bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Framing the Catalan Conflict: A Decade ofel procésin the International Media
Authors: Perales-García Cristina , Pont-Sorribes Carles , Meseguer-Mañá David , Xicoy-Comas Enric
Published: August 2022

Since 2010 the Catalan secessionist movement has been reported on extensively in the global media. Beginning with the 2010 demonstrations against the decision of the Spanish Constitutional Court to reject a new Catalan statute of autonomy, and covering subsequent events such as the unofficial self-determination referendum in 2017, the trial and imprisonment of Catalan political leaders, and the violent protests against the verdicts; the events in the region have all featured heavily on the front pages of the international press. This study analyzes how US and UK newspapers have covered the Catalan independence movement during the period from 2010 to 2019. To do so, this study focuses on two US newspapers ( The New York Times and The Washington Post) and two from the UK newspapers ( The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian) and observes how the positions of the Spanish and Catalan governments are represented through the analysis of the frames used to construct the newspapers’ coverage, as well as the overall tone and the sources used by the journalists. To detect the dominant framework, a framing analysis is undertaken from a communicative and deductive perspective, applying Semetko and Valkenburg’s classification. In-depth interviews are also conducted with the newspapers’ Spanish-based foreign correspondents which allows the analysis to include the correspondents’ views on the difficulties faced by them during their time spent while covering the conflict. The study’s primary conclusion is that the international press downplays the significant role played by social movements and civil society in the secession movement, with a strong preference shown by journalists to rely on representatives of official sources as the most valid spokespersons for the movement. Secondly, the study finds that media attention follows closely the flash-points of the conflict with more coverage appearing at the moments of greater political tension between the Spanish and Catalan governments. This suggests that civil society mobilizations attract less interest from the media that instead prefers to focus on developments in the political sphere.
Non-Indigenous privilege in health, justice and social services preceding first episode psychosis: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Manuel Jenni , Cunningham Ruth , Gibb Sheree , Petrović-van der Deen Frederieke S , Porter Richard J , Pitama Suzanne , Crowe Marie , Crengle Sue , Carr Gawen , Lacey Cameron
Published: August 2022

Background:

There is evidence of disparities between non-Indigenous and Indigenous incidence of psychotic disorders. Despite these disparities being a clear signpost of the impact of structural racism, there remains a lack of evidence to target institutional factors. We aimed to investigate non-Indigenous and Indigenous differences in government service use prior to first episode diagnosis as a means of identifying points of intervention to improve institutional responses.

Methods:

We used a previously established national New Zealand cohort of 2385 13 to 25-year-old youth diagnosed with psychosis between 2009 and 2012 and a linked database of individual-level multiple government agency administration data, to investigate the differences in health, education, employment, child protection and criminal-justice service use between non-Indigenous (60%) and Indigenous youth (40%) in the year preceding first episode diagnosis. Further comparisons were made with the general population.

Results:

A high rate of health service contact did not differ between non-Indigenous and Indigenous youth (adjusted rate ratio 1.0, 95% confidence interval [0.9, 1.1]). Non-Indigenous youth had higher rates of educational enrolment (adjusted rate ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval [1.1, 1.3]) and employment (adjusted rate ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval [1.1, 1.3]) and were 40% less likely to have contact with child protection services (adjusted rate ratio 0.6, 95% confidence interval [0.5, 0.8]) and the criminal-justice system (adjusted rate ratio 0.6, 95% confidence interval [0.5, 0.7]). Both first episode cohorts had a higher risk of criminal justice contact compared to the general population, but the difference was greater for non-Indigenous youth (risk ratio 3.0, 95% confidence interval [2.7, 3.4] vs risk ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval [1.8, 2.2]), explained by the lower background risk.

Interpretation:

The results indicate non-Indigenous privilege in multiple sectors prior to first episode diagnosis. Indigenous-based social disparities prior to first episode psychosis are likely to cause further inequities in recovery and will require a response of health, education, employment, justice and political systems.
Equity for All? Black Students and Locally Controlled Funding
Authors: Greer Wil , Kressler Benikia
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore if and how urban school districts explicitly addressed the needs of Black students within their budgets. Culturally responsive school leadership was used to examine district leaders' budgetary actions. Using content analysis methods and randomized purposeful sampling, we reviewed budget plans from districts with the largest percentages of Black students. We found that 7 of 11 districts included Black students in their plans. However, actions and expenditures did not clearly specify if or how they would support Black students. Recommendations include explicitly incorporating actions and expenditures into plans that directly target Black students.
Social media and adolescent psychosocial development: a systematic review
Authors: Senekal Janine S , Ruth Groenewald Gabriella , Wolfaardt Lisa , Jansen Cisca , Williams Kayla
Published: August 2022

Adolescents are noted to increasingly utilise social media for communication, and therefore, social media is where much of their psychosocial development takes place. The potential impact of social media on psychosocial development is complex and is an emerging field of research. A systematic review was conducted to investigate existing research relating to social media’s effects on psychosocial development. Good practice in systematic review reporting was followed, aligned to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, and a team of five reviewers were involved in each stage of the review process to enhance objectivity and methodological rigour. The review included 20 studies, published between 2008 and 2019. The findings show a complex relationship between social media and adolescent psychosocial development. Social media was found to involve potential risks, in terms of excessive and problematic use, comparison, and cyberbullying. Social support, from both peers and parents, may buffer these negative impacts. Potential benefits of social media use include supporting identity development and the maintenance of existing peer relationships. Considering the growth of social media use, it is imperative to consider the development and provision of interventions and mental health care services to address the potential risks associated with increased social media use. Psychoeducation with adolescents and parents as to the risks, benefits, and constructive parental supervision of social media is also recommended. The review highlights the need for high-quality empirical research to further clarify the long-term impact of social media use, particularly within the South African context.
Design of decentralized proportional–integral proportional–retarded controllers in discrete-time domain for two-input two-output processes
Authors: Duman Mammadov Ayşe , Dincel Emre , Söylemez Mehmet Turan
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a decentralized proportional–integral proportional–retarded (PI-PR) controller design method is proposed for two-input two-output (TITO) systems in discrete-time domain. The well-known dominant pole assignment (DPA) approach is used as the basis of the proposed approach. The controller design starts with the decoupling of a given TITO system into two sub-systems and continues with the design of proportional–integral–retarded (PIR) controllers for each sub-system, respectively. The feasible discrete PIR controller parameter set is obtained through the Nyquist stability criterion by considering the desired closed-loop performance specifications. The obtained PIR controllers are then implemented using a PI-PR control structure to avoid poor performance of the closed-loop system (CLS) transient response, which can be caused by the controller zeros. Moreover, a case study is presented to show the performance of the PI-PR controller in a simulation environment. It is shown that the proposed control structure provides a satisfactory performance when compared with the other proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control methods from the literature.
Everyday peace as a theory to explain victims’ peacemaking actions in intimate partner violence situations
Authors: Kelly Leanne M , Ware Anthony , Ware Vicki-Ann , Wachter Ellen , Hall Rachel
Published: August 2022

This paper assesses the transferability of the concept of everyday peace, developed in the conflict and peace studies literature, to practices utilised by people experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). The relevance of everyday peace to IPV is assessed by mapping typologies of the concept against behaviour that victims implement to manage and survive abusive relationships. To collect these data, experienced family violence practitioners were asked to recount practice-based information about everyday strategies that victims use to avoid triggering or to de-escalate a perpetrator, thereby minimising immediate harm coming to themselves or others. Theming these behaviours against typologies of everyday peace demonstrated the significant relevance of this theory to IPV. As such, we suggest that everyday peace is a useful conceptual framework to apply to family violence. Our analysis finds that the everyday peace framework is particularly helpful for exploring victim agency in these contexts, reframing mundane and everyday strategies as agentic. In addition, everyday peace offers a means for better understanding victims’ actions, which could help develop more effective service responses supporting choice and agency in IPV situations.
Innovative Individual Vehicle Record Traffic Data Quality Analysis Methods
Authors: Jessberger Steven , Southgate Herbert
Published: August 2022

Most traffic data collection sites have individual vehicle record (IVR) data of each vehicle passing the sensor area but have traditionally only stored binned and summary data because of previous hardware data storage limitations. Most recently, agencies and traffic equipment vendors are trending more toward IVR data-capable sites. Detailed IVR traffic data (including weigh-in-motion) are being collected, processed, and provided as an output product to agencies. Agencies process and store this very detailed IVR data from both portable and/or permanent traffic counting locations and could benefit from enhanced tools and methods that best leverage this rich information. This research paper details an extensive IVR literature review and 10 unique IVR innovative quality control and processing methods that would not be possible with traditional binned or summary speed, classification, and/or weight data. By employing these innovative methods, agencies are now better able to troubleshoot and check their data. These methods also offer improved monitoring of IVR sites to better assist the field staff who perform site visits, troubleshoot sensors, and fix equipment issues. The more detailed IVR data are best suited to meeting several customer needs and provide the same data streams that already exist from binned data sources. IVR data also provide additional value to every data collection site through more detailed traffic data that better explain travel characteristics.
Early Tensile Loading in Nonsurgically Treated Achilles Tendon Ruptures Leads to a Larger Tendon Callus and a Lower Elastic Modulus: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Rendek Zlatica , Bon Beckman Leo , Schepull Thorsten , Dånmark Ida , Aspenberg Per , Schilcher Jörg , Eliasson Pernilla
Published: August 2022

Background:

Early tensile loading improves material properties of healing Achilles tendon ruptures in animal models and in surgically treated human ruptures. However, the effect of such rehabilitation in patients who are nonsurgically treated remains unknown.

Hypothesis:

In nonsurgically treated Achilles tendon ruptures, early tensile loading would lead to higher elastic modulus 19 weeks after the injury compared with controls.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Between October 2015 and November 2018, a total of 40 nonsurgically treated patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture were randomized to an early tensile loading (loaded group) or control group. Tantalum bead markers were inserted percutaneously into the tendon stumps 2 weeks after the injury to allow high-precision measurements of callus deformation under mechanical testing. The loaded group used a training pedal twice daily to produce a gradual increase in tensile load during the following 5 weeks. Both groups were allowed full weightbearing in an ankle orthosis and unloaded range of motion exercises. Patients were followed clinically and via roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis and computed tomography at 7, 19, and 52 weeks after the injury.

Results:

The mean ± standard deviation elastic modulus at 19 weeks was 95.6 ± 38.2 MPa in the loaded group and 108 ± 45.2 MPa in controls ( P = .37). The elastic modulus increased in both groups, although it was lower in the loaded group at all time points. Tendon cross-sectional area increased from 7 weeks to 19 weeks, from 231 ± 99.5 to 388 ± 142 mm2 in the loaded group and from 188 ± 65.4 to 335 ± 87.2 mm2 in controls ( P < .001 for the effect of time). Cross-sectional area for the loaded group versus controls at 52 weeks was 302 ± 62.4 mm2 versus 252 ± 49.2 mm2, respectively ( P = .03). Gap elongation was 7.35 ± 13.9 mm in the loaded group versus 2.86 ± 5.52 mm in controls ( P = .27).

Conclusion:

Early tensile loading in nonsurgically treated Achilles tendon ruptures did not lead to higher elastic modulus in the healing tendon but altered the structural properties of the tendon via an increased tendon thickness.

Registration:

NCT0280575 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).
Association of Financial Literacy and Risk Preference With Fraud Exposure and Victimization Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China
Authors: Yu Shih-Jen , Kuo Chun-Tung , Tseng Yung-Ching
Published: August 2022

Fraud jeopardizes older people’s physical, mental, and economic well-being, and financial literacy and risk preference have been linked to the risk of fraud experience. Given the inconsistent evidence, we investigated whether financial literacy and risk preferences were associated with fraud exposure and victimization among middle-aged and older adults. We analyzed data from the 2015 China Household Finance Survey, including 22,121 participants aged 50 and older. Poisson regression models were conducted to determine the association of financial literacy and risk preference with fraud experience. We found that financial literacy and risk preference were positively associated with fraud exposure and victimization. The prevalence of fraud victimization among middle-aged and older adults with the highest financial literacy and risk preference levels was 46.5% and 45.8% higher than among those with the lowest levels, respectively. These findings suggested that basic financial knowledge is insufficient to protect older people from fraud exposure and victimization.
The Impact of Sustained Ownership of a Pet on Cognitive Health: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Applebaum Jennifer W. , Shieu Monica M. , McDonald Shelby E. , Dunietz Galit Levi , Braley Tiffany J.
Published: August 2022

Objectives: To examine associations between sustained ownership of a pet and cognitive outcomes among a national sample of U.S. adults. Methods: Weighted linear mixed models were estimated using the Health and Retirement Study (2010–2016, n = 1369) to compare repeated measures of cognitive function between respondents who endorsed owning a pet in a sustained manner (>5 years), versus those who owned a pet ≤5 years, and non-pet owners. Results: Respondents aged 65+ who owned a pet >5 years demonstrated higher composite cognitive scores, compared to non-pet owners (β = .76, p = .03). Sustained pet ownership was associated with higher immediate (β = .3, p = .02) and delayed (β = .4, p = .007) word recall scores. There were no significant differences in cognitive scores between pet owners and non-owners aged < 65. Discussion: Sustained ownership of a pet could mitigate cognitive disparities in older adults. Further studies are needed to examine potential causal pathways, including physical activity and stress buffering, versus selection effects.
Reproductive Management in Catteries: Optimising health and wellbeing through veterinarian-breeder collaboration
Authors: Goericke-Pesch Sandra , Packeiser Eva-Maria
Published: August 2022

Practical relevance:

Many veterinarians – even those engaged in small animal reproduction – are uncomfortable with taking care of cat breeders or being in charge of catteries. Likely reasons for this are that feline reproduction is largely under-represented in undergraduate and graduate reproduction teaching, as well as in postgraduate education and science, whereas cat breeders themselves are often well informed and actively share knowledge with other cat breeders via the internet and social media.

Clinical challenges:

A variety of problems can exist within a cattery, and collaboration between veterinarian and breeder to solve these is ultimately beneficial for the breeder, for the veterinarian, and for the health and wellbeing of the individual cats and of the cattery as a whole.

Aim:

This review presents a comprehensive overview of aspects of cattery management that might negatively impact reproduction, including sanitation, hygiene and infectious disease control. It also discusses monitoring of reproductive performance, breeding recommendations, and the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to some common and specific problems.

Equipment and technical skills:

Reproductive management in the cattery requires no specialised equipment, as such. What it does need is an open mind, in terms of seeing how things are done, an open ear, for listening to the breeder, and the veterinarian’s clinical skills in palpation, auscultation and, where required, further examination of the animals. Keeping abreast of the latest information on infectious diseases, disinfection and genetics ensures proper advice is provided.

Evidence base:

Current knowledge of reproductive management in catteries is summarised in order to apply an evidence-based approach, whenever possible. Notwithstanding, much of the information remains empirical.
A study on the tribological behavior of hybrid and all-steel rough sliding contacts
Authors: Long Weishan , Chen Zhixiong , Li Zhixiong , Królczyk Grzegorz , Shi Yijun
Published: August 2022

Hybrid bearing is a kind of bearing that uses ceramic materials instead of steel and other metal materials as rolling elements. It is often used to reduce (i.e., rolling or sliding) friction resistance. Although many published works have shown that hybrid bearings are more effective than ordinary bearings in reducing friction resistance, improving service life, and reducing the occurrence of bearing failure, many few works have been focused on the tribological properties of hybrid bearings only under sliding friction conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the tribological behavior of the bearing materials to evaluate the sliding tribological process. In this paper, the tribological properties of silicon nitride-bearing steel friction pair (Si3N4-GCr15 pair) and bearing steel-bearing steel friction pair (GCr15-GCr15 pair) under oil lubrication were experimentally studied. An optical three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction method was used to investigate the microscopic and 3D morphologies of the friction pairs during the wear evolution process. The results show that the changing trends of the micrograph, 3D topography, friction coefficient, and surface roughness are consistent. A wear failure evaluation model was built based on the data extracted from the worn surface morphology. The model indicated that the friction performance of the Si3N4-GCr15 pair is better than that of the GCr15-GCr15 pair. The mechanism of friction performance of different friction pairs under lubrication conditions is studied, which provides good reference for the design of subsequent hybrid bearings.
Young Women’s Experiences of Health and Well-Being in a Postfeminist Social Media Culture: The MeStories Study Protocol
Authors: Ferraz Dulce , Rabel Eileen J. , Franzoni Amandine , Del Rio Carral Maria
Published: August 2022

Introduction: To date, there is much controversy in the literature on the impacts of social media use on young women’s health and wellbeing. Alongside the massive popularity of platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the social media culture has become a key mediator of social discourses on health, femininities, bodies, and identities. In contemporary Western societies, the individual pursuit of health is highly valued, related to contemporary forms of governance that emphasize self-regulation, individual responsibility, and individual choice. Furthermore, postfeminist discourses strongly encourage women to engage in constant work on their body, health, and identity. In this context, it is imperative to understand how the contemporary social media culture relates to young women’s health, body, and sense of self. Aims: The overall aim of this study is to understand the role of a new social media culture on narrative constructions of a sense of self among young women in late adolescence, aged 18–20 years old, and, particularly the ways in which such narrative identities relate to experiences and practices involving health and wellbeing. Methods: In this 3-year research we adopt a social constructionist approach in critical health psychology focused on socio-culturally situated practices and meanings involved in the construction of human experience. We adopt a qualitative research approach - consisting of in-depth interviews, focus groups and photo elicitation techniques - with people self-identifying as women. Data analysis will employ both narrative and reflexive thematic analysis. Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Lausanne. Findings will be published in scientific journals, presented at meetings, and will serve for public health and educational purposes. Content in form of flyers and posts will be designed to communicate findings to participants via current social media platforms.
“Masking/Truth: Transformative Visions and Utopias of Hope” (An Introduction)
Authors: Alexander Bryant Keith
Published: August 2022

This short piece serves as introduction to the Special Issue of a triple panel at the 2022 International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry (ICQI), entitled “Masking/Truth.”
Does COVID-19 Affect Household Financial Behaviors? Fresh Evidence From China
Authors: Guo Hua , Zhang Yang , Peng Yanling , Luo Tong , Wang Hong
Published: August 2022

Based on online survey data from 2020, the present study employed a logit model to examine the effects of COVID-19 on household financial behaviors in China. Additionally, the KHB (Kohler, Karlson, Holm) model was employed to explore the pathway through which COVID-19 affects household financial behaviors. These analyses revealed that household saving and borrowing behaviors were more sensitive to COVID-19 than insurance and investment behaviors. Moreover, the effects of COVID-19 on household saving and investment behaviors were found to be mediated by attitudes toward COVID-19. These findings suggest that more effective measures to reduce households’ panic attitude to public health emergencies can diminish fluctuations in household financial behaviors in the short term.
Use of Cannulated Screws for Primary Latarjet Procedures
Authors: Rattier Simon , Druel Thibaut , Hirakawa Yoshihiro , Gröger Falk , van Rooij Floris , Neyton Lionel
Published: August 2022

Background:

Rapid consolidation of the bone block is paramount for the success of the Latarjet procedure. Noncannulated screws have shown satisfactory long-term bone block fusion, while cannulated screws are challenged with inferior mechanical properties and fusion rates.

Purpose:

To report outcomes of the Latarjet procedure using cannulated screws, notably bone block fusion and complication rates at 3 months, as well as clinical scores and return to sports at minimum 2 years postoperatively.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

We reviewed the records of 124 consecutive patients (124 shoulders) who underwent primary Latarjet procedures using cannulated screws between 2015 and 2018. All patients underwent clinical examination at 3 months postoperatively, including range of motion and radiographs to assess graft fusion. The Walch-Duplay score, Rowe score, Subjective Shoulder Value, and visual analog scale for pain were collected at a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

Results:

Overall, 9 patients (7%) required reoperation: 7 (6%) had screw removal for unexplained residual pain, 1 (0.8%) had lavage for deep infection, and 1 (0.8%) had evacuation to treat a hematoma. Furthermore, 3 patients (2.4%) had recurrent instability, none of whom underwent reoperation. At 3-month follow-up, all 124 shoulders showed complete radiographic graft fusion, and at 40 ± 11 months (mean ± SD; range, 24-64 months), 88% of patients had returned to sport (109/124), the Walch-Duplay score was 86 ± 14, Rowe was 84 ± 15, Subjective Shoulder Value was 88 ± 11, and visual analog scale for pain was 1 ± 1.

Conclusion:

The clinical relevance of these findings is that 4.5-mm cannulated screws are safe and effective for primary Latarjet procedures and grant adequate graft healing, with low recurrence of instability and a high rate of return to sports.
Reliability of the Tibial Tubercle–Roman Arch Distance for Evaluating Tibial Tubercle Malposition and Predicting Patellar Dislocation via Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Xu Zijie , Zhao Pei , Song Yifan , Wang Haijun , Zhou Aiguo , Yu Jia-Kuo
Published: August 2022

Background:

The tibial tubercle (TT)–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance has low reproducibility in patients with a dysplastic trochlea, whereas the clinical value of the TT–posterior cruciate ligament (TT-PCL) distance remains controversial.

Purposes:

To establish a method to assess the position of the TT on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans using the TT–Roman arch (TT-RA) distance, compare this method with the TT-TG and TT-PCL distance, and provide the pathological threshold value of the TT-RA distance in patients with patellar dislocation.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The TT-RA distance, TT-TG distance, and TT-PCL distance were measured on MRI scans in 70 patients with a history of patellar dislocation and 70 healthy individuals. Inter- and intraobserver reliability of each measurement parameter were evaluated. The discriminatory capacity and the interrelationship of the 3 measurement parameters were investigated using Pearson correlation and the receiver operating characteristic curve. The pathological threshold values of these measurements were calculated according to the data of healthy individuals. Finally, logistic regression analysis was performed using these values.

Results:

Patients with patellar dislocation had a greater TT-RA distance compared with healthy individuals (18.05 ± 4.16 vs 13.86 ± 2.90 mm; P < .001). The TT-RA distance had a stronger diagnostic capacity, with an area under the curve of 0.802 compared with 0.625 for TT-PCL distance. Excellent reproducibility was seen for TT-RA distance measurement at any degree of trochlear dysplasia (all intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] >0.90). The inter- and intraobserver ICCs of the TT-TG distance measurements were extremely low for Dejour type D dysplasia (ICC, 0.509 and 0.616, respectively). The pathological TT-RA distance threshold was calculated as 19.5 mm. Logistic regression showed that patients with a TT-RA distance >19.5 mm were 11.7 times more likely to sustain patellar dislocation than were those with TT-RA distance less than this value.

Conclusion:

The TT-RA distance was a more reliable parameter with which to evaluate TT position than was TT-TG distance in patients with trochlear dysplasia. The TT-PCL distance was the least reliable among the 3 parameters studied.
T cells in SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination
Authors: Young Arthur
Published: August 2022

While antibodies garner the lion’s share of attention in SARS-CoV-2 immunity, cellular immunity (T cells) may be equally, if not more important, in controlling infection. Both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells are elicited earlier and are associated with milder disease, than antibodies, and T-cell activation appears to be necessary for control of infection. Variants of concern (VOCs) such as Omicron have escaped the neutralizing antibody responses after two mRNA vaccine doses, but T-cell immunity is largely intact. The breadth and patient-specific nature of the latter offers a formidable line of defense that can limit the severity of illness, and are likely to be responsible for most of the protection from natural infection or vaccination against VOCs which have evaded the antibody response. Comprehensive searches for T-cell epitopes, T-cell activation from infection and vaccination of specific patient groups, and elicitation of cellular immunity by various alternative vaccine modalities are here reviewed. Development of vaccines that specifically target T cells is called for, to meet the needs of patient groups for whom cellular immunity is weaker, such as the elderly and the immunosuppressed. While VOCs have not yet fully escaped T-cell immunity elicited by natural infection and vaccines, some early reports of partial escape suggest that future VOCs may achieve the dreaded result, dislodging a substantial proportion of cellular immunity, enough to cause a grave public health burden. A proactive, rather than reactive, solution which identifies and targets immutable sequences in SARS-CoV-2, not just those which are conserved, may be the only recourse humankind has to disarm these future VOCs before they disarm us.
Anticoagulation in pediatric cancer–associated venous thromboembolism: a subgroup analysis of EINSTEIN-Jr
Authors: Palumbo Joseph S. , Lensing Anthonie W. A. , Brandão Leonardo R. , Hooimeijer Hélène L. , Kenet Gili , van Ommen Heleen , Pap Akos F. , Majumder Madhurima , Kubitza Dagmar , Thelen Kirstin , Willmann Stefan , Prins Martin H. , Monagle Paul , Male Christoph
Published: August 2022

Anticoagulant treatment of pediatric cancer–associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) has not been prospectively evaluated. Management of anticoagulation for cancer-associated VTE is often challenged by drug interactions and treatment interruptions. A total of 56 of the 500 children (11.2%) with VTE who participated in the recent EINSTEIN-Jr randomized study had cancer (hematologic malignancy, 64.3%, solid malignant tumor, 35.7%). Children were allocated to either therapeutic-dose bodyweight-adjusted oral rivaroxaban (n=40) or standard anticoagulation with heparins, with or without vitamin K antagonists (n=16) and received a median of 30 concomitant medications. Based on sparse blood sampling at steady-state, pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of rivaroxaban were derived using population PK modeling. During the 3 months of treatment, no recurrent VTE or major bleeding occurred (95% confidence interval, 0.0%-6.4%), and 3-month repeat imaging showed complete or partial vein recanalization in 20 and 24 of 52 evaluable children (38.5% and 46.2%, respectively). Anticoagulant treatment was interrupted 70 times in 26 (46.4%) children because of thrombocytopenia, invasive procedures, or adverse events, for a mean individual period of 5.8 days. Anticoagulant therapy was resumed in therapeutic doses and was not associated with thrombotic or bleeding complications. Rivaroxaban exposures were within the adult exposure range and similar to those observed in children with VTE who did not have cancer-associated VTE. Rivaroxaban and standard anticoagulants appeared safe and efficacious and were associated with reduced clot burden in most children with cancer-associated VTE, including those who had anticoagulant treatment interruptions. Rivaroxaban exposures were within the adult exposure range despite significant polypharmacy use. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02234843.
Symptoms persisting after hospitalisation for COVID-19: 12 months interim results of the CO-FLOW study
Authors: Bek L. Martine , Berentschot Julia C. , Heijenbrok-Kal Majanka H. , Huijts Susanne , van Genderen Michel E. , Vlake J. Hans , van Bommel Jasper , Aerts Joachim G.J.V. , Ribbers Gerard M. , van den Berg-Emons Rita J.G. , Hellemons Merel E.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

A large proportion of patients experience a wide range of sequelae after acute COVID-19, especially after severe illness. The long-term health sequelae need to be assessed. Our objective was to longitudinally assess persistence of symptoms and clusters of symptoms up to 12 months after hospitalisation for COVID-19 and to assess determinants of the main persistent symptoms.

Methods

In this multicenter prospective cohort study patients with COVID-19 are followed up for 2 years with measurements at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after hospital discharge. Here, we present interim results regarding persistent symptoms up to 12 months.

Results

We included 492 patients; mean±sdage was 60.2±10.7 years, 335 (68.1%) were males, median length of hospital stay was 11 (6.0–27.0) days. At 3 months after discharge 97.0% of the patients had at least one persisting symptom, this declined to 95.5% and 92.0% at 6 and 12 months, respectively (p=0.010). Muscle weakness, exertional dyspnoea, fatigue, and memory and concentration problems were the most prevalent symptoms with rates over 50% during follow-up. Over time, muscle weakness, hair loss and exertional dyspnoea decreased significantly (p<0.001), while other symptoms such as fatigue, concentration and memory problems, anosmia and ageusia persisted. Symptoms from the physical and respiratory cluster declined significantly over time, in contrast to the fatigue and cognitive symptom clusters.

Conclusion

The majority of patients experienced COVID-19 sequelae up to 12 months after severe infection. Whereas physical and respiratory symptoms showed slow gradual decline, fatigue and cognitive symptoms did not evidently resolve over time.
Relatives’ perspectives on encounters and communication in nursing homes during the Covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study
Authors: Eriksson Elisabet , Hjelm Katarina
Published: August 2022

Background

Relatives of nursing home (NH) residents have experienced national or local restrictions on visiting their elderly family member during the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, many NHs have a multicultural environment, as staff, residents and their relatives speak different languages. Thus far, studies of remote communication with staff with limited language skills during the Covid-19 pandemic are lacking.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to explore relatives’ experiences of encounters and communication with staff and residents in NHs during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Method

An explorative qualitative study using semi-structured telephone interviews with 17 relatives of NH residents (12 women and 5 men). Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify four main categories and nine sub-categories.

Results

Communicating during visiting restrictions was challenging, and relatives experienced ups and downs when trying to stay in contact with NH residents and staff. Relatives received general information, but desired information about residents’ everyday life without having to ask for it. Moreover, remote communication was difficult for residents with hearing impairment or dementia. Even relatives who understood different languages had to develop strategies to communicate with staff with limited language skills in Swedish and English. Relatives did not mention using translating applications to facilitate communication.

Conclusion

During visiting restrictions, relatives lacked information about residents’ everyday life and found communication with staff with limited language skills challenging. For this reason, and to enable communication with staff with limited language skills, there is a need to find practical and technical solutions for facilitating remote communication between relatives, residents and staff at NHs.
Endocapillary hypercellularity levels are associated with early complete remission in children with class IV lupus nephritis as the initial presentation of SLE
Authors: Li Chunzhen , Han Yanan , Zhang Lili , Chen Zhiguo , Jin Mei , Sun Suzhen
Published: August 2022

Background

Endocapillary hypercellularity (ECHC) is commonly seen in class IV lupus nephritis (LN), the most common and severe LN in children. Factors influencing early complete remission (CR) in pediatric class IV LN have been poorly described. We investigated the relationship between ECHC levels and early CR in pediatric class IV LN.

Methods

Patients with newly, simultaneously diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and class IV LN by renal biopsy from 2012 to 2021 were studied. In this retrospective study, two pathologists who were blind to clinical information reviewed all pathological data retrospectively and classified glomerular lesions according to the revised criteria of the International Society of Nephrology and the Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS). The demographics, baseline clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, renal histopathological findings, treatment regimen and CR at 6 months after immunosuppressive therapy were analyzed. ECHC was categorized as: > 50% (group A), 25–50% (group B) and < 25% (group C). CR was defined as absence of clinical symptoms, 24-hour urinary protein < 0.15 g, and normal levels of serum creatinine and albumin.

Results

Sixty-four patients were identified: 23, 15 and 26 in groups A, B and C, respectively. Group A had significantly higher levels of D-dimer, urine protein, and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) than groups B and C. Group C had a markedly higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) than groups A and B. A substantially greater proportion of patients in group A had glomerular microthrombi and basement membrane thickening than in groups B and C. At 6 months post treatment, CR was achieved in 19 (82.6%), 5 (33.3%) and 11 (42.3%) in groups A, B and C, respectively (p < 0.05, group A vs groups B and C). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that ECHC and urine protein levels were significantly associated with CR.

Conclusion

ECHC and urine protein levels may be valuable biomarkers for predicting early CR in pediatric class IV LN.
Influence of different base materials and thicknesses on the fracture resistance of endocrown: A three-dimensional finite element analysis
Authors: Cheng Xia , Zhang Xiu-yin , Qian Wen-hao
Published: August 2022

Introduction

To analyze the stress distribution of the all-ceramic endocrown with different base materials and thicknesses using three-dimensional finite element analysis.

Methods

A endodontically treated maxillary premolar was scanned by micro-CT, a three-dimensional finite element model of the endocrown with fluid resin as the base material was divided into control (0 mm), 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm groups according to base thickness. Three kinds of conventional base materials were used and divided into glass ion group (A), fluid resin group (B), and nanocomposite resin group (C), and a three-dimensional finite element model of the endocrown with 1.0 mm thickness of base was established. A static loading with axial and 45° direction was applied to each model, the stress distribution of each part of the endocrown was analyzed under different base materials and thicknesses.

Results

The different thickness of the base layer has an influence on the components of the restoration and the tooth. The stress in the control group was the largest. The stress was the lowest when the thickness of the base layer was 1 mm; The maximum of the equivalent stress, the first, second, and third principal stress in the endocrown, abutment, and alveolar bone, are basically the same with the different base materials. The stress on the base layer increases with the elastic modulus of base materials increases.

Conclusions

The base layer played a force buffering effect on the dental body restored with endocrowns, and the effect was the best at 1 mm; The selection of base material has little influence on the whole, but in order to protect the weak tissues of the cavity bottom, the base material with lower elastic modulus can be used.
General practitioners’ perceptions of distributed leadership in providing integrated care for elderly chronic multi-morbid patients: a qualitative study
Authors: Braut Harald , Øygarden Olaug , Storm Marianne , Mikkelsen Aslaug
Published: August 2022

Background

Distributed Leadership (DL) has been suggested as being helpful when different health care professionals and patients need to work together across professional and organizational boundaries to provide integrated care (IC). This study explores whether General Practitioners (GPs) adopt leadership actions that transcend organizational boundaries to provide IC for patients and discusses whether the GPs’ leadership actions in collaboration with patients and health care professionals contribute to DL.

Methods

We interviewed GPs (n = 20) of elderly multimorbid patients in a municipality in Norway. A qualitative interpretive case design and Gioia methodology was applied to the collection and analysis of data from semi-structured interviews.

Results

GPs are involved in three processes when contributing to IC for elderly multimorbidity patients; the process of creating an integrated patient experience, the workflow process and the process of maneuvering organizational structures and medical culture. GPs take part in processes comparable to configurations of DL described in the literature. Patient micro-context and health care macro-context are related to observed configurations of DL.

Conclusion

Initiating or moving between different configurations of DL in IC requires awareness of patient context and the health care macro-context, of ways of working, capacity of digital tools and use of health care personnel.
Prevalence of dyslipidemia, treatment rate and its control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Northwest China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Jiahang , Nie Zhenxing , Ge Zhongli , Shi Lei , Gao Bin , Yang Yan
Published: August 2022

Background

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is high in China, especially in Northwest China, and dyslipidemia in diabetes is a major factor at risk for CVD. The dyslipidemia prevalence, treatment and control among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Northwest China were investigated.

Methods

In the cross-sectional retrospective research, 1386 medical records of T2DM patients were collected from the Endocrine Department of Tangdu Hospital. And patients’ age, sex, diabetes duration, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), complications, lipid levels, and drug use were recorded. The patient characteristics, lipid level and lipid-lowering therapy were analyzed.

Results

In this study, the dyslipidemia prevalence among T2DM patients was 87.7%, the treatment rate was 68.0%. The overall control rate of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was 43.1%, and control rates reached 52.7% for high-risk subjects and 36.1% for very high-risk subjects. The overall control rate of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) was 19.8%. HbA1c (%) ≥ 7 was indicated as a major factor predicting failure of LDL-C and non-HDL-C control [odds ratio (OR) 1.521; 2.206, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.154–2.005; 1.583–3.076)].

Conclusion

Among patients with T2DM, it is high prevalence of dyslipidemia and low rate of treatment and control, and higher HbA1c level is the main factor for poor lipid control. It calls for more efforts to promote early screening, prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia for patients, thereby reducing the risk of CVD.
The high sodium condiments and pre-packaged food should be the focus of dietary sodium control in the adult Shanghai population
Authors: Wang Zhengyuan , Zhu Zhenni , Cai Hua , Luo Baozhang , Shi Zehuan , Liu Yongping , Xiang Xuesong , Zang Jiajie , Su Jin
Published: August 2022

Background

Long-term, excessively high sodium consumption can lead to increased blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the dietary sodium intake and food sources to understand the epidemiological characteristics associated with potentially influencing variables in adults from Shanghai.

Methods

Residents aged 15 years and above were randomly selected using multi-stage stratified random sampling in Shanghai. Over 3 days, family condiments were weighed for each 24-h day, and recall surveys were conducted for the same timeframe regarding sodium intake during the spring, summer, autumn, and winter seasons.

Results

The median sodium intake for residents aged 15 years and above was 4.3 g/d in Shanghai, where 55.1% was obtained from cooking salt, 13.2% from sodium condiments, and 22.2% from pre-packaged food. There were no significant differences in total sodium intake or main sources of sodium intake between different seasons. The sodium intake of rural residents > suburban residents > urban residents (P < 0.05). The logistic regression demonstrated that compared to the rural, the people living in urban and suburban consumed less sodium. Compared to the 18–44, the people aged 45–59 and ≥ 60 consumed more sodium (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Sodium intake is high in Shanghai. The absolute amount of cooking salt is low in Shanghai, and the possibility of further reduction is very little under the existing dietary habit. Limiting high sodium condiments and pre-packaged food is the new key to controlling salt intake in the future.