bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validity Evidence of the HOPE Teacher Rating Scale-Arabic Version for Identifying Gifted Refugee Students
Authors: Alodat Ali M. , Gentry Marcia , Lee Hyeseong
Published: June 2024

Exceptionally talented refugee students are often underrepresented in allocating to gifted programs because of inadequate identification methods in Arab countries. This study investigates the Arabic version of the Having Opportunities Promotes Excellence (HOPE) Scale for identifying gifted refugee students. Students ( n = 13,598) from refugee camp schools in Jordan were surveyed in the 2020/2021 academic year. Elementary, middle, and high school teachers ( n = 423) completed the translated Arabic version of the HOPE Scale, measuring 11 items on the academic and social construct of giftedness. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an excellent fit; however, multigroup confirmatory factor analysis results revealed that the scale needed more invariance across groups. The results suggest that although the HOPE Scale-Arabic version has sufficient validation evidence, careful consideration is required when applying it to different subgroups of refugee students. Constructs of cultural relevance may need to be added to better assess the item’s validity.
Potholes of Philadelphia: Seasonality, Infrastructure, and Environments Above and Below Ground
Authors: Müller Simone M.
Published: June 2024

In cities with a continental climate, potholes are such an integral part of the transition from winter to spring that they have become their own season in the urban calendar: pothole season. In Philadelphia, “pothole season” became an annual regular feature with the expansion of the automobile age after World War II . Local newspapers used the phrase to mark the city’s transition from winter to spring and also to mock governments’ failure to mend roads or respond to dangerously sized craters on local streets and federal highways. For Philadelphians, the cyclical appearance of a thawing and freezing underground that made road surfaces break, eventually creating craters in roads that weredangerous to urban motorists and cyclists alike, became a way to understand how nature worked upon their city at a particular time of the year. Annually, pothole seasonality was a reminder that urban infrastructures failed when they ignored the dictates of nature that had environments above and below ground closely entangled. As a research perspective, finally, pothole seasonality helps to uncover slow but regular environmental changes and to extrapolate how urbanists and city governments cope, adapt, and transform in response to these reoccuring events.
Shake, rattle, and roll: Continuity of rattling ceramic vessels and adornos in the Caribbean
Authors: Kracht Emily C , Bloch Lindsay C
Published: June 2024

Ceramic rattles and rattle vessel adornos have received little attention in current Caribbean archaeology literature and may be overlooked or misidentified in Caribbean ceramic collections due to their minimal audibility or “failure” during the construction process. Here, we evaluate existing reports of rattle ceramics and adornos in the Caribbean and report on the discovery of rattle adornos within collections at the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Yale Peabody Museum. A detailed analysis of adorno rattles, including microscopic analysis, measurement of sound intensity, and a replication experiment was conducted. This study answers questions regarding their technological construction, potential function, geospatial and temporal spread, and cultural implications to Indigenous groups in the Caribbean. Despite difficulty in their construction, adorno rattles and ceramic rattles appeared in the Greater and Lesser Antilles throughout the Ceramic Age and likely functioned in ceremonial spaces.
I-FABP protein/mRNA and IL-6 as biomarkers of intestinal barrier dysfunction in neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis and SPF BALB/c mouse models
Authors: Chen Jun , Yan Zheng , Lin Zhibing , Fan Yong , Bao Xuan , Chen Xiaolin , Zheng Airu
Published: June 2024

Objective

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious intestinal inflammatory disease. We investigated intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), I-FABP mRNA, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as potential diagnostic biomarkers in NEC.

Methods

Forty mice were subjected to hypoxic-ischemic intestinal injury, and then serum I-FABP protein and mRNA levels were quantified. Ileal tissue pathological scores were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. I-FABP expression levels and translocation in these tissues were detected using western blotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. Samples from 30 human neonates with NEC and 30 healthy neonates had serum I-FABP protein/mRNA and IL-6 levels measured.

Results

The mouse ileal tissue pathological score and I-FABP levels, as well as serum I-FABP and I-FABP mRNA levels, were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group. Serum I-FABP, I-FABP mRNA, and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in human neonates with NEC than in the healthy group. Logistic regression and receiver operating curve analyses revealed that I-FABP protein/mRNA and IL-6 levels could be diagnostic biomarkers for NEC.

Conclusions

I-FABP protein/mRNA and IL-6 levels are useful biomarkers of intestinal ischemic injury in neonates with NEC. The combined detection of I-FABP protein/mRNA and IL-6 is recommended rather than using a single biomarker.
Heterotopic pregnancy: a case report of intrauterine hydatidiform mole with tubal pregnancy
Authors: Wang Ruoxi , Zhang Yiwei , Liang Jun , Li Yi , Wang Jian
Published: June 2024

We herein report a rare case of simultaneous intrauterine molar pregnancy and tubal pregnancy. A woman of childbearing age who had never been pregnant underwent an ultrasound examination 70 days after the onset of menopause. She had a history of ovulation induction. The ultrasound findings suggested a partial hydatidiform mole. She was then pathologically confirmed to have a complete hydatidiform mole after uterine suction dilation and curettage. On postoperative day 4, an ultrasound examination before discharge showed an inhomogeneous mass in the left adnexal region with mild lower abdominal pain. On postoperative day 17, the blood human chorionic gonadotropin level did not drop as expected, and a follow-up examination still indicated a mass in the left adnexal region. We were unable to rule out an ectopic hydatidiform mole. Hysteroscopy with laparoscopic exploration of the left adnexal mass and salpingotomy suggested a diagnosis of intrauterine hydatidiform mole combined with left tubal pregnancy.
Reduction behaviour of electric arc furnace dust (EAFD)-bituminous coal composite pellet in tube furnace
Authors: Kumar Banty , Roy Gour Gopal
Published: June 2024

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) is a significant secondary resource harbouring valuable metallic constituents like zinc, iron and at the same time, it is also a hazardous material as it releases toxic heavy metals like cadmium, lead and chromium to the environment. One potential way to utilise EAFD is to reduce it in the form of self-reducing EAFD–coal composite pellet and subsequently charge it to blast furnace for iron recovery while heavy metal will pass through slag to the cement industry. This investigation reports the reduction behaviour of EAFD–coal composite pellets in tube furnaces at various carbon levels. Temperature of the furnace varied between 1000°C and 1300°C and residence time from 5 to 20 min. The transverse cross section of the reduced pellets showed three layers with slag layer at the surface, followed by slag entrapped iron layer, and finally a partially reduced powdery central core. The central core increased with increase in coal content of the pellet, responsible lower extent of reduction. Temperature had little effect on reducing the dimension of the central core. A layer of iron and slag enveloping the core caused gas and pressure build-up at the core, which was thought to hinder the gasification reaction and lessen the amount of reduction. Temperature measurements did not show large temperature difference between surface and centre reflecting a less significant effect of heat transfer. It was concluded that EAFD–coal composite pellet could best be reduced at C/O ratio of 1. The reduced pellets are thoroughly characterised by scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.
Clinical effect of regional citrate anticoagulation continuous renal replacement therapy in three patients with hypercalcemic crisis
Authors: Wang Chunyan , Xiang Shilong
Published: June 2024

In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of regional citrate anticoagulation continuous renal replacement therapy (RCA-CRRT) in reducing blood calcium levels in three patients with hypercalcemia crisis caused by different etiologies. The sodium citrate chelation of calcium ions was utilized as an anticoagulant for treating severely affected patients. By adjusting the citrate anticoagulant dose and monitoring treatment indicators, RCA-CRRT parameters were actively modified to alleviate the hypercalcemia crisis and provide time for surgery or specialized treatment. Two patients experienced rapid and effective reductions in blood calcium levels, allowing for further treatment, while the third patient exhibited a repeated increase in blood calcium, which eventually decreased after parathyroid adenoma resection, leading to clinical discharge. Our findings suggest that RCA-CRRT can help alleviate hypercalcemia crisis, stabilize the patient’s internal environment, and provide valuable time for clinical treatment in cases of various medical conditions causing abnormal blood calcium elevations.
Comprehensive investigation of the effect of cryogenic process on machining of Inconel 718 superalloys with uncoated end mills
Authors: Gürbüz Hüseyin , Baday Şehmus
Published: June 2024

Inconel 718 is extensively used in crucial fields such as aerospace, space researches, and space stations due to its superior features such as high mechanical strength even at very high temperatures, high oxidation resistance, and resistance to high temperatures. However, this material is categorized as a difficult-to-machine material owing to its high specific strength, high tool wear, and low thermal properties leading to poor machinability and poor surface integrity during machining. In order to overcome the challenges that arise during the machining of these materials, the cryogenic process, which has been very popular in recent years, have come to the fore due to the wear resistance and hardness it provides for the tool. In this statistical and experimental study, Inconel 718 was milled with cryogenically uncoated end mill (UCC) and uncoated end mill (UC) at different cutting parameters. Surface roughness, abrasive wear, cutting forces, cutting tool wear, vibration values, hardness and Build up Edge (BUE) formation obtained as a result of machining experiments were investigated. It was determined that the values of all experimental results obtained with UCCs are lower than those of UCs. Also, the second order equations (by response surface methodology (RSM)) showed very promising values of R2 (above 90%) and thus reflected the appropriate relation of the independent and dependent variables; therefore, RSM approach can be successfully implemented for predicting experimental values in milling Inconel 718 with UCCs and UCs.
Do resource efficiency and energy productivity matter for environmental sustainability in G7 ?
Authors: Kirikkaleli Dervis , Umar Muhammad
Published: June 2024

In spite of the fact that the COP26 and COP27 Climate Conferences clearly emphasized the importance of resource efficiency in reducing global CO2 emissions, there is a paucity of empirical literature on the effect of resource efficiency on environmental sustainability. To close the gap in the literature and open new debate about the concept, the present study aims to capture the effect of resource efficiency on environmental sustainability in the G7 countries using novel panel-based estimators. The present study employs second-generation panel estimators, namely Westerlund model, common correlated effects mean group, augmented mean group, and Juodis, Karavias, and Sarafidis Granger noncausality tests. The outcomes of the study reveal that (i) there is a long-run linkage between environmental sustainability and resource efficiency, energy productivity, economic growth, and financial development; (ii) resource efficiency is an important predictor of environmental sustainability, whereas resource efficiency also causes to decrease in CO2 emissions in G7 countries; (iii) economic growth contributes to the environmental sustainability negatively. To achieve a low-carbon future, G7 policymakers should continue to raise awareness about resource efficiency. Moreover, it is possible for policymakers to reduce regulatory and market barriers by targeting their policies and programs to promote energy productivity.
Though Forced, Still Valid: Examining the Psychometric Performance of Forced-Choice Measurement of Personality in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Li Mengtong , Zhang Bo , Mou Yi
Published: June 2024

Unveiling the roles personality plays during childhood and adolescence necessitates its accurate measurement, commonly using traditional Likert-type (LK) scales. However, this format is susceptible to various response biases, which can be particularly prevalent in children and adolescents, thus likely undermining measurement accuracy. Forced-choice (FC) scales appear to be a promising alternative because they are largely free from these biases by design. However, some argue that the FC format may not perform satisfactorily in children and adolescents due to its complexity. Little empirical evidence exists regarding the suitability of the FC format for children and adolescents. As such, the current study examined the psychometric performance of an FC measure of the Big Five personality factors in three children and adolescent samples: 5th to 6th graders ( N = 428), 7th to 8th graders ( N = 449), and 10th to 11th graders ( N = 555). Across the three age groups, the FC scale demonstrated a better fit to the Big Five model and better discriminant validity in comparison to the LK counterpart. Personality scores from the FC scale also converged well with those from the LK scale and demonstrated high reliability as well as sizable criterion-related validity. Furthermore, the FC scale had more invariant statements than its LK counterpart across age groups. Overall, we found good evidence showing that FC measurement of personality is suitable for children and adolescents.
Competitive Risk Analysis of Prognosis in Older Adults with Sigmoid Colon Adenocarcinoma: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Du Ruofei , Guo Jiayu , Li Jing , Lyu Jun , Lyu Li
Published: June 2024

Background

The purpose of this study is to employ a competing risk model based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify prognostic factors for elderly individuals with sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma (SCA) and compare them with the classic Cox proportional hazards model.

Methods

We extracted data from elderly patients diagnosed with SCA registered in the SEER database between 2010 and 2015. Univariate analysis was conducted using cumulative incidence functions and Gray’s test, while multivariate analysis was performed using both the Fine-Gray and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Among the 10,712 eligible elderly patients diagnosed with SCA, 5595 individuals passed away: 2987 due to sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma and 2608 from other causes. The results of one-way Gray’s test showed that age, race, marital status, AJCC stage, differentiation grade, tumor size, surgical status, liver metastasis status, lung metastasis status, brain metastasis status, radiotherapy status, and chemotherapy status all affected the prognosis of SCA ( P < .05). Multivariate analysis showed that sex, age, race, marital status, and surgical status affected the prognosis of SCA ( P < .05). Multifactorial Fine-Gray analysis revealed that key factors influencing the prognosis of SCA patients include age, race, marital status, AJCC stage, grade classification, surgical status, tumor size, liver metastasis, lung metastasis, and chemotherapy status ( P < .05).

Conclusion

Data from the SEER database were used to more accurately estimate CIFs for sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma-specific mortality and prognostic factors using competing risk models.
Astragaloside IV ameliorated neuroinflammation and improved neurological functions in mice exposed to traumatic brain injury by modulating the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhao Jianfei , Zhao Gengshui , Lang Jiadong , Sun Boyu , Feng Shiyao , Li Dongsheng , Sun Guozhu
Published: June 2024

Increasing evidence suggests that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and neuroinflammation are involved in the complex pathological process of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the pathological mechanisms of their interactions in TBI remain incompletely elucidated. Therefore, investigating and ameliorating neuroinflammation and ER stress post-TBI may represent effective strategies for treating secondary brain injury. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) has been reported as a potential neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory agent in neurological diseases. This study utilized a mouse TBI model to investigate the pathological mechanisms and crosstalk of ER stress, neuroinflammation, and microglial cell morphology in TBI, as well as the mechanisms and potential of AS-IV in improving TBI. The research revealed that post-TBI, inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α increased, microglial cells were activated, and the specific inhibitor of PERK phosphorylation, GSK2656157, intervened to alleviate neuroinflammation and inhibit microglial cell activation. Post-TBI, levels of ER stress-related proteins (p-PERK, p-eIF2a, ATF4, ATF6, and p-IRE1a) increased. Following AS-IV treatment, neurological dysfunction in TBI mice improved. Levels of p-PERK, p-eIF2a, and ATF4 decreased, along with reductions in inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Changes in microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization were observed. Additionally, the PERK activator CCT020312 intervention eliminated the impact of AS-IV on post-TBI inflammation and ER stress-related proteins p-PERK, p-eIF2a, and ATF4. These results indicate that AS-IV alleviates neuroinflammation and brain damage post-TBI through the PERK pathway, offering new directions and theoretical insights for TBI treatment.
‘It's the judicial equivalent of robbing Peter to pay Paul’—The implementation gap in section 28 Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999
Authors: Munro VE , Weare S , O’Doherty L , Carter G , Hudspith L , Sleath E , Brown S , Cutland M , Perot C
Published: June 2024

Section 28, the last of the special measures under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 to be implemented, was rolled out across England and Wales between 2020 and 2022. This allows vulnerable and/or intimidated witnesses and complainants, who have first pre-recorded their evidence-in-chief through a police video-recorded interview, to pre-record their cross-examination, which is then presented to the court during the substantive trial. This article critically explores s. 28 by drawing upon qualitative data from 108 semi-structured interviews conducted with participants across seven stakeholder groups, including criminal justice practitioners, and complainants and their families in sexual offences cases. Through a critical consideration of the articulated benefits associated with s. 28 within the context of sexual offences cases, we argue that there continue to be substantial challenges associated with its implementation that reduce its prospects for success, and which need to be addressed as a priority.
Finding consensus on well-being in education
Authors: Curren Randall , Boniwell Ilona , Ryan Richard M. , Oades Lindsay , Brighouse Harry , Unterhalter Elaine , Kristjánsson Kristján , de Ruyter Doret , Macleod Colin , Morris Ian , White Mathew
Published: June 2024

Research on well-being and concern over the well-being of students and teachers has grown dramatically in recent years. Researchers and reformers in positive psychology and education, self-determination theory, social and emotional learning, liberal-democratic political and educational philosophy, and neo-Aristotelian theories of flourishing and character education have played formative and intersecting roles in what is now an international movement to promote the lifelong flourishing of students as an alternative to a human capital and economic growth focus for education. This article defends this flourishing-focused reorientation of education policy and practice, using a value-led and evidence-informed methodology. It sorts through the conceptual disputes and clarifies the ethical considerations that should guide efforts to advance the well-being of students and teachers, assesses key claims and arguments, and brings together compatible aspects of the leading philosophical and psychological perspectives on flourishing as an aim of education. It identifies ethically and evidentially justifiable points of consensus on well-being and flourishing in education, presents a consensus model of relationships between educational environments, learning, and flourishing, and concludes with some recommendations for educational policy and practice.
Fifty shades of racial disparities in epilepsy care
Authors: Yardi Ruta
Published: June 2024

[Box: see text]
Who has secrets and who keeps them? Individual differences in disclosure and secrecy
Authors: Boland F. Katelynn , Slepian Michael L. , Ward Sarah
Published: June 2024

Recent work has made great strides in understanding the situations that prompt people to disclose information or keep secrets. Through four studies ( N = 24,684), this article provides new insights into disclosure and secrecy through the lens of individual differences. Studies 1 and 2 find that higher levels of private self-consciousness are associated with greater disclosure, while higher levels of public self-consciousness are associated with greater secrecy. Studies 3 and 4 examined the Big Five personality traits and life satisfaction, finding reliably distinct patterns when it comes to keeping secrets and having the kinds of experiences people typically keep secret. Taken together, the studies provide several new insights into individual differences as well as future research directions.
Epidemiology of stunting in children aged 6–59 months, an unresolved chronic nutritional problem in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Abdilahi Sahardiid Ali , Osman Mohamed Omar , Abate Kalkidan Hassen
Published: June 2024

Background:

In developing countries as well as Ethiopia, stunting continues to be a major public health burden. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to synthesize the updated pooled prevalence and its determinants of stunting in Ethiopia.

Methods:

This systematic review and meta-analysis follow the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The protocol has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, University of York Center for Reviews, and disseminated at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/ , with the registration number (CRD42024542984). A wide-ranging literature search was carried out using PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Hinari, AJOL, and Google Scholar. All lists of qualified study references from 2013 to 2023 were recovered. The pooled estimate with a 95% CI was calculated using a random-effects model in STATA version 13 software. I2 and meta-bias statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity of the incorporated studies.

Results:

This study included 29 articles with a total of 23,511 participants from 29 qualified studies. The current study found that the pooled prevalence of stunting among children aged 6–59 months was 43% (95% CI: 42–44). Children who were not exclusively breastfed (OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.61–3.54), male children (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.13–2.31), children whose mothers had no antenatal care follow-up (OR = 3.03; 95% CI: 1.36–6.76), and women who had no formal education (OR = 4.55; 95% CI: 2.29–9.05) were significantly associated with stunting.

Conclusions:

In Ethiopia, nearly half of the children suffer from stunting, with those who are not breastfed, the sex of the child, children whose mothers had no antenatal care follow-up, and had no formal education having higher odds of stunting. To reduce the burden, strategies must be designed to intervene and improve maternal health literacy, focusing on children’s nutrition and health-care utilization.
Wound Closure and Wound Dressings in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery From the AO Spine Surveillance of Post-Operative Management
Authors: Oe Shin , Swamy Ganesh , Gagliardi Martin , Lewis Stephen J. , Kato So , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Lenke Lawrence G. , Matsuyama Yukihiro ,   AO Spine Knowledge Forum Deformity
Published: June 2024

Study Design

An e-mail-based online survey for adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgeons.

Objective

Wound closure and dressing techniques may vary according to the discretion of the surgeon as well as geographical location. However, there are no reports on most common methods. The purpose of this study is to clarify the consensus.

Methods

An online survey was distributed via email to AO Spine members. Responses from 164 ASD surgeons were surveyed. The regions were divided into 5 regions: Europe and South Africa (ESA), North America (NA), Asia Pacific (AP), Latin America (LA), and Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Wound closure methods were evaluated by glue(G), staples(S), external non-absorbable sutures (ENS), tapes(T), and only subcuticular absorbable suture (SAS). Wound Dressings consisted of dry dressing (D), plastic occlusive dressing (PO), G, Dermabond Prineo (DP).

Results

The number of respondents were 57 in ESA, 33 in NA, 36 in AP, 22 in LA, and 16 in MENA. S (36.4%) was the most used wound closure method. This was followed by ENS (26.2%), SAS (14.4%), G (11.8%), and T (11.3%). S use was highest in ESA (44.3%), NA (28.6%), AP (31.7%), and MENA (58.8%). D was used by 50% of surgeons postoperatively. AP were most likely to use PO (36%). 21% of NA used DP, while between 0%-9% of surgeons used it in the rest of the world.

Conclusion

Wound closure and dressings methods differ in the region. There are no current guidelines with these choices. Future studies should seek to standardize these choices.
Delayed-Release Budesonide in a Patient With Progressive IgA Nephropathy and Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Gholizadeh Ghozloujeh Zohreh , Srinivasan Vinay , Al Jurdi Ayman , Abdipour Amir , Norouzi Sayna
Published: June 2024

Delayed-release (DR) budesonide received expedited approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for reducing proteinuria in individuals with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) who are at significant risk of disease progression. The approval was based on clinical trials primarily involving patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) greater than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. However, the efficacy of DR budesonide in reducing kidney function decline, especially in patients with an eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and proteinuria less than 1 g/d, remains unclear. We report the case of a 43-year-old man with a long-term history of hypertension and biopsy-proven IgAN who experienced a progressive increase in proteinuria and serum creatinine, along with a decline in eGFR to 28 mL/min/1.73 m2 despite maximal supportive management. Following therapy with DR budesonide, a decreasing trend in proteinuria and a stabilization of eGFR were observed in the recent measurements. While initial data suggested the effectiveness of DR budesonide primarily in patients with an eGFR over 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, our case demonstrates the potential of DR budesonide for use in scenarios beyond its currently approved indications. This underscores the need for additional research on patients with advanced stages of chronic kidney disease.
Association of Spanish as a Primary Language With Retear Rates After Pediatric ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Lau Justin , Garcia-Lopez Edgar , Feeley Brian T. , Pandya Nirav K.
Published: June 2024

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most common knee injuries in pediatric patients in the United States. The patient's primary spoken language may affect outcomes after ACL reconstruction (ACLR).

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to identify differences in ACLR outcomes between patients whose primary, preferred spoken language was either English or Spanish. It was hypothesized that there would be a difference in retear rates between patients preferring English versus Spanish.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study was performed on pediatric and adolescent patients who underwent ACLR at a single institution. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts based on their preferred spoken language: English or Spanish. All patients underwent either hamstring tendon or bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft ACLR performed by the same surgeon with the same postoperative rehabilitation protocols. Linear regression, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine if outcomes, graft tear, revision surgery, and contralateral injury differed between groups.

Results:

A total of 68 patients were identified: 33 patients whose preferred language was English and 35 patients whose preferred language was Spanish. The overall mean age of the patients was 16.4 ± 1.4 years (range, 13.2-20.5 years), and the mean follow-up time was 3.26 ± 1.98 years (range, 0.53-8.13 years). Patients who preferred Spanish were more likely than those who preferred English to experience graft tears requiring revision surgery after ACLR ( P = .02; odds ratio [OR] = 5.81; adjusted OR = 1.94), at a tear rate of 14.3%.

Conclusion:

Patients who preferred to speak Spanish experienced higher graft tear rates when compared with patients who preferred speaking English, even after adjusting for sex, sport played, graft type, type of insurance, and time to surgery.
When Femininity Is Irrelevant: Gender Similarities and Racial Differences in Fatal and Nonfatal Police Violence in California, 2016–2021
Authors: Domingos Taylor , Smith Chris M.
Published: June 2024

Research finds racial disparities in the frequency and severity of police violence. Police violence research has not interrogated gender to the same effect. We build on theories of “gender irrelevance” to argue that violent incidents between police and civilians cannot be extricated from masculinity’s relevance. However, in contexts when police respond to women as violent, police render women’s femininity as irrelevant. Using 2016–2021 California URSUS data and supplementary archival examples, we examine gender and race across fatal and nonfatal police violence incidents. We find that women are no more or less likely to experience fatal relative to nonfatal police violence than men of the same racial group when accounting for police perceptions of civilians being armed. We also find racial differences in perceptions of weapons, with lower barriers for fatal violence against Black and Latinx civilians. When women are in high-conflict, violent situations, other statuses become hyper-present beyond women’s femininity.
The context of care as a supporting axis for comfort in a palliative care unit
Authors: Pereira Raquel Alexandra Machado , Sousa Valente Ribeiro Patrícia Cruz Pontífice
Published: June 2024

Background:

The context of care determines and organizes practices through its structures and guiding principles. It is sometimes a space that generates tension and multiple choices, variable in the provision of different care and uncertain in its duration. We can consider that the construction of the comfort process does not only depend on the will of its actors and the situation itself, but is also conditioned by the professional, cultural, and social context in which it is inserted. This article is part of a doctoral study in the field of comfort in a palliative care unit, and these are some of the partial results that emerged.

Design:

Qualitative study using ethnographic approach.

Methods:

We conducted semistructured interviews with 18 patients at the end of life and their matched significant family members (18) and 21 health professionals. We also conducted a participant observation of care situations.

Results/discussion:

The context of action, where meanings and practices are learned, is linked to a certain identity that is related to practical, contextual knowledge, linked to a collective and to a feeling of belonging. The relationship between the various factors that shape the Care Context in the palliative care unit studied, constitute the three domains of this topic, specifically: the integrative and inclusive environment, the conceptions of care, and the inclusive factors of organizational culture.

Conclusion:

The specific context was determinant as a supporting axis for comfort in this palliative care unit. The context of care, where objects and provisions support the construction of the comfort process as an entity that integrates culture, established conceptions of care, allowing the deepening of knowledge.
Muscle fibre satellite cells are located at a greater distance from capillaries in patients with COPD compared with healthy controls
Authors: Betz Milan W. , De Brandt Jana , Aussieker Thorben , Monsegue Alejandra P. , Houtvast Dion C.J. , Gehlert Sebastian , Verdijk Lex B. , van Loon Luc J.C. , Gosker Harry R. , Langen Ramon J.C. , Derave Wim , Burtin Chris , Spruit Martijn A. , Snijders Tim
Published: June 2024

Background

COPD is a disease characterised by skeletal muscle dysfunction. A spatial relationship exists between satellite cells and muscle fibre capillaries, which has been suggested to be of major importance for satellite cell function. In the present study we compared the spatial relationship between satellite cells and capillaries in patients with COPD and age-matched healthy older adults.

Methods

Muscle biopsies were obtained from thevastus lateralisof n=18 patients with COPD (8 female, 10 male; age 66±5 years, mild-to-severe airflow obstruction) and n=18 age-, sex- and body mass index-matched healthy control adults (8 female, 10 male; age 68±5 years). Immunohistochemistry was used to assess type I/II muscle fibre size, distribution, myonuclear content, satellite cell number and fibre capillarisation. In addition, type I/II muscle fibre satellite cell distance to its nearest capillary was assessed.

Results

The percentage of type II muscle fibres was significantly greater in patients with COPD (62±10%) compared with controls (50±12%, p<0.05). Muscle fibre capillarisation was significantly lower in patients with COPD compared with controls (p<0.05). While satellite cell content was not different between groups, type I and type II satellite cell distance to its nearest capillary was significantly greater in patients with COPD (type I: 21.3±4.8 µm; type II: 26.7±9.3 µm) compared with controls (type I: 16.1±3.5 µm; type II: 22.7±5.8 µm; p<0.05).

Conclusion

Satellite cells are located at a greater distance from their nearest capillary in patients with COPD compared with age-matched controls. This increased distance could play a role in impaired satellite cell function in patients with COPD.
Heart rate variability in pulmonary vascular disease at altitude: a randomised trial
Authors: Herzig Joël J. , Ulrich Silvia , Schneider Simon R. , Müller Julian , Lichtblau Mona , Ulrich Tanja L. , Bauer Meret , Furian Michael , Bloch Konrad E. , Mayer Laura , Schwarz Esther I.
Published: June 2024

Background

Hypoxia is a trigger for sympathetic activation and autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction. Pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) is associated with hypoxaemia, which increases with altitude. The aim was to investigate how exposure of patients with PVD to hypobaric hypoxia at altitude affects autonomic cardiovascular regulation.

Methods

In a randomised crossover study, patients with PVD were studied for 1 day and one night at an altitude of 2500 m (hypobaric hypoxia) and low altitude at 470 m in a random order. Outcomes were heart rate variability (HRV) in the time domain and in the frequency domain (low frequency (LF)/high frequency (HF) and LF/HF) and heart rate (HR) during day and night and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS).

Results

In 25 patients with PVD (72% pulmonary arterial hypertension and 28% distal chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension; mean±sdage 60.7±13.6 years), exposure to altitude resulted in significant increases in awake HR by 9.4 bpm (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.3–12.4, p<0.001) and nocturnal HR by 9.0 bpm (95% CI 6.6–11.4, p<0.001) and significant changes in awake and particularly nocturnal HRV indicating decreasing parasympathetic and increasing sympathetic activity (change in daytime LF/HF 1.7 (95% CI 0.6–2.8), p=0.004; nocturnal LF/HF 1.9 (95% CI 0.3–3.4), p=0.022) and a significant decrease in BRS (−2.4·mmHg−1(95% CI −4.3– −0.4, p=0.024)).

Conclusion

Exposure of PVD patients to altitude resulted in a significant change in HRV indicating an increase in sympathetic activity and a decrease in BRS. The relative change in HRV at altitude was more pronounced during sleep.
Comorbidities reduce survival and quality of life in COPD with severe lung hyperinflation
Authors: ter Haar Else A.M.D. , Slebos Dirk-Jan , Klooster Karin , Pouwels Simon D. , Hartman Jorine E.
Published: June 2024

Rationale and aim

Patients with COPD often present with a significant number of comorbidities, which are thought to be related to a higher mortality risk. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and impact of comorbidities on survival and quality of life (QoL), specifically in patients with emphysema characterised by severe lung hyperinflation.

Patients and methods

Data were prospectively collected from patients who visited our hospital for evaluating their eligibility for a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment and were included in the Groningen Severe COPD cohort (NCT04023409). Comorbidities were patient-reported by a questionnaire and were validated with patients’ medical records. QoL was assessed with the St Georges Respiratory Questionnaire.

Results

We included 830 COPD patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage III and IV. The total number of comorbidities was an independent predictor of survival when adjusting for other factors influencing survival (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.05–1.20, p<0.001). Of the individual comorbidities, pulmonary arterial hypertension (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.01–2.32, p=0.045), low body mass index (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.16–2.27, p=0.004) and anxiety (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.11–1.92, p=0.007) were independently associated with worse survival. Moreover, patients having 3, 4 or >5 comorbidities had a significantly (all p<0.05) worse QoL, in comparison to patients without comorbidities.

Conclusion

Our results show that comorbidities were associated with lower survival and poor QoL in emphysema patients characterised by severe hyperinflation. Appropriate treatment of treatable traits, including anxiety, low body mass index and pulmonary arterial hypertension, could lead to a survival benefit and improvement in QoL in this specific patient population.
Dyport: dynamic importance-based biomedical hypothesis generation benchmarking technique
Authors: Tyagin Ilya , Safro Ilya
Published: June 2024

Background

Automated hypothesis generation (HG) focuses on uncovering hidden connections within the extensive information that is publicly available. This domain has become increasingly popular, thanks to modern machine learning algorithms. However, the automated evaluation of HG systems is still an open problem, especially on a larger scale.

Results

This paper presents a novel benchmarking framework Dyport for evaluating biomedical hypothesis generation systems. Utilizing curated datasets, our approach tests these systems under realistic conditions, enhancing the relevance of our evaluations. We integrate knowledge from the curated databases into a dynamic graph, accompanied by a method to quantify discovery importance. This not only assesses hypotheses accuracy but also their potential impact in biomedical research which significantly extends traditional link prediction benchmarks. Applicability of our benchmarking process is demonstrated on several link prediction systems applied on biomedical semantic knowledge graphs. Being flexible, our benchmarking system is designed for broad application in hypothesis generation quality verification, aiming to expand the scope of scientific discovery within the biomedical research community.

Conclusions

Dyport is an open-source benchmarking framework designed for biomedical hypothesis generation systems evaluation, which takes into account knowledge dynamics, semantics and impact. All code and datasets are available at: https://github.com/IlyaTyagin/Dyport.
Management of potentially inappropriate medication use among older adult’s patients in primary care settings: description of an interventional prospective non-randomized study
Authors: Bou Malham Carmela , El Khatib Sarah , Cestac Philippe , Andrieu Sandrine , Rouch Laure , Salameh Pascale
Published: June 2024

Background

The management of inappropriate medication use in older patients suffering from multimorbidity and polymedication is a major healthcare challenge. In a primary care setting, a medication review is an effective tool through which a pharmacist can collaborate with a practitioner to detect inappropriate drug use.

Aim

This project described the implementation of a systematic process for the management of potentially inappropriate medication use among Lebanese older adults. Its aim was to involve pharmacists in geriatric care and to suggest treatment optimization through the analysis of prescriptions using explicit and implicit criteria.

Method

This study evaluated the medications of patients over 65 years taking a minimum of five chronic medications a day in different regions of Lebanon. Descriptive statistics for all the included variables using mean and standard deviation (Mean (SD)) for continuous variables and frequency and percentage (n, (%)) for multinomial variables were then performed.

Results

A total of 850 patients (50.7% women, 28.6% frail, 75.7 (8.01) mean age (SD)) were included in this study. The mean number of drugs per prescription was 7.10 (2.45). Roughly 88% of patients (n = 748) had at least one potentially inappropriate drug prescription: 66.4% and 64.4% of the patients had at least 1 drug with an unfavorable benefit-to-risk ratio according to Beers and EU(7)-PIM respectively. Nearly 50.4% of patients took at least one medication with no indication. The pharmacists recommended discontinuing medication for 76.5% of the cases of drug related problems. 26.6% of the overall proposed interventions were implemented.

Discussion

The rate of potentially inappropriate drug prescribing (PIDP) (88%) was higher than the rates previously reported in Europe, US, and Canada. It was also higher than studies conducted in Lebanon where it varied from 22.4 to 80% depending on the explicit criteria used, the settings, and the medical conditions of the patients. We used both implicit and explicit criteria with five different lists to improve the detection of all types of inappropriate medication use since Lebanon obtains drugs from many different sources. Another potential source for variation is the lack of a standardized process for the assessment of outpatient medication use in the elderly.

Conclusion

The prevalence PIDP detected in the sample was higher than the percentages reported in previous literature. Systematic review of prescriptions has the capacity to identify and resolve pharmaceutical care issues thus improving geriatric care.
Integrating support persons into maternity care and associations with quality of care: a postpartum survey of mothers and support persons in Kenya
Authors: Nakphong Michelle K. , Afulani Patience A. , Beltrán-Sánchez Hiram , Opot James , Sudhinaraset May
Published: June 2024

Background

Despite research that has shown that the presence of support persons during maternity care is associated with more respectful care, support persons are frequently excluded due to facility practices or negative attitudes of providers. Little quantitative research has examined how integrating support persons in maternity care has implications for the quality of care received by women, a potential pathway for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate how integrating support persons in maternity care is associated with multiple dimensions of the quality of maternity care.

Methods

We used facility-based cross-sectional survey data from women (n = 1,138) who gave birth at six high-volume facilities in Nairobi and Kiambu counties in Kenya and their support persons (n = 606) present during the immediate postpartum period. Integration was measured by the Person-Centered Integration of Support Persons (PC-ISP) items. We investigated quality of care outcomes including person-centered care outcomes (i.e., Person-Centered Maternity Care (PCMC) and Satisfaction with care) and clinical outcomes (i.e., Implementation of WHO-recommended clinical practices). We used fractional regression with robust standard errors to estimate associations between PC-ISP and care outcomes.

Results

Compared to low integration, high integration (≥four woman-reported PC-ISP experiences vs. <4) was associated with multiple dimensions of quality care: 3.71%-point (95% CI: 2.95%, 4.46%) higher PCMC scores, 2.76%-point higher (95% CI: 1.86%, 3.65%) satisfaction with care scores, and 4.43%-point (95% CI: 3.52%, 5.34%) higher key clinical practices, controlling for covariates. PC-ISP indicators related to communication with providers showed stronger associations with quality of care compared to other PC-ISP sub-constructs. Some support person-reported PC-ISP experiences were positively associated with women’s satisfaction and key practices.

Conclusions

Integrating support persons, as key advocates for women, is important for respectful maternity care. Practices to better integrate support persons, especially improving communication between support persons with providers, can potentially improve the person-centered and clinical quality of maternity care in Kenya and other low-resource settings.