bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doctor of Nursing Practice and Its Application to School Nursing
Authors: LaChance Loree S. , Park Katherine , Toulouse Shanyn A.
Published: September 2023

School nurses who are considering a terminal degree in nursing have two options, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD). There are several factors for school nurses to consider when determining which terminal degree is best suited for them. This article focuses on the relevance of a DNP degree to school nursing, by first reviewing the evolution of DNP programs and then pivoting to discussions by three school nurses on why they chose this terminal degree and the projects completed during their courses of study. A main focus of a DNP project is to gather, analyze, synthesize, and translate research into practice, often operationalized as quality improvement (QI) in clinical settings. School nurses, practicing independently from other healthcare professionals while often managing large workloads, stand to benefit from obtaining or working with a nurse prepared at this level.
Adults Show Positive Moral Evaluations of Curiosity About Religion
Authors: White Cindel J. M. , Mosley Ariel J. , Solomon Larisa Heiphetz
Published: September 2023

Four experiments investigated the perceived virtue of curiosity about religion. Adults from the United States made moral judgments regarding targets who exhibited curiosity, possessed relevant knowledge, or lacked both curiosity and knowledge about religion and comparison topics (e.g., science). Participants attributed greater moral goodness to targets who displayed curiosity compared with targets who were ignorant or knowledgeable about the domain. This preference was consistent across Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, and other Christian participants but was absent when atheists evaluated religious curiosity. Perceptions of effort partially mediated judgments: Participants viewed curious characters as exerting more effort and consequently rated them as more moral. To test causality, we manipulated perceptions of effort and showed that participants viewed curious characters who exerted effort as particularly moral. This work fosters novel insights into the perceived virtue of curiosity and further illuminates similarities and differences between religious and scientific cognition.
Teratocarcinosarcoma of the head and neck: Clinicopathologic review of a rare entity
Authors: AL-Zaidi Rana S.
Published: September 2023

Teratocarcinosarcoma is a rare, highly aggressive malignancy of the head and neck, characterized by multiphenotypic and triphasic growth of epithelial, mesenchymal, and primitive neuroepithelial elements. Owing to its rarity and morphological heterogeneity, as well as the lack of experience with this neoplasm, teratocarcinosarcoma is often misdiagnosed, particularly in small biopsy samples when only some of the elements are identified, thus leading to delayed management. Aggressive clinical behavior and poor survival outcomes, necessitate an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This review describes the main demographic and clinicopathological features of teratocarcinosarcoma, with an emphasis on the recent advances that have attempted to identify the molecular signature of this neoplasm.
Relationship between vascular access and angulation of vena cava filter at placement and retrieval: a multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Gong Maofeng , Jiang Rui , Zhao Boxiang , Kong Jie , Liu Zhengli , Qian Cheng , He Xu , Gu Jianping
Published: September 2023

Background:

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are commonly used intravascular devices designed to prevent fatal pulmonary embolism (PE), maintaining the IVC filter as centered as possible is fundamental for achieving its filtration function.

Objective:

This study aimed to characterize the tilt angles of IVC filter between the vascular access of internal jugular vein (IJV) and femoral vein (FV), as well as to identify factors associated with increased or decreased tilt angles between placement and retrieval.

Design:

This is a multicenter retrospective study.

Methods:

A multicenter retrospective study was conducted from October 2017 to March 2019. The primary outcome was the change in filter tilt between placement and retrieval. The secondary outcome was the identifications of factors associated with increased or decreased tilt angle. Relevant variables were analyzed using t-tests, Chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests, while multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors.

Results:

A total of 184 eligible patients were included in this study. The IJV group had a lower likelihood of tilt angle over 10° at the time of placement compared to the FVs group (0% versus 12.5%, p = 0.040). Among the 171 patients with a mean dwell time of 22.1 days, the IJV group had a higher likelihood of tilt angle over 10° than the FVs group (10.3% versus 2.3%, p = 0.080). The use of FVs access at placement was associated with a higher difference between placement and retrieval filter tilt angles ( p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension [odds ratio (OR) 0.668; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.328–1.358, p = 0.265], cardiologic artery disease (OR 0.537; 95% CI 0.136–2.130, p = 0.377), cerebral venous disease (OR 0.555; 95% CI 0.186–1.651, p = 0.290), filter types (OR 1.624; 95% CI 0.851–3.096, p = 0.141), and IVC filter thrombosis (OR 1.634; 95% CI 0.804–3.323, p = 0.175) were not associated with increased filter tilt angle. Right side (OR 0.434; 95% CI 0.202–0.930, p = 0.032) or bilateral lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (LEDVT) (OR 0.383; 95% CI 0.148–0.995, p = 0.049) were identified as protective factors.

Conclusion:

IJV access was associated with a lower filter tilt angle at the time of placement, while FVs access was linked to a higher difference between placement and retrieval tilt angles. Right side or bilateral LEDVT were identified as protective factors against increased IVC filter tilt angle.
Disruptive charms of wearable technologies: Navigating digital distractions and work performance
Authors: Rajan Y Poondy , Aiswarya B , Selvi A Jenifer Arokia
Published: September 2023

This case study explores the intricacies of technology overuse in the workplace, exemplified by an employee, Reshma, who shows signs of excessive dependency on her smartwatch. Through her narrative, we delve into the potential implications of technology overreliance and its correlation with instant gratification theory and reward deficiency syndrome (RDS), a condition characterized by an insatiable need for dopamine-driven gratification. The study underscores the impact of these dynamics on productivity, the quality of work, and overall employee well-being. This case provides significant insights for HR professionals navigating the evolving landscape of digital dependency in the contemporary workplace and underlines the importance of fostering a balanced and productive work environment in the age of relentless digital connectivity.
Evaluating the feasibility of delivering a pain management programme for adults living with sickle cell disease
Authors: McLoughlin Rebecca , Love Jenna , Smith Jared G , Scott Whitney , Noblet Tim
Published: September 2023

Background

Pain is the prominent feature of sickle cell disease (SCD) and negatively affects quality of life. Delivery of pain management programmes (PMPs) has been suggested in clinical guidelines for pain management in SCD; however, further evidence of the feasibility and effectiveness of PMPs in this population is needed. This study explored the feasibility of delivering a sickle cell pain management programme (SCPMP) for adults within a haemoglobinopathies service.

Methods

A single arm, repeated-measures observational design was used to determine feasibility of delivering the SCPMP at one study site. Primary feasibility outcomes were recruitment, completion of treatment and outcome measures, satisfaction, credibility and acceptability to participants. Secondary feasibility outcomes were treatment outcomes and processes, frequency of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and healthcare utilisation.

Results

Four of five feasibility criteria were met. Annual recruitment of eight participants to a SCPMP was not achieved. Twenty-nine people began a SCPMP during the study period. Twenty-five (86.2%) participants attended ≥5/8 sessions and 21(84%) programme completers provided all end of programme questionnaires. Mean scores of >7 on ten-point scales were seen across satisfaction and credibility questions. At least moderate (Hedges g >0.5) effect sizes were seen in pre-post SCPMP measures of pain interference, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, pain-related worry and acceptance. A small (Hedges g 0.4) effect size was seen in HRQoL. Following SCPMP attendance, mean frequency of self-reported VOC and hospital admissions reduced.

Conclusions

This study suggests that, given an adequate source of referrals, a SCPMP is feasible to deliver and appears acceptable and credible to participants. Exploration of influences on recruitment, such as barriers to group interventions, would be illuminating, prior to investigating feasibility of an adequately powered randomised-controlled trial.
Exploring the advancements of Australian OPAT
Authors: Lai Tony , Thiele Horst , Rogers Benjamin A. , Hillock Nadine , Adhikari Suman , McNamara Alexander , Rawlins Matthew
Published: September 2023

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in Australia has evolved from modest beginnings to a well-established health service with proven benefits in patient outcomes. This is a comprehensive review of the current state of art Australian OPAT with vignettes of the types of OPAT models of care, antimicrobial prescribing and antimicrobial use. In addition, we highlight the similarities and differences between OPAT to other countries and describe Australian OPAT experiences with COVID-19 and paediatrics. Australian OPAT continues to advance with OPAT antifungals, novel treatment options and upcoming high-impact research.
A unique case of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction with abnormal origin of left coronary system from the right coronary cusp
Authors: Bazrafshan drissi Hamed , Izadpanaha Payman , Bazrafshan Mehdi , Kasaei Mohammad , Arjangzade Alireza , Amirghofran Sajad , Keshavarz Mohammad , Safari Ali , Mohammadi Mohammad , Amanollahi Foad
Published: September 2023

A unique case of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarctionis discussed, in which the left main coronary artery and anomalous coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva were absent. In this case, the left coronary cusp was blunted, and all three coronary arteries trifurcated from a single ostium in the right coronary cusp. The proximal part of the left anterior descending coronary artery had a trans-septal (intermuscular) course, while the left circumflex coronary artery had a retro-aortic course and severe thrombotic stenosis before the terminal portion. Due to the patient’s refusal of coronary artery bypass graft, percutaneous coronary intervention was performed.
Sociodemographic Factors, Mental Health, and Emotional Eating Associated With Concern for COVID-19 Contagion in Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ricalde-Castillo Yanela , Celis-Mendoza Milagros , Morales-García Mardel , Huancahuire-Vega Salomón , Calizaya-Milla Yaquelin E. , Saintila Jacksaint , Sairitupa-Sanchez Liset Z. , Morales-García Sandra B. , Morales-García Wilter C.
Published: September 2023

Objective:

To determine the association between sociodemographic factors, stress, depression and anxiety, emotional eating, and concern about COVID-19 contagion in first and second-line Peruvian nurses.

Methodology:

The study was cross-sectional and conducted with 500 Peruvian nurses of both sexes, over 18 years of age. Validated questionnaires were used to measure sociodemographic aspects, concern about COVID-19, generalized anxiety, depression, self-perceived stress, and emotional eating. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors affecting concern about COVID-19 contagion.

Results:

The multiple linear regression analysis showed that stress, being between the ages of 18 and 29 years, being male, being from the coastal region or the jungle region, having a bachelor’s degree, severe anxiety, and severe depression were associated with higher concern about COVID-19. On the other hand, having more than 5 to 10 years of experience and more than 10 years of experience, low emotional eating, and non-emotional eating were negatively associated with concern. This model explained 44.05% of the variability among the participating nurses.

Conclusion:

These findings provide resources for future research on the comprehensive well-being of nursing staff by exploring various sociodemographic aspects and mental conditions associated with greater concern about COVID-19. Meanwhile, years of experience and emotional eating behavior were associated with lower concern about COVID-19. Future studies could incorporate this information to preserve the mental and physical health of nurses in the face of potential occupational threats.
Attention: The Cognitive Effects of Learning to Read in Arabic by Chinese Learners at an Old Age
Authors: Liu Hong
Published: September 2023

This paper presents the results of a retrospective study that investigates the cognitive effects of learning a foreign language in late adulthood. The learner group, consisting of 21 L1 Chinese speakers who have been learning to read Arabic for 2 years and 4 months, were compared to the matched group on their performance on a series of cognitive tasks that tap into working memory, processing speed, reasoning, conflict monitoring, and attention. The results showed that the learning group’s performance was significantly better in attention (measured by the Posner cueing attention task). Their working memory capacities (measured by the digit span tests) were also better, but the difference only reached marginal significance. The findings suggest that language learning may lead to improvement in attention abilities, which is in line with the converging evidence in the field of bilingualism showing that executive attention may underlie the mechanism of how bilingual experience can alter brain and the cognitive system.
Teaching Strategies and Practices That Facilitate the Development of Design Concepts in Architectural Engineering Education
Authors: Liao Wan-Ju , Tang Chieh-Hsin
Published: September 2023

Developing design concepts is crucial in architectural engineering education, yet helping students to develop these concepts is a challenging task. Despite previous research exploring design concepts, statistical analysis is scarce to evaluate their effectiveness. This study used the body movement methods from existing literature, combined with photography to transform the 3D body movements into 2D drawings, serving as the basis for developing designs (sources of design concept). A total of 51 students participated in the course. In the end, the hands-on process and learning outcomes were investigated objectively through statistical analysis. The operational model of the course can act as the reference for future hands-on education and design concept development. The specific results are: (1) body movements and material (board) limitation can bring about inspiration for the initial development of the design; (2) the images produced from the adopted photography technique can effectively assist students in developing design concepts; (3) the material chosen for model making should be similar to that used in the subsequent hands-on work as much as possible to better realize the concept; and (4) a variety of unexpected functional usability and esthetic shapes can be created through post-production reflection. Both body dimensions and photography techniques were extremely successful in this operation, thus providing a concrete way to learn how to manipulate a design concept.
Do Spot, Futures, and Options Markets Exhibit Price and Volatility Interdependence? Evidence from India
Authors: Avinash  , Mallikarjunappa T.
Published: September 2023

This paper analyses the price- and volatility-based interdependency among spot, futures, and options markets in a unified framework. The paper utilizes the vector error correction model generated under the TGARCH framework, the conventional pair-wise Granger causality test, the block exogeneity and vector Granger causality test, and Schwartz–Szakmary’s factor weights to decipher the price interdependence. The paper also uses the DCC-GARCH model to examine the existence of time-varying conditional correlation in volatility. The study finds evidence of the dependency among these three markets with a stronger leading role of spot against futures and options and significant positive/(negative) influence of the previous day’s spot/(futures) price change on options’ price change. Further, the asymmetric impact of price changes on conditional volatility is observed in the case of the spot and futures market. The results also exhibit the existence of time-varying conditional correlation among these markets with spillover effect.
A mixed methods evaluation of a differentiated care model piloted for TB care in south India
Authors: Washington Reynold , Ramanaik Satyanarayana , Kumarasamy Karthikeyan , Sreenivasa Prarthana B , Adepu Rajesham , Reddy Ramesh Chandra , Shah Amar , Swamickan Reuben , Maryala Bala Krishna , Mukherjee Aparna , Pujar Ashwini , Panibatla Vikas , Lakkappa Mohan Harnahalli , Potty Rajaram Subramanian
Published: September 2023

Background:

India’s National TB Elimination Program emphasizes patient-centered care to improve TB treatment outcomes. We describe the lessons learned from the implementation of a differentiated care model for TB care among individuals diagnosed with active TB.

Design and methods:

Used mixed methods to pilot the Differentiated Care Model. Community health workers (CHWs) conducted a risk and needs assessment among individuals who were recently began TB treatment. Individuals identified with specific factors that are associated with poor treatment adherence were provided education, counseling, and linked to treatment and support services. Examined changes in TB treatment outcomes between the two cohorts of individuals on TB treatment before and after the intervention. We used qualitative research methods to explore the experiences of patients, family members, and front-line TB workers with the implementation of the DCM pilot.

Results:

The CHWs were adept at the identification of individuals with risks to non-adherence. However, only a few provided differentiated care, as envisioned. There was no significant change in the TB treatment outcomes between the two cohorts of patients examined. CHWs’ ability to provide differentiated care on a scale was limited by the short duration of implementation, their inadequate skills to manage co-morbidities, and the suboptimal support at the field level.

Conclusions:

It is feasible for a cadre of well-trained front-line workers, mentored and supported by counselors and doctors, to provide differentiated care to those at risk for unfavorable TB treatment outcomes. However, differentiated care must be implemented on a scale for a duration that allows a change from the conventional practice of front-line workers, in order to influence the outcomes of population-level TB treatment.
Immediate Versus Delayed Mobilization After Cubital Tunnel Release Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Olaiya Oluwatobi R. , Huynh Minh , Ebeye Tega , Gallo Lucas , Mbuagbaw Lawrence , McRae Matthew
Published: September 2023

Purpose: It is unknown whether early mobilization after cubital tunnel decompression improves functional outcomes without increasing complication risks. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early mobilization compared to delayed mobilization of the elbow after ulnar nerve decompression. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing adults who received early mobilization or late mobilization were included. Embase, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, PEDro, clinicaltrials.gov, and the World Health Organization database were systematically searched from inception to January 2023. Results: Of the 2183 studies identified and screened, five studies (two RCT and three observational) totaling 224 patients (232 elbows) were included in this review. Evidence from two RCTs (100 patients) suggests that early mobilization may result in a large reduction in the amount of time needed to return to work (mean difference 40.1 days, 95% confidence interval [CI] 16-64 days earlier, I2 = 85%, low-certainty evidence) and little to no difference in grip strength (0 kg, 95% CI = −0.17 to 0.17, I2 = 0%, low-certainty evidence). There was little to no difference in adverse events or range of motion (low to very-low certainty evidence). Pooled results from the three observational studies showed similar findings (very low-certainty evidence). There were no studies that evaluated upper extremity related quality of life. Conclusion: Immobilizing patients for periods longer than 3 days appears to delay patient's return to work with no appreciable clinical benefit.
Treatment of Severe COVID-19 Infection With Remdesivir in Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Geffin Ryan , Raheem Shazia , Pandit Lavannya M. , Hunter Andrew S. , Holliday Michael W. , Rao Aditya V. , Shah Maulin K.
Published: September 2023

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) has been shown to be correlated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection and mortality. Remdesivir is an effective non-EUA U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antiviral agent for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized adult and pediatric patients, though a lack of data has prevented its use in patients with severe kidney disease including dialysis patients. Some observational studies report the use of remdesivir in hemodialysis patients, but there are no reports of patients treated with remdesivir on peritoneal dialysis. Dialysis modalities may affect drug pharmacokinetics, and safety and efficiency of remdesivir in peritoneal dialysis is unknown. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of using remdesivir in a patient treated with peritoneal dialysis with no significant adverse events. This case illustrates the potential for remdesivir to be considered in peritoneal dialysis patients with severe COVID infection. Proper risk analysis and careful monitoring should be done, given the unpredictable clearance of the drug.
Perceptions and Opinions on Cannabidiol in the Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Community
Authors: Li Zachary I. , Chalem Isabel , Berzolla Emily , Vasavada Kinjal D. , DeClouette Brittany , Kaplan Kevin M. , Alaia Michael J.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a known pain modulator that is garnering increased attention in the orthopaedic world. There may be a considerable knowledge gap among orthopaedic sports medicine providers and their perception of its therapeutic value.

Purpose:

To (1) examine the knowledge and beliefs of sports medicine orthopaedic providers with respect to CBD, (2) deliver an educational component, and (3) elucidate potential barriers to its widespread application.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

A 3-component, 25-question online survey was distributed to members of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the Arthroscopy Association of North America between July and October 2022. The first 20 questions assessed baseline knowledge and opinions regarding CBD, followed by an educational component, and then 5 questions assessing whether the respondents’ opinions had changed after learning more about CBD. Responses were compared according to age, practice setting, and state’s cannabinoid legalization status using the chi-square test, and changes in opinions from before to after the educational component were compared using the paired t test.

Results:

There were 101 survey responses, for a response rate of approximately 1%. Most respondents believed that there is a role for CBD in postoperative pain management (76%), acute pain and inflammation after an injury (62%), and chronic pain (94%). Most respondents admitted that they were not knowledgeable about the mechanism of action (89%) or their state’s laws (66%) concerning CBD. A minority (25%) believed that CBD has psychoactive properties. While most respondents (76%) did not believe that they would be stigmatized if they were to suggest CBD to a patient, only 48% had ever suggested CBD. Notably, 94% of respondents had encountered patients who reported trying CBD to treat pain. After reading the fact sheet, 51% of respondents stated that their opinion on CBD had changed, and 63% felt inclined to investigate the topic further.

Conclusion:

Most survey respondents believed that CBD has a role in postoperative and chronic pain management. Although there was a relative familiarity with CBD, there was a knowledge gap, suggesting that increased attention, education, and research are necessary.
“Doesn’t Really Answer My Question . . .”: Exploring Customer Service Interactions on Twitter
Authors: Lutzky Ursula
Published: September 2023

This article explores customer service interactions between the Irish airline Ryanair and its passengers on the social networking platform Twitter. Using a corpus linguistic methodology, it investigates a 1-million-word corpus of Twitter threads comprising tweets addressed to and posted by Ryanair between August 2018 and July 2019. Studying the communicative strategies used in the corpus reveals customers’ main concerns and causes for complaint, and how the airline addresses these in their response tweets offering assistance to passengers. In addition, the analysis of customer response tweets to these corporate replies allows insights into customers’ reactions to and perception of the (often generic) answers they receive. The aim of this case study is to gain further understanding of the linguistic and communicative features that characterize customer service interactions online, and the attitudes customers voice toward them, with a view to streamlining customer communication and improving levels of customer satisfaction.
Elder Abuse by Household Members and Education of Elders’ Own Children Living in the Same Household: Empirical Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Dang Truc Ngoc Hoang , Rukumnuaykit Pungpond
Published: September 2023

The authors focus on a traditional culture in which the elderly tend to live with their children, aiming to shed light on whether the education of own children within the same household helps reduce the chances of elderly parents’ being mentally and physically abused by family members. Using multivariate analysis to investigate the association between children’s education and domestic elder abuse from the Vietnam Aging Survey 2011, comprising 2,700 elderly individuals aged 60 years and older, the authors find that the higher the education level of an elderly person’s children living in the same household, the lower the risk for the elderly person’s being abused. Those facing the highest risk for violence are women aged 80 years and older, those who have some difficulty with daily activities, and those who live in urban areas. The authors call for policy attention to an issue that is rarely investigated, especially in traditional households where elderly parents live with their children.
Geo-visualizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ learning outcomes: Evidence from grade 5 students
Authors: Agarwal Sugam , Behera Smruti Ranjan
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted unprecedented impacts on school education. Despite improvements in school enrolment numbers, students’ performance on learning outcomes lagged, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study visualizes the geographical disparity in student learning outcomes across various Indian districts pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. The map visualizes that only a sample of districts in a few Indian states enlarged students’ learning outcomes in proportion to the number of children. Furthermore, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic weaken students' learning outcomes at the district level. This knowledge is essential for the policymakers to implement the most effective monitoring systems and strategies for improving the student’s learning outcomes.
From railroad imperialism to neoliberal reprimarization: Lessons from regime-shifts in the Global Soybean Complex
Authors: Mempel Finn , Corbera Esteve , Labajos Beatriz Rodríguez , Challies Edward
Published: September 2023

Soybeans are ubiquitous in the global food system. As a major forest risk commodity, they are also at the heart of efforts to untangle the dynamics of land use change and associated impacts resulting from distant drivers. However, land system science has so far largely ignored the historically and socially embedded nature of these entanglements. This results in snapshot-like representations relying on neoclassical approaches to production and consumption. Here, we trace the evolution of the global soybean complex (GSC) since the late nineteenth century. We analyze how in the context of external developments soybeans have been channeled into different provisioning systems. This has occurred in a series of socio-ecological fixes, facilitated by socio-technological innovations and public sector interventions, motivated by different impediments to capital accumulation. Today, several emerging socio-technological practices promise to transform the GSC towards sustainability. We argue that the contemporary GSC inherits defining properties from the past, particularly the postwar strategy of using industrial animal farming to add value to surplus grains and oilseeds. The expanding GSC is therefore not merely a result of increasing demand, but rather the outcome of different provisioning systems’ continued dependence on soybeans. Future transitions will depend on public interventions and the influence of vested interest in current socio-metabolic patterns.
Greenlandic children placed in out-of-home care: The lack of involvement and participation in one’s own life
Authors: Jensen Bonnie
Published: September 2023

In Greenland, more than four times as many children are placed in out-of-home care (OHC) as in comparable countries in the Nordic region. This article is based on qualitative interviews with 38 children placed in residential institutions and shows the children’s own experiences of this and the degree to which they were involved in decisions concerning their own lives. The results of the article point to five main findings. First, the interviewed children usually didn’t know why they were placed in institutional care. Secondly, they didn’t know how long they could stay where they lived. Thirdly, the children expressed a wish for more committed staff. Fourthly, the children missed their families, not least because they were often placed far away from home and only had the opportunity to see their families a few times a year. And finally, around half of the children were satisfied to live in the residential institution they’d been placed in. The results are analysed and discussed in a phenomenological framework of recognition theory and participation theory.
Risk and resilience in developmental diversity: Protocol of developing ICF core sets
Authors: Black Melissa H. , Van Goidsenhoven Leni , Hens Kristien , Bourgeron Thomas , Bölte Sven
Published: September 2023

Despite facing more adversity and being at a greater risk of poor long-term outcomes, many neurodivergent individuals thrive and have a “good life” according to subjective and objective standards. Research and clinical practice have most often focused on risk and negative outcomes in neurodivergent individuals. In comparison, very little attention has been paid to resilience and positive outcomes, and individualized assessment of risk and resilience is required for this population. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) provides a framework to examine positive functional outcomes and the factors important for risk and resilience in developmental diversity. This protocol describes the multi-phase process that will be undertaken to develop ICF Core Sets or sets of ICF codes most relevant to risk and resilience in developmental diversity. Core Sets for risk and resilience in developmental diversity will advance the understanding of outcomes in neurodivergent populations and will provide a basis for developing individualized tools to assess resilience and risk in this population.
Hypoxic burden to guide CPAP treatment allocation in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: apost hocstudy of the ISAACC trial
Authors: Pinilla Lucía , Esmaeili Neda , Labarca Gonzalo , Martinez-Garcia Miguel Ángel , Torres Gerard , Gracia-Lavedan Esther , Mínguez Olga , Martínez Dolores , Abad Jorge , Masdeu Maria José , Mediano Olga , Muñoz Carmen , Cabriada Valentín , Duran-Cantolla Joaquín , Mayos Mercè , Coloma Ramón , Montserrat Josep María , de la Peña Mónica , Hu Wen-Hsin , Messineo Ludovico , Sehhati Mohammadreza , Wellman Andrew , Redline Susan , Sands Scott , Barbé Ferran , Sánchez-de-la-Torre Manuel , Azarbarzin Ali
Published: September 2023

Background

Hypoxic burden (HB) has emerged as a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). We aimed to assess the potential of HB to predict the cardiovascular benefit of treating OSA with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Methods

This was apost hocanalysis of the ISAACC trial (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01335087) including non-sleepy patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) diagnosed with OSA (apnoea–hypopnoea index ≥15 events·h−1) by respiratory polygraphy. Patients were randomised to CPAP or usual care and followed for a minimum of 1 year. HB was calculated as the total area under all automatically identified desaturations divided by total sleep time. Patients were categorised as having high or low baseline HB according to the median value (73.1%min·h−1). Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess whether the effect of CPAP on the incidence of cardiovascular outcomes was dependent on the baseline HB level.

Results

The population (362 patients assigned to CPAP and 365 patients assigned to usual care) was middle-aged (mean age 59.7 years), overweight/obese and mostly male (84.5%). A significant interaction was found between the treatment arm and the HB categories. In the high HB group, CPAP treatment was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular events (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.34–0.96). In the low HB group, CPAP-treated patients exhibited a trend toward a higher risk of cardiovascular outcomes than those receiving usual care (HR 1.33, 95% CI 0.79–2.25). The differential effect of the treatment depending on the baseline HB level followed a dose–response relationship.

Conclusion

In non-sleepy ACS patients with OSA, high HB levels were associated with a long-term protective effect of CPAP on cardiovascular prognosis.
Octane in exhaled breath to diagnose acute respiratory distress syndrome in invasively ventilated intensive care unit patients
Authors: Hagens Laura A. , Heijnen Nanon F.L. , Smit Marry R. , Verschueren Alwin R.M. , Nijsen Tamara M.E. , Geven Inge , Presură Cristian N. , Rietman Ronald , Fenn Dominic W. , Brinkman Paul , Schultz Marcus J. , Bergmans Dennis C.J.J. , Schnabel Ronny M. , Bos Lieuwe D.J.
Published: September 2023

Background

The concentration of exhaled octane has been postulated as a reliable biomarker for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) using metabolomics analysis with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A point-of-care (POC) breath test was developed in recent years to accurately measure octane at the bedside. The aim of the present study was to validate the diagnostic accuracy of exhaled octane for ARDS using a POC breath test in invasively ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods

This was an observational cohort study of consecutive patients receiving invasive ventilation for at least 24 h, recruited in two university ICUs. GC-MS and POC breath tests were used to quantify the exhaled octane concentration. ARDS was assessed by three experts following the Berlin definition and used as the reference standard. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to assess diagnostic accuracy.

Results

519 patients were included and 190 (37%) fulfilled the criteria for ARDS. The median (interquartile range) concentration of octane using the POC breath test was not significantly different between patients with ARDS (0.14 (0.05–0.37) ppb) and without ARDS (0.11 (0.06–0.26) ppb; p=0.64). The AUC for ARDS based on the octane concentration in exhaled breath using the POC breath test was 0.52 (95% CI 0.46–0.57). Analysis of exhaled octane with GC-MS showed similar results.

Conclusions

Octane in exhaled breath has insufficient diagnostic accuracy for ARDS. This disqualifies the use of octane as a biomarker in the diagnosis of ARDS and challenges most of the research performed up to now in the field of exhaled breath metabolomics.
KidneyGPS: a user-friendly web application to help prioritize kidney function genes and variants based on evidence from genome-wide association studies
Authors: Stanzick Kira J. , Stark Klaus J. , Gorski Mathias , Schödel Johannes , Krüger René , Kronenberg Florian , Warth Richard , Heid Iris M. , Winkler Thomas W.
Published: September 2023

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of genetic loci associated with kidney function. By combining these findings with post-GWAS information (e.g., statistical fine-mapping to identify independent association signals and to narrow down signals to causal variants; or different sources of annotation data), new hypotheses regarding physiology and disease aetiology can be obtained. These hypotheses need to be tested in laboratory experiments, for example, to identify new therapeutic targets. For this purpose, the evidence obtained from GWAS and post-GWAS analyses must be processed and presented in a way that they are easily accessible to kidney researchers without specific GWAS expertise.

Main

Here we present KidneyGPS, a user-friendly web-application that combines genetic variant association for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from the Chronic Kidney Disease Genetics consortium with annotation of (i) genetic variants with functional or regulatory effects (“SNP-to-gene” mapping), (ii) genes with kidney phenotypes in mice or human (“gene-to-phenotype”), and (iii) drugability of genes (to support re-purposing). KidneyGPS adopts a comprehensive approach summarizing evidence for all 5906 genes in the 424 GWAS loci for eGFR identified previously and the 35,885 variants in the 99% credible sets of 594 independent signals. KidneyGPS enables user-friendly access to the abundance of information by search functions for genes, variants, and regions. KidneyGPS also provides a function (“GPS tab”) to generate lists of genes with specific characteristics thus enabling customizable Gene Prioritisation (GPS). These specific characteristics can be as broad as any gene in the 424 loci with a known kidney phenotype in mice or human; or they can be highly focussed on genes mapping to genetic variants or signals with particularly with high statistical support. KidneyGPS is implemented with RShiny in a modularized fashion to facilitate update of input data (https://kidneygps.ur.de/gps/).

Conclusion

With the focus on kidney function related evidence, KidneyGPS fills a gap between large general platforms for accessing GWAS and post-GWAS results and the specific needs of the kidney research community. This makes KidneyGPS an important platform for kidney researchers to help translate in silico research results into in vitro or in vivo research.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of PtJAZ gene family in poplar (Populus trichocarpa)
Authors: Yang Gaixia , Wang Shijie , Long Lianxiang , Yu Xiaoyue , Cai Hongyu , Chen Pengyun , Gu Lijiao , Yang Minsheng
Published: September 2023

Background

The jasmonate ZIM domain (JAZ) protein is a key repressor of the jasmonate signal transduction pathway, which plays an important role in plant growth and development and defense responses. In this study, based on the published whole-genome data, we identified members of the JAZ gene family in Populus trichocarpa. Through a series of bioinformatic approaches, their expression patterns under various stress conditions have been analyzed to explore and excavate the endogenous resistance genes of poplar and provide a theoretical basis for breeding new varieties of poplar resistance.

Results

A total of 13 PtJAZ genes have been identified in P. trichocarpa and designated as PtJAZ1–PtJAZ13. Those 13 PtJAZ genes were unevenly distributed on nine chromosomes, and they could be divided into four subfamilies. The gene structures and motif composition of the members derived from the same subfamily were similar. Collinearity analysis demonstrated that, compared with Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, the most collinear pairs (13) were found in P. trichocarpa and Eucalyptus robusta. Cis-acting element analysis suggested that the promoter regions of PtJAZs contained a large number of hormones and stress response elements, of which abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) hormone response elements were the most abundant. The PtJAZ genes not only had diverse expression patterns in different tissues, but they also responded to various abiotic and biotic stress conditions. The co-expression network and GO and KEGG analyses showed that JAZ genes were closely related to insect resistance.

Conclusions

In this study, applying bioinformatic methods, 13 PtJAZ gene family members from P. trichocarpa were identified and comprehensively analyzed. By further studying the function of the poplar JAZ gene family, the aim is to select genes with better insect resistance and stress resistance so as to lay a solid foundation for the subsequent breeding of new poplar varieties.
Silicon supply promotes differences in growth and C:N:P stoichiometry between bamboo and tree saplings
Authors: Liu Xiaoyu , Tang Xinghao , Compson Zacchaeus G. , Huang Dongmei , Zou Guiwu , Luan Fenggang , Song Qingni , Fang Xiong , Yang Qingpei , Liu Jun
Published: September 2023

Background

Si can be important for the growth, functioning, and stoichiometric regulation of nutrients for high-Si-accumulating bamboo. However, other trees do not actively take up dissolved silicic acid [Si(OH)4] from the soil, likely because they have fewer or no specific Si transporters in their roots. It is unclear what causes differential growth and C:N:P stoichiometry between bamboo and other trees across levels of Si supply.

Results

Si supply increased the relative growth rate of height and basal diameter of bamboo saplings, likely by increasing its net photosynthetic rate and ratios of N:P. Moreover, a high concentration of Si supply decreased the ratio of C:Si in bamboo leaves due to a partial substitution of C with Si in organic compounds. We also found that there was a positive correlation between leaf Si concentration and its transpiration rate in tree saplings.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that Si supply can decrease the ratio of C:Si in bamboo leaves and increase the ratio of N:P without altering nutrient status or the N:P ratio of tree saplings. Our findings provide experimental data to assess the different responses between bamboo and other trees in terms of growth, photosynthesis, and C:N:P stoichiometry. These results have implications for assessing the growth and competition between high-Si-accumulating bamboo and other plants when Si availability is altered in ecosystems during bamboo expansion.
Complete chloroplast of four Sanicula taxa (Apiaceae) endemic to China: lights into genome structure, comparative analysis, and phylogenetic relationships
Authors: Li Huimin , Wu Mingsong , Lai Qiang , Zhou Wei , Song Chunfeng
Published: September 2023

Background

The genus Sanicula comprises ca. 45 taxa, widely distributed from East Asia to North America, which is a taxonomically difficult genus with high medicinal value in Apiaceae. The systematic classification of the genus has been controversial for a long time due to varied characters in key morphological traits. China is one of the most important distributed centers, with ca. 18 species and two varieties. At present, chloroplast genomes are generally considered to be conservative and play an important role in evolutionary relationship study. To investigate the plastome evolution and phylogenetic relationships of Chinese Sanicula, we comprehensively analyzed the structural characteristics of 13 Chinese Sanicula chloroplasts and reconstructed their phylogenetic relationships.

Results

In present study, four newly complete chloroplast genome of Sanicula taxa by using Illumina sequencing were reported, with the typical quadripartite structure and 155,396–155,757 bp in size. They encoded 126 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 32 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. Genome structure, distributions of SDRs and SSRs, gene content, among Sanicula taxa, were similar. The nineteen intergenic spacers regions, including atpH-atpI, ndhC-trnM, petB-petD, petD-rpoA, petN-psbM, psaJ-rpl33, rbcL-accD, rpoB-trnC, rps16-trnQ, trnE-psbD, trnF-ndhJ, trnH-psbA, trnN-ndhF, trnS-psbZ, trnS-trnR, trnT-trnF, trnV-rps12, ycf3-trnS and ycf4-cemA, and one coding region (ycf1 gene) were the most variable. Results of maximum likelihood analysis based on 79 unique coding genes of 13 Chinese Sanicula samples and two Eryngium (Apiaceae-Saniculoideae) species as outgroup taxa revealed that they divided into four subclades belonged to two clades, and one subclade was consistent with previously traditional Sanicula section of its system. The current classification based on morphology at sect. Sanicla and Sect. Tuberculatae in Chinese Sanicula was not supported by analysis of cp genome phylogeny.

Conclusions

The chloroplast genome structure of Sanicula was similar to other angiosperms and possessed the typical quadripartite structure with the conserved genome arrangement and gene features. However, their size varied owing to expansion/contraction of IR/SC boundaries. The variation of non-coding regions was larger than coding regions of the chloroplast genome. Phylogenetic analysis within these Chinese Sanicula were determined using the 79 unique coding genes. These results could provide important data for systematic, phylogenomic and evolutionary research in the genus for the future studies.