bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successful 8-year use of Venous Window Needle Guide for deep arteriovenous fistula cannulation
Authors: Forneris Giacomo , Savio Daniele , Cecere Pasqualina , Boghi Andrea , Roccatello Dario
Published: September 2022

We describe the case of a patient who had been on hemodialysis for 8 years using a native arteriovenous fistula cannulated through the Venous Window Needle Guide™ device (VWING). The overall outcome was excellent and complication-free with intact state of the underlying vessel and a high degree of patient satisfaction. The patient was able to carry out self-cannulation without any difficulty almost from the very beginning. The current unavailability of VWING is a missed opportunity in the field of vascular access.
Little prayer: Ambiguous grief in the LGBTQIA+ movement in Turkey
Authors: Az Elif Irem
Published: September 2022

Inspired by a Danez Smith poem, this essay is a ‘little prayer’ for LGBTQIA+ people and organizers to be able to collectively grieve the family and friends they have lost, the relations they had to end, the social privileges they never had, or lost before and after sharing their queerness. It argues for the militant force of this slow-paced, ghostly, and ambiguous grief in queer lives, and in the LGBTQIA+ movements in Turkey and elsewhere. The author draws on 4 years of organizing at Boysan’ s House – a living memory space, and community hub in Istanbul – and the 12-hour oral history conducted with Mother Sema, who has been mobilizing her motherhood and her grief as a pro-LGBTQIA+ organizer since 2006. The essay suggests that ambiguous grief can be relearned and re-membered as a radically transformative force that is already constitutive of queer communities. It situates the histories and presents of Mother Sema and Boysan’s House amid diverse experiences of resilience and resistance through motherhood, queer kin making, and mourning. In so doing, the essay builds on the militant activisms of the Saturday Mothers/People, the Peace Mothers, the organized family members of LGBTQIA+ people, and the trans communities in Turkey. It is thus an inquiry into ways of housing and transforming ambiguous grief in the LGBTQIA+ movement, in the post-July 2016 coup attempt Turkey.
Prefiguring an alternative economy: Understanding prefigurative organizing and its struggles
Authors: Schiller-Merkens Simone
Published: September 2022

Cooperatives, post-growth organizations, common good organizations, community-supported agriculture, transition towns or ecovillages are examples of alternative forms of organizing economic exchange. Their social practices embody and reproduce alternative moral values to the ones dominating the economy and society. They are regarded as prefigurative: They prefigure an alternative economy, both by creating imaginaries of an alternative future and by showing their viability in their everyday practices. As such, they are important actors for a social transformation of the economy which is also reflected in an increasing scholarship on alternative organizing and prefiguration in organization studies. However, the meaning of prefiguration and prefigurative organizing in this literature is not always made explicit and differs across research work. Furthermore, how prefigurative organizing relates to alternative organizing remains rather vague, as does its close relationship to anarchism. In its first part, this paper therefore informs about the main use of the concept of prefiguration in social movement studies and organization studies and describes the various meanings attached to it in this literature. It then develops a definition of prefigurative organizing that not only allows to differentiate it from alternative organizing but also to reflect its inherently political nature—its intricate linkage to multiple struggles, tensions, and conflicts. In the second part, the paper presents a systematic overview of various types of struggles around prefigurative organizing and briefly introduces each of them with reference to exemplary research. Finally, the paper argues that studying prefigurative organizing involves an alternative praxis in academia.
Within-party mobility and economic performance in authoritarian regimes: Evidence from China
Authors: Li Zeren , Yu Arthur Zeyang
Published: September 2022

This study analyses a mechanism to explain how internal mobility in the dominant party enhances economic performance. We argue that authoritarian leaders incentivize their political agents to advance economic development by using age-based promotion and retirement rules. We empirically examine our theoretical claim using China’s cadre rejuvenation policy, which rewards younger leaders with more opportunities for career advancement. Drawing on panel data for prefectural party secretaries who were in office at some point between 2000 and 2012, we show that the principle of youthful rejuvenation leads the Communist Party of China to grant more promotions to party leaders who enter office at a younger age than to their older counterparts. Under such an incentive scheme, the regions served by younger entrants into the officialdom have better economic performance than those served by older entrants, holding ability and other regional characteristics constant.
Class Identification, Deferred Elimination, and Social Reproduction in Education: ‘Ontological Ambivalences’ Experienced by Working-Class Students at Elite Universities in China
Authors: Jin Jin
Published: September 2022

China’s transition from a redistributive economy to a market economy has created an evolving and intensifying social class structure that requires a class perspective and class analysis tools to capture reconfigured social relations and new patterns of social inequalities. Drawing on a three-year life-story study of working-class students at elite universities in China and working with Bourdieu’s theoretical tools, this article highlights the emotional costs of class mobility and two associated forms of ‘ontological ambivalences’. The findings show ‘mundane reflexivity’ in class struggles against classifications but more importantly, demonstrate the symbolic violence involved therein and indicate the difficulties of individual agency to achieve politically effective resistances. Although based on the specific context of China, this article contributes to reflections on neoliberal policies elsewhere by shedding light on how neoliberalism relates to and enhances class struggles and the significance of adopting a relational class perspective to understand and address social inequalities.
Towards luminescent ethnography of creative work: Purity, dirt and social inequality in Russian art institutions
Authors: Kuleva Margarita I
Published: September 2022

This article investigates the idiosyncrasies of creative work in Russian art institutions through a study of their materialities. As identified in previous research, social inequalities are a significant feature of creative work. I argue, however, that in order to reveal inequalities that are constructed performatively, that is, in the ‘here’ and ‘now’, we need to further develop the existing arsenal of methods that is employed in critical creative work studies. In the Russian case, art institutions display a wealth of techniques for constructing and maintaining hierarchies, which of necessity must frequently be re-established due to conditions in the local context. In particular, the following explores two perennial paradigms of cultural production: ‘high culture’ and ‘creativity’. As these paradigms coexist in the economy of the Russian art world, they compete for resources, including funding, public attention and legitimation. In the struggle, a binary of purity/dirt develops the social space of institutions, organisational identities and hierarchies inside and between organisations. This paper primarily focuses on an ethnographic study of cultural producers from the visual arts sector in Russia’s two largest cities: Moscow and St. Petersburg.
An experimental study of the shear behavior of joints in precast concrete columns
Authors: Wu Bo , Wei Zhikai
Published: September 2022

The shear behavior of joints in precast concrete columns with a new type of column-to-column connection was investigated in this research. Shear tests were performed with 12 precast concrete columns. The influences of the shear key width (0, 70 mm, 100 mm), the diameter of the reinforcement across the joint (0, 16 mm) and the axial compression load ratio (0.3, 0.4, 0.5) on the shear performance of the joint were studied. An expression to give the prediction of the shear capacity of such joints is proposed. The data show that: (1) shear keys have a huge influence on the shear capacity of precast column joints, but the increment of shear capacity due to such influence is limited over a range of shear key widths from 70 to 100 mm; (2) when the axial compression load ratio does not exceed 0.5, a joint’s shear capacity enhances gradually with the load ratio; (3) the expression developed in these experiments outperforms those recommended by four widely-used codes in giving the prediction of the shear capacity of column-to-column connections with shear keys, reinforcement across the joint and grouting.
Experimental investigation on reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion characteristic of n-heptane/ammonia based on an optical engine
Authors: Zhang Ren , Chen Lin , Wei Haiqiao , Li Jinguang , Ding Yi , Chen Rui , Pan Jiaying
Published: September 2022

Ammonia as a carbon-free fuel used in IC engines always suffers from large cyclic variations and high NOx emissions. Ammonia blending with high-reactivity fuels is recognized as an effective attempt to overcome these shortcomings. In this work, for the first time, the combustion and emission characteristics of n-heptane/ammonia were investigated under reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) conditions in an optical engine. An intake adapter was introduced to modify turbulent flow motion and n-heptane was directly injected to regulate mixture reactivity based on energy ratios. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was employed for in-cylinder flow measurement, high-speed photography and instantaneous pressure acquisition were used for combustion evolutions, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was adopted for NOx and NH3 emissions. The results show both mixture reactivity and turbulence have significant impacts on ammonia combustion. Specifically, n-heptane addition manifesting mixture reactivity dominates combustion processes at early-injection conditions, while the turbulence with increasing intensity becomes significant at late-injection conditions. Visualization images show that the initiation of initial flame kernels is controlled by the local distribution of n-heptane fraction, and that high n-heptane fraction at early injection or low n-heptane fraction at late injection conditions tends to induce homogeneous combustion. Flame stretch analysis confirms the promotion of mixture reactivity and turbulence motion on turbulent flame propagation and identifies that a high n-heptane fraction with swirl-tumble motion exhibits lower flame stretch sensitivity, especially for late-injection scenarios. Besides, low mixture reactivity with early injection and high mixture reactivity with late injection strategies can achieve high-efficiency combustion. However, when considering NOX/NH3 emissions, a high n-heptane fraction at late injection with swirl-tumble motion has the most potential to achieve the compromise between thermal efficiency and emissions. The present work demonstrates that with optimized fuel injection and flow arrangement, ammonia blending with high-reactivity fuels can achieve high-efficient combustion while maintaining NOx/NH3 emissions within reasonable levels.
An overview of home and parental factors associated with child nurturing care, stimulatory behaviors, and child outcomes in rural communities in Zambia
Authors: Chansa-Kabali Tamara
Published: September 2022

Contextual diversity in early childhood development present challenges and opportunities for holistic child development. This study explored home and parental factors associated with early childhood developmental outcomes in rural communities. Using purposive sampling, 175 families with children aged 0–8 (87 girls and 88 boys) were recruited to participate in the study. Parents responded to home and parenting measures assessing early developmental supports at home. Child developmental outcomes (cognition, alphabet knowledge, receptive language, pattern reasoning, attention, and fine motor skills) for 58 children were assessed. Correlations showed positive associations of home and parent measures with child outcomes except socioeconomic status and receptive language. This study highlights presence of nurturance care and stimulatory behaviors in rural communities that reflect variations in child outcomes. Based on findings, it was recommended that parent empowering programs be embedded in practices of childcare that incorporate local knowledge and materials including ways they foster different aspects of early developmental skills.
Prediction model for perceptual gloss by physical measurement of flat objects
Authors: Tanaka M , Amari S , Horiuchi T
Published: September 2022

Although a physical gloss exists as a physically measurable index, people can also perceive a perceptual gloss on object surfaces. However, the physical gloss does not always match the perceptual gloss. Because the physical gloss is calculated based only on the specular gloss and does not reflect other physical features that affect the perceptual gloss. Thus, we analysed the relationships between physical features and perceptual gloss by measuring many physical properties of object surfaces, including their physical gloss. We prepared 127 flat objects comprising three materials: paper, resin and metal plating. The perceptual gloss was visually evaluated for observation angles of 20°, 60° and 85° using a magnitude estimation method. Multiple measurements were conducted to obtain physical features such as the gloss unit (GU), haze, distinctness of image and high dynamic range luminance. We then constructed prediction models for the perceptual gloss using these physical features and multiple regression analyses. By combining these multiple physical quantities and using the GU in the power scale, the prediction accuracy was improved. By the optimal power index (0.33 for physical gloss in the common prediction model, independent of the observation angle), we found that human gloss perception may be related to brightness perception.
Language and Epilepsy: A Systems Issue
Authors: Salpekar Jay A.
Published: September 2022

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Focal Seizures Cruise the Callosal Highway
Authors: Stafstrom Carl E.
Published: September 2022

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One to Rule Them All: A Unique TAU Therapy for Neurodevelopmental Encephalopathies
Authors: Maffei Benito , Lignani Gabriele
Published: September 2022

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Evaluation of Cyto - and Genotoxic Influence of Lanthanum Dioxide Nanoparticles on Human Liver Cells
Authors: Alsubaie Saba M. , Ali Daoud , Almutairi Bader O. , Almeer Rafa , Alarifi Saud
Published: September 2022

Inorganic nanoparticles are representing an emerging paradigm in molecular imaging probe design. We have determined lanthanum oxide nanoparticles (La2O3 NPs)-induced toxicity on human livers cells for 48 hrs. Before exposure to La2O3 NPs, the size and shape of NPs were confirmed by transmission electron microscope. It was found at 32 ±1.6 nm with a sheet-like morphological structure. The viability of CHANG and HuH-7 cells was reduced as the concentration of La2O3 NPs increased. HuH-7 cells were more sensitive than CHANG cells to La2O3 NPs. We observed production of intracellular ROS in HuH-7 cells was more than CHANG cells and the LPO level was more in CHANG cells than in HuH-7 cells at 50 μg/ml of La2O3 NPs. Glutathione was decreased and catalase was increased at 50 μg/ml of La2O3 NPs. More apoptotic and necrotic cells were observed at 300 μg/ml in HuH-7 cells FACS. DNA damage was observed by the SGCE test and more DNA damage was found in CHANG cells than HuH-7 cells at 300 μg/ml La2O3 NPs over 48 hrs. Thus, study warrants the application of La2O3 NPs in daily life and provides vital information about the toxicity of La2O3 NPs.
Fluid-structure coupling model and output characteristics of a diaphragm-type restrictor
Authors: Cai Haonan , Jiang Jinbo , Meng Xiangkai , Ma Yi , Li Jiyun , Peng Xudong
Published: September 2022

The film stiffness of gas-lubricated hydrostatic bearings and seals are considered to be enhanced remarkably by proper design of a diaphragm-type restrictor. A fluid-structure coupling numerical model by coupling iteration of small deflection bending differential equation of circular thin plate and one-dimensional Reynolds equation was established, and the influence of different parameters, including pressure and geometrical parameters, on the flow output characteristics of a diaphragm-type restrictor was investigated numerically and experimentally. The results show that the correctness of established fluid-structure coupling numerical model is verified well by comparing calculated values of diaphragm deformation and output flow characteristics to the measured values. The optimum values of diaphragm thickness is 0.6–0.8 mm and initial throttle clearance is 20–35 μm for stable operation of diaphragm-type restrictor, while the optimum value of back pressure strongly depends on the diaphragm thickness.
The adaptive neural network fuzzy sliding mode control for the 3-RRS parallel manipulator
Authors: Li Xiyu , Gao Xin , Sun Liangliang , Zheng Donghao , Shi Heng , Lei Chengqiang , Hu Lei , Zong Yonghong
Published: September 2022

In order to improve the high-precision tracking control of angle variables and the sliding mode equivalent control part for the 3-RRS parallel manipulator, an adaptive neural network fuzzy sliding mode control algorithm with self-adjusting switching gain is proposed. Firstly, considering the uncertainty of the constrained force between derived links and the moving platform, the complete dynamic model including ideal and non-ideal constrained force is established by combining with the Udwadia-Kalaba(U-K) equation and Lagrange method. Secondly, the neural network sliding mode controller is designed to realize the approximate solution of the sliding mode equivalent control part. At the same time, in order to reduce the chattering phenomenon of the neural network sliding mode controller, a fuzzy adjustment rule of switching gain is designed to better compensate for the uncertain terms. And then the stability of the control system is proved by the Lyapunov method. Finally, the proposed control algorithm is simulated on the 3-RRS parallel manipulator. The simulation results show that the chattering phenomenon is overcome. The high-precision control of angle variables and the sliding mode equivalent control part is realized.
Perinatal factors and high-sensitive C-reactive protein levels during adolescence
Authors: Marila Anna , Karvonen Anne M , Pekkanen Juha , Keski-Nisula Leea
Published: September 2022

Objective

To examine whether perinatal factors are associated with low-grade inflammation measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels during adolescence.

Methods

Nested case-control study of 125 teenagers who were born by Cesarean delivery and had high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels determined at 15–17 years. Data on obstetric and perinatal factors were recorded prospectively at the time of their birth.

Results

Median values of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly higher in teenagers, who were born as large for gestational age or with maternal diabetes compared to others (2.54 vs 0.34 mg/L; p < 0.024), and born during spring or summer compared to those born during winter or autumn (0.48 vs 0.27 mg/L; p < 0.023). No other perinatal associations were detected (for ex. such as electivity of operation, onset of labor, rupture of fetal membranes, cervical dilatation at delivery, gestational age, Apgar scores at 5 min, umbilical blood pH value, administration of neonatal antibiotics or need of neonatal intensive care treatment) in CRP levels. Further, teenagers with current body mass index in the highest tertile, regular medication for chronic disease and girls using oral contraceptives had significantly higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels than others.

Conclusion

Prenatal exposures such as maternal metabolic environment and seasonality may have longterm effects on the low-grade inflammation and later cardiometabolic risks. Seasonality might be partly explained by maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy, and thus future efforts are warranted to ensure sufficient vitamin D availability during pregnancy. Surprisingly, no other significant associations were detected between perinatal characteristics and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels.
Sustainable thermo-acoustical insulation material from cardboard waste and natural fibers: Elaboration and performance evaluation
Authors: Ouakarrouch Mohamed , Laaroussi Najma , Garoum Mohammed , Bousshine Said , Bybi Abdelmajid , benallel Abderrahim , Tilioua Amine
Published: September 2022

The main objective of this paper is to elaborate and characterize new ecological composites based on cardboard waste and abandoned natural fibers, in the Drâa-Tafilalet region (South-East, Morocco), for the manufacture of local thermo-acoustical insulation panels. For this study, 25 samples were prepared by mixing 60% of cardboard waste and 40% of vegetable fibers (Reed tree, esparto fiber, fig tree, and Olive tree). The morphological analysis of the different fibers was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while, the physical, thermal, and acoustical properties of samples were measured experimentally using standard methods. The experimental results showed that all new composites have better thermal and acoustical performances comparable to those of synthetic insulation materials. The density, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and sound absorption coefficient of those composites were in the range of 278.6–343.8 kg/m3; 0.072–0.10 W/m·K; 1254.5–1807.5 J/kg·K; 0.4–0.8, respectively. Consequently, the by-products recovered in this study are good candidates for the development of local insulation materials with useful properties for thermal and acoustical insulation applications in buildings, low environmental impact, low cost, and competition with commercialized synthetic insulation materials.
Unlicensed medicine prescribing in general practice
Authors: Johal Hari , Niblett Hetty A. , Metcalfe Neil H.
Published: September 2022

An unlicensed medicine is a medication that has not been approved for use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. In England, unlicensed medicines account for just under 1% of all community prescriptions, and thus, prescribers will encounter them relatively regularly during their working life. It is important to know the evidence-based guidelines about unlicensed medicines before prescribing them.
Association of oral microbiome and pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yuan Mengyao , Xu Ying , Guo Zhimin
Published: September 2022

Background:

Oral microbiota reported to be associated with pancreatic diseases, including pancreatic cancer. However, the association of oral microbiome and pancreatic cancer has not been reviewed systematically.

Objectives:

To systematically investigate the association between the oral microbiome and pancreatic cancer risk.

Design:

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources and Methods:

Systemic searches were conducted using PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases without any language restriction from conception to August 29, 2020. The studies that evaluated the association of oral microbiome and pancreatic cancer risk were included in this meta-analysis.

Results:

The six included studies encompassed a total of 863 pancreatic cancer cases and 906 controls. Four studies reported the overall oral microbiome in pancreatic cancer cases. A total of 12–17 species/clusters were correlated with pancreatic cancer. Three studies reported the odds ratios (ORs) or relative abundance of several oral microbiomes pieces/clusters, and the majority were associated with pancreatic cancer.

Conclusions:

Overall, this study supports the hypothesis of associations of variations of patients’ oral microbiota to pancreatic cancer. Nonetheless, due to all included studies were conducted in USA or Europe, additional original studies and meta-analysis particular studies from other countries are essential for an in-depth investigation into the role of oral bacteria in pancreatic cancer.
Tofacitinib as an alternative therapy for refractory intestinal Behçet’s syndrome
Authors: Zou Jun , Cai Jian-fei , Ye Jing-fen , Guan Jian-Long
Published: September 2022

Background:

Intestinal Behçet’s syndrome is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Behçet’s syndrome.

Objectives:

Current treatment challenges remain in refractory intestinal Behçet’s syndrome, when patients failed first and second-line therapies.

Design:

We reported the efficacy and safety profiles of tofacitinib in patients with moderate-severe intestinal Behçet’s syndrome in a retrospective single-center study.

Methods:

Treatment with glucocorticoids, immunosuppressors, or even anti-TNFα monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) had previously failed. Primary outcomes were clinical remission or low disease activity and endoscopic healing.

Results:

We included 13 patients; 11 were administered tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, and 2 took tofacitinib 5 mg once daily. Nine patients achieved clinical remission after a mean treatment duration of 10.1 ± 7.0 months, and the other four had low disease activity. Follow-up endoscopy was available in 11 patients: 5 had achieved mucosal healing; the other 4 achieved marked mucosal improvement. Prednisone dosage was significantly reduced, from 30 (interquartile range: 20–30) mg/d to 2.5 (interquartile range: 0–12.5) mg/ d ( p < 0.001). No serious adverse event was observed.

Conclusion:

Tofacitinib could be an efficacious and generally well-tolerated option in patients with intestinal Behçet’s syndrome refractory to conventional agents, even anti-TNFα mAbs.
Sexual assault cases managed at a referral hospital in Western Ethiopia: A retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Tilahun Temesgen , Oljira Rut , Getahun Ayantu
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

Sexual assault is the most prevalent and hidden global problem. The condition is worse in developing countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study described the survivors’ characteristics, clinical profiles, and management of cases of sexual assault at the One-Stop Service Center for survivors of sexual assault at a referral hospital in Western Ethiopia.

Methods:

A facility-based retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess 203 cases of sexual assault managed at the One-Stop Service Center for survivors of sexual assault in Wollega University Referral Hospital from January 2019 to March 2022. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured checklist. Data were organized using Epidata version 3.1, cleaned, and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. The results were presented in tables.

Results:

Of 203 cases of alleged sexual assaults during the study period, 142 (70%) and 61 (30%) of survivors were raped and attempted rape, respectively. The age of survivors ranges from 3 to 28 years with a mean age of 15.7 ± 4.7 years. One hundred ninety-four (95.6%) were females. Seventy percent of them were students. Most of the survivors, 173 (85.2%), were assaulted by a person known to them. Only 74 (36.5%) present to the hospital within 72 h. Genital injuries were documented in 153 (75.4%). More than half, 112 (55.2%), were brought to the hospital by the police officers. In this study, 34 (16.7%) of survivors were admitted and 10 (4.9%) needed surgical procedures. Serology for syphilis, hepatitis B virus and HIV were reactive in 5 (7.1%), 1 (0.5%), and 1 (0.5%) respectively. The pregnancy test was positive in 12 (7.1%) of survivors. One (0.5%) study participant died in the intensive care unit.

Conclusion:

In this study, children and adolescents were the most vulnerable group, and survivors’ presentation to the hospital was delayed. They presented to the hospital with variable complications, including minor genital and/or extra-genital injuries, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, fractures, and multiple organ failures leading to death. Therefore, it is recommended that all concerned stakeholders work on the prevention of sexual assault in the study area. Legal protection for these survivors and students should also be strengthened. It is also recommended to evaluate the execution of existing national and international policies and programs toward sexual assault to develop contextual policies and guidelines.
Pelvic organ prolapse and associated factors among women admitted to gynecology ward at the Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Harar, eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Ali Abdek , Yadeta Elias , Eyeberu Addis , Abdisa Lemesa , Bekana Miressa , Dheresa Merga
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

The major aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of pelvic organ prolapse and its associated factors among patients admitted to the gynecology ward at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, eastern Ethiopia.

Methods:

A retrospective review of records was undertaken at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital. We used a simple random sampling technique to pick 387 gynecology ward–admitted patient records from 30 December 2020 to 10 January 2021. Data were extracted from maternal medical charts using a pretested checklist. The extracted data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and then exported into SPSS version 25 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was carried out to observe a significant correlation between independent and pelvic organ prolapse. An adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval was used to report the result. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

Results:

Among 387 responded women, 39 (10.1%; 95% confidence interval = 8.3–15.6) of them had at least one stage of pelvic organ prolapse. Multiparty (adjusted odds ratio = 1.88, 95% confidence interval = 1.41–10.60), grand multiparty (adjusted odds ratio = 2.63, 95% confidence interval = 1.53–12.90), older maternal age (adjusted odds ratio = 2.29, 95% confidence interval = 1.220–7.52), lifting a heavy object (adjusted odds ratio = 4.61, 95% confidence interval = 2.31–15.83), and having chronic cough (adjusted odds ratio = 2.39, 95% confidence interval = 1.10–5.19) were significantly associated with pelvic organ prolapse.

Conclusion:

Among women admitted to the hospital because of gynecological morbidity, one in ten of them had pelvic organ prolapse. Multiparty, advanced maternal age, having a chronic cough, and lifting heavy objects were identified to be risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse. Tailored primary prevention would enhance the well-being of reproductive-age women.
Ventral cervical subcutaneous Aspergillus species fungal granuloma in a cat
Authors: Bartels Courtney , Alvarez-Sanchez Alejandro , Ranganathan Bharadhwaj , O’Neill T William , Townsend Katy L
Published: September 2022

Case summary

An 8-year-old domestic longhair cat was evaluated for a right ventral subcutaneous cervical mass. Serial bloodwork and contrast-enhanced cranial and thoracic CT initially lacked ethmoturbinate lysis and showed a progressive, vascularized, right ventral cervical mass involving local lymph nodes. The mass was removed surgically on two occasions. Histopathology and fungal culture were diagnostic for a recurring sclerosing fungal granuloma and pyogranulomatous and eosinophilic lymphadenitis, consistent with Aspergillus species. The cat was treated with oral itraconazole; however, owing to the owner’s non-compliance in administering the medication and disease progression, the cat was humanely euthanized 3 years after diagnosis.

Relevance and novel information

The development of a cervical subcutaneous fungal granuloma of Aspergillus species in a domestic longhair cat before obvious maxillary, orbital or ethmoturbinate lysis on initial diagnostics is rare and suggests an early onset of lymphatic or hematogenous spread from a suspected nidus of infection within the sinonasal cavity.
Comparison of the Outcomes of Microendoscopic Discectomy Versus Full-Endoscopic Discectomy for the Treatment of L4/5 Lumbar Disc Herniation
Authors: Fujita Muneyoshi , Inui Takahiro , Oshima Yasushi , Iwai Hiroki , Inanami Hirohiko , Koga Hisashi
Published: September 2022

Study Design

Retrospective Comparative Study.

Objectives

To compare the outcomes of microendoscopic discectomy (MED) versus full-endoscopic discectomy (FED) for treating L4/5 lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on patients with L4/5 LDH treated using MED (n = 249) or FED (n = 124). A 16-mm tubular retractor and endoscope was used for MED, while a 4.1-mm working channel endoscope was used for FED. Patient background and operative data were collected. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scores were recorded preoperatively and at 1 and 2 years postsurgery.

Results

The background data of the two groups were similar. The mean operation times for MED and FED were 59.3 and 47.7 min (respectively), and the mean volumes of removed nucleus pulposus were .65 and 1.03 g, respectively. These differences were significant ( P < .001). Six dural tears and one postoperative hematoma were observed in the MED group; none were observed in the FED group. During the follow-up period, 16 MED and 7 FED patients required re-operation due to recurrence ( P = 1.00). Although the ODI and EQ-5D scores significantly improved at 1 and 2 years postsurgery in both groups, the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Operative outcomes were almost identical in both groups. We did not observe any operative or postoperative complications in FED. We, therefore, recommend FED as the first option for the treatment of L4/5 LDH since it has a better safety profile and is minimally invasive.
Should Physicians Disclose Their Own Health Challenges? Perspectives of Patients With Chronic Pain
Authors: Chang Howard A , Iuliano Kayla , Tackett Sean , Treisman Glenn J , Erdek Michael A , Chisolm Margaret S
Published: September 2022

This study explores how patients with chronic pain view the impact of physician self-disclosure on the patient–physician relationship. We conducted mixed-methods analyses of a cross-sectional survey eliciting experiences and attitudes regarding physician self-disclosure among 934 adults with self-reported chronic pain. Patients with chronic pain commonly recalled experiences of physician self-disclosure, most often “small talk” or physicians’ disclosure of their own chronic pain. Patients generally rated these experiences to be beneficial. Patients frequently said they would benefit from seeing a physician who has had chronic pain, or that they would want their physician to self-disclose their own chronic pain. Those who had never experienced self-disclosure were more likely to want their physician to self-disclose their own chronic pain. Nonetheless, patients held varying perspectives toward the advantages and disadvantages of physician self-disclosure, believing that self-disclosure could either positively or negatively impact the patient–physician relationship and care and communication.
Comparison of High-Resolution Ultrasonography With Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Jain Anshul , Malhotra Ankur , Chandak Shruti , Jain Aswani , Yogender Yogender , Deriya Arpit , Sharma Madhu
Published: September 2022

Objective:

The aim of this study was to examine whether high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) can provide information, on signs of inflammation and destruction, due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The focus was on the wrist joint, during early and late disease and compared the findings to those with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and Methods:

The study was based on 31 RA patients, with joint involvements, who were selected from those attending the outpatient rheumatology clinic. The patients completed both HRUS and MRI examinations, and their results were compared.

Results:

The HRUS and MRI images had near-perfect agreement, for detecting joint anomalies, in those RA patients. While comparing the overall performance of the HRUS and MRI studies, it was observed that HRUS was equal or nearly equal, demonstrating 90.83%, 100.0% and 94.93%, diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, respectively, for diagnosing RA pathologies.

Conclusion:

The early diagnosis of RA with HRUS and MRI examinations is very important, in the early treatment of RA. The HRUS examinations demonstrated a sensitive and reliable diagnostic method for assessing inflammatory activity and destructive changes in the joints of these RA patients, with HRUS findings comparable to those of MRI.
Effects of the presence or absence and the position of glued edge joints in the lamina on the shear strength of glued laminated timber
Authors: Ido Hirofumi , Miyatake Atsushi , Hiramatsu Yasushi , Miyamoto Kohta
Published: September 2022

Four kinds of glued laminated timber were produced (i.e., one with a glued edge-joint and the other three with nonglued edge joints) in the lamina at different positions toward the depth direction. Shear tests using an asymmetric four-point bending method were then conducted for these glued laminated timber specimens. The results showed that although the glued edge-joint specimens had the highest shear strength in all groups, the shear strength decreased as the distance from the adjacent nonglued edge-joint plane decreased. Furthermore, the shear strength of all specimens exceeded the standard shear design strength value (2.1 N/mm2) set by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan. Next, the shear strength of the nonglued edge-joint specimens was estimated based on that of the glued edge-joint specimens. Although the mean-estimated shear strength was lower than the mean-measured shear strength, the possibility of the shear strength changing based on the position of the nonglued edge-joint plane specimens from that of the glued edge-joint specimens was still estimated.
Relationship between left ventricular mechanical synchrony and left ventricular systolic function: a CZT-SPECT analysis
Authors: Sun Qiting , Huang Ruiliang , Fu Songhai , Wu Chen , Guo Xuliang , Li Tianliang , Hou Yuehong , Wang Fei , Xi Rui , Li Sijin
Published: September 2022

Background

CZT-SPECT has good agreement in the evaluation of mechanical synchronization compared with conventional SPECT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between left ventricular mechanical contraction synchrony and left ventricular systolic function by gated myocardial perfusion imaging (GMPI) using cadmium–zine–telluride (CZT) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Methods

This retrospective study involved 371 patients (239 males and 132 females, mean age 61.06 ± 11.78 years old) who underwent GMPI at the Nuclear Medicine Department of Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital from January 2020 to August 2020. Systolic synchrony parameters and left ventricular systolic function parameters were calculated via Emory Cardiac Toolbox, including PP, PSD, PHB, HS, HK, EDV, ESV, and LVEF. Based on LVEF value, patients were divided into the severe reduction group (group 1, 127 cases, EF < 35%), moderate reduction group (group 2, 47 cases, 35% ≤ EF < 45%), mild reduction group (group 3, 50 cases, 45% ≤ EF < 50%) and normal group (group 4, 147 cases, EF ≥ 50%). Differences in PP, PSD, PHB, HS and HK among the four groups were compared using one-way ANOVA. Differences between two groups were compared using LSD-t test. The correlation among functional and mechanical contraction synchrony factors were analyzed using Pearson test.

Results

PP, PSD, PHB, HS and HK were significantly different among the four groups (F = 5.20, 188.72, 202.88, 171.05, 101.36, P < 0.001). Pairwise comparison tests showed significant differences in PSD and PHB in each two groups, and HS and HK in each two groups except for group 2 and 3 (t = 0.28 and 0.39, both P > 0.001). PP was significantly higher in group 1, relative to group 3 (t = 2.43, P < 0.001) and group 4 (t = 3.67, P < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that LVEF negatively correlates with PP, PSD, PHB (r = 0.194, − 0.790, − 0.799, all P < 0.001). HS and HK showed positive correlation for LVEF (r = 0.778 and 0.795, P < 0.001), PSD, PHB and ESV were had good positive correlation (r = 0.778, 0.795, P < 0.001), PSD, PHB and EDV had good positive correlation (r = 0.722, 0.732, P < 0.001). However, PP had poor correlation with EDV (r = 0.095, P > 0.001). HS and HK were negatively correlated with EDV and ESV (r =  − 0.700 to − 0.594, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

CZT SPECT GMPI provided left ventricular mechanical contraction synchrony parameters that correlated well with left ventricular systolic function. Worse left ventricular mechanical contraction synchrony lead to decreased LVEF, making the systolic synchrony parameters valuable in the prediction of left ventricular systolic function.
Ischemic stroke in young patients in Medellín, Colombia
Authors: Vargas-Murcia Juan Diego , Isaza-Jaramillo Sandra Patricia , Vallejo-Mesa Dionis Magnary , Carvajal-Muñoz Daniela
Published: September 2022

Background

There is scarce information about ischemic stroke in young patients in Colombia. To get insights about this phenomenon, this study describes the etiologies and risk factors of ischemic stroke in young patients in a third level complexity referral hospital in Medellin, Colombia.

Methods

A retrospective observational cross-sectional study was carried out reviewing the medical records of patients between 18 to 49 years old admitted for the first time for ischemic stroke, from January 2009 to December 2019. The sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, and etiological classification of ischemic stroke according to the Trial of Org 10,172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) were described.

Results

Two hundred thirty-seven cases were found. The most frequent risk factors were arterial hypertension (31.7%), smoking (29.5%) and alcohol intake (23.2%). There was a greater number of traditional cardiovascular risk factors at older ages. The TOAST classification was large-artery atherosclerosis (6.8%), cardioembolism (17.7%), small-vessel disease (7.6%), other determined etiology (25.7%) and undetermined (42.2%). Within cardioembolism, the most common high-risk source was valve replacement, and the most common moderate-risk source was patent foramen ovale. Craniocervical arterial dissection (11.4%) and substance abuse (2.9%) were the two most frequent sources within other determined etiologies. The most common compromised vascular territory was the anterior (55.7%).

Conclusions

The high frequency of traditional risk factors in young patients highlights the need to optimize primary and secondary prevention plans. This study provides new insights about the relevance of illicit substance abuse in Colombia as a cause of stroke in young patients, unlike the previous one conducted in Bogotá. Infectious causes were other peculiarities found. It is necessary to investigate the reasons for the high proportion of undetermined causes.
Survival in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a ten-year follow-up study in northern China
Authors: Wang Song , Li Tao , Zhou Tingting , Pu Lanlan , Wang Hai-Yang , Yin Xiaoxue , Hao Xinqing , Ren Lu , Liang Zhanhua
Published: September 2022

Background

A thorough understanding of the factors that influence patient survival in Parkinson’s disease (PD) will aid in prognosis prediction and provide a new direction for disease modification treatment. Currently, there are no standardized mortality ratio (SMR) data for PD patients in the northern Chinese mainland. The main focus of this study was to determine which factors in the prospectively collected baseline characteristics can affect the survival of PD patients. In addition, for the first time, we investigated the SMR of PD patients in northern China.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2012, 218 PD patients were continuously recruited from the movement disorder clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University and followed up until death or May 31, 2021. The prespecified prognostic variables were demographics, clinical features, lifestyle factors, and drug dose prospectively collected at baseline. To determine the independent predictors of survival during follow-up, the Cox proportional hazards model was used. Kaplan–Meier analysis was applied to estimate the overall survival curve and to compare survival between layers based on statistically significant predictors. The SMR of this northern Chinese mainland PD cohort was calculated.

Results

After a mean follow-up of 9.58 ± 2.27 years, 50 patients (22.90%) died. Factors that could individually predict shortened survival during follow-up included older age at onset (hazard ratio [HR] 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.15), Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage ≥ 3 (HR 9.36, 95% CI 2.82–31.03) and severe cognitive impairment (HR 6.18, 95% CI 2.75–13.88). Univariate Cox regression revealed that a certain amount of physical activity was associated with better survival (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.22–0.74), while fatigue was associated with an increased risk of death (HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.37–4.70). The overall SMR was 1.32 (95% CI 0.98–1.74).

Conclusions

Older age at onset, higher baseline H&Y stage, and severe cognitive impairment have a negative impact on survival. The 10-year survival of PD patients is not significantly different from that of the general population in China.