bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Cryopreservation Does Not Affect Quality of Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Grafts: A Comparative Study of Native, Short-Term and Long-Term Cryopreserved Haematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Lysak Daniel , Brychtová Michaela , Leba Martin , Čedíková Miroslava , Georgiev Daniel , Jindra Pavel , Vlas Tomáš , Holubova Monika
Published: July 2021

Cryopreserved haematopoietic progenitor cells are used to restore autologous haematopoiesis after high dose chemotherapy. Although the cells are routinely stored for a long period, concerns remain about the maximum storage time and the possible negative effect of storage on their potency. We evaluated the effect of cryopreservation on the quality of peripheral stem cell grafts stored for a short (3 months) and a long (10 years) period and we compared it to native products.The viability of CD34+ cells remained unaffected during storage, the apoptotic cells were represented up to 10% and did not differ between groups. The clonogenic activity measured by ATP production has decreased with the length of storage (ATP/cell 1.28 nM in native vs. 0.63 in long term stored products, P < 0.05). Only borderline changes without statistical significance were detected when examining mitochondrial and aldehyde dehydrogenase metabolic activity and intracellular pH, showing their good preservation during cell storage. Our experience demonstrates that cryostorage has no major negative effect on stem cell quality and potency, and therefore autologous stem cells can be stored safely for an extended period of at least 10 years. On the other hand, long term storage for 10 years and longer may lead to mild reduction of clonogenic capacity. When a sufficient dose of stem cells is infused, these changes will not have a clinical impact. However, in products stored beyond 10 years, especially when a low number of CD34+ cells is available, the quality of stem cell graft should be verified before infusion using the appropriate potency assays.
Mary Merryweather – Nursing pioneer and proto feminist
Authors: Jones Chris
Published: July 2021

Mary Merryweather was the first Lady superintendent of Liverpool's first school of nursing. The school was a pioneer in nurse training at the very moment the definition of modern nursing was becoming fixed. She went on to manage the school of nursing at the Westminster hospital in London, at a time of great change and controversy. In addition to this she was very active in the fields of womens' health, womens' suffrage and the rights of women to a career. She was a friend to numerous Victorian feminist notables and was published in a variety of feminist Publications
Creating a Resilient Ecosystem for the Employment of Autistic Individuals: From Understanding to Action
Authors: Klag Malvina , Nicholas David , Métayer Solène
Published: July 2021

Inspired by a 2020 collective awakening to societal inequalities, we introduce a conceptual framework to address systemic issues around employment for one of society’s vulnerable populations—people with autism. We do so as advocates, researchers, practitioners, a family member for one author, and an autistic individual for one author. We first draw upon ecological systems theory to develop a portrait of the complex ecosystem of employment for autistic individuals that reveals multilevel and interconnected influencing elements. We then apply learning from systems and resilience thinking to deepen understanding about how positive change can occur in such an ecosystem. Overall, we propose new paradigms, questions, and actions toward transformative change for this and other systemic challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
Flatwise compression behavior of composite Nomex® honeycomb sandwich structure
Authors: Zhao Wei , Jia Ruodi , Li Xin , Zhao Jian , Xie Zonghong
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the mechanical properties of Nomex® paper coated with resin and composite Nomex® honeycomb sandwich structures (CNHSS) were obtained by tensile tests and flatwise tests respectively. The fundamental mechanical properties of the Nomex® paper were used as input materials parameters of finite element model generated at meso-scale level for the CNHSS, and the mechanical properties of CNHSSs were used to validate the numerical results. Based on the test and numerical results, the theoretical equations were modified to predict the flatwise compressive buckling strength and modulus of the CNHSS. The numerical and theoretical results clearly revealed that the CNHSS had two flatwise compressive elastic moduli. However, the flatwise test can only capture the second flatwise compressive elastic modulus due to manufacturing geometric defects of the cell walls. The numerical and test results showed that the manufacturing geometric defects of the cell walls showed little influence on the ultimate flatwise compressive strength. And the modified equation can predict the flatwise compressive buckling strength and modulus of the CNHSS with sufficient accuracy.
Treatment of additively manufactured AlSi10Mg surfaces for improved bonding with fiber reinforced composites for sandwich applications
Authors: Zoesmar Nira , Fuchs Daryl , Taha Iman
Published: July 2021

The performance of low weight, high stiff multi-materials relies on the interfacial bond quality between the adherends. This study analyses the effect of surface roughness, organosilane treatment and coating with diamond like carbon on the adhesion strength between carbon fiber reinforced composites and an additively manufactured (AM) AlSi10Mg counterpart. Extending applications to sandwich structures, both, bulk and honeycomb structured counterparts were considered. Double-Lap Shear specimens were fabricated in a co-curing process, and further investigated regarding the bond efficiency. Results were compared to the state-of-the-art joints applying an adhesive film layer. It was observed that surface roughness is not pivotal when using such adhesive film. In contrast, higher surface roughness generally tends to promote adhesion strength by promoting mechanical interlocking and increasing the available bond area. Further coating with organosilanes and diamond like carbon increases the surface energy and reduces the contact angle thus improving surface wettability by the matrix resin. In consequence, an improvement of up to 30% in adhesion strength was observed in case of coating the metallic surface with diamond like carbon. Prior surface polishing of the additively manufactured parts does not significantly affect the bond quality and is therefore not recommended.
Internalizing symptoms impede adolescents’ ability to transition from in-person to online mental health services during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic
Authors: Mekori-Domachevsky Ehud , Matalon Noam , Mayer Yael , Shiffman Noga , Lurie Ido , Gothelf Doron , Dekel Idit
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Online mental health services were previously found to be effective in many studies. However, this method was not generally used in Israel. By the end of 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic erupted, forcing mental health services to transition to online meetings to maintain the standard of care. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the attitudes of adolescent patients toward this involuntary new mode of care.

Methods

Forty-four adolescents (mean age 14.62 ± 2.12 years, 54.5% females) and 40 of their primary caregivers completed a battery of questionnaires that included the telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire, session evaluation questionnaire, working alliance inventory, and pediatric symptom checklist.

Results

Both adolescents and their caregivers reported a reasonable experience with the online medium and a feeling that the meetings were overall powerful, helpful, and comfortable as demonstrated by medium to high scores on the telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire and session evaluation questionnaire questionnaires. A therapeutic alliance was generally maintained according to working alliance inventory scores. However, working alliance inventory scores were negatively correlated with higher levels of internalizing symptoms and parental stress.

Discussion

Our findings point to the possibility that anxious/depressed adolescents will have greater difficulties re-establishing therapeutic alliance when transitioned from in-person to online meetings. This may be due to the introduction of an “invisible” third party to the therapeutic setting—the computer. Psychologists and psychiatrists should be aware of these difficulties and respond adequately to maintain the standard of care.
The Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire: Development and validation of a questionnaire to monitor and assess health care providers' experiences
Authors: Tensen Esmée , van Buggenum Johan , Witkamp Leonard , Jaspers Monique WM , Peute Linda WP
Published: July 2021

Introduction

With wider adoption of store-and-forward telemedicine accelerating, particularly post-coronavirus disease 2019, it is essential to understand health care providers’ (HCPs) satisfaction with digital solutions offered by telemedicine organizations to (continuously) guarantee service quality. We developed the Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire to monitor and assess HCPs’ experiences with contracted telemedicine organizations.

Methods

Questionnaire construction (phase 1) consisted of exploratory literature search on validated telemedicine satisfaction questionnaires, a telemedicine domain and human factors expert focus group, stakeholder focus group (customer service employee and telemedicine account managers), and two pre-testing rounds among 18 HCPs. The pilot questionnaire (phase 2) was sent to 2179 HCPs for validity and reliability assessment.

Results

Phase 1: Two validated questionnaires (73 items overall) were used as input for Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire. Revisions resulted in 61 items. Phase 2: the pilot 61-item Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire instrument was completed by 181 of 2179 invited HCPs. Forty-one mandatory items of the pilot Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire rated on a 5-point Likert scale were included in psychometric analyses and resulted in six reliable scales: training, communication, organization policy and strategy, interaction platform, usage platform, and working conditions.

Discussion

The Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire is a reliable and valid questionnaire for measuring HCPs’ satisfaction with store-and-forward telemedicine services as part of a continuous quality improvement cycle. Reimbursement questions were excluded due to low response. As adoption of telemedicine may be impeded by financial compensation issues, this requires consideration in future telemedicine questionnaires. Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire including video consultation items is needed to monitor also synchronous services as these expanded in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Social, Cultural and Systemic Barriers to Child Justice Reform: Lessons from Vietnam
Authors: Dao Le Thu , Dandurand Yvon
Published: July 2021

The implementation of child justice reforms often lingers or fails because it has not been systematically planned, properly communicated or adequately resourced. There are also many social, cultural and systemic barriers to child justice reforms, but these barriers are often poorly understood and meekly addressed. Progress in implementing rights-based comprehensive child justice systems has been slow, and there is a growing interest in understanding why, in many countries, child justice reforms have made relatively little progress over the past 30 years. This article reviews the experience of child justice reforms in Vietnam and discusses the broader question of policy transfer, specifically the translation of international children’s rights standards and norms into national child justice laws and policies.
Academic professionals: The changing face of teaching, research, and service in the American research university
Authors: Lee Elida , Somers Pat , Taylor Zachary , Fry Jessica
Published: July 2021

This exploratory study responds to the criticism that non-instructional faculty or “academic professionals” at American universities are the cause of “administrative bloat.” The purpose of the study was to build from the work of Rhoades (1998) and Kane (2007) to examine whether academic professionals at an R-1 (very-high research activity university) performed core university work of research, teaching, and/or public service. A survey of 1036 academic professionals suggested that many of these individuals were routinely and directly contributing to research, teaching, and public service instead of administrative work, failing to contribute to any notions of “administrative bloat.” In addition to the three areas of core work, academic professionals often had advanced degrees, published in peer-reviewed journals, had specialized skills and bodies of knowledge, applied for grants, and engaged in entrepreneurial activities. The study concludes with a discussion of academic professionals in European countries and the role of disruptive innovation and new professionalism in compelling universities to expand the use of academic professionals in order to produce cheaper degree alternatives and generate new sources of funding .
‘Utility’ of education and the role of transformative agency: Policy challenges and agendas
Authors: Pavel Sorokin , Isak Froumin
Published: July 2021

Over the last two decades, increasing participation rates in post-secondary education in many countries have been accompanied by decreases in aggregate economic growth and raising social tensions. It is obvious now that education does not ‘automatically’ produce more well-being (at least, if conventionally measured through income or gross domestic product) either for the individual or for society. This puts the question about education’s ‘utility’ in a new light, especially in relation to funding, which is central to the policymaking process. We briefly review literature on various rationales for supporting education and analyze existing evidences concerning the effects or consequences for societies of such investments in education and its related expansion. We outline two alternative agendas for positioning education in the framework of broader socioeconomic development. These agendas stem from different answers to the core question: can education drive the change in other spheres of societal life, or does it only respond to and follow the logics of larger institutional transformations? We suggest greater recognition in policy and public debates of the possible contribution that education may have to shaping transformative agency, and outline related prospects and potential pitfalls.
Neoadjuvant Intraperitoneal and Systemic Chemotherapy Versus Neoadjuvant Systemic Chemotherapy With Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin, and S-1 for Gastric Cancer With Peritoneal Metastasis: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xin , Huang Hejing , Yang Dejun , Wang Peng , Huang Xin , Hu Zunqi , Zhang Yu , Yan Ronglin , Zhu Zhenxin , Cai Qingping
Published: July 2021

Background:

The optimal treatment for gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) remains debatable. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (NIPS) versus neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy (NSC) for GCPM.

Methods:

Patients of GCPM received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel, oxaliplatin and S-1 between January 2011 and June 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Propensity score matched (PSM) analysis was carried out to reduce the selection bias. Multivariate Cox regression model was applied to screen the prognostic factors.

Results:

After PSM processing, 71 patients in each group were matched among the 186 GCPM patients included. NIPS yielded a better ascites and cytology response to chemotherapy, higher conversion resection rate and R0 resection rate than NSC. The overall survival (OS) rate in NIPS group was better than that in NSC group. Multivariate analysis revealed that the P stage, ascites response, conversion surgery rate and R0 resection rate were independent prognostic factors. Subgroup analysis indicated that NIPS showed a survival benefit over NSC only in patients with cT3-4a, P1-2, whose cytology turned negative, and who received conversion surgery; while not in patients with cT4b, P0 or P3, whose cytology did not turn negative, or who did not receive conversion surgery.

Conclusions:

NIPS is a safe and feasible treatment for GCPM, which showed more benefit than NSC.
Applying the Integration Dimensions of Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Education Policy Research: Lessons Learned From Investigating Micro Policymaking in Norwegian Schools
Authors: Gunnulfsen Ann Elisabeth
Published: July 2021

Qualitative research methods have been predominantly used to understand the complex phenomenon of educational policy enactment at the school level. This article contributes to the field of mixed methods research by applying three dimensions of integration—rationale, study purpose, and research design—to the study of micro-policymaking in schools. By examining these three dimensions, this article contributes to the limited body of mixed-methods models in this field. The findings show that the mixed methods approach provides unique insights into education policy scholarship, thus broadening the understanding of the relations and purposes of accountability and control in education.
Post-memory and the third generation’s inheritance of the Indian partition (1947): A comparative study of the linguistic register across spatial axes
Authors: Ray Avishek
Published: July 2021

The experience of the Partition (1947)—the contexts of migration and the experience of refugeehood—in East-India is assumed to be different from that in the West. But, even after some 70 years after the Partition, there has been no substantial study on the difference in the ontology of refugeehood across the two sites. More to it, narratives from the North-east (Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura), which again differ significantly from their western Indian or West Bengali counterparts, are under-represented in the existing database of oral narratives and ethnographies on the Partition. Departing from here, this paper engages in a critical comparative study—across three spatial axes: western India, West Bengal, and North-east India—of the third generation’s experience of “growing up refugee” in India. It offers a nuanced, but empirically-grounded, insight on how memories and narratives of the Partition are grounded in the linguistic registers of those who “grew up refugee” (not the refugees per se). Based on interviews, this paper analyzes the patterns, circulations, transactions, tropes, and motifs in the linguistic registers using methodologies of Digital Humanities, and how they compare across spatial axes.
The minimal important change for the QuickDASH in patients with thumb carpometacarpal arthritis
Authors: Jørgensen Rasmus Wejnold , Nyring Marc Randall Kristensen
Published: July 2021

Evaluating the effect of treatment through change in patient-reported outcomes requires an understanding of the minimal important change. The aim of this study was to report the minimal important change for the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) in patients receiving surgical treatment for thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. Three hundred and fifteen patients were seen before and 6 months following surgery. Two methods were used to calculate the minimal important change: a distribution-based method calculating the standard error of measurement and an anchor-based method based on the receiver operating characteristic curve. The minimal important change for QuickDASH was estimated to be 18.2 points using the anchor-based method. The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.82, indicating a satisfactory accuracy. The minimal important change was estimated to be 10.3 points using the distribution-based method. These values may be useful in future research on thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.

Level of evidence: III
Immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma: evaluation and management of adverse events associated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab
Authors: Hsu Chiun , Rimassa Lorenza , Sun Hui-Chuan , Vogel Arndt , Kaseb Ahmed O.
Published: July 2021

In light of positive efficacy and safety findings from the IMbrave150 trial of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, this novel combination has become the preferred first-line standard of care for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several additional trials are ongoing that combine an immune checkpoint inhibitor with another agent such as a multiple kinase inhibitor or antiangiogenic agent. Therefore, the range of first-line treatment options for unresectable HCC is likely to increase, and healthcare providers need succinct information about the use of such combinations, including their efficacy and key aspects of their safety profiles. Here, we review efficacy and safety data on combination immunotherapies and offer guidance on monitoring and managing adverse events, especially those associated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. Because of their underlying liver disease and high likelihood of portal hypertension, patients with unresectable HCC are at particular risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, and this risk may be exacerbated by treatments that include antiangiogenic agents. Healthcare providers also need to be alert to the risks of proteinuria and hypertension, colitis, hepatitis, and reactivation of hepatitis B or C virus infection. They should also be aware of the possibility of rarer but potentially life-threatening adverse events such as pneumonitis and cardiovascular events. Awareness of the risks associated with these therapies and knowledge of adverse event monitoring and management will become increasingly important as the therapeutic range broadens in unresectable HCC.
Authoritarian Populism in Indonesia: The Role of the Political Campaign Industry in Engineering Consent and Coercion
Authors: Rakhmani Inaya , Saraswati Muninggar Sri
Published: July 2021

All around the globe, populism has become increasingly prominent in democratic societies in the developed and developing world. Scholars have attributed this rise at a response to the systematic reproduction of social inequalities entwined with processes of neoliberal globalisation, within which all countries are inextricably and dynamically linked. However, to theorise populism properly, we must look at its manifestations in countries other than the West. By taking the case of Indonesia, the third largest democracy and the largest economy in Southeast Asia, this article critically analyses the role of the political campaign industry in mobilising narratives in electoral discourses. We use the Gramscian notion of consent and coercion, in which the shaping of populist narratives relies on mechanisms of persuasion using mass and social media. Such mechanisms allow the transformation of political discourses in conjunction with oligarchic power struggle. Within this struggle, political campaigners narrate the persona of political elites, while cyber armies divide and polarise, to manufacture allegiance and agitation among the majority of young voters as part of a shifting social base. As such, we argue that, together, the narratives – through engineering consent and coercion – construct authoritarian populism that pits two crowds of “the people” against each other, while aligning them with different sections of the “elite.”
Revisiting the Two-Step Flow Model on Twitter: Interconnection of Self-Identified South Korean Twitter Opinion Leadership, News Consumption, News Links, and News Curation
Authors: Park Chang Sup
Published: July 2021

This study compares the news consumption, sharing and curating behavior on Twitter between Twitter opinion leaders and traditional opinion leaders, based on an online survey of 1,005 South Korean adults. The results indicate that both traditional opinion leadership and Twitter opinion leadership are significantly related to a high level of news use via traditional media and social networking sites (SNS). While traditional opinion leaders are likely to add links of traditional media news and web-only sites news to their tweets, Twitter opinion leaders tend to add links of traditional media news, web-only sites news, SNS news, and citizen journalism news to their tweets. This study also finds that those who consume news and curate the news on Twitter reveal stronger Twitter opinion leadership than those who consume news but do not curate the news.
Assessing the Diffusion of Drones in Local Television News
Authors: Ferguson Douglas A. , Greer Clark F.
Published: July 2021

Emerging technologies are changing how local television (TV) stations gather and disseminate news. One increasingly used technology is drone journalism. The present study sought to determine the extent to which local TV stations across the United States were adopting this technology as part of their news operations. A survey of news managers ( n = 94) found that half of the stations were using drones for news, but only to a moderate degree.
The Layers of The Onion: The Impact of Satirical News on Affect and Online Sharing Behaviors
Authors: Stevens Elise M. , McIntyre Karen
Published: July 2021

The Onion is a satirical news site that has been growing in popularity over the last two decades. Based on theories in affect and social sharing, the current studies examined the impact of this online satirical news to understand its impact on affective states and online sharing. In Study 1, participants ( N = 147) either viewed a satirical or serious (frame) news story and then were asked about affective states and sharing behaviors. In Study 2, participants ( N = 143) viewed one of the two frames but on Instagram. In Study 1, results showed that serious news stories increased both positive and negative affect. Only positive affect mediated the relationship between frame and sharing. In Study 2, results showed that satirical Instagram posts were positively associated with negative affect, which mediated the relationship between frame and sharing. This study shows the important implications of online satirical news and illuminates how different platforms can affect audiences.
College TV News Websites: Accessibility and Mobile Readiness
Authors: Youngblood Norman E. , Tirumala Lakshmi N. , Hallaq Tom , Cozma Raluca
Published: July 2021

College television newscasts serve as training grounds for future broadcast journalists and should help students understand emerging trends in the field, such as social media use and developing web and multimedia skills. Increasingly, television news websites need to connect with technologically diverse audiences, and the industry is under increasing legal pressure to make its websites more accessible, particularly in terms of captioning. In addition, with smartphone use becoming almost ubiquitous and people turning to their smartphones as news sources, the industry needs to make sure their websites are responsive to mobile devices. This study examined award-winning college television news websites to see if they are preparing students for the realities of communicating with technologically diverse audiences by examining website mobile readiness and accessibility, including captioning adoption. While most sites were usable on mobile devices, about a quarter did not offer captioning, and there were wide spread accessibility problems.
In Step at the Top? Optimism, Efficacy, and Orientation Among Local Television News Managers
Authors: Blankenship Justin C. , Riffe Daniel
Published: July 2021

A quantitative survey of local television news directors in the United States ( N = 159) explored three main topics: the perception/attitudes of current local TV news directors, potential differences in those attitudes by market size, and whether news directors felt “in step” with their staff and/or upper management. The results indicated that the majority of news directors are still White, male, and middle-aged. News directors see a strong connection between news product quality and resources devoted to news. News directors were also, overall, pessimistic about the future of the TV news industry. Analysis indicated that there were few differences among the news directors working in large, medium, and small markets. Further, news directors reported being somewhat “out-of-step” with their staff and management regarding profit and market orientation.
Social Justice Dialogue Powers Diversity and Innovation in Electronic Media
Authors: Smith Marquita
Published: July 2021

For media organizations, the clarion call for more diversity in newsrooms to report and cover the complexities of racial inequality and unrest in the nation dates back more than 50 years. The Kerner Commission Report of 1968 challenged newsrooms to do more than the right thing in terms of hiring so that newsrooms reflect the diversity in their communities. This invited essay explores the progress made and the opportunities yet to be explored in today’s electronic media. The author makes the case for diversity, equity and inclusion as an essential part of any organization trying innovate, grow and retain audiences.
Live From My Living Room: Perceived Organizational Support Among TV News Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Nee Rebecca Coates , Chacón Lourdes M. Cueva
Published: July 2021

As members of the media, TV news workers were considered essential employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many employees went into the field to cover stories related to the pandemic, which included anti-mask and lock-down protests. This mixed-methods study explored the extent to which TV news workers perceived organizational support from their news organizations during the crisis. Findings of a national survey of TV news employees (N = 173) show market size (larger), membership in professional organizations, access to counseling services, and resources on best practices of covering COVID-19 correlated with positive perceptions of employers during the pandemic. In turn, these positive perceptions, as well as manageable job demands and high decision authority each correlated with overall job satisfaction. Qualitative findings further illustrated the varying steps TV news managers took to support and protect their employees’ health and safety during the crisis.
The Need for Sharps Waste Disposal Guidelines for Commercial Airports
Authors: Zhang Jennifer Y. , Shang Trisha , Krisiunas Edward , Heinemann Lutz , Liepmann Dorian , Klonoff David C.
Published: July 2021

Travelers frequently eat at an airport before their flight. Travelers with diabetes also frequently need to lance their fingertips to check a blood glucose concentration and/or inject themselves with insulin. These actions generate medical sharps waste. Bloody sharps can be a source of needlestick injuries for other travelers or waste handlers if the waste is not safely disposed of. There are currently no guidelines or standards for medical sharps waste disposal in commercial airports or similar public places. We advocate for the establishment of guidelines for medical sharps waste disposal in commercial airports. These guidelines should include four elements: (1) design of sharps disposal bins, (2) placement of sharp disposal bins, (3) publication of locations with sharps disposal bins, and (4) safety protocols for both sharps disposal and handling sharps waste. In this article, we present the background and reasons behind our recommendation for establishing guidelines for medical waste disposal in commercial airports.
Phlorotannins Derived From the Brown Alga Colpomenia bullosa as Tyrosinase Inhibitors
Authors: Kurihara Hideyuki , Kujira Kazuki
Published: July 2021

Tyrosinase catalyzes hydroxylation of L-tyrosine and dehydrogenation of L-DOPA in the melanin biosynthesis pathway. Tyrosinase inhibitors have potential use as cosmetic whitening agents and for preventing seafood deterioration. In this report, tyrosinase inhibitors extracted from brown alga Colpomenia bullosa (Scytosiphonaceae, Scytosiphonales) were investigated. Inhibitory principles were isolated from the extract and identified as phlorotannins, phloroglucinol (1), diphlorethol (2), triphlorethol C (3), which have not been isolated in a free form previously, and fucophlorethol C (4). Compounds 3 and 4 have not been reported previously as tyrosinase inhibitors. Triphlorethol C (3) was the most potent tyrosinase inhibitor among the phlorotannins isolated, whereas isomeric fucophlorethol C (4) displayed the weakest inhibitory activity. The results suggest that molecular structures of phlorotannins strongly affect their tyrosinase inhibitory activity.
Lung and liver transplantation in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Zamora Martin R. , Ataya Ali
Published: July 2021

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) augmentation is effective in slowing the progression of emphysema due to AAT deficiency (AATD) but cannot prevent eventual progression to end-stage lung disease and complete respiratory failure, which is the leading cause of death for individuals with severe AATD. When patients develop end-stage lung disease, lung transplantation is the only treatment option available, and this can improve lung physiology and patient health status. The available data suggest that survival rates for lung transplantation are significantly higher for patients with AATD-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with non-AATD-related COPD, but, conversely, there is a higher risk of common post-lung transplant complications in patients with AATD versus non-AATD COPD. Nevertheless, lung transplantation (single and bilateral) is favorable for patients with AATD. After respiratory failure, the second leading cause of death in patients with AATD is liver disease, for example, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, caused by the accumulation of mutant forms of AAT retained within the liver. As with lung disease, the only treatment option for end-stage liver disease is liver transplantation. Survival rates for patients with AATD undergoing liver transplantation are also favorable, and patients, particularly pediatric patients, have benefitted from advancements in peri-/post-surgical care. As the majority of AAT is produced by the liver, the AAT phenotype of the recipient becomes that of the donor, meaning that AAT serum levels should be normalized (if the donor is AAT-replete), halting further lung and liver disease progression. However, post-liver transplant respiratory function may continue to decline in line with normal age-related lung function decline. In the most severe cases, where patients have simultaneous end-stage lung and liver disease, combined lung and liver transplantation is a treatment option with favorable outcomes. However, there is very little information available on this procedure in patients with AATD.
Management of lung disease in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: what we do and what we do not know
Authors: Barjaktarevic Igor , Campos Michael
Published: July 2021

Management of lung disease in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) includes both non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches. Lifestyle changes with avoidance of environmental pollutants, including tobacco smoke, improving exercise levels and nutritional status, all encompassed under a disease management program, are crucial pillars of AATD management. Non-pharmacological therapies follow conventional treatment guidelines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Specific pharmacological treatment consists of administering exogenous alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) protein intravenously (augmentation therapy). This intervention raises AAT levels in serum and lung epithelial lining fluid, increases anti-elastase capacity, and decreases several inflammatory mediators in the lung. Radiologically, augmentation therapy reduces lung density loss over time, thus delaying disease progression. The effect of augmentation therapy on other lung-related outcomes, such as exacerbation frequency/length, quality of life, lung function decline, and mortality, are less clear and questions regarding dose optimization or route of administration are still debatable. This review discusses the rationale and available evidence for these interventions in AATD.
Early Capture of Attention by Self-Face: Investigation Using a Temporal Order Judgment Task
Authors: Jublie Aditi , Kumar Devpriya
Published: July 2021

Earlier work on self-face processing has reported a bias in the processing of self-face result in faster response to self-face in comparison to other familiar and unfamiliar faces (termed as self-face advantage or SFA). Even though most studies agree that the SFA occurs due to an attentional bias, there is little agreement regarding the stage at which it occurs. While a large number of studies show self-face influencing processing later at disengagement stage, early event-related potential components show differential activity for the self-face suggesting that SFA occurs early. We address this contradiction using a cueless temporal order judgment task that allows us to investigate early perceptual processing, while bias due to top-down expectation is controlled. A greater shift in point of subjective simultaneity for self-face would indicate a greater processing advantage at early perceptual stage. With help of two experiments, we show an early perceptual advantage for self-face, compared to both a friend’s face and an unfamiliar face (Experiment 1). This advantage is present even when the effect of criterion shift is minimized (Experiment 2). Interestingly, the magnitude of advantage is similar for self-friend and self-unfamiliar pair. The evidence from the two experiments suggests early capture of attention as a likely reason for the SFA, which is present for the self-face but not for other familiar faces.
Surgical extrusion: A reliable alternative for saving fractured anterior teeth
Authors: Grira Ibtissem , Mahjoubi Boutheina , Belkacem Chebil Raouaa , Amor Adel , Douki Nabiha
Published: July 2021

Crown-lengthening procedures are necessary to rehabilitate supracrestal insertion tissue and to guarantee a suitable dental restoration. The objective of this article was to report a surgical extrusion procedure as a treatment option for a fractured anterior tooth. A 24-year-old male patient presented to our department to rehabilitate his maxillary right lateral incisor. The tooth was fractured due to a trauma and presented a healthy periodontium. Endodontic treatment was performed before the surgical extrusion. A fixed crown was cemented after complete reduction of tooth mobility after 6 months. No complication was observed at 6 months post-operatively. A minimally traumatic surgical extrusion technique provided highly successful results in both functional and esthetic aspects, especially in the anterior region, where the latter is of great interest.
Abdominal CT manifestations in fish bone foreign body injuries: What the radiologist needs to know
Authors: Kumar Devendra , Venugopalan Nair Anirudh , Nepal Pankaj , Alotaibi Tareq Z , Al-Heidous Mahmoud , Blair Macdonald David
Published: July 2021

Fish bone is one of the most common foreign body ingestions encountered in the emergency department. Fish bone perforations occur most commonly in segments with acute angulation like the ileocecal region and rectosigmoid junction and can present acutely with obstruction and free air or with chronic complications like abscess and sepsis. Radiologists should be familiar with the high-risk clinical scenarios, the CT appearance of radiopaque fishbones, and the spectrum of imaging findings related to gastrointestinal (GI) tract so as to direct management and timely referral to GI endoscopists and surgeons.
Rare findings of spontaneous hemothorax and small subpleural lung hematoma in a COVID-19 patient: A case report
Authors: Brogna Barbara , Romano Annamaria , Tibullo Loredana , Montuori Mariagrazia , Nunziata Mariagrazia , Russo Giuseppe , Musto Lanfranco A
Published: July 2021

Hemothorax (HT) and pulmonary hematoma represent rare complications of anticoagulant therapy. We present a rare case of a 53-year-old man with COVID-19 pneumonia who showed, in a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan 13 days after hospitalization, a left HT and a small hyperdense area in a subpleural location and compatible with a small subpleural hematoma. This patient was being treated with a subcutaneous administration of low-molecular-weight heparin (100UI/kg/BID). No vascular malformations were visualized on the CT pulmonary angiography. Herein, we report the first case of both a spontaneous HT and a lung subpleural hematoma in a COVID-19 patient, probably caused by anticoagulant therapy.
Computed tomography findings, temporal course, and clinical relevance of subpleural pulmonary interstitial emphysema in patients with pneumomediastinum
Authors: Nakamata Akihiro , Tsuchiya Nanae , Miyara Tetsuhiro , Shiotani Murasaki , Gibo Shinji , Murayama Sadayuki
Published: July 2021

Background

Subpleural pulmonary interstitial emphysema is defined as the air in the subpleural portion of the lung, and the clinical relevance is not well understood.

Purpose

to evaluate the frequency, temporal course, risk factors, and clinical significance of subpleural pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) in patients with pneumomediastinum resulting from ruptured alveoli and other causes.

Material and Methods

This was a retrospective study of 130 patients with pneumomediastinum on CT between January 2009 and December 2019 at 2 hospitals. Patients were divided into 3 groups as follows: spontaneous pneumomediastinum ( n = 101), pneumomediastinum due to blunt trauma ( n = 16), and pneumomediastinum due to another known cause ( n = 13). The frequencies of radiographic features (subpleural PIE, peribronchovascular PIE, pneumothorax, pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysematous changes) between the 3 groups were compared by the χ2 or Kruskal–Wallis test. Odds ratios were calculated to evaluate candidate risk factors for subpleural and peribronchovascular PIE.

Results

Subpleural PIE was observed in 0%, 15.8%, and 31.3% of patients with pneumomediastinum due to another cause, spontaneous mediastinum, and blunt trauma, respectively. In most patients, subpleural PIE resolved spontaneously (85.7% within 8 days). Two patients with pulmonary fibrosis showed recurrent subpleural PIE on follow-up. Young age showed increased risk for subpleural PIE (odds ratio [OR] 0.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0–0.99).

Conclusion

Subpleural PIE was only detected in patients with pneumomediastinum due to ruptured alveoli and resolved spontaneously and rapidly. Subpleural PIE may be one route the air from ruptured alveoli to the mediastinum.
Neurosarcoidosis resembling multiple meningiomas: A misleading presentation of the disease and diagnostic challenge
Authors: Switlyk Marta D , Niehusmann Pitt , Sprauten Mette , Magelssen Henriette , Aarhus Mads , Rasmussen Finn Ø , Knutstad Kjetil , Brandal Petter
Published: July 2021

Sarcoidosis is characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomatous inflammation in the affected organs. Neurosarcoidosis denotes the involvement of the nervous system and can be either isolated or coexisting with extraneural systemic inflammation. The diagnosis of isolated neurosarcoidosis may be challenging due to unspecific symptoms and similar appearances with other disease processes. This report presents an uncommon case of intracranial sarcoidosis mimicking multiple meningiomas. Familiarity with the spectrum of magnetic resonance imaging findings in neurosarcoidosis is crucial to prevent interpretive errors which may in turn lead to an inappropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Instrumentation Techniques to Prevent Proximal Junctional Kyphosis and Proximal Junctional Failure in Adult Spinal Deformity Correction: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies
Authors: Vercoulen Timon F. G. , Doodkorte Remco J. P. , Roth Alex , de Bie Rob , Willems Paul C.
Published: July 2021

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Objectives:

To summarize the results of clinical studies investigating spinal instrumentation techniques aiming to reduce the postoperative incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and/or failure (PJF) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients.

Methods:

EMBASE and Medline® were searched for articles dating from January 2000 onward. Data was extracted by 2 independent authors and methodological quality was assessed using ROBINS-I.

Results:

18 retrospective- and prospective cohort studies with a severe or critical risk of bias were included. Different techniques were applied at the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV): tethers in various configurations, 2-level prophylactic vertebroplasty (2-PVP), transverse process hooks (TPH), flexible rods (FR), sublaminar tapes (ST) and multilevel stabilization screws (MLSS). Compared to a pedicle screw (PS) group, significant differences in PJK incidence were found using tethers in various configurations (18% versus 45%, P = 0.001, 15% versus 38%, P = 0.045), 2-PVP (24% vs 36%, P = 0.020), TPH (0% vs. 30%, P = 0.023) and FR (15% versus 38%, P = 0.045). Differences in revision rates for PJK were found in studies concerning tethers (4% versus 18%, P = 0.002), 2-PVP (0% vs 13%, P = 0.031) and TPH (0% vs 7%, P = n.a.).

Conclusion:

Although the studies are of low quality, the most frequently studied techniques, namely 2-PVP as anterior reinforcement and (tensioned) tethers or TPH as posterior semi-rigid fixation, show promising results. To provide a reliable comparison, more controlled studies need to be performed, including the use of clinical outcome measures and a uniform definition of PJF.
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury in Gymnasts: An Analysis of Return to Competition Rates and Patient Outcomes
Authors: Rao Somnath , Jack Robert , Willier Donald , Cohen Steven , Dodson Christopher , Ciccotti Michael , D’Amore Taylor
Published: July 2021

Objectives:

While results following ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury in baseball players has been well documented, results following UCL injury in gymnasts are not well documented. As such, the purpose of this study was to report the operative and non-operative outcomes of UCL injury in gymnasts.

Methods:

Gymnasts who underwent UCL injury treatment whether non-operative or operative at a single institution were evaluated at a minimum of 2 years post-operatively. Patients were assessed with Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow Score (KJOC), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Andrews-Timmerman (A-T) Elbow score, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (qDASH) score and a custom return to play survey.

Results:

There were 11 patients who met inclusion criteria and complete follow-up was available in 9 patients. Overall, 6 patients were treated operatively (4 UCL reconstructions (UCLR) and 2 UCL repairs) and 3 patients were treated non-operatively. One UCLR was performed after 2 months of failed non-operative management. All patients were female with a mean age of 16.1 (range, 12-20) and mean BMI of 24.46 (range 19.2-34.1) at time of surgery or initial visit. Average follow-up was 4.04 years. Overall, 66.7% of operative versus 100% of non-operative were able to RTP at an average of 7.5 and 7 months, respectively. One re-injury was reported in the non-operative group, which was a re-dislocation of the elbow unrelated to gymnastics and was ultimately treated non-operatively. The mean KJOC, MEPS, A-T and qDASH scores for the operative group were 70.0 (range, 48.5-89), 97.5 (range, 95-100), 90.8 (range, 75-100) and 24.6 (range, 22.7-29.5), respectively. The mean scores for the non-operative group were 75.9 (range, 61-91.2), 71.7 (range, 65-75), 71.7 (range, 55-80) and 34.1 (range, 22.7-40.9), respectively.

Conclusions:

Both operative and non-operative treatments can be offered as successful treatment options for UCL injuries in gymnasts. Further investigation is needed to determine the optimal management of UCL injuries in gymnasts.