bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parents’ perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 and school transition on autistic children’s friendships
Authors: Fox Laura , Asbury Kathryn , Code Aimee , Toseeb Umar
Published: September 2022

Friendships play a key role in supporting a successful transition to a new school for autistic children and young people. However, little is known about how these relationships have been impacted by restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore how parents perceived the impact of COVID-19 on their autistic child’s friendships during transition to a new school. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 14 parents of autistic children in the United Kingdom. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Parents discussed a variety of experiences, which differed between and within school types and age groups. Several factors influenced children’s friendships during transition including support from their new school and others’ understanding of their needs. Parents described the differing expectations of what friendship was and how that affected their children’s existing and new relationships. For some, COVID-19 negatively impacted on friendships by reducing contact with existing and new friends. Others experienced positive or neutral experiences due to lockdown restrictions. This study highlights the diversity of needs among autistic children and calls for a personalised approach to transition support beyond the pandemic as one way of supporting autistic children to develop positive peer relationships.

Lay abstract

Research shows that moving schools can be a challenging time for autistic children and young people. One factor that has been found to support successful transition is friendships. However, there is little research exploring how transition between schools affects autistic children’s friendships, and even less on how children’s relationships during transition have been impacted by COVID-19. Fourteen parents of autistic children and young people were interviewed about their child’s move to a new school and the impact they felt this had on their friendships. Parents described how moving with existing friends helped some children to find the transition less challenging. Others had differing experiences, with their children’s friendships playing a much smaller role in the move. Differences were also seen with regard to the impact of COVID-19, with some parents speaking of how hard being away from friends was for their child, while others found the social restrictions a welcome break from interacting with peers. The study highlights how different the experiences of autistic individuals, and their parents, can be and the importance of a child-centred approach to transition support.
Scoping review of research practices in the investigation of bilingual effects on inhibition and attention in young people
Authors: Privitera Adam John , Weekes Brendan
Published: September 2022

Aims and objectives:

The aim of this scoping review is to curate and summarize research methodologies used to assess the effects of bilingualism on inhibition and attention in young people.

Methodology:

The methodology of a scoping review was followed. Searches of the literature using inclusive search strings were conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Proquest, and PsyArXiv. Study selection followed the guidance of the PRISMA-ScR checklist with published and unpublished studies included.

Data and analysis:

Extracted data included study authors, year of publication, source format (e.g., journal article, thesis), country in which the study was conducted, sample size, average age of participants in the sample, language combination used by participants in the bilingual sample, task(s) used to assess inhibition, task(s) used to assess attention, and method used for data analysis.

Findings and conclusions:

Studies identified were disproportionately conducted in English-speaking (Western) language environments, based on bilingual samples who were proficient in English and a second language that was typically a related Indo-European language (e.g., English-Spanish). Tasks employed were most often aimed at measuring differences in inhibition compared with attention. Finally, almost all studies were limited to between group designs and fixed-effects analysis methods. Future research can be improved through inclusion of samples from a wider range of language backgrounds that is representative of more diverse language combinations, and underrepresented age groups. Furthermore, within participant mixed-effects analysis methods that account for the diversity of bilingual experience would strengthen the methodological rigor of future studies.

Originality:

This is the first scoping review focused on methods used to investigate bilingual effects in young people.

Significance:

We provide strong evidence that standard methods ignore nontrivial differences in bilingual experience. In addition, Westocentric sampling trends provide an incomplete and biased understanding of the true effects of bilingualism.
Self-Regulated Learning, Learner Characteristics and Relations to Webtool Usage in Higher Education
Authors: Pfost Maximilian , Kuntner Peter , Goppert Simone A. , Hübner Vanessa
Published: September 2022

Studying at university places high demands on the control and regulation of one's own learning behavior. In order to support students’ learning, we developed and used a webtool containing elements such as regular performance testing as well as feedback on test performance and self-evaluations. In this report, we first introduce core elements of the applied webtool. Then, we present findings on student's use of this tool. Results show substantial variability in willingness and frequency of tool usage between students. Students with better final school exam grades and students who intended to engage regularly in course postprocessing were more willing to use such a tool. The findings are discussed against the background of regulation requirements in open learning environments and implications on better implementation are derived.
Domain and pedagogical competency and currency: A framework for capability development of adult educators
Authors: Chen Zan , Murphy Ilona
Published: September 2022

This article proposes a framework for capability development of adult educators (AEs) in Singapore. Globalisation, demographic changes and digital innovation, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, have accentuated the importance of adult education and changing role of AEs. The immediate implications of these effects on the professionalism of AEs and the significance of their development trajectories are acute. With an increased focus on the need to ensure AEs are current in both their pedagogic and domain competences, we introduce discussions on the need to develop a conceptual framework to generate a deeper understanding of their knowledge, skills, attitudes, beliefs and practices of AEs. This framework can be used by practitioners as a tool to facilitate professional reflection and development, and by policy makers to support continued improvements to the quality of adult education. Our overall aim is to promote the importance of varied and continued opportunities for the professional development of AEs at policy, organisational and individual levels.
Gunshot Wound to the Right Superior Pulmonary Vein With Bullet Embolization to the Aortic Bifurcation: Emergent Surgical Repair
Authors: Rizzo Anthony N. , Epstein David A. , Salamon Thomas , Beery Paul R.
Published: September 2022

Bullet embolization is a rare complication of gunshot wound injuries with most of the literature consisting of case reports. We report a case regarding bullet embolization to the distal aorta following entry into the right superior pulmonary vein as a result of a gunshot wound to the posterior chest. The patient presented with signs of lower extremity ischemia. Imaging revealed an intrabdominal bullet at the level of L4 and laparatomy identified the bullet to be within the aorta at the bifurcation. Successful repair of the cardiac injury and removal of the intra-aortic bullet were achieved by sternotomy and laparatomy.
Barriers and Facilitating Factors to HIV Treatment Among Men in a High-HIV-Burdened District in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Hlongwa Mbuzeleni , Jama Ngcwalisa Amanda , Mehlomakulu Vuyelwa , Pass Desiree , Basera Wisdom , Nicol Edward
Published: September 2022

Despite enormous increases in the proportion of people living with HIV accessing treatment in sub-Saharan Africa, major gender disparities persist, with men experiencing lower rates of testing, linkage to treatment, and retention in care. In this study, we investigated the barriers and facilitating factors to HIV treatment among men in uThukela, a high-HIV-burdened district in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. We conducted a qualitative study including nine Black African male participants who were recruited from 18 health care facilities in uThukela District, KwaZulu-Natal province. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants who linked to care and those who did not link to care at 3-month post HIV diagnosis. We used Atlas.ti for thematic analysis. Data were coded and linked to broader themes emerging across interviews. The median age was 40 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 31–41). This study identified the following key themes which emerged as barriers to HIV treatment among men in uThukela District: lack of emotional readiness, perceived medication side effects, fear of treatment non-adherence, perceived stigma and confidentiality concerns, and poor socioeconomic factors. We identified the following enabling factors to HIV treatment among men: fear of HIV progressing, acceptance of status, disclosure, support from family and friends, positive testing experience, and accessibility of antiretroviral treatment. This study revealed barriers and enabling factors to HIV treatment among men. These factors are important to inform the design of targeted intervention strategies aimed at improving linkage and retention to HIV treatment among men.
Mapping Team Dynamics Through Retrospective Team Events Analysis
Authors: van Dun Desirée H. , Wijnmaalen Julia R. , Wilderom Celeste P. M.
Published: September 2022

There is an increasing scholarly focus on how and why team dynamics develop over time. However, most of the used data-collection tools tend to be time-intensive and prone to biases. Hence, we developed Retrospective Team Events and Affect Mapping (R-TEAM): A longitudinal mixed-methods approach that yields a validated map of a team’s past events linked to affective team states. This paper illustrates, with an actual case, how the R-TEAM approach uses five well-known social-scientific methods: (1) the focus group method; (2) the life story interview; (3) the critical incidents technique; (4) visual elicitation and mapping; and (5) the survey method. Employing all five methods in a deliberate order, or ‘process of inquiry’, can curb the known limitations of each single method if used independently. R-TEAM can especially contribute to the systematic study of team dynamics because team-level data are collected and analysed through multiple means of stimulating recall among its members. Moreover, the R-TEAM approach stimulates team learning (via its inclusive and reflective orientation) and compared to prospective longitudinal approaches, it is less researcher-time consuming. The R-TEAM approach could particularly serve engaged scholarship, thereby enriching practically relevant theorizing on the time-sensitive and often fleeting team dynamics.
Dimethyl fumarate attenuates pain behaviors in osteoarthritis rats via induction of Nrf2-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis
Authors: Gao Shao-Jie , Li Dan-Yang , Liu Dai-Qiang , Sun Jia , Zhang Long-Qing , Wu Jia-Yi , Song Fan-He , Zhou Ya-Qun , Mei Wei
Published: September 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic degenerative disease, leads to pain and loss of function. Existing treatments for OA pain have limited efficacy and show significant side effects. Dimethyl fumarate, a robust nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activator, could alleviate pain behaviors in chronic pain. This study aims to investigate the role of dimethyl fumarate in a rat model of OA induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) and its underlying mechanisms. We used von Frey filaments to assess the mechanical allodynia. Weight-bearing apparatus was employed to assess the hindlimb weight distribution. Western blot was employed to investigate the protein expressions of mitochondrial biogenesis markers. RT-qPCR was employed to examine the copy number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In our study, dimethyl fumarate upregulated mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MPWT) (MIA + Vehicle, 1.6 ± 0.13  g [mean ± SEM]; MIA + Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) 300 mg/kg, 10.5 ± 0.96  g; p < 0.0001). Hindlimb weight distribution was also upregulated by dimethyl fumarate (MIA + Vehicle, 38.17 ± 0.72  g; MIA + DMF 300 mg/kg, 43.59 ± 1.01  g; p < 0.01). Besides, activation of Nrf2 remarkably upregulated the protein levels of PGC-1α (MIA + Vehicle, 0.69 ± 0.07; MIA + DMF 300 mg/kg, 1.08 ± 0.09; p = 0.0037), NRF1 (MIA + Vehicle, 0.69 ± 0.04; MIA + DMF 300 mg/kg, 1.00 ± 0.11; p = 0.0114), TFAM (MIA + Vehicle, 0.62 ± 0.11; MIA + DMF 300 mg/kg, 1.02 ± 0.12; p = 0.0147), and the copy number of mtDNA (MIA + Vehicle, 0.52 ± 0.05; MIA + DMF 300 mg/kg, 3.81 ± 0.21; p < 0.0001). Taken together, these results show that dimethyl fumarate alleviated pain-related behaviors in a rat model of OA through activation of Nrf2-induced mitochondrial biogenesis.
Distinguish bipolar and major depressive disorder in adolescents based on multimodal neuroimaging: Results from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study®
Authors: Liu Yujun , Chen Kai , Luo Yangyang , Wu Jiqiu , Xiang Qu , Peng Li , Zhang Jian , Zhao Weiling , Li Mingliang , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: September 2022

Background

Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder in adolescents are prevalent and are associated with cognitive impairment, executive dysfunction, and increased mortality. Early intervention in the initial stages of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder can significantly improve personal health.

Methods

We collected 309 samples from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, including 116 adolescents with bipolar disorder, 64 adolescents with major depressive disorder, and 129 healthy adolescents, and employed a support vector machine to develop classification models for identification. We developed a multimodal model, which combined functional connectivity of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and four anatomical measures of structural magnetic resonance imaging (cortical thickness, area, volume, and sulcal depth). We measured the performances of both multimodal and single modality classifiers.

Results

The multimodal classifiers showed outstanding performance compared with all five single modalities, and they are 100% for major depressive disorder versus healthy controls, 100% for bipolar disorder versus healthy control, 98.5% (95% CI: 95.4–100%) for major depressive disorder versus bipolar disorder, 100% for major depressive disorder versus depressed bipolar disorder and the leave-one-site-out analysis results are 77.4%, 63.3%, 79.4%, and 81.7%, separately.

Conclusions

The study shows that multimodal classifiers show high classification performances. Moreover, cuneus may be a potential biomarker to differentiate major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and healthy adolescents. Overall, this study can form multimodal diagnostic prediction workflows for clinically feasible to make more precise diagnose at the early stage and potentially reduce loss of personal pain and public society.
Investigating the Dynamics of Engineering Design Rework for a Complex Aircraft Development Project: Lessons Learned From a Soft Systems Thinking Lens
Authors: de Melo Érika Souza , Vieira Darli , Bredillet Christophe
Published: September 2022

Organizations still struggle to efficiently manage their complex product development projects (PDPs). A contributor to poor project performance is the dynamics of engineering design rework (EDR), due both to the necessity of adjusting the product being developed and the disruption it causes to the development process. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the dynamics of EDR that negatively impacts the performance of complex PDPs and to suggest actions to overcome those problems. The soft systems thinking methodology underpins the research approach. The dynamics of EDR of an aircraft development project were modeled in a causal loop model.
Acid ceramidase targeting pyruvate kinase affected trypsinogen activation in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Xiao Juan , Zeng Wenying , Zhang Pengcheng , Zhou Yuan , Fang Qiangqiang
Published: September 2022

Background

Acute pancreatitis is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas. Severe cases of acute pancreatitis are potentially fatal and have no specific treatment available. Premature trypsinogen activation could initiate acute pancreatitis. However, the mechanism underlying premature trypsinogen activation is not fully understood.

Methods

In this research, a primary pancreatic acinar cell or mouse acute pancreatitis model was constructed. The effect of acid ceramidase (ASAH1), which is responsible for sphingosine production, was investigated in trypsinogen activation in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, the proteins regulating ASAH1 or binding to sphingosine were also detected by co-immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry.

Results

The results showed that ASAH1 increased in acute pancreatitis. Increased ASAH1 promoted the activation of trypsinogen and cathepsin B. On the contrary, ASAH1 downregulation inhibited trypsinogen and cathepsin B. Meanwhile, ASAH1 regulated the activity of trypsin and cathepsin B through sphingosine. Additionally, E3 ligase Mind bomb homolog 1 (MIB1) decreased in acute pancreatitis resulting in the decreased binding between MIB1 and ASAH1. Exogenous MIB1 diminished the elevation in trypsin activity induced by acute pancreatitis inducer. ASAH1 increased owing to the inhibition of the proteasome degradation by MIB1. In acute pancreatitis, sphingosine was found to bind to pyruvate kinase. Pyruvate kinase activation could reduce trypsinogen activation and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by sphingosine.

Conclusions

In conclusion, during the process of acute pancreatitis, MIB1 downregulation led to ASAH1 upregulation, resulting in pyruvate kinase inhibition, followed by trypsinogen activation.
Flexible Scanning Method by Integrating Laser Line Sensors with Articulated Arm Coordinate Measuring Machines
Authors: Xie Zexiao , Yu Ping , Gong Hanlei , Chi Shukai , Gao Xiang
Published: September 2022

Measuring and reconstructing the shape of workpieces have been considered as a fundamental step in both reverse engineering and product quality control. Owing to increasing structural complexity of recent products, measurements from multiple directions are typically required in current scanning techniques. Specifically, the plane structured light can be applied to measure one area of a part at a time, with an additional algorithm required to merge the collected data of each area. Alternatively, the line structured light sensor integrated on CNC machines or CMMs could also realize multi-view measurement. However, the system needs to be repeatedly calibrated at each new direction. This paper presents a flexible scanning method by integrating laser line sensors with articulated arm coordinate measuring machines (AACMM). Since the output of the laser line sensor is 2D raw data in the laser plane, our system model introduces an explicit transformation from the 2D sensor coordinate frame to the 3D base coordinate frame of the AACMM (i.e., the translation and rotation the of the 2D sensor coordinate in the sixth coordinate system of AACMM). To solve the model, the “conjugate pairs” are proposed and identified by measuring a fixed point (e.g., a sphere center). Moreover, a search algorithm is adopted to find the optimal solution, which noticeably boosts the model accuracy. The experimental results show that the error of the system is about 0.2 mm, which is caused by the error of the AACMM, the sensor error and the calibration error. By measuring a complicated part, the proposed system is proved to be flexible and facilitate, with the ability to measure a part expediently from any necessary direction. Furthermore, the proposed calibration method can also be used for robot hand-eye relationship calibration.
Quantity changes in acute headache medication use among patients with chronic migraine treated with eptinezumab: subanalysis of the PROMISE-2 study
Authors: Cowan Robert P. , Marmura Michael J. , Diener Hans-Christoph , Starling Amaal J. , Schim Jack , Hirman Joe , Brevig Thomas , Cady Roger
Published: September 2022

Background

Patients with chronic migraine (CM) treated with eptinezumab in the PROMISE-2 trial achieved greater reductions in migraine and headache frequency, impact, and acute headache medication (AHM) use than did patients who received placebo. This post hoc analysis examines relationships between headache frequency reductions and changes in AHM use in patients in PROMISE-2.

Methods

PROMISE-2 was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in adults with CM. Patients were randomized to eptinezumab 100 mg, 300 mg, or placebo, administered intravenously once every 12 weeks for up to two doses. Patients recorded headache/AHM information daily and for each event in an electronic diary; data from all days with daily reports were included. Shifts in headache frequency and AHM use were assessed in the three populations: total CM population, patients with CM and medication-overuse headache (MOH), and patients with CM and MOH who were ≥ 50% responders during treatment (response over weeks 1–24).

Results

A total of 1072 adults with CM received treatment (eptinezumab, n = 706; placebo, n = 366). Mean baseline headache frequency was 20.5 days; mean baseline AHM days was 13.4; 431 patients had MOH, of which 225 (52.2%) experienced ≥50% response over weeks 1–24. Relative to baseline, the proportion of days with both headache and AHM use decreased 25.1% (eptinezumab) versus 17.0% (placebo) in the total population (N = 1072), 29.2% versus 18.4% in the MOH subpopulation (n = 431), and 38.3% versus 31.5% in the CM with MOH population with ≥50% response subgroup (n = 225) during weeks 1–24. The proportion of days with headache and triptan use decreased 9.1% (eptinezumab) versus 5.8% (placebo), 11.8% versus 7.2%, and 14.5% versus 12.6%, respectively. Reductions in other AHM types were smaller.

Conclusions

In this post hoc analysis, eptinezumab use in patients with CM was associated with greater decreases in days with headache with AHM overall and with triptans in particular. The magnitude of effect was greater in the subgroup of CM patients with MOH and ≥ 50% response.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02974153.

Graphical abstract

Eptinezumab reduces headache frequency and acute medication use in patients with chronic migraine.
Facile Preparation of Four-Layer MoS2 Nanosheets and Their Application to Organic Light-Emitting Diode
Authors: Jiang Xingwang , Cheng Jie , Liu Ping , Gao Qingguo , Liu Liming
Published: September 2022

High-quality four-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets with lateral dimension of about 11 µm were prepared by ultrasonic treatment of MoS2 powder with assistance of 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent. The optimal preparation conditions for the preparation of MoS2 nanosheets were investigated from the aspects of ultrasonic processing time, ultrasonic power and amount ratio of MoS2 powder and NMP solvent. At the same time, the MoS2 nanosheets were employed as anode buffer layer in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) with copper nanowire (CuNW) film being anode. MoS2 nanosheets can reduce roughness of CuNW film, protect CuNW film from oxidation and improve work function of CuNW film. Experiments show that MoS2 nanosheets can significantly improve the current density and brightness of the OLED with CuNW film being anode. The maximum brightness of the OLED with MoS2 anode buffer layer is 2.15 times that of the OLED without MoS2 anode buffer layer. The current density of the OLED with MoS2 anode buffer layer is also obviously increased compared with the OLED without MoS2 anode buffer layer.
Hormone biosynthesis and metabolism members of 2OGD superfamily are involved in berry development and respond to MeJA and ABA treatment of Vitis vinifera L
Authors: Gao Yingying , Wang Xiaochen , Liu Xianju , Liang Zhenchang
Published: September 2022

Background

Hormones play an indispensable role during fruit ripening, nine clades in 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2OGD) superfamily are responsible for the hormone biosynthesis and metabolism, but less information is known about them.

Results

A total of 163Vv2OGDsuperfamily members were identified from grape genome, which were mainly expanded by local (tandem and proximal) duplication. Phylogenetic analysis of 2OGD members in grape andArabidopsisindicates 37 members in Vv2OGD superfamily are related to hormone biosynthesis and metabolism process (Vv2OGD-H), which could be divided into 9 clades, gibberellin (GA) 3-oxidase (GA3ox), GA 20-oxidase (GA20ox), carbon-19 GA 2-oxidase (C19-GA2ox), carbon-20 GA 2-oxidase (C20-GA2ox), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO), dioxygenase for auxin oxidation (DAO), lateral branching oxidoreductas (LBO), downy mildew resistant 6 and DMR6-like oxygenase (DMR6/DLO) and jasmonate-induced oxygenase (JOX). Sixteen of these 37Vv2OGD-Hsare expressed in grape berry, in which the expression patterns ofVvGA2oxs,VvDAOsandVvJOXsshows a correlation with the change patterns of GAs, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and jasmonates (JAs), indicating the involvement of these genes in grape berry development by regulating corresponding hormones. TwelveVv2OGD-Hsrespond to methyl JA (MeJA) treatment, of which eight may lead to the inhibition of the ripening process by the crosstalk of JAs-salicylic acids (SAs), JAs-GAs and JAs-JAs, while sevenVv2OGD-Hsrespond to ABA treatment may be responsible for the promotion of ripening process by the interplay of abscisic acid (ABA)-strigolactones (SLs), ABA-SAs, ABA-GAs, ABA-JAs. Especially,VvLBO1reach an expression peak near véraison and up-regulate about four times after ABA treatment, which implies SLs and ABA-SLs crosstalk may be related to the onset of berry ripening in grape.

Conclusions

This study provides valuable clues and new insights for the mechanism research ofVv2OGD-Hsin hormones regulation during the grape berry development.
The effect of different preoperative left atrial appendage emptying speeds on left atrial function in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation after left atrial appendage closure combined with catheter ablation
Authors: Yang Chao , Yang Jing , Liu Qian , You Ling , Wu Jinglan , Zhang Yanan , Wang Lianxia , Xie Ruiqin
Published: September 2022

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate whether different preoperative left atrial appendage emptying speeds (LAAEVs) have an effect on left atrial function in patients with sinus arrhythmia after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) combined with catheter ablation (CA).

Methods

A total of 163 patients with persistent non-valvular atrial fibrillation who received combined LAAC+CA surgery were included in the present study. Regular follow-up was conducted for 12 months, and patients with complete data and successful sinus rhythm recovery were selected as the study subjects (n = 82). The patients were divided into two groups: the LAAEV < 25 cm/s group and the LAAEV ≥ 25 cm/s group (n = 41 each). The propensity score was used for matching according to gender, age, CHA2DS2-VASc score, and HAS-BLED score. The changes in the two groups in LA structure, storage function, conduit function, and pump function were compared.

Results

Before surgery, the maximum LA volume (LAVmax) and minimum LA volume (LAVmin) were greater in the LAAEV < 25 cm/s group than in the LAAEV ≥ 25 cm/s group. The LA storage function (eg. Ƹ and SRs), conduit function (eg. SRe), and pump function (eg. SRa) were all worse in the LAAEV < 25 cm/s group than in the LAAEV ≥ 25 cm/s group. After the combined LAAC+CA surgery, the LA storage, conduit, and pump functions improved in both groups. At 12 months after surgery, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups.

Conclusion

Before combined LAAC+CA surgery, the LA structure and function of the LAAEV < 25 cm/s group were worse than those of the LAAEV ≥ 25 cm/s group. However, after LAAC+CA surgery, the LA structure and function of the patients were improved, and there were no significant differences between the two groups. Inferred improvement in LA structure and function in the LAAEV < 25 cm/s group was superior to that in the LAAEV ≥ 25 cm/s group.
Realist analysis of whether emergency departments with primary care services generate ‘provider-induced demand’
Authors: McFadzean I. J. , Edwards M. , Davies F. , Cooper A. , Price D. , Carson-Stevens A. , Dale J. , Hughes T. , Porter A. , Harrington B. , Evans B. , Siriwardena N. , Anderson P. , Edwards A.
Published: September 2022

Background

It is not known whether emergency departments (EDs) with primary care services influence demand for non-urgent care (‘provider-induced demand’). We proposed that distinct primary care services in EDs encourages primary care demand, whereas primary care integrated within EDs may be less likely to cause additional demand. We aimed to explore this and explain contexts (C), mechanisms (M) and outcomes (O) influencing demand.

Methods

We used realist evaluation methodology and observed ED service delivery. Twenty-four patients and 106 staff members (including Clinical Directors and General Practitioners) were interviewed at 13 EDs in England and Wales (240 hours of observations across 30 days). Field notes from observations and interviews were analysed by creating ‘CMO’ configurations to develop and refine theories relating to drivers of demand.

Results

EDs with distinct primary care services were perceived to attract demand for primary care because services were visible, known or enabled direct access to health care services. Other influencing factors included patients’ experiences of accessing primary care, community care capacity, service design and population characteristics.

Conclusions

Patient, local-system and wider-system factors can contribute to additional demand at EDs that include primary care services. Our findings can inform service providers and policymakers in developing strategies to limit the effect of potential influences on additional demand when demand exceeds capacity.
Pathological components and CT imaging analysis of the area adjacent pleura within the pure ground-glass nodules with pleural deformation in invasive lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jiang Yining , Xiong Ziqi , Zhao Wenjing , Tian Di , Zhang Qiuping , Li Zhiyong
Published: September 2022

Background

Pleural deformation is associated with the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma(LAC). Our study focused on the pathological components of the area adjacent pleura in pulmonary pure ground-glass nodules(pGGNs) with pleural deformations(P-pGGNs) confirmed to be invasive LAC without visceral pleural invasion (VPI) pathologically.

Methods

Computed tomography(CT) imaging features of nodules and pathological components of the area adjacent pleura were analyzed and recorded. Statistical analysis was performed for subgroups of P-pGGNs.

Results

The 81 enrolled patients with 81 P-pGGNs were finally involved in the analysis. None of solid/micropapillary group and none of VPI was observed, 54 alveoli/lepidics and 27 acinar/papillarys were observed. In P-pGGN with acinar/papillary components of the area adjacent pleura, invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) was more common compared to minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA, 74.07% vs. 25.93%; p < 0.001). The distance in alveoli/lepidic group was significantly larger (1.50 mm vs. 0.00 mm; p < 0.001) and the depth was significantly smaller (2.00 mm vs. 6.00 mm; p < 0.001) than that in acinar/papillary group. The CT attenuation value, maximum diameter and maximum vertical diameter was valuable to distinguish acinar/papillary group form alveoli/lepidic group(p < 0.05). The type d pleural deformation was the common pleural deformation in IAC(p = 0.028).

Conclusions

The pathological components of the area adjacent pleura in P-pGGN without VPI confirmed to be invasive LAC could included alveoli/lepidics and acinar/papillarys. Some CT indicators that can identify the pathological invasive components of the area adjacent pleura in P-pGGNs.
Prevalence and associations of asteroid hyalosis: the Beijing Eye Study
Authors: Zhang Chuan , Shao Lei , Dong Li , Da Zhou Wen , Zhang Rui Heng , Wei Wen Bin
Published: September 2022

Background

To determine the prevalence and associations of asteroid hyalosis (AH) in a Chinese population-based cohort.

Methods

The retrospective, cross-sectional, population-based Beijing Eye Study 2011 included 3468 individuals with a mean age of 64.6 ± 9.8 years (range: 50–93 years). Participants underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations including fundus photographs for diagnosis of AH. Data on systemic and ocular factors were collected for all participants according to the standardized protocol. Multiple linear regression and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were performed.

Results

Fundus photographs were gradable in 3419 subjects. AH was detected in 63 (0.9%, 95% CI: 0.7%, 1.1%) eyes of 53 (1.6%, 95% CI: 1.1%, 2.0%) subjects. AH was bilateral in 18.9%. Mean age of all subjects with AH was 69.2 ± 9.5 years (median, 71.0 years; range, 51–91 years), mean spherical equivalent was 0.63 ± 1.53D (median, 0.75 D; range, -4.12 to 4.00D). In multivariate analysis, prevalence of AH was associated with elder age (P = 0.014, OR 1.057), thicker lens (P = 0.032, OR 3.887), higher spherical equivalent (P = 0.017, OR 1.396).

Conclusions

In adult Chinese in Beijing, the prevalence of AH was 0.9% for eyes or 1.6% for subjects. AH was associated with elder age, thicker lens, and higher spherical equivalent. It was not associated with diabetes or other systemic indicators.
Prevalence and comorbidity in a Swedish adolescent community sample – gambling, gaming, substance use, and other psychiatric disorders
Authors: Gerdner Arne , Håkansson Anders
Published: September 2022

Background

This study investigates a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders, gambling, and internet gaming disorders in Swedish 18-year-old boys and girls with the aim of estimating the prevalence of disorders and comorbidity.

Methods

We used a two-phase design with screening to detect candidates for clinical interviews. Screening included 949 adolescents (55.6% girls), out of which 758 adolescents (57.0% girls) were selected for interview with at least one of four instruments: M.I.N.I., ADDIS, NODS and IGDS. Of these, 387 (61.2% girls) were interviewed. Gender separated prevalence was estimated on the assumption that those selected but not interviewed had the same distribution as those interviewed based on similar outcomes above screening cut-offs. Comorbidity between types of disorders was estimated on similar assumptions. In addition, comorbidity between dyads of the ten most common specified disorders was calculated based on recorded data without these assumptions.

Results

We estimated that 14.6% met the criteria of a substance use disorder (SUD), mostly concerning alcohol and more frequent in girls than in boys. Those meeting the criteria lifetime of at least one of 16 other psychiatric disorders were 26.7%, more than twice as frequent in girls compared to boys, and with depression being the most common disorder. Gambling and gaming disorders were found almost exclusively in boys, of which 5.8% met the criteria for gambling, and 2.3% for gaming disorders. Of girls with a SUD, 40% also had a psychiatric disorder, while on the other hand more than 28% of girls with a psychiatric disorder also had a SUD. In boys with a SUD, 22% had another psychiatric disorder, while 15% of those with a psychiatric disorder also had a SUD.

Conclusions

Psychiatric comorbidity is common in SUDs in adolescents, which calls for screening and diagnostic efforts in young patients presenting with symptoms of SUDs. Girls with SUDs are at higher risk of also suffering from psychiatric conditions. Gambling and gaming disorders appear in a substantial minority of adolescents and warrant further study of their comorbidity. Since prevalences and comorbidity were estimated on the assumptions mentioned, some caution in interpreting the results is needed.
Inequality of opportunity in a land of equal opportunities: The impact of parents’ health and wealth on their offspring’s quality of life in Norway
Authors: Berthung Espen , Gutacker Nils , Abelsen Birgit , Olsen Jan Abel
Published: September 2022

Background

The literature on Inequality of opportunity (IOp) in health distinguishes between circumstances that lie outside of own control vs. efforts that – to varying extents – are within one’s control. From the perspective of IOp, this paper aims to explain variations in individuals’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by focusing on two separate sets of variables that clearly lie outside of own control: Parents’healthis measured by their experience of somatic diseases, psychological problems and any substance abuse, while parents’wealthis indicated by childhood financial conditions (CFC).

We further include own educational attainment which may represent a circumstance,oran effort, and examine associations of IOp for different health outcomes. HRQoL are measured by EQ-5D-5L utility scores, as well as the probability of reporting limitations on specific HRQoL-dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual-activities, pain & discomfort, and anxiety and depression).

Method

We use unique survey data (N = 20,150) from the egalitarian country of Norway to investigate if differences in circumstances produce unfair inequalities in health. We estimate cross-sectional regression models which include age and sex as covariates. We estimate two model specifications. The first represents a narrow IOp by estimating the contributions of parents’ health and wealth on HRQoL, while the second includes own education and thus represents a broader IOp, alternatively it provides a comparison of the relative contributions of an effort variable and the two sets of circumstance variables.

Results

We find strong associations between the circumstance variables and HRQoL. A more detailed examination showed particularly strong associations between parental psychological problems and respondents’ anxiety and depression. Our Shapley decomposition analysis suggests that parents’ health and wealth are each as important as own educational attainment for explaining inequalities in adult HRQoL.

Conclusion

We provide evidence for the presence of the lasting effect of early life circumstances on adult health that persists even in one of the most egalitarian countries in the world. This suggests that there may be an upper limit to how much a generous welfare state can contribute to equal opportunities.
Changes in residents’ hygiene awareness and behaviors in public toilets before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hangzhou, China: a two-round cross-sectional study
Authors: Xu Jiayao , Xu Xin , Sun Kai Sing , Wu Dan , Lam Tai Pong , Zhou Xudong
Published: September 2022

Background

Hygiene behaviors in public toilets are important to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases, especially during the pandemic. All through the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, governments in many countries published guidance on personal hygiene for the general population to prevent disease transmission. This study aimed to investigate improvements in residents’ hygiene awareness and behaviors in public toilets before and during the pandemic.

Methods

We recruited 316 residents between November and December 2018 before the pandemic, and 314 residents between December 2020 and January 2021 during the pandemic in the same study sites in Hangzhou, a well-developed city in China. Residents’ hygiene behaviors in public toilets, hygiene awareness, risk perception, and sociodemographic factors were collected. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regressions were used to test the differences between the two rounds. We conducted an observational study to record the provision of hygiene amenities at toilets during the pandemic.

Results

After controlling for sociodemographic factors (gender, marital status, age, education level, and monthly household income), compared with respondents recruited before the pandemic, respondents recruited during the pandemic were more likely to perceive the risks of infection when using public toilets (aOR = 1.77, 95%CI [1.20, 2.60]), and were more likely to be aware of the risks of touching contaminated toilet facilities (aOR = 1.72, 95%CI [1.17, 2.54]) and the risks of not using soap to wash one’s hands after using the toilet (aOR = 1.93, 95%CI [1.38, 2.72]). They were more likely to always clean their toilet seat with alcohol (aOR = 1.88, 95%CI [1.01, 3.51]), wash hands with soap (aOR = 1.52, 95%CI [1.09, 2.10]) and dry their hands with a dryer (aOR = 1.78, 95%CI [1.16, 2.71]), but they were less likely to always wash their hands after using the toilets (aOR = 0.57, 95%CI [0.32, 1.00]). Among 70 public toilets observed, 9 provided alcohol for toilet seat disinfection, 52 provided soap, 33 provided paper towels, and 41 had working hand dryers.

Conclusions

Despite the overall improvement, residents’ hygiene behaviors in public toilets and the supply of hygiene amenities were still suboptimal during the pandemic. Further hygiene education and an adequate supply of hygiene amenities in public toilets are needed to promote residents’ hygiene behaviors.
Cemented vs uncemented megaprostheses in proximal femur metastases: a multicentric comparative study
Authors: Oliva Maria Serena , Muratori Francesco , Vitiello Raffaele , Ziranu Antonio , Foschi Lorenzo , Rovere Giuseppe , Meschini Cesare , Campanacci Domenico Andrea , Maccauro Giulio
Published: September 2022

Background

Hip megaprostheses are a long known reconstructive method in the treatment of proximal femur metastases. The use of cemented or uncemented stems is still matter of debate. The aim of this study to compare cemented and uncemented megaprostheses on functional outcomes and complications, in order to establish the role of cementation.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 51 metastatic patients with proximal femur metastases treated with endoprosthetic reconstruction by megaprostheses, 25 with cementless stems and 26 with cemented ones with different megaprosthetic implants. The primary endpoint was MSTS score, and the secondary endpoint was to state the incidence of surgical and clinical complications in the two groups. An un-paired T test was used to compare anthropometric, anamnestic data, and MSTS. Chi-square test was performed for evaluation of complication in the two group. Multiple linear regression was used to match the functional outcomes and complications’ incidence in the population study. Logistic regression was performed to analyse the odds ratio of different parameters and their role in the incidence of complications.

Results

The mean follow-up was 50.1 months (+ 12.5). In thirty case right side was involved. No statistical differences were noticed between Group A and B regard the age, gender, active fracture/impending fracture. Comparing the MSTS results within the two groups at last follow-up, the score cemented group was higher than cementless one (17.9 + 7.8 vs 24.2 + 5.3; statistical significance p = 0.001). Regarding surgical complications a logistic regression was performed to analyse the odds ratio of age, cementation and length of resection; cementation confirm and odds ratio of 11 times in the incidence of surgical complications.

Conclusions

Cementation seems to be more liable to complications onset, while improves functional score in metastatic patients compared to uncemented megaprostheses. More studies have to be conducted in order to create a protocol and establish criteria to use cemented or uncemented stems in a frail population like metastatic patients.
Oral health-related quality of life in 4–16-year-olds with and without juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Gil Elisabeth G. , Skeie Marit S. , Halbig Josefine , Jönsson Birgitta , Lie Stein Atle , Rygg Marite , Fischer Johannes , Rosén Annika , Bletsa Athanasia , Luukko Keijo , Shi Xie-Qi , Frid Paula , Cetrelli Lena , Tylleskär Karin , Rosendahl Karen , Åstrøm Anne N.
Published: September 2022

Background

Few studies have investigated oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in young individuals with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Aims were to investigate whether OHRQoL differs between children and adolescents with JIA compared to controls without JIA, while adjusting for socio-demographic-, behavioral- and oral health-related covariates. Furthermore, to explore whether socio-behavioral and oral health-related covariates of OHRQoL vary according to group affiliation and finally, specifically for individuals with JIA, to investigate whether disease-specific features associate with OHRQoL. We hypothesized that participants with JIA have poorer OHRQoL compared to participants without JIA.

Methods

In this comparative cross-sectional study participants with JIA (n = 224) were matched to controls without JIA (n = 224). OHRQoL was assessed according to Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) (4–11-years-olds) and the child version of Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (Child-OIDP) (12–16-years-olds). JIA-specific characteristics were assessed by pediatric rheumatologists and socio-demographic, behavioral and self-reported oral health information collected by questionnaires. Index teeth were examined for caries by calibrated dentists. Multiple variable analyses were performed using logistic regression, reporting odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Two-way interactions were tested between group affiliation and the socio-behavioral- and oral health-related variables on the respective outcome variables.

Results

In total, 96 participants with JIA and 98 controls were evaluated according to ECOHIS, corresponding numbers for Child-OIDP was 125 and 124. Group affiliation was not associated with impaired ECOHIS or Child-OIDP in adjusted analyses (OR = 1.95, 95% CI 0.94–4.04 and OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.46–2.17, respectively). Female adolescents with JIA were more likely than males to report oral impacts according to Child-OIDP. Continued activity or flare was found to adversely affect Child-OIDP, also self-reported outcome measures in JIA associated with Child-OIDP.

Conclusions

This study did not provide consistent evidence to confirm the hypothesis that children and adolescents with JIA are more likely to have impaired OHRQoL compared to their peers without JIA. However, female adolescents with JIA were more likely than males to report impacts on OHRQoL. Furthermore, within the JIA group, adolescents with continued disease activity, flare or reporting pain, physical disability, had higher risk than their counterparts of impaired OHRQoL.