bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ageism and Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kang Hyun , Kim Hansol
Published: April 2022

Ageism may have harmful effects on the psychological well-being of older adults, leading to mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. However, there are insufficient data to establish this hypothesis, and most work on the subject has appeared only in the form of conceptual or theoretical papers. This study reviewed quantitative studies of the relationship between ageism and psychological well-being of older adults. We conducted a comprehensive review using searches of academic databases, the grey literature, hand searches, and reference mining. A total of thirteen articles were selected using the inclusion criteria. All the reviewed studies showed a negative association between ageism and the psychological well-being of older adults. The study confirmed a negative association between ageism and older adults’ psychological well-being, finding that older adults with a high level of psychological well-being may be less negatively affected by ageism, especially those who were proud of their age group, experienced less negative emotions, were more optimistic about aging and their future, were more self-confident about their bodies, and were flexible in setting goals. The identified mediators of the association can inform intervention development to the effects of ageism and improve older adults’ psychological well-being.
Kindness, Listening, and Connection: Patient and Clinician Key Requirements for Emotional Support in Chronic and Complex Care
Authors: Bradshaw Jane , Siddiqui Nazlee , Greenfield David , Sharma Anita
Published: April 2022

Emotional support for patients is critical for achieving person-centered care. However, the literature evidences an ongoing challenge in embedding emotional support within current health services. This study aimed to investigate the strategies to embed emotional support from the perspectives of patients and clinicians. This is an exploratory qualitative study that collected data through focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews from 11 patients, 2 carers, and 7 clinicians in the multi-disciplinary care teams in an outpatient complex and chronic care setting in New South Wales, Australia. The FGDs and interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Three main themes emerged from the experience of both the patients and clinicians: (1) warmth and kindness, (2) deep listening, and (3) social connection in the process of treatment. Clinicians’ and patients’ shared experience of these themes was key to embed emotional support in care. Practical strategies including promoting shared understanding of emotional support, enhancing provider's capability to deliver emotional support, and building patient's networking opportunities in treatment processes were discussed to facilitate emotional support in patient care and health services.
Ocular manifestations of COVID-19
Authors: Al-Namaeh Mashael
Published: April 2022

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, a disease that was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. COVID-19, formerly known as 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) respiratory disease, was officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2020. By 25 May 2021, there were 33,579,116 confirmed cases with 599,109 COVID-19 deaths worldwide. The purpose of this review article is to provide an update on what is currently known about COVID-19 ocular symptoms in adults, the elderly, and children in the literature. Finally, this article will review the eye protection precautions that should be implemented in our clinics. To assess the current literature, PubMed was searched from December 2019 to 25 May 2021. Randomized trials, observational studies, case series or case reports, letters of research, and letters to editors were selected for confirmed cases of COVID-19. According to current scientific literature since the outbreak in December 2019, 205 articles have been published. Conjunctivitis, conjunctival hyperemia, and chemosis have been reported in adults with COVID-19. There have been few studies on children and elderly patients, and further research in these age groups is needed. Finally, wearing eye protection when seeing patients on a daily basis during the pandemic is essential.
Work Motivators: Comparing Gen-Xers and Millennials in the IT Sector
Authors: Soman Sumesh P.
Published: April 2022

This article provides an insight into the generational differences in work motivators among Gen-X and Millennial IT employees. It also considers the gender differences in each generation as to how they perceive different work motivators. The researcher uses a sequential explanatory-mixed method approach to study the research questions. The study’s findings reflect that the motivational factors significantly motivate Gen-X, while the hygiene factors influence Millennials. The gender-based analysis shows that the motivational aspects of work-itself, company policy and work environment are significantly different between males and females. Gen-X males value the status factor of the job than females, while Gen-X females value company policy and work environment factors than male counterparts. Motivation significantly differs for Millennials’ job security, achievement and interpersonal relations. Millennial females value job security more than males, and Millennial males value achievement and interpersonal relationships than their female counterparts.
Coaching Across Generations: Enabling Sense-Making in a Multigenerational World
Authors: Mukherjee Tushima , Sivaraman Shwetha
Published: April 2022

With the presence of five generations in organisations today, there is growing interest in finding new ways to manage and leverage a multigenerational workforce for individual and collective success. With rapidly evolving technology and the ever-changing nature of the workspace, a deeper look to understand the correlation between generation and development is required. Coaching is gaining traction as a means of enabling development for professionals. This article uses data from eight coaching case studies across four generations to analyse dominant coaching themes and preferences. We present seven key findings that point to some startling similarities and differences between and within generations, the need for an adaptive approach, and four implications for organisations and coaches, including the opportunity to look beyond generation and age.
Narcissism at the Workplace: From the Lens of Different Generations
Authors: Subramanian Arvind , Palo Sasmita
Published: April 2022

With the formal modern work organisation having taken birth about 100 years ago, we today have a workforce that has representation from many generations. This has led to a need to have an empathic view to the needs of this generationally diverse workforce in terms of culture, benefits, workflows, technology and organisational design. Some researchers have argued that every successive generation is becoming more narcissistic than the previous ones. Does this finding also apply to the organisational context? Is narcissism becoming rampant in organisations, how different generations of employees deal with it? This study is a novel attempt to address these questions.
Confined hollow concrete block masonry buildings: An experimental approach for vulnerability assessment
Authors: Ahmed Hafiz Asfandyar , Sadiq Abdul , Shahzada Khan
Published: April 2022

This paper presents experimental study on the response of a sustainable structure 3.65 x3.05x3.35 m, made with confined hollow concrete block masonry (CHCBM). The model was tested under quasi-static cyclic test to assess the response against seismic load and to determine the potential vulnerability. Based on test data, envelope curves and bilinear idealized curves were drawn according to both Magenes–Calvi and Elnashai methods. Different performance levels i.e. Immediate Occupancy (IO), Life Safety (LS) and Collapse Prevention (CP) were evaluated based on both methods. Damage pattern and force-deformation behavior of CHCBM building was compared with models of the similar configuration and loading conditions. Similarly values of Response modification factor (R), Displacement Ductility (µD) and Displacement amplification factor (Cd) were calculated and compared with the previously tested models and it confirmed that CHCBM building was ductile and structurally integrated under earthquake loading.
Seven Decades of Project Portfolio Management Research (1950–2019) and Perspectives for the Future
Authors: Hansen Lars Kristian , Svejvig Per
Published: April 2022

Although project portfolio management (PPM) has been on the research agenda for at least seven decades (1950–2019), the number of contributions on the topic continues to grow. Literature reviews help us to integrate and build on what we already know and to understand where we came from. However, reviews proving a shared historical narrative of the discipline are scarce but key. Thus, we trace the literature back to its origin, building and synthesizing our historical narrative into a model. We evaluate what has already happened and what will most likely shape the future.
A single-arm, long-term efficacy and safety study of subcutaneous romiplostim in children with immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Grainger John , Bussel James , Tarantino Michael , Cooper Nichola , Beam Donald , Despotovic Jenny , Maschan Alexey , Wang Kejia , Eisen Melissa , Bowers Charles
Published: April 2022

Romiplostim is a thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist approved for children and adults with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) for ≥6 months, recommended as second-line treatment. This phase 3b, single-arm, multicenter study investigated long-term efficacy and safety of romiplostim in children ≥1 to <18 years old with ≥6 months’ ITP duration and platelet counts ≤30 × 109/L. Children received weekly subcutaneous romiplostim (1 μg/kg titrated to 10 μg/kg) to maintain platelets within 50 to 200 × 109/L. A subset underwent bone marrow examinations. The primary end point was percentage of time with platelet response during the first 6 months’ treatment (counts ≥50 × 109/L without rescue medication within the preceding 4 weeks). Overall, 203 patients (median age, 10.0 years) received ≥1 dose of romiplostim, median treatment duration was ∼3 years, and median average weekly dose was 6.9 μg/kg. Ninety-five (46.8%) discontinued (lack of efficacy, n = 43 [21.2%]). Platelet responses were achieved a median (interquartile range) of 50.0% (16.7%-83.3%) of the time during the first 6 months, increasing to 78.2% (26.7%-90.4%) during the overall 36-month treatment period. Eleven patients (5.4%) achieved sustained responses (consecutive counts ≥50 × 109/L without ITP medications for ≥24 weeks). Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 56 patients (27.6%), with 8 (3.9%) experiencing serious treatment-related AEs; all of these led to discontinuation, including 4 cases of neutralizing antibodies (romiplostim, n = 3; TPO, n = 1). Bleeding occurred in 141 patients (69.5%), decreasing over time; grade ≥3 bleeding events occurred in 20 (9.9%). At year 2, eight of 63 evaluable patients (12.7%) had grade 2 reticulin. Long-term romiplostim resulted in sustained on-treatment platelet responses with an overall safety profile consistent with previous studies. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02279173.
Idasanutlin Plus Cytarabine in Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Results of the MIRROS Trial
Authors: Konopleva Marina Y. , Röllig Christoph , Cavenagh Jamie , Deeren Dries , Girshova Larisa , Krauter Jürgen , Martinelli Giovanni , Montesinos Pau , Schäfer Jonas A. , Ottmann Oliver G , Petrini Mario , Pigneux Arnaud , Rambaldi Alessandro , Recher Christian , Rodriguez-Veiga Rebeca , Taussig David , Vey Norbert , Yoon Sung-Soo , Ott Marion Gabriele , Muehlbauer Susanne , Beckermann Benjamin M. , Catalani Olivier , Genevray Magali , Mundt Kirsten Elisabeth , Jamois Candice , Fenaux Pierre , Wei Andrew H.
Published: April 2022

The phase III MIRROS trial (NCT02545283) evaluated the efficacy and safety of the small-molecule MDM2 antagonist idasanutlin plus cytarabine in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML). Adults (N=447) with R/R AML whose disease relapsed or was refractory after ≤2 prior induction regimens as initial treatment or following salvage chemotherapy regimen, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤2 were enrolled regardless of TP53 mutation status and randomly assigned 2:1 to idasanutlin 300 mg or placebo orally twice daily plus cytarabine 1 g/m2 intravenously on days 1 to 5 of 28-day cycles. At primary analysis (cutoff, November 2019), 436 patients were enrolled, including 355 in the TP53 wild-type intention-to-treat (TP53WT-ITT) population. The primary endpoint, overall survival in the TP53WT-ITT population, was not met (median, 8.3 vs 9.1 months with idasanutlin-cytarabine vs placebo-cytarabine; stratified hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.81-1.45; p = .58). The complete remission (CR) rate, a key secondary endpoint, was 20.3% vs 17.1% (odds ratio [OR], 1.23; 95% CI, 0.70-2.18). The overall response rate (ORR) was 38.8% vs 22.0% (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.36-3.72). Common any-grade adverse events (≥10% incidence in any arm) were diarrhea (87.0% vs 32.9%), febrile neutropenia (52.8% vs 49.3%), and nausea (52.5% vs 31.5%). In summary, despite improved ORR, adding idasanutlin to cytarabine did not improve overall survival or CR rates in patients with R/R AML.
Mitochondrial phylogenomics and mitogenome organization in the parasitoid wasp family Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea)
Authors: Jasso-Martínez Jovana M. , Quicke Donald L. J. , Belokobylskij Sergey A. , Santos Bernardo F. , Fernández-Triana José L. , Kula Robert R. , Zaldívar-Riverón Alejandro
Published: April 2022

Background

Mitochondrial (mt) nucleotide sequence data has been by far the most common tool employed to investigate evolutionary relationships. While often considered to be more useful for shallow evolutionary scales, mt genomes have been increasingly shown also to contain valuable phylogenetic information about deep relationships. Further, mt genome organization provides another important source of phylogenetic information and gene reorganizations which are known to be relatively frequent within the insect order Hymenoptera. Here we used a dense taxon sampling comprising 148 mt genomes (132 newly generated) collectively representing members of most of the currently recognised subfamilies of the parasitoid wasp family Braconidae, which is one of the largest radiations of hymenopterans. We employed this data to investigate the evolutionary relationships within the family and to assess the phylogenetic informativeness of previously known and newly discovered mt gene rearrangements.

Results

Most subfamilial relationships and their composition obtained were similar to those recovered in a previous phylogenomic study, such as the restoration of Trachypetinae and the recognition of Apozyginae and Proteropinae as valid braconid subfamilies. We confirmed and detected phylogenetic signal in previously known as well as novel mt gene rearrangements, including mt rearrangements within the cyclostome subfamilies Doryctinae and Rogadinae.

Conclusions

Our results showed that both the mt genome DNA sequence data and gene organization contain valuable phylogenetic signal to elucidate the evolution within Braconidae at different taxonomic levels. This study serves as a basis for further investigation of mt gene rearrangements at different taxonomic scales within the family.
Reconstructing an historical pollination syndrome: keel flowers
Authors: Uluer Deniz Aygören , Forest Félix , Armbruster Scott , Hawkins Julie A.
Published: April 2022

Background

Keel flowers are bilaterally symmetrical, pentamerous flowers with three different petal types and reproductive organs enclosed by keel petals; generally there is also connation of floral parts such as stamens and keel petals. In this study, the evolution of keel flowers within the order Fabales is explored to investigate whether the establishment of this flower type within one of the species-rich families, the Fabaceae (Leguminosae), preceded and could have influenced the evolution of keel flowers in the Polygalaceae. We conducted molecular dating, and ancestral area and ancestral state analyses for a phylogeny constructed for 678 taxa using publishedmatK,rbcLandtrnLplastid gene regions.

Results

We reveal the temporal and spatial origins of keel flowers and traits associated with pollinators, specifically floral symmetry, the presence or absence of a pentamerous corolla and three distinct petal types, the presence or absence of enclosed reproductive organs, androecium types, inflorescence types, inflorescence size, flower size, plant height and habit. Ancestral area reconstructions show that at the time keel flowers appeared in the Polygaleae, subfamily Papilionoideae of the Fabaceae was already distributed almost globally; at least eight clades of the Papilionoideae had keel flowers with a functional morphology broadly similar to the morphology of the first evolving Polygaleae flowers.

Conclusions

The multiple origins of keel flowers within angiosperms likely represent convergence due to bee specialization, and therefore pollinator pressure. In the case of the Fabales, the first evolving keel flowers of Polygaleae have a functional morphology that corresponds with keel flowers of species of the Papilionoideae already present in the environment. These findings are consistent with the keel-flowered Polygaleae exploiting pollinators of keel-flowered Papilionoideae. The current study is the first to use ancestral reconstructions of traits associated with pollination to demonstrate that the multiple evolutionary origins of the keel flower pollinator syndrome in Fabales are consistent with, though do not prove, mimicry.
Clone and Function Verification of the OPR gene in Brassica napus Related to Linoleic Acid Synthesis
Authors: Tan Min , Niu Juan , Peng Duo Zi , Cheng Qian , Luan Ming Bao , Zhang Zhen Qian
Published: April 2022

Background

Fatty acid composition and content affect rapeseed oil quality. Fatty acid synthesis-related genes in rapeseed have been studied globally by researchers. Nevertheless, rapeseed oil is mainly composed of seven different fatty acids (FA), and each fatty acid was regulated by different genes. Furthermore, different FA affect each other, which needs continuous and in-depth research to obtain more clear results in Brassica napus.

Results

In this paper, broad-scale miRNA expression profiles were constructed and 21 differentially expressed miRNAs were detected. GO enrichment analysis showed that most up-regulated proteins were involved in transcription factor activity and catalytic activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that 20 pathways involving 36 target genes were enriched, of which the bna00592 pathway may be involved in fatty acid metabolism. The results were verified using a quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis, we found that the target gene of bna-miR156b > c > g was the OPR (12-oxo-phytodienoic acid reductase). Four copies of OPR gene were found, and the over-expression vectors (pCAMBIA1300-35 s-OPR and pCAMBIA1300-RNAi-OPR) were constructed to verify their functions. In T1 and T2 generation, the content of linoleic acid (LA) increased significantly in OE but deceased in OPRi.

Conclusions

This is the first study to provide four copies of the OPR gene that regulates LA metabolism, can be used for the molecular mechanism of LA and optimizing fatty acid profiles in oilseed for breeding programs.
Positive association of nap duration with risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in an occupational population in Guangdong Province, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hong Chang , Wu Chengkai , Ma Pengcheng , Cui Hao , Chen Liya , Li Ruining , Li Qimei , Zeng Lin , Liao Shengwu , Xiao Lushan , Liu Li , Li Wenyuan
Published: April 2022

Background

A lack of sleep or disorder in sleep–wake cycles has been associated with metabolic impairments. However, few studies have investigated the association between daytime napping duration and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study aimed to investigate the association of daytime napping duration with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a Chinese population.

Methods

This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the Health Management Center of Nanfang Hospital, Guangdong Province. A total of 3363 participants aged 20–79 years were recruited and admitted from January 20, 2018, to October 16, 2020. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was diagnosed using abdominal ultrasonography. The outcome was the association between daytime sleep duration and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Results

Compared with non-nappers, long daytime nappers (≥ 60 min) were associated with a higher risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the crude model (odds ratio 2.138; 95% confidence interval 1.88–2.61, P < 0.05) and in the multivariable adjustment model (odds ratio 2.211; 95% confidence interval 1.042–4.690, P < 0.05) after adjusting for demographic, educational, and metabolic risk factors. The association was moderately enhanced with additional adjustments for night sleep duration and socioeconomic or other factors (odds ratio 2.253; 95% confidence interval 1.061–4.786, P = 0.035).

Conclusion

In this cross-sectional study, daytime napping duration of ≥ 60 min was positively associated with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in an occupational population of Guangdong Province after multivariable adjustment.
Covid-19 threat and coping: application of protection motivation theory to the pandemic experiences of people affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Genuis Shelagh K. , Luth Westerly , Bubela Tania , Johnston Wendy S.
Published: April 2022

Background

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are at high risk for severe outcomes from Covid-19 infection. Researchers exploring ALS and Covid-19 have focused primarily on system response and adaptation. Using Protection Motivation Theory, we investigated how people with ALS and family caregivers appraised and responded to Covid-19 threat, the ‘costs’ associated with pandemic response, and how health professionals and systems can better support people affected by ALS who are facing public health emergencies.

Methods

Data were drawn from the ‘ALS Talk Project,’ an asynchronous, moderated focus group study. Participants were recruited from regions across Canada. Seven groups met online over 14 weeks between January and July 2020. Fifty-three participants contributed to Covid-19 discussions. Data were qualitatively analyzed using directed content analysis and the constant-comparative approach.

Results

Participants learned about the Covid-19 pandemic from the media. They rapidly assessed their vulnerability and responded to Covid-19 threat by following recommendations from health authorities, information monitoring, and preparing for worst-case scenarios. Adopting protective behaviors had substantial response costs, including adaptations for medical care and home support workers, threatened access to advance care, and increased caregiver burden. Participants expressed need for ALS-specific, pandemic information from trusted health professionals and/or ALS health charities. Telemedicine introduced both conveniences and costs. Prior experience with ALS provided tools for coping with Covid-19. Threat and coping appraisal was a dynamic process involving ongoing vigilance and adaptation. Findings draw attention to the lack of emergency preparedness among participants and within health systems.

Conclusions

Clinicians should engage ALS patients and families in ongoing discussions about pandemic coping, strategies to mitigate response costs, care pathways in the event of Covid-19 infection, and changing information about Covid-19 variants and vaccines. Healthcare systems should incorporate flexible approaches for medical care, leveraging the benefits of telemedicine and facilitating in-person interaction as needed and where possible. Research is needed to identify strategies to mitigate response costs and to further explore the interaction between prior experience and coping. Further study is also needed to determine how communication about emergency preparedness might be effectively incorporated into clinical care for those with ALS and other medically vulnerable populations.
The effect of mannitol addition to hydration on acute kidney injury event after high dose cisplatin chemotherapy: an ambispective cohort study
Authors: Rachman Andhika , Wafa Syahidatul , Nugroho Pringgodigdo , Koesnoe Sukamto
Published: April 2022

Background

Saline hydration with addition of mannitol have commonly been the strategy to avoid cisplatin induced acute kidney injury (AKI). While the initial reports demonstrated that mannitol diuresis decreased cisplatin induced renal injury, others have shown renal injury to be worsened.

Objective

To compare the risk of AKI in cancer patients receiving high dose cisplatin with and without addition of mannitol.

Method

This was an ambispective cohort study based on consecutive sampling at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (CMGH) and Mochtar Riady Comprehensive Cancer Centre (MRCCC) Siloam Hospitals. The data was obtained from September 2017 to February 2018. The choice of mannitol administration based on attending physician clinical judgement. The primary outcome was increase of serum creatinine more than 0.3 mg/dL or 1.5 times from baseline. Analysis was done by using univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to obtain crude risk ratio and adjusted risk ratio of cisplatin induced AKI probability caused by mannitol addition on top of usual saline hydration protocol.

Result

Data from 110 patients (57.3% male) with a median age of 44.5 years (range 19 to 60 years) were collected; 63 received saline with the addition of mannitol and 47 received saline only. Incidence of AKI were higher in mannitol vs saline only group. Bivariate analysis showed higher probability of post chemotherapy AKI in mannitol group, however it was statistically insignificant (RR 2.168; 95% CI 0.839–5.6; p = 0.094). On multivariate analysis the age adjusted RR was 2.852 (95% CI 0.68–11.96; p = 0.152).

Conclusion

The addition of mannitol to hydration did not reduce the risk of cisplatin induced AKI as compared with saline hydration only. It was also found that risk for acute kidney injury were higher in population ≥ 40 years old.
Internal validation and evaluation of the predictive performance of models based on the PRISM-3 (Pediatric Risk of Mortality) and PIM-3 (Pediatric Index of Mortality) scoring systems for predicting mortality in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs)
Authors: Rahmatinejad Zahra , Rahmatinejad Fatemeh , Sezavar Majid , Tohidinezhad Fariba , Abu-Hanna Ameen , Eslami Saeid
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The study was aimed to assess the prognostic power The Pediatric Risk of Mortality-3 (PRISM-3) and the Pediatric Index of Mortality-3 (PIM-3) to predict in-hospital mortality in a sample of patients admitted to the PICUs.

Design and methods

The study was performed to include all children younger than 18 years of age admitted to receive critical care in two hospitals, Mashhad, northeast of Iran from December 2017 to November 2018. The predictive performance was quantified in terms of the overall performance by measuring the Brier Score (BS) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR), discrimination by assessing the AUC, and calibration by applying the Hosmer-Lemeshow test.

Results

A total of 2446 patients with the median age of 4.2 months (56% male) were included in the study. The PICU and in-hospital mortality were 12.4 and 16.14%, respectively. The BS of the PRISM-3 and PIM-3 was 0.088 and 0.093 for PICU mortality and 0.108 and 0.113 for in-hospital mortality. For the entire sample, the SMR of the PRISM-3 and PIM-3 were 1.34 and 1.37 for PICU mortality and 1.73 and 1.78 for in-hospital mortality, respectively. The PRISM-3 demonstrated significantly higher discrimination power in comparison with the PIM-3 (AUC = 0.829 vs 0.745) for in-hospital mortality. (AUC = 0.779 vs 0.739) for in-hospital mortality. The HL test revealed poor calibration for both models in both outcomes.

Conclusions

The performance measures of PRISM-3 were better than PIM-3 in both PICU and in-hospital mortality. However, further recalibration and modification studies are required to improve the predictive power to a clinically acceptable level before daily clinical use.

Practice implications

The calibration of the PRISM-3 model is more satisfactory than PIM-3, however both models have fair discrimination power.
Efficacy comparison of trifocal bone transport using unilateral external fixator for femoral and tibial bone defects caused by infection
Authors: Liu Kai , Liu Yanshi , Cai Feiyu , Fan Chenchen , Ren Peng , Yusufu Aihemaitijiang
Published: April 2022

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of patients with femoral and tibial critical-sized bone defect (CSBD) treated by trifocal bone transport using the Ilizarov method.

Methods

From March 2011 and January 2017, clinical and radiographic data of patients with CSBD (> 6 cm) caused by infection were documented and analyzed. Patients were divided into the femur group (n = 18) and tibia groups (n = 21) according to the location of bone transport. The bone and functional outcomes were evaluated according to the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of the Ilizarov (ASAMI) criterion, and postoperative complications were evaluated by Paley classification.

Results

A total of 39 patients were managed by the trifocal bone transport for the femur (n = 18) or tibia (n = 21) bone defects with a mean follow-up time of 26.1 months (range 17–34 months). Eighteen femurs and 21 tibias with a mean distraction regenerate length (DRL) of 8.3 cm (range 6–13 cm) and 7.5 cm (range 6–11 cm) respectively. Infection was eradicated in all patients, and the total bone union was received in all cases (100%). Statistical difference of bone grade (excellent/good/fair/poor, 3/11/3/1 vs 2/13/4/2, P < 0.05), and function grade (excellent/good/fair/poor, 3/14/1/0 vs 4/13/3/1, P < 0.05) were respectively observed between the femur group and tibia group. The excellent and good rate of bone (femur vs tibia, 77.8% vs 71.4%), and function grade (femur vs tibia, 94.4% vs 80.9%) was higher in the femur group than the tibia. The rate of complication in the femur group was lower than in the tibia (femur vs tibia, 94.4% vs 76.2%). One femur and five tibias were performed additional surgery for delayed union and axial deviation.

Conclusions

The trifocal bone transport using the unilateral external fixator was a practical method in the management of CSBD in the lower extremity. The BUT and EFI of the femur group were shorter than the tibia. Although the complications noted were more frequent on the femur, these were mostly minor.
COVID-19 infection as a new risk factor for penile Mondor disease
Authors: Balawender Krzysztof , Pliszka Anna , Surowiec Agata , Rajda Sebastian
Published: April 2022

Background

Penile Mondor disease is a superficial dorsal vein thrombophlebitis of the penis, which mainly affects young and middle-aged men. It generally manifests as a visible painful cord located along the dorsal surface of the penis with signs of skin inflammation. The condition is usually self-limiting, but in severe cases a surgical procedure may be necessary in addition to pharmacological treatment. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is associated with a frequent incidence of thrombophilia; therefore, such a prothrombotic state during infection may be a significant risk factor for penile Mondor disease.

Case presentation

The 34-year-old patient reported moderate pain felt on the surface of the penis. During the medical interview, the patient did not admit significant risk factors for Mondor Disease, apart from the previous, a month earlier COVID-19 disease. Examination revealed swelling erythema and a thick indurated cord on the surface of the penis. Color Doppler ultrasound was performed to confirm assumptions and exclude thrombosis of other penile vessels. Based on visible clots in the course of the superficial penile vein and after exclusion of vasculitis due to autoimmune disease the diagnosis of penile Mondor disease was made. Pharmacological therapy was implemented to further break down the clot and prevent rethrombosis in the penile vessels. The patient did not report any treatment complications and returned for a control visit, which revealed complete clot dissolution on ultrasound; therefore, complete recovery was stated.

Conclusions

This case report presents the correlation between SARS-Cov-2 infection and penile Mondor disease, based on the confirmed influence of COVID-19 on the pathophysiology of thrombosis. It can be concluded that COVID- 19 is a risk factor for Mondor disease, as in the presented case the virus was the only prothrombotic risk factor for the patient. Consequently, the possibility of developing thrombosis in the form of penile Mondor disease should be taken into account among patients with post-COVID-19 and active SARS-Cov-2 infection.
Efficacy of complete laparoscopic ileal augmentation cystoplasty for the treatment of low bladder capacity and compliance: a case series
Authors: Yang Chao , Chen Xin , Wang Yi , Fang Lu , Sun Wei , Bi Liangkuan , Yu Dexin
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To investigate the safety and efficacy of complete laparoscopic ileal augmentation cystoplasty for the treatment of low bladder capacity and compliance.

Methods

The clinical data of 13 patients with low bladder capacity and compliance were retrospectively analyzed. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated at follow-up. The Clavien system was used to evaluate the severity of postoperative complications.

Results

All 13 operations were successfully completed laparoscopically. The operation duration was 140–248 min (average: 189.9 ± 29.6 min), the time to postoperative recovery of bowel function was 1–10 days (average: 2.9 ± 2.3 days). There were 4 cases of grade I complications and 1 case of grade II complications (i.e., paralytic ileus caused by urinary leakage from the anastomosis of the augmented bladder). Cystography showed that the morphology of the bladder was close to normal, and the maximum safe capacity and compliance of the bladder were significantly increased [103.8 ± 16.6 mL and 332.3 ± 20.5 mL, p < 0.01; 7.0 ± 1.3 mL/cm H2O and 32.4 ± 2.1 mL/cm H2O, p < 0.01]. All patients were able to urinate spontaneously after catheter removal.

Conclusions

Complete laparoscopic ileal augmentation cystoplasty is a safe and feasible treatment for low bladder capacity and compliance, and has the advantages of less trauma, less bleeding, faster recovery of intestinal function, and fewer postoperative complications. This treatment effectively increases bladder capacity, protects upper urinary tract function, and improves patient quality of life, and thus warrants clinical application.
Computed tomography urography with corticomedullary phase can exclude urinary bladder cancer with high accuracy
Authors: Abuhasanein Suleiman , Hansen Carl , Vojinovic Dragan , Jahnson Staffan , Leonhardt Henrik , Kjölhede Henrik
Published: April 2022

Background

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography-urography (CTU) to rule out urinary bladder cancer (UBC) and whether patients thereby could omit cystoscopy.

Methods

All patients evaluated for macroscopic hematuria with CTU with cortico-medullary phase (CMP) and cystoscopy at our institute between 1st November 2016 and 31st December 2019 were included. From this study cohort a study group consisting of all UBC patients and a control group of 113 patients randomly selected from all patients in the study cohort without UBC. Two radiologists blinded to all clinical data reviewed the CTUs independently. CTUs were categorized as positive, negative or indeterminate. Diagnostic accuracy and proportion of potential omittable cystoscopies were calculated for the study cohort by generalizing the results from the study group.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 2195 patients, 297 of which were in the study group (UBC group, n = 207 and control group, n = 90). Inter-rater reliability was high (κ 0.84). Evaluation of CTUs showed that 174 patients were assesessed as positive (showing UBC), 46 patients as indeterminate (not showing UBC but with limited quality of CTU), and 77 patients as negative (not showing UBC with good quality of CTU). False negative rate was 0.07 (95%, CI 0.04–0.12), false positive rate was 0.01 (95% CI 0.0–0.07) and negative predictive value was 0.99 (95% CI 0.92–1.0). The area under the curve was 0.93 (95% CI 0.90–0.96). Only 2.9% (3/102) with high-risk tumors and 11% (12/105) with low- or intermediate-risk tumors had a false negative CTU. Cystoscopy could potentially have been omitted in 57% (1260/2195) of all evaluations.

Conclusions

CTU with CMP can exclude UBC with high accuracy. In case of negative CTU, it might be reasonable to omit cystoscopy, but future confirmative studies with possibly refined technique are needed.
Epidemiology of maxillofacial injuries in “Heratsi” No 1 university hospital in Yerevan, Armenia: a retrospective study
Authors: Aleksanyan Lusine V. , Poghosyan Anna Yu , Misakyan Martin S. , Minasyan Armen M. , Bablumyan Aren Yu , Tadevosyan Artashes E. , Muradyan Armen A.
Published: April 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of the prevalence, etiologies, types of maxillofacial injuries (MFIs), sites of maxillofacial fractures (MFFs) and their management in Yerevan, Armenia.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. The extracted data included age, sex, date of referral, mode of injury, etiology, radiology records and treatment methods. Study outcomes were measured using percentages, means, standard deviations and tests of proportions. P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

A total of 204 patients had a mean age of 36.26 ± 1.08 years (156 males and 48 females), and a total of 259 MFIs were recorded between 2017 and 2020. Interpersonal violence was found to be the most common etiology of MFFs in this study (42.1%), followed by road traffic accidents (RTAs) (27.9%) and falls (18.6%). The nasal bone was the most common injury site (47.5%), followed by the mandible (31.4%) and zygomatic complex (11.7%). The most common fracture site was the mandibular angle (37.9%), followed by the symphysis/parasymphysis (28.1%) and body (12.6%). Isolated soft tissue injuries were reported in 5.9% of the cases. The majority of MFFs were treated by open reduction and internal fixation.

Conclusion

Interpersonal violence, followed by RTAs and falls, was the most common cause of MFIs. Males in the 21–30 years age group had the highest MFI incidence rate. The nasal bone was the most common injury site, followed by the mandible and zygomatic complex. Social education with the objective of reducing aggression and interpersonal conflict should be improved, and appropriate RTA prevention strategies should be strengthened and implemented.
Women’s decision-making power and knowledge of prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Zegeye Betregiorgis , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Ameyaw Edward Kwabena , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Olorunsaiye Comfort Z. , Yaya Sanni
Published: April 2022

Background

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) bears the highest burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the world. Even though the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) programmme is one of the strategies to control the HIV pandemic, the uptake in SSA countries is low. Women’s decision-making power has a positive influence on health seeking behavior and uptake of several maternal health services. However, its relationship with knowledge of PMTCT services is understudied in SSA. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between women’s decision-making power and knowledge of PMTCT in 24 countries in SSA.

Methods

Analysis of this study included data on 158,812 married women from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 24 sub-Saharan African countries conducted between 2010 and 2020. Using Stata version-14 software, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. The results were presented using adjusted odd ratios (aOR) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

In the pooled results, 69.5% (95% CI; 66.7–72.1%) of married women in the studied countries had knowledge of PMTCT, ranging from 13.9% (95% CI; 11.9–16.2%) in Comoros to 75.4% (95% CI; 73.7–76.9%) in Zimbabwe. Higher odds of PMTCT knowledge were seen among married women who had decision-making power compared to married women who had no decision-making power. Moreover, we found higher odds of PMTCT knowledge among married women with manual occupation, those in the richest households and those with 1–2 children compared to married women who were not working, from the poorest households, and those with no children, respectively.

Conclusion

Women’s decision-making power had positive influence on PMTCT knowledge. To increase the coverage of PMTCT knowledge, policy makers and other stakeholders need to target ways to empower women through increasing women’s decision-making power. Moreover, creating employment opportunities and economic empowerment for women need to be considered, especially in countries with very low coverage of PMTCT knowledge.
Multi-level predictors of sexual autonomy among married women in Nigeria
Authors: Solanke Bola Lukman , Adetutu Olufemi Mayowa , Sunmola Kazeem Adebayo , Opadere Ayodele Aderemi , Adeyemi Nurat Kehinde , Soladoye Daniel Alabi
Published: April 2022

Background

Extant studies have established diverse individual-level and relational-level predictors of sexual autonomy among women in different countries. However, information remains scanty about the predictors beyond the individual and relational levels particularly at the community level. This study examined the multi-level predictors of sexual autonomy in Nigeria. This was done to shed more light on the progression toward attaining women-controlled safe sex in Nigeria.

Methods

This study adopted a cross-sectional design that utilised the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data. The study analysed responses from 8,558 women. The outcome variable was sexual autonomy, while the explanatory variables were individual-level (maternal age group, maternal education, nature of first marriage, parity, work status, religion, and media exposure), relational-level (spousal violence, type of marriage, spousal living arrangement, household wealth quintile, alcoholic consumption, family decision-making, and degree of marital control), and community-level characteristics (community residency type, geographic region, community literacy, female financial inclusion in community, female ownership of assets in community, and community rejection of wife-beating). Statistical analyses were performed using Stata version 14. The multilevel regression analysis was applied. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Findings showed that parity, nature of first marriage, maternal education, media exposure, work status, and religion were significant individual-level predictors, while spousal violence, degree of marital control, type of marriage, family decision-making, and household wealth quintile were significant relational-level predictors of sexual autonomy. Results further showed that community-level characteristics also significantly predicted sexual autonomy. The likelihood of sexual autonomy was lower among rural women (aOR = 0.433; 95% CI 0.358–0.524), while the odds of sexual autonomy were higher among Southern women (aOR = 3.169; 95% CI 2.594–3.871), women who live in high literate communities (aOR = 3.446; 95% CI 3.047–3.897), women who reside in communities with high female financial inclusion (aOR = 3.821; 95% CI 3.002–4.864), and among women who live in communities with high female ownership of assets (aOR = 1.907; 95% CI 1.562–2.327).

Conclusion

Women’s sexual autonomy was predicted by factors operating beyond the individual and relational levels. Existing sexual health promotion strategies targeting individual and relational factors in the country should be modified to adequately incorporate community-level characteristics. This will enhance the prospect of women-controlled safe sex in Nigeria.
Depressive symptoms, perceived control and quality of life among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft: a prospective cohort study
Authors: AbuRuz Mohannad Eid , Al-Dweik Ghadeer
Published: April 2022

Background

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is an intervention directed toward improving the Quality of Life (QoL) for patients with coronary artery disease. Depression can affect QoL negatively among this population. Perceived control (PC) decreased the effect of anxiety on QoL, however, this effect has not been well-studies regarding depression. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to check the effect of depression on QoL among CABG patients and to determine if preoperative PC moderates this effect.

Methods

This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted on a consecutive sample of 200 patients from three hospitals in Amman, Jordan. Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, Short-Form Health Survey-36, and Arabic version of the Control Attitude Scale-Revised were used to measure depressive symptoms, QoL and PC respectively. Data were analyzed using t test and step wise multiple regression followed by simple slope analysis.

Results

Postoperative Physical Component Summary (PCS) was better than preoperative PCS (mean ± SD: 38.2 ± 9.4 vs. 36.6 ± 9.5, P < 0.001). Postoperative Mental Component Summary (MCS) was better than preoperative MCS (mean ± SD: 44.3 ± 11.5 vs. 41.4 ± 11.4, P < 0.001). Preoperative depression was higher than postoperative depression; (mean ± SD: 12.8 ± 6.8 vs.11.1 ± 6.7, P < 0.01). Simple slope analysis was significant (simple slope = 0.41, t = 6.1, P < 0.001), indicating the moderating effect of PC.

Conclusion

Patients undergoing CABG surgery had poor QoL and high levels of depression. Perceived control moderated this relationship and improve QoL. Assessing depression levels and implantation of interventions to enhance perceived control levels prior to operation might improve QoL.