bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International Nonproprietary Names prescription in a specialized public hospital in Egypt
Authors: Mahmoud Soliman Waad O , Shehata Abdalla I , Mosallam Rasha A
Published: April 2022

Background: International Nonproprietary Names (INN) is prescribing the name of the active ingredient. Objective: This study aimed to investigate INN prescription rates and perceived barriers towards INN prescribing at a public Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) hospital specialized in treating infectious diseases in Egypt. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in a 280-bed specialized Ministry of Health Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. Medications were described either as brand or generic based on WHO Essential Medicines List (EML) classification system and the Egyptian National Formulary. All physicians with prescribing authority in study hospital were administered a questionnaire composed of two sections. The first section explored the socio-demographic and work characteristics of the physicians, and the second section listed the barriers towards INN prescription. Results: Out of the 400 medical records reviewed, 2279 drugs were prescribed. About half of the medications (52.61%) were prescribed in INN. The medicines which were most frequently prescribed in INN were electrolytes solution (99.5%), laxatives (98.6%), and vitamins and minerals (85.2%) and coagulation medicines (82%). Other medications were exclusively prescribed in brand names as antispasmodics, antidiarrheal, dermatology and vascular insufficiency medications. Only 38.75% were trained using INNs to designate medications, about half of physicians (48%) reported that they rarely use INNs in their practice. The most frequently listed reasons for not prescribing in INN prescribing perceived by physicians were physicians being not familiar with INN (79.0%), doubts about the efficacy, safety, or quality of generic drugs (52.0%) and absence of educational programs regarding INN use (47.0%). Conclusion and Relevance: The current study illustrates only half of the prescriptions are prescribed using INN. A multifaceted approach using explicit policy for obligating INN prescription, together with educational sessions for physicians about the value of INN prescription and the bioequivalence of generic medications to their brand counterparts.
Graphic design, music and sound in the BBC’s channel idents, 1991–2021
Authors: Morton Melissa
Published: April 2022

Idents, the logos appearing in the continuity between programmes, are ubiquitous yet easily missed aspects of channel branding. Focusing on BBC One and BBC Two as case studies, this article traces the evolution of the images and sounds of idents over the past three decades. The approach brings to light the creative contributions of graphic designers and composers by combining data from in-depth interviews with textual analysis of idents. The article highlights relationships between creativity, brand strategy and craft skills in the making of the BBC’s idents and, by extension, in communicating the corporation’s public purpose and overall brand identity.
Lignans and Other Compounds From the Roots of Pandanus tonkinensis and Their Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Huyen Trang Dinh Thi , Viet Pham Hung , Anh Duong Hong , Huu Tai Bui , Anh Ngo Quoc , Nhiem Nguyen Xuan , Van Kiem Phan
Published: April 2022

A new phenylpropane (1) and 9 known (2-10) compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of Pandanus tonkinensis roots. Their chemical structures were determined as (7 S)-2,6-dimethoxyphenyl-7,9-propanediol-1 -O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), isorhapontigenin (2), pinoresinol-4,4′-di -O-β-D-glucoside (3), isoeucommin A (4), pinoresinol-4′ -O-β-D-glucoside (5), acanthoside B (6), eucommin A (7), urolignoside (8), benzyl O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6) -β-D-glucopyranoside (9), and (6 S,9 S)-roseoside (10) by comprehensive analysis of high-resolution electron spray ionization mass spectrum and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data, as well as by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature. In addition, the stereochemistry of 1 was successfully determined by both theoretical and calculated CD spectra. All the isolates were tested for their lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects by in vitro assay. Compounds 2-7 exhibited significantly lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 21.3 ± 1.7, 61.9 ± 3.9, 57.5 ± 5.5, 10.4 ± 0.7, 28.9 ± 0.3, 54.2 ± 3.5 µM, respectively, compared to that of the positive control, trolox (31.4 ± 2.2 µM).
Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities of Thailand Propolis Against Escherichia coli
Authors: Mukaide Kazuma , Shimamura Yuko , Masuda Shuichi , Vongsak Boonyadist , Kumazawa Shigenori
Published: April 2022

Escherichia coli is an important bacterium for preventing food poisoning and biofilm infections. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms necessitates the development of new antibiotics. The formation of bacterial biofilm is a drug-resistance mechanism utilized by diverse microorganisms. Therefore, it is important to identify compounds that can inhibit biofilm formation and cell survival, without triggering drug resistance. Herein, the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of 2 types of Thai propolis (collected from Chiang Mai and Chanthaburi) against E. coli were investigated. The antibacterial activity was evaluated using the paper-disc method, while the minimum inhibitory concentration assay was performed using 2-fold serial dilution. Both types of Thai propolis and their isolated compounds showed antibacterial activity against E. coli (minimum inhibitory concentration: 32 µg/mL). The biofilm growth and development were assessed using a crystal violet solution. In particular, the extracts of the Chiang Mai propolis exhibited a significant antibiofilm formation activity against E. coli. Four prenylflavonoids, present in high proportions in the Chiang Mai propolis extracts, inhibited biofilm formation at low concentrations, contributing to the overall antibiofilm activity. These findings indicate that Thai propolis, a natural product, exhibits antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against E. coli.
Outcomes of a Neurohospitalist Program at an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Gold Carl A. , Scott Brian J. , Weng Yingjie , Bernier Eric , Kvam Kathryn A.
Published: April 2022

Background and Purpose

The purpose is to determine the impact of an academic neurohospitalist service on clinical outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, quasi-experimental study of patients discharged from the general neurology service before (August 2010–July 2014) and after implementation of a full-time neurohospitalist service (August 2016–July 2018) compared to a control group of stroke patients. Primary outcomes were length of stay and 30-day readmission. Using the difference-in-difference approach, the impact of introducing a neurohospitalist service compared to controls was assessed with adjustment of patients’ characteristics. Secondary outcomes included mortality, in-hospital complications, and cost.

Results

There were 2706 neurology admissions (1648 general; 1058 stroke) over the study period. The neurohospitalist service was associated with a trend in reduced 30-day readmissions (ratio of ORs: .52 [.27, .98], P = .088), while length of stay was not incrementally changed in the difference-in-difference model (-.3 [-.7, .1], P = .18). However, descriptive results demonstrated a significant reduction in mean adjusted LOS of .7 days (4.5 to 3.8 days, P < .001) and a trend toward reduced readmissions (8.9% to 7.6%, P = .42) in the post-neurohospitalist cohort despite a significant increase in patient complexity, shift to higher acuity diagnoses, more emergent admissions, and near quadrupling of observation status patients. Mortality and in-hospital complications remained low, patient satisfaction was stable, and cost was not incrementally changed in the post-neurohospitalist cohort.

Conclusions

Implementation of a neurohospitalist service at an academic medical center is feasible and associated with a significant increase in patient complexity and acuity and a trend toward reduced readmissions.
Simplified pressure cooker technique for the treatment of brain AVMs, dAVFs and facial vascular malformations
Authors: Da Ros Valerio , Salimei Fabio , Sabuzi Federico , Grillea Giovanni , Wlderk Andrea , Cristaudo Concetto , Bartolo Marcello , Bartolo Andrea , Floris Roberto , Mangiafico Salvatore
Published: April 2022

In 2014, Chapot et al. introduced the pressure cooker technique (PCT), conceived to control undesired reflux of the embolic agent during the treatment of brain arterio-venous malformations (bAVMs). Since then, this technique increased in popularity and it has been extensively used. We present five consecutive cases in which the original PCT was simplified using nylon coils instead of platinum coils and acrylic glue, hence the name of ‘Simplified Pressure Cooker Technique’ (sPCT). The aim was to obtain a safer, precise and faster creation of the plug to control cohesive embolic agent reflux during the treatment of brain and facial vascular malformations.
Decentralization of South Eastern Nigeria’s Local Governments and Achievement of Mandates Enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution
Authors: Okorie Cornelius O. , Ogba Francisca N. , Iwuala Harrison O. , Arua Christopher , Felix Nwankwo , Nwosumba Victor C.
Published: April 2022

In recent times, there has been sustained interest in how local governments in Nigeria can satisfactorily provide the critical needs of the people within their jurisdiction as stipulated in the 1999 constitution. Decentralization is enshrined in the constitution as a means of realizing these needs yet local governments have not been able to satisfactorily achieve them. This study examines the extent local governments apply the three components of decentralization; namely, political, bureaucratic, and fiscal. Relying on cross-sectional survey, the researchers obtained data, using adapted decentralization tool kit from World Bank Group. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test. We found that the three components of decentralization are not completely applied toward achieving local government mandates.
A Corpus-Based Study of Semantic Categorizations of Attracted Adjectives to the it BE ADJ clause Construction
Authors: Wang Jiaojiao , Zhou Jiangping
Published: April 2022

By implementing such corpus approaches as collexeme analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis, this paper investigates the semantic categorizations of adjectives that are extremely significantly attracted to the it BE ADJ clause construction in English. The findings demonstrate that these adjectives could be at least subdivided into seven different semantic clusters that denote (1) importance, necessity, and possibility; (2) appropriateness, reasonability, and unreality; (3) impracticability and irrelevance; (4) undeniability and axiomaticity; (5) obviousness; (6) dubiety, desirability, and ease; (7) improbability and anomalousness.
Development and Evaluation of Overall Equipment Effectiveness of Knitting Machines Using Statistical Tools
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad Babar , Jamshaid Hafsa , Usman Ismial , Mishra Rajesh
Published: April 2022

In manufacturing industries, well-maintained machines ensure their maximum utilization with good product quality, efficient time, and minimum cost. The objective of this study is to investigate a socks manufacturing line to propose an advanced maintenance plan based on Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) to improve the overall maintenance along with better machine performance and product quality. Firstly, a socks manufacturing unit was selected and its maintenance-related problems were identified. It was observed that, among the six big losses, three losses have the major contribution in reducing the world-class value of OEE. Then a framework was designed based on the OEE model with the amalgamation of problem-solving tools to overcome the identified problems and reduce the contribution of three big losses. After the successful implementation of the proposed model, a significant reduction in the value of three big losses was observed that ultimately improve the value of OEE factors for the socks knitting machines by 2.18%. The statistical analysis is also conducted using three types of statistical tests, the Normality test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Paired samples t-test. Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test by Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). This paper points out a new proposed model of advanced OEE, which can improve machine maintenance, productivity, and quality in a better way as compared to the conventional OEE model.
Networking Behavior as a Mediation in University Graduates’ HEXACO Personality Effects on Job Search Outcomes
Authors: Le Son-Tung
Published: April 2022

Based on the individual difference and social network theory, this research proposed the mediation model, with job search networking behavior as a mediator in the links between six HEXACO personality dimensions and job search outcomes. A survey was implemented in a sample of 773 university graduates. The findings suggest that honesty-humility, extraversion, agreeableness, openness to experience were positively, while emotionality was negatively, related to networking behavior. In turn, networking behavior was positively related to number of job interviews obtained and number of job offers received. Furthermore, the results showed the mediating role of networking behavior in the personality traits-job search outcomes relationships. The findings are discussed in both theory and practical implications.
An Online Experiment Evaluating the Effects of Social Endorsement Cues, Message Source, and Responsibility Attribution on Young Adults’ COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions
Authors: Chen Li , Dong Chuqing , Zhang Yafei
Published: April 2022

Adopting the theory of planned behavior framework, this online experiment investigated the effects of social endorsement cues, message source, and responsibility attribution on young adults’ perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination and intentions to get vaccinated. Four major findings were identified. First, social endorsement cues positively affect attitude, subjective norms, and vaccination intentions. Second, individuals perceive an expert source as the most credible, but a media outlet source results in the most positive subjective norms. Third, responsibility attributions do not generate significant effects on the dependent variables. Finally, social endorsement cues and message source both have some interaction effects with perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 on message outcomes.
Genetic Generalized Epilepsy and Intrafamilial Phenotypic Variability with Distal 7q11.23 Deletion
Authors: Birca Veronica , Myers Kenneth A.
Published: April 2022

Background: Distal 7q11.23 deletions are variably associated with epilepsy, intellectual disability and neurobehavioural abnormalities. The relative importance of different genes in this region in contributing to different phenotypes is not clear, though HIP1 and YWHAG are both thought to play important roles. Patients and Methods: We performed thorough phenotyping on members of a family in which multiple members carried a relatively small 0.8 Mb distal 7q11.23 deletion, affecting 17 genes. Results: Two brothers and a half-brother had all inherited the 7q11.23 deletion from their mother. The eldest two both had global developmental impairment and genetic generalized epilepsy, involving absence, myoclonic or myoclonic-atonic seizures. There was no history of seizures in the mother or her youngest son, but both also had developmental impairment. Conclusion: Distal 7q11.23 deletions affecting HIP1 and YWHAG may cause developmental impairment and genetic generalized epilepsy, with considerable intrafamilial phenotypic variability.
Repeating purposefully: Empowering educators with functional communication models of echolalia in Autism
Authors: Cohn Eli G. , McVilly Keith R. , Harrison Matthew J. , Stiegler Lillian N.
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

Echolalia, the repetition of speech, is highly prevalent in school aged children with Autism. Prior research has found that individuals with echolalia use their repetitions to engage in communicatively functional speech, in the absence of self-generated speech. Educators are the natural audience for a wide vary of echoed utterances across environments and in differing contexts. The objectives of this paper were three-fold: (1) to systematically investigate how researchers identify and ascribe communicative function to echoed utterances; (2) to gather and evaluate the evidence that might assist teachers to identify and better understand echoed utterances as being communicatively purposeful; and (3) to provide teachers with evidence-informed response strategies they can use to assist their students on their journey towards more self-generated speech.

Main Contribution

Prior research in the field of echolalia has generally been segmented into opposing viewpoints. A paucity of work in the echolalia field has meant that there is limited work that has sought to view how a communicative function to echolalia has been ascribed from across multiple disciplines and fields. As such, there is limited literature to guide the practice of classroom educators. This review combines communicative models from across various disciplines with the view to supporting classroom educators by providing guidance on how they might assist their students with echolalia. This review represents the first contribution to the research literature in this area.

Conclusions and Implications

Research into echolalia did not originally emanate from the field of education; however, anecdotes from classroom educators were cited as the primary impetus for the creation of some of the communicatively functional models. We found that although there are many techniques that researchers have used to attribute a communicative function to echolalia, some of these can be easily employed by educators in their practice. By adopting these techniques, educators are placed in a position that may assist with the identification of communicative echolalia; subsequently they are better placed to acknowledge and respond to their students.
Chennai’s DakshinaChitra Museum: Managing Heritage as a Lived Experience— A Personal Journey of Discovery
Authors: Thiagarajan Deborah
Published: April 2022

DakshinaChitra, a project of the Madras Craft Foundation, brings together the heritage of five states of South India and their myriad cultures on an extraordinary campus that seeks to re-define the museum as a lived experience of performing and visual arts, crafts, architecture, cuisine and ‘learning by doing’. This article describes an intensely personal journey over five decades of DakshinaChitra’s founder, Deborah Thiagarajan. Arriving in Chennai (then Madras) as the bride of a corporate leader and as a scholar, she soon took an interest in the crafts of a nearby village. Understanding the challenge of livelihood in deprived rural communities soon led to setting up an export business as one means of supporting endangered skills and of restoring appreciation and respect for the region’s artisans. This hands-on business experience would prove useful as Deborah Thiagarajan’s scholarship indicated an institutional need that could support artisanal activity and cultural research as well as reach out to younger generations with a re-imagined ‘museum’. The idea of DakshinaChitra took seed, and with that a staggering range of management challenges that would have to be overcome. The article describes the quest for land and finance, as well as for building the management capacities of a small, dedicated team toward drafting proposals and negotiating with authorities, donors, sector stakeholders and communities. Partners and volunteers who understood her vision championed the author’s interaction with educators, architects, designers, builders and artisans. They worked with her as a team to bring to DakshinaChitra—brick by brick and element by element—heritage structures from each state of the region, recreated here as DakshinaChitra flagship experience: old buildings brought alive in a new setting, with all the elements that together constitute heritage as both memory and life, underlining the relevance of past wisdom to present needs. The article traces a 12-year journey toward realizing this vision, and the management knowledge that had to be acquired along the way—including finance, budgeting, marketing, donor relations, fund-raising, legal frameworks and HR—toward a self-sustaining cultural enterprise now challenged by the COVID pandemic. The article includes guidance to those who might undertake similar ventures. Heritage management emerges here as the capacity to draw disciplines and fellow-spirits together to protect the quality of a vision with pragmatism, practical skills, teamwork, stamina and enduring hope.
Effect of Delay of Care for Patients with Craniomaxillofacial Trauma in Rwanda
Authors: Stanford‐Moore Gaelen B. , Niyigaba Gilbert , Tuyishimire Gratien , Yau Jenny , Kulkrani Amol , Nyabyenda Victor , Ncogoza Isaie , Shaye David A.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) trauma represents a significant proportion of global surgical disease burden, disproportionally affecting low‐ and middle‐income countries where care is often delayed. We investigated risk factors for delays to care for patients with CMF trauma presenting to the highest‐volume trauma hospital in Rwanda and the impact on complication rates.

Study Design

This prospective cohort study comprised all patients with CMF trauma presenting to the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, Rwanda, between June 1 and October 1, 2020.

Setting

Urban referral center in resource‐limited setting.

Methods

Epidemiologic data were collected, and logistic regression analysis was undertaken to explore risk factors for delays in care and complications.

Results

Fifty‐four patients (94.4% men) met criteria for inclusion. The mean age was 30 years. A majority of patients presented from a rural setting (n = 34, 63%); the most common cause of trauma was motor vehicle accident (n = 18, 33%); and the most common injury was mandibular fracture (n = 28, 35%). An overall 78% of patients had delayed treatment of the fracture after arrival to the hospital, and 81% of these patients experienced a complication (n = 34, P =. 03). Delay in treatment was associated with 4‐times greater likelihood of complication (odds ratio, 4.25 [95% CI, 1.08‐16.70]; P =. 038).

Conclusion

Delay in treatment of CMF traumatic injuries correlates with higher rates of complications. Delays most commonly resulted from a lack of surgeon and/or operating room availability or were related to transfers from rural districts. Expansion of the CMF trauma surgical workforce, increased operative capacity, and coordinated transfer care efforts may improve trauma care.
A Bayesian framework to integrate multi-level genome-scale data for Autism risk gene prioritization
Authors: Ji Ying , Chen Rui , Wang Quan , Wei Qiang , Tao Ran , Li Bingshan
Published: April 2022

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders with a strong genetic basis. Large scale sequencing studies have identified over one hundred ASD risk genes. Nevertheless, the vast majority of ASD risk genes remain to be discovered, as it is estimated that more than 1000 genes are likely to be involved in ASD risk. Prioritization of risk genes is an effective strategy to increase the power of identifying novel risk genes in genetics studies of ASD. As ASD risk genes are likely to exhibit distinct properties from multiple angles, we reason that integrating multiple levels of genomic data is a powerful approach to pinpoint genuine ASD risk genes.

Results

We present BNScore, a Bayesian model selection framework to probabilistically prioritize ASD risk genes through explicitly integrating evidence from sequencing-identified ASD genes, biological annotations, and gene functional network. We demonstrate the validity of our approach and its improved performance over existing methods by examining the resulting top candidate ASD risk genes against sets of high-confidence benchmark genes and large-scale ASD genome-wide association studies. We assess the tissue-, cell type- and development stage-specific expression properties of top prioritized genes, and find strong expression specificity in brain tissues, striatal medium spiny neurons, and fetal developmental stages.

Conclusions

In summary, we show that by integrating sequencing findings, functional annotation profiles, and gene-gene functional network, our proposed BNScore provides competitive performance compared to current state-of-the-art methods in prioritizing ASD genes. Our method offers a general and flexible strategy to risk gene prioritization that can potentially be applied to other complex traits as well.
Fast and robust imputation for miRNA expression data using constrained least squares
Authors: Webber James W. , Elias Kevin M.
Published: April 2022

Background

High dimensional transcriptome profiling, whether through next generation sequencing techniques or high-throughput arrays, may result in scattered variables with missing data. Data imputation is a common strategy to maximize the inclusion of samples by using statistical techniques to fill in missing values. However, many data imputation methods are cumbersome and risk introduction of systematic bias.

Results

We present a new data imputation method using constrained least squares and algorithms from the inverse problems literature and present applications for this technique in miRNA expression analysis. The proposed technique is shown to offer an imputation orders of magnitude faster, with greater than or equal accuracy when compared to similar methods from the literature.

Conclusions

This study offers a robust and efficient algorithm for data imputation, which can be used, e.g., to improve cancer prediction accuracy in the presence of missing data.
Transcriptome-based biomarker gene screening and evaluation of the extracellular fatty acid-binding protein (Ex-FABP) on immune and angiogenesis-related genes in chicken erythrocytes of tibial dyschondroplasia
Authors: Jahejo Ali Raza , Bukhari Sayyad Ali Raza , Rajput Nasir , Kalhoro Nazeer Hussain , Leghari Imdad Hussain , Raza Sayed Haidar Abbas , Li Zhen , Liu Wen-zhong , Tian Wen-xia
Published: April 2022

Background

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a bone disorder in which dead chondrocytes accumulate as a result of apoptosis and non-vascularization in the tibial bone of broiler chickens. The pathogenicity of TD is under extensive research but is yet not fully understood. Several studies have linked it to apoptosis and non-vascularization in the tibial growth plate (GP). We conceived the idea to find the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in chicken erythrocytes which vary in expression over time using a likelihood-ratio test (LRT). Thiram was used to induce TD in chickens, and then injected Ex-FABP protein at 0, 20, and 50 μg.kg-1 to evaluate its therapeutic effect on 30 screened immunity and angiogenesis-related genes using quantitative PCR (qPCR). The histopathology was also performed in TD chickens to explore the shape, circularity, arrangements of chondrocytes and blood vessels.

Results

Clinical lameness was observed in TD chickens, which decreased with the injection of Ex-FABP. Histopathological findings support Ex-FABP as a therapeutic agent for the morphology and vascularization of affected chondrocytes in TD chickens. qPCR results of 10 immunity (TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR7, TLR15, IL-7, MyD88, MHCII, and TRAF6) and 20 angiogenesis-related genes (ITGAV, ITGA2, ITGB2, ITGB3, ITGA5, IL1R1, TBXA2R, RPL17, F13A1, CLU, RAC2, RAP1B, GIT1, FYN, IQGAP2, PTCH1, NCOR2, VAV-like, PTPN11, MAML3) regulated when Ex-FABP is injected to TD chickens.

Conclusion

Immunity and angiogenesis-related genes can be responsible for apoptosis of chondrocytes and vascularization in tibial GP. Injection of Ex-FABP protein to thiram induced TD chickens decrease the chondrocytes damage and improves vascularization.
Synthesis of evidence on the use of ecological momentary assessments to monitor health outcomes after traumatic injury: rapid systematic review
Authors: Mitchell Rebecca J. , Goggins Rory , Lystad Reidar P.
Published: April 2022

Background

With the increasing use of mobile technology, ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) may enable routine monitoring of patient health outcomes and patient experiences of care by health agencies. This rapid review aims to synthesise the evidence on the use of EMAs to monitor health outcomes after traumatic unintentional injury.

Method

A rapid systematic review of nine databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, PsychINFO, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, Scopus, SportDiscus) for English-language articles from January 2010–September 2021 was conducted. Abstracts and full-text were screened by two reviewers and each article critically appraised. Key information was extracted by population characteristics, age and sample size, follow-up time period(s), type of EMA tools, physical health or pain outcome(s), psychological health outcome(s), general health or social outcome(s), and facilitators or barriers of EMA methods. Narrative synthesis was undertaken to identify key EMA facilitator and barrier themes.

Results

There were 29 articles using data from 25 unique studies. Almost all (84.0%) were prospective cohort studies and 11 (44.0%) were EMA feasibility trials with an injured cohort. Traumatic and acquired brain injuries and concussion (64.0%) were the most common injuries examined. The most common EMA type was interval (40.0%). There were 10 key facilitator themes (e.g. feasibility, ecological validity, compliance) and 10 key barrier themes (e.g. complex technology, response consistency, ability to capture a participant’s full experience, compliance decline) identified in studies using EMA to examine health outcomes post-injury.

Conclusions

This review highlighted the usefulness of EMA to capture ecologically valid participant responses of their experiences post-injury. EMAs have the potential to assist in routine follow-up of the health outcomes of patients post-injury and their use should be further explored.
Association between using social media WeChat and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older people: findings from a national survey
Authors: Qu Xing , Houser Shannon H. , Zhang Jian , Wen Jin , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2022

Objectives

We aimed to assess the characteristics and health status of a study sample using social media WeChat and to identify the association between social media usage and depressive symptoms among people aged 45 and older in China.

Methods

Data were drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Depressive symptoms were measured by the 10-item form of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). The propensity score matching method (PSM) was performed to balance the characteristics of WeChat users and non-WeChat users. Multilevel logistic regression was used to test the association between the incidence of depressive symptoms and WeChat usage by introducing covariates step by step. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to estimate the robustness of the primary findings.

Results

A total of 5415 matching cases out of 11,338 total sample were used in this study to generate the final analysis. A multilevel logistic regression model showed that a significantly lower incidence of depression was related to WeChat usage after adjusting for all possible covariates (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62–0.94). The most popular WeChat functions used by the study population were watching news (80.4%), posting Moment messages (75.5%), chatting with friends (66.0%), and watching videos (65.2%). The sensitivity analysis yielded similar findings to the primary analyses.

Conclusions

Using social media WeChat showed an association with lower depressive symptoms among people aged ≥45 and older in our study sample. Further studies need to be explored on the promotion and education of social media WeChat usage, targeting the improvement of mental health-related issues through social network connections.
Outcomes of patients presenting with Guillain-Barre Syndrome at a tertiary care center in India
Authors: Patel Priyank , Shah Darshil , Jani Chinmay , Shah Jui , Jani Ruchi , Kelaiya Arjun , Pandya Jinal , Singh Harpreet , Al Omari Omar , Roy Dhara , Behlau Irmgard , Parikh Ami
Published: April 2022

Background

The Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), also known as acute idiopathic polyneuritis, is a critical acquired condition associated with preceding nonspecific infection or triggering factors like trauma, surgery, or vaccination. GBS is currently the most frequent cause of acute flaccid paralysis in India. This study evaluates the short-term and in-hospital outcomes in different subtypes of GBS.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted at V.S. Hospital, Ahmedabad, from September 2015 to December 2017. Patients above the age of 12 were included. Patients having other underlying neurological conditions, as well as immunodeficiency disorders, were excluded. The patients were classified into different subtypes of GBS, and functional outcomes were recorded on admission and discharge according to Hughes Scoring System. All statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS software.

Results

Out of 50 patients, 35 (70%) were males. The mean age was of 37.18 +/− 18.35 years. 25 (50%) patients had a preceding infection. 88% of patients presented with cranial nerve (CN) involvement had a Hughes Score of >/= 3 (p = 0.0087). They had less improvement of Hughes Score on discharge (0.13 +/− 0.04) as compared to the patients without cranial nerve involvement (0.38 +/− 0.08) (p = 0.008). Respiratory involvement was associated with a higher Hughes Score (p = 0.005) on admission. 85% of patients diagnosed with an axonal subtype of GBS had a Hughes Score of >/= 3 (p = 0.06) compared to 74% patients with demyelinating subtype. Axonal subtype required double period (11 +/− 2.34) to show improvement as compared to demyelinating subtype (6 +/− 1.2) (p = 0.020). Irrespective of the subtypes, in two different treatment cohorts (PLEX vs IVIG), there was no difference in short term functional outcomes measured by improvement in the Hughes scores (p = 0.89).

Conclusions

Early cranial nerve and respiratory involvement in patients presenting with GBS are associated with poor outcomes warranting immediate critical care involvement. In our study, amongst all the subtypes, axonal had poor clinical outcomes. Further clinical trials on the Indian subpopulation will help us evaluate the impact of different treatment modalities on this disease.
PRehabIlitatiOn with pReoperatIve exercise and educaTion for patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgerY: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled TRIAL (PRIORITY TRIAL)
Authors: Steffens Daniel , Young Jane , Riedel Bernhard , Morton Rachael , Denehy Linda , Heriot Alexander , Koh Cherry , Li Qiang , Bauman Adrian , Sandroussi Charbel , Ismail Hilmy , Dieng Mbathio , Ansari Nabila , Pillinger Neil , O’Shannassy Sarah , McKeown Sam , Cunningham Derek , Sheehan Kym , Iori Gino , Bartyn Jenna , Solomon Michael
Published: April 2022

Background

Radical surgery is the mainstream treatment for patients presenting with advanced primary or recurrent gastrointestinal cancers; however, the rate of postoperative complications is exceptionally high. The current evidence suggests that improving patients’ fitness during the preoperative period may enhance postoperative recovery. Thus, the primary aim of this study is to establish the effectiveness of prehabilitation with a progressive, individualised, preoperative exercise and education program compared to usual care alone in reducing the proportion of patients with postoperative in-hospital complications. The secondary aims are to investigate the effectiveness of the preoperative intervention on reducing the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, improving quality of life and morbidity, and reducing costs.

Methods

This is a multi-centre, assessor-blinded, pragmatic, comparative, randomised controlled trial. A total of 172 patients undergoing pelvic exenteration, cytoreductive surgery, oesophagectomy, hepatectomy, gastrectomy or pancreatectomy will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to prehabilitation with a preoperative exercise and education program (intervention group), delivered over 4 to 8 weeks before surgery by community physiotherapists/exercise physiologists, or usual care alone (control group). The intervention will comprise 12 to 24 individualised, progressive exercise sessions (including aerobic/anaerobic, resistance, and respiratory exercises), recommendations of home exercises (16 to 32 sessions), and daily incidental physical activity advice. Outcome measures will be collected at baseline, the week prior to surgery, during the hospital stay, and on the day of discharge from hospital, and 1 month and 1 months postoperatively. The primary outcome will be the development of in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes include the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, quality of life, postoperative morbidity and costs.

Discussion

The successful completion of this trial will provide robust and high-quality evidence on the efficacy of a preoperative community- and home-based exercise and education intervention on important postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing major gastrointestinal cancer surgery.

Trial registration

This trial was registered prospectively with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621000617864) on 24th May 2021.
Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy with acute angle-closure glaucoma and posterior subcapsular cataract: a case report
Authors: Sun Yilin , Li Jia , Yu Li , Zheng Yajuan
Published: April 2022

Background

Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy (PPRCA) is a rare fundus disease characterized by the presence of osteoblast-like pigment, atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and choroid deposition along the large retinal veins.

Case presentation

A 55-year-old Chinese female presented with right eye distention and bilateral vision loss. Osteocyte-like pigmentation and retinal choroidal atrophy distributed along the large retinal veins were seen in the fundus of bilateral eyes. The atrophy in the left eye was more severe compared to the right eye. The patient also presented with bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) and posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) accompanied with anterior segmental manifestations, similar to the complications of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The patient underwent ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), Humphrey field analyser (HFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA), electroretinogram (ERG), and electrooculography (EOG), all of which confirmed the aforementioned diagnose.

Conclusion

PPRCA is a rare disease of unknown etiology. The patient in this case presented with complications similar to those of RP, and the two conditions may share a genetic basis. Further studies are needed to confirm this relationship.
Evaluation of community health worker's performance at home-based newborn assessment supported by mHealth in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Jahan Farjana , Foote Eric , Rahman Mahbubur , Shoab Abul Kasham , Parvez Sarker Masud , Nasim Mizanul Islam , Hasan Rezaul , El Arifeen Shams , Billah Sk Masum , Sarker Supta , Hoque Md. Mahbubul , Shahidullah Mohammad , Islam Muhammad Shariful , Ashrafee Sabina , Darmstadt Gary L.
Published: April 2022

Background

In low to middle-income countries where home births are common and neonatal postnatal care is limited, community health worker (CHW) home visits can extend the capability of health systems to reach vulnerable newborns in the postnatal period. CHW assessment of newborn danger signs supported by mHealth have the potential to improve the quality of danger sign assessments and reduce CHW training requirements. We aim to estimate the validity (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value) of CHW assessment of newborn infants aided by mHealth compared to physician assessment.

Methods

In this prospective study, ten CHWs received five days of theoretical and hands-on training on the physical assessment of newborns including ten danger signs. CHWs assessed 273 newborn infants for danger signs within 48 h of birth and then consecutively for three days. A physician repeated 20% (n = 148) of the assessments conducted by CHWs. Both CHWs and the physician evaluated newborns for ten danger signs and decided on referral. We used the physician’s danger sign identification and referral decision as the gold standard to validate CHWs’ identification of danger signs and referral decisions.

Results

The referrals made by the CHWs had high sensitivity (93.3%), specificity (96.2%), and almost perfect agreement (K = 0.80) with the referrals made by the physician. CHW identification of all the danger signs except hypothermia showed moderate to high sensitivity (66.7–100%) compared to physician assessments. All the danger signs assessments except hypothermia showed moderate to high positive predictive value (PPV) (50–100%) and excellent negative predictive value (NPV) (99–100%). Specificity was high (99–100%) for all ten danger signs.

Conclusion

CHW's identification of neonatal danger signs aided by mHealth showed moderate to high validity in comparison to physician assessments. mHealth platforms may reduce CHW training requirements and while maintaining quality CHW physical assessment performance extending the ability of health systems to provide neonatal postnatal care in low-resource communities.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov NCT03933423, January 05, 2019.
A randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of the Dutch version of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®)
Authors: Idris Sakinah , van Pelt Bjorn Jaime , Jagersma Gabrine , Duvekot Jorieke , Maras Athanasios , van der Ende Jan , van Haren Neeltje , Greaves-Lord Kirstin
Published: April 2022

Background

This study examines the effectiveness of the culturally adapted Dutch version of The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®), utilizing a randomized control trial (RCT) with an active treatment control condition.

Methods

106 adolescents with ASD, aged 12–18 years, were randomly assigned to one of two group interventions: the experimental condition (PEERS®; n = 54) or the active treatment control condition (Regulation, Organization and Autonomy Didactics; ROAD; n = 52). Effects of interventions on social skills were primarily assessed using an observational measure (CASS – Contextual Assessment Social Skills). Secondary indices of social skills were self, parent and teacher reported questionnaire data (i.e., Social Responsiveness Scale; SRS, and Social Skills Improvement System; SSIS). Treatment satisfaction was also obtained from adolescents and their parents.

Results

Results on the observational measure of social skills revealed improvements in positive affect, overall quality of rapport, as well as starting and ending a conversation, irrespective of condition. Compared to ROAD, PEERS® participants showed increased overall self-reported social skills (SSIS). Parent reports showed decreased overall social skill impairment (SRS) as well as improved social communication (SSIS subscale), with significantly more progress in the PEERS® group. Furthermore, parents of adolescents in the PEERS® group were significantly more satisfied with the intervention (M = 8.20, SD = 1.46) than parents of adolescents in the ROAD group (M = 7.52, SD = 1.45). The self-reported treatment satisfaction of adolescents did not differ between conditions. Teacher data showed decreased social skill impairment as measured with the SRS, irrespective of condition.

Conclusions

This study reveals promising indications that the Dutch version of PEERS® enhances social skills in adolescents with ASD. Yet, further research is needed into how effectiveness can be optimized.

Trial registration

Dutch trail register NTR6255 (NL6117) 08/02/2017 https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6117
Identifying patient-specific behaviors to understand illness trajectories and predict relapses in bipolar disorder using passive sensing and deep anomaly detection: protocol for a contactless cohort study
Authors: Ortiz Abigail , Hintze Arend , Burnett Rachael , Gonzalez-Torres Christina , Unger Samantha , Yang Dandan , Miao Jingshan , Alda Martin , Mulsant Benoit H.
Published: April 2022

Background

Predictive models for mental disorders or behaviors (e.g., suicide) have been successfully developed at the level of populations, yet current demographic and clinical variables are neither sensitive nor specific enough for making individual clinical predictions. Forecasting episodes of illness is particularly relevant in bipolar disorder (BD), a mood disorder with high recurrence, disability, and suicide rates. Thus, to understand the dynamic changes involved in episode generation in BD, we propose to extract and interpret individual illness trajectories and patterns suggestive of relapse using passive sensing, nonlinear techniques, and deep anomaly detection. Here we describe the study we have designed to test this hypothesis and the rationale for its design.

Method

This is a protocol for a contactless cohort study in 200 adult BD patients. Participants will be followed for up to 2 years during which they will be monitored continuously using passive sensing, a wearable that collects multimodal physiological (heart rate variability) and objective (sleep, activity) data. Participants will complete (i) a comprehensive baseline assessment; (ii) weekly assessments; (iii) daily assessments using electronic rating scales. Data will be analyzed using nonlinear techniques and deep anomaly detection to forecast episodes of illness.

Discussion

This proposed contactless, large cohort study aims to obtain and combine high-dimensional, multimodal physiological, objective, and subjective data. Our work, by conceptualizing mood as a dynamic property of biological systems, will demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating individual variability in a model informing clinical trajectories and predicting relapse in BD.
Frontotemporal EEG as potential biomarker for early MCI: a case–control study
Authors: Mitsukura Yasue , Sumali Brian , Watanabe Hideto , Ikaga Toshiharu , Nishimura Toshihiko
Published: April 2022

Background

Previous studies using EEG (electroencephalography) as biomarker for dementia have attempted to research, but results have been inconsistent. Most of the studies have extremely small number of samples (average N = 15) and studies with large number of data do not have control group. We identified EEG features that may be biomarkers for dementia with 120 subjects (dementia 10, MCI 33, against control 77).

Methods

We recorded EEG from 120 patients with dementia as they stayed in relaxed state using a single-channel EEG device while conducting real-time noise reduction and compared them to healthy subjects. Differences in EEG between patients and controls, as well as differences in patients’ severity, were examined using the ratio of power spectrum at each frequency.

Results

In comparing healthy controls and dementia patients, significant power spectrum differences were observed at 3 Hz, 4 Hz, and 10 Hz and higher frequencies. In patient group, differences in the power spectrum were observed between asymptomatic patients and healthy individuals, and between patients of each respective severity level and healthy individuals.

Conclusions

A study with a larger sample size should be conducted to gauge reproducibility, but the results implied the effectiveness of EEG in clinical practice as a biomarker of MCI (mild cognitive impairment) and/or dementia.