bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attunement as a practice of encountering dementia time in long-term eldercare work
Authors: Hämäläinen Antti , Leinonen Emilia , Era Salla
Published: December 2023

Discussing time and temporality in care work is becoming more central as societies with growing proportions of older persons with care needs strive to arrange cost-effective eldercare. As resources become scarcer, the efficiency of care work is emphasised, and care is increasingly sorted into cost-per-minute units. In our paper, we will analyse the different ways care professionals themselves describe their temporal experiences and practices concerning care interactions in long-term dementia care. Our data consists of semi-structured interviews with care professionals ( n = 25) working in round-the-clock service housing in Finland. Using thematic content analysis to analyse the data, we show that, along with a holistic understanding of temporality, good dementia care necessitates understanding alterity, which is insufficiently regarded in linear or quantitative understandings of time. By using concepts of temporal duration (Bergson), crip time (Kafer) and dementia time (Yoshizaki-Gibbons), it is possible to understand another person's alter-temporal experience, into which care can aim to enter and towards which it can attune itself. We argue that a concept of attunement is needed to fully make sense of the ideal temporal practices of dementia care. Our analysis presents attunement as understanding dementia time, receptive practices, and expressive practices, and describes limitations of attunement as temporal discordance.
Mechanism of Schisandra chinensis in Treatment of Insomnia by Sleep–Wake Cycle Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Liang Ke , Qiao Tie , Sun Ning , Jiang Ning , Li Fangxiao , Jiang Haoxuan , Jiang Yutong
Published: December 2023

Background

Schisandra chinensis (SC) is the dried fruit of SC of Magnoliaceae, which has been used to treat many diseases, such as asthma, cough, insomnia, spontaneous sweating, and so on, for more than 2000 years. Lignans are important active ingredients of SC for improving insomnia, but it is not clear the exact material basis and mechanism of action.

Objectives

This study aimed to discover the mechanism by which SC treats insomnia through network pharmacology.

Materials and Methods

It was used to study the chemical constituents of SC by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS). The SC–Insomnia network and the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were set up using network pharmacology to research the mechanisms by which SC treats insomnia. The targets found in network pharmacology were proven by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR).

Results

It identified 26 monomer compounds, all of which were lignans. From the SC–Insomnia and PPI networks, seven main active lignans were discovered, which could play an important part in treating insomnia, along with 11 targets that play an important part in the sleep−wake cycle. It was verified by the expression of GABA with ELISA and GABRA1 with RT-PCR.

Conclusion

Based on network pharmacology, the mechanism by which SC treats insomnia is through the sleep–wake cycle. It was a foundation to rationally apply SC for treating insomnia in the clinic.
The limits of derisking. (Un)conditionality in the European green transformation
Authors: Cooiman Franziska
Published: December 2023

The ecological transformation of the economy is frequently approached politically with market-based policy, in particular derisking, which attempts to steer private financial actors into ecological and climate sustainability by taking on risks. To understand the effects of such approaches, I point to the relational and concrete dynamics that unfold between states and finance. Conceptually, I propose analyzing the investment chains that surround these programs, and the conditionalities that constitute its relations, which I read as manifestations of infrastructural power. I argue that conditionalities are the qualifier of the transformative potential of market-based policy programs. The proposed “micro-financial” analysis allows to unpack the inherent limitations of derisking-based governance approaches. These approaches come with a dependence on financial intermediaries, which results in weak conditionality and enforcement. Concretely, I analyze how under BlueInvest, a pilot within the European Green Deal (EGD), the European Commission (EC) mandates the European Investment Fund (EIF) to harness venture capital (VC) funds in order to foster the blue economy. I show how, as a consequence of investors’ intermediary position in derisking-based operations and the EIF’s profitability orientation, policymakers come to depend on venture capitalists, hindering strong and effective conditionality and hardwiring limited sustainability effects into the investment chain.
When Research Learns From Practice: Synthesized Action Research on the BIKVA Model
Authors: Brix Jacob , Krogstrup Hanne Kathrine , Julkunen Ilse
Published: December 2023

Purpose: The article reports on 20 years application of a user involvement methodology that was developed in the context of social work – the BIKVA Model. Through an analysis of its practical implementation, a novel form of action research emerges: Synthesised Action Research (SAR). Method: A scoping review of 69 practitioner reports is conducted and inductive content analysis is used. Results: The application of the BIKVA Model by practitioners reveals new variations that represent empirical translations which make the model fit better to various purposes and levels of engagement. Moreover, it highlights its application in policy areas beyond the original scope: social work. Conclusion: By identifying and elaborating the SAR contribution, the article demonstrates that considerable insights can be gained from analysing practitioners use of academic models and methodologies, providing a more nuanced understanding that can be used to enrich and nuance what was originally intended.
Blood Biomarkers Panels for Screening of Colorectal Cancer and Adenoma on a Machine Learning-Assisted Detection Platform
Authors: Wang Hui , Zhou Zhiwei , Li Haijun , Xiang Weiguang , Lan Yilin , Dou Xiaowen , Zhang Xiuming
Published: December 2023

Objective

A mini-invasive and good-compliance program is critical to broaden colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and reduce CRC-related mortality. Blood testing combined with imaging examination has been proved to be feasible on screen for multicancer and guide intervention. The study aims to construct a machine learning-assisted detection platform with available multi-targets for CRC and colorectal adenoma (CRA) screening.

Methods

This was a retrospective study that the blood test data from 204 CRCs, 384 CRAs, and 229 healthy controls was extracted. The classified models were constructed with 4 machine learning (ML) algorithms including support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), decision tree (DT), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) based on the candidate biomarkers. The importance index was used by SHapely Adaptive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis to identify the dominant characteristics. The performance of classified models was evaluated. The most dominating features from the proposed panel were developed by logistic regression (LR) for identification CRC from control.

Results

The candidate biomarkers consisted of 26 multi-targets panel including CEA, AFP, and so on. Among the 4 models, the SVM classifier for CRA yields the best predictive performance (the area under the receiver operating curve, AUC: .925, sensitivity: .904, and specificity: .771). As for CRC classification, the RF model with 26 candidate biomarkers provided the best predictive parameters (AUC: .941, sensitivity: .902, and specificity: .912). Compared with CEA and CA199, the predictive performance was significantly improved. The streamlined model with 6 biomarkers for CRC also obtained a good performance (AUC: .946, sensitivity: .885, and specificity: .913).

Conclusions

The predictive models consisting of 26 multi-targets panel would be used as a non-invasive, economical, and effective risk stratification platform, which was expected to be applied for auxiliary screening of CRA and CRC in clinical practice.
Safety Assessment of Adenosine as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Cherian Priya , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Fiume Monice , Heldreth Bart
Published: December 2023

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of Adenosine, Adenosine Phosphate, Adenosine Triphosphate, Disodium Adenosine Phosphate, and Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate. These ingredients are reported to function in cosmetics as skin-conditioning agents – miscellaneous. The Panel considered the available data and concluded that the five adenosine ingredients reviewed in this report are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.
On the Nuisance of Control Variables in Causal Regression Analysis
Authors: Hünermund Paul , Louw Beyers
Published: December 2023

Control variables are included in regression analyses to estimate the causal effect of a treatment on an outcome. In this article, we argue that the estimated effect sizes of controls are unlikely to have a causal interpretation themselves, though. This is because even valid controls are possibly endogenous and represent a combination of several different causal mechanisms operating jointly on the outcome, which is hard to interpret theoretically. Therefore, we recommend refraining from interpreting the marginal effects of controls and focusing on the main variables of interest, for which a plausible identification argument can be established. To prevent erroneous managerial or policy implications, coefficients of control variables should be clearly marked as not having a causal interpretation or omitted from regression tables altogether. Moreover, we advise against using control variable estimates for subsequent theory building and meta-analyses.
Evolution of anhedonia in adolescent depression: An interpretative phenomenological analysis study
Authors: R Amrtavarshini , Jacob Preeti , Vijay Sagar Kommu John
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Anhedonia is a symptom complex currently linked to dysfunctional reward processing. Phenomenological studies capture anhedonia as a loss of hedonic and eudemonic pleasure. However, there is a lack of integration between neurobiological understanding and clinical phenomenology. This study used a qualitative method to explore the interplay of sociocultural contexts and individual factors associated with the evolution of dysfunctional reward processing in adolescents with depression and anhedonia.

Methods

Ten female adolescents with a current or prior diagnosis of major depressive disorder were recruited from a public tertiary care child and adolescent psychiatry service. In-depth interviews were conducted, voice recorded, and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Findings

The adolescents hailed from urban families. Educational stress and relational difficulties figured prominently. Amotivation was the most important subdomain of anhedonia affected. An integrated framework for understanding the evolution of anhedonia is presented. Five main patterns of dysfunctional reward processing emerged in our study: an overworked system, erroneous reward valuation, reward-effort imbalance, and diversion of the reward processing system for self-preservation.

Conclusion

There is a necessity to build robust theoretical models of the evolution of anhedonia, hence finding homogenous sub-groups, paving the way for person-centric interventions for anhedonia.
What makes communism possible? The self-realisation interpretation
Authors: Kandiyali Jan
Published: December 2023

In the Critique of Gotha Programme, Karl Marx famously argues that a communist society will be characterised by the principle, ‘From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs!’ I take up a question about this principle that was originally posed by G.A. Cohen , namely: what makes communism (so conceived) possible for Marx? In reply to this question, Cohen interprets Marx as saying that communism is possible because of limitless abundance, a view that Cohen takes to be implausible for ecological reasons. I develop a new interpretation of Marx's position. On this interpretation, people in communist society achieve self-realisation through providing others with the goods and services required for their self-realisation. Coupled with a reasonably high (but not immense) development of productive power, self-realisation generates conditions in which people can produce according to their abilities and receive according to their needs. I defend this view as an interpretation of Marx and I argue that it represents a more plausible account of what makes communism possible than Cohen's interpretation in which technological advance and limitless abundance play the predominant role.
‘I’m going to take my power back and do whatever I can’: The self-efficacy of survivors of intimate partner strangulation and their engagement in research interviews
Authors: Lowik Vicki , Cheyne Nicola , Lovatt Heather
Published: December 2023

Purpose: Existing literature identifies the agency used by survivors of domestic violence when they participate in research. However, some human research ethics committees act as gatekeepers on research into survivors’ lived experience due to their perceived vulnerability. This article explores factors that influence survivors’ decision-making when they participate in research interviews.

Methods: Sixteen survivors of intimate partner strangulation participated in interviews about their lived experience. The analysis of the interview transcripts was guided by the research question: What factors influence the agency that survivors of domestic violence draw on when making decisions about participating in research interviews?

Results: The findings revealed four processes through which the self-efficacy of participants became apparent – cognitive, motivational, affective and selection processes. Self-efficacy underpins a person's agentic behaviours, particularly their decision-making.

Conclusion: This article highlights how survivors of intimate partner strangulation, notwithstanding their lived experience of extreme violence, exercise self-efficacy. Knowledge in this area is valuable because it indicates survivors who have left the abusive relationship and have engaged in support can make informed decisions about their participation in research interviews. Such understandings can provide researchers with an increased awareness about the wellbeing of participants during interviews and human research ethics committees can be confident that research participants, who may be considered ‘vulnerable’, have the ability to assess their capacity to engage in research, if the caveats of having left the abusive relationship and having sought support are satisfied.
Life without Gillick: Adolescent sexual and reproductive healthcare in Ireland
Authors: Lyons Barry , Donnelly Mary
Published: December 2023

The decision of the House of Lords in Gillick v West Norfolk Area Health Authority carved out a safe space for competent minors to confidentially access sexual and reproductive health care and advice in the UK. Ireland is one of the few common law jurisdictions that has not endorsed Gillick or a similar mature minor doctrine, nor has it securely legislated for the right to consent of those aged 16 and 17 years. The legal lacuna created by this deficiency has left young persons in Ireland seeking sexual and reproductive healthcare, and the clinicians who provide this, in a challenging place. While this void has been partially filled with policy statements by bodies such as the Irish College of General Practitioners and the Health Service Executive, nonetheless the legal shortcomings leave both a sense of insecurity, and real world difficulties for adolescents seeking to access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.
Numerical and experimental study of two-vehicle overtaking process
Authors: Do Van Dong , Chou Ching-Chen , Chang Keh-Chin
Published: December 2023

The overtaking process between two simplified Ahmed body models is studied using a set of static experiments to provide a comparison basis for the numerical study. Both steady-state (static) and transient (dynamic) simulations are performed. There are notable differences of the drag and side force coefficients between the predicted and experimental results in the wake effects on the overtaking model as well as under a situation when two models are parallel for the static tests. These differences are attributed to the SST [Formula: see text] model, which is a two-equation Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equation (RANS) turbulence model with an assumption of isotropic eddy viscosity, employed in the simulation. A more advanced turbulence model that simulates large-eddy organized motion in a turbulent flow and which uses an anisotropic eddy viscosity formulation in the near-wall flow subregion would increase the prediction accuracy for the overtaking simulation. A comparison of the results for the steady-state and the transient simulations at various relative velocity ratios ([Formula: see text]) shows that the quasi-steady approach is suited to simulate the dynamic two-vehicle overtaking process when the condition [Formula: see text] is met.
Synthesis, characterization, and fluorescence properties of new polyethers derived from curcumin analogs
Authors: Ali Walaa H , Bahili Mohammed A , Saleh Basil A , El-Hiti Gamal A
Published: December 2023

Polyether is a synthetic polymer that has low toxicity and, therefore, it is used in many applications. It can be used as a detergent, emulsifier, drug excipient, pesticide emulsifier, antiseptic, and papermaking additive agent. This study outlines the synthesis, characterization, and fluorescence evaluation of polyethers derived from curcumin analogs. Condensation polymerization of curcumin analogs and dibromoalkanes produces the corresponding polyethers. The Fourier-transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed the structures of the newly synthesized polyethers. The thermal stability and solubility of the synthesized polyethers of various solvents were investigated. They showed high stability at high temperatures as thermoplastics. The synthesized polyethers have fluorescent properties in solutions, and the absorption and intensity were dependent on the type of functional groups present in the polymers. The fluorination intensity of polyethers was found to be dependent on the presence of electron-donating groups, the pH of the solution, and the type of solvent used. One of the synthesized polyethers exhibited strong emissive properties at one or two specific wavelengths.
Late-onset stiff-person syndrome: challenges in diagnosis and management
Authors: Dalakas Marinos C. , Yi Jessica
Published: December 2023

Background:

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare slowly progressive autoimmune neuronal hyperexcitability disease with very-high GAD-65 antibody titers that most commonly presents above the age of 20, with muscle stiffness, painful muscle spasms, slow gait, and falls leading to disability. In other autoimmune disorders, late-onset disease has different symptom-spectrum and outcomes, but there is no information regarding late-onset SPS (LOSPS).

Objective:

Highlight delayed diagnosis and poor tolerance or incomplete response to therapies of patients with LOSPS and outline how best to increase disease awareness early at onset.

Design: A retrospective chart review.Methods:

We reviewed GAD-positive SPS patients with symptom onset above age 60, identified among 54 SPS patients, examined, treated and followed-up by the same clinicians, focused on clinical presentation, misdiagnoses, response and tolerance to therapies, and evolved disability.

Results:

Nine patients had LOSPS with symptom onset at median age of 61 years (range 60–78), and current median age of 73. The median time from symptom onset to SPS diagnosis was 3 years; prior to diagnosis, five patients were treated for lumbosacral radiculopathies (one with laminectomy), two for Parkinson’s disease, one for multiple sclerosis, and another for cerebellar degeneration. Progressive decline occurred rapidly in all patients; at time of diagnosis, six patients were already using a cane or walker and two were wheelchair-bound. Tolerance and response to treatment were limited; two patients did not respond to IVIg, two discontinued IVIg despite early response due to comorbidities (cardiac disease, thrombosis), four others partially responded to IVIg and one to rituximab; several could not tolerate high doses of oral antispasmodics due to somnolence; and two patients died.

Conclusions:

LOSPS is almost always misdiagnosed for other similar conditions commonly seen in the elderly. Patients with LOSPS decline quickly to clinically severe disease due to delayed treatment initiation, poor response or tolerance, other comorbidities, and possibly immunosenescence. Increased awareness that SPS can occur in the elderly mimicking other disorders is important for early diagnosis and treatment, even necessitating earlier immunotherapy initiation, compared to their younger counterparts, to prevent faster-evolving severe disability.
Antiplasmodial Profiling of Mangifera indica's Herbal Formulation and Its Ability to Ameliorate Hematological Derangements in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice
Authors: Asanga Edet E. , Okoroiwu Henshaw U. , Umoh EkementeAbasi A. , Eseyin Olorunfemi A. , Oko Mike O. , Okey Favour E. , Oli Mercy
Published: December 2023

Background

Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum with an average prevalence of 75% in Nigeria, can be treated. Chemical-based medications, one of the methods used to treat it, frequently causes hematological abnormalities in the blood tissues. However, the ethnobotanical and scientific usage of Mangifera indica for the management of malaria in Nigeria necessitated this study on the antiplasmodial evaluation, the hematological profiling of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice treated with Mangifera indica's herbal formulation as well as the isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds from the plants.

Method

The plant's coarse leaves (3 kg) and stem bark (3.2 g) were weighed, divided into groups of leaves (250.71 g), stem bark (509.34 g), leaves/stem bark (1:1) (101.24/101.24 g), leaves/stem bark (1:2) (164.39/328.78 g), and leaves/stem bark (2:1) (218.50/109.25 g), macerated in 3 L of ethanol for 72 h, filtered, and concentrated. For each extract, the following weights and yields were recorded: 31.3 g leaves (15.2%), 43.8 g stem bark (8.7%), 34.8 g leaves/stem bark (1:1) (17.2%), 29.2 g leaves/stem bark (1:2) (5.92%), and 26.1 g leaves/stem bark (2:1) (7.96%). According to established methods, the herbal formulation was employed for hematological testing, GC-MS analysis, and in vivo antiplasmodial evaluation based on standard protocols.

Results

The leaves: Stem bark (1:2) extract (the best therapeutic response) of 98.92% was better than ACT (98.63%). GCMS analysis revealed predominantly mangiferin and esters of linoleic acids that could have enhanced erythropoiesis, mitigated infections, as well as boosted platelet aggregation in P berghei-infected mice as observed from the hematological assay.

Conclusion

Therefore, the extract of leaves: stem bark (1:2) had the best antiplasmodial therapeutic response and hematoprotective activity in P berghei-infected mice.
In Silico Pharmacokinetics Properties and In Vitro Bioactivities of Pregnane Derivatives and Other Compounds From Stems of Caralluma speciosa
Authors: Kiros Tsegu , Mohammed Seid , Dekebo Aman , Melaku Yadessa
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Caralluma speciosa (N.E. Br.) N.E. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) and other succulent plants of the genus Caralluma have mainly been known for their appetite suppressing and weight loss properties, due to the presence of pregnane compounds. This study aimed to investigate chemical constituents and evaluate antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of stems of C speciosa.

Methods

The chloroform and methanol stems extracts were subjected to silica gel chromatographic separation. The structures of isolated compounds were established by FT-IR, 1D-NMR, and GC-MS instruments, and in comparison with reported data. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were performed using agar disc diffusion and DPPH assaying methods.

Results

The phytochemical investigation afforded 5 compounds, 3 pregnane derivatives (3-5), and 2 other compounds, heptacos-1-ene (1) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (2). The chloroform: methanol (1:1) extract showed a good antifungal activity against Candida albicans up to 25 mg/mL dose (9.00 ± 1.00 mm to 17.17 ± 1.04 mm), equivalent to ketoconazole standard (17.67 ± 2.52 mm at 0.01 mg/disc). Compounds 3 and 5 were found violated 3 of the Lipinski's rule of 5. Compounds 2 and 4 exhibited a carcinogenicity property; while compounds 3, 4, and 5 were found as immunotoxic isolates.

Conclusion

All the extracts and isolated compounds 1-5 showed a negligible antibacterial and antioxidant activities compared to the antibiotic chloramphenicol (7.3 ± 0.4 to 21.15 ± 0.5 mm) and antioxidant ascorbic acid (IC50 value of 5.62 µg/mL). Hence, further biological activities study (including the anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal activities) would be needed on all the extracts and isolated compounds to look for better efficacy and predict the structure–activity relationship of the compounds.
Diagnostic MR imaging features of hypomyelination of early myelinating structures: A case report
Authors: Abe Tokiko , Yamashita Koji , Kikuchi Kazufumi , Hatai Eriko , Fujii Fumihiko , Chong Pin Fee , Sakai Yasunari , Saitsu Hirotomo , Inoue Ken , Togao Osamu , Ishigami Kousei
Published: December 2023

Hypomyelination of early myelinating structures (HEMS) has recently been defined as a new genetic disorder accompanied by clinical and MR imaging characteristics. However, no studies have focused on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings of HEMS. We would like to propose a “sheep sign,” which is formed by DWI hyperintensity in the medial medullary lamina along with alternating high-low-high (HLH) intensity stripes in the posterior limb of the internal capsule. We believe the presence of the “sheep sign” on DWI in combination with alternating HLH intensity stripes may be a valuable tool for diagnosing HEMS.
A semi-automatic segmentation method for meningioma developed using a variational approach model
Authors: Burrows Liam , Patel Jay , Islim Abdurrahman I , Jenkinson Michael D , Mills Samantha J , Chen Ke
Published: December 2023

Background

Meningioma is the commonest primary brain tumour. Volumetric post-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recognised as gold standard for delineation of meningioma volume but is hindered by manual processing times. We aimed to investigate the utility of a model-based variational approach in segmenting meningioma.

Methods

A database of patients with a meningioma (2007–2015) was queried for patients with a contrast-enhanced volumetric MRI, who had consented to a research tissue biobank. Manual segmentation by a neuroradiologist was performed and results were compared to the mathematical model, using a battery of tests including the Sørensen–Dice coefficient (DICE) and JACCARD index. A publicly available meningioma dataset (708 segmented T1 contrast-enhanced slices) was also used to test the reliability of the model.

Results

49 meningioma cases were included. The most common meningioma location was convexity ( n = 15, 30.6%). The mathematical model segmented all but one incidental meningioma, which failed due to the lack of contrast uptake. The median meningioma volume by manual segmentation was 19.0 cm3 (IQR 4.9–31.2). The median meningioma volume using the mathematical model was 16.9 cm3 (IQR 4.6–28.34). The mean DICE score was 0.90 (SD = 0.04). The mean JACCARD index was 0.82 (SD = 0.07). For the publicly available dataset, the mean DICE and JACCARD scores were 0.90 (SD = 0.06) and 0.82 (SD = 0.10), respectively.

Conclusions

Segmentation of meningioma volume using the proposed mathematical model was possible with accurate results. Application of this model on contrast-enhanced volumetric imaging may help reduce work burden on neuroradiologists with the increasing number in meningioma diagnoses.
Outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy in M1 occlusion patients with or without hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Orscelik Atakan , Senol Yigit Can , Bilgin Cem , Kobeissi Hassan , Ghozy Sherief , Musmar Basel , Bilgin Gokce Belge , Zandpazandi Sara , Pakkam Madona , Arul Santhosh , Brinjikji Waleed , Kallmes David F
Published: December 2023

Background

The comparison of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) outcomes between patients with the hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS) and non-HMCAS is important to evaluate the impact of this radiological finding on treatment efficacy. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between HMCAS and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing thrombectomy, comparing the outcomes over non-HMCAS.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library to identify studies on MT outcomes for M1 occlusions of HMCAS over non-HMCAS. Inclusion criteria encompassed modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and successful recanalization. Using R software version 4.1.2, we calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

The meta-analysis was performed for 5 studies with 724 patients. There was no association found between presence of HMCAS and achieving mRS 0–2 (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.29–1.47; p = .544). Mortality analysis also showed no significant association with presence of HMCAS (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.37–1.65; p = .520). No significant difference in sICH risk (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 0.24–9.66; p = .646) was found between groups. Recanalization analysis showed a non-significant positive association (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.67–2.28; p = .501). Heterogeneity was observed in all analyses.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that there is no statistically significant difference in mRS scores, mortality, sICH, and recanalization success rates between the HMCAS and non-HMCAS groups.
A blended learning program focusing on comprehensive opioid management in pain (COMP): A pilot program
Authors: Leong Xin Yu Adeline , Lim Zhen Wei , Li Lydia Weiling , George Jane Mary , Goy Raymond Wee Lip , Chan Diana Xin Hui , Tan Selene Yan Ling , Tan Pei Yu , Yu Xia
Published: December 2023

Introduction

In view of the opioid epidemic and increasing caution surrounding prescription of opioids, addressing the competence of opioid management is important. There is minimal structured opioid education in Singapore. Online opioid education modules are available but lack real-time input, concise objectives, and program evaluation. This pilot online, modular, blended program aimed to efficiently instruct novice doctors on safe and appropriate practical opioid prescribing, optimizing its role in multimodal pain management while minimizing risks to patients and public health.

Methods

The Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) model was used. A multidisciplinary team developed the interactive blended program, “Comprehensive Opioid Management in Pain (COMP)”, consisting of three online modules, one case-based discussion (CBD) session, pre- and post-program evaluations. The program was designed to be concise, clinically relevant and engaging to maximize application of knowledge in clinically deficient areas. All junior anesthetists across Singhealth were invited to participate. We analyzed all self-reported and objective scores, as well as program feedback.

Results

33 participants completed the online modules. Despite the moderate to high level of baseline self-reported confidence and competency scores, median scores for all variables increased post-program from pre-program. There was unanimous agreement on the relevance and utility of the training program.

Conclusion

This pilot achieved the aims of improving the knowledge and confidence levels of opioid management in novice doctors. Participants particularly enjoyed the succinct and interactive features of COMP. Further extension with modules focusing on opioid diversion and its use in high-risk populations would benefit intermediate learners.
Hispanic adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus using lipid-lowering agents have better periodontal health than non-users
Authors: Andriankaja Oelisoa M. , Joshipura Kaumudi J. , Levine Michael A. , Ramirez-Vick Margarita , Rivas-Agosto Julio A. , Duconge Jorge S. , Graves Dana T.
Published: December 2023

Background:

Recent studies suggest that lipid-lowering agents (LLA) may reduce chronic periodontitis, but it is unknown whether this benefit extends to people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Objective:

We assessed the association between LLA use and periodontitis in Hispanic adults with T2D.

Design:

This was a cross-sectional observational study.

Methods:

We assessed the association of LLA use and periodontal parameters in 253 Puerto Ricans 40–65 years with T2D who participated in the Lipid-Lowering agents use in Periodontitis and Diabetes Study study. Participants were classified as (a) none- or <1 year, (b) 1–4 years, or (c) >4 years. The primary outcome consists of a tertile percent of sites with probing pocket depth (PPD) ⩾ 4 mm and the secondary outcome includes tertiles of percent sites with clinical attachment loss (CAL) ⩾ 4 mm. Multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, smoking status, education, waist circumference, glycosylated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), bleeding on probing, examiner, and anti-inflammatory agents were used to estimate the association.

Results:

LLA (92.5%, statins) was used by 52% of participants. LLA use 1–4 years was associated with lower odds of PPD ⩾ 4 mm (OR: 0.22, p  = 0.005; high versus low tertile) or lower odds of CAL ⩾ 4 mm (OR: 0.33, p  = 0.02, middle versus low tertile), compared to those with LLA minimal or no use. This association was lost for participants who used LLA for >4 years. LLA users for >4 years with periodontal disease had elevated HbA1c (OR: 1.36, p  = 0.05).

Conclusion:

The use of LLA for 1–4 years was associated with lower values of periodontal parameters versus minimal LLA use. This association was not present among people using LLA > 4 years users, but these participants had poorer glycemic control compared to other participants. In this cross-sectional study, the finding that LLA use 1- 4 years is associated with lower values of periodontal parameters of severity in T2D individuals may help clarify some of the controversies regarding the benefit of these medications in this population.
Hippo/YAP signaling pathway: a new therapeutic target for diabetes mellitus and vascular complications
Authors: Wei Lan , Gao Jingjing , Wang Liangzhi , Tao Qianru , Tu Chao
Published: December 2023

Diabetic angiopathy, which includes diabetic kidney disease (DKD), cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and diabetic retinopathy (DR) among other diseases, is one of the most common complications affecting diabetic patients. Among these, DKD, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, affects about 40% of diabetic patients. Similarly, DR involves retinal neovascularization and neurodegeneration as a result of chronic hyperglycemia and is the main cause of visual impairment and blindness. In addition, inflammation also promotes atherosclerosis and diabetes, with atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases being often a main cause of disability or death in diabetic patients. Given that vascular diseases caused by diabetes negatively impact human health, it is therefore important to identify appropriate treatments. In this context, some studies have found that the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway is a highly evolutionarily conserved protein kinase signal pathway that regulates organ growth and size through its effector signaling pathway Transcriptional co-Activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) and its YAP. YAP is a key factor in the Hippo pathway. The activation of YAP regulates gluconeogenesis, thereby regulating glucose tolerance levels; silencing the YAP gene thereby prevents the formation of glomerular fibrosis. YAP can combine with TEA domain family members to regulate the proliferation and migration of retinal vascular endothelial cells (ECs), so YAP plays a prominent role in the formation and pathology of retinal vessels. In addition, YAP/TAZ activation and translocation to the nucleus promote endothelial inflammation and monocyte-EC attachment, which can increase diabetes-induced cardiovascular atherosclerosis. Hippo/YAP signaling pathway provides a potential therapeutic target for diabetic angiopathy, which can prevent the progression of diabetes to DR and improve renal fibrosis and cardio-vascular atherosclerosis.
Uropathogens and their antimicrobial-resistant pattern among suspected urinary tract infections patients in eastern Nepal: A hospital inpatients-based study
Authors: Sah Bikash Kumar , Dahal Prasanna , Mallik Shyam Kumar , Paul A Deevan , Mainali Uttar , Shah Chhaya , Dahal Pragyan
Published: December 2023

Background:

Urinary tract infections are the primary factors that cause mortality and morbidity in patients with underlying comorbid conditions and are responsible for most hospital admissions worldwide.

Objectives:

The study aims to identify the common bacterial uropathogens and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, including multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant bacteria.

Methods:

The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among inpatients provisionally suspected of urinary tract infections in the medical ward of Koshi Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal. Samples were inoculated in a cystine lysine electrolyte-deficient medium, and pure growth of significant bacteria was further subjected Gram staining, biochemical identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing as per laboratory standard procedure and Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed to analyze the outcomes and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

A total of 305 patients urine specimens were examined, of which 251 (82.29%) samples resulted in significant bacterial growth in the culture. Escherichia coli (62.94%) was the most predominantly isolated organism, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.35%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.16%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.76%). Among antimicrobials, colistin had shown absolute susceptibility (100%) toward gram-negative uropathogens followed by carbapenem and aminoglycosides in a majority of uropathogens. Escherichia coli was found to be the leading drug-resistant bacteria (70%) among uropathogens. The presence of multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant bacteria uropathogens was found to be significantly associated with diabetes mellitus and those with combined antimicrobial therapies. Diabetic patients were twice (OR~2) more likely to colonize and develop uropathogens as compared to non-diabetics.

Conclusion:

Escherichia coli was the most common uropathogens followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae in urinary tract infection patients. The polymyxin group (colistin) of antimicrobials was found to be effective in all multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant uropathogens. The study recommends the need of optimized antimicrobial stewardship program to develop effective strategies in the management of urinary tract infections in diverse healthcare settings.
Ownership Structure and Capital Structure: Moderating Effect of Product Market Maturity
Authors: Wang Chu , Lok Char-Lee , Phua Lian Kee
Published: December 2023

This study aims to analyze the impact of ownership structure on corporate capital structure, moderated by product market maturity. It employs a sample of 19950 firm-year observations for 1995 firms, which are listed companies on the A-Shares Board in Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchange markets for the year 2011 to 2020. The data were analyzed using fixed effect regression. A two-step system GMM was used for the robustness test. Results suggested that state and institutional ownership negatively affect the firm’s leverage, which supports the resource-based theory. Furthermore, this study revealed that the negative effect of state ownership and institutional ownership on leverage diminished when firms are located in provinces with more matured product markets. These findings have important implications for the Chinese government in terms of developing and enforcing capital structure regulations to promote de-leverage.
The Effect of Humor Styles on Anxiety Performance in Basketball Learning Practices
Authors: Dakwo Philip Ezekiel , Cerkez Yagmur , Baysen Engin
Published: December 2023

Every sport requires players to practice constantly to develop skills and the zeal to become a perfect player increases based on the players’ anxiety-performance level. This makes humor styles of players a significant counterweight to the severity associated with anxiety-performance in basketball learning practices. As a result, the study aimed to examine the effect of players’ humor styles on anxiety performance in learning practices. A quantitative research method was used and questionnaire was distributed to the participants with 201 data was collected. Data collected were analyzed using correlational and factors covariance analyses. The results indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship between players’ humor styles and anxiety-related performance in learning physical practices. This suggests that humor styles can counterbalance the severity of anxiety-related performance in basketball learning practices. Overall, this study provides insight into how sports psychologists can identify optimal humor styles for players’ worry, somatic, and concentration disruption anxiety performance. Thus, this study presented both the theoretical and educational implications.
The Impact of Supply Chain Integration to Supply Chain Responsiveness in Chinese Electronics Manufacturing Companies
Authors: Jiang Fei , Isa Filzah Md , Ng Sin Pei , Bhatti Mariam
Published: December 2023

The aim of the current research was to explore the relationship between supply chain integration and supply chain responsiveness in the electronics manufacturing industry in Guangdong, China. The research model conceptualized supply chain integration (comprising business process integration, system integration, and activity integration) as a key resource impacting the capability of firms to respond efficiently to changing consumer demands and market conditions. This research utilized the questionnaire to gathered data from 420 supply chain management professionals from electronics manufacturers in China. The gathered data was analyzed using PLS-SEM, which allowed us to examine the relationships between supply chain responsiveness, business process integration, activity integration and systems integration. The results obtained were interpreted and discussed in the context of previous literature and theories. The study findings reveal a positive correlation between the three aspects of supply chain integration and supply chain responsiveness. Respondents agreed that business process integration (mean = 4.822, standard deviation = 1.825), system integration (mean = 4.965, standard deviation = 1.809), and activity integration (mean = 5.243, standard deviation = 1.792) were essential determinants in developing supply chain responsiveness. This indicates that a higher level of integration in these areas can significantly enhance a firm’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to changes in the market. These findings are consistent with prior research, suggesting that these forms of integration are critical for supply chain performance. In the context of the electronics manufacturing industry in China, this research further validates the importance of these variables. Business process integration is first investigated as the determinant of supply chain responsiveness, especially in the electronics manufacturing companies of China. This study is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, one of the first to investigate the link between business process integration and supply chain responsiveness. Meanwhile, it is also seen as the new test of examining the influence of system and activity integration on supply chain responsiveness in the current business environment. The truth from the data analysis illustrated that even in the new business environment, both integration constructs (system integration and system integration) could affect the supply chain’s responsiveness. The study’s results provide valuable insights for practitioners and policy-makers in the electronics manufacturing industry. By focusing on enhancing business process integration, system integration, and activity integration, firms can increase their responsiveness to the dynamic market environment, thus improving overall performance.
Art Therapy as an Intervention for Children: A Bibliometric Analysis of Publications from 1990 to 2020
Authors: Wu Jia-Fen , Chung Chi-Yang
Published: December 2023

This bibliometric study analyzed characteristics of publications related to art therapy for children from 1990 to 2020, based on the datasets taken from Web of Science (WoS) core collections. The results indicate that the USA, Israel, Germany, UK, Australia, and Canada were six leading countries in this field of research interest. The Top 5 most influential journals were identified by the number of publications, TLCS, TGCS and by their impact factor. Five leading journals in the art therapy studies include Arts in Psychotherapy, American Journal of Art Therapy, Child & Family Social Work, Frontiers in Psychology, and Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde. Core themes from the 87 articles focus on surrounding socialization and attachment relationship, art therapy for the well-being of children with learning disabilities, alternative intervention for art therapy, and parent-child art therapy. This bibliometric study portrayed the development of art therapy for children by means of visualization techniques. The potential issues emerging from the data will contribute to future studies in this field. Multiple methods of art therapy are applied for all children’s well-being; as such, children’s art therapy in schools can be seen as the potential trend for researchers and teachers.
How External Knowledge Acquisition Contribute to Innovation Performance: A Chain Mediation Model
Authors: Li Qian , Gao Hui
Published: December 2023

It has become a common way for enterprises to use external knowledge to reduce the development bottleneck caused by internal resource constraints. How does external knowledge develop inside enterprises and then promote the innovation performance? Drawing upon resource-based view and dynamic capability theory, this study proposes a chain mediation model of how firms’ opportunity identification and R&D, as two distinctive microfoundations of dynamic capabilities, mediate the relationship between external knowledge acquisition and firms’ innovation performance. Through the questionnaire survey of Chinese high-tech enterprises, the results show that both external market knowledge acquisition and external technological knowledge acquisition influence the level of opportunity identification and internal R&D activities, so that the internal knowledge base of the enterprise can be updated or reconstructed, and the innovation performance can be improved. This further confirms that enterprises transform external knowledge with the role of dynamic capabilities, which enriches the research on open innovation from the perspective of dynamic capabilities.