bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discrimination of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adolescents: Spanish version of the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children-11 Self-Report (BPFSC-11) Preliminary results
Authors: Calvo Natalia , Marin Jorge Lugo , Vidal Raquel , Sharp Carla , Duque Juan D. , Ramos-Quiroga Josep-Antoni , Ferrer Marc
Published: May 2023

Background

Although the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) during adolescence has been questioned, many recent studies have confirmed its validity. However, some clinical manifestations of BPD could be identifiable in adolescents with other pathologies, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The objective of the present study is to examine the capacity of the self-report Borderline Personality Features Scale Children-11 (BPFSC-11) to discriminate between BPD and ADHD adolescents.

Methods

One hundred and forty-five participants were grouped based on their diagnosis: 58 with BPD, 58 with ADHD, and 29 healthy volunteers as a control group. Between-group differences and the ROC curve were performed to test if the total score for the BPFSC-11 and/or its factors can significantly discriminate between BPD and other adolescent groups.

Results

The results show that the total BPFSC-11 score has good discriminant capacity among adolescents diagnosed with BPD, ADHD and healthy volunteers. However, different patterns of discriminative capacity were observed between the three groups for emotional dysregulation and impulsivity/recklessness factors.

Conclusions

Our results support the hypothesis that the BPFSC-11 is an adequate instrument for discriminating between BPD and ADHD in adolescents, who can present significant psychopathological overlap. Tools to identify BPD in adolescence, as well as for better differential diagnosis, would improve the possibility of offering specific treatments targeting these populations.
Exploring high scientific productivity in international co-authorship of a small developing country based on collaboration patterns
Authors: Mitrović Irena , Mišić Marko , Protić Jelica
Published: May 2023

The number of published scientific paper grows rapidly each year, totaling more than 2.9 million annually. New methodologies and systems have been developed to analyze scientific production and performance indicators from large quantities of data available from the scientific databases, such as Web of Science or Scopus. In this paper, we analyzed the international scientific production and co-authorship patterns for the most productive authors from Serbia based on the obtained Web of Science dataset in the period 2006–2013. We performed bibliometric and scientometric analyses together with statistical and collaboration network analysis, to reveal the causes of extraordinary publishing performance of some authors. For such authors, we found significant inequality in distribution of papers over journals and countries of co-authors, using Gini coefficient and Lorenz curves. Most of the papers belong to multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and the field of applied sciences. We have discovered three specific collaboration patterns that lead to high productivity in international collaboration. First pattern corresponds to mega-authorship papers with hundreds of co-authors gathered in specific research groups. The other two collaboration patterns were found in mathematics and multidisciplinary science, mainly application of graph theory and computational methods in physical chemistry. The former pattern results in a star-shaped collaboration network with mostly individual collaborators. The latter pattern includes multiple actors with high betweenness centrality measure and identified brokerage roles. The results are compared with the later period 2014–2023, where high scientific production has been observed in some other fields, such as biology and food science and technology.
Comparative study between vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in management of osteoporotic vertebral body fractures
Authors: Gamal Mahmoud M. , Taghyan Mohammad , Ismail Ahmed Abdalla
Published: May 2023

Background

Percutaneous vertebroplasty and percutaneous kyphoplasty are effective minimally invasive procedures in reducing pain and improving the quality of life in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with different degrees, but it may lead to serious neurological complications.

Results

Twenty-five patients were included in our study. Both techniques were done under local anesthesia using bi-pedicular approach. All cases were assessed using plain radiographs pre- and post-operative, Visual Analogue Scale for pain, and modified Oswestry Disability Index for functional disability. Thirteen patients had vertebroplasty and 12 patients had kyphoplasty. The mean age for vertebroplasty group was 66.94 ± 6.71, while in kyphoplasty group, the mean age was 70.38 ± 9.21. In vertebroplasty group, there were ten females and three males, while in kyphoplasty group, there were nine females and three males. All cases had single vertebral level affection except one patient in the vertebroplasty group that had double-level affection. In vertebroplasty group, ten patients had lumbar spine affection, two patients had dorsal spine affection and one patient had combined dorsal and lumbar spine affection. In kyphoplasty group, ten patients had lumbar spine affection and two patients had dorsal spine affection. The mean post-operative Visual Analogue Scale was 0.46 and 0.50 in vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty groups, respectively. The mean post-operative modified Oswestry Disability Index became 4.15 and 4 in vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty groups, respectively. The mean post-operative local kyphotic angle was 6.0° and 6.50° in vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty groups, respectively. The mean vertebral height became 73.15% and 75% post-operatively in vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty groups, respectively. The intra-operative cement leakage occurred in three cases of vertebroplasty group and one case of kyphoplasty group (P = 0.644). The cost of kyphoplasty was very high in comparison with vertebroplasty.

Conclusions

There is no difference between vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty as regard pain relief, improved quality of life, correction of kyphotic angle, vertebral height restoration and the incidence of cement leakage except that kyphoplasty has a very high cost than vertebroplasty. Therefore, both techniques have an equal effect in treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.
Spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting during the seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign in 2022
Authors: Rotimi Kunle , Fagbemi Babatunde , Ibinaiye Taiwo , Aiden Jimmy , Gabriel Victor , Dabes Chrysantus , Kyeshir Tapshak , Oguche Daniel , Obayemi Omolola , Biambo Aminu , Okwulu Andrew , Aidenagbon Adaeze
Published: May 2023

Background

Seasonal administration of antimalaria drug, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine to children 3–59 months is a malaria preventive intervention used for the reduction of childhood malaria morbidity and mortality in area with highly seasonal malaria transmission like sub-Saharan Africa. This intervention has been deployed in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries for years and may continue for more years to come either alone or combination with other novel interventions. Despite the importance of pharmacovigilance, there is currently a dearth of pharmacovigilance data in most African countries, especially in public health interventions like seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaigns. The availability of quality safety data is likely to improve the acceptability of this preventive intervention.

Results

The study identified vomiting as the most reported adverse drug reaction. Other reported reactions include weakness, fever, abdominal pain, convulsion, redness of the eyes, swollen hand/face, rash, itching, cough, headache, and excessive salivation. Using Naranjo scale, 69.2% of the reported reactions can be classified as possible; while 29.5% can be classified as probable, only 1.3% is classified as definite. 92.3% of reported adverse drug reactions were from children 12–59 months and 7.7% were from those 3–11 months. The proportion of ADRs classified according to the affected organ/system is as follows: central nervous system (10.26%), gastrointestinal (60.26%), ocular (10.26%), musculoskeletal (7.69%), and dermatological (11.53%). The study also suggests better tolerability to the seasonal malaria chemoprevention medicines with more implementation experience, as states with more implementation experiences reported fewer suspected adverse drug reactions.

Conclusions

The findings from this study provide additional information on possible adverse drug reactions during seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaigns. This additional information should be communicated to caregivers during the seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaigns as a way of building trust and improving acceptability of the intervention. Also, strengthening of the national pharmacovigilance system is vital to ensure improved timeliness, quality, and quantity of pharmacovigilance reporting on SMC intervention in Africa, as results from the study show low levels of pharmacovigilance reporting across the states.
Anti-SSA/SSB-negative primary Sjögren’s syndrome showing different clinical phenotypes: a retrospective study of 934 cases
Authors: Chen Jiaqi , He Qian , Yang Jianying , Wu TzuHua , Huang Ziwei , Zhang Yan , Liao Jiahe , Zhang Lining , Yu Xinbo , Yao Chuanhui , Luo Jing , Tao Qingwen
Published: May 2023

Background

Currently, only a few studies have described the general characteristics of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) who tested negatives for anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies. We aimed to further investigate the clinical characteristics of these patients in a large sample.

Methods

Data from patients with pSS who were treated at a tertiary hospital in China between 2013 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical characteristics of the patients were compared between those with and without anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibody negativity. Factors associated with anti-SSA and anti-SSB negativity were identified by logistic regression analysis.

Results

Overall, 934 patients with pSS were included in this study, among whom 299 (32.0%) tested negative for anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies. Compared with patients testing positive for anti-SSA or anti-SSB antibodies, that testing negative for the two antibodies had a lower proportion of females (75.3% vs. 90.6%, p < 0.001) and thrombocytopenia (6.7% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.002), but a higher proportion of abnormal Schirmer I tests (96.0% vs. 89.1%, p = 0.001) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) (59.2% vs. 28.8%, p = 0.001). Anti-SSA and anti-SSB negativity was positively associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05, 3.31), abnormal Schirmer I tests (OR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.24, 6.53), and ILD (OR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.67, 3.85). However, it was negatively related to thrombocytopenia (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.95).

Conclusion

Approximately one third of pSS patients had anti-SSA and anti-SSB negativity. pSS patients testing negative for anti-SSA and anti-SSB showed a higher risk of abnormal Schirmer I tests and ILD, but a lower risk of thrombocytopenia.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning epilepsy among nurses and midwives working in primary health care settings in Ouagadougou of Burkina Faso
Authors: Dabilgou Alfred Anselme , Dravé Alassane , Kyelem Julie Marie Adeline Wendlamita , Kinda Fatimata , Napon Christian , Millogo Athanase , Kaboré Jean
Published: May 2023

Background

In developing countries, there is a lack of epilepsy knowledge among health workers. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice concerning epilepsy among nurses and midwives working in primary health care settings in Ouagadougou.

Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional study in the health districts of Ouagadougou from August 1st to September 15th, 2017. All nurses and midwives working in three health districts were included in this study.

Results

A total of 213 participants with a mean age of 39.5 years were included in the survey; 79.81% of them had a general certification in secondary education and 62% had a professional experience of more than 10 years. About 99% of the participants had not received training on epilepsy-related care during the last six months. In addition, 74.5% of the participants had a good knowledge on epilepsy and 65% had a good practice toward epilepsy. The level of knowledge was associated with the workplace, years of training, and the professional experience. The level of knowledge about epilepsy was also associated with the level of education, while there was a significant link between professional status and nurses' level of practice in the management of seizures.

Conclusions

Efforts must be made to provide continuing education for nurses in order to improve their knowledge on epilepsy.
Thomsen-type parameters and attenuation coefficients for constant-Q transverse isotropy
Authors: Hao Qi , Tsvankin Ilya
Published: May 2023

Transversely isotropic (TI) media with the frequency-independent quality-factor elements (also called “constant- Q” transverse isotropy) are often used to describe attenuation anisotropy in sedimentary rocks. The attenuation coefficients in constant- Q TI models can be conveniently defined in terms of the Thomsen-type attenuation-anisotropy parameters. Recent research indicates that not all those parameters for such constant- Q media are frequency-independent. Here, we present concise analytic formulas for the Thomsen-type attenuation parameters for Kjartansson’s constant- Q TI model and show that one of them ([Formula: see text]) varies with frequency. The analytic expression for [Formula: see text] helps evaluate the frequency dependence of the normalized attenuation coefficients of P- and SV-waves by introducing the newly defined “dispersion factors.” These factors are frequency-independent and expressed in terms of the Thomsen and Thomsen-type parameters defined at a specified reference frequency. Viscoacoustic constant- Q transverse isotropy is also discussed as a special case, for which the elliptical condition and simplified expressions for the parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are derived. Our results show that, in the presence of significant absorption, the attenuation coefficients of the constant- Q model vary with frequency for oblique propagation with respect to the symmetry axis. This variation needs to be taken into account when applying the spectral-ratio method and other attenuation-analysis techniques.
Seismic signatures of partial steam saturation in fractured geothermal reservoirs: Insights from poroelasticity
Authors: Quiroga Gabriel E. , Rubino J. Germán , Solazzi Santiago G. , Barbosa Nicolás D. , Favino Marco , Holliger Klaus
Published: May 2023

Detecting the presence of gaseous formation fluids, estimating the respective volumes, and characterizing their spatial distribution are important for a wide range of applications, notably for geothermal energy production. The ability to obtain such information from remote geophysical measurements constitutes a fundamental challenge, which needs to be overcome to address a wide range of problems, such as the estimation of the reservoir temperature and pressure conditions. With these motivations, we compute the body wave velocities of a fractured granitic geothermal reservoir formation with varying quantities of steam to analyze the seismic signatures in a partial saturation context. We use a poroelastic upscaling approach that accounts for mesoscale fluid pressure diffusion (FPD) effects induced by the seismic strain field, and, thus, describes the governing physical processes more accurately than standard representations. Changes in seismic velocities due to steam saturation are compared with changes associated with fracture density variations, as both are plausible results of pressure changes in geothermal reservoirs. We find that steam saturation has a significant impact on P-wave velocities while affecting S-wave velocities to a significantly lesser extent. This contrasting behavior allows us to discriminate between fracture density and steam saturation changes by means of P- and S-wave velocity ratio analyses. To evaluate the potential of seismic methods to provide this information, a canonical geothermal reservoir model is used to compute the Rayleigh wave velocity dispersion and seismic reflection amplitude variation with angle (AVA) curves. These studies reveal that AVA analyses allow differentiating changes in fracture density from changes in steam saturation. We also note that the Rayleigh-wave-based techniques are much less sensitive to steam content changes than to fracture density changes. Comparisons with elastic approaches indicate that including FPD effects through the use of a poroelastic model is crucial for the reliable detection and characterization of steam in fractured geothermal reservoirs.
The emergence of primary negative symptoms: relevance of timing?
Authors: Chen Eric Yu Hai , Wong Stephanie Ming Yin , Hui Christy Lai Ming , Suen Yi Nam , Chan Sherry Kit Wa
Published: May 2023

Negative symptoms are an important symptom dimension in schizophrenia that are often least responsive to antipsychotic medications. We revisit the current practice of identifying ‘primary’ negative symptoms and suggest that its concept would benefit from a further elaboration of their timing of emergence in relation to the dynamic neurobiological changes to enhance their utility in clinical decision-making and research.
Physical Examination in Medical Oncology Guiding the Development of a Protocol for Teleoncology Care in a Public Health Care Oncology Service
Authors: Nazareth Aguiar Pedro , Stival Mirella , Magalhães Filho Marcos Aurelio Fonseca , del Giglio Auro
Published: May 2023

PURPOSE

We aimed to define clinical variables that could predict changes in physical examination (PE) findings and consequently lead to significant differences in clinical management. This knowledge is important because of the growing popularity of teleoncology consultations, in which there is no possibility of PE, aside from inspection.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted in two public hospitals in Brazil. Clinical variables and findings of PE, as well as the management plan determined at the end of the medical appointment, were systematically recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 368 in-person clinical evaluations of patients with cancer were included. PE was normal or had alterations already seen in previous consultations in 87% of the cases. Among patients with new changes in PE (n = 49), cancer treatment was maintained in 59%, complementary examinations and specialist appointments were requested in 31%, and oncological therapy was modified directly after PE in 10%. Of the total 368 visits, only 12 (3%) had a change in oncological management, five directly after PE abnormalities and 7 after complementary assessment. The presence of symptoms and reasons for consultation other than follow-up showed a positive association with alterations in PE and consequent changes in clinical management by univariate and multivariate analysis ( P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Considering changes in clinical management, PE on every encounter for medical oncology surveillance visits may not be necessary. We envision that teleoncology will be a safe modality in most cases, given the large percentage of asymptomatic patients with no changes in PE during face-to-face care. However, for patients with advanced disease and symptoms, however, we suggest priority for in-person care.
Profile of the Oncology Physician Workforce and the Characteristics of Attrition
Authors: Tuia Jordan , Haslam Alyson , Prasad Vinay
Published: May 2023

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence of attrition and the frequency of transition from a primarily clinical role to an industry-related role among oncology physicians.

METHODS

We tracked yearly Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) billing between 2015 and 2022 to estimate attrition of oncology physicians. A subanalysis of a random sample of 300 oncologists with fewer than 30 years of experience and who had stopped billing were used to conduct a more thorough assessment of current employment. Employment was primarily found through LinkedIn; otherwise a secondary search was done through a Google search. Type of employer was categorized as industry (pharmaceutical or biotechnology), nonindustry (academic/clinical/government), others, or no information found. The results are provided separately by sex.

RESULTS

Of the 16,870 oncologists who billed to CMS in 2015, 3,558 (21%) had stopped billing by 2022. Among a randomly selected 300 oncologists, we found current employment information for 223 (74%); 78 of the 223 (35%) were most recently employed within industry. Among all CMS-billing oncologists, 30% (5,126 of 16,870) identified as female. Women stopped billing at the rate of 18% (929 of 5,126) by 2022. Surgical oncologists had the lowest overall attrition (17%, 149 of 855). Radiation oncologists had 21% (881 of 4,244) overall attrition and 7% (5 of 71) sampled attrition to industry.

CONCLUSION

By 2022, 21% of oncology physicians billing to CMS in 2015 had stopped. 78 of the 300 sampled physicians were found to be working in industry. In total, 1 in 17 oncologists (5%) moved to industry over a 5-year period.
Effects of Yukawa confining potential on Klein-Gordon oscillator
Authors: Ikot A. N. , Amadi P. O. , Okorie U. S. , Horchani R. , Okpara N. , Obagboye L.
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we study the quantum dynamics of relativistic Klein-Gordon oscillator with Yukawa confining potential. We obtain approximate bound state energy spectrum and the corresponding wave function expressed in terms of biconfluent Hun function using the extended Nikiforov-Uvarov method. The effects of the screening parameter on the energy spectrum of the Klein-Gordon oscillator are discussed in details.
Shift in Calcium From Peripheral Bone to Axial Bone After Tumor Resection in Patients With Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia
Authors: Ni Xiaolin , Zhang Zaizhu , Guan Wenmin , Chi Yue , Li Xiang , Gong Yiyi , Pang Qianqian , Yu Wei , Wu Huanwen , Huo Li , Liu Yong , Jin Jin , Zhou Xi , Lv Wei , Zhou Lian , Xia Yu , Liu Wei , Jiajue Ruizhi , Cui Lijia , Wang Ou , Li Mei , Xing Xiaoping , Jiang Yan , Xia Weibo
Published: May 2023

Context

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by excessive production of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) by a tumor. After successful tumor resection, patients can recover from hypophosphatemia quicky. However, data on the changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and microstructure in the short term after surgery remained unclear.

Objective

This work aimed to investigate the postoperative changes in BMD and microstructure both in peripheral and axial bone in TIO patients.

Methods

We evaluated BMD and microarchitecture in 22 TIO patients using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before and 3 months after surgery in this retrospective study.

Results

In this study, a total of 22 TIO patients who had recovered serum phosphate levels postoperatively were enrolled. After surgery, areal BMD (aBMD) increased by 21.6% in the femoral neck, by 18.9% in the total hip, and by 29.5% in the lumbar spine. Moreover, TBS increased by 14.1% (all P < .001). In contrast, trabecular or cortical volumetric BMD (vBMD), and microstructure of trabecular bone (trabecular number, separation and bone volume ratio) and cortical bone (cortical thickness and porosity) at the distal radius or tibia were further deteriorated. Correlation analyses found that changes in femoral neck and total hip aBMD were both conversely associated with changes in trabecular vBMD and bone volume ratio, while positively correlated with change in trabecular separation at the distal radius.

Conclusion

Although aBMD and microstructure in the axial bone were improved, vBMD and microstructure in the peripheral bone were further impaired shortly after surgery. Correlation of improvement of aBMD in the total hip and femoral neck with deterioration of vBMD and microstructure at the distal radius indicated a shift in calcium from the peripheral bone to the axial bone in the short term after tumor resection in TIO patients.
The brain on time: links between development and neurodegeneration
Authors: Shabani Khadijeh , Hassan Bassem A.
Published: May 2023

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons. In this Spotlight, we explore the idea that genetic forms of neurodegenerative disorders might be rooted in neural development. Focusing on Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, we first provide a brief overview of the pathology for these diseases. Although neurodegenerative diseases are generally thought of as late-onset diseases, we discuss recent evidence promoting the notion that they might be considered neurodevelopmental disorders. With this view in mind, we consider the suitability of animal models for studying these diseases, highlighting human-specific features of human brain development. We conclude by proposing that one such feature, human-specific regulation of neurogenic time, might be key to understanding the etiology and pathophysiology of human neurodegenerative disease.
Oxidative stress induces chromosomal instability through replication stress in fibroblasts from aged mice
Authors: Chen Guan , Li Zhenhua , Iemura Kenji , Tanaka Kozo
Published: May 2023

Chromosomal aneuploidy has been associated with aging. However, whether and how chromosomal instability (CIN), a condition frequently seen in cancer cells in which chromosome missegregation occurs at a high rate, is associated with aging is not fully understood. Here, we found that primary fibroblasts isolated from aged mice (24 months old) exhibit an increased level of chromosome missegregation and micronucleation compared with that from young mice (2 months old), concomitant with an increased rate of aneuploid cells, suggesting the emergence of CIN. Reactive oxygen species were increased in fibroblasts from aged mice, which was accompanied with mitochondrial functional decline, indicating that they are under oxidative stress. Intriguingly, antioxidant treatments reduced chromosome missegregation and micronucleation rates in cells from aged mice, suggesting a link between oxidative stress and CIN. As a cause of CIN, we found that cells from aged mice are under replication stress, which was ameliorated by antioxidant treatments. Microtubule stabilization is a potential cause of CIN promoted by replication stress. Our data demonstrate the emergence of CIN with age, and suggest an unprecedented link between oxidative stress and CIN in aging.
A sensation for inflation: initial swim bladder inflation in larval zebrafish is mediated by the mechanosensory lateral line
Authors: Venuto Alexandra , Thibodeau-Beganny Stacey , Trapani Josef G. , Erickson Timothy
Published: May 2023

Larval zebrafish achieve neutral buoyancy by swimming up to the surface and taking in air through their mouths to inflate their swim bladders. We define this behavior as ‘surfacing’. Little is known about the sensory basis for this underappreciated behavior of larval fish. A strong candidate is the mechanosensory lateral line, a hair cell-based sensory system that detects hydrodynamic information from sources such as water currents, predators, prey and surface waves. However, a role for the lateral line in mediating initial inflation of the swim bladder has not been reported. To explore the connection between the lateral line and surfacing, we used a genetic mutant (lhfpl5b−/−) that renders the zebrafish lateral line insensitive to mechanical stimuli. We observed that approximately half of these lateral line mutants over-inflate their swim bladders during initial inflation and become positively buoyant. Thus, we hypothesized that larval zebrafish use their lateral line to moderate interactions with the air–water interface during surfacing to regulate swim bladder inflation. To test the hypothesis that lateral line defects are responsible for swim bladder over-inflation, we showed that exogenous air is required for the hyperinflation phenotype and transgenic rescue of hair cell function restores normal inflation. We also found that chemical ablation of anterior lateral line hair cells in wild-type larvae causes hyperinflation. Furthermore, we show that manipulation of lateral line sensory information results in abnormal inflation. Finally, we report spatial and temporal differences in the surfacing behavior between wild-type and lateral line mutant larvae. In summary, we propose a novel sensory basis for achieving neutral buoyancy where larval zebrafish use their lateral line to sense the air–water interface and regulate initial swim bladder inflation.
Considerações preliminares sobre as cudinas, travestilidades indígenas mbayá-guaicuru
Authors: Borges Dandriel Henrique
Published: May 2023

Essa Nota de Pesquisa foi elaborada enquanto uma análise, não exaustiva, sobre discursos de não-indígenas acerca de travestilidades indígenas entre o povo mbayá-guaicuru e seu subgrupo kadiwéu. As fontes usadas, datadas entre os últimos anos do século XVIII e o decorrer do século XIX, foram lidas criticamente à luz do contexto histórico e social do Brasil na época, no qual um projeto político de construção de um ideal de nação tomou forma. Nessas arguições, buscou-se compreender as influências de tais circunstâncias nos discursos analisados. Foram ainda elencadas fontes do século XX, sendo contrapostas as de séculos anteriores, buscando assim aprofundar o entendimento exposto sobre discursos perpetuados por escritos de não-indígenas acerca dessas travestilidades indígenas estudadas, as cudinas.
Revisitando a obra "O segredo das senhoras americanas"
Authors: Pereira da Silva Edinei
Published: May 2023

O objetivo da análise do livro O segredo das senhoras americanas: intelectuais, internacionalização e financiamento da guerra fria é trazer para a superfície acontecimentos além da relação de uma disputa ideológica travada pelos Estados Unidos e União Soviética durante a Guerra Fria, e entender os grupos e personagens que se colocavam de cada lado nessa batalha. Somado a isso, procura-se compreender os meandros da política e os embates de um Brasil permeado por diferentes vertentes de pensamentos. O autor utiliza nesse trabalho diversas fontes bibliográficas e iconográficas, como: fotografia, jornal, cartas e filmes. A análise metodológica consistiu no questionamento das falas e posicionamento dos múltiplos sujeitos, sobretudo durante a ditadura civil-militar no Brasil.
Ancestralidade e produção de conhecimentos afro-brasileiros, no CEJAP, de Gongogi/BA
Authors: Batista Siqueira Eudes , Machado Noronha Carlos Alberto , De Santana Marise
Published: May 2023

Este artigo traz como objetivo investigar a participação de mobilizadores de culturas negras na produção do conhecimento afro-brasileiro, abordando vivências de estudantes e egressos do Colégio Estadual José Araújo Pereira (CEJAP), que desenvolvem tais projetos no município de Gongogi/BA. Fundada no método etnográfico, o estudo aponta a necessidade de ações voltadas para os estudos de ancestralidade e produção de conhecimentos afro-brasileiros no contexto de culturas locais como produção de conhecimento escolar, através da elaboração de projetos interdisciplinares, em parceria com grupos de matrizes africanas, movimentos sociais e comunidade acadêmica.
Student experiences of simulation-based learning and its impact on their performance in objective structured clinical examination in Pediatrics - A mixed method study
Authors: Saeed Sana , Afzal Azam , Khalid Farah , Jehan Fyezah
Published: May 2023

Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of integrating simulation for teaching pediatric clinical examination skills to undergraduate, MBBS Year-IV medical students at The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: In this mixed method study, the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) scores of the students who were taught using simulation (batch 2017-2018) were compared with the batch of the academic year 2016-2017 (taught via traditional methods). In order to explore the experiences of the intervention group, a questionnaire with four open-ended questions was administered at the end of the clerkship.

Results: Students who were taught by simulation, scored significantly higher on the clinical skills stations in Objective Structured Clinical Examination, than in the pre-intervention group (p-value <0.01). The students quoted safety of the learning environment, opportunities for deliberate practice, debriefing and facilitation skills maximized quoted that their experience of learning through simulation, however, some challenges were identified for future improvement.

Conclusion: The result of the study suggested simulation as a useful instructional strategy for teaching examination skills to students in their early years. The student gained confidence through deliberate practice and feedback without compromising patient safety, which translated into improved performance in the high-stakes OSCE examination at the end of the clerkship.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.7287

How to cite this: Saeed S, Afzal A, Khalid F, Jehan F. Student experiences of simulation-based learning and its impact on their performance in objective structured clinical examination in Pediatrics - A mixed method study. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(4):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.7287

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Prevention and Mitigation of Rural Higher Education Dropout in Colombia: A Dynamic Performance Management Approach.
Authors: Guzman Rincón Alfredo , Barragán Sandra , Cosenz Federico , Cala Vitery Favio
Published: May 2023

Dropout is a socio-educational phenomenon that has the scope to limit the benefits of higher education, as well as widen social disparities. For this reason, governments have implemented various public policies for its prevention and mitigation. However, in rural populations, such policies have proven to be inefficient. This paper aims to simulate public policy scenarios for the treatment of dropout in rural higher education from a Dynamic Performance Management perspective. This method supports policymakers in better understanding the core dynamics underlying the rise of this phenomenon, thus providing additional insights on how to tackle its further overflow. Due to the complexity of educational systems, the present study was developed in the Colombian context, however the model is operationalizable in any other country. As a result, the adoption of such a simulation-based approach suggests that the policies of expanding the coverage of educational loans and financial support, as well as adding a subsidy to the family income, allow for reducing the number of dropouts.
Accident severity prediction modeling for road safety using random forest algorithm: an analysis of Indian highways
Authors: Khanum Humera , Garg Anshul , Faheem Mir Iqbal
Published: May 2023

Background: Road accidents claim around 1.35 million lives annually, with countries like India facing a significant impact. In 2019, India reported 449,002 road accidents, causing 151,113 deaths and 451,361 injuries. Accident severity modeling helps understand contributing factors and develop preventive strategies. AI models, such as random forest, offer adaptability and higher predictive accuracy compared to traditional statistical models. This study aims to develop a predictive model for traffic accident severity on Indian highways using the random forest algorithm.

Methods: A multi-step methodology was employed, involving data collection and preparation, feature selection, training a random forest model, tuning parameters, and evaluating the model using accuracy and F1 score. Data sources included MoRTH and NHAI.

Results: The classification model had hyperparameters ’max depth’:  10, ’max features’: ’sqrt’, and ’n estimators’: 100. The model achieved an overall accuracy of 67% and a weighted average F1-score of 0.64 on the training set, with a macro average F1-score of 0.53. Using grid search, a random forest Classifier was fitted with optimal parameters, resulting in 41.47% accuracy on test data.

Conclusions: The random forest classifier model predicted traffic accident severity with 67% accuracy on the training set and 41.47% on the test set, suggesting possible bias or imbalance in the dataset. No clear patterns were found between the day of the week and accident occurrence or severity. Performance can be improved by addressing dataset imbalance and refining model hyperparameters. The model often underestimated accident severity, highlighting the influence of external factors. Adopting a sophisticated data recording system in line with MoRTH and IRC guidelines and integrating machine learning techniques can enhance road safety modeling, decision-making, and accident prevention efforts.
SURGICAL ASPECTS TREATMENT OF SKIN MELANOMA (literature review)
Authors: Guseynov Arif , Guseynov T. , Sedov S.
Published: May 2023

The article deals with the problems of surgical treatment of skin melanoma. Modern surgical treatment of skin melanoma includes various surgical interventions: wide excision of primary skin melanoma, amputation of the finger or disarticulation of the phalanx of the finger, resection of the auricle with its reconstruction, and other operations. The paper discusses the importance of assessing the state of regional lymph nodes in skin melanoma to decide whether to perform lymph node dissection. In addition to adequate excision of primary skin melanoma, to ensure the radicalness of surgical treatment, according to indications, lymph node dissection is performed in case of met astatic lesions of regional lymph nodes. A modern approach to detecting latent metastases involves performing a biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes. The information obtained is extremely important not only in assessing the damage to regional lymph nodes, determin ing the stage of the disease, but also in choosing the tactics of treatment and predicting the course of the tumor. Significant in the work is the conclusion that regional lymph node dissection is performed only in case of met astatic lesions of regional lymph nodes, confirmed morphologically. Accordingly, the best option is to perform regional lymph node dissection simultaneously with excision of primary skin melanoma. Prophylactic lymph node dissection for skin melanoma is not recommended. In conclusion, the latest trends in the surgical treatment of skin melanoma are indicated: an adequate reduction in the indentation and volume of operations when removing primary melanomas, an increase in the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy, the need for morphological verification of lymph node involvement in justifying lymph node dissection, and an increase in the number of metastasectomy.
Welfare Effects of Personalized Rankings
Authors: Donnelly Robert , Kanodia Ayush , Morozov Ilya
Published: May 2023

The effect of personalized ranking in online retail on consumer welfare.
Large Ranking Games with Diffusion Control
Authors: Ankirchner Stefan , Kazi-Tani Nabil , Wendt Julian , Zhou Chao
Published: May 2023

We consider a symmetric stochastic differential game where each player can control the diffusion intensity of an individual dynamic state process, and the players whose states at a deterministic finite time horizon are among the best [Formula: see text] of all states receive a fixed prize. Within the mean field limit version of the game, we compute an explicit equilibrium, a threshold strategy that consists of choosing the maximal fluctuation intensity when the state is below a given threshold and the minimal intensity otherwise. We show that for large n, the symmetric n-tuple of the threshold strategy provides an approximate Nash equilibrium of the n-player game. We also derive the rate at which the approximate equilibrium reward and the best-response reward converge to each other, as the number of players n tends to infinity. Finally, we compare the approximate equilibrium for large games with the equilibrium of the two-player case.

Funding: Support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [Grant AN 1024/5-1] is acknowledged. The research of N. Kazi-Tani is supported by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche [Grant ANR-21-CE46-0002-03]. The research of C. Zhou is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 11871364], the Singapore Ministry of Education [Grants A-8000453-00-00, A-0004273-00-00 and A-0004277-00-00] and the MERLION 2020 award [Grant A-0004589-00-00].
Intrabony mandibular metastases caused by papillary thyroid carcinoma masquerading as a parotid swelling
Authors: Wareing J , Dawoud BES , Power A , Sutton D
Published: May 2023

Papillary carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for 80–90% of cases. Distant metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer is uncommon, but when it does occur, it is most commonly to the lungs, liver and bone. Bone metastases to the mandible are rarely reported. We present a 68-year-old man who was referred due to a right parotid mass. Appropriate imaging and biopsy revealed a thyroid malignancy with bone metastases. The patient subsequently underwent thyroidectomy, with histology revealing multifocal papillary carcinoma. Radioactive iodine treatment was then commenced to control the metastatic disease.
The changing epidemiology of radial head replacement over a 22-year period in Scotland
Authors: Stirling PHC , Malhas A , Rymaszewski LA , Paton M , McEachan JE , Jenkins PJ
Published: May 2023

Background

Radial head replacement is used to confer joint stability in the management of acute unstable elbow fractures and dislocations associated with instability. We determined the annual incidence of radial head replacement over a 22-year period in a defined population.

Materials and methods

Hospital episode statistics were collected prospectively at a national level. This database was retrospectively examined to determine the annual incidence of radial head replacement over the study period in adults over 16 years of age.

Results

A total of 615 radial head replacements were performed over the 22 years studied. The overall incidence was 0.65/100,000/year (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.50–0.71). The average adult population during the period was 4,270,593. There was a steady and statistically significant increase in the incidence of radial head replacement over the study period (r 2  = 0.816; p < 0.0001). This incidence was significantly greater in women than men (odds ratio 1.46, 95% CI 1.25–1.72; p < 0.001). The peak incidence in men was 0.87/100,000 population/year in the fifth decade of life while in women the peak incidence was in the seventh decade of life (1.38/100,000 population/year).

Conclusion

The incidence of radial head replacement has increased steadily over 22 years. We hypothesise that this represents an evolving understanding of the role of radial head replacement in acute trauma in the context of emerging literature during the study period.
Forklift-related lower limb injuries: a retrospective case series study with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)
Authors: Bage T , Ibrahim M , Baden J , Filobbos G
Published: May 2023

Aim

Forklift trucks can cause serious lower limb trauma with long-lasting sequelae to patients. The aim of this study was to analyse a case series of patients with forklift-related injuries over 7 years at a level 1 major trauma centre in the UK and present their patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) with long-term follow-up. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the largest case series study in the UK describing forklift injuries.

Methods

Retrospective case note analysis of 19 patients over 7 years. Data including demographics, injury mechanism, pattern of injury, management, length of hospital stay, number of operations and complications were extracted from the notes. We used ‘Enneking score’ as a validated tool for PROMs.

Results

Seventeen men and two women with mean age of 47 years; 20% had bilateral injuries and 34% had multi-level fractures. The mean number of theatre sessions was 5.21, while the mean length of hospital stay was 30.10 days. There was one mortality. Twelve patients (63%) required reconstruction with free tissue transfer, with one flap failure. The mean long-term Enneking percentage score was 57.33%. The mean Enneking score for patients in this study is lower than our institute’s score for Gustilo 3B, highlighting the gravity of these injuries.

Conclusion

Forklifts can cause grave injuries with massive energy transfer. This study highlights the seriousness of those injuries, thus guiding patient counselling and optimising planning of management.
A systematic review of oncoplastic volume replacement breast surgery: oncological safety and cosmetic outcome
Authors: Rutherford CL , Barker S , Romics L
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Oncoplastic breast conserving surgery allows higher volume excision to achieve oncological safety with minimal aesthetic compromise. The primary outcome of this study was to assess the oncological safety in the setting of volume replacement oncoplastic breast conserving surgery. The secondary objective was to assess cosmetic outcome.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines to explore the oncological safety of oncoplastic breast conserving surgery, with particular focus on volume replacement. Resection margin rates, re-excision rates, conversion to mastectomy rates, local and distant disease recurrence, volume replacement techniques, cosmetic outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures were assessed.

Findings

The search criteria identified 155 articles, of which 40 met the inclusion criteria. These studies included 2,497 patients with a mean age of 47.8 years (range 38.4–59.6 years), a body mass index of 24.3kg/m2 (22.1–28.0kg/m2), with a mean follow-up of 37.1 months (6–125 months). A variety of volume replacement techniques were used, most commonly latissimus dorsi and chest wall perforator flaps. Whole mean pathological tumour size was 29.7mm (17–65mm) and mean specimen weight was 123.6g (46.5–220g). Mean re-excision rate was 7.2% and completion mastectomy rate was 2.3%. Locoregional and distant recurrence rate was 2.5% (0–8.1%) and 3.1% (0–14.6%), respectively. There were a variety of patient-reported outcome measures employed, with overall good to excellent outcomes.

Conclusions

This review demonstrates that volume replacement oncoplastic breast conserving surgery is a safe option in terms of re-excision, completion mastectomy rates, and local and distant recurrence. Available patient-related outcome measures and cosmetic assessment tend towards better outcomes compared with wide local excision and mastectomy. However, data are significantly limited, with a paucity of high-level evidence, and it is therefore necessary to be cautious regarding the strength and interpretation of data in this review. Further prospective studies are required on this subject.