bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Rates of Fusion and Time to Fusion in Viable Cellular Allograft and Autograft
Authors: Frederick Robert M. , Sarfani Shumaila , Chiu Chi-Yang , Hayes Tristan , Bettin Clayton , Grear Benjamin , Richardson David , Murphy G. Andrew
Published: August 2022

Background:

Autograft or allograft frequently are used to enhance bone union in foot and ankle surgery. Viable cellular bone allograft uses viable cells and bone scaffolding in a gel base, but uncertainty remains around allograft’s greater efficacy than autograft regarding rates of fusion (ROF) and time to fusion (TTF).

Methods:

Autograft, viable cellular allograft, and viable cellular allograft with autograft were compared in 199 forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot arthrodeses performed over a 6-year period. Data collected from electronic medical records and radiographs were analyzed to determine ROF and TTF as well as rates of revision surgery for delayed or nonunion and compared among groups.

Results:

Eighty-seven patients comprised the autograft group, 81 the allograft group, and 31 the combined group. No significant differences were noted in patient demographics among the groups. No statistically significant differences in ROF were noted among the 3 groups, with 86% (75 of 87) fusion in the autograft group, 93% (75 of 81) in the allograft group, and 84% (26 of 31) in the combined group ( P = .20). After conducting a multivariate analysis, we found no statistically significant difference for allograft or combined graft on TTF ( P = .1379 and .2311, respectively). No significant difference was found in rate of revision surgery for nonunion, which was 1.2% (1 of 81) in the allograft group, 3.4% (3 of 87) in the autograft group, and 6.5% (2 of 31) in the combined group ( P = .3).

Conclusion:

No significant difference was found in ROF, TTF, or rate of revision surgery when comparing viable cellular allograft to autograft or combined allograft-autograft. Viable cellular allograft may be a reasonable alternative to the gold standard of autograft and should be considered an option in patients undergoing arthrodesis in foot and ankle surgery.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, therapeutic.
Macrodosing to microdosing with psychedelics: Clinical, social, and cultural perspectives
Authors: Kaypak Ayse Ceren , Raz Amir
Published: August 2022

To date, the clinical and scientific literature has best documented the effects of classical psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), in typical quantities most often associated with macrodosing. More recently, however, microdosing with psychedelics has emerged as a social trend and nascent therapeutic intervention. This variation in psychedelic practice refers to repeat, intermittent ingestion of less-than-macrodose amounts that do not cause the effects associated with full-blown “trips”. Microdosing paves the road to incorporating psychedelic drugs into a daily routine while maintaining, or even improving, cognitive and mental function. Unlike macrodosing with psychedelics, the influence of microdosing remains mostly unexplored. And yet, despite the paucity of formal studies, many informal accounts propose that microdosing plays an important role as both a therapeutic intervention (e.g., in mental disorders) and enhancement tool (e.g., recreationally—to boost creativity, improve cognition, and drive personal growth). In response to this relatively new practice, we provide an integrative synthesis of the clinical, social, and cultural dimensions of microdosing. We describe some of the overarching context that explains why this practice is increasingly in vogue, unpack potential benefits and risks, and comment on sociocultural implications. In addition, this article considers the effects that macro- and microdoses have on behavior and psychopathology in light of their dosage characteristics and contexts of use.
Standing alone: experiences of vaccine-hesitant Danish healthcare professionals during COVID-19
Authors: Marså Kristoffer , Kristensen Tina Bøgelund , Konradsen Hanne
Published: August 2022

Aim:

The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of Danish healthcare professionals who were hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods:

Interviews were conducted over the telephone in January and February 2021.

Results:

Healthcare professionals experienced the need to avoid impossible conversations about vaccine hesitancy with their colleagues. They felt a lack of knowledge of long-term experience with the vaccine and a need to balance trust in themselves and the authorities.

Conclusions:

Healthcare professionals who were hesitant towards the COVID-19 vaccine felt they had to keep their concerns to themselves and felt isolated and pressured by their managers. This study is especially important for managers, who must ensure a trusting working environment in which employees can discuss their concerns without feeling pressured.
Out-of-school learning as an effective tool of civic education in elementary school? Evidence from Germany
Authors: Abendschön Simone , Kleer B. Philipp , Faas Thorsten
Published: August 2022

Strengthening political knowledge and democratic understanding of children is an essential aim of citizenship education. In Germany, most curricula of civic education target high school students, neglecting younger children in elementary school. The present study investigates the impact of an out-of-school program for elementary school students at a state parliament on their political knowledge and political interest. The program introduces the students to parliamentary institutions, processes, and decision-making. Among other didactical elements, the students participate in a simulation of a plenary session. The article examines the short-term and long-term effects of program attendance with a quasi-experimental design. The findings show that the out-of-school program positively affects children's political knowledge and interest, thereby confirming that civic education can already be effective at the elementary school level. By implementing such interactive learning programs, schools and teachers could positively contribute to young citizens' political socialization.
Undergraduates’ Academic Acculturative Stress at the Intersection of First-Generation Status and Gender in a Public University Setting
Authors: Laajala-Lozano Allison , Jenkins Sharon Rae
Published: August 2022

First generation college students (FGCSs) may undergo challenging cultural transitions as they acculturate to higher education. Such challenges may include perceived loss of home ties, navigating unfamiliar social rules, and academic acculturative stress. The Academic Acculturative Stress Scale (AAS Scale) was designed to measure these experiences of FGCSs. The sample was comprised of undergraduates at a large public university. Items were created and factor analyzed to evaluate content validity. Mean AAS Scale scores were compared using a 2 (FGCS status) X 2 (gender) factorial analysis of variance. Correlations with students’ reported social support, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and depressive symptomatology evaluated criterion validity. A significant two-way interaction for FGCS status and gender for AASS showed that FGCS women reported doing worse than did non-first-generation students, while FGCS men said they were doing better compared to others. Future research should evaluate support needs of FGCS women for successful degree completion.
Expressive Communication Over Time: A Longitudinal Analysis of the Project Core Implementation Model
Authors: Benson-Goldberg Sofia , Geist Lori , Erickson Karen
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this large-scale descriptive study was to investigate the impact of an implementation model designed to provide U.S. classroom teachers with the knowledge, skills, and resources required to provide aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) instruction to their students with extensive support needs and complex communication needs. We followed 49 students with extensive support needs and limited symbolic communication across 2 years in the classrooms of 53 teachers who engaged in ongoing coaching and professional development. At pretest, the students demonstrated an average of 15 of the 80 (19%) expressive skills on the Communication Matrix. Multilevel longitudinal modeling was used to analyze changes in scores over time. The findings suggest there was a statistically significant relationship between time and Communication Matrix scores, with the ends of each academic year associated with statistically significant growth at rates of 3.01% and 12.38%, respectively. Implications for practice and future directions are discussed.
Establishment of a mouse model for ovarian cancer–associated venous thromboembolism
Authors: Ma Sining , Yin Sheng , Zheng Yiyan , Zang Rongyu
Published: August 2022

Patients with ovarian cancer are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and the cumulative incidence is high, particularly at advanced stages of this disease. Nevertheless, it is challenging to investigate the molecular mechanisms of ovarian cancer–associated VTE (OC-VTE), mainly due to the lack of a well-developed animal model for this disease. We generated a mouse model for developing OC-VTE using ovarian cancer cell injection in combination with the inferior vena cava stenosis method. The rate of thrombosis in the OC-VTE group was 50%, compared with 0 in the control group. Moreover, we conducted a proteomic analysis using platelets from these models and revealed differentially expressed proteins between the OC-VTE and control groups, including upregulated and downregulated proteins. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that these differentially expressed proteins were mostly enriched in the biological process of negative regulation of fibrinolysis and the cellular component of the fibrinogen complex, both of which play key roles in thrombosis. In conclusion, this study lays the foundation for further investigation of the underlying mechanisms of how ovarian cancer promotes VTE formation.
Dynamical reliability analysis and remaining useful life prediction for an on-orbit satellite camera
Authors: Xie Jingyan , Li Yun-Ze , Yang Lizhu , Sun Yuehang , Yuan Man , Ye Binpeng
Published: August 2022

Launch missions of small satellites have been increasing in recent years. As the main payload, the camera plays a pivotal role in remote sensing detection. Therefore, on-orbit health estimation is a continuous concern for satellite design. This study aims to develop a dynamic intelligent health estimation algorithm for the on-orbit satellite camera. Based on fuzzy theory in the intelligent health estimation algorithm, the reliability and the remaining useful life are transformed into a newly defined health estimation index, namely “health vector,” which reflects camera health from the aspects of the electrical and mechanical parts. Compared with traditional methods, the new intelligent health estimation algorithm can not only judge the development direction of satellite camera’s health status, but also predict the degree of change. In addition, the proposed “health vector” is concise for engineers to monitor the health status of satellites in real time from the ground in multiple dimensions. In summary, this study provides a new method for on-orbit health management of satellite cameras.
Impact of adherence to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting β-agonists on asthma outcomes in the United States
Authors: Averell Carlyne M. , Laliberté François , Germain Guillaume , Duh Mei Sheng , Rousculp Matthew D. , MacKnight Sean D. , Slade David J.
Published: August 2022

Background:

Suboptimal adherence to maintenance medication has been associated with poor outcomes in asthma. This study examined single-inhaler inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) adherence and asthma-related outcomes.

Methods:

This retrospective observational study of patients with asthma initiating ICS/LABA used data from IQVIA PharMetrics Plus (1 January 2014–31 March 2019). Patients included were ⩾18 years old and had ⩾12 months continuous eligibility before, and ⩾180 days follow-up after, the index date. Adherence was measured as proportion of days covered ([PDC] adherent ⩾ 0.8; non-adherent <0.8) each quarter, with outcomes measured each subsequent quarter. Endpoints were asthma-related overall and severe (inpatient/emergency department [ED] visit) exacerbations, rescue medication use, and asthma-related healthcare resource utilization and costs. Regression models evaluated associations between adherence and outcomes, controlling for repeated measures and differences in baseline characteristics.

Results:

Overall, 50,037 patients were included (mean age 45.3 years; mean follow-up 23.3 months). Adherent patients were less likely to experience asthma-related overall (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.942 [0.890, 0.998]; p = 0.041), or severe exacerbations (aOR [95% CI]: 0.778 [0.691, 0.877]; p < 0.001) per quarter versus non-adherent patients. Adherent patients had lower severe exacerbation rates (adjusted rate ratio [aRR] [95% CI]: 0.792 [0.702, 0.893]; p < 0.001) but similar overall exacerbation rates (aRR [95% CI]: 0.993 [0.945, 1.044]; p = 0.783) versus non-adherent patients. The odds of rescue medication use were lower per 20% PDC increase (aOR [95% CI] short-acting β2 agonist: 0.991 [0.985, 0.996]; p = 0.001; oral corticosteroid: 0.988 [0.982, 0.995]; p < 0.001). Adherent patients were less likely to visit EDs per quarter (aOR [95% CI]: 0.775 [0.680, 0.883]; p < 0.001) and odds of hospitalization were lower per 20% PDC increase (aOR [95% CI]: 0.930 [0.881, 0.982]; p = 0.009). Across most measures, adherent patients incurred lower costs.

Conclusion:

This real-world study highlights the short-term clinical and economic benefits of ICS/LABA adherence in asthma, particularly in reducing severe exacerbations.
Numerical investigation of the response of turbulent swirl non-premixed flames to air flow oscillations
Authors: Giusti Andrea , Zhang Huangwei , Kypraiou Anna-Maria , Allison Patton M. , Mastorakos Epaminondas
Published: August 2022

The response of swirl non-premixed flames to air flow oscillations is studied using Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) and the Conditional Moment Closure (CMC) combustion model, focusing on the physical mechanisms leading to the heat release rate oscillations observed in a parallel experimental study. Cases relatively close to blow-off and characterized by different amplitude of the flow oscillations are considered. Numerical results are in good agreement with the experiment in terms of both mean flame shape and heat release rate response. Simulations show that the oscillation of the air flow leads to an axial movement and fragmentation of the flame that are more pronounced with increasing amplitude of the forcing. The flame response is characterized by fluctuations of the flame area, time-varying local extinction and lift-off from the fuel injection point. LES-CMC, due to the inherent capability to capture burning state transitions, predicts properly the flame transfer function as a function of the amplitude of the air flow oscillations. This suggests that the response mechanism for this flame is not only due to time-varying flame area, but also local extinction and re-ignition. This study demonstrates that LES-CMC is a useful tool for the analysis of the response of flames of technical interest to large velocity oscillations and for the prediction of the flame transfer function in conditions close to blow-off.
Diagnostic Value of Lateral Ankle Radiography in Achilles Tendon Rupture
Authors: Kokulu Kamil , Altunok İbrahim , Sert Ekrem Taha , Özdemir Serdar , Mutlu Hüseyin , Akça Hatice Şeyma
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is a common sports injury, but approximately 20% of acute ATR cases are misdiagnosed as ankle sprains at first presentation. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of lateral ankle radiography in the diagnosis of acute ATR.

Methods:

This was a retrospective case-control study in which the lateral ankle radiographs of patients who presented to the emergency department between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019 were examined. The study included a total of 154 patients with acute ATR, who underwent lateral ankle radiography at the presentation and were surgically or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed to have ATR in our hospital. The lateral ankle radiographs of the patients were examined by 2 clinicians blinded to clinical data for the following 3 findings: Kager’s fat pad sign, tibio-first metatarsal angle, and tibiocalcaneal angle. The same procedure was repeated for 308 controls who underwent lateral ankle radiography and were diagnosed with ankle sprain.

Results:

Kager’s fat pad sign was detected in 133 (86.4%) of the 154 patients with ATR and 26 (8.4%) of the 308 patients in the control group. The Kager’s fat pad sign, tibio-first metatarsal angle, and tibiocalcaneal angle sensitivity values for the diagnosis of ATR were 86.4%, 61.7%, and 65.6%, respectively, and their specificity values were 91.6%, 78.9%, and 56.2%, respectively. Interobserver reliability was determined to be good for all 3 radiographic findings.

Conclusion:

Clinicians should be particularly aware of Kager’s fat pad sign when examining lateral ankle radiographs for ankle injury.

Levels of Evidence:

Level IV: Case control study
The Risk for Food Insecurity and Suicide Ideation among Young Adults in the United States: The Mediating Roles of Perceived Stress and Social Isolation
Authors: Graham Carlyn , Ciciurkaite Gabriele
Published: August 2022

Young adults in the United States have the highest prevalence of suicidal thoughts of any adult age group. While limited, research indicates food insecurity heightens the risk of suicide ideation among young adults. However, research has not explored the pathways underlying the food insecurity—suicide ideation association among this population. Using 2008 data from Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we fill this gap by testing for the mediating roles of perceived stress and social isolation in the association between the risk for food insecurity and suicide ideation among young adults ages 24–32 ( N = 14,897). Our findings reveal that perceived stress and social isolation account for almost half of this association. Given the eradication of food insecurity in the United States is unlikely imminent, our results indicate an exigent need for interventions and programs to address psychosocial risk factors associated with food insecurity.
Representative Bias and Pairs Trade: Evidence From S&P 500 and Russell 2000 Indexes
Authors: Lee Yen-Sheng
Published: August 2022

This study tests whether pairs trade conditional on representative bias in the options and stock markets leads to abnormal returns. While previous literature on representativeness focuses on a single index, S&P 500 and Russell 2000 indexes are used to examine the extent to which representative bias arises due to a pattern of similar information shock in the three analyzed periods. The empirical results of the options market lend little support to the representativeness anomalies because Russell 2000 index, relative to S&P 500 index, does not adjust to a sequence of information shocks in the 2020 economic downturn inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic, despite the asymmetrical responsiveness to information shock over the sample period of 2004 to 2020, and during the 2008 global financial crisis. However, the empirical findings of the stock market verify, to some degree, the existence of representative bias during the sample period of 2004 to 2020. To examine whether asymmetrical representativeness in the options market or representativeness in the stock market yields abnormal returns, pairs trade is designed to exploit riskless profits via buying S&P 500 index and selling Russell 2000 index. Based on the Fama and French three-factor model, the empirical evidence is in support of market efficiency because the pairs trading strategy cannot generate positive abnormal returns in both options and stock markets.
The Determinants of Visit Intention for Chinese Residents in the Michigan, United States: An Empirical Analysis Performed Through PLS-SEM
Authors: Lee Jenni Soo-Hee , Hwang Jinsoo
Published: August 2022

The United States (US) is a well-known international tourism destination. However, some states, such as Michigan, remain unfamiliar to international tourists. The current study reflects the rapid increase of Chinese residents in the US, targeting this group as potential international tourists to Michigan. This quantitative study seeks to identify factors that determine the visit intentions of this tourist segment. To this end, it examines the relationship between destination image, factors pertaining to the theory of planned behavior (TPB), acculturation, and visit intention. An online survey is conducted, and the collected data are analyzed using partial-least-square structural equation modeling. The results validate the destination image as strongly related to attitudes. Among the TPB factors, perceived behavioral control is most strongly related to visit intention, followed by subjective norms and attitudes. Acculturation partially mediates the relationship between perceived behavioral control and visit intention. The result can be utilized in destinations not renowned as popular international tourism destinations and that need a new business opportunity to revitalize the local economy.
Analysis on Influencing Factors of Hospitalization Cost for Patients With Kidney Stone Disease in Western China
Authors: Chen He , Gao Hongda , Feng Qiming , Luo Guosheng , Xu Tingting , Qin Xianjing , Feng Jun , Zhao Jinmin
Published: August 2022

To explore the influencing factors causing the change of hospitalization cost (HC) in patients with kidney stone disease (KSD), control the increase of HC and reduce the economic burden of patients. Data were derived from one provincial general public hospital in Guangxi, China. Model of Artificial Neural Networks and Multiple Linear Regression were used in analyze the external factors from 2012 to 2016. From 2012 to 2016, the total cost increased year by year without the influence of prices. In perspective of Artificial Neural Networks model, influencing importance of length of stay (LoS) and year and hospitalization frequency rank the first three places. With the processing of multiple linear regression model, it was found that the factors of LoS and year were positively correlated with HC, while the hospitalization frequency factor was negatively correlated. Due to the two models, LoS and year and hospitalization frequency affect HC. So decreasing LoS and increasing medical service efficiency are meaningful for controlling HC. By comparison of the two methods, Artificial Neural model is more suitable for information of this study, but much information still can not be explained and further study will be made.
Current Practice of Acute Spinal Cord Injury Management: A Global Survey of Members from the AO Spine
Authors: Hejrati Nader , Moghaddamjou Ali , Pedro Karlo , Alvi Mohammed Ali , Harrop James S. , Guest James D. , Kwon Brian K. , Fehlings Michael G.
Published: August 2022

Study Design

Cross-sectional, international survey.

Objectives

To examine current international practices as well as knowledge, adoption, and barriers to guideline implementation for acute spinal cord injury (SCI) management.

Methods

A survey was distributed to members of AO Spine. The questionnaire was structured to obtain demographic data and preferred acute SCI practices surrounding steroid use, hemodynamic management, and timing of surgical decompression.

Results

593 members completed the survey including orthopaedic surgeons (54.3%), neurosurgeons (35.6%), and traumatologists (8.4%). Most (61.2%) respondents were from low and middle-income countries (LMICs). 53.6% of physicians used steroids for the treatment of acute SCIs. Respondents from LMICs were more likely to administer steroids than HICs (178 vs. 78; P < .001). 331 respondents (81.5%) answered that patients would receive mean arterial pressure (MAP) targeted treatment. In LMICs, SCI patients were less likely to be provided with MAP-targeted treatment (76.9%) as compared to HICs (89%; P < .05). The majority of respondents (87.8%) reported that patients would benefit from early decompression. Despite overwhelming evidence and surgeons’ responses that would offer early surgery, 62.4% of respondents stated they encounter logistical barriers in their institutions. This was particularly evident in LMICs, where 57.9% of respondents indicated that early intervention was unlikely to be accomplished, while only 21.1% of respondents from HICs stated the same ( P < .001).

Conclusion

This survey highlights challenges in the implementation of standardized global practices in the management of acute SCI. Future research efforts will need to refine SCI guidelines and address barriers to guideline implementation.
Resources are vexing!
Authors: Valdivia Gabriela , Himley Matthew , Havice Elizabeth
Published: August 2022

Resource use and management are central concerns to environmental geography scholars, who have mobilized diverse approaches to examine the making, circulation, and socioecological effects of resources and resource systems. Informed by our reading of the resource geography literature and our experiences editing The Routledge Handbook of Critical Resource Geography, we reflect on the role of resources in the study of human–environment interactions. First, we outline what we mean by “critical” in critical resource geography and identify approaches scholars working in this area have taken to understand resources and the worlds that are created and undone through their production, circulation, consumption, and disposal. We then identify an aporia internal to critical resource geography that derives from the field's centering of a concept—“resources”—that is fundamentally linked to the colonial and capitalist subjugation of peoples and environments. Building from this, we propose an orientation for the field that recognizes critique to be the starting point of a collective effort to “unbound” the World of Resources with the aim of making what are now familiar resource-relations unacceptable.
New Indication for an Established Procedure: Cervical Cerclage for Prevention of Umbilical Cord Prolapse
Authors: Petrikovsky B. M. , Terrani M. , Dillon A.
Published: August 2022

Objective:

Funic presentation is a risk factor for umbilical cord prolapse. In the majority of cases, umbilical cord prolapse is an obstetric emergency. Currently there is no strategy to prevent umbilical cord prolapse in patients with funic presentation. Placing a third trimester cervical cerclage was proposed, as a mechanical barrier of prolapse, in women with funic presentation.

Materials and Methods:

Twelve patients with funic presentation, detected between 23 and 34 weeks of gestation, were included in the study. Patients were informed that although cervical cerclage have been widely used in obstetrics, it had not been offered in patients with funic presentation. Gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, location of umbilical cord at birth, presence or absence of umbilical cord prolapsed, and neonatal condition at birth were recorded in all cases.

Results:

Patients’ age varied from 21 to 40 years, mean of 28 ± 6.2 years, and gestational age at the time of diagnosis of funic presentation varied from 26 to 34 weeks of pregnancy. All patients were seen weekly after the cervical cerclage placement to assess the umbilical cord location. Seven patients had vertex presentation, four had breech presentation, and one had transverse lie presentation. A follow-up sonogram of the umbilical cord revealed the following: funic presentation was persistent throughout the entire pregnancy in five patients, disappeared in four, and became intermittent in three. The delivery mode was as follows: cesarean section was performed in eight patients (five with persistent funic presentation, two with intermittent, and one with resolved funic presentation because of failure to progress in labor). There were five patients who delivered vaginally. Funic presentation was confirmed in all patients who underwent cesarean sections. None of the patients had had an umbilical cord prolapse.

Conclusion:

In view of high perinatal mortality of umbilical cord prolapses, placement of cervical cerclage could be added to obstetric armamentarium in patients with funic presentation, after proper counseling.
Large mammal telomere length variation across ecoregions
Authors: Fohringer Christian , Hoelzl Franz , Allen Andrew M. , Cayol Claire , Ericsson Göran , Spong Göran , Smith Steven , Singh Navinder J.
Published: August 2022

Background

Telomere length provides a physiological proxy for accumulated stress in animals. While there is a growing consensus over how telomere dynamics and their patterns are linked to life history variation and individual experience, knowledge on the impact of exposure to different stressors at a large spatial scale on telomere length is still lacking. How exposure to different stressors at a regional scale interacts with individual differences in life history is also poorly understood. To better understand large-scale regional influences, we investigated telomere length variation in moose (Alces alces) distributed across three ecoregions. We analyzed 153 samples of 106 moose representing moose of both sexes and range of ages to measure relative telomere lengths (RTL) in white blood cells.

Results

We found that average RTL was significantly shorter in a northern (montane) and southern (sarmatic) ecoregion where moose experience chronic stress related to severe summer and winter temperatures as well as high anthropogenic land-use compared to the boreal region. Our study suggests that animals in the northern boreal forests, with relatively homogenous land use, are less disturbed by environmental and anthropogenic stressors. In contrast, animals in areas experiencing a higher rate of anthropogenic and environmental change experience increased stress.

Conclusion

Although animals can often adapt to predictable stressors, our data suggest that some environmental conditions, even though predictable and ubiquitous, can generate population level differences of long-term stress. By measuring RTL in moose for the first time, we provide valuable insights towards our current understanding of telomere biology in free-ranging wildlife in human-modified ecosystems.
Serum anti-SPP1 autoantibody as a potential novel biomarker in detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Chen , Sun Guiying , Wang Huimin , Dai Liping , Zhang Jianying , Du Renle
Published: August 2022

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has poor prognosis mainly due to lacking of effective diagnostic biomarkers. Aberrant expression of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) protein has been observed in several cancers. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of serum autoantibody to SPP1 in detection of ESCC.

Methods

The SPP1 protein levels in 108 ESCC tissues and 72 adjacent normal tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Discovery group containing 62 serum samples from ESCC patients and 62 serum samples from normal controls (NC) were used to detect the levels of anti-SPP1 autoantibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Validation group containing another 100 ESCC and 100 NC serum samples were tested to confirm the levels of autoantibody to SPP1. Western blotting was performed to further confirm the results of ELISA.

Results

SPP1 protein was significantly overexpressed in ESCC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. ELISA results showed that serum autoantibody to SPP1 was significantly increased in ESCC compared to NC in both discovery and validation groups. Autoantibody to SPP1 could discriminate patients with ESCC from NC with the area under curve (AUC) values of 0.653 and 0.739 in discovery and validation group, respectively. The results of ELISA and the occurrence of immunoreactivity to SPP1 in ESCC sera were confirmed by western blotting.

Conclusion

Our study indicated the potential significance of anti-SPP1 autoantibody as a novel biomarker for detection of ESCC.
The relationships of shift work, hair cortisol concentration and dyslipidaemia: a cohort study in China
Authors: Zhu Lejia , Zhang Yu , Song Lin , Zhou Ziqi , Wang Jin , Wang Yangmei , Sang Lingli , Xiao Jing , Lian Yulong
Published: August 2022

Background

Currently, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, and dyslipidaemia is an independent and modifiable major risk factor. Previous studies on shift work with dyslipidaemia and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) have yielded conflicting results. The aim of this study was to clarify the association between shift work, dyslipidaemia, and HCC. We further explored the mediating effect of HCC.

Methods

In this cohort study, baseline data were collected from participants in May 2013. The cohort included 2170 participants- 1348 shift workers and 822 non-shift workers- who were followed up for 6 years with four questionnaire surveys from July 2014, October 2015, and May to December 2019. Hair samples were collected from 340 participants during the baseline period for HCC testing with an automated radioimmunoassay. Dyslipidaemia was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III diagnostic criteria.

Results

Shift workers had a higher risk of dyslipidaemia than workers on the fixed day shift (two-shift RR = 1.408, 95% CI: 1.102–1.798; three-shift RR = 1.478, 95% CI: 1.134–1.926; four-shift RR = 1.589, 95% CI: 1.253–2.015). Additionally, shift workers had higher HCC levels than fixed day shift workers, with geometric mean concentration (GMC) ± geometric standard difference (GSD) = 2.625 ± 2.012 ng/g, two-shift GMC ± GSD = 3.487 ± 1.930 ng/g, three-shift GMC ± GSD = 2.994 ± 1.813 ng/g, and four-shift GMC ± GSD = 3.143 ± 1.720 ng/g. High HCC was associated with a high incidence of dyslipidaemia. After controlling for confounding factors, this study showed that HCC played a role in mediating dyslipidaemia in shift workers and accounted for 16.24% of the effect.

Conclusions

Shift work was linked to increased risk of dyslipidaemia compared with fixed day shift work. Higher HCC was associated with a higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia. HCC had a significant mediating effect on dyslipidaemia in shift workers.
Prevalence and clinical characteristics of malignant lung nodules in tuberculosis endemic area in a single tertiary centre
Authors: Zaharudin Norsyuhada , Jailaini Mas Fazlin Mohamad , Abeed Nik Nuratiqah Nik , Ng Boon Hau , Ban Andrea Yu-Lin , Imree Mohd , Zakaria Rozman , Zakaria Syed Zulkifli Syed , Hamid Mohamed Faisal Abdul
Published: August 2022

Background

Lung nodule management remains a challenge to clinicians, especially in endemic tuberculosis areas. Different guidelines are available with various recommendations; however, the suitability of these guidelines for the Asian population is still unclear. Our study described the prevalence of malignant lung nodules among nodules measuring 2–30 mm, the demographic and characteristics of lung nodules between benign and malignant groups, and the clinician's clinical practice in managing lung nodules.

Method

Retrospective review of lung nodules from the computed tomography archiving and communication system (PACS) database and clinical data from January 2019 to January 2022. The data was analysed by using chi square, mann whitney test and simple logistic regression.

Results

There were 288 nodules measuring 2–30 mm identified; 49 nodules underwent biopsy. Twenty-seven (55%) biopsied nodules were malignant, (prevalence of 9.4%). Among the malignant lung nodules, 74% were adenocarcinoma (n = 20). The commonest benign nodules were granuloma n = 12 (55%). In nodules > 8 mm, the median age of malignant and benign was 72 ± 12 years and 66 ± 16 years, respectively (p = 0.024). There was a significant association of benign nodules (> 8 mm) in subjects with previous or concurrent tuberculosis (p = 0.008). Benign nodules are also associated with nodule size ≤ 8 mm, without spiculation (p < 0.001) and absence of emphysema (p = 0.007). The nodule size and the presence of spiculation are factors to make the clinicians proceed with tissue biopsy. Spiculated nodules and increased nodule size had 11 and 13 times higher chances of undergoing biopsy respectively (p < 0.001).) Previous history of tuberculosis had a 0.874 reduced risk of progression to malignant lung nodules (p = 0.013). These findings implied that these three factors are important risk factors for malignant lung nodules. There was no mortality association between benign and malignant. Using Brock's probability of malignancy, nodules ≤ 8 mm had a low probability of malignancy.

Conclusion

The prevalence of malignant lung nodules in our centre was comparatively lower than non-Asian countries. Older age, the presence of emphysema, and spiculation are associated with malignancy. Clinical judgment is of utmost importance in managing these patients. Fleishner guideline is still being used as a reference by our clinician.
Effects of the ketogenic diet in mice with hind limb ischemia
Authors: Shalamu Adilan , Dong Zhen , Liu Bowen , Pan Lihong , Cai Yun , Liu Liwei , Ma Xiurui , Hu Kai , Sun Aijun , Ge Junbo
Published: August 2022

Background

The ketogenic diet (KD) has anti-tumor and anti-diabetic effects in addition to its anti-epileptic role. It could also improve cardiac function and attenuate neurological insult. However, the effect of KD on blood perfusion or tissue recovery after ischemia remains largely unknown. Thus, we observed blood flow and ischemic tissue recovery following hind limb ischemia (HLI) in mice.

Methods

C57 mice were fed with either a KD or normal diet (ND) for 2 weeks, before inducing hind limb ischemia, blood perfusion of ischemic limb tissue was observed at 0, 7, and 21 days post operation.

Results

KD not only decreased blood perfusion of ischemic limb tissue but also delayed muscle recovery after ischemia, induced muscle atrophy of non-ischemic tissue compared to mice fed with ND. Furthermore, KD delayed wound healing at the surgical site and aggravated inflammation of the ischemic tissue. At the cellular level, KD altered the metabolic status of limb tissue by decreasing glucose and ketone body utilization while increasing fatty acid oxidation. Following ischemia, glycolysis, ketolysis, and fatty acid utilization in limb tissue were all further reduced by KD, while ketogenesis was mildly increased post KD in this mice model.

Conclusion

The KD may cause impaired tissue recovery after ischemia and possible muscle atrophy under a prolonged diet. Our results hint that patients with limb ischemia should avoid ketogenic diet.
Undernutrition and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in pastoral communities of Afar Regional State, northeast Ethiopia
Authors: Birara Aychiluhm Setognal , Gualu Aragaw , Wuneh Abel Gebre
Published: August 2022

Background

Maternal malnutrition during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriages and foetal deaths, pre-term delivery, and maternal mortality. However, limited studies have been conducted in Ethiopia that may not represent the problem among pregnant women in pastoral communities like the Afar region. Therefore, this study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in pastoral communities of the Afar region, northeast Ethiopia.

A facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed from 20 September to 5 October 2020. A sample of 387 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in randomly selected public health facilities was included. The collected data were checked, cleaned, and entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and exported into Stata version 14.0 for further analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to measure the association between undernutrition and its predictors among pregnant women. Finally, the statistical significance level was declared using an adjusted odds ratio with its corresponding 95% confidence interval.

The overall prevalence of undernutrition among pregnant women was found to be 30.9% [95% CI 26.5%, 35.8%]. Being illiterate, living in rural, women’s substance usage during pregnancy, not receiving counselling on a balanced diet, having chronic medical problems, not taking extra meals within 24 h, having food restrictions during this pregnancy, and being HIV-positive were the independent predictors of undernutrition.

Conclusion

This study indicated that nearly a third of pregnant women were undernourished. The regional and national governments should give due attention to women residing in rural areas to get access to education for women in pastoral communities. The health care providers should strengthen the screening of women with medical problems and interventions that improve maternal health during pregnancy. Besides the provision of prenatal dietary counselling on a balanced diet, avoiding food restrictions and encouraging them to take extra meal during pregnancy are recommended to avoid undernutrition among pregnant women in pastoral communities.
Impact of NSCLC metabolic remodeling on immunotherapy effectiveness
Authors: Lv Lulu , Huang Ruo han , Li Jiale , Xu Jing , Gao Wen
Published: August 2022

It is known that metabolic reprogramming (MR) contributes to tumorigenesis through the activation of processes that support survival of cells, proliferation, and grow in the tumor microenvironment. In order to keep the tumor proliferating at a high rate, metabolic pathways must be upregulated, and tumor metabolism must be adapted to meet this requirement. Additionally, immune cells engage in metabolic remodeling to maintain body and self-health. With the advent of immunotherapy, the fate of individuals suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been transformed dramatically. MR may have a profound influence on their prognosis. The aim of this review is to summarize current research advancements in metabolic reprogramming and their impact on immunotherapy in NSCLC. Moreover, we talk about promising approaches targeting and manipulating metabolic pathways to improve cancer immunotherapy’s effectiveness in NSCLC.
Is it the road or the fence? Influence of linear anthropogenic features on the movement and distribution of a partially migratory ungulate
Authors: Jones Paul F. , Jakes Andrew F. , Vegter Scott E. , Verhage Mike S.
Published: August 2022

Background

Anthropogenic linear features change the behavior and selection patterns of species, which must adapt to these ever-increasing features on the landscape. Roads are a well-studied linear feature that alter the survival, movement, and distribution of animals. Less understood are the effects of fences on wildlife, though they tend to be more ubiquitous across the landscape than roads. Even less understood are potential indirect effects when fences are found in tandem with roads along transportation corridors.

Methods

We assessed how the spatial configuration of fences and roads effect the movement (crossing effect) and distribution (proximity effect) of a partially migratory pronghorn population (Antilocapra americana) on the grasslands of southern Alberta, Canada. We used data from 55 collared pronghorn within a step-selection function framework to assess the influence of 4 linear features: (1) pasture fences, (2) roads not fenced, (3) roads fenced on one side, and (4) roads fenced on both sides on the selection pattern of migratory and resident animals. We examined whether steps along a movement pathway (i.e., crossing effect) were influenced by the type of linear feature animals attempted to cross and, whether these features affected the distribution of pronghorn (i.e., proximity effect) across the landscape.

Results

The top model for crossing effect for both movement tactics contained all 4 linear features and land cover. Regression coefficients were negative for all linear features, indicating that individuals were less likely to chose steps that crossed linear features. For the proximity effect, migrant animals avoided all linear features except roads fenced on both sides, where they selected areas closer to this feature. Resident animals, on the other hand, were found closer to pasture fences but further from roads without fences.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that both fences and roads are indirectly affecting pronghorn resource use spatially and behaviorally, whether each linear feature is found separately or in tandem. Modifying existing fences and roads to account for responses to these distinct linear features could facilitate more successful crossing opportunities and/or shifts in distribution. Allowing pronghorn to freely move across the landscape will maintain functional connectivity to ensure population persistence of this endemic ungulate.
Dynamic vs. diagnostic assessment: impacts on EFL learners’ speaking fluency and accuracy, learning anxiety, and cognitive load
Authors: Abdulaal Mohammad Awad Al-Dawoody , Alenazi Maryumah Heji , Tajuddin Azza Jauhar Ahmad , Hamidi Bahramuddin
Published: August 2022

Despite their importance, dynamic and diagnostic assessments (DigAs) have received little attention in phycological aspects of foreign language teaching and learning settings; therefore, this study compared the effects of dynamic and diagnostic assessment (DigA) on Afghan EFL learners’ speaking fluency and accuracy (SFA), learning anxiety (LA), and cognitive load (CL). To do so, 90 Afghan EFL learners were recruited and assigned to two experimental groups (EGs), namely a dynamic assessment group (DAG), a DigAG, and a control group (CG). After that, the three groups were pretested on SFA, LA, and CL. Then, one EG was trained based on the DA, and the other EG was taught based on the DigA, while the CG received common speaking instruction. After finishing the instruction, all groups were given the posttests of SFA, LA, and CL to evaluate the impacts of the treatment on their performances. The findings of the one-way ANOVA test divulged that both EGs outflanked the CG on their posttests. In fact, using dynamic and DigA developed EFL learners’ SFA and CL and reduced their LA. Though both EGs outflanked the CG, the DAG had better improvement than the DigAG on their posttests. At the end of the research, some implications were provided, and some suggestions were recommended for the next studies.