bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of Studies Addressing the Implementation of the Evidence-Based Whole-School Reform “Success for All”
Authors: van Kuijk Mechteld , Mullender-Wijnsma Marijke , Bosker Roel
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

The effectiveness of the 14-component evidence-based whole-school reform Success for All (SfA) has been well established, but research on its implementation is limited although fidelity of implementation is vital for the effectiveness of such a program. This review sheds light on this issue.

Design/Approach/Methods:

A systematic literature review was conducted to acquire an overview of qualitative and quantitative aspects of SfA’s implementation in primary schools as well as to identify stimulating and hindering factors when implementing SfA. Sixteen studies, conducted in the United States and the United Kingdom, were included in this review.

Findings:

Results indicate that 48% of schools implemented SfA at the minimal level, 45% at a more advanced level, and 7% at an insufficient level. Information on the implementation for each of the 14 components was rare. Most of the factors that affected implementation were hindering factors rather than stimulating ones. For successful implementation of this evidence-based program, the crucial factors appear to be leadership, fulfilling organizational conditions, staff development, and relentlessly implementing all 14 components together.

Originality/Value:

This review shows that for an evidence-based program to be effective, implementation fidelity is a very serious concern, which needs to be addressed systematically.
Visual Analysis of Research Hot Spots, Characteristics, and Dynamic Evolution of International Competitive Basketball Based on Knowledge Mapping
Authors: Bin Cheng , Weiqi Chen , Shaoling Chu , Chunxia Hu
Published: January 2021

A total of 1,207 papers related to competitive basketball research from 1986 to 2019 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Taking the retrieved papers as research objects, the trend chart, keyword map, and citation map of international competitive basketball research were drawn using the visual software CiteSpaceIII, and the methods of literature review, knowledge map analysis, co-occurrence analysis, citation analysis, and word frequency analysis were used. The research status and hot spots of international competitive basketball in recent 30 years are analyzed, which clarify the research context of foreign competitive basketball, reveal the research trend of international competitive basketball, and provide theoretical reference for future competitive basketball research. The research shows that (a) competitive basketball research lacks influential scientific research institutions and leading figures, and the existing research institutions are in their own way with little cooperation. (b) The hot spots of competitive basketball research are “Competitive performance,” “Gender difference,” “Sports injury,” and so on. Co-occurrence network structure is relatively loose and the density is not high. (c) “Sports injury” has always been the hot spot and frontier of competitive basketball research, from the early rehabilitation basic research aimed at ensuring competitive participation to the fine-grained preventive research centered on “preventing diseases,” and then to the interdisciplinary comprehensive research of electronic science, neuroscience, and brain science. In this process, big data research began to emerge, reflecting the research characteristics of the era of mathematics and intelligence, and also showing the future research trend and development direction of competitive basketball.
High Incidence of Hand Injuries From Blocking in Elite Taekwondo Despite the Use of Protective Gear: A 5-Year Descriptive Epidemiology Study
Authors: Geßlein Markus , Rüther Johannes , Millrose Michael , Bail Hermann Josef , Martin Robin , Schuster Philipp
Published: January 2021

Background:

Hand and wrist injuries are a common but underestimated issue in taekwondo. Detailed data on injury risk, patterns, and mechanism are missing.

Purpose:

To evaluate (1) the fight time exposure-adjusted injury incidence rate (IIR) and clinical incidence and (2) injury site, type, sport-specific mechanism, and time loss in taekwondo.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Athletes from a single national Olympic taekwondo training center were investigated prospectively for hand and wrist injuries during training and competition over 5 years. The Orchard Sports Injury Classification System Version 10 was used to classify injury type, and analysis of the anatomic injury site was performed. The mechanism of injury was classified as due to either striking or blocking techniques.

Results:

From a total of 107 athletes, 79 athletes (73.8%) with a total exposure time of 8495 hours were included in the final data set. During the study period, 75 injuries of the hand and wrist region were recorded despite the athletes using protective hand gear. The IIR was 13.9 (95% CI, 10.5-17.5) and was significantly higher during competition. The clinical incidence as an indicator for risk of injury was 60.7% (95% CI, 50.9-70.5). Finger rays were the most affected location (68%), and fractures (43%) and joint ligament injuries (35%) were the most common type of injury. Significantly more injuries were found on the dominant hand side ( P < .001). Comparison of injury mechanisms demonstrated significantly more injuries at the finger rays deriving from blocking techniques ( P = .0104). The mean time loss for all hand and wrist injuries was 15.7 ± 13.5 days (range, 3-45 days) and was highest for distal radial fractures, with a mean of 39.7 ± 4.8 days (range, 32-45 days).

Conclusion:

There was a significantly higher IIR for acute hand and wrist injuries in elite taekwondo athletes during competition, which resulted in considerable time loss, especially when fractures or dislocations occurred. Significantly more injuries to the finger rays were found during blocking despite the use of protective hand gear. Improvement of tactical skills and blocking techniques during training and improved protective gear appear to be essential for injury prevention.
Confidence Limits of Word Identification Scores Derived Using Nonlinear Quantile Regression
Authors: Narne Vijaya K. , Möller Sören , Wolff Anne , Houmøller Sabina S. , Loquet Gérard , Hammershøi Dorte , Schmidt Jesper H.
Published: January 2021

The relation between degree of sensorineural hearing loss and maximum speech identification scores (PBmax) is commonly used in audiological diagnosis and rehabilitation. It is important to consider the relation between the degree of hearing loss and the lower boundary of PBmax, as the PBmax varies largely between subjects at a given degree of hearing loss. The present study determines the lower boundary by estimating the lower limit of the one-tailed 95% confidence limit (CL) for a Dantale I, word list, in a large group of young and older subjects with primarily sensorineural hearing loss. PBmax scores were measured using Dantale I, at 30 dB above the speech reception threshold or at the most comfortable level from 1,961 subjects with a wide range of pure-tone averages. A nonlinear quantile regression approach was applied to determine the lower boundary (95% CL) of PBmax scores. At a specific pure-tone average, if the measured PBmax is poorer than the lower boundary (95% CL) of PBmax, it may be considered disproportionately poor.
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Trends in East and South-East Asia: In the Light of Economic and Health Care Development
Authors: Feddema Jelle J. , van der Geest Anne M. , Claassen Eric , van de Burgwal Linda H. M.
Published: January 2021

This study explored to what degree economic development and improvement of healthcare are associated with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) mortality. A correlation analysis between LRTI mortality and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, and the Health Access and Quality Index (HAQI), respectively was conducted for 15 countries in East and South-East Asia. The results revealed a dramatic decrease in LRTI mortality in total populations for lower-middle income (LMI) countries but at the same time an increase in upper-middle income (UMI) and high-income (HI) countries. A highly significant ( P < .001) growth-dependent relationship between LRTI mortality and economic growth was observed. Improvements in HAQI were significantly associated with a decrease in LRTI mortality in LMI countries, but an increase in UMI and HI countries. The decline of LRTI mortality amongst children in LMI countries is an encouraging trend and efforts against LRTI must be continued, though not at the expense of preparing health systems for the growing burden.
Collaging atmosphere: Exploring the architectural touch of the eye
Authors: Stenslund Anette
Published: January 2021

In recent decades, research has paid attention to the atmospheric ways computer-generated imagery (CGI) marks the experience of future urban design. What has been addressed in the generic abbreviation CGI has, however, exclusively concerned visualisations that communicate with stakeholders beyond designers and architects. Based on fieldwork within an urban design lab, the paper differentiates among the range of CGI used by urban designers. Focusing on collage, which forms one kind of CGI that has received scant attention in scholarly literature, I demonstrate its key function as an epistemological in-house work-in-progress tool that helps designers to refine their vision and to identify the atmosphere of future urban spaces. Based on New Aesthetics, collaging atmosphere is characterised by a physiognomic approach to urban space that selectively addresses aesthetic characteristics. Hence, the paper tackles a discussion that points towards cautious handling of the communicative scope of collages that can be well complemented by other types of CGI before entering a constructive dialogue with clients.
Novel Vacuum-Assisted Method for Harvesting Autologous Cancellous Bone Graft and Bone Marrow From the Proximal Tibial Metaphysis
Authors: Lukasiewicz Adam M. , Bagi Paul S. , Yu Kristin E. , Tyagi Vineet , Walls Raymond J.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Autogenous cancellous bone graft and bone marrow aspirate are commonly used in lower extremity fusion procedures to enhance fusion potential, and frequently in revision situations where bone loss and osteolysis may be a feature. The tibial metaphysis is a common donor site for bone graft, with the procedure typically performed using a curette or trephine to harvest the cancellous bone. Some limitations of this technique include suboptimal harvest of the marrow portion in particular, incomplete graft harvest, and loss of graft material during the harvest process. We describe a novel vacuum-assisted bone harvesting device to acquire cancellous bone and marrow from the proximal tibia.

Methods:

This is a retrospective study of a single surgeon’s consecutive patients who underwent foot and ankle arthrodesis procedures using proximal tibia autograft obtained using a vacuum-assisted bone harvesting device. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient and operative characteristics and outcomes. We identified 9 patients with a mean age of 51 years, 4 of whom were female.

Results:

On average, the skin incision was slightly more than 2 cm, and 27 mL of solid graft and 16 mL of liquid phase aspirate were collected. At 6 weeks after the procedure, there was minimal to no pain at the donor site, and we did not observe any fractures or other complications.

Conclusions:

We report the use of a novel vacuum-assisted curette device to harvest bone graft from the proximal tibial metaphysis for use in foot and ankle fusions. This device has been reliable and efficient in clinical practice.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Social Media Use Among Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Surgeons
Authors: Garofolo-Gonzalez Garret , Iturriaga Cesar R. , Pasternack Jordan B. , Bitterman Adam , Guyton Gregory P.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Digital media is an effective tool to enhance brand recognition and is currently referenced by more than 40% of orthopedic patients when selecting a physician. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of social media among foot and ankle (F&A) orthopedic surgeons, and the impact of that social media presence on scores of a physician-rated website (PRW).

Methods:

Randomly selected F&A orthopedic surgeons from all major geographical locations across the United States were identified using the AAOS.org website. Internet searches were then performed using the physician’s name and the respective social media platform. A comprehensive social media use index (SMI) was created for each surgeon using a scoring system based on social media platform use. The use of individual platforms and SMI was compared to the F&A surgeon’s Healthgrades scores. Descriptive statistics, unpaired Student t tests, and linear regression were used to assess the effect of social media on the PRW scores.

Results:

A total of 123 board-certified F&A orthopedic surgeons were included in our study demonstrating varying social media use: Facebook (48.8%), Twitter (15.4%), YouTube (23.6%), LinkedIn (47.9%), personal website (24.4%), group website (52.9%), and Instagram (0%). The mean SMI was 2.4 ± 1.6 (range 0-7). Surgeons who used a Facebook page were older, whereas those using a group website were younger ( P < .05). F&A orthopedic surgeons with a YouTube page had statistically higher Healthgrades scores compared to those without ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

F&A orthopedic surgeons underused social media platforms in their clinical practice. Among all the platforms studied, a YouTube page was the most impactful social media platform on Healthgrades scores for F&A orthopedic surgeons. Given these findings, we recommend that physicians closely monitor their digital identity and maintain a diverse social media presence including a YouTube page to promote their clinical practice.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.
Making Entrepreneurship Education Available to All: Design Principles for Educational Programs Stimulating an Entrepreneurial Mindset
Authors: Baggen Yvette , Lans Thomas , Gulikers Judith
Published: January 2021

Over the past decade, entrepreneurship education (EE) has increasingly been introduced as a school-wide approach to stimulating an entrepreneurial mindset across various educational levels. We refer to this as “wide approaches to EE”. Wide approaches to EE require education programs that go beyond simply defining entrepreneurial competencies (the “what” question) and ask for learning activities that enable the enfolding, cultivation, and development of such competencies (the “how” question). Although important steps have been made with respect to addressing the “how” question, principles to actually design wide EE programs are scarce. Here, we advance the educational practice and research regarding wide EE by deducing design principles for wide EE programs across educational levels based on core theories in the entrepreneurship literature, including experiential learning, social constructivism, and effectuation theory. The 11 design principles represent the entrepreneurial process, the task, and the context and relationships of wide EE programs, and are discussed in three European cases from different educational levels in order to illustrate how the design principles can be used for understanding wide EE practices. The identified design principles can promote evidence-informed discussion among teachers, curriculum designers, policy-makers, scholars, and others regarding the design, implementation, and investigation of wide EE programs.
An Eco-systems Approach to Climate Impacts on Farmer Wellbeing in Konya Closed Basin
Authors: Martin Jennifer , Bozdemir Fatih , Sheikh Ahaduzzaman
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of climate change on the wellbeing of farmers in Konya, Turkey. An ecosystems approach was adopted to take a holistic view of the range of inter-related ecological factors. A focus was on psychological and social impacts with a comparison of impacts on farmers engaged in traditional agriculture and those who had adopted conservation agriculture farming practices. Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with farmers and agricultural workers to gain an increased understanding of the impact of climate change on their wellbeing. The study found that all farmers were under considerable psychological stress and that the introduction of new farming practices such as conservation agriculture led to increased stress in the early stages of adoption. Implications for the psychological and social support of farmers, particularly in the early stages of adoption of new farming practices are highlighted.
Endobariatric procedures for obesity: clinical indications and available options
Authors: Goyal Hemant , Kopel Jonathan , Perisetti Abhilash , Mann Rupinder , Ali Aman , Tharian Benjamin , Saligram Shreyas , Inamdar Sumant
Published: January 2021

Obesity remains a growing public health epidemic that has increased healthcare costs and related comorbidities. Current treatment guidelines encourage a multidisciplinary approach starting from patient selection, interventions, and long-term follow-up to maintain weight loss. However, these conservative interventions are largely ineffective at reducing body weight due to low adherence to the treatment regimen. Recently, endoscopic bariatric therapies have become an attractive alternative to traditional invasive bariatric surgeries due to their improved efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Endoscopic bariatric therapies include intragastric balloon placement, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, gastric bypass revision, and aspiration therapy. These procedures fall into two separate categories depending on the primary mechanism involved: restrictive or malabsorptive. Restrictive methods, such as the Orbera® and ReShape™ intragastric balloons, increase satiation and delay gastric emptying while decreasing the amount of food that can be ingested. In contrast, malabsorptive devices, such as the EndoBarrier®, interfere with the small intestine’s ability to absorb food while restoring normal gastrointestinal hormone levels regulating satiation. Together, these techniques provide useful alternatives for patients in whom pharmacological or lifestyle modifications have proven ineffective. Despite these advantages, the long-term effects of these procedures on metabolic changes remain to be studied. Furthermore, the management of complications from these procedures continues to evolve. In this review, we aim to elaborate on the clinical indications and efficacy of the endobariatric procedures, together with various types of available endoscopic bariatric therapy procedures.
Dataset from the shake table tests of a rocking podium structure
Authors: Vassiliou Michalis F , Cengiz Cihan , Dietz Matt , Dihoru Luiza , Broccardo Marco , Mylonakis George , Sextos Anastasios , Stojadinovic Bozidar
Published: January 2021

Conventional validation of analytical and numerical models in Earthquake Engineering involves the comparison of numerically simulated response time histories to experimentally obtained benchmark responses to the same earthquake excitations. As the seismic design problem is inherently stochastic, an alternative, statistical, and easier-to-pass validation procedure has been suggested. As an example, numerical and analytical models may fail to predict the planar rocking response of a rigid block to a specific ground motion, but they can be proven quite successful in predicting the statistical distribution of the maxima of that response to an ensemble of ground motions. This article describes the publicly available data obtained from a series of 226 shake table tests of a 3D rocking podium structure, designed at ETH Zurich and carried out at EQUALS Lab, University of Bristol. This well-documented dataset is the largest one involving a shake table and can be used to statistically validate analytical and numerical models of rocking structures.
Application of discrete wavelet transform in seismic nonlinear analysis of soil–structure interaction problems
Authors: Kamgar Reza , Tavakoli Reihaneh , Rahgozar Peyman , Jankowski Robert
Published: January 2021

Simulation of soil–structure interaction (SSI) effects is a time-consuming and costly process. However, ignoring the influence of SSI on structural response may lead to inaccurate results, especially in the case of seismic nonlinear analysis. In this article, wavelet transform methodology has been utilized for investigation of the seismic response of soil–structure systems. For this purpose, different story outrigger-braced buildings resting on two different types of soil have been considered for SSI analysis. For each SSI system, several seismic records, with different values of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and peak ground velocity (PGV), have been first decomposed into approximate and detailed signals using a discrete wavelet transform. Then, seismic responses of the SSI systems subjected to the approximate signal have been evaluated. The results of the study show that, for earthquakes with low PGA/PGV ratio, the error percentage of all the parameters is smaller than 5% for the first level, and the error index is below 10% for the third level. As the PGA/PGV ratio of an earthquake increases, the concordance of approximate results with the main results decreases. However, even for the earthquakes with the PGA/PGV ratio higher than 1.2 g s/m, the first-level approximation can be used to predict seismic responses with at least 90% accuracy while significantly reducing the computational time.
The Changes in Team Cognition and Cognitive Artifact Use During Agile Software Development Project Management
Authors: Drury-Grogan Meghann L.
Published: January 2021

This study examines changing team cognition and cognitive artifact use as agile software development iterations progress to better understand team member interactions. The four case studies conducted observed the distributed cognition on the team changing from planning, managing, developing, and concluding tasks in iterations to deliver working functionality. Cognitive artifacts used throughout the iteration also changed. This study provides a clearer understanding of how and when team cognition and artifact use change as agile software development teams use artifacts to manage projects. Interactions between team members and artifacts move from individual to social interactions as the iteration progresses with frequent, short, continuous communication and interactions.
Targeting the AnxA1/Fpr2/ALX pathway regulates neutrophil function, promoting thromboinflammation resolution in sickle cell disease
Authors: Ansari Junaid , Senchenkova Elena Y. , Vital Shantel A. , Al-Yafeai Zaki , Kaur Gaganpreet , Sparkenbaugh Erica M. , Orr A. Wayne , Pawlinski Rafal , Hebbel Robert P. , Granger D. Neil , Kubes Paul , Gavins Felicity N. E.
Published: January 2021

Neutrophils play a crucial role in the intertwined processes of thrombosis and inflammation. An altered neutrophil phenotype may contribute to inadequate resolution, which is known to be a major pathophysiological contributor of thromboinflammatory conditions such as sickle cell disease (SCD). The endogenous protein annexin A1 (AnxA1) facilitates inflammation resolution via formyl peptide receptors (FPRs). We sought to comprehensively elucidate the functional significance of targeting the neutrophil-dependent AnxA1/FPR2/ALX pathway in SCD. Administration of AnxA1 mimetic peptide AnxA1Ac2-26 ameliorated cerebral thrombotic responses in Sickle transgenic mice via regulation of the FPR2/ALX (a fundamental receptor involved in resolution) pathway. We found direct evidence that neutrophils with SCD phenotype play a key role in contributing to thromboinflammation. In addition, AnxA1Ac2-26 regulated activated SCD neutrophils through protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular signal–regulated kinases (ERK1/2) to enable resolution. We present compelling conceptual evidence that targeting the AnxA1/FPR2/ALX pathway may provide new therapeutic possibilities against thromboinflammatory conditions such as SCD.
Quantitative proteomics-based analyses performed on pre-eclampsia samples in the 2004–2020 period: a systematic review
Authors: Navajas Rosana , Corrales Fernando , Paradela Alberto
Published: January 2021

Background

Quantitative proteomics is an invaluable tool in biomedicine for the massive comparative analysis of protein component of complex biological samples. In the last two decades, this technique has been used to describe proteins potentially involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of preeclampsia as well as to identify protein biomarkers that could be used with diagnostic/prognostic purposes in pre-eclampsia.

Results

We have done a systematic review of all proteomics-based papers describing differentially expressed proteins in this disease. Searching Pubmed with the terms pre-eclampsia and proteomics, restricted to the Title/Abstract and to MeSH fields, and following manual curation of the original list, retrieved 69 original articles corresponding to the 2004–2020 period. We have only considered those results based on quantitative, unbiased proteomics studies conducted in a controlled manner on a cohort of control and pre-eclamptic individuals. The sources of biological material used were serum/plasma (n = 32), placenta (n = 23), urine (n = 9), cerebrospinal fluid (n = 2), amniotic fluid (n = 2) and decidual tissue (n = 1). Overall results were filtered based on two complementary criteria. First, we have only accounted all those proteins described in at least two (urine), three (placenta) and four (serum/plasma) independent studies. Secondly, we considered the consistency of the quantitative data, that is, inter-study agreement in the protein abundance control/pre-eclamptic ratio. The total number of differential proteins in serum/plasma (n = 559), placenta (n = 912), urine (n = 132) and other sources of biological material (n = 26), reached 1631 proteins. Data were highly complementary among studies, resulting from differences on biological sources, sampling strategies, patient stratification, quantitative proteomic analysis methods and statistical data analysis. Therefore, stringent filtering was applied to end up with a cluster of 18, 29 and 16 proteins consistently regulated in pre-eclampsia in placenta, serum/plasma and urine, respectively. The systematic collection, standardization and evaluation of the results, using diverse filtering criteria, provided a panel of 63 proteins whose levels are consistently modified in the context of pre-eclampsia.
Distance-based functional criticality in the human brain: intelligence and emotional intelligence
Authors: Jiang Lili , Qiao Kaini , Li Chunlin
Published: January 2021

Background

Anatomical distance has been identified as a key factor in the organizational principles of the human brain. On the other hand, criticality was proposed to accommodate the multiscale properties of human brain dynamics, and functional criticality based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rfMRI) is a sensitive neuroimaging marker for human brain dynamics. Hence, to explore the effects of anatomical distance of the human brain on behaviors in terms of functional criticality, we proposed a revised algorithm of functional criticality called the distance-based vertex-wise index of functional criticality, and assessed this algorithm compared with the original neighborhood-based functional criticality.

Results

We recruited two groups of healthy participants, including young adults and middle-aged participants, for a total of 60 datasets including rfMRI and intelligence as well as emotional intelligence to study how human brain functional criticalities at different spatial scales contribute to individual behaviors. Furthermore, we defined the average distance between the particular behavioral map and vertices with significant functional connectivity as connectivity distance. Our results demonstrated that intelligence and emotional intelligence mapped to different brain regions at different ages. Additionally, intelligence was related to a wider distance range compared to emotional intelligence.

Conclusions

For different age groups, our findings not only provided a linkage between intelligence/emotional intelligence and functional criticality but also quantitatively characterized individual behaviors in terms of anatomical distance.
Full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis of human gut microbiota using MinION™ nanopore sequencing confers species-level resolution
Authors: Matsuo Yoshiyuki , Komiya Shinnosuke , Yasumizu Yoshiaki , Yasuoka Yuki , Mizushima Katsura , Takagi Tomohisa , Kryukov Kirill , Fukuda Aisaku , Morimoto Yoshiharu , Naito Yuji , Okada Hidetaka , Bono Hidemasa , Nakagawa So , Hirota Kiichi
Published: January 2021

Background

Species-level genetic characterization of complex bacterial communities has important clinical applications in both diagnosis and treatment. Amplicon sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene has proven to be a powerful strategy for the taxonomic classification of bacteria. This study aims to improve the method for full-length 16S rRNA gene analysis using the nanopore long-read sequencer MinION™. We compared it to the conventional short-read sequencing method in both a mock bacterial community and human fecal samples.

Results

We modified our existing protocol for full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing by MinION™. A new strategy for library construction with an optimized primer set overcame PCR-associated bias and enabled taxonomic classification across a broad range of bacterial species. We compared the performance of full-length and short-read 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing for the characterization of human gut microbiota with a complex bacterial composition. The relative abundance of dominant bacterial genera was highly similar between full-length and short-read sequencing. At the species level, MinION™ long-read sequencing had better resolution for discriminating between members of particular taxa such as Bifidobacterium, allowing an accurate representation of the sample bacterial composition.

Conclusions

Our present microbiome study, comparing the discriminatory power of full-length and short-read sequencing, clearly illustrated the analytical advantage of sequencing the full-length 16S rRNA gene.
Prehospital arterial hypercapnia in acute heart failure is associated with admission to acute care units and emergency room length of stay: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fabre Mathias , Fehlmann Christophe A. , Gartner Birgit , Zimmermann-Ivoll Catherine G. , Rey Florian , Sarasin François , Suppan Laurent
Published: January 2021

Background

Acute Heart Failure (AHF) is a common condition that often presents with acute respiratory distress and requires urgent medical evaluation and treatment. Arterial hypercapnia is common in AHF and has been associated with a higher rate of intubation and non-invasive ventilation in the Emergency Room (ER), but its prognostic value has never been studied in the prehospital setting.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on the charts of all patients taken care of by a physician-staffed prehospital mobile unit between June 2016 and September 2019 in Geneva. After approval by the ethics committee, charts were screened to identify all adult patients with a diagnosis of AHF in whom a prehospital arterial blood gas (ABG) sample was drawn. The main predictor was prehospital hypercapnia. The primary outcome was the admission rate in an acute care unit (ACU, composite of intensive care and high-dependency units). Secondary outcomes were ER length of stay (LOS), orientation from ER (intensive care unit, high-dependency unit, general ward, discharge home), intubation rate at 24 h, hospital LOS and hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 106 patients with a diagnosis of AHF were analysed. Hypercapnia was found in 61 (58%) patients and vital signs were more severely altered in this group. The overall ACU admission rate was 48%, with a statistically significant difference between hypercapnic and non-hypercapnic patients (59% vs 33%,p = 0.009). ER LOS was shorter in hypercapnic patients (5.4 h vs 8.9 h,p = 0.016).

Conclusions

There is a significant association between prehospital arterial hypercapnia, acute care unit admission, and ER LOS in AHF patients.
Short chain fatty acids and colon motility in a mouse model of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Shaidullov Ilnar F. , Sorokina Dina M. , Sitdikov Farit G. , Hermann Anton , Abdulkhakov Sayar R. , Sitdikova Guzel F.
Published: January 2021

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is defined as a multifactorial disorder associated with visceral hypersensitivity, altered gut motility and dysfunction of the brain-gut axis. Gut microbiota and its metabolites are proposed as possible etiological factors of IBS. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) induce both inhibitory and stimulatory action on colon motility, however, their effects on the IBS model were not investigated. The aim of our study was to investigate the level of SFCAs in feces and their effects on colon motility in a mouse model of IBS.

Methods

IBS model was induced in mice by intracolonic infusion of 1% acetic acid during the early postnatal period. Mice colon hypersensitivity was assessed by the threshold of the abdominal withdrawal reflex in response to colorectal distention. Colon contractility was studied using proximal colon specimens in isometric conditions. Transit rates were assessed by the pellet propulsion in the isolated colon. Concentrations of SCFAs in feces were measured using gas–liquid chromatography.

Results

The concentration of SCFAs in feces of IBS model mice was higher compared to the control group. Visceral sensitivity to colorectal distension and colonic transit rate were increased indicating IBS with predominant diarrhea. The frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions of proximal colon segments from IBS mice were higher, but carbachol induced contractions were lower compared to control. During acute application of SCFAs (sodium propionate, sodium acetate or butyric acid) dose-dependently (0.5–30 mM) decreased tonic tension, frequency and amplitude of spontaneous and carbachol-evoked contractions. In the mouse IBS group the inhibitory effects SCFAs on spontaneous and carbachol-evoked contractions were less pronounced. At the same time intraluminal administration of butyrate (5 mM) increased the transit rate in the colon of both groups, but its stimulatory effect was more pronounced in mouse IBS model group.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that the increased transit rate in the mouse IBS model group is associated with a disbalance of activating and inhibiting action of SCFAs due to chronically elevated SCFA levels, which may impact the pathogenesis of IBS with predominant diarrhea syndrome.
Development and validation of a novel competing risk model for predicting survival of esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma: a SEER population-based study and external validation
Authors: Wang Tongbo , Wu Yan , Zhou Hong , Wu Chaorui , Zhang Xiaojie , Chen Yingtai , Zhao Dongbing
Published: January 2021

Background

Adenocarcinoma in Esophagogastric Junction (AEG) is a severe gastrointestinal malignancy with a unique clinicopathological feature. Hence, we aimed to develop a competing risk nomogram for predicting survival for AEG patients and compared it with new 8th traditional tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system.

Methods

Based on data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database of AEG patients between 2004 and 2010, we used univariate and multivariate analysis to filter clinical factors and then built a competing risk nomogram to predict AEG cause-specific survival. We then measured the clinical accuracy by comparing them to the 8th TNM stage with a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, Brier score, and Decision Curve Analysis (DCA). External validation was performed in 273 patients from China National Cancer Center.

Results

A total of 1755 patients were included in this study. The nomogram was based on five variables: Number of examined lymph nodes, grade, invasion, metastatic LNs, and age. The results of the nomogram was greater than traditional TNM staging with ROC curve (1-year AUC: 0.747 vs. 0.641, 3-year AUC: 0.761 vs. 0.679, 5-year AUC: 0.759 vs. 0.682, 7-year AUC: 0.749 vs. 0.673, P < 0.001), Brier score (3-year: 0.198 vs. 0.217, P = 0.012; 5-year: 0.198 vs. 0.216, P = 0.008; 7-year: 0.199 vs. 0.215, P = 0.014) and DCA. In external validation, the nomogram also showed better diagnostic value than traditional TNM staging and great prediction accuracy.

Conclusion

We developed and validated a novel nomogram and risk stratification system integrating clinicopathological characteristics for AEG patients. The model showed superior prediction ability for AEG patients than traditional TNM classification.
Immunogenicity and safety of a live herpes zoster vaccine in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Chun June Young , Kim Kichun , Lee Min Kyeong , Kang Chang Kyung , Koh Youngil , Shin Dong-Yeop , Hong Junshik , Choe Pyoeng Gyun , Kim Nam Joong , Yoon Sung-Soo , Park Wan Beom , Kim Inho , Oh Myoung-don
Published: January 2021

Background

Herpes zoster (HZ) infection of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients is of clinical concern. Vaccination could help restore immunity to varicella zoster virus (VZV); however, temporal changes in immunogenicity and safety of live HZ vaccines after HSCT is still unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the temporal immunogenicity and safety of the HZ vaccine according to time since HSCT and to determine optimal timing of vaccination.

Methods

Live HZ vaccine was administered to patients 2–5 years or > 5 years post-HSCT. Control groups comprised patients with a hematologic malignancy who received cytotoxic chemotherapy and healthy volunteers. Humoral and cellular immunogenicity were measured using a glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (gpELISA) and an interferon-γ (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay. Vaccine-related adverse events were also monitored.

Results

Fifty-six patients with hematologic malignancy (41 in the HSCT group and 15 in the chemotherapy group) along with 30 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The geometric mean fold rises (GMFRs) in humoral immune responses of the 2–5 year and > 5 year HSCT groups, and the healthy volunteer group, were comparable and significantly higher than that of the chemotherapy group (3.15, 95% CI [1.96–5.07] vs 5.05, 95% CI [2.50–10.20] vs 2.97, 95% CI [2.30–3.83] vs 1.42, 95% CI [1.08–1.86]). The GMFR of cellular immune responses was highest in the HSCT 2–5 year group and lowest in the chemotherapy group. No subject suffered clinically significant adverse events or reactivation of VZV within the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that a live HZ vaccine is immunogenic and safe when administered 2 years post-HSCT.
Hemostasis functions are associated with hemorrhagic transformation in non-atrial fibrillation patients: a case-control study
Authors: Cheng Hao-Ran , Chen Yun-Bin , Zeng Ya-Ying , Ruan Yi-Ting , Yuan Cheng-Xiang , Cheng Qian-Qian , Chen Hui-Jun , Luan Xiao-Qian , Huang Gui-Qian , He Jin-Cai
Published: January 2021

Background

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a serious neurological complication of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after revascularization. The majority of AIS patients do not have atrial fibrillation (AF) which could also develop into HT. In this study, we aimed to explore whether hemostasis parameters are risk factors of HT in non-AF patients.

Methods

We consecutively enrolled 285 AIS patients with HT. Meanwhile, age- and sex-matched 285 AIS patients without HT were included. The diagnosis of HT was determined by brain CT or MRI during hospitalization. All patients were divided into two subgroups based on the presence of AF and explore the differences between the two subgroups. Blood samples were obtained within 24 h of admission, and all patients were evenly classified into three tertiles according to platelet counts (PLT) levels.

Results

In this study, we found the first PLT tertile (OR = 3.509, 95%CI = 1.268–9.711, P = 0.016) was independently associated with HT in non-AF patients, taking the third tertile as a reference. Meanwhile, we also found mean platelet volume (MPV) (OR = 0.605, 95%CI = 0.455–0.805, P = 0.001) and fibrinogen (FIB) (OR = 1.928, 95%CI = 1.346–2.760, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with HT in non-AF patients. But in AF patients, hemostasis parameters showed no significant difference. Meanwhile, we found the MPV (OR = 1.314, 95%CI = 1.032–1.675, P = 0.027) and FIB (OR = 1.298, 95%CI = 1.047–1.610, P = 0.018) were significantly associated with long-term outcomes in non-AF HT patients.

Conclusions

Low PLT, low MPV, and high FIB levels were independently associated with HT in non-AF patients. Additionally, MPV and FIB levels were significantly associated with unfavorable long-term outcomes in non-AF HT patients. Our study showed that hemostasis functions at admission may be beneficial for clinicians to recognize patients with a high risk of HT at an early stage and improve unfavorable long-term outcomes in non-AF patients.
Assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms during pregnancy: an observational cross-sectional study from Palestine
Authors: Saffarini Jaffar H. , Ahmad Qais T. , Samara Ahmad M. , Jabri Dima S. , Safarini Zaina H. , Banijaber Yousra M. , Jaradat Ahmad , Abushamma Faris , Zyoud Sa’ed H.
Published: January 2021

Background

Women frequently complain of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) during pregnancy due to multiple physiological and potentially pathological changes. Still, there is limited data on the characteristics of LUTS for pregnant women in Palestine. Therefore, this study was designed to assess LUTS among pregnant women in Palestine, in addition to identifying factors that exacerbate LUTS during pregnancy.

Methods

We devised a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study that used the Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ) tools to assess LUTS during pregnancy in an antenatal care clinic setting. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to determine variables that significantly related to LUTS (UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores as dependent variables).

Results

The study recruited 306 pregnant women. Regarding LUTS findings, the participants scored a mean of 31.9 ± 24.9 out of 100 points (6.7 ± 5.2 out of 21) for the IIQ-7 scale and a mean of 31.2 ± 19.2 out of 100 points (5.6 ± 3.4 out of 18) for the UDI-6 scale. Regression analysis showed that older women (p = 0.031), women with a higher body mass index (p < 0.001), and women in the third trimester of pregnancy (p = 0.023), were independently associated with high UDI score. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that obese and overweight patients (p = 0.006) and multiparity (p = 0.026) were independently associated with high IIQ score.

Conclusions

High body mass index is independently associated with both UDI and IIQ scores for LUTS. Several strategies should be arranged to raise the awareness of females of childbearing age in Palestine regarding LUTS during pregnancy and factors which may exacerbate LUTS, such as obesity and multiparity. Thus, preventive measures should be implemented, such as serial assessment of LUTS during antenatal care to respond timely to this frequent problem.
Efficiency of non-invasive prenatal screening in pregnant women at advanced maternal age
Authors: Zhu Hui , Jin Xiaoxiao , Xu Yuqing , Zhang Weihua , Liu Xiaodan , Jin Jinglei , Qian Yeqing , Dong Minyue
Published: January 2021

Background

Non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) is widely used as the alternative choice for pregnant women at high-risk of fetal aneuploidy. However, whether NIPS has a good detective efficiency for pregnant women at advanced maternal age (AMA) has not been fully studied especially in Chinese women.

Methods

Twenty-nine thousand three hundred forty-three pregnant women at AMA with singleton pregnancy who received NIPS and followed-up were recruited. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the Youden Index for detecting fetal chromosomal aneuploidies were analyzed. The relationship between maternal age and common fetal chromosomal aneuploidy was observed.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of NIPS for detecting fetal trisomy 21 were 99.11, 99.96, 90.98, and 100%, respectively. These same parameters for detecting fetal trisomy 18 were 100, 99.94, 67.92, and 100%, respectively. Finally, these parameters for detecting trisomy 13 were 100, 99.96, 27.78, and 100%, respectively. The prevalence of fetal trisomy 21 increased exponentially with maternal age. The high-risk percentage incidence rate of fetal trisomy 21 was significantly higher in the pregnant women at 37 years old or above than that in pregnant women at 35 to 37 years old. (Youden index = 37).

Conclusion

It is indicated that NIPS is an effective prenatal screening method for pregnant women at AMA.
Factors influencing stress, anxiety, and depression among Iranian pregnant women: the role of sexual distress and genital self-image
Authors: Keramat Afsaneh , Malary Mina , Moosazadeh Mahmood , Bagherian Nastaran , Rajabi-Shakib Mohammad-Reza
Published: January 2021

Background

Pregnancy is a unique period with the increased likelihood of psychological changes and emotional disturbances such as depression, anxiety, and stress. In this study, we investigated the factors influencing depression, anxiety, and stress in pregnancy and identify their associations with Sexual Distress (SD) and Genital Self-Image (GSI).

Methods

This was a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study performed using the two-stage cluster sampling method between September 2019 and January 2020. Overall, 295 pregnant women completed a demographics and obstetric information checklist, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSI), and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R).

Results

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences in the mean scores of SD between the groups with varying degrees of depression, anxiety, and stress (P <  0.001) and in the mean score of GSI between the groups with varying degrees of depression (P = 0.01) and anxiety (P <  0.001). In multivariate linear regression analysis, higher (worse) depression, anxiety, and stress scores were found in women with more advanced age and higher SD scores; however, these scores were lower (better) in those with increased gestational age. Lower depression and anxiety scores were associated with moderate satisfaction with income, moderate satisfaction with BI in pregnancy, and lower stress and depression scores were linked to planned pregnancy. Higher (better) GSI score was a predictor of lower depression score, complication in a previous pregnancy was a predictor of higher stress score, and finally, fear of fetal abortion and being a housewife were predictors of a higher anxiety score.

Conclusion

Various factors contribute to the development of antenatal depression, anxiety, and stress. A positive correlation was found between SD and the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress, while a negative correlation was noted between GSI and the severity of depression and anxiety. Therefore, raising awareness regarding SD and GSI through screening and counseling sessions can have beneficial effects for mothers and their fetuses.