bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Glass Ceiling Among Women Employees in the Banking Sector
Authors: Shaji Jikky P. , Joseph Jojo K. , K. V. Thomas
Published: November 2021

It is generally believed that when compared to men, women have slower career advancement prospects. Usually, women in the workforce face several obstacles, commonly referred to as glass ceiling (GC), that weaken their career advancement prospects. The present study aims to develop a scale to measure the GC obstacles faced by women employed in the banking sector. The scale was developed and validated through a three-step process: item development, scale development and scale evaluation. The items were generated through literature review and focus group discussions (FGDs). The items developed were fine-tuned in consultation with academic experts. The scale was developed and validated, through a study, covering 411 women employees working in different banks in the state of Kerala. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) brought out seven dimensions of GC, namely family responsibilities (FR), discriminatory promotion practices (DPP), employee relations (ER), personality traits (PT), lack of organizational support (LOS), gender stereotypes (GS) and lack of training (LT). The scale was evaluated using reliability and validity measures, and it demonstrated adequate reliability, discriminant and convergent validity. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was carried out using AMOS. Towards the end of the article, there is also a discussion on managerial implications, limitations of the study and directions for future research.
The Analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility, Identification and Customer Orientation by Structural Equation Modelling and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Ozhan Seniz , Ozhan Erkan , Pritchard Gamze Yakar
Published: October 2021

When the successful businesses of today are examined, it is seen that the main factor in their success is the value they give to the customers rather than the production power. One of the most important factors in ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty is customer orientation (CO). In this study, it is aimed to investigate the perceived management and customer support for corporate social responsibility, the identification of the employees with the business and the customers and its effect on CO. Another aim of the study is to obtain a model that classifies employee–customer identification (ECI)-CO levels for employees by using artificial intelligence methods not used in previous studies. The research data were obtained from salesperson working in shopping malls in Istanbul. Hypothesis testing with structural equation modelling (SEM) has shown that perceived management and customer support for corporate social responsibility have an impact on employee identification with the business and customers. It has been observed that ECI affects CO, while organizational identification has no significant effect on CO. The structural equation modelling and artificial intelligence findings have empirically demonstrated that high accuracy practical classification models can be obtained and used to detect and solve different marketing problems.
Key Challenges Facing the African National Congress-led Government in South Africa: An Afrocentric Perspective
Authors: Rapanyane Makhura B.
Published: October 2021

The African National Congress (ANC) has ruled post-apartheid South Africa since the dawn of democratic rule in 1994. Since then, the ANC enjoyed fluctuating majority voter turn-out until recently when the party won the elections with less than 60% in the 2019 general elections. The genesis of this neglected swing is attributed to the rise of the alternative left, economic freedom fighters, unemployment rate and corruption scandals witnessed during the administration of Jacob Zuma and his cronies (the Gupta brothers) who championed state capture. Emerging heavily from the above sentiment, this study reviews the major challenges facing the ANC-led South African government. These are challenges that the Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration (incumbent) is still facing. The adoption of Afrocentricity in the study is indicated by the Afrocentric drive of casting out the demonic spirits of ignorance and arrogance in those who lead the ANC. The objective of this study is to highlight the significant challenges facing the ANC. Methodologically, this study relied on document reviews.
A Century of Family Budget Counseling
Authors: Stuart Paul H.
Published: November 2021

This article will review family social work’s concern with budget counseling, an aspect of financial capability, during the century following World War I, based on articles appearing in the major family social work journal, Families in Society; publications of its sponsoring organization; standard budgets published with the participation of family social work agencies in many cities; handbooks and textbooks intended for social workers; and other sources.
Development of an intervention framework for school improvement that is adaptive to cultural context
Authors: Sigurðardóttir Anna Kristín , Hansen Börkur , Gísladóttir Berglind
Published: October 2021

The challenge of educational improvement, due mainly to the complexity of educational systems, is well-known. The aim of this study is to provide knowledge regarding the process of change within schools to better understand how it might depend on cultural context and the characteristics of individual schools. Based on interventions in four compulsory schools (6–15 years old students) in Iceland, the study uses both qualitative and quantitative data. The process of change was guided by a framework grounded in professional learning community principles and designed to be adaptive for cultural contexts as well as the interdependence of different factors of educational systems. Theories of drivers of change and indicators of schools as professional learning communities were used to understand cultural conditions within them. The main findings indicate that the change process in team-driven schools with relatively high levels of teacher collaboration and engagement works well in the framework. By contrast, the change process seemed restrained in the profession-driven and problem-driven schools characterised by either a high level of teacher autonomy and lack of collaboration or engagement in solving several generic problems. The study provided valuable insights regarding the complexity of facilitating change, particularly, the importance of identifying main drivers of change affecting an intervention process at the initiation stage.
Challenges and lessons learnt from conducting a health survey in an ethnically diverse population
Authors: Nygaard Siv Steffen , Srivarathan Abirami , Mathisen jimmi , Kristiansen Maria , Christensen Ulla , Kvorning Monica Frølund , Lund Rikke
Published: October 2021

Aim: To document the challenges of developing and executing an interviewer-driven survey questionnaire in an ethnically diverse and deprived social housing area undergoing reconstruction in Denmark. Methods: The survey was initially planned to be conducted in three waves (before, during and after reconstruction of the housing area), based on a questionnaire covering health, wellbeing and social relations. The first two waves took place in 2018 and 2019 (invited n=~600 per wave) and the third wave will be conducted once the reconstruction is finalised. The approach to the third wave is under revision by the research team. The questionnaire was translated from Danish into the seven most common languages in the housing area. A bilingual interview team went door to door interviewing residents. Field notes were collected systematically during each wave to document the process. Results: The response rates were 35% ( n=209) and 22% ( n=132) for waves 1 and 2, respectively. There was an overall decrease in response rates between waves 1 and 2 for all language groups, but particularly for Arabic and Turkish-speaking men. The most frequently stated reasons for non-participation included illness and language barriers. The key lessons learnt were that overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers to conducting research among residents in this social housing area requires time and resources. Conclusions: Several challenges are associated with conducting a survey in ethnically diverse and deprived social housing areas. Documenting the challenges and learning from experience are both important, in order to include this hard-to-reach population in health research.
Creation and finite-element analysis of multi-lattice structure design in hip stem implant to reduce the stress-shielding effect
Authors: Gok Mustafa Guven
Published: October 2021

The term stress-shielding is frequently used to mention the reduction in mechanical stimulus in the surrounding bone due to the presence of a biomaterial inert implant whose mechanical properties are superior to bone. As the natural consequence of this, mineral loss occurs in the bone over time and creating subsequent weakness. One of the methods to reduce stress-shielding problem is to develop hip-stem implant designs that will transfer the load more to the bone. Therefore, in this study, multi-lattice designs were developed to reduce the stress-shielding effect in hip implant applications. For this, the proximal part of the hip implant stems has been divided into three parts. Simple cubic, body centered cubic, and face centered cubic lattice structures were created on the upper parts. Inner vertical and inner vertical + inner horizontal beams were added to the lattice structure of the upper part for middle and lower parts, respectively. Due to the multi-lattice designs, the maximum von Mises stress values on the hip implant stem were reduced from 289 to 189 MPa, as well as a weight reduction of up to 25.89%. Stress-shielding signals were obtained by determining the change in strain energy per unit bone mass caused by the presence of the femoral hip implant stem and its ratio to intact bone. In the case of using hip-stems having multi-lattice designs, there is a significant increase (max. 150.47%) in stress-shielding signals from different zones of the femur.
Images as ‘potentials’: Feminist new materialist orientations to photovoice
Authors: Coffey Julia
Published: November 2021

This article contributes to sociological and new materialist efforts to reorient and reimagine qualitative methodologies. I explore the more-than-human and more-than-representational potentials of one traditional humanist qualitative method, photovoice and its ‘affordances’ when the epistemologies and ontologies underpinning what images ‘can do’ are opened up. I extend the work of Higgins (2014; 2016) and others who have ‘recalibrated’ visual methods to argue that photovoice has the potential to be an aleatory methodological practice which connects to efforts to mobilise ethics of encounter in feminist new materialist research. I draw on two empirical examples from a study which used photovoice as a key tool to explore young people’s embodiment and wellbeing as emergent traces, formed through entangled processes and relations, rather than inherent properties of human bodies and subjects. The article explores what photovoice ‘can do’ and how it may be useful in contributing to sociological efforts to generate new answers to old questions through attending to the ways structures and material inequalities are themselves produced through the situated and affective practices and embodiments of everyday life.
Role of Corporate Social Marketing Campaigns in Employer Branding: A Study of Campus Engagement Initiatives
Authors: Saini Anuj , Saini Gordhan K. , Kumar Shaurya
Published: November 2021

Background

Corporate social marketing (CSM), as a type of corporate social initiative, is considered to be the most effective tool for creating social good through behavioural change. However, the relevance and benefits of CSM in the business context are largely unknown. The understanding of ‘the business case’ of CSM initiatives can provide useful insights to practitioners in this field. In this paper, we study the boundary spanning benefits of CSM in the area of employer branding.

Research Questions

This research aims to answer one major question: Do CSM campaigns play any role in building an organization’s employer brand? If yes, then how? Further, two associated supplementary questions include (i) how do managers perceive the use of CSM campaigns during campus engagement initiatives? (ii) how do job seekers perceive the use of CSM campaigns in campus engagement initiatives?

Methods

We use a qualitative research approach to answer the above questions. Using a purposive sampling method, we interviewed 6 managers who manage and 13 management students who attended campus engagement initiatives. The research was carried out in an emerging economy context, namely India, which has had several successful CSM campaigns and is home to the youngest working population, particularly millennials.

Results

The study shows that CSM leads to three major employer branding outcomes – increasing employer awareness, enhancing employer attractiveness and differentiating an employer from other competing organizations. Students prefer employers who provide them opportunities to work for society and are even willing to accept a lower pay in such organizations. Managers revealed the importance of showcasing CSMs during campus presentations and confirmed the relevance of social causes in employer branding initiatives.

Recommendations for Practice

The study offers useful insights to human resource managers on the role of CSM campaigns in creating employer awareness and attracting talent during campus engagement. We recommend that CSM campaigns be leveraged during campus engagement sessions for achieving differentiation in a competitive talent market. Lesser-known employers can use CSM campaigns for increasing employer awareness among potential student recruits. Organizations may proactively design and implement CSM campaigns, consistent with their values and mission, for the positive spill-over effects it can yield for their employer brand. The study aims to contribute to the CSM literature by studying the boundary spanning role of CSM in employer branding.
Parent artery stenting as a rescue management for stretched coils during cerebral aneurysms embolization: Report of three cases and review of literature
Authors: Abdelrady Mohamed M , Ognard Julien , Abdelsamad Amr M , Mahmoud Mostafa
Published: October 2021

Background

Displacement of a stretched coil into the parent artery during intracranial aneurysm coiling is a challenging situation where the risk of acute intravascular thrombosis might be a life-threatening condition. The usual way of management is coil snaring, yet in some cases, it might not be feasible to retrieve the coil. Parent artery rescue stenting had already been described as a way of management in acutely thrombosed parent arteries during aneurysm coiling.

Case reports

We present three cases with an inadvertent displacement of the unraveled coils into the parent artery for which rescue stenting was carried out to crush the coil against the vessel wall aiming to eliminate its thrombogenic effect. Our preliminary experience is that rescue stenting of the parent artery for stretched coil could be a convenient effective option particularly in case of failed/risky snaring with no notable immediate or long-term complications.

Review and discussion

We review the reported cases of stretched coils with or without further unraveling and fracture and discuss the possible consequences, salvage methods, and clinical outcomes. Neurointerventionists should be aware of this complication and get acquainted with bailout strategies.
Is pro-Kremlin Disinformation Effective? Evidence from Ukraine
Authors: Erlich Aaron , Garner Calvin
Published: November 2021

Can residents of Ukraine discern between pro-Kremlin disinformation and true statements? Moreover, which pro-Kremlin disinformation claims are more likely to be believed, and by which audiences? We present the results from two surveys carried out in 2019—one online and the other face-to-face—that address these questions in Ukraine, where the Russian government and its supporters have heavily targeted disinformation campaigns. We find that, on average, respondents can distinguish between true stories and disinformation. However, many Ukrainians remain uncertain about a variety of disinformation claims’ truthfulness. We show that the topic of the disinformation claim matters. Disinformation about the economy is more likely to be believed than disinformation about politics, historical experience, or the military. Additionally, Ukrainians with partisan and ethnolinguistic ties to Russia are more likely to believe pro-Kremlin disinformation across topics. Our findings underscore the importance of evaluating multiple types of disinformation claims present in a country and examining these claims’ target audiences.
Thymoma-associated multiorgan autoimmunity with cutaneous only presentation: A case report
Authors: Bendayan Solomon , Mititelu Roxana , Elizabeth Redpath Margaret , Billick Robin
Published: October 2021

Thymoma-associated multiorgan autoimmunity disease can be seen in patients with thymomas and presents with features of graft versus host disease. Here, we report a case of a 52-year-old woman with a complex medical history including malignant thymoma, myasthenia gravis, Good’s syndrome, and T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia who presented with a diffuse pruritic rash ultimately found to be compatible with a cutaneous presentation of thymoma-associated multiorgan autoimmunity disease. The eruption heralded the recurrence of the malignant thymoma and the rash was ultimately found to be resistant to a multitude of therapies except for oral corticosteroids.
Ammonia synthesis on the banks of the Mississippi: A molecular-planetary technology
Authors: Steininger Benjamin
Published: October 2021

The paper discusses the CF-industries ammonia plant in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. The plant is framed as an exemplary site from which the Anthropocene can be observed and understood. In doing so, a proposal for a “chemical cultural theory” is set out, to allow us to understand such molecular planetary technologies and interpret their (geo)historical significance. As one of the largest fertilizer plants in the world in terms of its output, and one of the largest chemical plants along the “Petrochemical Corridor,” a cluster of chemical industries situated between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Donaldsonville typifies the relations between the nitrogen and hydrocarbon industries. Catalysis is here used both as a chemical concept and as a metaphor central to the proposed chemical cultural theory. As key to the Haber-Bosch process and refinery technologies in general, investigating the role of catalysis allows us to connect the history of the Petrochemical Corridor to that of German industrialism. This relation reveals how, from the late 19th century through to the World Wars, an ambivalent industrial co-operation between the US and Germany not only transformed local and planetary environments, it also contributed to the Anthropocene condition.
The open subject and translations from nature: Answers to the Anthropocene in contemporary poetry (Gennadij Ajgi, Les Murray, Christian Lehnert)
Authors: Stahl Henrieke
Published: November 2021

With the help of the concepts ‘aura’ and ‘autopoiesis’, the relationship between poetry and natural phenomena can be defined as a ‘translation from nature’. Gennadij Ajgi translates his auratic manner of perceiving into poetry. For him, the poem becomes an epistemic medium transcending the sensory perception of nature for a hidden, spiritual level. Les Murray, conversely, demonstrates an autopoietic understanding of nature: The poet himself becomes the medium of the living being. Christian Lehnert takes up impulses from both orientations. He combines the opposing concepts so that they correspond to the hierarchical levels of his religious and metaphysical vision of the world. The three authors all aim to alter the attitude of humans towards nature through their ‘translation from nature into poetry’ so that humankind will open itself towards nature and raise it from an object which can be instrumentalised to an autonomous subject on equal footing with humanity itself.
A process for reviewing mental health apps: Using the One Mind PsyberGuide Credibility Rating System
Authors: Neary Martha , Bunyi John , Palomares Kristina , Mohr David C. , Powell Adam , Ruzek Josef , Williams Leanne M. , Wykes Til , Schueller Stephen M.
Published: October 2021

Objective

Given the increasing number of publicly available mental health apps, we need independent advice to guide adoption. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities of current mental health app rating systems and describes the refinement process of one prominent system, the One Mind PsyberGuide Credibility Rating Scale (PGCRS).

Methods

PGCRS Version 1 was developed in 2013 and deployed for 7 years, during which time a number of limitations were identified. Version 2 was created through multiple stages, including a review of evaluation guidelines and consumer research, input from scientific experts, testing, and evaluation of face validity. We then re-reviewed 161 mental health apps using the updated rating scale, investigated the reliability and discrepancy of initial scores, and updated ratings on the One Mind PsyberGuide public app guide.

Results

Reliabilities across the scale's 9 items ranged from −0.10 to 1.00, demonstrating that some characteristics of apps are more difficult to rate consistently. The average overall score of the 161 reviewed mental health apps was 2.51/5.00 (range 0.33–5.00). Ratings were not strongly correlated with app store star ratings, suggesting that credibility scores provide different information to what is contained in star ratings.

Conclusion

PGCRS summarizes and weights available information in 4 domains: intervention specificity, consumer ratings, research, and development. Final scores are created through an iterative process of initial rating and consensus review. The process of updating this rating scale and integrating it into a procedure for evaluating apps demonstrates one method for determining app quality.
Ultra-short echo time magnetic resonance angiography using a modified signal targeting with alternative radio frequency spin labeling technique for detecting recanalized pulmonary arteriovenous malformation after coil embolization
Authors: Hamamoto Kohei , Chiba Emiko , Oyama-Manabe Noriko , Shinmoto Hiroshi
Published: November 2021

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a rare vascular anomaly, for which transcatheter embolization with metallic coils is the standard of care. Although detecting recanalization after embolotherapy is crucial, direct visualization of residual flow with computed tomography or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is generally difficult due to metal artifacts. We present a case of recanalized PAVM after coil embolization detected by ultra-short echo time MR angiography using a modified signal targeting with an alternative radio frequency spin labeling technique.
Who are studying at International Branch Campuses in China? A case study
Authors: Yang Hongqing , Wu Minjie
Published: October 2021

International Branch Campuses (IBCs) grow rapidly, and China is the largest host country of IBCs. This article examines the student characteristics at an IBC in China. The student characteristics arise from the literature regarding college choice and the choice of IBC. A documentary study examines the academic performance, represented by gaokao scores, of the students from an IBC with independent legal person status in China. Further, using the data of 798 survey respondents, the student characteristics are analyzed with a descriptive analysis, and the results are compared to the data in existent documents and reports. The results show that the development of IBCs in China favors urban and socioeconomically advantaged students. Family income becomes a stronger and direct factor on the choice of IBC. Chinese middle- and upper-class utilize their capitals to obtain study opportunities at IBCs. This article fills the gap in the student characteristics and identifies the inequalities at an IBC. The implications are discussed.
Lateral Capsular Stabilization in Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation
Authors: Seo Young-Jin , Choi Nam-Hong , Hwangbo Byung-Hun , Hwang Ji-Sun , Victoroff Brian N.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Stabilization of the lateral capsule to the tibial plateau may decrease midbody extrusion after lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT). However, there is a paucity of literature reporting on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings after lateral capsular stabilization (LCS) at the time of lateral MAT.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose was to describe MRI findings after LCS and compare postoperative extrusion between isolated lateral MAT and lateral MAT with LCS. It was hypothesized that allograft extrusion would be reduced after MAT with LCS but that the stabilized capsule would increase the risk of tears to the capsule or allograft.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Included were patients who underwent lateral MAT with 6-month follow-up MRI. Concomitant LCS was performed for patients with redundant lateral capsule displaced from the lateral tibial plateau as evident on coronal MRI or arthroscopic examination (MAT+LCS group); otherwise, patients underwent MAT only (isolated MAT group). The Lysholm score, Tegner score, and lateral joint space on radiographs were compared between the 2 groups at 2 years postoperatively, and the stabilized lateral capsule and allograft were evaluated using 6-month follow-up MRI. Extrusion, rotation, and position of the allograft bridge were compared between the 2 groups. Regression analysis was performed to identify factors predictive of degree of extrusion.

Results:

There were 10 patients in the MAT+LCS group and 13 patients in the isolated MAT group. No significant differences were found between groups in preoperative patient characteristics or postoperative Lysholm score, Tegner score, lateral joint space, or MRI parameters. Postoperative extrusion was not related to obliquity angle, position of the bony bridge, or presence of LCS. In the MAT+LCS group, 1 patient showed a tear of the lateral capsule and a radial tear of the allograft, and 3 patients had a meniscocapsular separation at the midbody of the allograft. In the isolated MAT group, 1 patient had a peripheral tear at the midbody, but there was no tear of the allograft in the other patients.

Conclusion:

LCS did not decrease extrusion of lateral meniscal transplantation, but it can lead to increased risk for graft or capsule tear.
Sonographic Evaluation of Various Causes of Female Infertility: A Literature Review
Authors: Kanwal Hafiza Iqra , Shahid Munaza , Bacha Raham
Published: November 2021

Objective:

Female infertility may be a commonly encountered problem that presently accounts for a great percentage of women seeking gynecologic services. A systematic review was preformed to evaluate the most common cause of infertility, using sonography.

Materials and Methods:

A search was executed with Google Scholar, PubMed, NCBI, and Medscape databases, from 2001 to 2020. Two investigators independently reviewed and assessed those studies for eligibility. The data were tabulated in a Microsoft Excel sheet. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 24 software was used to evaluate the data.

Results:

Out of 70 studies, the contributing factors, detected with sonography, for infertility were as follows: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), 44.9%; fibroids, 43.6%; endometriosis, 33.3%; polyps, 29.5%; adhesions, 29.5%; pelvic inflammatory disease, 23.1%; ovarian cysts, 23.1%; congenital anomalies, 20.5%; and adenomyosis, 11.5%.

Conclusion:

The most common cause of infertility, detected with sonography, was PCOS, and the least contributor to infertility was adenomyosis.
Pooled safety analysis of zanubrutinib monotherapy in patients with B-cell malignancies
Authors: Tam Constantine S. , Dimopoulos Meletios , Garcia-Sanz Ramon , Trotman Judith , Opat Stephen , Roberts Andrew W. , Owen Roger , Song Yuqin , Xu Wei , Zhu Jun , Li Jianyong , Qiu Lugui , D’Sa Shirley , Jurczak Wojciech , Cull Gavin , Marlton Paula , Gottlieb David , Munoz Javier , Phillips Tycel , Du Chenmu , Ji Meng , Zhou Lei , Guo Haiyi , Zhu Hongjie , Chan Wai Y. , Cohen Aileen , Novotny William , Huang Jane , Tedeschi Alessandra
Published: November 2021

Zanubrutinib is a selective Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor evaluated in multiple B-cell malignancy studies. We constructed a pooled safety analysis to better understand zanubrutinib-associated treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and identify treatment-limiting toxicities. Data were pooled from 6 studies (N = 779). Assessments included type, incidence, severity, and outcome of TEAEs. Median age was 65 years; 20% were ≥75 years old. Most patients had Waldenström macroglobulinemia (33%), chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (29%), or mantle-cell lymphoma (19%). Median treatment duration was 26 months (range, 0.1-65); 16% of patients were treated for ≥3 years. Common nonhematologic TEAEs were upper respiratory tract infection (URI, 39%), rash (27%), bruising (25%), musculoskeletal pain (24%), diarrhea (23%), cough (21%), pneumonia (21%), urinary tract infection (UTI), and fatigue (15% each). Most common grade ≥3 TEAEs were pneumonia (11%), hypertension (5%), URI, UTI, sepsis, diarrhea, and musculoskeletal pain (2% each). Atrial fibrillation and major hemorrhage occurred in 3% and 4% of patients, respectively. Atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and diarrhea occurred at lower rates than those reported historically for ibrutinib. Grade ≥3 adverse events included neutropenia (23%), thrombocytopenia (8%), and anemia (8%). Serious TEAEs included pneumonia (11%), sepsis (2%), and pyrexia (2%).Treatment discontinuations and dose reductions for adverse events occurred in 10% and 8% of patients, respectively. Thirty-nine patients (4%) had fatal TEAEs, including pneumonia (n = 9), sepsis (n = 4), unspecified cause (n = 4), and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (n = 5). This analysis demonstrates that zanubrutinib is generally well tolerated with a safety profile consistent with known BTK inhibitor toxicities; these were manageable and mostly reversible.
ARID1A serves as a receivable biomarker for the resistance to EGFR-TKIs in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Sun Dantong , Teng Fei , Xing Puyuan , Li Junling
Published: October 2021

ARID1A is a key component of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes which is important for the maintaining of biological processes of cells. Recent studies had uncovered the potential role of ARID1A alterations or expression loss in the therapeutic sensitivity of cancers, but the studies in this field requires to be further summarized and discussed. Therefore, we proposed a series of mechanisms related to the resistance to EGFR-TKIs induced by ARID1A alterations or expression loss and the potential therapeutic strategies to overcome the resistance based on published studies. It suggested that ARID1A alterations or expression loss might be the regulators in PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT and NF-κB signaling pathways which are strongly associated with the resistance to EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations. Besides, ARID1A alterations or expression loss could lead to the resistance to EGFR-TKIs via a variety of processes during the tumorigenesis and development of cancers, including epithelial to mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis and the inhibition of apoptosis. Based on the potential mechanisms related to ARID1A, we summarized that the small molecular inhibitors targeting ARID1A or PI3K/Akt pathway, the anti-angiogenic therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors could be used for the supplementary treatment for EGFR-TKIs among NSCLC patients harboring the concomitant alterations of sensitive EGFR mutations and ARID1A.
Cardiogenic shock complicating multisystem inflammatory syndrome following COVID-19 infection: a case report
Authors: Gurin Michael I. , Lin Yue J. , Bernard Samuel , Goldberg Randal I. , Narula Navneet , Faillace Robert T. , Alviar Carlos L. , Bangalore Sripal , Keller Norma M.
Published: October 2021

Background

With the high prevalence of COVID-19 infections worldwide, the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is becoming an increasingly recognized entity. This syndrome presents in patients several weeks after infection with COVID-19 and is associated with thrombosis, elevated inflammatory markers, hemodynamic compromise and cardiac dysfunction. Treatment is often with steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). The pathologic basis of myocardial injury in MIS-A, however, is not well characterized. In our case report, we obtained endomyocardial biopsy that revealed a pattern of myocardial injury similar to that found in COVID-19 cardiac specimens.

Case presentation

A 26-year-old male presented with fevers, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 5 weeks after his COVID-19 infection. His SARS-CoV-2 PCR was negative and IgG was positive, consistent with prior infection. He was found to be in cardiogenic shock with biventricular failure, requiring inotropes and diuretics. Given concern for acute fulminant myocarditis, an endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) was performed, showing an inflammatory infiltrate consisting predominantly of interstitial macrophages with scant T lymphocytes. The histologic pattern was similar to that of cardiac specimens from COVID-19 patients, helping rule out myocarditis as the prevailing diagnosis. His case was complicated by persistent hypoxemia, and a computed tomography scan revealed pulmonary emboli. He received IVIg, steroids, and anticoagulation with rapid recovery of biventricular function.

Conclusions

MIS-A should be considered as the diagnosis in patients presenting several weeks after COVID-19 infection with severe inflammation and multi-organ involvement. In our case, EMB facilitated identification of MIS-A and guided therapy. The patient’s biventricular function recovered with IVIg and steroids.
The impact of cardiomotor rehabilitation on endothelial function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Chen Juming , Gu Shenhong , Song Yanling , Ji Xinbo , Zeng Wangyuan , Wang Xiaoxi , Wang Yachun , Feng Qingfeng
Published: November 2021

Background

To explore the effects of cardiac exercise rehabilitation on peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in elderly patients with chronic heart failure.

Methods

80 elderly patients with chronic heart failure were selected from March 2017 to March 2019 and randomly divided into two groups (N = 40). The control group was treated routinely and walked freely for 30–60 min every day. The patients in the exercise rehabilitation group developed a cardiac exercise rehabilitation plan. Then, cardiac function and peripheral blood B-natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in the two groups were compared. The cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion ability of EPCs were detected. The levels of the PI3K/AKT pathway and eNOS and VEGF were compared.

Results

There were no significant differences in all indexes between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05), and both improved significantly after treatment (P < 0.05). After treatment, LVEF and LVFS in the exercise rehabilitation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and LVEDD and LVESD were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The BNP level in the exercise rehabilitation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The cell viability, proliferation, invasion ability of EPC, and the levels of PI3K, AKT, eNOS, and VEGF mRNA and protein in the exercise rehabilitation group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Apoptosis rate was significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Visceral exercise rehabilitation can improve cardiac ejection and myocardial function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure, and can promote the vitality, proliferation, and invasion of peripheral blood EPC, and promote the expression of eNOS and VEGF by upregulating the PI3K/AKT pathway to promote angiogenesis and endothelial function.
Characteristics, hospital referrals and 60-day mortality of older patients living in nursing homes with COVID-19 assessed by a liaison geriatric team during the first wave: a research article
Authors: García-Cabrera Lorena , Pérez-Abascal Noelia , Montero-Errasquín Beatriz , Rexach Cano Lourdes , Mateos-Nozal Jesús , Cruz-Jentoft Alfonso
Published: October 2021

Background

The infection by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has been especially serious in older patients. The aim of this study is to describe baseline and clinical characteristics, hospital referrals, 60-day mortality, factors associated with hospital referrals and mortality in older patients living in nursing homes (NH) with suspected COVID-19.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was performed during March and April 2020 of institutionalized patients assessed by a liaison geriatric hospital-based team. Were collected all older patients living in 31 nursing homes of a public hospital catchment area assessed by a liaison geriatric team due to the suspicion of COVID-19 during the first wave, when the hospital system was collapsed. Sociodemographic variables, comprehensive geriatric assessment, clinical characteristics, treatment received including care setting, and 60-days mortality were recorded from electronic medical records. A logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors associated with mortality.

Results

419 patients were included in the study (median age 89 years old, 71.6 % women, 63.7 % with moderate-severe dependence, and 43.8 % with advanced dementia). 31.1 % were referred to the emergency department in the first assessment, with a higher rate of hospital referral in those with better functional and mental status. COVID-19 atypical symptoms like functional decline, delirium, or eating disorders were frequent.

36.9% had died in the 60 days following the first
call. According to multivariate logistic
regression age (p 0.010), Barthel index <60 (p 0.002), presence of tachypnea
(p 0.021), fever (p 0.006) and the use of ceftriaxone (p 0.004) were associated
with mortality. No mortality differences were found between those referred to
the hospital or cared at the nursing home.

Conclusions and implications

31% of the nursing home patients assessed by a
liaison geriatric hospital-based team for COVID-19 were referred to the
hospital, being more frequently referred those with a better functional and cognitive
situation. The 60-days mortality rate due to COVID-19 was 36.8% and was
associated with older age, functional dependence, the presence of tachypnea and
fever, and the use of ceftriaxone. Geriatric comprehensive assessment and
coordination between NH and the hospital geriatric department teams were
crucial.
Determination of 11 minerals in children using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Xiaofeng , Wang Chunnan , Wang Yang , Zhao Xusheng , Li Na
Published: November 2021

Background

Minerals play an important role in children’s growth and cognition. In this study, our aim was to establish reference intervals of mineral level in Children of Liaoning province (China) and provide a reliable basis for future preventive healthcare guidelines.

Methods

Random samples of 2217 healthy children aged 0–15 years who were referred for routine hospital laboratory examinations in the cities of Shenyang, Fushun, Fuxin, Benxi, Chaoyang and Lingyuan were invited to participate in the study. Serum levels of Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Magnesium (Mg), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Selenium (Se), Mercury (Hg), Nickel (Ni), Cobalt (Co), and Lithium (Li) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer(ICP-MS).

Results

Sex-related significant differences in the serum concentrations of the Mg and Cu (P < 0.05). Age-related significant differences were found in serum levels of Ca, Fe, Zn, Mg, Cu and Mn (P < 0.05) and the concentrations of 9 minerals (Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn,Se,Hg,Ni,Co and Li in serum varied from season to season (P < 0.05). The Spearman correlation matrix of 11 minerals was shown as a heat map, the correlations between Ca-Zn, Ca-Mg, Fe-Zn, Fe-Se, Mn-Ni, Se-Hg, Se-Ni, Hg-Ni, and Ni-Co, Ni-Li were the strongest compared with others.

Conclusions

The reference intervals of serum 11 minerals for children should considering the sex, age and season, which may be useful for decisive diagnoses of abnormality of the 11minerals and the related diseases.
Comparison of clinical features and prognosis in patients with cryptogenic and secondary organizing pneumonia
Authors: Choi Keum-Ju , Yoo Eun-Hyung , Kim Kyung Chan , Kim Eun Jin
Published: October 2021

Background

Organizing pneumonia (OP) can be diagnosed pathologically, and cryptogenic OP (COP) and secondary OP (SOP) have been classified by cause and particular underlying context. Because it is clinically difficult to differentiate between COP and SOP, this study investigated characteristics that could distinguish between COP and SOP.

Methods

The medical records of patients who underwent lung biopsy for a diagnosis of OP at a single tertiary hospital from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Eighty-five patients had pathologically proven OP, including 16 diagnosed with COP and 69 diagnosed with SOP. The most common cause of SOP was infectious pneumonia, observed in 57 (82.6%) of the 69 patients, followed by cancer and radiation pneumonitis. The pathogens causing infectious pneumonia were identified in 45 (65.2%) patients. There were no differences in age, sex, and lung function between the COP and SOP groups. Median body mass index was significantly lower (P = 0.030), and median time from symptom onset to hospital admission significantly shorter (P = 0.006), in the SOP than in the COP group. Fever was more common in the SOP group (P = 0.024), and CURB 65, an index of pneumonia severity, tended to be higher in the SOP group (P = 0.017). Some laboratory results differed significantly between the two groups. Lymphocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were significantly higher in the COP than in the SOP group (P = 0.012). Radiologic findings showed that effusion was more common in the SOP group (P = 0.036). There were no between-group differences in steroid use, 30 day and in-hospital mortality rates, and rates of OP outcomes and recurrences. Pneumonia recurrence rate was significantly higher in SOP patients who were than were not treated with steroids (P = 0.035).

Conclusions

Infection is the main cause of SOP. Symptom onset is more rapid in patients with SOP than with COP. Some blood and BAL fluid test results differed significantly in the COP and SOP groups. Pleural effusion was more common in the SOP group but there were no differences in clinical course. Recurrence in patients with SOP was more common in those who were than were not treated with steroids.
Titanium interlayer-mediated hydroxyapatite-coated polyetheretherketone cage in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery
Authors: Zhu Ce , He Miaomiao , Mao Lili , Yang Huiliang , Hu Bowen , Zhang Li , Feng Ganjun , Liu Limin , Song Yueming
Published: November 2021

Background

The variance in clinical responses to polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages with titanium (Ti) and hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings (PEEK-Ti-HA cages) is still not clear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing TLIF using PEEK-Ti-HA cages with a particular focus on fusion rate.

Methods

A prospective and nonrandomized study was conducted to compare the outcomes of PEEK-Ti-HA cages (group A, n = 32) and uncoated PEEK cages (group B, n = 32). The follow up time was at least 2 years. The radiographic assessments included the regional lordosis (RL), disc height (DH), and fusion rate. The clinical indexes included the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and visual analog scale (VAS) scores (back and leg).

Results

No significant differences were found in the pre- and postoperative RL and DH between Group A and Group B. And RL and DH, even if there were any variance initially, were restored not long after surgery in both groups. Though Group A had a significantly higher fusion rate than group B at 3 months post-surgery (93.7% vs. 75.0%), the fusion rates for the two groups reached the same level (100%) when it comes to the final follow-up. Additionally, differences of VAS and JOA scores for the two groups in general approximate.

Conclusions

PEEK-Ti-HA cages, in contrast with uncoated PEEK cages, produced a better fusion rate at 3 months after single-level TLIF. The fusion rates of both groups could get 100% at the final follow-up. PEEK-Ti-HA cages could achieve similar RL, DH, JOA scores and VAS scores in comparison with uncoated PEEK cages post-surgery.
Prediction of long-term hospitalisation and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic heart failure on Dutch claims data: a machine learning approach
Authors: van der Galiën Onno P. , Hoekstra René C. , Gürgöze Muhammed T. , Manintveld Olivier C. , van den Bunt Mark R. , Veenman Cor J. , Boersma Eric
Published: November 2021

Background

Accurately predicting which patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are particularly vulnerable for adverse outcomes is of crucial importance to support clinical decision making. The goal of the current study was to examine the predictive value on long term heart failure (HF) hospitalisation and all-cause mortality in CHF patients, by exploring and exploiting machine learning (ML) and traditional statistical techniques on a Dutch health insurance claims database.

Methods

Our study population consisted of 25,776 patients with a CHF diagnosis code between 2012 and 2014 and one year and three years follow-up HF hospitalisation (1446 and 3220 patients respectively) and all-cause mortality (2434 and 7882 patients respectively) were measured from 2015 to 2018. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was calculated after modelling the data using Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Elastic Net regression and Neural Networks.

Results

AUC rates ranged from 0.710 to 0.732 for 1-year HF hospitalisation, 0.705–0.733 for 3-years HF hospitalisation, 0.765–0.787 for 1-year mortality and 0.764–0.791 for 3-years mortality. Elastic Net performed best for all endpoints. Differences between techniques were small and only statistically significant between Elastic Net and Logistic Regression compared with Random Forest for 3-years HF hospitalisation.

Conclusion

In this study based on a health insurance claims database we found clear predictive value for predicting long-term HF hospitalisation and mortality of CHF patients by using ML techniques compared to traditional statistics.