bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of occupational therapy for mental health disorders in primary care: A systematic review
Authors: Daaleman Claire E , Wright Sarah T , Daaleman Timothy P
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Occupational therapy (OT) has a rich history of integrating physical and mental health care services, however, there is a limited evidence base regarding the effectiveness of OT interventions for mental health disorders in primary care.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic review was conducted from database inception through 31 January 2021. Eligible studies had to include: (1) an intervention that involved an occupational therapist in design and/or implementation; (2) a quantitative outcome assessing symptoms related to a mental health disorder; (3) a comparison group; and (4) primary care or community dwelling patients and/or primary care clinical settings.

Results

The researchers identified five studies and there was heterogeneity in the OT interventions. There were no significant differences between intervention and control groups in depression symptoms at different time intervals. Several trials employed interventions that involved interprofessional team members, including OTs, to provide training in specific strategies that promoted functioning. Other studies utilized only OTs within the intervention arm. OT interventions demonstrated no significant difference in anxiety in one study, however, another indicated a reduction in symptoms. The overall risk of bias was considered low in three studies and unclear in two studies.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence demonstrating the impact of OT interventions in primary care settings on quantitative outcomes measuring symptoms related to a mental health disorder. Given the heterogeneity of interventions and variation in reported findings, there is need for further pragmatic trials in this area.
A Different View on the Simple View of Reading
Authors: Apel Kenn
Published: December 2021

The simple view of reading (SVR) framework has been used for decades to explain two general component skills considered to contribute to reading comprehension: decoding and linguistic comprehension. In the past, researchers have assessed the linguistic comprehension component using a wide range of language and/or listening comprehension measures that differed from each other. Many of those tasks did not align with the concept of linguistic comprehension originally proposed. Regardless, the studies’ outcomes were similar: The SVR model adequately represents the process of reading comprehension. In this article, I propose a common thread that links those diverse measurement tasks: all the tasks measured students’ metalinguistic skills. In fact, the findings from these studies mirror those found from investigations directly measuring the influence of language awareness abilities on reading comprehension. I conclude the article with the theoretical and educational implications of taking a different view of the second component of the SVR model.
Practice in a Time of Uncertainty: Practitioner Reflections on Working With Families Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic
Authors: Heward-Belle Susan , Lovell Renee C. , Jones Jennifer , Tucker Hayden , Melander Nina
Published: December 2021

This paper reports findings of a qualitative study examining the perceptions of 21 Australian women professionals who conduct home visiting with families experiencing intimate partner violence. There is scant evidence documenting how home visiting professionals adapted practice to address the safety concerns of women and their children within the context of the pandemic. Practitioners noted an increase in the risk level and complexity of intimate partner violence (IPV), including the ways that perpetrators weaponized the pandemic to exert power and control over women and children. Practitioners reported on their rapid adaptation of practices, to ensure the continuation of services which included moving to online delivery methods, wearing PPE, and negotiating practice from a distance. While responses to these changes were mixed, most reported their desire to continue to use online platforms post-pandemic, reporting increased safety, flexibility, and accessibility for the majority of clients. This research addresses a gap in respect of professionals’ perceptions of the issues facing survivors of IPV and of their professional practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. As policies, practices, and protocols continue to adapt to the challenging environment posed by the pandemic the experiences of professionals and service users are critical to inform these changes.
“Mother’s Health and Well-Being Matters: Is a Mediated Social Cohesion Public Health Intervention Feasible?”
Authors: Jones Cheryl , Gibbons Marley , Magsamen-Conrad Kate , Ulanday Kathleen T. , Watterson Jessica , Oakley-Girvan Ingrid , Houghton Lauren C. , Gokal Kajal
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To test the feasibility of introducing ‘Free Time for Wellness’ (FT4W) an intervention to increase healthy behaviours and reduce the risk of cancer.

Design

Feasibility study; Setting: Washington Heights, New York, USA is a low socioeconomic status area.

Subjects

Mothers aged 18 and above with children under 12 years of age and living in Washington Heights were recruited.

Intervention

FT4W, a community-based intervention delivered through a neighbourhood-based app, offering weekly dance and yoga classes, food pantry visits and group playdates. Childcare professionals cared for participants' children during wellness activities.

Measures

A bespoke before and after survey was designed and tested for its ability to collect relevant data to assess the impact of FT4W. Outcomes included recruitment rates, participation, attrition, acceptability, and success of the community champion.

Analysis

Comparisons of proportions and means

Results

Twenty-one mothers participated in the study of which 90% attended ≥ 1 FT4W activity; 65% ≥ 2; 52% ≥ 3. The survey was completed by a 100% of participants indicating it was easy to understand and not too burdensome. All measures detected change in constructs from baseline to follow-up. Availability of childcare was the most commonly (66%) reported reason participants were able to engage in the offered wellness activities.

Conclusion

Conducting a larger-scale trial to assess the impact of FT4W is feasible considering 4 major lessons. (1) Recruitment, retention, and acceptability rates were high; however, moms need additional support to increase participation in wellness activities and improve tech literacy. (2) Research measures were sensitive enough to detect change, but the timing of assessments needs to be considered. (3) Participants greatly valued access to professional childcare. (4) The Community Champion is a necessary, but difficult role to fill that requires careful consideration by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Assessing the effect of FDM processing parameters on mechanical properties of PLA parts using Taguchi method
Authors: Maguluri Nagarjuna , Suresh Gamini , Rao K Venkata
Published: December 2021

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a fast-expanding additive manufacturing technique for fabricating various polymer components in engineering and medical applications. The mechanical properties of components printed with the FDM method are influenced by several process parameters. In the current work, the influence of nozzle temperature, infill density, and printing speed on the tensile properties of specimens printed using polylactic acid (PLA) filament was investigated. With an objective to achieve better tensile properties including elastic modulus, tensile strength, and fracture strain; Taguchi L8 array has been used for framing experimental runs, and eight experiments were conducted. The results demonstrate that the nozzle temperature significantly influences the tensile properties of the FDM printed PLA products followed by infill density. The optimum processing parameters were determined for the FDM printed PLA material at a nozzle temperature of 220°C, infill density of 100%, and printing speed of 20 mm/s.
Scaling Gender and Sexual Diversity Policies in K-12 Schools
Authors: McQuillan Mollie T.
Published: December 2021

As policy debates concerning LGBTQ+ students and staff continue across the American education system, there is not a clear description of the prevalence of local policy protections, even in states with legislative mandates, nor a strong understanding of how to expand reform initiatives. After conducting a document analysis of policies with a statewide, representative sample of districts, this study uses Illinois as a case study to describe several educational policy levers to scale gender and sexual diversity (GSD) reforms across federal, state, intermediary, and local institutions. The results indicate all districts complied with top-down legislative mandates, but few policies referenced gender or sexual diversity if not state-mandated. A minority of districts enacted policies through administrative guidance (27%), often using language from a state intermediary organization. Results from the regression analysis suggest local factors, such as district size, per pupil spending, and rurality, contribute to adopting guidance, but not policy protections. This study indicates both top-down and bottom-up pathways matter for expanding GSD-related reforms.
Complementary Intervention in Postoperative Care: Aromatherapy's Role in Decreasing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Authors: Marsh Emily , Millette Donna , Wolfe Alison
Published: December 2021

Purpose: This study analyzed the efficacy of Post-Ease, a custom essential oil aromatherapy blend, in decreasing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and the need for antiemetic drugs in an orthopaedic surgical population. Study Design: This is retrospective cohort study, utilizing electronic health record data pre- and post-implementation of a nurse-driven quality improvement intervention. Methods: The study examined the impact of an inhaled custom blend of essential oils containing lavender, peppermint, ginger and lemon to assist in decreasing PONV and reduce the use of antiemetic medications. Data on the use of antiemetic drugs in pre- and post-intervention periods were analyzed. Findings: Nurses provided the Post-Ease blend 384 times in 2020 to patients as an option before proceeding, if necessary, to antiemetic drugs. The intervention group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the number of unique surgical patients’ need for antiemetics as treatment (22%; p = .05). Similarly, the total doses of antiemetics administered was significantly reduced (21%; p ≤ .05) during the study period. Conclusion: This study supports the use of aromatherapy to reduce PONV and minimize antiemetic use in an orthopaedic population.
Something new about prognostic factors for lupus nephritis? A systematic review
Authors: Rodríguez-Almaraz Esther , Gutiérrez-Solís Elena , Rabadán Elena , Rodríguez Paola , Carmona Loreto , Morales Enrique , Galindo María
Published: December 2021

Background

Lupus nephritis (LN) affects 30–45% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and causes great morbidity and mortality. About 10–25% of patients will develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), and it has been described a mortality of 10–20% at 10 years. The contribution of clinical and biological markers to the prediction of outcome is unclear.

Objective

To describe the factors, with measures of association, that predict the main outcomes of LN.

Material and Methods

We have conducted a systematic review. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library were systematic searched from inception up to Oct 2019, with a strategy that included synonyms of all targeted outcomes of LN: (kidney failure, response to treatment, cardiovascular events, and mortality). Only studies with longitudinal prospective design or with warranties of unbiased recollection of the prognostic factors, where LN was confirmed by biopsy were included. Risk of bias was assessed with the New Castle Ottawa scale. Predictive factors and their effect measures were collected from each study.

Results

From 1221 studies identified, 25 studies were included, of which 15 were retrospective, nine prospective, and one was a trial extension study (range from 3 months to 11 years). The main predictive factors of renal response were serum creatinine (SCr) and glomerular filtration rate C3 levels, titer of anti-C1q, and anti-dsDNA antibodies. Renal histological findings such as class type (IV or V), tubulointerstitial or vascular lesions and chronicity index were risk factors for development of chronic kidney disease. The factors associated with persistence of activity were proteinuria, anti-dsDNA, anticardiolipin, anti C1q antibodies, and complement values. The factors associated to cardiovascular events and mortality were age, smoking, amount of proteinuria, and histological findings, such as vascular lesions. Meta-analysis was precluded given the heterogeneity of designs definitions and effect measures.

Conclusions

Nowadays, we do not have new biomarkers that establish the renal prognosis of patients with LN. Classical clinical, renal, and histological markers are used in most studies. It is worth noting the heterogeneity of studies in the definition of renal outcomes, which complicates risk stratification in these patients.
Mental Health Status of Incarcerated Women in India: A Perspective from a Social Worker
Authors: Kaur Navdeep , Roy Sanjoy
Published: December 2021

Women constitute a growing segment of the incarcerated population across the world, presenting unique issues for social workers in correctional settings. In this article, based on a study conducted in Mandoli Jail, New Delhi, India, we address the need to broaden the scope and quality of social work provided for women inmates, specifically highlighting the potential role of social workers in promoting their mental health. Our study revealed that the mean age of women inmates was 39.43 years, indicating that most of the women were in their reproductive age and therefore prone to specific health issues. On an average, they were overweight, with only 42.22% women inmates being active, while remaining were inactive (15.56%), moderately inactive (22.22%) or moderately active (20.00%). Of greater concern were the mental health findings: 87.8% experienced distress (45.57% moderately elevated, 54.43% strongly elevated), 73.3% depression (34.85% moderately elevated, 65.15% strongly elevated), 77.78% anxiety (41.43% moderately elevated, 58.57% strongly elevated) and 82.22% somatisation (43.24% moderately elevated, 56.76% strongly elevated). Our study, consequently, identified the mental health of women inmates as a strategic priority for social workers. In this article, we explore the mutuality of various social work practice principles at different levels of intervention and the roles that social workers, as human rights-based professionals, may engage in to improve the mental health of incarcerated women.
Sports and boycott: Attitudes among Jewish Israelis
Authors: Sorek Tamir
Published: December 2021

The controversy about the campaign to boycott Israel in general and Israeli sports in particular suffers from the absence of empirical data about the political character of the Israeli sports sphere, as well as the way Jewish Israelis see a possible boycott. Supporters of the boycott hope, among other things, that the campaign is registered among Israelis, and maybe even contribute to political change. Liberal opposition relies on the argument that sports is a beacon of inter-ethnic tolerance that should be cherished rather than targeted. Through a survey with a representative sample of internet users among the adult Jewish citizens of Israel (N = 600), this study provides the following related observations: (1) there is no evidence that Jewish Israeli sports fans are more likely to question the regime of Jewish supremacy than non-fans. (2) Among Jewish Israelis there is a small, but non-negligible minority who justifies the boycott of Israeli sports, and this minority is even larger among people who attend the soccer stadium and/or are politically active. (3) A significant majority of Jewish Israelis (69%) are concerned about a possible boycott of Israel in general, but this majority is less clear among men who are sports fans. The findings question the liberal expectation that Israeli sports serve as a model for inclusive citizenship and at the same time they indicate the potential of sports to amplify existing political tendencies among fans. These observations should be considered in future debates about sanctions and boycotts.
Development and Validation of the Certainty About Mental States Questionnaire (CAMSQ): A Self-Report Measure of Mentalizing Oneself and Others
Authors: Müller Sascha , Wendt Leon P. , Zimmermann Johannes
Published: December 2021

The Certainty About Mental States Questionnaire (CAMSQ) is a self-report measure of the perceived capacity to understand mental states of the self and others (i.e., mentalizing). In two studies (total N = 1828), we developed the CAMSQ in both English and German as a two-dimensional measure of Self- and Other-Certainty, investigated associations with other measures of mentalizing, and explored relationships to personality functioning and mental health. The CAMSQ performed well in terms of convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and measurement invariance across the United States and Germany. The present research indicates that the CAMSQ assesses maladaptive forms of having too little or too much certainty about mental states (consistent with hypomentalizing and hypermentalizing). A psychologically adaptive profile of perceived mentalizing capacity appears to be characterized by high Self-Certainty that exceeds Other-Certainty, suggesting that imbalances between Self-Certainty and Other-Certainty (Other-Self-Discrepancy) play an important role within personality pathology.
Prospective Field Validation of the START:AV in a Dutch Secure Youth Care Sample
Authors: De Beuf Tamara L. F. , de Vogel Vivienne , Broers Nick J. , de Ruiter Corine
Published: December 2021

The Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability: Adolescent Version (START:AV) is a risk assessment instrument for adolescents that estimates the risk of multiple adverse outcomes. Prior research into its predictive validity is limited to a handful of studies conducted with the START:AV pilot version and often by the instrument’s developers. The present study examines the START:AV’s field validity in a secure youth care sample in the Netherlands. Using a prospective design, we investigated whether the total scores, lifetime history, and the final risk judgments of 106 START:AVs predicted inpatient incidents during a 4-month follow-up. Final risk judgments and lifetime history predicted multiple adverse outcomes, including physical aggression, institutional violations, substance use, self-injury, and victimization. The predictive validity of the total scores was significant only for physical aggression and institutional violations. Hence, the short-term predictive validity of the START:AV for inpatient incidents in a residential youth care setting was partially demonstrated and the START:AV final risk judgments can be used to guide treatment planning and decision-making regarding furlough or discharge in this setting.
Comparative Analysis of a New Hybrid EDOF-Multifocal Diffractive Intraocular Lens with a Trifocal Diffractive Intraocular Lens
Authors: Ozturkmen Cem , Kesim Cem , Gunel Karadeniz Pinar , Sahin Afsun
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To compare visual acuity, defocus curve and visual quality of life performances of a new hybrid refractive-diffractive intraocular lens (IOL) and a trifocal diffractive IOL.

Methods

Patients who underwent cataract surgery with bilateral implantation of ZFR00V or TFNT00 IOLs were enrolled in this study. The main outcomes were defined as uncorrected distant, intermediate and near visual acuities (UDVA, UIVA and UNVA, respectively), defocus curve and VF-14 questionnaire aimed for visual performance.

Results

Fifty patients, of whom 30 had bilateral ZFR00V implantation, were enrolled in the study. Patients with ZFR00V had significantly better UIVA than patients with TFNT00 (0.05 ± 0.03 vs. 0.07 ± 0.04 logMAR, P = 0.02). Defocus curve showed significantly higher visual acuity in intermediate range for ZFR00V IOL between −1.00 and −1.50 dioptres (all P < 0.05). All patients had good visual performance with mean VF-14 scores above 3 points with no significant difference between two IOL models. Spectacle independence was 100% for both distant and near vision in both group of patients.

Conclusion

Bilateral implantation of ZFR00V in cataract patients shows better intermediate visual acuity scores and similar daily visual performance when compared with trifocal TFNT00 IOL.
Differences in instrumental practice time and strategies among Chinese music majors
Authors: Liu Yue
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to explore differences in time spent practicing and the practice strategies used by Chinese music majors according to university location, instrument played, and participant gender. A total of 154 participants who played string, woodwind, brass, and keyboard instruments, including 103 participants attending Chinese universities and 51 Chinese participants pursuing degrees abroad (in the United States, Russia, and Great Britain) completed a Likert-type scale questionnaire. Findings indicated that students studying abroad spent more hours on weekly practice and had more years of instrumental study than students studying in China, but their responses also indicated they were less organized about their practice and had more difficulty concentrating while practicing than students in China. According to the analyses by instrument, woodwind and brass players were more likely to organize their practice than keyboard players; string, woodwind, and brass players were more likely to use recordings and metronomes than keyboard players; and brass players reported concentrating better than keyboard players. Regarding gender differences, the only significant difference was that female participants had spent more years studying their instruments than males. Identified differences can help instrumental instructors better understand students’ practice habits and tailor their teaching to fit the needs of students in response to individual differences.
Political donations and the gender gap during COVID-19
Authors: McMahon Nicole , Sayers Anthony , Alcantara Christopher
Published: December 2021

What effect has the COVID-19 pandemic had on the political donations gender gap in Canada? Drawing on data from two national surveys conducted in May and August 2020, as well as Elections Canada data from 2019 and 2020, we find an overall decline in contributions to political parties and a reduced but still significant gender gap, with women less likely to donate to political parties than men.
Distance Traveled in Times of Pandemic: An Endogenous Switching Regression Approach
Authors: Boto-García David , Leoni Veronica
Published: December 2021

This paper studies the change in the distance traveled by domestic tourists considering the pre- and post-pandemic outbreak summer periods of 2019 and 2020. Using representative monthly microdata involving more than 31,000 trips conducted by Spanish residents, we examine the heterogeneity in behavioral adaptation to COVID-19 based on sociodemographic and trip-related characteristics. To account for selection effects and the potential change in the population composition of travelers between the two periods, we estimate an endogenous switching regression that conducts separate regressions for the pre- and post-pandemic periods in a unified econometric framework. Our results point to heterogeneous shifts in the distance traveled by domestic travelers after COVID-19 outbreak per sociodemographic group, with notable differences by travel purpose and lower relevance of traditional determinants like income.
Book review: Kaur, Ravinder. 2020: Brand New Nation: Capitalist Dream and Nationalist Designs in Twenty-First-Century India
Authors: Ghosh Sujay
Published: December 2021

Kaur, Ravinder. 2020: Brand New Nation: Capitalist Dream and Nationalist Designs in Twenty-First-Century India. Stanford (CA): Stanford University Press. x + 346 pp., $90.00 (Hardcover), $28.00 (Paperback), $25.50 (eBook). ISBN: 9781503612242 (Hardcover), 9781503612594 (Paperback), 9781503612600 (eBook).
Computational optimization of a hydrogen direct-injection compression-ignition engine for jet mixing dominated nonpremixed combustion
Authors: Babayev Rafig , Andersson Arne , Serra Dalmau Albert , Im Hong G , Johansson Bengt
Published: December 2021

Hydrogen (H2) nonpremixed combustion has been showcased as a potentially viable and preferable strategy for direct-injection compression-ignition (DICI) engines for its ability to deliver high heat release rates and low heat transfer losses, in addition to potentially zero CO2 emissions. However, this concept requires a different optimization strategy compared to conventional diesel engines, prioritizing a combustion mode dominated by free turbulent jet mixing. In the present work, this optimization strategy is realized and studied computationally using the CONVERGE CFD solver. It involves adopting wide piston bowl designs with shapes adapted to the H2 jets, altered injector umbrella angle, and an increased number of nozzle orifices with either smaller orifice diameter or reduced injection pressure to maintain constant injector flow rate capacity. This work shows that these modifications are effective at maximizing free-jet mixing, thus enabling more favorable heat release profiles, reducing wall heat transfer by 35%, and improving indicated efficiency by 2.2 percentage points. However, they also caused elevated incomplete combustion losses at low excess air ratios, which may be eliminated by implementing a moderate swirl, small post-injections, and further optimized jet momentum and piston design. Noise emissions with the optimized DICI H2 combustion are shown to be comparable to those from conventional diesel engines. Finally, it is demonstrated that modern engine concepts, such as the double compression-expansion engine, may achieve around 56% brake thermal efficiency with the DICI H2 combustion, which is 1.1 percentage point higher than with diesel fuel. Thus, this work contributes to the knowledge base required for future improvements in H2 engine efficiency.
States as agents and as trustees
Authors: Kolers Avery
Published: December 2021

In The Shifting Border, Ayelet Shachar observes that the ‘beast’ of state migration policy has broken out of its cage and shifted both outward – to intercept migrants before they can ‘touch base’ and thereby gain rights – and inward, to restrict and subvert the rights of migrants and others in Exclusionary Zones within state territory. Shachar wants to ‘tame’ the beast by obligating states and their agents to uphold basic rights wherever they act. The current article first questions whether this ‘beast’ is necessarily monstrous, or whether it is not an admittedly excessive response to understandable challenges that arise due to the passivity of territorial states in the face of external forces. The article then suggests that the better response to this passivity is for states to embrace their legitimating function of trusteeship for the people (or moral patients) of the world as a whole.
The Development and Validation of the Planning to Make Meals Performance Measure
Authors: Schmelzer Laura , Stanger Hannah , Hughes Rebecca
Published: December 2021

The Planning to Make Meals Performance Measure (PMMPM) was initially created as an outcome measure for an occupation-based program dedicated to helping individuals living in poverty maximize their food resources. This article briefly describes the PMMPM and the results of a cross-sectional study examining construct validity. Forty-two participants completed the PMMPM, Food Skills Confidence Measure (FSCM), and Cooking Skills Confidence Measure (CSCM). Analysis using Spearman’s correlations revealed that one or more PMMPM score significantly correlated with the FSCM ( r = .37–.50, p ≤ .05) and the CSCM ( r = .44–.49, p = .01). These findings add to the psychometric properties of the PMMPM, promoting its usefulness as an alternative to self-report measures for programs seeking to enhance food, cooking, or resource management skills. Creating authentic and direct performance measures that assess complex constructs or skills is another way occupational therapy can contribute to health and well-being.
A Universal Delayed Difference Model Fitting Dose-response Curves
Authors: Yang Linqian , Wang Jiaying , Cheke Robert A. , Tang Sanyi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Dose-response curves, which fit a multitude of experimental data derived from toxicology, are widely used in physics, chemistry, biology, and other fields. Although there are many dose-response models for fitting dose-response curves, the application of these models is limited by many restrictions and lacks universality, so there is a need for a novel, universal dynamical model that can improve fits to various types of dose-response curves.

Methods

We expand the hormetic Ricker model, taking the delay inherent in the dose-response into account, and develop a novel and dynamic delayed Ricker difference model (DRDM) to fit various types of dose-response curves. Furthermore, we compare the DRDM with other dose-response models to confirm that it can mimic different types of dose-response curves.

Data analysis

By fitting various types of dose-response data sets derived from drug applications, disease treatment, pest control, and plant management, and comparing the imitative effect of the DRDM with other models, we find that the DRDM fits monotonic dose-response data well and, in most circumstances, the DRDM has a better imitative effect to non-monotonic dose-response data with hormesis than other models do.

Results

The MSE of fits of the DRDM to S-shaped dose-response data (DS2-G) is not lower than those for four other models, but the MSE of fits to U-shaped (DS7) and inverted U-shaped dose-response data (DS10) were lower than for two other models. This means that the imitative effect of the DRDM is comparable to other models of monotonic dose-response data, but is a significant improvement compared to traditional models of non-monotonic dose-response data with hormesis.

Conclusion

We propose a novel dynamic model (DRDM) for fitting to various types of dose-response curves, which can reflect the dynamic trend of the population growth compared with traditional static dose-response models. By analyzing data, we have confirmed that the DRDM provides an ideal description of various dose-response observations and it can be used to fit a wide range of dose-response data sets, especially for hormetic data sets. Therefore, we conclude that the DRDM has a good universality for dose-response curve fitting.
Risk factors for short and long-term great saphenous vein recanalization in patients treated with endovenous radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Bissacco Daniele , Malloggi Chiara , Domanin Maurizio , Lomazzi Chiara , Tolva Valerio , Odero Andrea , Trimarchi Santi , Casana Renato
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim of this retrospective single-center study is to describe and analyze short-, mid-, and long-term risk factors for great saphenous vein (GSV) recanalization after endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Materials and methods

All consecutive patients with GSV incompetence and varicose veins underwent RFA were enrolled between 2009 and 2018. Data on demographic, pre- and postoperative color Doppler scan (CDUS) findings, perioperative complications, and follow-up were prospectively collected. Primary outcome was GSV recanalization rate at 1 week after RFA. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complication rate, as well as GSV recanalization rate at 1, 3, and 5 years after RFA. Risk factors for recanalization were also analyzed, for each follow-up assessment, identifying differences in recanalized (Rec) and non-recanalized (nRec) groups.

Results

During the study period, 1297 patients were treated. Among these, 1265 had at least 1 week of follow-up. Mean follow-up time was 3.0 ± 1.9 years. Recanalization rate at 1 week, 1, 3, and 5 years was 2.4%, 4.3%, 9.3%, and 17.5%, respectively. After multivariate analysis for each follow-up evaluation, CEAP classes C4 and 5, as well as preoperative GSV diameter >6 mm and history of smoking were found to be independent predictors of recanalization. Furthermore, age >61 years and postoperative complications such as pigmentation, edema, and paresthesia were found to be dependent risk factors.

Conclusion

RFA remains a safe and durable technique to ablate incompetent GSV. Despite this, particular attention should be paid to patients with high CEAP classes to avoid short and long-term recanalization.
Long-term outcomes of endovascular treatment for aortic pseudoaneurysm in patients with Behçet’s disease
Authors: Zou Lingwei , Liu Hao , Jiang Xiaolang , Chen Bin , Jiang Junhao , Shi Yun , Ma Tao , Lin Changpo , Fu Weiguo , Dong Zhihui
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disorder with unknown etiology, and its aneurysmal lesions are associated with high mortality due to the high risk of rupture. This study intended to further explore the long-term safety and efficacy of endovascular therapy for BD-related aortic pseudoaneurysm (BAP).

Methods

From January 2009 to May 2021, 17 BAP patients who underwent endovascular repair were retrospectively identified and enrolled. Adequate immunosuppressive treatment was instituted before and after endovascular treatment unless emergency surgery was required. The patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months and yearly after the primary endovascular intervention by computed tomography angiography (CTA) examination.

Results

Nineteen BAPs were identified among 17 patients. BAPs located at the aortic arch were found in three patients (17.6%), descending thoracic aorta in 5 (29.4%), and abdominal aorta in 10 (58.8%; suprarenal abdominal aorta in 2 [11.8%], and infrarenal abdominal aorta in 8 [47.1%]). The mean ESR during admission was 56.5 ± 24.9 mm/h (range = 30.0–120.0 mm/h), which fell to 22.7 ± 18.4 mm/h (range = 2.0–74.0 mm/h) before the endovascular intervention ( p < 0.001). The rate of favorable immunosuppressive control before intervention is 76.5% (13/17). Technical success was achieved in all patients. Median follow-up time was 57.0 months (interquartile range [IQR] = 21.3–67.3 months). Pseudoaneurysm recurrence was observed in four patients, type I endoleak in one, pseudoaneurysms sac dilation in one, and external iliac artery occlusion in 1. Two patients died of pseudoaneurysm rupture. Five-year accumulated overall rate, recurrence-free rate, and reintervention-free survival rate of BAP patients were 92.8%, 75.4%, and 71.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

Endovascular treatment in BAP patients seemed to be associated with long-term safety and efficacy with a 5-year overall survival rate of 92.8%. Adequate immunosuppressive treatment was essential for BAP patients to prevent aortic pseudoaneurysm recurrence and improve the prognosis.
Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced head-split type humeral fractures and role of the rotator-interval approach
Authors: Fleischhacker E , Siebenbürger G , Gleich J , Helfen T , Böcker W , Ockert B
Published: December 2021

Background

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of humeral head split fractures is challenging because of high instability and limited visibility. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the extend of the approach through the rotator interval (RI) on the reduction quality and functional outcome.

Methods

37 patients (mean age: 59  ±  16 years,16 female) treated by ORIF through a standard deltopectoral (DP) approach were evaluated. The follow-up period was at least two years. In 17 cases, the approach was extended through the RI. Evaluation was based on radiographs, Constant scores (CS) and DASH scores.

Results

In group DP, “anatomic” reduction was achieved in 9 cases (45%), “acceptable” in 5 cases (25%), and “malreduced” in 6 cases (30%). In group RI, “anatomic” reduction was seen in 12 cases (71%), “acceptable” in 5 cases (29%), and “malreduced” in none (p  =  0.04). In the DP group, the CS was 60.2  ±  16.2 and the %CS was 63.9  ±  22.3, while in the RI group, the CS was 74.5  ±  17.4 and the %CS was 79.1  ±  24.1 (p  =  0.07, p  =  0.08). DASH score was 22.8  ±  19.5 in DP compared to RI: 25.2  ±  20.6 (p  =  0.53).

Conclusions

The RI approach improves visualization as it enhances quality of fracture reduction, however functional outcomes may not differ significantly.

Type of study and level of proof

Retrospective, level III
Hypogammaglobulinemia following COVID-19 infection in a patient on maintenance rituximab
Authors: O’Bryan Collin , Espinosa Ronald , Chittivelu Subramanyam
Published: December 2021

Hypogammaglobulinemia is a known side-effect of rituximab use. It is typically asymptomatic and transient, although certain factors, such as maintenance dosing and concomitant glucocorticoid use can lead to symptomatic or prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia. Patients with symptomatic hypogammaglobulinemia leading to recurrent infections may be treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Herein, we report a case of a 49-year-old male on maintenance rituximab without prior respiratory symptoms with new onset recurrent pneumonia after COVID-19 pneumonia and treatment with glucocorticoids.
Oral manifestation and dental treatment of pediatric patient with beta-mannosidosis: A case report
Authors: Alshoraim Mohammad A , Al Agili Dania E
Published: December 2021

β-mannosidosis is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease of glycoprotein catabolism caused by a deficiency of β-mannosidase. Clinical presentation includes intellectual deficits, hearing loss, and recurrent respiratory infections. This report describes the dental treatment and follow-up dental care of a child with β-mannosidosis. The patient presented to the dental clinic at the age of 6 years with a localized swelling of his lower posterior teeth. Sickle cell disease and physical and mental developmental delays were noted. Clinical examination revealed a flattened nasal bridge, large head, short neck, open bite, gingival overgrowth, macroglossia, enlarged pulp chambers, and poor oral hygiene. Surgical treatment under general anesthesia included extractions, pulp therapy, and restorations. Four years later, the child returned with generalized gingival inflammation and new carious lesions. Periodontal and restorative treatment was provided, and a preventive dental regimen was established. Mannosidosis cases require complex dental procedures, consultations, and prompt follow-up.
The role of parent-to-child maltreatment in the pathway of self-reported depressive symptoms in Pakistani adolescents
Authors: Lakhdir Maryam Pyar Ali , Akber Ali Naureen , Peerwani Ghazal , Farooq Salima , Khaliq Asif , Nathwani Apsara Ali , Azam Syed Iqbal
Published: December 2021

Background

Parent-to-child maltreatment has been demonstrated to drastically affect a child’s mental well-being and plays a significant role in developing depressive symptoms. However, little is established about the effect of frequency of parent-to-child maltreatment on the development of depressive symptoms among Pakistani adolescents.

Methods

A longitudinal prospective study was conducted, from 2015 to 2017, with 800 adolescents aged 11–17 years old recruited from 32 systematically selected urban and peri-urban areas of Karachi. First, these adolescents were screened for parent-to-child maltreatment in 2015 in a cross-sectional survey. Children with diagnosed psychiatric conditions were excluded from the study. In the second phase, these individuals were followed for 2 years to investigate the symptoms of depressive disorder using a validated tool, “CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies) Depression scale.” The Cox proportional algorithm was used to examine the relationship between the frequency of parent-to-child maltreatment and depressive symptoms.

Results

Approximately 11% of frequently, 9% of occasionally parent-to-child, and 7%of negligibly maltreated adolescents reported depressive symptoms over 2 years. The other significant predictors of depressive symptoms were no formal education of the child (RR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.35–7.34), presence of stressful home environment (RR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.22–3.94), and having both uneducated parents (RR: 1.70, 95% CI: 0.90–3.21). The frequently maltreated females were found to have 4 times the higher risk compared to rarely maltreated males. In addition, frequently maltreated males were twice likely to develop depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

The results suggested that frequent parent-to-child maltreatment occurring during childhood leads to the development of depressive symptoms later in the adolescence period. Thus, there is a dire need for interventions to raise awareness among the society on the issue of parent-to-child mistreatment to minimize later mental health consequences.
Engaging primary care providers in a mobile health strategy to support lifestyle change and blood pressure management
Authors: Nau Tracy , Owen Alice , Mazza Danielle , Smith Ben J
Published: December 2021

Objective

The delivery of lifestyle advice concerning diet and physical activity has been found to be suboptimal in primary care settings, including for patients who require this for clinical management. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of integrating a mobile health intervention into primary care to support patients with improving lifestyle behaviours for high blood pressure.

Methods

Thirty-one patients aged 40–70 years were recruited by seven general practitioners to trial a 6-month mobile health intervention that included videos, web-based education and text message reminders. Semi-structured interviews with general practitioners and patients explored intervention feasibility and acceptability. Web analytics were used to measure intervention use, and pre- and post-questionnaires measured patient ratings of content and behaviour changes.

Results

General practitioners and patients perceived the intervention to be an acceptable tool for supporting high blood pressure management. However, general practitioners reported recruitment challenges and patient engagement was limited for the web and video components. Questionnaires revealed no significant changes in behaviours, although the program was generally regarded by patients as motivating and some reported acquiring new knowledge and awareness. Patient suggestions for improvement included greater individualisation of content and opportunity for interaction with their general practitioner.

Conclusions

There is scope to improve lifestyle interventions for the management of high blood pressure in the busy primary care environment using supplementary mobile health strategies. Further intervention refinement and formative evaluation is required to identify strategies that can be integrated into routine care and achieve high patient engagement.
Comparison of PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 as Screening Tools for Depression and School Related Stress in Inner City Adolescents
Authors: Anand Paridhi , Bhurji Navpreet , Williams Nadia , Desai Ninad
Published: December 2021

Background

Major depressive disorder is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in adolescents. Suicide is one of the leading causes of mortality between 15 and 19 years. Both AAP and USPSTF recommend routine depression screening of adolescents. Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) are widely used in primary care practice, however, PHQ-2 does not screen for suicidality. School-related factors are known to affect adolescent mental health.

Purpose

To compare PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 for depression screening in adolescents, with respect to age, gender, chronic illness over the course of 9 months.

Methods

As a QI initiative, we compared screening results in our inner-city pediatric practice using PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 from Jun’18 to Feb’19. EMR of 2364 patients 12 to 21 years were reviewed. We considered the PHQ-2 score of ≥2 and PHQ-9 of ≥10 as positive. Pre-existing chronic medical and mental illnesses were noted.

Results

Of these 61.5% of patients were females, 95% were Black/Hispanic, and 96% were insured by Medicaid. About 10.6% of PHQ-9 tests were positive whereas 7.4% PHQ2 were positive. Logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effects of age, gender, and chronic illness. Females were more likely to have a positive screen, as were patients with chronic illness. Age had no effect on the outcome. The screening yield for both tests was comparable in the summer months. PHQ9 yield increased while schools were in session while PHQ 2 remained stable.

Conclusion

PHQ9 is superior as a screening test compared to PHQ2. Repeat screening should be targeted toward patients with chronic medical conditions and/or mental health diagnoses. PHQ9 may be better at screening for school-related stress.
Zoom Memes for Self-Quaranteens: Generational Humor, Identity, and Conflict During the Pandemic
Authors: Aronson Pamela , Jaffal Islam
Published: December 2021

The objective of this study is to examine young adults’ perceptions of the pandemic. This study is based on a content analysis of memes posted on one of the most popular emerging–adult-focused Facebook groups established during the pandemic. It finds that three themes emerged: pandemic humor, generational identity humor, and generational conflict humor. Memes about the pandemic include sub-themes of a coming apocalypse, adults who deny the seriousness of COVID-19, and a more general expression of negative feelings, particularly anger and fear, through humor. Posts also emphasize the existence of a shared generational identity through humor, with commonly understood references to issues like online learning, productivity, and mental health. Finally, generational conflict humor emphasizes antagonism with older generations, including mistrust of government and political leaders, professors, and universities.