

A prospective observational study was conducted of patients with a new diagnosis of CSR, nAMD, or indeterminate presentation. All patients underwent clinical assessment, axial length measurement, enhanced-depth imaging–optical coherence tomography, and intravenous fluorescein angiography. A final consensus diagnosis was derived following review of these factors.

Results:

A total of 56 eyes of 56 patients were enrolled (CSR = 34; nAMD = 22). The subfoveal choroidal thickness was greater in the CSR group (421 ± 106 µm) than the nAMD group (219 ± 91 µm, P < .001). The following odds ratio of CSR reached statistical significance: age 70 and younger (72.00, 95% CI: 11.99-432.50), subfoveal choroidal thickness greater than or equal to 300 µm (33.92, 95% CI: 4.06-283.18), dome-shaped neurosensory detachment (13.24, 95% CI: 3.22-54.45), retinal pigment epithelial changes (0.31, 95% CI: 0.10-0.97), subretinal hyperreflective material (0.11, 95% CI: 0.03-0.42), and fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment (0.05, 95% CI: 0.01-0.47). A stepwise CSR vs nAMD clinical decision-making algorithm is proposed.

Conclusions:

Choroidal thickness is increased in CSR when compared with nAMD. The presented odds ratios and the CSR vs nAMD clinical decision-making tool can be applied to distinguish CSR from nAMD.
Assessing the Awareness of Cybersecurity Within Entrepreneurship Students: The Cyberpreneurship Project
Authors: Plachkinova Miloslava , Pittz Thomas
Published: March 2020

This study addresses an important gap in both academia and practice related to the lack of a shared language and sometimes conflicting priorities between entrepreneurs and cybersecurity experts. Entrepreneurs are often pressed to create and launch products and services as quickly as possible to achieve a first-mover advantage in the market. In doing so, they tend to overlook cybersecurity threats and risks due to a lack of awareness and insufficient funding. This can lead to theft of intellectual property, project failure, and inaccurate risk assessment. In addition, cybersecurity students who study risk management often struggle to analyze real client issues due to the sensitive nature of the data and assets in most organizations. The Cyberpreneurship Project outlined within this research was designed to tackle to this problem by engaging cybersecurity students in a risk assessment of start-up businesses developed by entrepreneurship graduate students. The project is an interdisciplinary exploratory study developed to enhance awareness of cybersecurity risks and experiential opportunities among both entrepreneurship and cybersecurity students. The success of the project is assessed through a mixed-methods approach. The study also provides the academic community with valuable tools and resources to establish similar educational models at their own institutions.
Targeting EZH2 for the treatment of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma
Authors: Pikman Yana , Conway Amy Saur , Robichaud Amanda L. , Kitara Samuel , Church Alanna J. , Kennedy Alyssa L. , Silverman Lewis B. , Billett Amy L. , Weinstock David M. , Harris Marian H. , Stegmaier Kimberly
Published: March 2020

Key Points

We report a patient with hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL) and compare the disease to the derived xenograft model. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) inhibitor treatment of an EZH2-mutant HSTL patient-derived xenograft model led to prolonged survival.
Lifestyle interventions in the maritime settings: a systematic review
Authors: Baygi Fereshteh , Djalalinia Shirin , Qorbani Mostafa , Dejman Masoumeh , Nielsen Jesper Bo
Published: March 2020

Background

Evidence on workplace health promotion interventions at sea is scattered and includes different methodological approaches. The continued focus on lifestyle and health promotion on land-based industries makes it pertinent to evaluate available data from maritime settings to gain systematic knowledge on the field.

Methods

In this systematic review, we systematically searched PubMed and NLM Gateway (for MEDLINE), Institute of Scientific Information/Web of Science (ISI/WOS), and SCOPUS up to January 2019 using standard keywords including lifestyle interventions in the maritime setting. Two independent reviewers assessed papers and extracted the data. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Due to significant heterogeneity between studies, the effectiveness of interventions was presented as a qualitative synthesis.

Results

After the initial search and refinement based on a total of 4432 records, ten articles met eligibility criteria and were included in the final review. Six studies originated from US maritime settings, 3 studies were conducted on Danish seafarers and one study came from Finland. The main focus of 6 studies was educational interventions including stress management, healthy eating, anti-smoking and anti-drinking sessions, sexual behavior program, and advice about preventive strategies. Four studies described the implementation of interventions, including micro-nutrient supplementation, physical activity, and pharmacotherapy. Follow-up assessments occurred over a time period ranging from 80 days to 2 years. Three studies found a positive though limited effect of structural and/or education interventions in maritime settings. The quality of all included studies was modest.

Conclusion

Results of this systematic review show that a limited number of studies of lifestyle interventions in the maritime setting exist and that the quality of them is generally modest. Also, most of the interventions identified have failed to demonstrate substantial health benefits for seafarers.

Systematic review registration number in PROSPERO: CRD42019134533
Fatigue, barriers to physical activity and predictors for motivation to exercise in advanced Cancer patients
Authors: Frikkel J. , Götte M. , Beckmann M. , Kasper S. , Hense J. , Teufel M. , Schuler M. , Tewes M.
Published: March 2020

Background

In order to counteract fatigue, physical activity (PA) is recommended for all stages of cancer. However, only few advanced cancer patients (ACP) are physically active. Quantitative data with high numbers of ACP reporting barriers to PA are missing. This study aimed to identify barriers to PA in ACP with tiredness/weakness and investigate their motivation towards it.

Methods

Outpatients with metastatic cancer receiving cancer care at a German Cancer Center reporting moderate/severe tiredness/weakness during self-assessment (MIDOS II) were enrolled. We assessed Fatigue-(FACF-F) and Depression (PHQ8) Scores, demographics, cancer-specific parameters, motivation for PA, physical, psychological and social barriers.

Results

141 of 440 eligible patients (32.0%) with different diagnoses agreed to participate. Patients frequently reported “I feel weakened due to my tumor therapy” (n = 108; 76.6%), physical symptoms (tiredness, weakness, dyspnea, joint-problems, pain, nausea [n = 107; 75.9%]) and fatigue (n = 99; 70.2%) as barriers to PA. However, no significant group differences regarding these barriers were found between physically active and inactive patients. Social barriers were rarely chosen. Motivated patients were 5.6 times more likely to be physically active (p < 0.001), also motivation turned out to be the strongest predictor for a physically active behavior (β = 1.044; p = 0.005). Motivated attitude towards PA was predicted by fatigue (β = − 2.301; p = 0.008), clinically relevant depression (β = − 1.390, p = 0.039), knowledge about PA and quality of life (QoL) (β = 0.929; p = 0.002), PA before diagnosis (β = 0.688; p = 0.005 and Interest in exercise program (β = 0.635; p = 0.008).

Conclusion

“I feel weakened due to my tumor therapy” is the most reported barrier to PA among both, physically and inactive patients. Motivation for PA is the strongest predictor of performing PA. Interest in PA, knowledge about PA/QoL and PA before diagnosis are main predictors of a motivated attitude. Absence/presence of social barriers did not associate with motivation, fatigue and depression proved to be a negative predictor. Programs including information, motivational counseling and individualized training should be offered for ACP to overcome barriers and reduce fatigue.

Trial registration

German Register of Clinical Trials DRKS00012514, registration date: 30.5.2017.
The influence of gender on clinical examination skills of medical students in Jordan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sabet Farnaz , Zoghoul Sohaib , Alahmad Murad , Al Qudah Heba
Published: March 2020

Background

A graduating medical doctor is expected to be competent in physical examinations across all systems. The exploration of how gender affects the development of clinical skills has not been explored in an Arab context, despite cultural restrictions that make it more difficult for students and doctors to examine the opposite sex.

Methods

A cross sectional survey was undertaken of graduating final year medical students in Northern Jordan. We asked about students’ perceptions regarding factors that may impact the development of clinical skills potentially related to gender, and asked about the frequency of examinations performed during their training for intimate and general physical examinations on all patients, as well as patients of the opposite sex. We also asked about the students’ confidence in performing the examinations (3-point Likert-scale). Comparison of male and female proportions was done using Chi square tests analysis.

Results

One hundred eighty-eight final year students from 481 students (41%) completed the survey, 99 males and 89 females. The greatest factor given for impacting a student’s clinical examination of a patient of the opposite sex was cultural or religious traditions. Overall male students perform more clinical examinations than female students, with the odds of a male conducting more than 10 cardiovascular examinations on any patient compared to female students being 2.07 (1.13–3.79) and as high as 3.06 (1.53–6.18) for thyroid examinations. However, females were significantly more likely to examine male patients than vice versa (0.49 (0.27–0.88) for cardiovascular and 0.39 (0.21–0.71) for respiratory examinations). The gender division was more prominent for intimate examinations, with a lower odds of males conducting breast 0.11 (0.04–0.28) and vaginal examinations 0.22 (0.02–1.98) and more male students conducting prostate examinations OR 11.00 (1.39–87.03) and male genitalia examinations OR 16.31 (3.75–70.94). Overall a large proportion of students had never performed common intimate clinical examinations at all.

Conclusions

In our context, clinical exposure to both intimate and general clinical examinations differs significantly between male and female students. A greater awareness and more research on the influence of gender on clinical skill attainment in conservative cultures is needed with appropriate adaption of clinical teaching.

Trial registration

Non interventional thus not required.
Genomic organization of a Gamma-6 papillomavirus metagenomic discovered from vaginal swab samples of Chinese pregnant women
Authors: Ling Yu , Wang Jianqiang , Yin Jun , Xu Jianpu , Wu Yufan , Zhou Rui , Lu Juan , Yang Shixing , Wang Xiaochun , Shen Quan , Zhang Wen
Published: March 2020

A complete genome sequence of human papillomaviruses (HPV) named as HPV-ujs-21015 was determined by viral metagenomic and PCR methods. The complete genome is 7354 bp in length with GC content of 41.7%, of which the genome was predicted to contain six ORFs (Open Reading Frame, ORF) coding for four early proteins (E7, E1, E4, and E2) and two late proteins (L1 and L2). Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome and the L1 protein showed that HPV-ujs-21015 belongs to a type 214 member within genus Gamma-6 papillomavirus. It is the first complete genome of Gamma-6 papillomavirus discovered from pregnant women in China.
Comparison of pathogenicity of subtype H9 avian influenza wild-type viruses from a wide geographic origin expressing mono-, di-, or tri-basic hemagglutinin cleavage sites
Authors: Parvin Rokshana , Schinkoethe Jan , Grund Christian , Ulrich Reiner , Bönte Franziska , Behr Klaus P. , Voss Matthias , Samad Mohammed A. , Hassan Kareem E. , Luttermann Christine , Beer Martin , Harder Timm
Published: March 2020

An intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) of > 1.2 in chickens or, in case of subtypes H5 and H7, expression of a polybasic hemagglutinin cleavage site (HACS), signals high pathogenicity (HP). Viruses of the H9N2-G1 lineage, which spread across Asia and Africa, are classified to be of low pathogenicity although, in the field, they became associated with severe clinical signs and epizootics in chickens. Here we report on a pre-eminent trait of recent H9N2-G1 isolates from Bangladesh and India, which express a tribasic HACS (motif PAKSKR-GLF; reminiscent of an HPAIV-like polybasic HACS) and compare their features to H9Nx viruses with di- and monobasic HACS from other phylogenetic and geographic origins. In an in vitro assay, the tribasic HACS of H9N2 was processed by furin-like proteases similar to bona fide H5 HPAIV while some dibasic sites showed increased cleavability but monobasic HACS none. Yet, all viruses remained trypsin-dependent in cell culture. In ovo, only tribasic H9N2 viruses were found to replicate in a grossly extended spectrum of embryonic organs. In contrast to all subtype H5/H7 HPAI viruses, tribasic H9N2 viruses did not replicate in endothelial cells either in the chorio-allantoic membrane or in other embryonic tissues. By IVPI, all H9Nx isolates proved to be of low pathogenicity. Pathogenicity assessment of tribasic H9N2-G1 viruses remains problematic. It cannot be excluded that the formation of a third basic amino acid in the HACS forms an intermediate step towards a gain in pathogenicity. Continued observation of the evolution of these viruses in the field is recommended.
Evaluation of the peri-implant bone trabecular microstructure changes in short implants with fractal analysis
Authors: Kış Hatice Cansu , Güleryüz Gürbulak Ayşegül
Published: March 2020

Backgrounds

This study aimed to evaluate the microstructural changes in the peri-implant bone in patients with short implants in terms of implant survival status by using fractal analysis measurements.

Results

Dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) of 67 patients were examined and included in this study. Fractal analysis and measurement of the crown-implant ratio were performed with ImageJ. The fractal analysis measurement was performed on the DPRs obtained at preoperative (FD0) and in the follow-up periods (after 2 ± 2 weeks (FD1), 2 months ± 2 weeks (FD2), 6 months ± 2 weeks (FD3), and 12 months + (FD4)). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Power analyses were conducted for the test results that did not reject null hypothesis. A significant difference was found in the FD1 and FD2 values between the implant survival groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.023, respectively). The mean FD1 and FD2 values of the success group were significantly higher than those of the failure group.

Conclusions

Fractal analysis is a useful method to measure the trabecular microstructure of bone in non-standardized dental radiographs. The present study has a low power to reject the null hypothesis because of the low number of cases of implant failure. Therefore, further study with a large sample size is warranted. In clinical practice, the survival of implants may be predicted by analyzing fractal dimension of the surrounding trabecular bone of the implants.
Improving the resolution of migrated images by approximating the inverse Hessian using deep learning
Authors: Kaur Harpreet , Pham Nam , Fomel Sergey
Published: March 2020

We have estimated migrated images with meaningful amplitudes matching least-squares migrated images by approximating the inverse Hessian using generative adversarial networks (GANs) in a conditional setting. We use the CycleGAN framework and extend it to the conditional CycleGAN such that the mapping from the migrated image to the true reflectivity is subjected to a velocity attribute condition. This algorithm is applied after migration and is computationally efficient. It produces results comparable to iterative inversion but at a significantly reduced cost. In numerical experiments with synthetic and field data sets, the adopted method improves image resolution, attenuates noise, reduces migration artifacts, and enhances reflection amplitudes. We train the network with three different data sets and test on three other data sets, which are not a part of training. Tests on validation data sets verify the effectiveness of the approach. In addition, the field-data example also highlights the effect of the bandwidth of the training data and the quality of the velocity model on the quality of the deep neural network output.
Application of seismic sedimentology in lithostratigraphic trap exploration: A case study from Banqiao Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China
Authors: Su Mingjun , Yao Jun , Chen Qilin , Hu Kaifeng , Hong Zhong
Published: March 2020

A method of identifying lithostratigraphic traps based on seismic sedimentology is proposed. We first establish a 3D high-resolution (fifth-order) sequence stratigraphic framework by using the stratal slices. Then, the reservoir distribution and reservoir-seal assemblage are investigated within the high-resolution sequence framework. This method turns the interpretation of lithostratigraphic traps from traditional seismic facies-based approach to the dynamic analysis of high-resolution seismic geomorphic information. We divide the lower Sha-1 member in the Banqiao Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, East China, into fourth- and fifth-order sequences by applying our method. The fifth-order sequence corresponding to Sha1-2 shows that the fan delta-distal subaqueous fan depositional system can be observed at the bottom of Sha1-2. The bounding fault and paleogeomorphology control the deposition of sand, whereas the sand bodies in the fan delta and distal subaqueous fan are developed near the bounding fault and the open lake basin, respectively. We then predict the sand thickness based on the well logs and seismic amplitudes. Moreover, according to the structural features, at least four lithostratigraphic traps are identified. These traps form a good reservoir-seal assemblage with overlying mudstones deposited during the period of lacustrine level rising. The drilling results in Trap-3 suggest that, our method can be a method of choice for effectively identifying the lithostratigraphic traps, a significant measure for hydrocarbon exploration.