bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Household food insecurity and physically demanding work during pregnancy are risk factors for low birth weight in north Shewa zone public hospitals, Central Ethiopia, 2021: a multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Debele Elias Yadeta , Dheresa Merga , Tamiru Dawit , Wadajo Tegenu Balcha , Shiferaw Kasiye , Sori Lemesa Abdisa , Assefa Nega
Published: July 2022

Background

Despite numerous efforts to improve the quality of maternal and child health medical services, over 20 million babies are born with low birth weights each year globally. However, factors related to low birth weight like physically demanding work during pregnancy, intimate partner violence, and food insecurity have not been explored well in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of low birth weight and associated factors among neonates born in public Hospitals in North Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from June 15 –to July 15, 2021, in North Shewa public hospitals. A total of 441 mothers and newborn pairs were selected by systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire with chart reviewing. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi Data version 3.1 and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26 respectively. Binary logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with low birth weight. Adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval and ap-value less than 0.05 was considered to declare the statistically significant association.

Results

The prevalence of low-birth-weight was 17.7% (95% CI: 14.3, 21.5). Pregnancy-related complication [AOR = 2.16; 95% CI:(1.12,4.18)], grand-multiparty [AOR = 2.57; 95% CI:(1.12,5.88)], physically demanding work during pregnancy [AOR = 2.19; 95% CI:(1.11,4.33)], midd-upper arm circumference less than 23 cm [AOR = 2.54; 95% CI:(1.26,5.10)], partner violence during pregnancy [AOR = 3.77; 95% CI:(1.81,7.88)], and being member of household with food insecure [AOR = 2.31; 95% CI:(1.12,4.75)] were factors significantly associated with low birth weight.

Conclusions

This study showed that the magnitude of low birth weight was relatively high. Women with pregnancy-related complications, grand multiparty, physically demanding work during pregnancy, intimate partner violence, mid-upper arm circumference less than 23 cm, and food insecurity should be prioritized for mitigating LBW. Health care professionals should focus on Screening pregnant women for intimate partner violence, physically demanding activities, undernutrition and providing appropriate treatment during all maternal continuum of care might be helpful.
Reliability and validity evaluation of the appropriate antibiotic use self-efficacy scale for Chinese adults
Authors: Wang Liying , Liang Chunguang , Yu Haitao , Zhang Hui , Yan Xiangru
Published: July 2022

Background

Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to global public health. Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to an increase in antibiotic resistance. Individual self-efficacy in the appropriate use of antibiotics plays a key role, especially in China where the population has easy access to antibiotics. However, there are no tools available to assess the self-efficacy of appropriate antibiotic use for Chinese adults. We aimed to translate and develop a Chinese version of the Appropriate Antibiotic Use Self-Efficacy Scale (AAUSES), and validate its reliability and validity.

Methods

A total of 659 adults were recruited to participate in the questionnaire. The original version scale was first translated into Chinese using the backward and forward translation procedures. The internal consistency reliability of the scale was measured by the Cronbach alpha coefficient, the test-retest reliability, and the corrected item-total correlation. The validity of the scale was assessed by the content validity index, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis.

Results

The content validity index of the scale was 0.96. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) supported a 4-factor structure of the translated questionnaire, and the discriminant validity of the scale was good. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed ﻿i﻿n the model fitness index, the chi-square degree of freedom was 2.940, the goodness-of-fit index(GFI) was 0.929, the incremental fit index (IFI) was 0.908, the comparative fit index(CFI) was 0.906, root mean square error of approximation(RMSEA) was 0.077, and standardized root mean residual (SRMR) was 0.0689, and the model fitting indexes were all in the acceptable range. Cronbach alpha coefficient for the scale was 0.910. The test-retest reliability was 0.947, and the corrected item-total correlations for the items ranged from 0.488 to 0.736. Self-efficacy for appropriate antibiotic use in adults varied by education, occupation, income, place of residence, and whether or not they had heard of antibiotic resistance.

Conclusions

The results indicated that the Chinese version of the AAUSES had good reliability and validity. Therefore, it can be considered a tool to evaluate the appropriate antibiotic use self-efficacy of adults in China.
Changing the culture: a qualitative study exploring research capacity in local government
Authors: Homer Catherine , Woodall James , Freeman Charlotte , South Jane , Cooke Jo , Holliday Judith , Hartley Anna , Mullen Shane
Published: July 2022

Background

Local government has become a key constituent for addressing health inequalities and influencing the health of individuals and communities in England. Lauded as an effective approach to tackle the multiple determinants of health, there are concerns that generating and utilising research evidence to inform decision-making and action is a challenge. This research was conducted in a local authority situated in the north of England and addressed the research question – ‘What is the capacity to collaborate and deliver research?’. The study explored the assets that exist to foster a stronger research culture, identified barriers and opportunities for developing research capacity, and how a sustainable research system could be developed to impact on local residents’ health and reduce health inequalities.

Methods

This was a qualitative study utilising semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The study used an embedded researcher (ER) who was digitally embedded within the local authority for four months to conduct the data collection. Senior Managers were purposively sampled from across the local authority to take part in interviews. Three focus groups included representation from across the local authority. Framework analysis was conducted to develop the themes which were informed by the Research Capacity Development framework.

Results

Tensions between research led decision making and the political and cultural context of local government were identified as a barrier to developing research which addressed health inequalities. Research was not prioritised through an organisational strategy and was led sporadically by research active employees. A recognition across leaders that a culture shift to an organisation which used research evidence to develop policy and commission services was needed. Building relationships and infrastructure across local government, place-based collaborators and academic institutions was required. The embedded researcher approach is one method of developing these relationships. The study identifies the strengths and assets that are embedded in the organisational make-up and the potential areas for development.

Conclusion

Research leadership is required in local government to create a culture of evidence-based principles and policy. The embedded research model has high utility in gaining depth of information and recognising contextual and local factors which would support research capacity development.
Findings of virtual bronchoscopic navigation can predict the diagnostic rate of primary lung cancer by bronchoscopy in patients with peripheral lung lesions
Authors: Kitamura Atsushi , Tomishima Yutaka , Imai Ryosuke , Nishimura Naoki , Okafuji Kohei , Ro Shosei , Jinta Torahiko , Tamura Tomohide
Published: July 2022

Background

Despite being minimally invasive, bronchoscopy does not always result in pathological specimens being obtained. Therefore, we investigated whether virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN) findings were associated with the rate of diagnosis of primary lung cancer by bronchoscopy in patients with peripheral lung lesions.

Methods

This study included patients with suspected malignant peripheral lung lesions who underwent bronchoscopy at St. Luke’s International Hospital between October 2013 and March 2020. Patients diagnosed with primary lung cancer were grouped according to whether their pathology could be diagnosed by bronchoscopy, and their clinical factors were compared. In addition, the distance between the edge of the lesion and the nearest branch (“distance by VBN”) was calculated. The distance by VBN and various clinical factors were compared with the diagnostic rates of primary lung cancer.

Results

The study included 523 patients with 578 lesions. After excluding 55 patients who underwent multiple bronchoscopies, 381 patients were diagnosed with primary lung cancer. The diagnostic rate by bronchoscopy was 71.1% (271/381). Multivariate analysis revealed that the lesion diameter (odds ratio [OR] 1.107), distance by VBN (OR 0.94) and lesion structure (solid lesion or ground-glass nodule; OR 2.988) influenced the risk of a lung cancer diagnosis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for diagnosis based on lesion diameter and distance by VBN was 0.810.

Conclusion

The distance by VBN and lesion diameter were predictive of the diagnostic rates of primary lung cancer by bronchoscopy in patients with peripheral lung lesions.
Shoulder muscle changes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have a painful shoulder: a quantitative muscle ultrasound study
Authors: Alabdali Login Ahmed S. , Winkens Bjorn , Dinant Geert-Jan , van Alfen Nens , Ottenheijm Ramon P. G.
Published: July 2022

Background

It is assumed that in patients with diabetic neuropathy, muscle denervation can result in shoulder disorders. Muscle denervation will lead to changes in muscle architecture, which can be assessed by quantitative muscle ultrasound (QMUS). The aim was to investigate whether increased muscle echogenicity, as a sign of neuropathy, is more often present in patients with shoulder pain who have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than in those without.

Methods

Sixty-six patients with T2DM and 23 patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) having shoulder pain were included. Quantitative muscle ultrasound images were obtained bilaterally from the biceps brachii, deltoid, and supra- and infraspinatus muscles. The mean echogenicity (muscle ultrasound grey value) was transformed into z-scores and compared to reference values obtained from 50 healthy participants. Associations between muscle echogenicity and clinical variables were explored.

Results

In painful shoulders of both patients with T2DM and patients without DM, mean echogenicity z-scores of all muscles were significantly increased compared to healthy controls. No significant differences in echogenicity between patients with T2DM and those without DM were found. In patients with T2DM, a distal symmetric polyneuropathy was significantly associated with increased echogenicity of all muscles except the infraspinatus muscle.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that patients with painful shoulders, irrespective of having T2DM, seem to have abnormal shoulder muscles. Future studies are needed to elucidate whether neuropathy or other conditions lead to these muscle changes.
An economic evaluation of cabazitaxel versus a second androgen receptor-targeted agent (ARTA) for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel and an ARTA: the United States payer perspective
Authors: Morgans Alicia K. , Hutson Thomas , Guan Alice Kai Dan , Garcia David , Zhou Anna , Drea Edward , Vogelzang Nicholas J.
Published: July 2022

Background

Cabazitaxel significantly improves clinical outcomes compared with a second androgen receptor-targeted agent (ARTA) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) previously treated with docetaxel and an ARTA (abiraterone or enzalutamide), as demonstrated in the CARD trial (NCT02485691). We aimed to estimate healthcare costs avoided with the use of cabazitaxel as a third-line (3 L) treatment versus a second ARTA from a US payer perspective.

Methods

Model inputs were based on the CARD trial, published sources, and estimates of typical clinical care patterns by genitourinary oncologists (n = 3). Assessed time points were 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS), radiographic PFS (rPFS), and overall survival (OS); hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) days; and costs (reported in 2020 US dollar [USD] and converted into Euro) to manage symptomatic skeletal events (SSEs), adverse events (AEs), and end-of-life care.

Results

At 18 months, in a cohort of 100 patients, the use of cabazitaxel was estimated to result in 9 more patients achieving rPFS, 2 more patients achieving PFS, and 17 more survivors versus a second ARTA. The costs of SSEs, AEs, and end-of-life care were $498,909 (€424,073), $276,198 (€234,768), and $808,785 (€687,468), respectively, for cabazitaxel and $627,569 (€533,434), $251,124 (€213,455), and $1,028,294 (€874,050), respectively, for a second ARTA. Cabazitaxel was estimated to be associated with a 21% reduction in both SSE management and end-of-life care costs. Hospitalization cost was $1,442,870 (€1,226,440) for cabazitaxel and $1,728,394 (€1,469,135) for a second ARTA, representing an estimated 17% reduction in these costs. Cabazitaxel, as compared with a second ARTA, was associated with 58 fewer hospitalization days and 2 fewer ICU days and was estimated to avoid $323,095 (€274,630, 17%) in total costs, driven by SSEs management and end-of-life care.

Conclusion

The use of cabazitaxel as a 3 L treatment after docetaxel and an ARTA in patients with mCRPC is estimated to result in clinical benefits (longer rPFS, PFS, and OS) and lower healthcare resource utilization (fewer hospitalization and ICU days), compared with a second ARTA.
Changes in salivary analytes in cows due to the in vitro presence of feed
Authors: Contreras-Aguilar M. D. , Vallejo-Mateo P. J. , Lamy E. , Cerón J. J. , Rubio C. P.
Published: July 2022

Background

The effect in a sialochemistry profile of the presence of usually available feed in dairy cows was evaluated by an in vitro experiment. For this purpose, a pooled clean saliva from five healthy dairy cows was incubated five times with a standard feed based on a total mixed ration (F), wheat hay (H), and grass (G). The salivary panel was integrated by biomarkers of stress (cortisol -sCor-, salivary alpha-amylase -sAA-, butyrylcholinesterase -BChE-, total esterase -TEA-, and lipase -Lip-), immunity (adenosine deaminase -ADA-), oxidative status (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity -TEAC-, the ferric reducing ability of saliva -FRAS-, the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity -CUPRAC-, uric acid, and advanced oxidation protein products -AOPP-), and enzymes, proteins, and minerals of general metabolism and markers of liver, muscle, and renal damage (aspartate aminotransferase -AST-, alanine aminotransferase -ALP-, γ-glutamyl transferase -gGT-, lactate dehydrogenase -LDH-, creatine kinase -CK-, creatinine, urea, triglycerides, glucose, lactate, total protein, phosphorus, and total calcium).

Results

Most of the evaluated analytes showed a coefficient of variations (CV) higher than 15% and/or significant changes compared with the clean saliva when feed was present. Some analytes, such as the oxidative status biomarkers (CV > 80%), AST (CV > 60%), or glucose (CV > 100%), showed significant changes with all the feed types tested. Others showed significant differences only with certain types of feed, such as LDH with F (CV > 60%) or triglycerides with F (CV > 100%) and H (CV > 95%). However, sCor or gGT remained unchanged (CV < 15%, P > 0.05) in all the treatments.

Conclusions

The presence of feed can produce changes in most of the analytes measured in cows’ saliva, being of high importance to consider this factor when saliva is used as a sample to avoid errors in the interpretation of the results.
A joint PCR-based gene-targeting method using electroporation in the pathogenic fungus Trichosporon asahii
Authors: Matsumoto Yasuhiko , Nagamachi Tae , Yoshikawa Asami , Yamada Tsuyoshi , Sugita Takashi
Published: July 2022

Trichosporon asahii is a pathogenic fungus that causes deep-seated fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Established methods for generating gene-deficient T. asahii mutants exist, but the frequency of obtaining transformants by electroporation remains low. In the present study, we optimized the conditions for gene transfer by electroporation using a ku70 gene-deficient mutant with high recombination efficiency. Introducing a DNA fragment by electroporation into T. asahii cells on Sabouraud dextrose agar to generate a cnb1 gene-deficient mutant and incubating for 1 day led to the growth of approximately 100 transformants. When the incubation period was extended to 2 days or 5 days, however, only 2 or no transformants, respectively, were grown. The highest number of transformants was grown by electroporation when a square wave at 1.8 kV (9 kV/cm) was applied for 5 ms. In addition, the number of transformants increased with an increase in the length of the homologous region, and transformants did not grow when the homologous region was less than 500 base pairs. A DNA fragment was produced for deletion of the cnb1 gene by joint PCR, and the cnb1 gene-deficient mutant was obtained by introducing the DNA fragment by electroporation. These results indicate that DNA fragments produced by joint PCR can be used to generate gene-deficient mutants of T. asahii through gene transfer by electroporation.

Graphical Abstract
Radical Technology Inquirer: a methodology for holistic, transparent and participatory technology foresight
Authors: Linturi Risto , Höyssä Maria , Kuusi Osmo , Vähämäki Ville
Published: July 2022

This paper introduces and motivates the Radical Technology Inquirer (RTI) methodology for anticipation of technological breakthroughs and their combined cross-sectoral and social impacts. The primary use of the methodology is long-term policy evaluation and design. The first version of the methodology was published in 2013. This paper reports the current RTI 2018 version, which is based on systematic collection of scientific and technological news and grounded on theory. It combines societal functions with technological opportunities by conceptualising 20 “global value-producing networks” GVNs and 100 “anticipated radical technologies” ARTs. The RTI methodology is participatory, using continuous crowdsourcing and stakeholder evaluations. Each GVN is characterised by a need and an existing and a novel way of satisfying that need and organising the societal function. The methodology combines existing and new foresight methods and concepts to achieve a holistic and transparent approach for anticipating technology-enabled transformative socio-technical developments of the next 20 years. In this anticipation effort, the focus is more on recent weak signals of emerging technological capabilities than on past strong signals, e.g. the diffusion of various technologies.
Novel ATXN1/ATXN1L::NUTM2A fusions identified in aggressive infant sarcomas with gene expression and methylation patterns similar to CIC-rearranged sarcoma
Authors: Xu Feng , Viaene Angela N. , Ruiz Jenny , Schubert Jeffrey , Wu Jinhua , Chen Jiani , Cao Kajia , Fu Weixuan , Bagatell Rochelle , Fan Zhiqian , Long Ariel , Pagliaroli Luca , Zhong Yiming , Luo Minjie , Kreiger Portia A. , Surrey Lea F. , Wertheim Gerald B. , Cole Kristina A. , Li Marilyn M. , Santi Mariarita , Storm Phillip B.
Published: July 2022

CIC-rearranged sarcomas are newly defined undifferentiated soft tissue tumors with CIC-associated fusions, and dismal prognosis. CIC fusions activate PEA3 family genes, ETV1/4/5, leading to tumorigenesis and progression. We report two high-grade CNS sarcomas of unclear histological diagnosis and one disseminated tumor of unknown origin with novel fusions and similar gene-expression/methylation patterns without CIC rearrangement. All three patients were infants with aggressive diseases, and two experienced rapid disease deterioration and death. Whole-transcriptome sequencing identified an ATXN1-NUTM2A fusion in the two CNS tumors and an ATXN1L-NUTM2A fusion in case 3. ETV1/4/5 and WT1 overexpression were observed in all three cases. Methylation analyses predicted CIC-rearranged sarcoma for all cases. Retrospective IHC staining on case 2 demonstrated ETV4 and WT1 overexpression. ATXN1 and ATXN1L interact with CIC forming a transcription repressor complex. We propose that ATXN1/ATXN1L-associated fusions disrupt their interaction with CIC and decrease the transcription repressor complex, leading to downstream PEA3 family gene overexpression. These three cases with novel ATXN1/ATXN1L-associated fusions and features of CIC-rearranged sarcomas may further expand the scope of “CIC-rearranged” sarcomas to include non-CIC rearrangements. Additional cases are needed to demonstrate if ATXN1/ATXN1L-NUTM2A fusions are associated with younger age and more aggressive diseases.
Temporal trends of medical cost and cost-effectiveness in sepsis patients: a Japanese nationwide medical claims database
Authors: Oami Takehiko , Imaeda Taro , Nakada Taka‑aki , Abe Toshikazu , Takahashi Nozomi , Yamao Yasuo , Nakagawa Satoshi , Ogura Hiroshi , Shime Nobuaki , Umemura Yutaka , Matsushima Asako , Fushimi Kiyohide
Published: July 2022

Background

Sepsis is the leading cause of death worldwide. Although the mortality of sepsis patients has been decreasing over the past decade, the trend of medical costs and cost-effectiveness for sepsis treatment remains insufficiently determined.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study using the nationwide medical claims database of sepsis patients in Japan between 2010 and 2017. After selecting sepsis patients with a combined diagnosis of presumed serious infection and organ failure, patients over the age of 20 were included in this study. We investigated the annual trend of medical costs during the study period. The primary outcome was the annual trend of the effective cost per survivor, calculated from the gross medical cost and number of survivors per year. Subsequently, we performed subgroup and multiple regression analyses to evaluate the association between the annual trend and medical costs.

Results

Among 50,490,128 adult patients with claims, a total of 1,276,678 patients with sepsis were selected from the database. Yearly gross medical costs to treat sepsis gradually increased over the decade from $3.04 billion in 2010 to $4.38 billion in 2017, whereas the total medical cost per hospitalization declined (rate = − $1075/year, p < 0.0001). While the survival rate of sepsis patients improved during the study period, the effective cost per survivor significantly decreased (rate = − $1806/year [95% CI − $2432 to − $1179], p = 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, the trend of decreasing medical cost per hospitalization remained consistent among the subpopulation of age, sex, and site of infection. After adjusting for age, sex (male), number of chronic diseases, site of infection, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, surgery, and length of hospital stay, the admission year was significantly associated with reduced medical costs.

Conclusions

We demonstrated an improvement in annual cost-effectiveness in patients with sepsis between 2010 and 2017. The annual trend of reduced costs was consistent after adjustment with the confounders altering hospital expenses.
Documenting professional learning focused on implementing high-quality instructional materials in mathematics: the AIM–TRU learning cycle
Authors: Russell John Lawson , DiNapoli Joseph , Murray Eileen
Published: July 2022

Background

To increase teachers’ capacity to implement high-quality instructional materials with fidelity in their classrooms through a video-based professional learning cycle, the Analyzing Instruction in Mathematics Using the Teaching for Robust Understanding framework (AIM–TRU) research–practice partnership was formed. Drawing upon the design-based research paradigm, AIM–TRU created the initial design for the professional learning cycle and wanted to engage in continued iterative redesign as the year progressed. This necessitated a method, common among those who adjust their designs when applying them in context, by which to document and justify changes made over time to our model. The research contained in this article used qualitative methods to articulate and test the design underlying our professional learning cycle by advancing conjecture mapping, a device by which the embodiments of the design are made transparent to be analyzed in practice.

Results

The initial design conjectures and activity structures teachers engaged in through our model of professional learning were refined to address three themes that emerged. Firstly, it was found that the ways participants engaged with the mathematics of the lesson were underwhelming, in large part, because our own definition of what rich talk around mathematics should entail was lacking in details such as the mathematical objects in the lesson, the presence of multiple solution pathways, or the various representations that students could use. Second, talk structures did not always allow for equitable exchanges among all teachers. Finally, activity structures did not encourage teachers to delve deeply into the mathematics so they could perceive the lesson as a coherent piece of their own classroom curriculum. Our design conjectures and activity structures were revised over the course of the year.

Conclusions

Our use of conjecture mapping allowed us to address the concern with research–practice partnerships that they should develop and utilize tools that make the systemic inquiry they engage in transparent, allowing for other researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders to see the complete design process and make use of the findings for their local context. Implications for this process as a tool for those who pilot and scale professional development are raised and addressed.
A descriptive and comparative analysis of injuries reported in USA Cycling-sanctioned competitive road cycling events
Authors: Jancaitis Gregory , Snyder Valier Alison R. , Bay Curt
Published: July 2022

Background

Competition in road cycling events is common, yet little is known about the nature and disposition of injuries sustained in these events. The purpose of this study is to describe injured body regions and the disposition of injuries sustained by cyclists during competitive road cycling events.

Methods

Data regarding body region injured and injury disposition were retrospectively analyzed from a convenience sample of 1053 injury reports (male: n = 650 [61.7%], age = 33.4 ± 13.6 years; female: n = 116 [11.0%], age = 33.3 ± 13.9 years; missing: n = 284 [27.0%]) completed during the 2016 competitive season.

Results

A total of 1808 injuries were reported. Injured body regions included upper extremity (46.5%, n = 841), lower extremity (32.2%, n = 583), head/neck (10.4%, n = 189), torso/back (5.2%, n = 95), face (4%, n = 87), and internal/other (0.7%, n = 13). There were 1.37 ± 0.81 injuries recorded per report. Dispositions following injury were medical attention (34.1%, n = 316), ambulance/EMS (19.3%, n = 179), report only (15% n = 139), referred (13.0% n = 121), released to parent/personal vehicle (12.1% n = 112), refused care (4.1% n = 38), and continued riding (2.5% n = 23). Males (34.0%, n = 212) received medical attention more frequently than females (23.3%), p < 0.05. Females received EMS transport (29.1%, n = 30) more frequently than males (16.8%, n = 105), p < 0.05.

Conclusions

Upper extremity is the most injured body region in this data set. Following injury, racers often receive medical attention and a substantial percentage require transport by EMS.

Clinical relevance

Anticipating the nature of injuries sustained by cyclists may promote positive health outcomes by ensuring medical teams are prepared for the immediate medical needs of cyclists.
Effectiveness of nonsurgical antibiotic treatment in the experimental appendicitis model in rats
Authors: Demirtürk Halis Can , Tanriverdi Halil Ibrahim , Taneli Fatma , Ayhan Semin , Günşar Cüneyt
Published: July 2022

Background

In this study, we aimed to demonstrate efficacy and laboratory follow-up criteria of nonsurgical antibiotic treatment in uncomplicated acute appendicitis. We established an experimental appendicitis model in rats, and antibiotic treatment was evaluated by biochemical and immunohistochemical changes.

Materials and method

In the study, 28 rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 constituted the group of sham; group 2 was the control group that appendicitis model was created and did not receive any treatment. Group 3 was created as an appendicitis model and was given regular antibiotic treatment. In group 4, appendicitis model was created, and appendectomy was performed on the 2nd day. Blood samples were taken from the rats on the 0, 2nd, and 7th days in all groups. Rats in groups 1, 2, and 3 underwent appendectomy with laparotomy under anesthesia on the 7th day. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and leukocyte levels were measured for biochemical analysis. In immunohistochemical evaluation, inflammation severity of the tissue samples taken from appendices was evaluated. Also, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels of tissue samples were evaluated.

Results

A statistically significant difference in CRP values was observed between groups 1 and 2 on the 7th day (p = 0.046), between groups 1 and 4 on 0 and 2nd days (p = 0.004, p = 0.004), between groups 2 and 3 on 0, 2nd, and 7th days (p = 0.018, 0.013, 0.025), between groups 2 and 4 on 0, 2nd, and 7th days (p = 0.002, p = 0.002, p = 0.009), and between groups 3 and 4 on 0 and 2nd days (p = 0.013, p = 0.025). There was a significant difference in procalcitonin values between groups 1 and 3 on the 7th day (p = 0.032) and between groups 1 and 4 on day 0 (p = 0.019). A significant difference was also observed in TNF-α and IL-6 inflammation between groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.031, p = 0.018) and between groups 2 and 4 (p = 0.031, p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Acute uncomplicated and early appendicitis may be treated with antibiotics. According to our results, CRP levels are useful as follow-up criterion in experimental appendicitis model. Clinical studies on the assessment of CRP levels in the course of nonsurgical treatment in the patients with acute appendicitis will reveal out the effectiveness of this marker.
Preface of the Multilingual Intelligent Information Processing Dataset
Authors: ZHAO Xiaobing
Published: July 2022

Preface of the Multilingual Intelligent Information Processing Dataset
Overall Survival Results From the POLO Trial: A Phase III Study of Active Maintenance Olaparib Versus Placebo for Germline BRCA-Mutated Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Kindler Hedy L. , Hammel Pascal , Reni Michele , Van Cutsem Eric , Macarulla Teresa , Hall Michael J. , Park Joon Oh , Hochhauser Daniel , Arnold Dirk , Oh Do-Youn , Reinacher-Schick Anke , Tortora Giampaolo , Algül Hana , O'Reilly Eileen M. , Bordia Sonal , McGuinness David , Cui Karen , Locker Gershon Y. , Golan Talia
Published: July 2022

PURPOSE

The phase III POLO study demonstrated significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit for active olaparib maintenance therapy versus placebo for patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and a germline BRCA mutation. Here, we report the final analysis of overall survival (OS) and other secondary end points.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with a deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA mutation whose disease had not progressed after ≥ 16 weeks of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned 3:2 to active maintenance olaparib (300 mg twice daily) or placebo. The primary end point was PFS; secondary end points included OS, time to second disease progression or death, time to first and second subsequent cancer therapies or death, time to discontinuation of study treatment or death, and safety and tolerability.

RESULTS

In total, 154 patients were randomly assigned (olaparib, n = 92; placebo, n = 62). No statistically significant OS benefit was observed (median 19.0 v 19.2 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.56 to 1.22; P = .3487). Kaplan-Meier OS curves separated at approximately 24 months, and the estimated 3-year survival after random assignment was 33.9% versus 17.8%, respectively. Median time to first subsequent cancer therapy or death (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.66; P < .0001), time to second subsequent cancer therapy or death (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.89; P = .0111), and time to discontinuation of study treatment or death (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.63; P < .0001) significantly favored olaparib. The HR for second disease progression or death favored olaparib without reaching statistical significance (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.02; P = .0613). Olaparib was well tolerated with no new safety signals.

CONCLUSION

Although no statistically significant OS benefit was observed, the HR numerically favored olaparib, which also conferred clinically meaningful benefits including increased time off chemotherapy and long-term survival in a subset of patients.
Rage and Carnage in the Name of God
Authors: Alao Abiodun
Published: July 2022

In Rage and Carnage in the Name of God, Abiodun Alao examines the emergence of a culture of religious violence in postindependence Nigeria, where Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions have all been associated with violence. He investigates the root causes and historical evolution of Nigeria’s religious violence, locating it in the forced coming together of disparate ethnic groups under colonial rule, which planted the seeds of discord that religion, elites, and domestic politics exploit. Alao discusses the histories of Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions in the territory that became Nigeria, the effects of colonization on the role of religion, the development of Islamic radicalization and its relation to Christian violence, the activities of Boko Haram, and how religious violence intermixes with politics and governance. In so doing, he uses religious violence as a way to more fully understand intergroup relations in contemporary Nigeria.
Time to Follow Commands in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors With Favorable Recovery at 2 Years
Authors: Deng Hansen , Nwachuku Enyinna L. , Wilkins Tiffany E. , Yue John K. , Fetzick Anita , Chang Yue-Fang , Beers Sue R. , Okonkwo David O. , Puccio Ava M.
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND:

The recovery of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors with long-term favorable outlook is understudied. Time to follow commands varies widely in this patient population but has important clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE:

To (1) evaluate time to follow commands in severe patients with TBI with favorable outcomes, (2) characterize their trajectory of recovery, and (3) identify predictors associated with delayed cognitive improvement.

METHODS:

Participants were recruited prospectively at a Level I trauma center through the Brain Trauma Research Center from 2003 to 2018. Inclusion criteria were age 16 to 80 years, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤8 and motor score <6, and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended measure ≥4 at 2 years postinjury.

RESULTS:

In 580 patients, there were 229 (39.5%) deaths and 140 (24.1%) patients had favorable outcomes at 2 years. The mean age was 33.7 ± 14.5 years, median Glasgow Coma Scale was 7 (IQR 6-7), and median Injury Severity Score was 30 (IQR 26-38). The mean time to follow commands was 12.7 ± 11.8 days. On multivariable linear regression, the presence of diffuse axonal injury (B = 9.2 days [4.8, 13.7], P < .0001) or intraventricular hemorrhage (B = 6.4 days [0.5, 12.3], P < .035) was associated with longer time before following commands and patients who developed nosocomial infections (B = 6.5 days [1.6-11.4], P < .01).

CONCLUSION:

In severe TBI survivors with favorable outcomes, time to follow commands varied widely. Most patients began to follow commands within 2 weeks. Evidence of diffuse axonal injury, intraventricular hemorrhage, and infections can delay cognitive improvement in the acute period. Patients make considerable recovery up to 2 years after their injury.
Characterization of w/o-type Microemulsions Containing l-Menthol-based Deep Eutectic Solvents for Use in Transdermal Drug Delivery
Authors: Hamada Yuma , Sakuragi Mina
Published: July 2022

We investigated the structural properties of microemulsions (MEs) dispersed in oil base including hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and their skin permeabilities. The results showed that the addition of DESs can improve the skin penetration of monodispersed MEs by disturbing the lipid structures in the stratum corneum. Further addition of DESs caused the structural transition of MEs from a sphere to a cylinder and a bicontinuous system and decreased reduced skin penetration.
Composition of Anopheles Meigen (Diptera: Culicidae) in a peri-urban area of the Eastern Amazon
Authors: Cavalcante Keison de Souza , Peniche Taires , Rodrigues Júnior José , Gama Geandro dos Santos , Montagner Flávia , Galardo Allan Kardec Ribeiro
Published: July 2022

Malaria vector mosquitoes belong to the genus Anopheles Meigen. The Amazon has been changing due to economic activities such as mining, logging, agriculture, and urbanization, leading to changes in malaria transmission patterns in this region. Therefore, this study aimed to survey Anopheles species in a peri-urban area of Macapá, state of Amapá, Eastern Amazon, Brazil. Human landing catches (HLC) and Shannon light traps were used to collect Anopheles adults at three points. We screened breeding sites in all accessible water reservoirs within a 2 km radius of each collection point to collect immatures and found two species: Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) albitarsis s.l. Lynch-Arribalzága (35.7%) and Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) braziliensis (Chagas) (64.3%). A total of 267 winged specimens of Anopheles were collected: A. (N.) braziliensis (62.9%), Anopheles (Anopheles) mattogrossensis Lutz & Neiva (11.6%), Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) triannulatus s.l. (Neiva & Pinto) (11.6%), A. (N.) albitarsis s.l. Lynch-Arribálzaga (6.7%), Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) darlingi Root (5.2%), Anopheles (Anopheles) peryassui Dyar & Knab (1.5%), and Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) nuneztovari Galbadón (0.4%). Considering that Macapá has autochthonous malaria cases, our findings can contribute to developing public health measures in this municipality, therefore helping to protect its habitants.
Dehumanizacja i depolityzacja
Authors: Ścigaj Paweł
Published: July 2022

DEHUMANIZATION AND DEPOLITICIZATION The paper takes up the issue of “depoliticization” through dehumanization. The starting point is the belief that phenomena of “politicization” and “political” are relatively well recognized in scientific literature, however the problem of depoliticization have not yet been adequately explored. The concept of depoliticization refers to the conditions, criteria, and mechanisms that are key to reducing or depriving a given phenomenon of its political status. Depoliticization does not mean (or at least does not have to mean) an effective removal of the phenomenon from the political sphere, but rather circumstances or actions whose political impact is not obvious. The article focuses on the issue of depoliticization through dehumanization, and more specifically, on how denial of full humanness of groups allows to reduce their status as a political subject, and thus to recognize their claims or interests as not proper or not adequate to political debate. The issues of relations between the processes of humanization and political subjectification as well as dehumanization and political objectification are also discussed.
Personalizm jako perspektywa teoretyczna nauk o polityce
Authors: Węgrzecki Janusz
Published: July 2022

PERSONALISM AS AN APPROACH IN POLITICAL SCIENCES

Social sciences such as political sciences, psychology, and sociology formulate two types of theories: more general approaches and specific theories build within this domain. The article presents dominant approaches in psychology, sociology, and political sciences. In psychology, the approaches include psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and humanistic psychology. In political sciences, there are seven main approaches: behavioralism, rational choice, institutionalism, feminism, interpretative theory, Marxism, and normative theory. Every approach encompasses many specific theories regarding individual problems. The article defends the idea that we need to accept personalism as an approach in political sciences. There are many studies and theories developed in personalistic approach that legitimate this stance. Next, the article analyzes the dispute over anthropology. The last part contains implications of dignity anthropology to formulate detailed political theories.
Koncepcja praktyk repartycji
Authors: Borowiec Piotr
Published: July 2022

THE IDEA BEHIND THE PRACTICE OF REPARTITION: THE REASONS FOR ITS SYSTEMATIC APPLICATION IN POLISH POLITICS The article discusses the practice of repartition, political tools and measures used by politicians as means to achieve their political objectives. Repartitions meet social expectations, can mobilize voters, and demonstrate the involvement of politicians with social problems. They also aim to question the validity of the legal system, and to refuse to accept its inequalities. They postulate the rejection of dominating hierarchies, the instances of discrimination, injustice and wrongdoings. Essentially antithetical, they show two parties between which the unjust privileges manifest, and postulate their abolition. Repartitions often politicize cleavages by focusing on inequality. It is through such relations that repartitions become attractive and useful, as they refer to the experiences that individual people can relate to. Therefore, repartitions also constitute a diagnostic tool that can help assess the depth of inequalities, social expectations, and the public mood. The aim of this article is to discuss the essence of the practice of repartition, a new analytical category used to create and explain politics, seen here as closely related to the phenomenon of societal cleavages.
Nowa lewica w Rosji
Authors: Romanowski Dymitr
Published: July 2022

THE NEW LEFT IN RUSSIA: BORIS KAGARLITSKY: PRACTICE AND THEORY

This article examines the essential ideas of the theory and practice of New Left politics in the work of the well-known scientist and politician Boris Kagarlitsky. Since he is actively involved in the political life of the New Russian Left, the exposition of theoretical issues is impossible without placing them in the context of the socio-political situation of contemporary Russia. The collapse of the USSR and the socialist bloc revived the ideas of the ‘free market’ and liberalism. Today the liberal capitalist system is in crisis; this does not lead to a renaissance of leftwing forces, though. The forces of the Left at the beginning of the 21st century proved to be completely incapable of offering a coherent political program. Even the obvious resistance of the Left to Neo-Liberalism and its reforms in the social sphere, medicine and education has not become a consolidating factor in the new politics. The article attempts to examine how the New Left in Russia answers the question of what it means to build a society that is qualitatively different from capitalism: what nineteenth-century ideologists called socialism.
Oposición en los márgenes: Estrategias contra la erosión de la democracia en Colombia y Venezuela
Authors: Gamboa Laura
Published: July 2022

La erosión democrática se ha vuelto un fenómeno endémico. Enfrentados con crisis económicas y de seguridad, presidentes elegidos democráticamente en nuevas y viejas democracias han utilizado su popularidad para introducir reformas constitucionales que buscan destruir el sistema de pesos y contrapesos, impedir elecciones libres y justas y cesar derechos políticos y libertades civiles. En Venezuela, Hugo Chávez erosionó la democracia. Utilizando reformas institucionales, lentamente, transformó el régimen democrático en un régimen autoritario competitivo. En Colombia, Álvaro Uribe trató de hacer lo mismo, pero falló. Pese a sus esfuerzos para minar la independencia de cortes y Congreso y desequilibrar las elecciones, el orden constitucional colombiano se mantuvo relativamente fuerte. ¿Por qué, a pesar de circunstancias similares, algunos presidentes consiguen erosionar exitosamente la democracia y otros no?
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Behavior of Online Gig Workers
Authors: Cao Xinyu , Zhang Dennis , Huang Lei
Published: July 2022

Problem definition: Using labor supply data from a large online education platform with more than 100,000 gig workers, we investigate how online gig workers changed their behavior after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and what drove the changes. Methodology and Results: Online gig workers sharply increased their labor supply on the platform by 23% from the announcement of national emergency to the end of April (stage 1); the increase became smaller in May and June (stage 2) and disappeared in July and August (stage 3). Year to year difference-in-difference analyses show that these findings are robust after controlling for seasonality and worker heterogeneity. Results: We show that the increase in gig workers’ labor supply is not driven by a higher demand or excessive entry of new workers during the pandemic. A series of mediation analyses indicates that unemployment and nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) rather than the risk of contracting COVID-19 can better explain why online gig workers increased their labor supply. The impact of unemployment is smaller than that of NPI policies, indicating that the increase in gig workers’ labor supply is more driven by temporary changes in working arrangements because of the policies rather than relatively long-term changes in employment situations. We also examine how online gig workers change their quality of work and how their earning potential on the platform relates to their changes in behavior during the pandemic. Managerial implications: Our findings provide insights for the management of online gig workers during major disruptions, like the COVID-19 pandemic.
A masterclass in gastroenterology practice
Authors: Olsen BJ
Published: July 2022

BJ Olsen summarises key takeaways from the British Society of Gastroenterology 2022 conference that can enhance gastrointestinal and liver nursing practice
The role of nursing in the hepatic rehabilitation of patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Celik Ferya , Bektas Hicran
Published: July 2022

Liver cirrhosis is an important health problem that leads to morbidity and mortality. Severe complications are seen due to its ineffective management. Failure to meet the educational needs of patients with liver cirrhosis, inadequate self-care practices in disease management and frequent recurrence of life-threatening complications indicate the need for sustainable hepatic rehabilitation programmes. To provide hepatic rehabilitation, it is necessary to prepare comprehensive, accessible and sustainable patient education programmes, increase the patients' activation in self-care practices and interpret the results of self-care practices, as well as practice and manage complications accordingly. Using accessible and sustainable technology tools may help to provide hepatic rehabilitation and increase patients' activation in their disease management. This review paper was conducted to explain the nursing roles in the hepatic rehabilitation of patients with liver cirrhosis. It is recommended that the hepatic rehabilitation programme should be developed by nurses to maintain the care of patients with liver cirrhosis.