bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Yonghui , Pan Hongrui , Luo Guangze , Li Peng , Dai Xiangchen
Published: January 2021

Objective

For patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS), the role of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) remains inconclusive. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the benefits of best medical therapy (BMT) plus PTRA and BMT alone in treating ARAS.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, and searched for all randomized, controlled trials that reported patients with ARAS. The effectiveness and safety in the BMT plus PTRA and BMT alone groups were estimated, taking into account hypertension, stroke, renal events, cardiac events, and mortality.

Results

Nine randomized, controlled trials involving 2309 patients were included. In the BMT plus PTRA group, the incidence of refractory hypertension was significantly lower compared with that in the BMT alone group (odds ratio 0.09; 95% confidence interval 0.01, 0.70). However, there were no significant differences in the rates of stroke, renal events, cardiac events, cardiac mortality, and all-cause mortality between the two groups.

Conclusions

PTRA plus BMT improves blood pressure in patients with ARAS, but there is insufficient evidence for this therapy in improving stroke, renal events, cardiac events, and cardiac and all-cause mortality.
Nutcracker syndrome accompanied by hypertension: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Rui-feng , Zhou Chun-ze , Fu Yu-qin , Lv Wei-fu
Published: January 2021

Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) refers to characteristic clinical symptoms that develop secondary to the nutcracker phenomenon (NCP), defined as compression of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. A 22-year-old Chinese man presented with a 2-year history of hypertension and left flank pain after activity; his blood pressure fluctuated within 130–150/90–100 mmHg without treatment. He had microscopic hematuria (2+) and increased plasma renin activity. The findings of both color Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography angiography were consistent with a diagnosis of NCS. The patient had no history of familial hypertension or special medications. Secondary hypertension-related examinations showed no significant abnormalities. After placement of an endovascular stent in the left renal vein, normal blood flow resumed and the collateral circulation was reduced. Both the hypertension and flank pain were alleviated within 3 days after the intervention and did not reappear during the following 11 months. NCP/NCS accompanied by hypertension is very rare. The possibility of NCP/NCS should be considered when secondary hypertension cannot be explained by other factors. The mechanism by which hypertension is caused by NCP/NCS is rather complex and deserves further investigation.
Cancer-related Fatigue in Relation to Chronotype and Sleep Quality in (Non-)Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors
Authors: Starreveld Daniëlle E. J. , Habers G. Esther A. , Valdimarsdottir Heiddis B. , Kessels Rob , Daniëls Laurien A. , van Leeuwen Flora E. , Bleiker Eveline M. A.
Published: January 2021

Cancer-related fatigue has been related to circadian disruptions and lower levels of sleep quality. However, it is unknown whether the circadian phase, which is associated with chronotype and timing of sleep, is related to fatigue after cancer. The aims of this study were to investigate the associations between (1) chronotype and cancer-related fatigue and (2) sleep quality and cancer-related fatigue. In this cross-sectional questionnaire study, 458 (non-)Hodgkin lymphoma survivors ( n = 231 female, mean age 49.7 years) completed a Visual Analogue Scale for fatigue (VAS-fatigue) from 0 ( no fatigue) to 10 ( worst imaginable fatigue), the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) between October 2018 and July 2019. A hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between the dependent variable fatigue and chronotype (based on early, intermediate, or late average midsleep) in Model 1, and fatigue and sleep quality in Model 2. The results showed no indications for an association between chronotype and fatigue (all p values ≥ 0.50). There were associations between two (out of seven) aspects of sleep quality and fatigue: subjective sleep quality ( p < 0.001) and daily dysfunctioning ( p < 0.001). Therefore, it is more likely that fatigue is associated with self-reported sleep quality rather than with chronotype. However, experimental studies with objective, physiological data on circadian phase and sleep quality are necessary to confirm the conclusions of this cross-sectional study.
Building Resilience within Institutions Together with Employees (BRITE): Preliminary experience with implementation in an academic cancer centre
Authors: Elliott Mary , Macedo Alyssa , Escaf Marnie
Published: January 2021

Resilience is defined as the capacity to bounce back and respond to pressure, unpredictability, or adversity in an adaptive and effective manner that leads to learning and positive outcomes. BRITE, Building Resilience within Institutions Together with Employees, the focus of this article, is a program designed to equip healthcare workers with skills to foster their resilience as they work; herein, we describe the context, development, and preliminary implementation results.
A comparative study of experimental urinary catheters containing silver and zinc for biofilm inhibition
Authors: Vaitkus Simonas , Simoes-Torigoe Rafaela , Wong Nicholas , Morris Karcher , Spada Frederick E , Alagiri Madhu , Talke Frank E
Published: January 2021

Both commercial and experimental antibacterial urinary catheters were investigated for their efficacy in preventing planktonic growth and biofilm formation of Escherichia Coli bacteria in a synthetic urine solution. Experimental antibacterial catheters having thin (<500 µm) dispersions of Ag, Ag/Ag2O, or Zn/Ag2O in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) binder all exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, outperforming traditional commercial antibacterial catheters. All experimental catheters prevented planktonic growth of bacteria and did not exhibit biofilm formation during a six-day test period using a colony forming unit (CFU) measurement method. On the other hand, the best performing commercial catheters demonstrated efficacy for only 3 days in planktonic growth tests and formed multiple bacterial colonies in CFU measurements. The Zn/Ag2O/PDMS experimental catheter was the only catheter observed to produce hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen species known to inhibit biofilm formation; lack of detectable hydrogen peroxide production by the Ag2O/PDMS and Ag/Ag2O/PDMS experimental catheters suggests that bactericidal action most likely arises from release of silver ions present in the PDMS coatings.
Development and Validation of the Economic Coercion Scale 36 (ECS-36) in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Yount Kathryn M. , Cheong Yuk Fai , Miedema Stephanie , Naved Ruchira T.
Published: January 2021

Assessing progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, to achieve gender equality and to empower women, requires monitoring trends in intimate partner violence (IPV). Current measures of IPV may miss women’s experiences of economic coercion, or interference with the acquisition, use, and maintenance of financial resources. This sequential, mixed-methods study developed and validated a scale for economic coercion in married women in rural Bangladesh, where women’s expanding economic opportunities may elevate the risks of economic coercion and other IPV. Forty items capturing lifetime and prior-year economic coercion were adapted from formative qualitative research and prior scales and administered to a probability sample of 930 married women 16–49 years. An economic coercion scale (ECS) was validated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with primary data from random-split samples ( N1 = 310; N2 = 620). Item response theory (IRT) methods gauged the measurement precision of items and scales over the range of the economic-coercion latent trait. Multiple-group factor analysis assessed measurement invariance of the economic-coercion construct. Two-thirds (62.26%) of women reported any lifetime economic coercion. EFA suggested a 36-item, two-factor model capturing barriers to acquire and to use or maintain economic resources. CFA, multiple group factor analysis, and multidimensional IRT methods confirmed that this model provided a reasonable fit to the data. IRT analysis showed that each dimension provided most precision over the higher range of the economic coercion trait. The Economic Coercion Scale 36 (ECS-36) should be validated elsewhere and over time. It may be added to violence-specific surveys and evaluations of violence-prevention and economic-empowerment programs that have a primary interest measuring economic coercion. Short-form versions of the ECS may be developed for multipurpose surveys and program monitoring.
Gendered Frames of Mobilization: Differential Participation of Women in Ethno-politics of Darjeeling
Authors: Chhetri Nilamber
Published: January 2021

While issues related to collective mobilizations have recently attracted considerable attention, little has been done to explore and explain the differential rate of participation of women in different forms of mobilization. While addressing the issues of gender within the charred ethno-politics of Darjeeling, this article will analyse women’s participation in two successive waves of Gorkhaland movements, followed by the recent mobilization for recognition as scheduled tribes. In this regard, the article will highlight how the overt use of violence, followed by the response of the state, contributes significantly towards differential participation in ethnic movements. Looking at the changing ethno-politics of the Darjeeling hills, the article argues that the gender difference within social movements is produced through anchoring frames which use cultural cues to structure the repertoire of the movement.
The Effects of Religion and Modernization on Egyptian Women’s IPV Attitudes
Authors: Golriz Golshan , Miner Skye
Published: January 2021

This article uses the 2008 Egypt Demographic and Health Survey to explore the relationship between religion and women’s attitudes toward intimate partner violence (IPV). It also asks whether modernization, as measured by having a higher education or living in an urban area, can mediate or moderate this relationship. Using latent class analysis to create categories of women’s wife-beating attitudes, and multinomial regression to explore the relationship between religion, education, and urbanity, we find no significant relationship between being Muslim and justifying wife beating. Our data further suggest that neither education nor urbanity mediate or moderate this relationship.
Removal of aflatoxin b1 and t-2 toxin by bacteria isolated from commercially available probiotic dairy foods
Authors: Ondiek Walter , Wang Yaling , Sun Lijun , Zhou Langhua , On Stephen LW , Zheng Haotian , Ravi Gooneratne
Published: January 2021

This study isolated lactic acid bacteria from commercially available probiotic foods to determine their capacity to remove aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and trichothecene-2 (T-2). The removal rates by original live and heat-treated cells of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were compared to test the effect of heat treatment on efficacy. LAB is capable to remove up to 46% of AFB1 and up to 45% of T-2 toixn. The toxin removal capability increased as toxin concentration increased despite bacterial cell viability declining. Surprisingly, the denatured LAB removed greater percentages of AFB1 (up to 62%) and T-2 (up to 52%) than live bacterial cells ( P < 0.05), lending support to the hypothesis that there is higher binding of toxins to the cell membrane of nonviable cells. The research provided practical evidences, which suggest that when ingested into the gut biota, LAB could likely reduce absorption of AFB1 and T-2 from contaminated foods.
2021: The New Normal and the Air, Soil and Water Research Perspective
Authors: Bandala Erick R , Rodrigo-Comino Jesus , Latif Mohd Talib
Published: January 2021

With over 64.1 million cases worldwide (by December 1, 2020) and a death toll surpassing 1.48 million the COVID-19 pandemics has filled not only with fear and isolation our day-to-day lives but also with a significant amount of disinformation, the unreliability of data, and lack of trust on the response of governmental officers and authorities that, sadly, can be translated in loss of lives in our closest circles (colleagues, friends, family). At Air, Soil and Water Research (ASW), we believe that knowledge is the only way out of this and any other crisis faced by humankind, and our team has been working elbow-to-elbow (but online) to offer the best quality research and scientific knowledge that will certainly assist for better decision making and led towards the best path to get us through this so hard time.
Repairing the injured bronchus in blunt chest trauma – A case series
Authors: Riduan Anith Nadzira , Sathiamurthy Narasimman , Dharmaraj Benedict , Chai Diong Nguk , Balasubbiah Narendran
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Traumatic bronchial injury (TBI) is uncommon, difficult to diagnose and often missed. The incidence of TBI among blunt trauma patients is estimated to be around 0.5–2%. Bronchoplastic surgery is indicated in most cases to repair the tracheobronchial airway and preserve lung capacity. There is limited existing literature addressing the management of this condition in view of its rarity. The comprehensive management and outcomes of these patients are discussed.

Methods

The case notes of all patients who presented with persistent lung collapse due to trauma since July 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Those patients requiring surgical intervention were included in the review. The mode of injury, clinical, radiological and bronchoscopy findings, concurrent injuries, type of surgery, length of stay (LOS) and operative outcomes were reviewed.

Results

Out of 11 patients who presented with persistent lung collapse post-blunt trauma, four (36%) were found to have structural bronchial disruption. All of them underwent successful repair of the injured bronchus, without the need of a pneumonectomy. The other seven patients were successfully treated conservatively.

Conclusion

The repair of the injured bronchus is essential in improving respiratory function and to prevent a pneumonectomy. Routine bronchoscopic evaluation should be performed for all suspected airway injuries as recommended in our management algorithm. Delayed presentations should not hinder urgent referral to thoracic centers for tracheobronchial reconstruction.
Divide and rule: Populist crackdowns and media elites in the Philippines
Authors: Tapsell Ross
Published: January 2021

This article examines the ways in which populist president Rodrigo Duterte has managed and controlled the Philippines media since his election victory in 2016. Existing literature has pointed to the important role the media has played in electing and sustaining the popularity of Duterte, but have not examined the role of ‘media elites’. Through personal interviews with media owners and others in Manila, this empirical research provides insights into the challenges facing the contemporary Philippines media, in particular those media elites whose companies criticise his administration. While Duterte – like most populists – claims to be challenging powerful ‘oligarchs’, in reality his administration has cracked down severely against some media elites and has nurtured coercive relationships with others. The result is a landscape where media elites are unable to coalesce around media freedom. The research provides relevant findings supporting global literature on the role of populists in enabling greater crackdowns on the mainstream and independent media.
Management of Superior Vena Cava Occlusion Causing Bleeding “Downhill” Esophageal Varices
Authors: Uceda Pablo V. , Peralta Rodriguez Julio , Vela Hernán , Lozano Miranda Adelina , Vega Salvatierra Luis , Feldtman Robert , Ahn Sam S.
Published: January 2021

The health care system in Peru treats 15,000 dialysis patients annually. Approximately 45% of patients receive therapy using catheters. The incidence of catheter-induced superior vena cava (SVC) occlusion is increasing along with its associated significant morbidity and vascular access dysfunction. One of the unusual manifestations of this complication is bleeding “downhill” esophageal varices caused by reversal of blood flow through esophageal veins around the obstruction to the right atrium. Herein is presented the case of an 18-year-old woman on hemodialysis complicated by SVC occlusion and bleeding esophageal varices who underwent successful endovascular recanalization of the SVC. Bleeding from “downhill” esophageal varices should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dialysis patients exposed to central venous catheters. Aggressive endovascular treatment of SVC occlusion is recommended to preserve upper extremity access function and prevent bleeding from this complication.
Governing Hate: Facebook and Digital Racism
Authors: Siapera Eugenia , Viejo-Otero Paloma
Published: January 2021

This article is concerned with identifying the ideological and techno-material parameters that inform Facebook’s approach to racism and racist contents. The analysis aims to contribute to studies of digital racism by showing Facebook’s ideological position on racism and identifying its implications. To understand Facebook’s approach to racism, the article deconstructs its governance structures, locating racism as a sub-category of hate speech. The key findings show that Facebook adopts a post-racial, race-blind approach that does not consider history and material differences, while its main focus is on enforcement, data, and efficiency. In making sense of these findings, we argue that Facebook’s content governance turns hate speech from a question of ethics, politics, and justice into a technical and logistical problem. Secondly, it socializes users into developing behaviors/contents that adapt to race-blindness, leading to the circulation of a kind of flexible racism. Finally, it spreads this approach from Silicon Valley to the rest of the world.
On Frogs, Monkeys, and Execution Memes: Exploring the Humor-Hate Nexus at the Intersection of Neo-Nazi and Alt-Right Movements in Sweden
Authors: Askanius Tina
Published: January 2021

This article is based on a case study of the online media practices of the militant neo-Nazi organization the Nordic Resistance Movement, currently the biggest and most active extreme-right actor in Scandinavia. I trace a recent turn to humor, irony, and ambiguity in their online communication and the increasing adaptation of stylistic strategies and visual aesthetics of the Alt-Right inspired by online communities such as 4chan, 8chan, Reddit, and Imgur. Drawing on a visual content analysis of memes ( N = 634) created and circulated by the organization, the analysis explores the place of humor, irony, and ambiguity across these cultural expressions of neo-Nazism and how ideas, symbols, and layers of meaning travel back and forth between neo-Nazi and Alt-right groups within Sweden today.
Spectacularized and Branded Digital (Re)presentations of Black People and Blackness
Authors: Sobande Francesca
Published: January 2021

Digital racism and the online experiences of Black people have been foregrounded in vital contemporary research, particularly Black scholarship and critical race and digital studies. As digital developments occur rapidly there is a need for work which theorizes recent expressions of digital anti-Blackness, including since increased marketing industry interest in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in 2020. This paper explores digital racism related to online (re)presentations of Black people and associated racist marketplace logics, digital practices, and (re)mediations of Blackness in the service of brands. Focusing on computer-generated imagery (CGI) racialized online influencers, the spectacularization of Black pain and lives, digital marketing approaches, and digital Blackface, this work contextualizes anti-Black digital racism by reflecting on its connection to centuries of white supremacy and often under-investigated racial capitalism. Overall, this work examines the shape-shifting nature of anti-Black digital racism and commercial components of it which are impacted by intersecting oppressions.
The Weakness of the Strong Sex: Differences Between Men and Women Affected by Diabetic Foot Disease
Authors: Iacopi Elisabetta , Pieruzzi Letizia , Riitano Nicola , Abbruzzese Lorenza , Goretti Chiara , Piaggesi Alberto
Published: January 2021

We aimed to analyze sex-related differences in clinical outcomes among patients with diabetic foot disease (DFD) managed in a third-level referral center. We retrospectively analyzed data of admissions performed in our department between 2011 and 2015 for DFD. We collected demographic and clinical data, procedures performed during the admission, and short- and long-term outcomes in terms of healing rate and healing time, major amputation, and mortality rates during the follow-up. We focused on differences between genders and tried to figure out if sex could be considered a predictive factor. We collected data from 1237 admission performed in 842 patients (615 men [73%] and 227 women [27%]; age: 68.6 ± 27.9 years; diabetes duration: 16.4 ± 13.4 years; body mass index: 28.2 ± 6.4 kg/m2; hemoglobin A1c 7.9 ± 1.9%). Men showed a higher prevalence of comorbidities and previous ulcers or revascularization procedures. Men had a significantly higher healing rate compared with women (85.4% vs 63.2%, P < .001), but a longer healing time (124 ± 27 days vs 87 ± 14 days, P = .02). Major amputation did not differ between groups, while mortality rate was significantly higher in men (24.5% vs 16.1%, P = .02). In Cox’s regression analysis, male sex was a positive predictive factor for healing and a negative one for time to heal and mortality. The difference in mortality was confirmed by a Kaplan-Meier analysis (log rank test: P = .03). DFD represents a severe disease and a strong marker of mortality affecting more severely on clinical outcomes and survival on men.
Pediatric Sports-Related Concussion: An Approach to Care
Authors: Podolak Olivia E. , Arbogast Kristy B. , Master Christina L. , Sleet David , Grady Matthew F.
Published: January 2021

Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a common sports injury in children and adolescents. With the vast amount of youth sports participation, an increase in awareness of concussion and evidence that the injury can lead to consequences for school, sports and overall quality of life, it has become increasingly important to properly diagnose and manage concussion. SRC in the student athlete is a unique and complex injury, and it is important to highlight the differences in the management of child and adolescent concussion compared with adults. This review focuses on the importance of developing a multimodal systematic approach to diagnosing and managing pediatric sports-related concussion, from the sidelines through recovery.
Improvement of noise reduction performance in bellows using multilayer perforated panels
Authors: Noh Hee-Min
Published: January 2021

When the speed of a railway vehicle increases, the level of noise inside the vehicle inevitably increases as well, which is a major cause of discomfort to passengers. The most effective method is to improve the overall noise reduction performance of a vehicle. In particular, the gangway of the railway vehicle is made of silicone rubber; therefore, its noise reduction performance is inferior to that of other components of the vehicle. Thus, it is essential to improve the interior noise performance of railway vehicles. This study aims to reduce the noise in the low-frequency region of a railway vehicle gangway. It examines the applicability of the multi-layered resonance type panel, which has not been previously applied to the bellows in railway vehicles. In particular, the transmission loss was improved by changing the structure without filling the bellows with sound-absorbing material. First, a theoretical review of the noise reduction performance of a perforated multilayer structure was performed. Based on this, the major design parameters of the perforated multilayer structure that are effective in reducing noise in the low-frequency region of the bellows were derived. Through this, it was confirmed that in the multilayered structure, the hole diameter of 1 mm was effective in increasing the transmission loss in the low-frequency region, and the transmission loss was improved at 1% of the porosity. In addition, through a simple two-dimensional analysis model, it was confirmed that the transmission loss of the porous panel was improved at low frequencies of 100 to 400 Hz. Based on this result, a gangway with perforated multilayer structures was developed and tested. Through this verification test, it was confirmed that the noise performance of 9.2 dB was an improvement in the low frequency range of 100 Hz.
‘People miss people’: A study of school leadership and management in the four nations of the United Kingdom in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Beauchamp Gary , Hulme Moira , Clarke Linda , Hamilton Lorna , Harvey Janet A
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has confronted school leaders across the four devolved nations of the United Kingdom (UK) with a period of exceptional crisis. This responsive, small-scale, but UK-wide study focuses on headteacher perspectives on leadership and management in the initial stages of this pandemic, contributing to our understanding of this crucial period. The headteacher respondents met the multiple predicaments and situational ambiguities of the pandemic with a resilience which drew heavily upon the strengths of pre-existing structures and teams. They were required to provide effective emotional and moral leadership in uncharted and rapidly shifting territory. They spoke most eloquently of how they developed pragmatic, versatile and personally reassuring approaches to communication with parents, staff, pupils, and a range of external agencies, all of which were also facing extraordinary circumstances with varying degrees of resilience. The paper concludes by conceptualising the key elements of headteachers’ leadership and management, both inside and outside of school, at in the early stages of societal crisis.
#Kanhaiya: Exploring Indian journalists’ use of Twitter to share developing news and audience engagement with different types of tweets
Authors: Chattopadhyay Dhiman , Chattopadhyay Sriya
Published: January 2021

This exploratory study examined the twitter feeds of ten senior Indian journalists during a specific event of national importance to understand what type of tweets led to greater follower engagement. Further, we examined how followers engaged with congruent and incongruent messages. Analysis of tweets about a specific developing event – the arrest and release of a student activist – indicated that journalists largely tweeted opinions, and that this type of tweet attracted more follower engagement than purely factual tweets. Analysis of each editor’s most commented upon tweets indicated that followers showed a higher level of engagement with incongruent messages than with messages with which they agreed. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Real-life prognosis of 5041 bone-only metastatic breast cancer patients in the multicenter national observational ESME program
Authors: Bertho Marion , Fraisse Julien , Patsouris Anne , Cottu Paul , Arnedos Monica , Pérol David , Jaffré Anne , Goncalves Anthony , Lebitasy Marie-Paule , D’Hondt Véronique , Dalenc Florence , Ferrero Jean-Marc , Levy Christelle , Dabakuyo Sandrine , Rouzier Roman , Penault-Llorca Frédérique , Uwer Lionel , Eymard Jean-Christophe , Breton Mathias , Chevrot Michaël , Thureau Sébastien , Petit Thierry , Simon Gaëtane , Frénel Jean-Sébastien
Published: January 2021

Background:

Bone-only (BO) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is considered a more favorable entity than other MBC presentations. However, only few retrospective series and data from selected randomized controlled trials have been reported so far.

Methods:

Using the French national multicenter ESME (Epidemiological Strategy and Medico Economics) Data Platform, the primary objective of our study was to compare the overall survival (OS) of patients with BO versus non-BO MBC at diagnosis, with adjustment on main prognostic factors using a propensity score. Secondary objectives were to compare first-line progression-free survival (PFS1), describe treatment patterns, and estimate factors associated with OS.

Results:

Out of 20,095 eligible women, 5041 (22.4%) patients had BO disease [hormone-receptor positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth-factor-receptor-2 negative (HER2−), n = 4 102/13,229 (31%); HER2+, n = 644/3909 (16.5%); HR−/HER2−, n = 295/2 957 (10%)]. BO MBC patients had a better adjusted OS compared with non-BO MBC [52.1 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 50.3–54.1) versus 34.7 months (95% CI 34.0–35.6) respectively]. The 5-year OS rate of BO MBC patients was 43.4% (95% CI 41.7–45.2). They also had a better PFS1 [13.1 months (95% CI 12.6–13.8) versus 8.5 months (95% CI 8.3–8.7), respectively]. This observation could be repeated in all subtypes. BO disease was an independent prognostic factor of OS [hazard ratio 0.68 (95% CI 0.65–0.72), p < 0.0001]. Results were concordant in all analyses.

Conclusion:

BO MBC patients have better outcomes compared with non-BO MBC, consistently, through all MBC subtypes.
Network Pharmacology Integrated Molecular Docking Reveals the Anti-COVID-19 and SARS Mechanism of Fufang Banlangen Keli
Authors: Cheng Li , Wang Fei , Zhang Shun Bo , You Qiu Yun
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Fufang Banlangen Keli (FBK) has been recommended for its clinical treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), but the mechanism of action is unclear. So, using network pharmacology and molecular docking, we studied the active components and mechanism of FBK in the treatment of COVID-19 and SARS.

Methods

The Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform were used to screen the active components by oral bioactivity and drug likeness. Then, PharmMapper and SwissTargetPrediction databases were used to screen potential target genes of active components; the related target genes of COVID-19 and SARS were obtained from the GeneCards database. The intersection of the active components and disease-related targets was performed by the Venny2.1.0 database. The DAVID6.8 database and KOBAS3.0 database were used to get gene ontology (GO) function enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway annotation of gene targets. The “components-targets-pathways (C-T-P)” network of FBK was conducted by Cytoscape3.6.1 software. The top active components, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and SARS-CoV-2 3 Cl, were imported into AutoDock and PyMOL for molecular docking.

Results

From the FBK, a total of 28 active components and 73 gene targets were screened through network pharmacology. Twenty pathways were analyzed, including pathways in cancer, nod-like receptor signaling pathway, and pancreatic cancer, etc. ( P < 0.05). A total of 337 items were obtained by GO functional enrichment analysis ( P < 0.05), including 257 items for biological process, 38 items for cell composition, and 42 items for molecular function. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were performed to study potential binding between the key gene targets and selected active components.

Conclusion

Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, qingdainone, (2Z)-2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene) indolin-3-one, sinensetin, and acacetin in FBK were verified to bind to ACE2 and SARS-COV-2 3 Cl, so as to treat COVID-19 and SARS.
Study of social disparities in pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy outcomes and cost
Authors: Burjonrappa Sathyaprasad
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

There is an increasing focus on racial and social disparities in health care. There have been several studies that have documented disparities in outcome between racial groups in the adult literature. Not much is known about disparities in outcomes after surgical procedures in children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of race on complications (outcomes) and costs after laparoscopic appendectomy.

Methods:

This study is a single-center retrospective chart review of 248 pediatric patients who underwent appendectomies for uncomplicated acute appendicitis from 2015 to 2017. Patients were divided into minority (Africa American or Hispanic) and non-minority groups, and length of stay, preoperative and postoperative factors, and total costs were compared.

Results:

Of 185 eligible patients, 45.9% (n = 85) were of Hispanic or African American ethnicity and 54.1% (n = 100) were Caucasian. About 11.8% of minority patients had comorbidities and 12% of majority patients had comorbidities (p = 1). Readmission rate for minority group patients was 3.5% (n = 3) and 2% (n = 2) for majority patients (p = 0.7). The average cost of hospital stay for minority patients was $30,900 and for majority patients was $31,111 (p = 0.59).

Conclusions:

Standardization of care protocols has reduced social/racial disparities in surgical outcomes. In the most common pediatric surgery emergency procedure, laparoscopic appendectomy, there were no differences in outcomes or costs between minority (Hispanic/Africa American) and Caucasian ethnic groups.

Level of evidence:

Level III

Type of study:

Clinical Study
Data sovereignty: A review
Authors: Hummel Patrik , Braun Matthias , Tretter Max , Dabrock Peter
Published: January 2021

New data-driven technologies yield benefits and potentials, but also confront different agents and stakeholders with challenges in retaining control over their data. Our goal in this study is to arrive at a clear picture of what is meant by data sovereignty in such problem settings. To this end, we review 341 publications and analyze the frequency of different notions such as data sovereignty, digital sovereignty, and cyber sovereignty. We go on to map agents they concern, in which context they appear, and which values they allude to. While our sample reveals a considerable degree of divergence and an occasional lack of clarity about intended meanings of data sovereignty, we propose a conceptual grid to systematize different dimensions and connotations. Each of them relates in some way to meaningful control, ownership, and other claims to data articulated by a variety of agents ranging from individuals to countries. Data sovereignty alludes to a nuanced mixture of normative concepts such as inclusive deliberation and recognition of the fundamental rights of data subjects.
Outcomes of an Inpatient Dialysis Start in Patients With Kidney Graft Failure: A Population-Based Multicentre Cohort Study
Authors: Naylor Kyla L. , Knoll Gregory A. , McArthur Eric , Garg Amit X. , Lam Ngan N. , Field Bonnie , Getchell Leah E. , Hahn Emma , Kim S. Joseph
Published: January 2021

Background:

The frequency and outcomes of starting maintenance dialysis in the hospital as an inpatient in kidney transplant recipients with graft failure are poorly understood.

Objective:

To determine the frequency of inpatient dialysis starts in patients with kidney graft failure and examine whether dialysis start status (hospital inpatient vs outpatient setting) is associated with all-cause mortality and kidney re-transplantation.

Design:

Population-based cohort study.

Setting:

We used linked administrative healthcare databases from Ontario, Canada.

Patients:

We included 1164 patients with kidney graft failure from 1994 to 2016.

Measurements:

All-cause mortality and kidney re-transplantation.

Methods:

The cumulative incidence function was used to calculate the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality and kidney re-transplantation, accounting for competing risks. Subdistribution hazard ratios from the Fine and Gray model were used to examine the relationship between inpatient dialysis starts (vs outpatient dialysis start [reference]) and the dependent variables (ie, mortality or re-transplant).

Results:

We included 1164 patients with kidney graft failure. More than half (55.8%) of patients with kidney graft failure, initiated dialysis as an inpatient. Compared with outpatient dialysis starters, inpatient dialysis starters had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of mortality and a significantly lower incidence of kidney re-transplantation ( P < .001). The 10-year cumulative incidence of mortality was 51.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 47.4, 56.9%) (inpatient) and 35.3% (95% CI: 31.1, 40.1%) (outpatient). After adjusting for clinical characteristics, we found inpatient dialysis starters had a significantly increased hazard of mortality in the first year after graft failure (hazard ratio: 2.18 [95% CI: 1.43, 3.33]) but at 1+ years there was no significant difference between groups.

Limitations:

Possibility of residual confounding and unable to determine inpatient dialysis starts that were unavoidable.

Conclusions:

In this study we identified that most patients with kidney graft failure had inpatient dialysis starts, which was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Further research is needed to better understand the reasons for an inpatient dialysis start in this patient population.
Online News and Protest Participation in a Political Context: Evidence from Self-Reported Cross-Sectional Data
Authors: Kirkizh Nora , Koltsova Olessia
Published: January 2021

Availability of alternative information through social media, in particular, and digital media, in general, is often said to induce social discontent, especially in states where traditional media are under government control. But does this relation really exist, and is it generalizable? This article explores the relationship between self-reported online news consumption and protest participation across 48 nations in 2010–2014. Based on multilevel regression models and simulations, the analysis provides evidence that those respondents who reported that they had attended a protest at least once read news online daily or weekly. The study also shows that the magnitude of the effect varies depending on the political context: surprisingly, despite supposedly unlimited control of offline and online media, autocratic countries demonstrated higher effects of online news than transitional regimes, where the Internet media are relatively uninhibited.
Fostering Dialogic Engagement: Toward an Architecture of Social Media for Social Change
Authors: Kent Michael L. , Taylor Maureen
Published: January 2021

Dialogic theory and engagement hold great potential as frameworks for thinking about how social media can facilitate public discussions about social issues. Of course, having the potential for dialogue is very different than finding actual instances of dialogic engagement. This article explores the philosophical and technical features of dialogue that need to be present for social media to be used dialogically. Through the metaphor of “architecture,” this article reimagines dialogic communication through social media. We introduce four design frameworks including user expectations, engagement, content curation, and sustainment that may facilitate dialogic engagement for fostering social change.
Invisible Data: A Framework for Understanding Visibility Processes in Social Media Data
Authors: Neumayer Christina , Rossi Luca , Struthers David M.
Published: January 2021

Social media data are increasingly used to study a variety of social phenomena. This development is based on the assumption that digital traces left on social media can provide insights into the nature of human interaction. In this research, we turn our attention to what remains invisible in research based on social media data. Using Andrea Brighenti’s work on “social visibility” as a point of departure, we unpack data invisibilities, as they are created within four dimensions: people and intentionality, technologies and tools, accessibility and form, and meaning and imaginaries. We introduce the notion of quasi-visible data as an intermediary between visible and invisible data highlighting the processual character of data invisibilities. With this conceptual framework, we contribute to developing a more reflective and ethical field of research into the study of social phenomena based on social media data. We conclude by arguing that distancing ourselves from the assumption that all social media data are visible and focusing on the invisible will enhance our understanding of digital data.
Operational Process for R&D Laboratory Safety
Authors: Yoon Donghun
Published: January 2021

Large and small safety accidents caused by experiments frequently occur in laboratories, and preventive measures are very important to prevent human, physical, and research and development (R&D) losses. It is very important to maximize R&D performance and to produce excellent R&D results through the efficient and optimal operation of laboratories, which can be done through R&D laboratory safety management activities. Research managers worldwide are obliged to engage in research activities with equal emphasis on good R&D performance and R&D laboratory safety management activities. In this article, the strategic R&D laboratory safety management status in South Korea was studied. Toward this end, an analytic hierarchy process analysis was conducted, and the degrees of importance and priority levels of the established factors affecting laboratory safety management, and their subfactors were analyzed based on a 5-point scale. Finally, a strategic management system for R&D laboratory safety was proposed.
An Overview of China’s Energy Labeling Policy Portfolio: China’s Contribution to Addressing the Global Goal of Sustainable Development
Authors: Zhang Gongyi , Zhang Chang , Nie Hongguang
Published: January 2021

As a part of China’s energy conservation and emission reduction policy system, the China Energy Label plays an important role in promoting energy-efficient technology progress and product sales. In this article, we comprehensively review China’s energy labeling policy portfolio, consisting of the Energy-Efficiency Label Management Approach, the financial subsidy, and “top runner” programs. To evaluate the effectiveness of the energy labeling policy portfolio, we further analyze the influence of the energy labeling policy portfolio on the electricity consumption of household appliances. According to our results, the China Energy Label played an active role in slowing the growth rate of residential electricity consumption during 2007–2010, but its effectiveness was not satisfactory in the period 2011–2012. The reasons and countermeasures are discussed herein to address this problem. Moreover, to further enhance the effectiveness of the China Energy Label, policy implications are proposed for long-term successful implementation.
A Comparison of Psychological and Work Outcomes in Open-Plan and Cellular Office Designs: A Systematic Review
Authors: James Olivia , Delfabbro Paul , King Daniel L.
Published: January 2021

A high percentage of information-based work is now conducted in open-plan offices as opposed to traditional cellular offices. In this systematic review, we compare health, work, and social outcomes as well as employee outcomes for workers in the two environments. From a total of 10,242 papers reviewed, we identified 31 papers which met strict inclusion/exclusion criteria of allowing a direct comparison between the office types. The results showed that working in open-plan workplace designs is associated with more negative outcomes on many measures relating to health, satisfaction, productivity, and social relationship. Notable health outcomes included decreased overall health and increased stress. Environmental characteristics of particular concern included noise and distractions, poor privacy, lighting and glare, and poorer temperature control. Most studies indicated negative effects on social relationships and interactions. Overall, the findings showed that while open-plan workplace designs may offer financial benefits for management, these appear to be offset by the intangible costs associated with the negative effects on workers. The study encourages further focused investigations into design factors as well as employee characteristics that might contribute to better outcomes in open-plan designs.
Suprascapular Nerve Block Is an Effective Pain Control Method in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kim Jung Youn , Kang Min Wook , Lee Ho Won , Noh Kyu Cheol
Published: January 2021

Background:

Effective pain control in patients who have undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery improves functional recovery and early mobilization. Interscalene blocks (ISBs), a widely used approach, are safe and provide fast pain relief; however, they are associated with complications. Another pain management strategy is the use of a suprascapular nerve block (SSNB).

Hypothesis:

We hypothesized that indwelling SSNB catheters are a more effective pain control method than single-shot ISBs. We also hypothesized that indwelling SSNB catheters will reduce the level of rebound pain and the demand for opioid analgesics.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods:

Included in this study were 93 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery between May 2012 and January 2019. These patients were assigned to either the indwelling SSNB catheter group, the single-shot ISB group, or the control (sham/placebo) group (31 patients per group). Level of pain was measured with a visual analog scale (VAS; 0 to 10 [worst pain]) on the day of the operation. The preoperative VAS score was recorded at 6 AM on the day of operation, and the postoperative scores were recorded at 1, 8, and 16 hours after surgery and then every 8 hours until postoperative day 3.

Results:

The VAS pain scores were lower in the SSNB and ISB groups than in the control group up to postoperative hour (POH) 8, with the most significant difference at POH 8. At POH 1 and POH 8, the mean VAS scores for each group were 2.29 and 1.74 (SSNB), 2.59 and 2.50 (ISB), and 3.42 and 4.48 (control), respectively. VAS scores in the SSNB and ISB groups were consistently <3, compared with a mean VAS score of 3.1 ± 1.58 in the control group ( P < .001). Compared with the ISB group, the SSNB group had significantly fewer side effects such as rebound pain duration as well as lower VAS scores ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

VAS scores were the lowest in the indwelling SSNB catheter group, with the most pronounced between-group difference in VAS scores at POH 8. Severity and recurring frequency of pain were lower in the indwelling SSNB catheter group than in the single-shot ISB group.