bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SDG 12 needs an oceanic interface: sand mining, saltwater intrusion (SWI) and coastal sustainability
Authors: Sarupria Manan , Sultana Naznin Nahar , Ali Saleem H.
Published: November 2023

The international development community has approached SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through the lens of specific supply chains of consumer goods and services. For example, minerals from mines to markets; wood from forests to furniture; or food from farm to fridge, have been tracked in terms of their ecological profile in many of the SDG 12 targets. While such an approach can give us some idea of particular recycling or refurbishment opportunities, as well as waste-toenergy generation, it lacks a systems-oriented view on the interlinkages between socio-ecological systems of consumption and production. We argue that SDG 12 needs to be reimagined in terms of lateral impacts and connections in key sectors of resource extraction. Sand mining and saltwater intrusion (SWI) present an important example of how such a connection could be made between an anthropogenic activity in a coastal / marine environment and its ecological impact that could threaten food security. We present a review of research in this context that links these two seemingly disparate areas of academic inquiry. Focusing on the Mekong Delta we also consider how geospatial techniques could help to evaluate these connected impacts between sand mining and SWI and its consequential impacts on arable land and hence food availability and hunger. Considering a series of methodological challenges, we offer a way forward for measuring these impacts and charting a more integrative way forward for operationalizing SDG12 towards more sustainable environmental and social outcomes.
Assessment of anatomy of the aorta in patients with a coarctation of aorta
Authors: Turaev B. B. , Abralov Kh. K. , Kobiljonov B. Kh. , Ibragimov N. Sh.
Published: November 2023

Background

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital heart disease characterized by the narrowing of the aorta, resulting in reduced blood flow to the body and increased pressure in the left ventricle. The pathophysiology of CoA is complex and involves several changes in the structure and function of the aorta. Recent studies have suggested that patients with CoA may have changes in the aortic wall beyond the site of the narrowing. Understanding these changes in the aorta is essential for optimizing the management of patients with CoA.

Methods

Eighty-five patients who were diagnosed with an isolated coarctation of aorta (CoA) and underwent elective surgical repair—during the last 10 years were included in the study.

Results

Eighty-five patients (62 males, 72.9%) with a median age of 7 years old (range from 1 month to 48 years old) underwent surgical repair of CoA during the last 10 years using 4 different methods of operation.

The study showed that more than a half (51.7%) of our patients with coarctation of the aorta had an enlargement of an ascending aorta, and z-score of ascending aortic size positively correlated with age, height, and weight, which means in patients with non-corrected CoA, ascending aorta tends to enlarge by time. In the present study, 31.8% of patients had an aortic arch hypoplasia, and aortic arch sizes z-score negatively correlated with ICU and hospital stay, which indicates that, patients with smaller aortic arch have poorer outcomes. Therefore, evaluating AAH before planning surgical repair is important for achieving better results. CT examination showed advantages in assessing aortic anatomy.

Conclusions

It is suggested that an MSCT examination should be performed to take into consideration of current aortic anatomy, before planning the surgical correction of the aortic coarctation to achieve better results.
Applying RE-AIM to examine the impact of an implementation facilitation package to scale up a program for Veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Portillo Edward C. , Maurer Martha A. , Kettner Jordyn T. , Bhardwaj Sonia D. , Zhang Ziting , Sedgwick Cassie , Gilson Aaron M. , Stone Jamie A. , Jacobson Nora , Hennessy-Garza Rose , Will Sarah , McFarland M. Shawn , Ourth Heather , Chui Michelle A.
Published: November 2023

Background

US Veterans are four times more likely to be diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared to the civilian population with no care model that consistently improves Veteran outcomes when scaled. COPD Coordinated Access to Reduce Exacerbations (CARE) is a care bundle intended to improve the delivery of evidence-based practices to Veterans. To address challenges to scaling this program in the Veterans’ Health Administration (VA), the COPD CARE Academy (Academy), an implementation facilitation package comprised of five implementation strategies was designed and implemented.

Methods

This evaluation utilized a mixed-methods approach to assess the impact of the Academy’s implementation strategies on the RE-AIM framework implementation outcomes and the extent to which they were effective at increasing clinicians’ perceived capability to implement COPD CARE. A survey was administered one week after Academy participation and a semi-structured interview conducted 8 to 12 months later. Descriptive statistics were calculated for quantitative items and thematic analysis was used to analyze open-ended items.

Results

Thirty-six clinicians from 13 VA medical centers (VAMCs) participated in the Academy in 2020 and 2021 and 264 front-line clinicians completed COPD CARE training. Adoption of the Academy was indicated by high rates of Academy session attendance (90%) and high utilization of Academy resources. Clinicians reported the Academy to be acceptable and appropriate as an implementation package and clinicians from 92% of VAMCs reported long-term utilization of Academy resources. Effectiveness of the Academy was represented by clinicians’ significant increases (p < 0.05) in their capability to complete ten implementation tasks after Academy participation.

Conclusions

This evaluation found that the use of implementation facilitation paired with additional strategies enhanced the capacity of clinicians to implement COPD CARE. Future assessments are needed to explore post-academy resources that would help VAMCs to strategize localized approaches to overcome barriers.
Using the Matrixed Multiple Case Study approach to identify factors affecting the uptake of IPV screening programs following the use of implementation facilitation
Authors: Adjognon Omonyêlé L. , Brady Julianne E. , Iverson Katherine M. , Stolzmann Kelly , Dichter Melissa E. , Lew Robert A. , Gerber Megan R. , Portnoy Galina A. , Iqbal Samina , Haskell Sally G. , Bruce Le Ann E. , Miller Christopher J.
Published: November 2023

Background

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent social determinant of health. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends routine IPV screening of women, but uptake remains variable. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) initiated implementation facilitation (IF) to support integration of IPV screening programs into primary care clinics. An evaluation of IF efforts showed variability in IPV screening rates across sites. The follow-up study presented here used a Matrixed Multiple Case Study (MMCS) approach to examine the multilevel factors impacting IPV screening program implementation across sites with varying levels of implementation success.

Methods

This mixed methods study is part of a larger cluster randomized stepped wedge Hybrid-II program evaluation. In the larger trial, participating sites received 6 months of IF consisting of an external facilitator from VHA’s Office of Women’s Health working closely with an internal facilitator and key site personnel. Recognizing the heterogeneity in implementation outcomes across sites, the MMCS approach was used to enable interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data within and across sites to help contextualize the primary findings from the larger study. Qualitative data collection was guided by the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework and included interviews with key informants involved in IPV screening implementation at eight sites. Quantitative data on IPV screening uptake was derived from medical records and surveys completed by key personnel at the same eight sites to understand implementation facilitation activities.

Results

Fifteen factors influencing IPV screening implementation spanning all four i-PARIHS domains were identified and categorized into three distinct categories: (1) factors with enabling influence across all sites, (2) factors deemed important to implementation success, and (3) factors differentiating sites with high/medium versus low implementation success.

Conclusions

Understanding the influencing factors across multi-level domains contributing to variable success of IPV screening implementation can inform the tailoring of IF efforts to promote spread and quality of screening. Implementation of IPV screening programs in primary care with IF should consider consistent engagement of internal facilitators with clinic staff involved in implementation, the resourcefulness of external facilitators, and appending resources to IPV screening tools to help key personnel address positive screens.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04106193. Registered on September 26, 2019.
Knowledge and use of academic social networking tools among Nigerian physiotherapy educators
Authors: Mbada Chidozie , David Olukoya O. , Adeniyi Adedayo , Olakorede David , Ademoyegun Adekola , Mbada Kikelomo , Fatoye Francis
Published: November 2023

Background and aim

The advent of academic social networking tools (ASNTs) has brought a paradigm shift to academic culture and practice dynamics; however, there is an apparent dearth of information on its adoption among health professions academics in developing countries. This study aimed to assess knowledge, use, and perceptions of ASNTs among physiotherapy educators in Nigeria.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 20 consented physiotherapy educators from five universities in South-west Nigeria offering physiotherapy degrees. A self-administered questionnaire with adequate face and content validity was employed to assess knowledge, perception, barriers, and use of ASNTs. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages were applied.

Results

A majority of the respondents had knowledge and utilized ASNTs such as Research Gate (80%), Google Scholar (80%), Google Plus (70%), LinkedIn (50%), and Academia.edu (50%). Mynetresearch (5%) and Lameresearch (5%) were not popular, while Llaslo.com, Quarzy, and Myscience.ch were not known. ASNTs were used to raise personal profiles in the research community (100%), publicize research (95%), share authorized content (85%), attract funds (65%), attract future employers (65%), and actively discuss research and discover job opportunities (45%). Electricity failure (70%), lack of infrastructural facilities (70%), unavailability of internet facilities (60%), lack of technical knowhow (45%), time constraints (45%), and personal factors (45%) were the significant barriers in utilizing ASNTs.

Conclusion

Nigerian physiotherapy educators were knowledgeable and adopted most ASNTs. Power failure, lack of technical know-how, infrastructural and internet facilities, and personal factors limit the utilization of ASNTs among Nigerian physiotherapy educators.
In vivo endoscopic study of the variations of anatomical structures in the hidden spaces of the middle ear during endoscopic ear surgery
Authors: Moneir Waleed , Ibraheem Fatema Alzahraa , Eladl Hesham Mohamed , Elshaer Mohamed , Khafagy Yasser , Elkahwagi Mohamed
Published: November 2023

Objective

The middle ear has compartments with the presence of anatomic variations. Transcanal endoscopic middle ear surgery facilitates the exploration of every single compartment with the least possible tissue dissection.

Methods

This study was conducted on 250 middle ears of patients who had endoscopic ear surgery (tympanoplasty and stapedotomy) at the period of the study with endoscopic recording of the data. Intraoperative examination of the pro, retro, and hypotympanum was performed with 0, 30, and 45° endoscopes and data was collected, processed, and analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results

Quadrangular conformation (64%), type B (shallow subtensor recess) (64.8%), and type A protinuculum (ridge) were the commonest in the protympanum. Type A jugular bulb which lies below the level of the bony annulus was the commonest finding (75.6%) in the hypotympanum. Type A (ridge) variant was the commonest finding of ponticulus, subiculum, and finiculus 88.4%, 64.8%, and 72.8% respectively in the retrotympanum. Type B (deep) ST 53.6% was the commonest regarding sinus tympani. Type A (present) subcochlear canaliculus, type B (oblique) fustis and type B (absent) RW membrane were the most common regarding the round window region.

Conclusion

Good knowledge of the anatomical variations of the middle ear has great surgical importance. The study showed variations of the known structures from other studies that can be attributed to being an in vivo study, racial differences, and a larger sample size.
A look under the hood: analyzing engagement and usage data of a smartphone-based intervention
Authors: Siezenga Aniek M. , Mertens Esther C. A. , van Gelder Jean-Louis
Published: November 2023

Background

Engagement with smartphone-based interventions stimulates adherence and improves the likelihood of gaining benefits from intervention content. Research often relies on system usage data to capture engagement. However, to what extent usage data reflect engagement is still an open empirical question. We studied how usage data relate to engagement, and how both relate to intervention outcomes.

Methods

We drew data from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) (N = 86) evaluating a smartphone-based intervention that aims to stimulate future self-identification (i.e., future self vividness, valence, relatedness). General app engagement and feature-specific engagement were retrospectively measured. Usage data (i.e., duration, number of logins, number of days used, exposure to intervention content) were unobtrusively registered.

Results

Engagement and usage data were not correlated. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that general app engagement predicted future self vividness (p = .042) and relatedness (p = .004). Furthermore, engagement with several specific features also predicted aspects of future self-identification (p = .005 – .032). For usage data, the number of logins predicted future self vividness (p = .042) and exposure to intervention content predicted future self valence (p = .002).

Conclusions

Usage data did not reflect engagement and the latter was the better predictor of intervention outcomes. Thus, the relation between usage data and engagement is likely to be intervention-specific and the unqualified use of the former as an indicator of the latter may result in measurement error. We provide recommendations on how to capture engagement and app use in more valid ways.
Placing the values and preferences of people most affected by TB at the center of screening and testing: an approach for reaching the unreached
Authors: Kerkhoff Andrew D. , West Nora S. , del Mar Castro Maria , Branigan David , Christopher Devasahayam J. , Denkinger Claudia M. , Nhung Nguyen Viet , Theron Grant , Worodria William , Yu Charles , Muyoyeta Monde , Cattamanchi Adithya
Published: November 2023

To reach the millions of people with tuberculosis (TB) undiagnosed each year, there is an important need to provide people-centered screening and testing services. Despite people-centered care being a key pillar of the WHO END-TB Strategy, there have been few attempts to formally characterize and integrate the preferences of people most affected by TB — including those who have increased exposure to TB, limited access to services, and/or are at increased risk for TB — into new tools and strategies to improve screening and diagnosis. This perspective emphasizes the importance of preference research among people most affected by TB, provides an overview of qualitative preference exploration and quantitative preference elicitation research methods, and outlines how preferences can be applied to improve the acceptability, accessibility, and appropriateness of TB screening and testing services via four key opportunities. These include the following: (1) Defining the most preferred features of novel screening, triage, and diagnostic tools, (2) exploring and prioritizing setting-specific barriers and facilitators to screening and testing, (3) understanding what features of community- and facility-based strategies for improving TB detection and treatment are most valued, and (4) identifying the most relevant and resonant communication strategies to increase individual- and community-level awareness and demand. Preference research studies and translation of their findings into policy/guidance and operationalization have enormous potential to close the existing gaps in detection in high burden settings by enhancing the people-centeredness and reach of screening and diagnostic services to people most affected by TB who are currently being missed and left behind.
Efficacy and Safety of Disitamab Vedotin in Patients With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Positive Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: A Combined Analysis of Two Phase II Clinical Trials
Authors: Sheng Xinan , Wang Lin , He Zhisong , Shi Yanxia , Luo Hong , Han Weiqing , Yao Xin , Shi Benkang , Liu Jiyan , Hu Changlu , Liu Ziling , Guo Hongqian , Yu Guohua , Ji Zhigang , Ying Jianming , Ling Yun , Yu Shiying , Hu Yi , Guo Jianming , Fang Jianmin , Zhou Aiping , Guo Jun
Published: November 2023

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of disitamab vedotin (DV, RC48-ADC), a novel humanized anti–human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibody conjugated with monomethyl auristatin E, in patients with HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) refractory to standard or regular therapies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The data analyzed and reported are from two phase II, open-label, multicenter, single-arm studies (RC48-C005 and RC48-C009) in patients with HER2-positive (immunohistochemistry 3+ or 2+) locally advanced or metastatic UC who have progressed on at least one previous line of systemic chemotherapy. Patients received DV treatment (2 mg/kg IV infusion, once every 2 weeks). The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) assessed by a blinded independent review committee (BIRC). Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety were also assessed.

RESULTS

One hundred and seven patients were enrolled in total. The overall confirmed ORR by BIRC was 50.5% (95% CI, 40.6 to 60.3). Consistent results were observed in prespecified subgroups including patients with liver metastasis and patients previously treated with anti–PD-1/L1 therapies. By the cutoff date of May 10, 2022, the median duration of response was 7.3 months (95% CI, 5.7 to 10.8). The median PFS and OS were 5.9 months (95% CI, 4.3 to 7.2) and 14.2 months (95% CI, 9.7 to 18.8), respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were peripheral sensory neuropathy (68.2%), leukopenia (50.5%), AST increased (42.1%), and neutropenia (42.1%). Fifty-eight (54.2%) patients experienced grade ≥3 TRAEs, including peripheral sensory neuropathy (18.7%) and neutropenia (12.1%).

CONCLUSION

DV demonstrated a promising efficacy with a manageable safety profile in patients with HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic UC who had progressed on at least one line of systemic chemotherapy.
Early Goal-Directed Hemostatic Therapy for Severe Acute Bleeding Management in the Intensive Care Unit: A Narrative Review
Authors: Crochemore Tomaz , Görlinger Klaus , Lance Marcus Daniel
Published: November 2023

This is a narrative review of the published evidence for bleeding management in critically ill patients in different clinical settings in the intensive care unit (ICU). We aimed to describe “The Ten Steps” approach to early goal-directed hemostatic therapy (EGDHT) using point-of-care testing (POCT), coagulation factor concentrates, and hemostatic drugs, according to the individual needs of each patient. We searched National Library of Medicine, MEDLINE for publications relevant to management of critical ill bleeding patients in different settings in the ICU. Bibliographies of included articles were also searched to identify additional relevant studies. English-language systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized trials, observational studies, and case reports were reviewed. Data related to study methodology, patient population, bleeding management strategy, and clinical outcomes were qualitatively evaluated. According to systematic reviews and meta-analyses, EGDHT guided by viscoelastic testing (VET) has been associated with a reduction in transfusion utilization, improved morbidity and outcome in patients with active bleeding. Furthermore, literature data showed an increased risk of severe adverse events and poor clinical outcomes with inappropriate prophylactic uses of blood components to correct altered conventional coagulation tests (CCTs). Finally, prospective, randomized, controlled trials point to the role of goal-directed fibrinogen substitution to reduce bleeding and the amount of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion with the potential to decrease mortality. In conclusion, severe acute bleeding management in the ICU is still a major challenge for intensive care physicians. The organized and sequential approach to the bleeding patient, guided by POCT allows for rapid and effective bleeding control, through the rational use of blood components and hemostatic drugs, since VET can identify specific coagulation disorders in real time, guiding hemostatic therapy with coagulation factor concentrates and hemostatic drugs with individual goals.
Volatile Anesthetic Use Versus Total Intravenous Anesthesia for Patients Undergoing Heart Valve Surgery: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Ju Jae-Woo , Lee Ho-Jin , Nam Karam , Kim Seungwook , Hong Hyunsook , Yoo Seung Ho , Lee Seohee , Cho Youn Joung , Jeon Yunseok
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

Many studies have suggested that volatile anesthetic use may improve postoperative outcomes after cardiac surgery compared to total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) owing to its potential cardioprotective effect. However, the results were inconclusive, and few studies have included patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

METHODS:

This nationwide population-based study included all adult patients who underwent heart valve surgery between 2010 and 2019 in Korea based on data from a health insurance claim database. Patients were divided based on the use of volatile anesthetics: the volatile anesthetics or TIVA groups. After stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), the association between the use of volatile anesthetics and the risk of cumulative 1-year all-cause mortality (the primary outcome) and cumulative long-term (beyond 1 year) mortality were assessed using Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS:

Of the 30,755 patients included in this study, the overall incidence of 1-year mortality was 8.5%. After stabilized IPTW, the risk of cumulative 1-year mortality did not differ in the volatile anesthetics group compared to the TIVA group (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.90–1.07; P = .602), nor did the risk of cumulative long-term mortality (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.93–1.04; P = .579) at a median (interquartile range) follow-up duration of 4.8 (2.6–7.6) years.

CONCLUSIONS:

Compared with TIVA, volatile anesthetic use was not associated with reduced postoperative mortality risk in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Our findings indicate that the use of volatile anesthetics does not have a significant impact on mortality after heart valve surgery. Therefore, the choice of anesthesia type can be based on the anesthesiologists’ or institutional preference and experience.
Philology Goes to the Movies: The Task of the Critic in Kracauer and Auerbach
Authors: Newman Jane O.
Published: November 2023

The older and allegedly more conventional humanistic discipline of philology and the field of the “new” media of film that were emerging into their maturity in the early twentieth century are not commonly aligned. The institutional spaces they occupied—a cloistered academy and the popular “public sphere”—are seen as antithetical to one another. Letters between the contemporaries Erich Auerbach and Siegfried Kracauer suggest another story. This essay explores Auerbach’s and Kracauer’s interest in the enormous power of the cultural products they studied: the plays of seventeenth-century French classicisme and the mass-produced cinema of the early twentieth century, respectively, in critical fashion. Auerbach’s familiarity with Kracauer’s early essays may have alerted him to questions at the heart of the latter’s critique of the culture industry and helps explain the remarkable agreement between Kracauer’s account, in essays written during the mid- to late 1920s, of how a modern urban public “consumed” movies and Auerbach’s description of the audiences of early modern French tragedy in the to all appearances highly academic book The French Public of the Seventeenth Century, completed in 1933.
Hildegard von Bingen’s Scivias in Weimar Germany: Media Theory by Hand
Authors: Drimmer Sonja
Published: November 2023

Between 1929 and 1930 a feud over the legitimacy of reproductions of works of art erupted in the pages of the culture periodical Der Kreis. Later dubbed the Hamburg Facsimile Debate, the dispute involved many of the day’s most eminent curators and academics in art and art history and became a focal point for emerging ideas about authenticity and the educative impact of the replica in the Weimar Republic. Even as the intelligentsia were publicly quarreling over the epistemological stakes of the facsimile, four nuns at Eibingen Abbey were meticulously hand-copying the most renowned illuminated twelfth-century manuscript of Hildegard von Bingen’s visionary summa, Scivias. This essay pits the Facsimile Debate against the facsimile craft of the Eibingen nuns, situating both within the context of new reproductive technologies devised specifically for representing medieval artifacts. It argues for a historicizing approach to the notion of authenticity, which bears on how we think about mediation and the surrogate in our research and teaching today.
From Text to Insight: A Natural Language Processing-Based Analysis of Topics and Trends in Neurosurgery
Authors: Karabacak Mert , Schupper Alexander J. , Carr Matthew T. , Hickman Zachary L. , Margetis Konstantinos
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Neurosurgical research is a rapidly evolving field, with new research topics emerging continually. To provide a clearer understanding of the evolving research landscape, our study aimed to identify and analyze the prevalent research topics and trends in Neurosurgery.

METHODS:

We used BERTopic, an advanced natural language processing-based topic modeling approach, to analyze papers published in the journal Neurosurgery. Using this method, topics were identified based on unique sets of keywords that encapsulated the core themes of each article. Linear regression models were then trained on the topic probabilities to identify trends over time, allowing us to identify “hot” (growing in prominence) and “cold” (decreasing in prominence) topics. We also performed a focused analysis of the trends in the current decade.

RESULTS:

Our analysis led to the categorization of 12 438 documents into 49 distinct topics. The topics covered a wide range of themes, with the most commonly identified topics being “Spinal Neurosurgery” and “Treatment of Cerebral Ischemia.” The hottest topics of the current decade were “Peripheral Nerve Surgery,” “Unruptured Aneurysms,” and “Endovascular Treatments” while the cold topics were “Chiari Malformations,” “Thromboembolism Prophylaxis,” and “Infections.”

CONCLUSION:

Our study underscores the dynamic nature of neurosurgical research and the evolving focus of the field. The insights derived from the analysis can guide future research directions, inform policy decisions, and identify emerging areas of interest. The use of natural language processing in synthesizing and analyzing large volumes of academic literature demonstrates the potential of advanced analytical techniques in understanding the research landscape, paving the way for similar analyses across other medical disciplines.
Actin-based protrusions at a glance
Authors: Belian Sevan , Korenkova Olga , Zurzolo Chiara
Published: November 2023

Actin-based protrusions are at the base of many fundamental cellular processes, such as cell adhesion, migration and intercellular communication. In recent decades, the discovery of new types of actin-based protrusions with unique functions has enriched our comprehension of cellular processes. However, as the repertoire of protrusions continues to expand, the rationale behind the classification of newly identified and previously known structures becomes unclear. Although current nomenclature allows good categorization of protrusions based on their functions, it struggles to distinguish them when it comes to structure, composition or formation mechanisms. In this Cell Science at a Glance article, we discuss the different types of actin-based protrusions, focusing on filopodia, cytonemes and tunneling nanotubes, to help better distinguish and categorize them based on their structural and functional differences and similarities.
Examining Quality, Use and Impact of Psychotropic (Use) in older adults with intellectual disabilities (EQUIP): study protocol
Authors: Gorman Ashleigh , Odalović Marina , McCallion Philip , Burke Éilish , MacLachlan Malcolm , McCarron Mary , Henman Martin , Moran Maeve , O'Connell Juliette , Walsh Mike , Shankar Rohit , O'Dwyer Máire
Published: November 2023

Widespread, and sometimes inappropriate use of psychotropics in adults with intellectual disability has been an international concern. These medicines have been used to treat mental health conditions, but also, controversially, some types of behaviours not necessarily associated with the diagnosis or in the absence of a relevant diagnosis. Results from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) study of older adults with intellectual disability in Ireland revealed that 60% were taking psychotropics in 2010. In the intervening decade changes in regulations, policy, and increased decongregation of people with intellectual disability have taken place likely influencing the use of psychotropics. The HSE National Clinical Programme for People with Disability (NCPDD) established in the 2020 has medicines optimisation as a key priority. Existing multi-wave data from the IDS-TILDA study and the HSE national prescribing database offers an opportunity to better understand psychotropic use and prescribing patterns. This is a novel collaboration on lived experience, research, practice and policy. The aim of this research is to examine the quality and trends of psychotropic use of older adults with intellectual disability over a ten-year period in Ireland to evaluate the effects of and to inform both practice and policy to optimise medicines use and health outcomes. Health and medication data from ten years (four waves) of the IDS-TILDA study and corresponding medicines data from the HSE-PCRS prescribing database are available. Descriptive and longitudinal analysis will examine association between long-term psychotropic use, changes in trends of use, and the impact of decongregation on medicines use. This research will inform the development of national guidance on medicines optimisation for older people with intellectual disability and has the potential to change prescribing practices and improve health and wellbeing for older people with intellectual disability.
Accelerating medical education with ChatGPT: an implementation guide
Authors: Peacock Justin , Austin Andrea , Shapiro Marina , Battista Alexis , Samuel Anita
Published: November 2023

Chatbots powered by artificial intelligence have revolutionized many industries and fields of study, including medical education. Medical educators are increasingly asked to perform more administrative, written, and assessment functions with less time and resources. Safe use of chatbots, like ChatGPT, can help medical educators efficiently perform these functions. In this article, we provide medical educators with tips for the implementation of ChatGPT in medical education. Through creativity and careful construction of prompts, medical educators can use these and other implementations of chatbots, like ChatGPT, in their practice.
Rapid diagnostic testing for onchocerciasis in Maridi (South Sudan) before and after improving elimination strategies: a repeated cross-sectional survey
Authors: Hadermann Amber , Jada Stephen Raimon , Amaral Luís-Jorge , Colebunders Robert , Bol Yak Yak , Siewe Fodjo Joseph N
Published: November 2023

Background

Maridi County is an onchocerciasis-endemic area in South Sudan. Annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi) was instituted in Maridi but interrupted for several years before resuming in 2017. In 2021, the CDTi programme was strengthened to a six-monthly programme. Additionally, the community-based vector control strategy “Slash and Clear” has been implemented since 2019 at the Maridi Dam, the only blackfly breeding site in the area. This study assessed the effect of these reinforced onchocerciasis elimination interventions on the Onchocerca volvulus seroprevalence among young children, an indicator of ongoing transmission.

Methods

Baseline and follow-up serosurveys were conducted in Maridi in 2019 (prior to strengthening onchocerciasis elimination efforts) and 2023, respectively. During both surveys, children aged three to nine years were recruited from five study sites situated at different distances from the Maridi Dam. Ov16 antibodies were detected via rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) using whole blood obtained by finger-pricking the participants. Baseline and follow-up Ov16 prevalence rates were calculated and compared.

Results

In 2019, the Ov16 seroprevalence among children aged three to nine years was 24.5% compared to 30.6% in 2023 (p=0.22). Both surveys found a particularly high Ov16 seroprevalence in the study site closest to the Maridi Dam (35.0% in 2019 and 44.0% in 2023, p=0.52). The Ov16 seroprevalence had a non-significant decreasing trend in the three-year-old children, from 12.5% (3/24) in 2019 to 8.8% (3/34) in 2023 (p=0.65).

Conclusion

The persistent Ov16 RDT seropositivity among three-year-old children in 2023 indicates ongoing O. volvulus transmission. Therefore, further strengthening of the onchocerciasis elimination programme is required. The study highlights the utility of RDTs in monitoring onchocerciasis transmission in highly endemic settings.
The securitization of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, Asia, and Oceania: Mixes of imbalanced securitizing narratives and measures
Authors: Stivas Dionysios , Sliwinski Krzysztof
Published: November 2023

Governments across the world resorted to different forms of narratives and measures to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. This study observed the responses of six administrations (China, Sweden, UK, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and New Zealand) through the lenses of the securitization theory as complemented with tailor-made methodological tools. Introducing the concept of the ‘securitization gap’ between the securitizing narratives’ intensity and the securitizing measures’ stringency this study argues that a consistency between the rhetoric’s intensity and measures’ severity did not impact the governments’ capacity to manage the COVID-19 outbreak. Further, this study finds a relation between the stringency of the securitizing measures and the management of COVID-19. Administrations that resorted to severe forms of securitization managed to spare more lives from the virus than administrations that did not enforce stringent securitizing tactics. Lastly, this study argues that the agreement of the general public with the securitizing narratives and the securitizing measures did not drastically influence the COVID-19 fatalities in the concerned case studies.
Genome-wide association study of susceptibility to hospitalised respiratory infections
Authors: Williams Alexander T. , Shrine Nick , Naghra-van Gijzel Hardeep , Betts Joanna C. , Chen Jing , Hessel Edith M. , John Catherine , Packer Richard , Reeve Nicola F. , Yeo Astrid J. , Abner Erik , Åsvold Bjørn Olav , Auvinen Juha , Bartz Traci M. , Bradford Yuki , Brumpton Ben , Campbell Archie , Cho Michael H. , Chu Su , Crosslin David R. , Feng QiPing , Esko Tõnu , Gharib Sina A. , Hayward Caroline , Hebbring Scott , Hveem Kristian , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Jarvik Gail P. , Landis Sarah H. , Larson Eric B. , Liu Jiangyuan , Loos Ruth J.F. , Luo Yuan , Moscati Arden , Mullerova Hana , Namjou Bahram , Porteous David J. , Quint Jennifer K. ,   Regeneron Genomics Center, Ritchie Marylyn D. , Sliz Eeva , Stanaway Ian B. , Thomas Laurent , Wilson James F. , Hall Ian P. , Wain Louise V. , Michalovich David , Tobin Martin D.
Published: November 2023

Background: Globally, respiratory infections contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. However, genetic determinants of respiratory infections are understudied and remain poorly understood.

Methods: We conducted a genome-wide association study in 19,459 hospitalised respiratory infection cases and 101,438 controls from UK Biobank (Stage 1). We followed-up well-imputed top signals from our Stage 1 analysis in 50,912 respiratory infection cases and 150,442 controls from 11 cohorts (Stage 2). We aggregated effect estimates across studies using inverse variance-weighted meta-analyses. Additionally, we investigated the function of the top signals in order to gain understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms.

Results: From our Stage 1 analysis, we report 56 signals at P<5 ×10 -6, one of which was genome-wide significant ( P<5 ×10 -8). The genome-wide significant signal was in an intron of PBX3, a gene that encodes pre-B-cell leukaemia transcription factor 3, a homeodomain-containing transcription factor. Further, the genome-wide significant signal was found to colocalise with gene-specific expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) affecting expression of PBX3 in lung tissue, where the respiratory infection risk alleles were associated with decreased PBX3 expression in lung tissue, highlighting a possible biological mechanism. Of the 56 signals, 40 were well-imputed in UK Biobank and were investigated in Stage 2. None of the 40 signals replicated, with effect estimates attenuated.

Conclusions: Our Stage 1 analysis implicated PBX3 as a candidate causal gene and suggests a possible role of transcription factor binding activity in respiratory infection susceptibility. However, the PBX3 signal, and the other well-imputed signals, did not replicate in the meta-analysis of Stages 1 and 2. Significant phenotypic heterogeneity and differences in study ascertainment may have contributed to this lack of statistical replication. Overall, our study highlighted putative associations and possible biological mechanisms that may provide insight into respiratory infection susceptibility.
MendelianRandomization v0.9.0: updates to an R package for performing Mendelian randomization analyses using summarized data
Authors: Patel Ashish , Ye Ting , Xue Haoran , Lin Zhaotong , Xu Siqi , Woolf Benjamin , Mason Amy M. , Burgess Stephen
Published: November 2023

The MendelianRandomization package is a software package written for the R software environment that implements methods for Mendelian randomization based on summarized data. In this manuscript, we describe functions that have been added or edited in the package since version 0.5.0, when we last described the package and its contents. The main additions to the package since that time are: 1) new robust methods for performing Mendelian randomization, particularly in the cases of bias from weak instruments and/or winner’s curse, and pleiotropic variants, 2) methods for performing Mendelian randomization with correlated variants using dimension reduction to summarize large numbers of highly correlated variants into a limited set of principal components, 3) functions for calculating first-stage F statistics, representing instrument strength, in both univariable and multivariable contexts, and with uncorrelated and correlated genetic variants. We also discuss some pragmatic issues relating to the use of correlated variants in Mendelian randomization.
Sciatic neurotmesis and periostitis ossificans progressiva due to a traumatic/unexpected glass injury: a case report
Authors: Yalçınkaya Berkay , Ocak Hasan , Çolak Ahmet Furkan , Özçakar Levent
Published: November 2023

Peripheral nerves may be affected or injured for several reasons. Peripheral nerve damage can result from trauma, surgery, anatomical abnormalities, entrapment, systemic diseases, or iatrogenic injuries. Trauma and iatrogenic injuries are the most common causes. The ulnar, median, and radial nerves are the most injured nerves in the upper extremities, while the sciatic and peroneal nerves are the most injured nerves in the lower extremities. The clinical symptoms of peripheral nerve damage include pain, weakness, numbness/tingling, and paresthesia. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of peripheral nerve injuries are crucial. If a peripheral nerve injury is left untreated, it can lead to severe complications and significant morbidity. The sciatic nerve is one of the most affected nerves. This nerve is generally injured by trauma and iatrogenic causes. Children are more susceptible to trauma than adults. Therefore, sciatic nerve injuries are observed in pediatric patients. When the sciatic nerve is damaged, pain, weakness, sensory loss, and gait disturbances can occur. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of sciatic nerve injuries are important to avoid unexpected consequences. Ultrasound can play an important role in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve injury and the follow-up of patients. The aim of this case report is twofold. First, we aimed to emphasize the critical role of ultrasonographic evaluation in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve injuries and pathologies. Second, we aimed to present this case, which has distinguishing features, such as the existence of periostitis ossificans progressiva with sciatic neurotmesis due to a traumatic glass injury.
DECOLONIZAR O CURRÍCULO É POSSÍVEL? APONTAMENTOS SOBRE A BASE NACIONAL COMUM CURRICULAR (BNCC)
Authors: Janoario Ricardo de Souza
Published: November 2023

A pandemia da COVID-19 exacerbou os efeitos do neoliberalismo no campo educacional. As ideias neoliberais veem a educação como consumo em vez de um lugar de conhecimento. A educação focada no estímulo de competências e habilidades acelera a disputa por resultados imediatos na era da globalização, comercialização e sucateamento da força de trabalho, promovendo tanto a liberdade de competição em um mercado global, quanto o aumento do poder da iniciativa privada, com a ampliação da ideia de empreendedorismo e a redução dos gastos do governo em serviços sociais, incluindo saúde e educação. O presente artigo tem como principal objetivo trazer algumas reflexões a respeito da Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC) a partir do olhar decolonial (GROSFOGUEL, 2007; MALDONADO-TORRES, 2007; MIGNOLO, 1995; QUIJANO, 2005; 2007), intercultural crítico (WALSH, 2001; 2005; 2006; 2007; 2009) e antirracista (JANOARIO, 2016; 2020; KENDI, 2020) por meio de uma discussão bibliográfica, tendo em vista a necessidade de apresentar filosofias alternativas que possam fornecer outras possibilidades de se pensar o currículo e a educação brasileira.
Diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection
Authors: Denyer Steven , Eikani Carlo , Sheth Monica , Schmitt Daniel , Brown Nicholas
Published: November 2023

Aims

The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) can be challenging as the symptoms are similar to other conditions, and the markers used for diagnosis have limited sensitivity and specificity. Recent research has suggested using blood cell ratios, such as platelet-to-volume ratio (PVR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), to improve diagnostic accuracy. The aim of the study was to further validate the effectiveness of PVR and PLR in diagnosing PJI.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted to assess the accuracy of different marker combinations for diagnosing chronic PJI. A total of 573 patients were included in the study, of which 124 knees and 122 hips had a diagnosis of chronic PJI. Complete blood count and synovial fluid analysis were collected. Recently published blood cell ratio cut-off points were applied to receiver operating characteristic curves for all markers and combinations. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated.

Results

The results of the analysis showed that the combination of ESR, CRP, synovial white blood cell count (Syn. WBC), and polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (PMN%) with PVR had the highest AUC of 0.99 for knees, with sensitivity of 97.73% and specificity of 100%. Similarly, for hips, this combination had an AUC of 0.98, sensitivity of 96.15%, and specificity of 100.00%.

Conclusion

This study supports the use of PVR calculated from readily available complete blood counts, combined with established markers, to improve the accuracy in diagnosing chronic PJI in both total hip and knee arthroplasties.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(11):881–888.
Educational Placement and Goal Quality for Students With Complex Support Needs
Authors: Shogren Karrie A. , Zimmerman Kathleen N. , Burke Kathryn M. , Zagona Alison L. , Kurth Jennifer A. , Malone Elisabeth J. , Loyless Roxanne , Gerasimova Daria , Pace Jesse R. , Hicks Tyler A.
Published: November 2023

This study examined reading, math, writing, social, behavioral, and communication learning goals for a large, national sample of elementary students with complex support needs served in one of four types of educational placements. Each goal was coded for three quality characteristics: (1) strengths-focus; (2) inclusion of self-determination skills; and (3) description of the context and content of goals, and identification of needed supports. The findings suggest ongoing issues with the expectations in goals for students with complex support needs across placement types, consistent with past research. There was a general lack of focus on student-directed learning and activities as well as a lack of identification of student-initiated supports. Goal quality characteristics varied across goal domains and placements; descriptive findings suggest that goals aligned with academic standards and social-behavioral-communication competencies were more common for students in inclusive general education classrooms. Implications for research and practice are described.
Application of the Powell algorithm for estimating optical properties of a semitransparent medium based on time-domain information
Authors: Chang Zhonghao , Sun Shuangcheng , Wei Linyang , Wang Guangjun
Published: November 2023

Accurate estimation of the optical properties of a semitransparent medium is crucial in various engineering applications. This study introduces the Powell algorithm to estimate the optical properties of a 2D semitransparent slab. The time-domain radiative transfer equation is solved using the discrete ordinate method. The radiative intensity on the medium’s surface serves as the measurement signal for the inverse analysis. The results demonstrate that the Powell algorithm accurately estimates the absorption coefficient, scattering coefficient, and scattering asymmetry factor. For simultaneous reconstruction of these three parameters, it is recommended to use eight signal detectors on both the left and right sides of the medium. Even when the standard measurement error is increased to 15%, the relative errors for these three parameters remain low, at 1.87%, 1.379%, and 0.194%.