bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short and long-term outcomes of outborn vs. inborn infants <32 weeks’ in Western Australia: A cohort study of infants born between 2005 and 2018
Authors: Davis J , Seeber CE , Nathan E , Strunk T , Gill A , Sharp M
Published: August 2022

Objective

To compare mortality and morbidity of inborn vs outborn very preterm infants <32 weeks’ in Western Australia between 2005 and 2018.

Design

Retrospective cohort study

Patients

Infants <32 weeks’ born in Western Australia

Main outcome measures

Mortality was assessed as death before discharge home from the tertiary NICU. Clinically significant short-term morbidities included combined brain injury (intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) Grade ≥ 3 and cystic periventricular leukomalacia (cPVL)) and other important major neonatal outcomes. Standardised developmental assessments up to 5 years of age were evaluated where available. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis of outborn status on outcomes, controlling for gestational age, birthweight z-score, sex and multiple birth

Results

A total of 4974 infants were born in WA between 22 - 32 weeks’ gestation between 2005 – 2018 of which 4237 (89.6%) inborn and 443 (10.4%) outborn were compared. Overall mortality to discharge was higher in outborn infants (20.5% (91/443) vs. 7.4% (314/4237); aOR 2.44, 95% CI 1.60-3.70, p<0.001). Outborn infants had higher rates of combined brain injury than those inborn (10.7% (41/384) vs. 6.0% (246/4115); adjusted OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.37 – 2.86), p<0.001). No difference in long-term neurodevelopmental measures was detected, however, long-term follow-up data were available for only 65% of outborn and 79% of inborn infants.

Conclusions

Outborn preterm infants <32 weeks in WA have increased odds of mortality, and combined brain injury than those inborn. Long-term outcome results is likely to be affected by incomplete follow-up data.
Livestock risk protection subsidies changes on producer premiums
Authors: Boyer Christopher N. , Griffith Andrew P.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance can reduce losses from price declines for cattle producers, but LRP adoptions has been limited. In 2019 and 2020, LRP subsidies were increased to lower the cost, but it is unclear how much these changes lowered the cost. The objective of this research was to estimate the impact of the subsidy increase on the cost of LRP for feeder and fed cattle by month and for various insurance period lengths and levels.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected United States LRP offering data from 2017 to 2021. The authors estimated separate generalized least squares regression for feeder cattle and fed cattle with producer premium as the dependent variable. Independent variables were dummy variables for coverage level, insurance period, month and year as well as dummy variables in commodity years 2019 and 2020 when the LRP subsidy was increased.

Findings

The authors found the subsidy increases did reduce the cost of LRP policies for feeder and fed cattle LRP policies. Producer premiums for feeder cattle LRP polices have declined between $1.41 to $1.90 per cwt and $0.95 to $1.56 per cwt for fed cattle LRP policies depending on the coverage level. Results indicate these subsidy increases did lower the LRP premium costs to producers.

Originality/value

Results show policy implications from the subsidy increases and will be informative to producers when exploring the cost of LRP. This study extends the literature by estimating the reduction in subsidy costs while considering total premiums changed.
National culture and tax avoidance: a quantile regression analysis
Authors: Toumi Fadoua , Bouraoui Mohamed Amine , Khlif Hichem
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to study the effect of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions (power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation) on corporate tax avoidance as proxied by the effective tax rate.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 944 observations during 2016 was analyzed at three different quantiles (Q 0.25, Q 0.50 and Q 0.75) based on a quantile regression approach.

Findings

Using Hofstede’s (2001) cultural dimensions (power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation), the authors find that individualism and masculinity are negatively associated with effective tax rates, and this negative relationship is more pronounced under low tax aggressiveness regime (third quantile). By contrast, long-term orientation is positively associated with the effective tax rate, and this relationship is more prevailing under aggressive tax regime (first quantile). These findings remain stable when using cash effective tax rate as an alternative measure for tax avoidance.

Originality/value

This study adds to the extant literature a further understanding of the impact of cultural dimensions on tax avoidance. The use of quantile regression approach shows how the effect of masculinity, individualism and long-term orientation on tax avoidance varies under different tax management regimes.
Developing relational embeddedness of logistics service provider to enhance supply chain performance in transitive triads
Authors: Swierczek Artur
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The study seeks to explore the effect of socialization mechanisms on relational embeddedness of logistics service providers (LSP), and relational performance of dyads, and finally their resulting effect on the supply chain performance in transitive triads.

Design/methodology/approach

To elaborate on the major constructs of the study, the researchers use the theoretical lens specifically provided by social capital theory (SCT), and relational view (RV). Consequently, the researchers use SCT to examine the role of the socialization process, used by the supplier and customer, to develop relational embeddedness of logistics service providers in triads. Next, the researchers use the RV, complemented by the underpinnings of supply chain practice view (SCPV) to elaborate on the relational performance of dyads and supply chain performance. The study uses partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to estimate the higher component model (HCM) and test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results obtained from a sample of 350 transitive triads suggest that relational embeddedness of LSPs is only shaped by the mechanisms of formal socialization, developed by the supplier and customer. Interestingly, informal socialization appears to be insignificant for this process. The results indicate that relational embeddedness of logistics service providers has a positive effect on the relational performance of three dyads, which in turn, has a positive effect on the supply chain performance in transitive triads.

Research limitations/implications

One of the intriguing avenues of future research is to investigate the dynamics of supply chains. It would be also worthwhile to make use of the specificity of transitive triads, formed by the supplier, customer and LSP, to explore whether and under which circumstances (e.g. reciprocity, symmetry) the strong ties encourage the transfer and integration of knowledge among actors, and the weak ties accelerate the search for information. In connection with that, the other interesting research avenue would be to investigate the information benefits derived from the nonredundant triads.

Originality/value

Although there is a number of recent studies that show empirical evidence for developing relational embeddedness in transitive triads, to date, little research interest has been paid to how relational embeddedness of LSPs is shaped within the supply chain structures, and how it finally affects the supply chain performance.
Attracting casino visitors through social media: transition from online to offline environment
Authors: Kou IokTeng Esther , Wong IpKin Anthony , Lin Zhiwei (CJ)
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to draw upon boundary the crossing theory to examine the transition of casino hotel guests’ revisit intentions from casino social media sites to casino properties, with the influence of the motivation–opportunity–ability model.

Design/methodology/approach

Under a quantitative approach, 20 casinos that operated official social media sites were selected, with a quota sampling method designed to assign 20 respondents for each casino. A structural model was used to explore the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results illustrate that ability and opportunity are crucial in enhancing social media revisit intention. They also reveal that casino and destination revisit intention can be boosted with increased social media revisit intention.

Practical implications

This study provides a fresh look into the relation across the boundary between the virtual and physical environment and illustrates a means by which casinos can be camouflaged as leisure and entertainment venues to strengthen their competitiveness in attracting tourists through social media.

Originality/value

This study offers new evidence for the linkage between online and offline behaviors with respect to how social media could transit into tangible travel propensity.
More is not necessarily better: an inverted U-shaped relationship between positively framed attributes and advertising effectiveness
Authors: Niu Yongge , Feng Zhuzhu , Niu Yixuan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Many companies must choose a marketing strategy to promote new products. This includes publishing digital video advertising with interactive features on the Internet. Guided by the attribute-framing theory, this study investigates the impact of the number of positive attribute framings (NPAF) in advertising messages on consumer responses. This study aims to check whether new products are incrementally new products (INPs) or really new products (RNPs).

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis was conducted to identify the forms and components of attribute framing used in advertisements and consumer responses (i.e. review valence). Furthermore, this study followed an expert scoring procedure to identify product newness (INP vs. RNP). Hierarchical polynomial regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the NPAF, customer response and product newness.

Findings

This study has three main findings: (1) regardless of whether the new product is INP or RNP, there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between NPAF and consumer responses; (2) the inflection point of NPAF (INP) is greater than the inflection point of NPAF (RNP) and (3) the maximum value of consumer response for INP is greater than that for RNP.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the effectiveness of attribute framing in new product advertising. Compared to previous research on attribute framing of advertising, this study is based on a realistic scenario in which multiple attributes are framed within a given advertisement copy. Furthermore, secondary data were used to test the impact of NPAF on consumer responses and further explore the effects of product newness.
Mental health nursing identity: a critical analysis of the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council’s pre-registration syllabus change and subsequent move towards genericism
Authors: Connell Chris , Jones Emma , Haslam Michael , Firestone Jayne , Pope Gill , Thompson Christine
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explain how and why the philosophical changes to the pre-registration nursing standards by the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) have resulted in a paradigm shift for mental health nursing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper critically examines the changes to nursing education standards and offers an analysis of the problems associated with the shift towards a generic nursing syllabus.

Findings

The said shift prioritises physical health intervention, skills, procedures and tasks over the uniqueness of mental health nursing.

Practical implications

This paper argues that mental health nursing skills and qualities such as connection, genuine advocacy and therapeutic-use-of-self have been undervalued and under-represented by the new education standards.

Originality/value

This paper calls on the profession and service users to join the discourse and inform future mental health nursing identity. Ultimately, this paper calls on the NMC to reconsider the underpinning principles of the education standards and allot due consideration to the specific needs of the mental health nursing profession.
Barriers to the efficiency of internal evaluation in Polish secondary schools
Authors: Oczkowicz Joanna , Myszewski Jan M.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the system of factors influencing the efficiency of internal evaluation in Polish secondary schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected in interviews with evaluation experts and teachers on the barriers to the efficiency of internal evaluation and their causes were subjected to a qualitative cause-and-effect analysis.

Findings

Five barriers to the evaluation efficiency (6B model) and five actions of the school head stopping their impact (6A model) were identified. The latter include selecting the key evaluation function (3KEF model) and ensuring the conditions for efficiency in the improvement loop.

Research limitations/implications

Although the research was carried out in Polish schools, the conclusions indicate regularities affecting organizations throughout the world.

Practical implications

Students’ educational needs may exceed the schools’ ability to meet them at class time mostly due to resource constraints. The implementation of the principle of equal opportunities in education requires continuous improvement of the efficiency of schools’ processes. Evaluation can help qualify tasks for improvement.

Social implications

The level of engagement (reactive/active) of the school principal and teachers in evaluation and improvement is a crucial factor in overcoming the barriers to the efficiency of the school processes.

Originality/value

The ability to respond to the efficiency gaps of the school processes depends on the choice and efficiency of the KEF. The rationale for selecting the function and the schemes for its implementation have paradigmatic grounds.
Analyzing the literature on education governance over the last 71 years
Authors: Soares Furtado Oliveira Anderson , Nunes André , Guerra Mariana
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This article results from a survey on national and international research articles published from 1947 to 2018 that aimed to produce a theoretical framework and description of education governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on bibliographic research techniques. Its bibliometric analysis (Pritchett, 2001) focused on three structural indicators: 1) keywords, 2) most relevant journals and 3) most productive researchers. A survey was made targeting national and international research articles on education governance published from 1947 to 2018 as available on Scopus.

Findings

The survey pointed out the fundamentals of the education governance dimensions as posited in Hufty’s (2011) Governance Analytical Framework, namely: problems, social norms, actors, nodal points and processes.

Originality/value

The study provides the theoretical framework for establishing operational definitions of aforementioned dimensions that can be used in an education governance assessment instrument.
Integrating Lean Six Sigma with blockchain technology for quality management – a scoping review of current trends and future prospects
Authors: Ahmad Raja Wasim , Al Khader Walaa , Jayaraman Raja , Salah Khaled , Antony Jiju , Swarnakar Vikas
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to study and analyze the literature that integrates Lean Six Sigma (LSS) approach with blockchain technology in different sectors for improved quality management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a scoping review on the application of integrated LSS and blockchain technology in the manufacturing and healthcare sector. Further, the authors examined existing blockchain-based solutions on a variety of dimensions, including application area, technical approach, methodology, application scenario, various blockchain platforms, purpose, and monitoring parameters. The authors study LSS approaches in detail, as well as the key benefits that blockchain technology can enable. Finally, the authors discuss significant research problems to be addressed in order to develop a highly efficient, resilient, and secure quality management framework using blockchain technology.

Findings

It has been observed that the adoption of blockchain technology for quality management and assurance is influenced by several factors such as transaction execution speed, throughput, latency. Also, prior blockchain-based solutions have neglected to leverage the benefits of LSS methodologies for effective quality management.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explores the influence of blockchain technology on quality management and assurance in manufacturing and healthcare industry. Furthermore, prior research has not examined how integrating the LSS methodology with blockchain technology can aid in the control of product quality management.
A comparative analysis of the environmental and social policies of the AIIB and World Bank
Authors: Apolinário Júnior Laerte , Jukemura Felipe
Published: August 2022

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the environmental and social policies of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the World Bank. Our objective is to assess how the AIIB innovates in the international financial order in terms of Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) instruments. We analyse projects financed by the two institutions in India between 2017 and 2020, considering both institutions' social and environmental standards. First, we compare the social and environmental guidelines of both financial institutions extensively. Then, we analyse 20 projects carried out in India during this period, considering the amounts invested, risk classification policies, and the adopted ESA instruments. Finally, we conduct two case studies analysing each organization's ESA instruments based on 10 parameters of comparison. We conclude that the AIIB portrays itself as a ‘middle way’ bank, with the internalization of some standards of the already established multilateral development banks (MDBs), but with several innovative characteristics. We identify the incorporation of some World Bank guidelines used in ESA instruments in AIIB projects. Nevertheless, the AIIB innovates through its focus on infrastructure, the variability of its project sizes, more integration with the borrower's national policies and programmes, and the simplification of socio‐environmental analysis instruments.
The prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in rural communities in South Africa: A third regional sample of child characteristics and maternal risk factors
Authors: May Philip A. , de Vries Marlene M. , Marais Anna‐Susan , Kalberg Wendy O. , Buckley David , Hasken Julie M. , Abdul‐Rahman Omar , Robinson Luther K. , Manning Melanie A. , Seedat Soraya , Parry Charles D. H. , Hoyme H. Eugene
Published: August 2022

Background

This study is the ninth cross‐sectional community study of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) conducted by the multidisciplinary Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Epidemiology Research team in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is the third comprehensive study of FASD in a rural, agricultural region of South Africa.

Methods

Population‐based, active case ascertainment methods were employed among a school‐based cohort to assess child physical and neurobehavioral traits, and maternal risk factor interviews were conducted to identify all children with FASD to determine its prevalence.

Results

Consent was obtained for 76.7% of 1158 children attending first grade in the region's public schools. Case–control results are presented for 95 with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), 64 with partial fetal alcohol syndrome (PFAS), 77 with alcohol‐related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), 2 with alcohol‐related birth defects (ARBD), and 213 randomly‐selected controls. Four techniques estimating FASD prevalence from in‐person examinations and testing yielded a range of total FASD prevalence of 206–366 per 1000. The final weighted, estimated prevalence of FAS was 104.5 per 1000, PFAS was 77.7 per 1000, ARND was 125.2 per 1000, and total FASD prevalence was 310 per 1000 (95% CI = 283.4–336.7). Expressed as a percentage, 31% had FASD. Although the rate of total FASD remained steady over 9 years, the proportion of children within the FASD group has changed significantly: FAS trended down and ARND trended up. A detailed evaluation is presented of the specific child physical and neurobehavioral traits integral to assessing the full continuum of FASD. The diagnosis of a child with FASD was significantly associated with maternal proximal risk factors such as: co‐morbid prenatal use of alcohol and tobacco (OR = 19.1); maternal drinking of two (OR = 5.9), three (OR = 5.9), four (OR = 38.3), or more alcoholic drinks per drinking day; and drinking in the first trimester (OR = 8.4), first and second trimesters (OR = 17.7), or throughout pregnancy (OR = 18.6). Distal maternal risk factors included the following: slight or small physical status (height, weight, and head circumference), lower BMI, less formal education, late recognition of pregnancy, and higher gravidity, parity, and older age during the index pregnancy.

Conclusion

The prevalence of FASD remained a significant problem in this region, but the severity of physical traits and anomalies within the continuum of FASD is trending downwards.
Effects of psychological pressure on first‐mover advantage in competitive environments: Evidence from penalty shootouts
Authors: Santos Ricardo Manuel
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we aim to determine the importance of psychological pressure on performance in sequential tournaments. We make use of penalty shootouts in soccer and test the presence of first‐mover advantage. Shootouts in soccer is a formidable framework because it is a natural experiment where teams compete in a sequence whose order is determined by the random outcome of a coin toss. Using data from all 663 penalty shootouts in all major competitions since first implemented in 1970, we fail to identify statistically significant differences in winning probabilities for teams kicking first or second in the shootout sequence.
Spatial Alignment Facilitates Visual Comparison in Children
Authors: Zheng Yinyuan , Matlen Bryan , Gentner Dedre
Published: August 2022

Visual comparison is a key process in everyday learning and reasoning. Recent research has discovered the spatial alignment principle, based on the broader framework of structure‐mapping theory in comparison. According to the spatial alignment principle, visual comparison is more efficient when the figures being compared are arranged in direct placement—that is, juxtaposed with parallel structural axes. In this placement, (1) the intended relational correspondences are readily apparent, and (2) the influence of potential competing correspondences is minimized. There is evidence for the spatial alignment principle in adults’ visual comparison (Matlen et al., 2020). Here, we test whether it holds for children. Six‐ and eight‐year‐old children performed a same‐different task over visual pairs. The results indicated that direct placement led to faster and more accurate comparison, both for concrete same‐different matches (matches of both objects and relations) and for purely relational matches—evidence that the same structural alignment process holds for visual comparison in 6‐ and 8‐year‐olds as in adults. These findings have implications for learning and education.
Two Cultural Processing Asymmetries Drive Spatial Attention
Authors: Mendonça Rita , Garrido Margarida V. , Semin Gün R.
Published: August 2022

Cultural routines, such as reading and writing direction (script direction), channel attention orientation. Depending on one's native language habit, attention is biased from left‐to‐right (LR) or from right‐to‐left (RL). Here, we further document this bias, as it interacts with the spatial directionality that grounds time concepts. We used a spatial cueing task to test whether script direction and the grounding of time in Portuguese (LR, Exp. 1) and Arabic (RL, Exp. 2) shape visuomotor performance in target discrimination. Temporal words (e.g., tomorrow, yesterday) were presented as cues in two modalities: visual (Exp. 1–2) and auditory (Exp. 1). Gaze movement (Exp. 1) and speed of discrimination decisions (Exp. 1–2) of targets presented to the left or right sides of the screen were assessed. As predicted, the interaction between target location and time concepts was significant across both modalities and linguistic communities. Additionally, LR participants detected the target on the right side of the screen faster after a future word than the target on the left side of the screen after a past word cue. In contrast, RL participants detected the target on the left side of the screen faster when the cue word was a future word than the target on the right side of the screen cued by a past word. In both modalities, the initial eye‐gaze movement (Exp. 1) was responsive to the cue's time referent, further confirming that time orients attention. An additional bias was observed for the first fixation onset, which landed earlier on the target set that matched habitualized spatial routines. We conclude that scanning regularities are shaped by writing habits and bodily grounded categorical features.
Dermatologische Lehre für Medizinstudierende: ein Scoping Review publizierter Interventionsstudien
Authors: Bernges Felix , Zielbauer Sebastian , Weberschock Tobias , Ochsendorf Falk
Published: August 2022

Es ist unklar, wie Medizinstudierenden Dermatologie optimal vermittelt werden sollte. Daher wurde der vorliegende Scoping Review mit folgender Fragestellung durchgeführt: „Welche dermatologischen Lehransätze für Medizinstudierende wurden in publizierten Interventionsstudien untersucht?“. Ziele waren die Identifikation und strukturierte Darstellung aller relevanten Studien. Die Methodik dieses Scoping Reviews folgte der PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. Die Datenbanken Medline und Embase wurden ohne Einschränkungen bis zum 30.06.2020 durchsucht. Eingeschlossen wurden veröffentlichte Interventionsstudien, die dermatologische Lehransätze mit Medizinstudierenden untersuchten. Es erfolgten eine Kategorisierung sowie eine deskriptive Analyse der als vollständige Artikel publizierten Studien. Die Datenbanksuche ergab 36 627 Treffer. 114 Studien erfüllten alle Einschlusskriterien. Diese stammten aus 19 Ländern, wurden überwiegend seit 2010 publiziert und verteilten sich auf 64 verschiedene Journale. 32 randomisierte kontrollierte Studien wurden identifiziert. Es fanden sich verschiedenste Lehransätze, welche sowohl E‐Learning als auch konventionelle Lehrformate umfassten. Die Resultate der Studien sind in strukturierten Tabellen aufgeführt. Dieser Scoping Review belegt eine hohe Zahl an weltweit publizierten Studien zur dermatologischen Lehre für Medizinstudierende. Die Vermittlung dermatologischer Inhalte scheint mit zahlreichen Lehransätzen zu gelingen, wobei Interventionen mit Berücksichtigung didaktischer Prinzipien nachweisbar erfolgreicher waren. Diese Literaturübersicht kann Lehrenden als Hilfestellung für eine evidenzbasierte Unterrichtsgestaltung dienen sowie eine Grundlage für künftige Forschungsansätze schaffen.
Very low carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Parry‐Strong Amber , Wright‐McNaughton Morag , Weatherall Mark , Hall Rosemary M. , Coppell Kirsten J. , Barthow Christine , Krebs Jeremy D.
Published: August 2022

Aim

Very low carbohydrate/ketogenic diets (VLC/KDs) are popular but their role in managing pre‐diabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is uncertain. This study uses a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials to estimate the effect of these diets in this population.

Materials and Methods

A systematic review identified randomized controlled trials of at least 6 months duration comparing efficacy and safety of VLC/KDs (≤50 g carbohydrate or ≤10% total energy from carbohydrate per day) with a control diet (carbohydrate above the VLC/KD threshold) in adults with pre‐diabetes or T2D. The primary outcome variable was glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) after 12 months. The meta‐analysis method was inverse variance weighting of mean values for continuous variables.

Results

Key word searches identified 2290 studies; 2221 were not in scope. A full text review of 69 studies identified eight meeting inclusion criteria; in total, it involved 606 participants. Six studies reported HbA1c (%) at 12 months; four as change from baseline with a fixed effects estimate (95% confidence interval): VLC/KD minus control of 0.01% (−0.22 to 0.25), p = .91; and two as change from baseline: −0.65% (−0.99; −0.31) [−7.1 mmol/mol (−10.8; −3.4)], p < .001. Serum triglycerides were lower with VLC/KD versus control: −0.28 mmol/L (−0.44 to −0.11), p < .001. High‐density lipoprotein was higher with an estimate of 0.04 mmol/L (0.01 to 0.08), p = .03, in the five studies reporting 12‐month summary data.

Conclusions

A VLC/KD may cause reductions in HbA1c and triglycerides in those with pre‐diabetes or T2D but evidence of an advantage over other strategies is limited. More well‐designed studies are required to provide certain evidence.
European Neuromuscular Centre consensus statement on anaesthesia in patients with neuromuscular disorders
Authors: van den Bersselaar Luuk R. , Heytens Luc , Silva Helga C. A. , Reimann Jens , Tasca Giorgio , Díaz‐Cambronero Óscar , Løkken Nicoline , Hellblom Anna , Hopkins Philip M. , Rueffert Henrik , Bastian Börge , Vilchez Juan Jesus , Gillies Robyn , Johannsen Stephan , Veyckemans Francis , Muenster Tino , Klein Andrea , Litman Ron , Jungbluth Heinz , Riazi Sheila , Voermans Nicol C. , Snoeck Marc M. J.
Published: August 2022

Background and purpose

Patients with neuromuscular conditions are at increased risk of suffering perioperative complications related to anaesthesia. There is currently little specific anaesthetic guidance concerning these patients. Here, we present the European Neuromuscular Centre (ENMC) consensus statement on anaesthesia in patients with neuromuscular disorders as formulated during the 259th ENMC Workshop on Anaesthesia in Neuromuscular Disorders.

Methods

International experts in the field of (paediatric) anaesthesia, neurology, and genetics were invited to participate in the ENMC workshop. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Embase, the main findings of which were disseminated to the participants and presented during the workshop. Depending on specific expertise, participants presented the existing evidence and their expert opinion concerning anaesthetic management in six specific groups of myopathies and neuromuscular junction disorders. The consensus statement was prepared according to the AGREE II (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation) reporting checklist. The level of evidence has been adapted according to the SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) grading system. The final consensus statement was subjected to a modified Delphi process.

Results

A set of general recommendations valid for the anaesthetic management of patients with neuromuscular disorders in general have been formulated. Specific recommendations were formulated for (i) neuromuscular junction disorders, (ii) muscle channelopathies (nondystrophic myotonia and periodic paralysis), (iii) myotonic dystrophy (types 1 and 2), (iv) muscular dystrophies, (v) congenital myopathies and congenital dystrophies, and (vi) mitochondrial and metabolic myopathies.

Conclusions

This ENMC consensus statement summarizes the most important considerations for planning and performing anaesthesia in patients with neuromuscular disorders.
An unexpected route of temporary pacing lead
Authors: Soysal Ali Ugur , Durmaz Sebnem , Onel Muhammed , Yalin Kivanc
Published: August 2022

Congenital anomalies of the venous system including superior (SVC) and inferior vena cava are not uncommon. Failure of certain vessels embryogenesis results in numerous caval variations and anomalies. Anomalies of systemic venous circulation are frequently seen in patients with congenital heart disease and are sometimes incidentally recognized. However, these are usually without significant clinical implications, detection of these anomalies is necessary to avoid diagnostic pitfalls and for planning vascular interventions. We present a rare caval anomaly, a left‐sided IVC with hemiazygos continuation to left SVC and coronary sinus.
Scarcity of major resistance genes against Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Vermeulen Jasper P. , Hanika Katharina , Thomma Bart P. H. J. , Bai Yuling , Schouten Henk J.
Published: August 2022

Verticillium dahliae is a soil‐borne fungal pathogen that causes vascular wilt disease in numerous plant species. The only described qualitative resistances against V. dahliae are the Ve1 gene and the V2 locus in tomato. These resistances have been overcome by virulent strains. We tried to identify additional resistances. Out of the methods we tested, comparing the canopy area of V. dahliae‐inoculated plants with mock‐inoculated plants yielded the best discriminative power in resistance tests. Out of six wild tomato accessions that were previously reported to possess some resistance, Solanum pimpinellifolium G1.1596 and Solanum cheesmanii G1.1615 displayed the lowest stunting and the least colonization by V. dahliae. Recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations were developed of both populations. No QTLs were identified in the G1.1596 RIL population. In the G1.1615 population, four small‐effect QTLs were associated with reduced stunting. Many studies in other hosts also failed to discover major resistance genes against V. dahliae. We hypothesize that the scarcity of major resistance genes against V. dahliae is caused by its endophytic behaviour in nature. The limited damage in nature would not lead to evolutionary pressure to evolve major resistances. However, in agriculture, V. dahliae can behave more pathogenic, leading to serious damage.
Management of acne in transgender and gender diverse youth Part 2: Unique considerations and strategies in medical treatment
Authors: Hollingshead Nicole , Hodax Juanita K. , Boos Markus D.
Published: August 2022

Acne vulgaris is among the most common skin disorders afflicting adolescents worldwide, and though well‐established guidelines of care exist for acne management, these guidelines do not uniformly consider or address the unique psychosocial and medical needs of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth. Part 2 of this two‐part review provides guidance on a stepwise approach to the medical treatment of acne in TGD youth, with an emphasis on safety, efficacy, and the delivery of medical care in a culturally humble, thoughtful, and gender‐affirming manner.
The effects of free primary education in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A difference‐in‐differences approach
Authors: Kodila‐Tedika Oasis , Otchia Christian S.
Published: August 2022

Following the Millennium Development Goals and the Dakar Framework for Action, many African countries instituted free primary education policies in 2000 to achieve universal primary education by 2015. However, the impact of free education policies remains understudied, particularly for late‐adopters. This paper estimates the short‐term effects of free primary education on enrollment in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the policy was implemented as a trial in only two provinces in 2010. We exploit the spatial variations in adopting the policies using difference‐in‐differences with propensity score matching and show that free primary education policies significantly increase enrollment. We find large heterogeneity in the effects depending on the school management types. Catholic conventional school accounts for most of the enrollment due to the perceived quality, level of teacher knowledge, school infrastructure, and better service delivery.
Chikungunya in Brazil: An epidemic of high cost for private healthcare, 2017
Authors: de Margarette Oliveira de Andrade Maria , de Almeida Barreto Francisca Kalline , Coelho Tania Maria Silva , Praça Pinto Geovana , Queiroz Isabella Timbo , Nogueira Camila Távora , Freitas Andre Ricardo Ribas , Ferreira Marcelo Jose Monteiro , Alencar Carlos Henrique , de Góes Cavalcanti Luciano Pamplona
Published: August 2022

Objective

We evaluated the impact of direct and indirect medical costs incurred through chikungunya infections in patients treated in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study about the cost of illness. The valuation method of medical costs was based on the micro‐costing approach (bottom‐up). The study was carried out in a large general hospital of the private health network. The study population consisted of patients treated as suspected cases of chikungunya and hospital professionals who applied for sick leave due to chikungunya.

Results

In 2017, there were 2683 patients treated at this hospital who incurred an estimated cost of $383,514.40. From this amount, $174,322.91 (45.5%) were expended on emergency care, $194,700.59 (50.8%) on hospitalisations. 123 hospital professionals were infected with chikungunya and sick leave duration ranged between 1 and 19 days. Health professionals generated 746 days of absence and an amount of $14,490.90 due to absenteeism from work related to chikungunya. 31 symptoms were reported, especially arthralgia (91.1%) and fever (79.4%). There was a predominance of females (58.8%) and the age group of 20–39 years (42.1%).

Conclusion

The average cost of admissions was over $2400. Considering the epidemic potential of chikungunya, our data indicate the huge economic burden of this disease to healthcare units in the presence of epidemics. Economic factors, added to the loss of life and the consequences of chronic chikungunya, make this disease a real scourge for countries with fewer material resources.
Needle and syringe programs for reducing blood-borne diseases among people who inject drugs in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Kweyu Kevin Zepwa , Owuor Rosebenter Awuor , Mwita Clifford C.
Published: August 2022

Objective:

This review will identify, explore, and map the literature on the characteristics and implementation modalities of needle and syringe programs for reducing blood-borne diseases among people who inject drugs in sub-Saharan Africa compared with the recommended standards by the World Health Organization and AIDS Projects Management Group.

Introduction:

Sub-Saharan Africa bears a disproportionate burden of infectious diseases and HIV/AIDS. Needle and syringe programs have been shown to be effective in preventing transmission of infections among those who inject drugs by providing them with sterile injection equipment. The programs may also serve as avenues for addressing other issues that affect this population.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider published and unpublished studies on needle and syringe programs as a method of preventing blood-borne infections among people who inject drugs in sub-Saharan Africa. The review will consider quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods study designs, as well as systematic reviews and text and opinion papers.

Methods:

The electronic databases to be searched include MEDLINE, African Journals Online, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and TRoPHI. We will also search sources of unpublished studies and gray literature (conference abstracts, theses, etc). The search will be restricted to studies in English, with no date limit. Data extraction will be done by two independent reviewers, guided by an extraction tool developed by the reviewers. Key information, such as author, reference, and findings relevant to the review questions, will be obtained. The results will be presented as graphs, figures, and tables accompanied by a narrative summary.
Clinical outcomes of microvascular clipping compared to endovascular coiling for ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Nowicki Jake , Harding Marguerite , Aromataris Edoardo
Published: August 2022

Objective:

This review will evaluate the effectiveness of microsurgical clipping versus endovascular treatment of ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms in adults.

Introduction:

Subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to anterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture is a catastrophic event leading to significant neurological morbidity and mortality. The clinical outcomes of microsurgical clipping versus endovascular coiling have been reported in systematic reviews for other intracranial aneurysm locations, including middle cerebral artery and posterior communicating artery aneurysms. A systematic review is necessary to evaluate the functional, angiographic, and safety outcomes of endovascular management versus microsurgical clipping for treatment guidance.

Inclusion criteria:

Patients aged 18 years and over with a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm will be included. Patients may have intracranial aneurysms in other locations; however, they will only be included if a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm has occurred and only if that aneurysm has been treated. Interventions of interest are microsurgical clipping compared to endovascular treatment.

Methods:

The following databases will be searched: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Experimental, quasi-experimental, and analytical observational studies will be considered. Studies in all languages will be included if they can be translated. Two independent reviewers will retrieve and assess relevant studies using JBI's standardized critical appraisal instruments. Extracted data will include Glasgow Outcome Scale/Modified Rankin Score, angiographic occlusion, aneurysm recurrence, intra-operative thromboembolic event rates, post-operative complications, and post-operative aneurysm recurrence rates. Studies will, where possible, be pooled using statistical meta-analysis. Outcomes assessed will include functional status, angiographic occlusion rates, incidence of aneurysm recurrence, and safety of treatment.
Barriers and facilitators to attending dental care appointments among adults in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Karuveettil Vineetha , Sapna Swati , Jain Praneetha , Samad Fozia
Published: August 2022

Objective:

The objective of this scoping review is to identify the barriers and facilitators to attending dental care appointments among adults in low- and middle-income countries.

Introduction:

Missed dental appointments are a well-recognized problem in dental care, widely contributing to adverse health care outcomes. Patients’ adherence to dental appointments plays a vital role in improving and maintaining oral health. This scoping review will identify and synthesize barriers and facilitators that influence adults in keeping dental appointments.

Inclusion criteria:

Studies focusing on barriers and facilitators to dental appointment attendance among adults will be included. The study will include public, private, and university-based dental clinical settings and will be limited to low- and middle-income countries. There will be no restrictions on the source of evidence (primary studies or text/opinion studies) or study design (qualitative or quantitative studies).

Methods:

The review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Studies will be searched in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, and Scopus. Databases will be searched from inception until the present. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, OAIster, International Association for Dental Research conference abstracts, and Google Scholar will be searched for unpublished studies. Study screening will be performed by two reviewers, and data extraction will be done using a customized data extraction form. Barriers and facilitators will be categorized based on the Theoretical Domains Framework. The tabulated data and figures will be accompanied by a narrative summary of barriers and facilitators to attending dental care appointments, which may be used to guide further research.

Scoping review protocol registration:

Open Science Framework osf.io/mny8h
Microbiota Sampling Capsule: Design, Prototyping and Assessment of a Sealing Solution Based on a Bistable Mechanism
Authors: Ben Salem Mouna , Aiche Guillaume , Haddab Yassine , Rubbert Lennart , Renaud Pierre
Published: August 2022

The objective of the present work is to allow noninvasive sampling of microbiota, until now, surgery is still needed to collect intestinal liquid samples. Given the recent developments of endoscopic capsules and their added value for the diagnosis and the treatment of gastrointestinal pathologies, the paper is focused on the design of a microbiota sampling capsule. The device has to offer an efficient collection of intestinal liquid and at the same time to protect it from any contamination as the device navigates out of the human body. To ensure this and safety at the same time, a passive capsule is developed based on a bistable mechanical structure actuated by an expanding foam that itself collects the intestinal fluid. The device is developed using additive manufacturing. It is shown that the process is compatible with the production of the complete capsule with biocompatible material, while ensuring the presence of bistability for capsule closing. In-vitro trials validate the operating mode of the capsule. This work represents a significant step toward the creation of simple and yet efficient tools to better understand microbiota impact and future pathology detection.
African Swine Fever Virus pI215L Inhibits Type I Interferon Signaling by Targeting Interferon Regulatory Factor 9 for Autophagic Degradation
Authors: Li Liang , Fu Jiyang , Li Jixuan , Guo Shibang , Chen Qichao , Zhang Yibo , Liu Zhankui , Tan Chen , Chen Huanchun , Wang Xiangru
Published: August 2022

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a highly contagious and lethal disease in pigs and wild boars that is currently present in many countries, severely affecting the global pig industry. Despite extensive research, effective vaccines and antiviral strategies are still lacking, and many fundamental questions regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying host innate immunity escape remain unclear.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Enterobacter roggenkampii Strain with Reduced Carbapenem Susceptibility Isolated from a Home-Visit Nursing Agency
Authors: Ota Yusuke , Sassa Chihiro Tani , Kashiwagi Masayo , Okawara Chikako , Tohda Shuji , Saito Ryoichi
Published: August 2022

Carbapenem-resistant bacteria represent an emerging threat to global health; nursing homes may be reservoirs for these isolates, which cause life-threatening infections. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of an
Enterobacter roggenkampii
strain with reduced carbapenem susceptibility that was isolated from a sink in a home-visit nursing agency.
Metagenome-Assembled Genome of a
Pseudanabaena
sp. from a Crimson Cyanobacterial Bloom in Lake Salubria, New York, USA
Authors: Martin Robbie M. , Gann Eric R. , Truchon Alex R. , Boyer Gregory L. , Wilhelm Steven W.
Published: August 2022

Pseudanabaena
spp. are filamentous cyanobacteria widely distributed in temperate lakes. Though infrequent, they can form harmful algal blooms. Here, we present a high-quality metagenome-assembled genome of a
Pseudanabaena
sp. from a toxic, crimson cyanobacterial bloom in Lake Salubria, NY.