bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression – The value of salivary cortisol and cortisone in assessing hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal recovery
Authors: Kalaria Tejas , Agarwal Mayuri , Kaur Sukhbir , Hughes Lauren , Sharrod-Cole Hayley , Chaudhari Rahul , Gherman-Ciolac Carolina , Chopra Roopa , Okeke Victor , Ford Clare , Buch Harit , Gama Rousseau
Published: September 2020

Background

The 0.25 mg short synacthen test is used to assess recovery from hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal suppression due to chronic glucocorticoid administration. We assessed the potential role of salivary cortisol and cortisone in predicting hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal function using the short synacthen test as the gold standard test.

Method

Between 09:00 and 10:30, salivary and blood samples were collected just prior to a short synacthen test to assess hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis recovery in patients previously treated with oral glucocorticoids. The cut-off for a normal short synacthen test was a 30-min cortisol ≥450 nmol/L.

Results

Fifty-six short synacthen tests were performed on 47 patients. Of these, 15 were normal. The area under receiver operating characteristic curves for serum cortisol, salivary cortisone and salivary cortisol were 0.772, 0.785 and 0.770, respectively. From the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the cut-offs for baseline serum cortisol (≥365 nmol/L) and salivary cortisone (≥37.2 nmol) predicted hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis recovery with 100% specificity in 26.7% of pass short synacthen tests, whereas salivary cortisol predicted none. Baseline serum cortisol (≤170 nmol/L), salivary cortisone (≤9.42 nmol/L) and salivary cortisol (≤1.92 nmol/L) predicted hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal suppression with 100% sensitivity in 58.5%, 53.7% and 51.2% of failed short synacthen tests, respectively. Using these cut-offs, baseline serum cortisol, salivary cortisone and salivary cortisol could reduce the need for short synacthen tests by 50%, 46% and 37%, respectively.

Conclusion

Although marginally inferior to early morning serum cortisol, early morning salivary cortisone may be used as a first-line test for assessing hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal function. We plan to incorporate salivary cortisone into a home-based patient pathway to identify patients with hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal recovery, continuing hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal suppression and those who require a short synacthen test.
Exploring the lived experiences of people on Community Correction Orders in Victoria, Australia: Is the opportunity for rehabilitation being realised?
Authors: Green Rachael , Hopkins David , Roach Garry
Published: September 2020

The Community Correction Order, introduced in Victoria, Australia in 2012, provides a sentencing option that enables eligible offenders to serve their sanction in the community, with access to treatment or other rehabilitative activities. This paper contributes to a scant body of research investigating the specific needs of this group, their barriers to inclusion and the extent to which they experience the rehabilitative aspects of Community Correction Orders. It draws on survey data collected from 200 adults (137 men and 63 women) on Community Correction Orders in outer west metropolitan Melbourne and qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with a sub-set of 20 participants. Long-term unemployment, severe economic hardship, physical and mental health issues, social isolation and troubled personal relationships were common. While participants experienced the punitive aspects of Community Correction Orders, there was limited evidence that they were supported to address key issues that may be predictive of future offending. Support to re/engage in education, training and employment was a key area of unmet need and engagement in other therapeutic programs was low. Opportunities to enhance the rehabilitative potential of Community Correction Orders are discussed, with the paper highlighting that there is a need for rigorous evaluation of community work program activities.
Education for Resilience: How a Combination of Systemic and Bottom-Up Changes in Educational Services Can Empower Dryland Communities in Africa and Central Asia
Authors: van Pinxteren Bert , Emirhafizović Mirza , Dailidienė Inga , Figurek Aleksandra , Hălbac-Cotoară-Zamfir Rareş , Mętrak Monika
Published: September 2020

We examined existing problems relevant for education in global drylands and discuss their potential solutions in four fields, crucial for properly functioning educational systems: (a) response to low population densities, (b) governance, (c) language of instruction and (d) mismatch between education and the labour market. Our analysis leads us to the formulation of nine policy recommendations that may help create an educational system that strengthens resilience of dryland communities in the face of ongoing climate change. Our recommendations underline the necessity to combine systemic solutions with bottom-up ideas and extrinsic help coming from involvement of diaspora and non-governmental organizations.
The effects of edge quality on the measured compression strength of quasi-isoptropic composite specimens and its practical implication to the development of allowables
Authors: Nettles Alan T , Guin William E , Mavo James P
Published: September 2020

This manuscript presents results from an experimental study that examined the effect of quality of edge finish of test coupons on the measured compression strength of quasi-isotropic carbon fiber laminates using test standard ASTM D6641. Different cutting and grinding tools were used to machine specimens to get them within the required dimensional tolerances, all of which caused microscopic damage to the specimen edge, mainly in the form of fiber pull-out. Results of compression strength testing showed that the fiber pull-out, despite being only on the order of 0.008 mm in depth, caused a significant reduction in measured compression strength. Upon polishing of the specimen edges to remove the microscopic “gouges” of fiber pull-out, the measured compression strength of the specimens increased. It was also found that open hole compression (OHC) and compression after impact (CAI) strength test results were not affected by fiber pull-out on the edges of specimens. The implications of these results on the development of pristine strength allowables is discussed and a more practical starting point at which to develop allowables is presented.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of the wrist and elbow joints: A pilot study to explore a non-invasive technique for age estimation
Authors: Shedge Rutwik , Kanchan Tanuj , Kushwaha Krit Pal Singh , Krishan Kewal
Published: September 2020

Age estimation is a vital aspect of the process of identification. Studying the appearance and fusion of long bones is one of the most commonly used methods for age estimation. Most research conducted on age estimation using the study of the appearance and fusion of ossification centres has been roentgenographic in nature. However, X-ray examination and computed tomography examination are associated with ionisation radiation. The present study investigated the use of ultrasonography (USG) as a means of visualising ossification centres of the elbow and wrist joints for age estimation in 31 Maharashtrian boys from Ahmednagar, India. The Schmeling et al. method of grading was used to score the fusion of ossification centres, and simple and multiple linear regression models were developed for age estimation. It was found that the ossification centres of the elbow and wrist joints followed a set pattern of maturation and fusion. The ossification centres of the elbow joint fused before the ossification centres of the wrist joint. The fusion scores of proximal radial epiphyses had the highest correlation with the decimal age of the participants, making its fusion the best indicator among all the ossification centres examined in this study for age estimation. Regression models to estimate age were generated using all the ossification centres. USG was found to be suitable for the purpose of age estimation based on ease of examination, minimal ionisation risks, its non-invasive nature and clear visualisation of ossification centres.
Sustainable rice production in the Mekong River Delta: Factors influencing farmers’ adoption of the integrated technology package “One Must Do, Five Reductions” (1M5R)
Authors: Connor Melanie , Tuan Le Anh , DeGuia Anna H , Wehmeyer Helena
Published: September 2020

Over the last few decades Vietnam has benefited from a rapid intensification of rice production ensuing high yields and economic gains. However, this has led to environmental degradation and adverse health effects. As a result, complex sustainable rice farming packages have been introduced but adoption still appears to be low. The present study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the adoption of sustainable rice farming practices combined in the national program “One Must Do, Five Reductions” (1M5R). Furthermore, a special focus was placed on identifying adoption constraints. Adoption was investigated by means of a survey questionnaire with 465 farmers in An Giang and Can Tho Province. Overall, results show that almost all farmers followed the requirements of pesticide reduction, post-harvest loss reduction, and the use of certified seeds. However, farmers had problems reducing their fertilizer use, water use, and seed rate. Results show that farmers perceive these practices to be difficult to implement, they do not fit farmers’ cropping pattern and the weather conditions hindered the implementation. The study further shows that ease of implementation, education, satisfaction and non-rice income are the main drivers for adopting the whole package. Adoption of the individual requirements is mainly driven by the ease of implementation and non-rice income for practices with lower adoption rates. This shows that farmers face physical adoption barriers, and that farmer satisfaction with the whole program is essential for a successful implementation. Results highlight the need for adoption monitoring and the continuation of extension services for the specific requirements specified under 1M5R.
Carbon-free conferencing in the age of COVID-19
Authors: Veldhuizen Linda JL , Slingerland Maja , Barredo Lauren , Giller Ken E
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a crash course for many in working from home using various online tools, many of which can be used to organize e-conferences. An e-conference is a fully online event with multiple sessions and virtual discussion in one platform. In this paper, we aim to provide insights in and present key steps to organize a successful e-conference, increase our understanding of the impact of e-conferences, and identify key strengths, weaknesses, and success factors. Based on a participant survey and our own experience, we found that e-conferences are relatively easy to organize with readily-available and free tools, that they are more accessible and thus inclusive than physical meetings, and that they are virtually carbon-free which can contribute to large emission savings. Three important success factors are attracting a good set of speakers, building an interested audience, and reaching your objectives and desired impact. A successful e-conference can enable joint learning among speakers and participants, and allows novel ways of disseminating scientific knowledge while also enabling networking for the many participants who might not be able to attend an in-person event.
A Look Back: Kappan authors ponder the role of business in schools
Authors: Preston Teresa
Published: September 2020

In this monthly column, Teresa Preston looks back at how Phi Delta Kappan magazine has covered the role of business in schools. The topic received extensive coverage in January 1967, when authors looked at the growth of the education market as big companies brought both technological equipment and expertise into schools. And in February 1995, Kappan included a special section on Channel One, with provided televisions for schools that aired its daily news broadcast, including commercials. Author opinions about the extent to which businesses should participate in education vary, but most urged some degree of caution.
The commercial transformation of America’s schools
Authors: Molnar Alex , Boninger Faith
Published: September 2020

A school-focused commercializing process over 100 years in the making has been turbo-charged by the rise of data-collecting digital educational platforms and a pandemic that has forced widespread use of distance learning. Alex Molnar and Faith Boninger explain how advertising to students creates what John Dewey would call “mis-educative experiences.” They describe how private companies have made inroads into public schools by offering funding and free resources, while using their interactions with schools as an opportunity both to directly market to students and to collect data on them that can be used for future marketing or other unknown purposes.
Lessons from the pandemic about science education
Authors: Zucker Andrew , Noyce Pendred
Published: September 2020

The coronavirus pandemic vividly illuminates deficiencies of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The NGSS does not mention immunization, antibodies, vaccines, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nor do they ask students to investigate a topic outside the standards or read a science-related book or article. The stated goal of the standards is to prepare students for college and careers, which means that they do not prioritize how science connects to societal or personal concerns of every adult, even those who do not pursue science in higher education or their careers. Andrew Zucker and Pendred Noyce suggest several approaches to improve the NGSS.
First Person: An unexpected goodbye
Authors: Rozny Sarah
Published: September 2020

Temporarily shutting down schools for the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020 was a challenge for all educators. However, for the teachers at one elementary school, this move to remote learning was particularly difficult emotionally as it was coupled with the permanent closing of the school. Unbeknownst to these educators, when they said goodbye to their students for a scheduled four-day weekend, they would never see their students in their school again. Former principal Sarah Rozny describes the unique, lingering sadness of being asked to say goodbye to her staff and students amid a pandemic and connects it to the situation teachers around the world faced.
Under The Law: The historic Bostock opinion and LGBTQ rights in schools
Authors: Kim Robert
Published: September 2020

In Bostock v. Clayton, the U.S. Supreme Court held that discrimination against employees because they are gao or transgender violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Robert Kim summarizes the case and explains what the ruling means for schools. LGBTQ educators have historically faced discrimination, but such actions are now prohibited in nearly all public, private, and charter schools. Religious schools, however, may be exempt, and the ruling does not address other issues of discrimination in schools, such restroom access.
Watching Disgustedly? Game of Thrones and Disgust Sensitivity
Authors: Puthillam Arathy , Karandikar Sampada
Published: September 2020

The HBO show Game of Thrones is fascinating, because despite many of its plot points involving the elicitation of disgust, an emotion associated with avoidance behaviors, its viewership has only surged. We explore the relationship between disgust sensitivity and perception of scenes involving moral, sexual, and pathogen disgust in the show by providing participants with descriptions of such scenes. Participants included those who had never seen the show, those who had seen the show at least once, and those who had seen the show multiple times. We found that those who had watched the show once rated the scenes as less disgusting (overall and for moral and sexual disgust) than those who had not. We also investigated sex differences in disgust and found that women rated the scenes as more aversive than men, especially those involving moral and sexual disgust. Finally, those with more opposite sex siblings were more repulsed by the scenes, especially those involving sexual disgust. The present study adds to a long list of studies that analyses popular culture from an adaptive lens and adds to the notion that popular culture is a ‘cultural remain’ of the evolved human mind.
The Meeting of the Three Temples: Co-celebrating with the Angels in Early Christian Liturgies
Authors: Giulea Dragoş Andrei
Published: September 2020

A new inspection of the ancient liturgical pattern of praying with the angels unveils that Jewish materials limited it to the priestly class and such legendary figures as Enoch, Abraham, Moses, or Elijah. The classical Christian anaphoras of the third and fourth centuries will extend this pattern to the entire congregation based on the early Christian generalization of the priestly status to all the members of the ecclesia. While shifting the focus of discussion to the concepts of “temple” and “priest,” the study finds that these Christian anaphoras include both the Jerusalem Temple feature of serving in front of God’s descended glory and the Second Temple apocalyptic idea of celebrating in the heavenly sanctuary. The earthly and heavenly temples, therefore, become one liturgical space which also intersects a third temple, that of the human being, within which God also descends, sanctifies it, and receives due worship.
Healing Painful Memories through Storytelling Cultivated by Vivid Images of Remembrance in Liturgy: Why the Liturgical Acts of the TRC (SA-1996) Did Not Produce the Healing Expected
Authors: Kruger Ferdi P. , De Klerk Ben J.
Published: September 2020

This article elucidates the idea that opportunities for remembrance should be cultivated within liturgy. No participant within liturgy enters a worship service as a tabula rasa. People enter the worship service with all kinds of memories, some of which may be painful memories of the past while others may be good memories. People’s memories could influence their participation in liturgy profoundly. The following research question was identified: What is the role of storytelling cultivated by vivid images of liturgy in healing painful memories in a post-TRC South Africa? The authors contextualize this idea by scrutinizing the praxis within a South African context nearly 25 years after the activities of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the memories around it continue to be critically interrogated. The authors’ main focus is the communicative-liturgical approach that the TRC adhered to and why this approach seems to demonstrate shortcomings. This article examines the idea that the choice to remember will always be an ongoing process, mainly because a faith community is a remembering community. Three aspects are linked in a three-stroke relationship, namely liturgy, remembrance, and storytelling. Inter-disciplinary perspectives on remembrance and storytelling are offered while theological reflection reveals that remembrance and storytelling are interwoven. Two aspects in which remembrance and liturgy are connected, namely Passover and Holy Communion, are scrutinized and it is proposed that the idea of storytelling could be an intriguing aspect for further reflection within a Reformed tradition. We conclude with the idea that people’s memories are in need of editing through the process of remembrance. The telling of stories provides opportunities to do exactly this. We have explored the recognition that South African society needs people that continuously tell their stories of painful memories, while liturgy could cultivate vivid remembrances that will inevitably lead to healing.
Everyday Theology in Cultural Context: Forgiveness and Grace
Authors: Cook Kaye V. , LePine S. Elisha , Chang Caleb , DeSouza Adila , Crossett Carter , Chiou Grace
Published: September 2020

Forgiveness is a universal virtue that appears in most cultures and religions but with cultural particularities. The current pilot research uses a mixed-methods approach to describe variations in everyday theologies of forgiveness across culture. Universal understandings of forgiveness were documented among Study 1 participants who represented three American Christian subcultures (Brazilian-Americans, Chinese-Americans, and American students), replicated in Study 2 (with Hong Kong church members and American students). Members of non-American cultures described efforts to reach social harmony by maintaining a culturally appropriate tension between reconciliation and responsibility in relationships, e.g., by demonstrating concerns with saving face, with the impact of violations on the larger community, and for personal responsibility in mitigating interpersonal violations. Differences among participants in these pilot studies were associated with the different cultural histories of the participants’ cultures and whether the cultures they represent are broadly categorized as collectivist or individualist.
Transcendence and Immanence in Contemporary Psychotherapies: Trends, Tensions, and Treatment
Authors: Hoffman Marie , Hoffman Lowell
Published: September 2020

Psychotherapies, beginning with psychoanalysis, came of age in the waning years of the modern age. As our world has been turned by a new paradigm we call the postmodern critique, psychotherapy theory and practice along with all disciplines, changed and developed within this new paradigm. For millennia, cultures were guided by imbedded implicit presuppositions that held in dialectic tension the parallel realities of transcendence and immanence. The progressive rejection of transcendence over the last seventy years has collapsed the dialectic, and has radically and absolutely altered the course of human history. The loss of transcendence has denuded psychotherapy of nearly all vestiges of human understanding that claim to be lawful, universal, or absolute. This paper will explore the current presuppositions, theory, and practice of psychotherapy, and beckon psychotherapists who are Christians to renew their affirmation of and reliance upon a fully orbed treatment approach.
Atypical Presentation of Mammary Analogue Secretory Carcinoma of the Lip
Authors: Yassin-Kassab Abdulkader , Gainor Danielle , Sufyan Ahmed Saeed
Published: September 2020

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) of the salivary gland is a rare tumor that was first described by Skalova et al in 2010, and since then, only a few hundred cases have been reported in the literature. Prior to Skalova’s report, MASC was histologically misclassified as acinic cell carcinoma (ACC), pleomorphic adenoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified. Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma has a low incidence rate overall, accounting for less than 0.3% of all salivary gland tumors. Histopathologic and cytogenic analysis of MASC is identical to secretory carcinoma of the breast, leading to the proposed name by Skalova. The purpose of this case presentation is to describe an atypical presentation of MASC, to compare this case with the classic description of MASC, and to contrast the various features of MASC to ACC in order to improve the accuracy of future diagnoses and help guide treatment.
A Church-based Culturally Sensitive Physical Activity Intervention in African American Women
Authors: Collins Elicia S. , Buchholz Susan W. , Cranford Joan , McCrory Megan A.
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this pilot study was to test a church-based, culturally sensitive, six-week intervention called GET FIT DON’T QUIT. The intervention aimed to increase knowledge and change beliefs about physical activity, and to improve social facilitation to increase self-regulation, in order to promote physical activity in African-American women. A two-group pretest/posttest, quasi-experimental design was conducted in a convenience sample ( N = 37) of African-American women. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group by church affiliation. The six-week intervention consisted of teaching and roundtable discussions, and email reminders to be physically active. There were significant differences ( p < .05) in the level of self-efficacy, self-regulation, and friend social support. There were no significant differences in knowledge of physical activity guidelines, beliefs, and family social support. These pilot study results suggested that multiple factors are associated with physical activity engagement in African-American women.
Association Between Immunosuppression and Outcomes in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chang Julia , Sunwoo John B. , Shah Jennifer Lobo , Hara Wendy , Hong Jison , Colevas A. Dimitrios , Divi Vasu
Published: September 2020

Objective

To assess the effect of immunosuppression on recurrence and mortality outcomes in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after initial surgical treatment.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A single academic tertiary referral center.

Methods

Patients with oral cavity SCC treated with initial surgery were included. Immunosuppressed versus nonimmunosuppressed groups were compared. Primary end points were 5‐year overall recurrence and all‐cause mortality. Secondary end points were recurrence subtypes (local, regional, and distant) and disease‐specific mortality.

Results

Of 803 patients with oral cavity SCC, 71 (9%) were immunosuppressed from therapeutic drug use (n = 48) or systemic disease (n = 23). The immunosuppressed group consisted of patients with a history of transplant (21%), autoimmune or pulmonary disorder (45%), hematologic malignancy or myeloproliferative disorder (30%), and HIV infection (3%). After adjusting for baseline variables of age, sex, comorbidities, pathologic tumor characteristics, and adjuvant treatment, all recurrence and mortality outcomes were worse in the immunosuppressed group. The multivariate‐adjusted hazard ratio for overall recurrence was 2.16 (95% CI, 1.50‐3.12; P <. 01), and all‐cause mortality was 1.79 (95% CI, 1.15‐2.78; P <. 01) in Cox regression analysis. The 2 groups were then matched in a 1:5 ratio according to the same baseline variables. All end points apart from disease‐specific mortality were significantly worse in the immunosuppressed group after matching.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that immunosuppression is associated with poor outcomes in oral cavity SCC, with an approximate 2‐fold increase in rates of recurrence and mortality. Future studies are needed to assess the risks and benefits of adjusting therapeutic immunosuppression in this population.
Place-based vs. place blind? – Where do England’s new local industrial strategies fit in the ‘levelling up’ agenda?
Authors: Nurse Alexander , Sykes Olivier
Published: September 2020

Although rebalancing the UK economy has long been a focus of UK governments, this has recently used the rhetoric of ‘levelling up’. Amongst other policy instruments, the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy has been an indicator of the core economic priority areas, with selected local areas also invited to produce their own local industrial strategies to provide a more nuanced delivery of those goals. This article considers the economic profile of five of the Combined Authority areas tasked with delivering the first of these local industrial strategies. By examining the profile of educational attainment, and the core sectors, it examines how well equipped they are to capitalise on these key growth sectors. The article finds that in many cases, the combined authorities have sectors which are comparatively under-represented in terms of the national economy, and have a population which is broadly ill-equipped to access job opportunities in those sectors.
(How) does productivity matter in the foundational economy?
Authors: Froud Julie , Haslam Colin , Johal Sukhdev , Williams Karel
Published: September 2020

Academics and policy makers have increasingly recognised the importance of mundane economic activities – variously termed foundational or everyday. The foundational or everyday economy is now featuring in local industrial strategy and economic action plans, because the desirable high-tech sectors on the ‘frontier’ cannot diffuse prosperity within and between regions. This article aims to distinguish between several different approaches to the foundational or everyday economy and argues that a constructive approach needs to break with the preoccupation about improving productivity. This argument is developed in three stages. First, we distinguish between a social approach and a more technical economic approach to delimiting this other mundane economy; the defining feature of the foundational in the social approach is contribution to wellbeing and in the technical economic approach it is low productivity. The second section presents and explores productivity evidence on output per worker hour across a range of foundational activities and by region. Drawing out the implications of observed diversity and heterogeneity, the third section develops an argument about how productivity has limited relevance as measure and target in foundational activities.
NMDA receptor ion channel activation detected in vivo with [18F]GE-179 PET after electrical stimulation of rat hippocampus
Authors: Vibholm Ali K , Landau Anne M , Møller Arne , Jacobsen Jan , Vang Kim , Munk Ole L , Orlowski Dariusz , Sørensen Jens CH , Brooks David J
Published: September 2020

The positron emission tomography (PET) tracer [18F]GE-179 binds to the phencyclidine (PCP) site in the open N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor ion channel (NMDAR-IC). To demonstrate that PET can visualise increased [18F]GE-179 uptake by active NMDAR-ICs and that this can be blocked by the PCP antagonist S-ketamine, 15 rats had an electrode unilaterally implanted in their ventral hippocampus. Seven rats had no stimulation, five received pulsed 400 µA supra-threshold 60 Hz stimulation alone, and three received intravenous S-ketamine injection prior to stimulation. Six other rats were not implanted. Each rat had a 90 min [18F]GE-179 PET scan. Stimulated rats had simultaneous depth-EEG recordings of induced seizure activity. [18F]GE-179 uptake (volume of distribution, VT) was compared between hemispheres and between groups. Electrical stimulation induced a significant increase in [18F]GE-179 uptake at the electrode site compared to the contralateral hippocampus (mean 22% increase in VT, p =  0.0014) and to non-stimulated comparator groups. Rats injected with S-ketamine prior to stimulation maintained non-stimulated levels of [18F]GE-179 uptake during stimulation. In conclusion, PET visualisation of focal [18F]GE-179 uptake during electrically activated NMDAR-ICs and the demonstration of specificity for PCP sites by blockade with S-ketamine support the in vivo utility of [18F]GE-179 PET as a use-dependent marker of NMDAR-IC activation.
Amniotic constriction band syndrome resulting in amputation caused by septate uterus: a case report
Authors: He Tian , Xu Hao , Sui Ping , Wang Xin , Sun Yujie
Published: September 2020

Amniotic band syndrome is an unusual congenital condition characterized by manifestations of disfigurement and disablement. Patients with this condition may experience an array of clinical deformities, including constriction rings, digital defects, and even visceral defects. Although this disease has been identified for centuries, its etiology is still unknown. The present male patient was born by cesarean section at 34 weeks and 4 days of gestation. At birth, an amniotic band that encircled and constricted his right upper limb was observed. Four hours after the amniotic band was cut off, amputation was performed because the right limb remained insensate. The patient suffered from amniotic band syndrome and presented with a gangrenous limb leading to amputation at birth, which is extremely rare. Moreover, the patient’s mother suffered from a uterine septum, which has not been previously reported in this situation. Timely surgical treatment avoided further tissue necrosis threating the patient’s life. This rare case of amniotic band syndrome provides new clinical evidence for the “extrinsic theory”.
Tibial cortex transverse distraction in treating diabetic foot ulcers: what are we concerned about?
Authors: Fan Zhi-Qiang , Yu Zhi-Hao , Zheng Jing-Zhou , Yu Bao-Fu , Liu De-Wu
Published: September 2020

Objective

To assess the effect and complications of tibial cortex transverse distraction (TCTD) in treating diabetic foot ulcers and draw attention to the concerning issues of this procedure.

Methods

This case series included 30 patients with diabetic foot ulcers from four centers. The ulcers had not healed after >6 months. The patients then underwent TCTD combined with other procedures (debridement, vacuum sealing drainage, and others). All patients were followed up for >12 months postoperatively.

Results

Three patients underwent amputation because of aggravated infections. Tibial fractures occurred in two patients after surgery, and the fractures healed after 3 months of plaster fixation. Pin-site infections occurred in five patients, and the infected pin site healed after the patients underwent pin removal and dressing changes for 3.3 ± 2.1 weeks. The ulcers of the other 27 patients healed by 13.5 ± 8.2 weeks postoperatively, and the postoperative visual analog scale score was significantly lower than the preoperative score.

Conclusions

Although TCTD can be performed as an adjuvant treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, the effect should not be exaggerated and the complications should not be ignored. Further research is needed to propose a standard operative procedure and avoid postoperative complications such as tibial fractures.
Ab interno trabeculotomy combined with cataract extraction in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Chen Yuan-Zhi , Song Ai-Ping , Jin Wen-Yan , Yang Xiao , Dang Guang-Fu
Published: September 2020

Objective

To investigate the efficacy and safety of ab interno trabeculotomy using the VISCO360® Viscosurgical System (Sight Sciences, Inc., Menlo Park, CA, USA) combined with cataract extraction in the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods

Patients with POAG who underwent ab interno trabeculotomy combined with cataract extraction were retrospectively analyzed. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucomatous medications, and complications were recorded preoperatively and 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively.

Results

Thirty-four patients (40 eyes) with POAG were included in this study, including 20 men (22 eyes) and 14 women (18 eyes). Compared with the preoperative IOP, the postoperative IOP was significantly lower at each time point. The greatest reduction in IOP was 60.7% at 1 month after surgery. The BCVA was also significantly improved at each postoperative time point. The number of antiglaucomatous medications used by the patients was significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively.

Conclusion

Ab interno trabeculotomy combined with cataract extraction is effective and safe for treatment of POAG.
Analysis of the clinical features of pericentric inversion of chromosome 9
Authors: Xie Xiaolei , Li Fuguang , Tan Weihe , Tang Jiang
Published: September 2020

Objective

The pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 (inv9) is one of the most common structural balanced chromosomal variations, and it is considered to be a normal population variant. The aim of this study was to re-evaluate the clinical impact of patients with inv9.

Methods

We studied the karyotypes from 4853 patients at a single center and retrospectively reviewed their clinical data.

Results

There were 67 inv9 patients among 2988 adults, and 62 of them showed different clinical features, including male and female infertility, oligoasthenozoospermia, and azoospermia. Thirty-one cases of inv9 were found in 1865 fetuses, including two cases in chorionic villus (6.90%) and 29 in amniotic fluid (1.67%), but there were no cases in umbilical cord blood. The rates of fetal phenotype abnormal and adverse pregnancy outcome with inv9 in the chorionic villus were 100.00% (2/2), while only 17.24% (5/29) in the amniotic fluid showed abnormalities, among which 60.00% (3/5) had adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions

Although there is no clear evidence that inv9 is pathogenic, the genetic counseling on inv9 in early pregnancy and adults needs to be given more attention.
Analysing and simulating spatial patterns of crop yield in Guizhou Province based on artificial neural networks
Authors: Liang Boyi , Liu Hongyan , Quine Timothy A , Chen Xiaoqiu , Hallett Paul D , Cressey Elizabeth L , Zhu Xinrong , Cao Jing , Yang Shunhua , Wu Lu , Hartley Iain P
Published: September 2020

The area of karst terrain in China covers 3.63×106 km2, with more than 40% in the southwestern region over the Guizhou Plateau. Karst comprises exposed carbonate bedrock over approximately 1.30×106 km2 of this area, which suffers from soil degradation and poor crop yield. This paper aims to gain a better understanding of the environmental controls on crop yield in order to enable more sustainable use of natural resources for food production and development. More precisely, four kinds of artificial neural network were used to analyse and simulate the spatial patterns of crop yield for seven crop species grown in Guizhou Province, exploring the relationships with meteorological, soil, irrigation and fertilization factors. The results of spatial classification showed that most regions of high-level crop yield per area and total crop yield are located in the central-north area of Guizhou. Moreover, the three artificial neural networks used to simulate the spatial patterns of crop yield all demonstrated a good correlation coefficient between simulated and true yield. However, the Back Propagation network had the best performance based on both accuracy and runtime. Among the 13 influencing factors investigated, temperature (16.4%), radiation (15.3%), soil moisture (13.5%), fertilization of N (13.5%) and P (12.4%) had the largest contribution to crop yield spatial distribution. These results suggest that neural networks have potential application in identifying environmental controls on crop yield and in modelling spatial patterns of crop yield, which could enable local stakeholders to realize sustainable development and crop production goals.
Policy uncertainty in Australian financial markets
Authors: Smales Lee A.
Published: September 2020

Economic policy touches most facets of corporate decision-making and variations in policy can elicit significant changes in financial performance and asset prices. We utilize the economic policy uncertainty (EPU) measure of Baker et al. to investigate the extent to which policy uncertainty influences Australian financial market returns. Our empirical results demonstrate that both domestic and global uncertainty have a significant negative impact on excess stock returns, changes in bond yields and Australian dollar (AUD) returns. The relationship is concentrated in the left tail of the return distribution and largely driven by increases in policy uncertainty. Although the identified relationship is negative throughout the sample period, the magnitude of the relationship appears to be state dependent and is influenced by periods of high uncertainty, recession and the lead-up to federal elections. The most plausible explanation for our results is that uncertainty about economic policy is channelled to financial markets via the discount rate effect, resulting in a higher risk premium. Our results are important for investors, corporate managers and policy makers wishing to navigate periods of policy uncertainty.

JEL Classification: G10, G12, G14, G15
Return to Physical Activity After High Tibial Osteotomy or Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Pooling Data Analysis
Authors: Belsey James , Yasen Sam K. , Jobson Simon , Faulkner James , Wilson Adrian J.
Published: September 2020

Background:

The 2 most common definitive surgical interventions currently performed for the treatment of medial osteoarthritis of the knee are medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Research exists to suggest that physically active patients may be suitably indicated for either procedure despite HTO being historically indicated in active patients and UKA being more appropriate for sedentary individuals.

Purpose:

To help consolidate the current indications for both procedures regarding physical activity and to ensure that they are based on the best information presently available.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

A search of the literature via the MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed databases was conducted independently by 2 reviewers in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies that reported patient physical activity levels with the Tegner activity score were eligible for inclusion. Patient demographics, operative variables, and patient-reported outcome scores were abstracted from the included studies.

Results:

Thirteen eligible studies were included, consisting of 401 knees that received HTO (399 patients) and 1622 that received UKA (1400 patients). The patients’ mean age at surgery was 48.4 years for the HTO group and 60.6 years for the UKA group. Mean follow-up was 46.6 months (HTO) and 53.4 months (UKA). All outcome scores demonstrated an equal or improved score for activity and knee function regardless of the operation performed. Operative variables during HTO had a larger effect on outcome than during UKA.

Conclusion:

Patients who underwent HTO were more physically active pre- and postoperatively, but patients undergoing UKA experienced an overall greater increase in their physical activity levels and knee function according to Tegner and Lysholm scores. Activity after HTO may be influenced by operative factors such as the implant used and the decision to include a graft material in the osteotomy gap, although this requires further research. Some studies found that patients were able to return to physical activity postoperatively despite having an age or body mass index that would traditionally be a relative contraindication for HTO or UKA.
Deviant Versus Nondeviant Routines, Social Guardianship and Adolescent Victimization in the Rural Context of China
Authors: Cheung Nicole W. T. , Zhong Hua
Published: September 2020

There is limited knowledge on the possible pathways of victimization among rural dwellers during adolescence in developing contexts, such as rural China, where victimization may compound developmental disadvantages of rural adolescents. Guided by the lifestyle/routine activity theory, the goal of this study thus was to examine how far delinquent lifestyles (delinquent involvement and delinquent peer association); nondeviant routine activities (unstructured socializing with peers, structured activities, and solitary activities); and social guardianship within family, school, and neighborhood contribute to juvenile victimization in a rural setting. The outcomes of interest covered direct victimization (violent, property, and sexual) and indirect victimization (witnessing community violence). The study included 2,839 adolescents (51.2% male; mean age = 13.88 ± 0.90 years) from 30 middle schools in rural China. The delinquent peer influence as a risk factor of direct and indirect victimization appeared to be more profound than delinquent involvement. Solitary activities consistently put rural adolescents at greater risk of direct and indirect victimization, and their role was stronger than that of rural adolescents’ delinquent involvement. No victimization outcomes were predicted by unstructured socializing with peers and structured activities. Attachment to family caregivers and neighborhood cohesion were the strongest social guardianship predictors across all forms of victimization. These results suggest that alongside social guardianship and delinquent lifestyles, rural isolation should be addressed in managing juvenile victimization. The insignificant role of unstructured socializing with peers may raise the need to clarify its conceptual relevance to rural settings. The implications for improving the underdeveloped preventive measures against victimization of rural adolescent populations in developing societies are described.
Gender-equitable Attitudes, Rape Myth Acceptance, and Perceived Peer Acceptance of Violence among High School Students: An Examination of Gender and Athletic Involvement
Authors: Bogen Katherine W. , Mulla Mohamed Mazheruddin M. , Orchowski Lindsay M.
Published: September 2020

Adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) impacts approximately one-third of teens and is associated with myriad negative health outcomes. Studies on college men indicate that athletes hold less gender-equitable attitudes (GEA), greater rape myth acceptance (RMA), and higher perceived peer support for violence (PSV), and that these attitudes are associated with perpetration risk. However, research has yet to compare the prevalence of these attitudes across gender and athletic status among high school students. The present study addressed this gap by examining the direct and interactive effects of gender and athletic status on GEA, RMA, and PSV in a large sample of high school students living in the United States. Results showed that boys involved in athletics reported lower GEA, higher RMA, and higher PSV than girls involved in athletics and non-athletes. Findings demonstrate the importance of addressing attitudes associated with violent behavior among high school boys involved in athletics, in order to reduce risk of ARA.
Peritraumatic Pain in Child Sexual Abuse: Children’s Descriptions of Pain as Conveyed in Their Testimonies Following Child Sexual Abuse
Authors: Tsur Noga , Katz Carmit , Klebanov Bella
Published: September 2020

The literature on child sexual abuse (CSA) has contributed significantly to the understanding of its characteristics, epidemiology, and consequences. Considerably less attention has been dedicated, however, to the subjective experiences of the abused children, and more specifically to their experiences of pain. The current study explored the way children perceive and describe pain during and shortly following incidents of sexual abuse. The sample was comprised of 35 transcripts of forensic interviews following alleged CSA. Thematic analysis of the children’s narratives identified three themes: (a) pain during the abusive incidents, described using words indicating its intensity and quality; (b) pain shortly after the abusive incidents, including weeks later, and (c) pain as embedded within the complex dynamic with perpetrator. The children struggled to localize the pain, mainly using words such as “inside” and “deep.” Moreover, they testified that in the course of the abusive incidents, they were often silenced when trying to communicate their pain to the perpetrators. The children’s narratives provided us with a unique opportunity to learn about the pain not only during the abusive incidents but also following it. Additionally, children described suffering from pain in areas that were not directly injured during the CSA incidents, mainly referring to the head, abdomen and legs. The discussion addresses the potential intervening factors in peritraumatic CSA pain, as well as its potential links with chronic post-traumatic physical and mental morbidity. This study illuminates the necessity to address the complicated links between short- and long-term physical, emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal manifestations of CSA.