bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attack Interval Is the Key to the Likely Pathogenesis of Multiple Transient Ischemic Attacks
Authors: Nagakane Yoshinari , Ohara Tomoyuki , Tanaka Eijirou , Yamada Takehiro , Ashida Shinji , Kojima Yuta , Maezono Keiko , Ogura Shiori , Nakashima Daisuke , Kitaoji Takamasa , Yamamoto Yasumasa
Published: September 2021

Introduction: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the attack interval of multiple transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) is correlated with the underlying pathogenesis of ischemia. Methods: Patients with multiple TIAs, defined as 2 or more motor deficits within 7 days, were studied. The attack interval between the last 2 episodes was classified into 3 groups: 2 episodes within an hour (Hour group), over hours within a day (Day group), and over days within a week (Week group). Patients with a lacunar syndrome, no cortical lesions, and no embolic sources were recognized as having a small vessel disease (SVD) etiology for their multiple events. Results: Of 312 TIA patients admitted over a 9-year period, 50 (37 males, 13 females, mean 67.6 years) had multiple TIAs. Twelve patients were classified as being within the Hour group, 23 within the Day group, and 15 within the Week group. Lacunar syndromes were observed in 30 (75%, 35%, and 67%), embolic sources were detected in 28 (25%, 65%, and 67%), and a high signal lesion on diffusion-weighted imaging was depicted in 30 (75%, 48%, and 67%) patients (18 cortical, 11 subcortical, and one cerebellar). Patients in the Hour group had a significantly higher prevalence of SVD etiology (75%) than those in the Day and Week groups (30%, p = 0.0165; 27%, p = 0.0213, respectively). Four patients had a subsequent stroke within 7 days. Conclusion: Attack intervals of multiple TIAs may be correlated with the underlying pathogenesis of ischemia. Two motor deficits within an hour are more likely to suggest a SVD etiology.
Association between Stress-Coping Strategy and Functional Disability in the General Older Adult Population: The Takashima Study
Authors: Takashima Naoyuki , Nakamura Yasuyuki , Miyagawa Naoko , Kadota Aya , Tanaka-Mizuno Sachiko , Matsui Kenji , Miura Katsuyuki , Ueshima Hirotsugu , Kita Yoshikuni ,   on behalf of the Takashima Study Group
Published: September 2021

Background: Both physical and psychological factors have been associated with functional disability. However, the associations between stress-coping strategies and future functional disability remain unclear. Methods: We analyzed 2,924 participants who did not have incidence of functional disability or death within the first 3 years of the baseline survey and were aged 65 years or more at the end of follow-up. Stress-coping strategies were assessed via a self-administered questionnaire (emotional expression, emotional support seeking, positive thought, problem-solving, and disengagement) in a baseline survey from 2006 to 2014. Levels of coping strategies were classified as low, middle, and high based of frequency. Functional disability decline was followed up using the long-term-care insurance program until November 1, 2019. Functional disability decline was defined as a new long-term-care insurance program certification. Cox proportional hazards model with competing risk analysis for death was used to evaluate associations between coping strategy levels and functional disability. Results: During the follow-up period, we observed 341 cases of functional disability and 73 deaths without previous incidence of functional disability. A significant inverse association between “positive thought” and “problem-solving” and future functional disability was observed. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for functional disability were 0.68 (0.51–0.92) for high levels of “positive thought” and 0.73 (0.55–0.95) for high levels of “problem-solving,” compared with low levels of the coping strategies. The inverse association was stronger in men. Conclusions: Some subcomponents of stress-coping strategies might be associated with future incidence of functional disability among older adults.
Screening, Management, and Acceptance of Patients with Aorto-Iliac Vascular Disease for Kidney Transplantation: A Survey among 161 Transplant Surgeons
Authors: Rijkse Elsaline , Kimenai Hendrikus J.A.N. , Dor Frank J.M.F. , IJzermans Jan N.M. , Minnee Robert C.
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Aorto-iliac vascular disease (AVD) is frequently found during the workup for kidney transplantation. However, recommendations on screening and management are lacking. We aimed to assess differences in screening, management, and acceptance of these patients for transplantation by performing a survey among transplant surgeons. Second, we aimed to identify center- and surgeon-related factors associated with decline or acceptance of kidney transplant candidates with AVD. Methods: A survey was sent to transplant surgeons and urologists. The survey contained general questions (part I) and 2 patient-based cases (part II) with Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) D and B AVD supported with videos of their CT scans. Results: One hundred ninety-one (20.3%) participants responded; 171 were currently involved in kidney transplantation: 161 (94.2%) completed part I and 145 (84.8%) part II. Screening for AVD was often (38.5%) restricted to high-risk patients. The majority of respondents (67.7%) rated “technical problems” as the most important concern in case of AVD, followed by “increased mortality risk because of cardiovascular comorbidity” (29.8%). Pretransplant vascular interventions to facilitate transplantation were infrequently performed (71.4% mentioned <10 per year). Ninety (64.3%) respondents answered that an open vascular procedure should preferably be performed prior to kidney transplantation while 42 (30.0%) respondents preferred a simultaneous open vascular procedure. The decline rate was higher in the TASC D case compared to the TASC B case (26.9% and 9.7%, respectively). Respondents from centers with expertise in pretransplant vascular interventions were more likely to accept both patients with TASC D and B for transplantation. Conclusion: There is no uniformity in the screening, management, and acceptance of patients with AVD for transplantation. If a center declines a patient with AVD because of technical concerns, the patient should be referred for a second opinion to a tertiary center with expertise in pretransplant vascular interventions. Multidisciplinary meetings including a vascular surgeon and a cardiologist could help optimize these patients for transplantation.
Nat Natura: cenografia e ethos em perspectiva ergológica na comunicação organizacional
Authors: Freitas Ernani Cesar de , Antunes Junior Fernando Simões , Boaventura Luis Henrique
Published: September 2021

Este artigo tem o objetivo de analisar a cenografia e o ethos mobilizados no Twitter pela brand persona Nat Natura sob as perspectivas da comunicação organizacional e da ergologia: linguagem e trabalho. Demonstramos que a empresa Natura & Co., para angariar apoio e publicidade gratuita no Twitter, incorpora ao discurso organizacional sentidos construídos a partir de uma dinâmica autopoiética para apagar e substituir seu ethos de corporação por um de pessoa física com o qual seus clientes possam se identificar.
Ações afirmativas e comunicação organizacional: disputas discursivas na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Almeida Charles Florczak
Published: September 2021

Este estudo analisa a disputa em torno da política de ações afirmativas da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul à luz da comunicação organizacional e do discurso organizacional. Acionamos as noções de organização comunicante e de cenas de dissenso como elementos da comunicação nas organizações para pensar as disputas discursivas que as atualizam e permitem o acesso a relações de poder e processos identitários. Verificou-se que determinados sujeitos necessitam lutar para conquistar espaço nos debates e nos processos de identidade da organização.
Do discurso empresarial ao discurso da marca – um olhar
Authors: Silvestre Carminda
Published: September 2021

As pessoas estão envolvidas em processos de trabalho, em estruturas económicas e sociais nas quais a operacionalização de um determinado discurso se vai reconfigurando em novas práticas e respetivas estruturas organizacionais. A linguagem na sua relação dialética com a sociedade faz parte desse processo de mudanças. O presente depoimento visa mapear mudanças discursivas em progresso através de um olhar pessoal, testemunhando como a área da linguística aplicada às empresas emerge e se adapta e as práticas discursivas integradas no discurso empresarial se reconfiguram no discurso da marca.
Detection of Advanced Lesions of Atherosclerosis in Carotid Arteries Using 3-Dimensional Motion-Sensitized Driven-Equilibrium Prepared Rapid Gradient Echo (3D-MERGE) Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Screening Tool
Authors: Baylam Geleri Duygu , Watase Hiroko , Chu Baocheng , Chen Li , Zhao Huilin , Zhao Xihai , Hatsukami Thomas S , Yuan Chun ,   on behalf of the CARE-II Study Collaborators
Published: September 2021

Background and Purpose:

Two-dimensional high-resolution multicontrast magnetic resonance imaging (2D-MC MRI) is currently the most reliable and reproducible noninvasive carotid vessel wall imaging technique. However, the long scan time required for 2D-MC MRI restricts its practical clinical application. Alternatively, 3-dimensional motion-sensitized driven-equilibrium prepared rapid gradient echo (3D-MERGE) vessel wall MRI can provide high isotropic resolution with extensive coverage in two minutes. In this study, we sought to prove that 3D-MERGE alone can serve as a screening tool to identify advanced carotid lesions.

Methods:

Two hundred twenty-seven subjects suspected of recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack were imaged using 2D-MC MRI with an imaging time of 30 minutes, then with 3D-MERGE with an imaging time of 2 minutes, on 3T-MRI scanners. Two experienced reviewers interpreted plaque components using 2D-MC MRI as the reference standard and categorized plaques using a modified American Heart Association lesion classification for MRI. Plaques of American Heart Association type IV and above were classified as advanced. Arteries of American Heart Association types I to II and III were categorized as normal or with early lesions, respectively. One radiologist independently reviewed only 3D-MERGE and labeled the plaques as advanced if they had a wall thickness of >2 mm with high or low signal intensity compared with the adjacent sternocleidomastoid muscle. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for 3D-MERGE were calculated.

Results:

Four hundred forty-nine arteries from 227 participants (mean age 61.2 years old, 64% male) were included in the analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for identification of advanced lesions on 3D-MERGE were 95.0% (95% CI, 91.8–97.2), 86.9% (95% CI, 81.4–92.0), 93.8% (95% CI, 91.1–95.8), respectively.

Conclusions:

3D-MERGE can accurately identify advanced carotid atherosclerotic plaques in patients suspected of stroke or transient ischemic attack. It has a more extensive coverage and higher sensitivity and specificity for advanced plaque detection with a much shorter acquisition time than 2D-MC MRI.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02017756.
Use of the Estimand Framework to Manage the Disruptive Effects of COVID-19 on Stroke Clinical Trials
Authors: Yassi Nawaf , Hayward Kathryn S. , Campbell Bruce C.V. , Churilov Leonid
Published: September 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented unique challenges to stroke care and research internationally. In particular, clinical trials in stroke are vulnerable to the impacts of the pandemic at multiple stages, including design, recruitment, intervention, follow-up, and interpretation of outcomes. A carefully considered approach is required to ensure the appropriate conduct of stroke trials during the pandemic and to maintain patient and participant safety. This has been recently addressed by the International Council for Harmonisation which, in November 2019, released an addendum to the Statistical Principles for Clinical Trials guidelines entitled Estimands and Sensitivity Analysis in Clinical Trials. In this article, we present the International Council for Harmonisation estimand framework for the design and conduct of clinical trials, with a specific focus on its application to stroke clinical trials. This framework aims to align the clinical and scientific objectives of a trial with its design and end points. It also encourages the prospective consideration of potential postrandomization intercurrent events which may occur during a trial and either impact the ability to measure an end point or its interpretation. We describe the different categories of such events and the proposed strategies for dealing with them, specifically focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic as a source of intercurrent events. We also describe potential practical impacts posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on trials, health systems, study groups, and participants, all of which should be carefully reviewed by investigators to ensure an adequate practical and statistical strategy is in place to protect trial integrity. We provide examples of the implementation of the estimand framework within hypothetical stroke trials in intracerebral hemorrhage and stroke recovery. While the focus of this article is on COVID-19 impacts, the strategies and principles proposed are well suited for other potential events or issues, which may impact clinical trials in the field of stroke.
Reorientation for National Transformation: The Role of Literature
Authors: Nnabuihe Chigozie Bright , Anyachebelu Adaora Lois
Published: September 2021

At the formative period of any human society, certain relevant orientations are conceived, designed and actualized to create awareness of what should be acceptable and/or unacceptable in human relationships. There are core values, norms and morals aimed at guiding the behaviour of the native population and making them aware of their place, time and identity within their society. The sole aim of such orientations is to ensure cohesion and a peaceful harmonious existence. Oral literature as it is referred to in this paper points to those literary artistic creations composed in oral form for the purposes of entertainment, edification and education. In the paper, we limit our discussions to the oral version of literature, drawing most of the excerpts from the works of oral Igbo literary artists. A few instances are also drawn from the written version as the need arises.
Prosopanche cocuccii (Hydnoraceae): a new species from Southern Brazil
Authors: DE CARVALHO JORDANO D. TAVARES , MARKUS CATARINE , JUNIOR ALDO MEROTTO , ZÁCHIA RENATO A. , SCHUCH MARILIA , SULZBACH ESTÉFANI , MARIATH JORGE E. A.
Published: September 2021

Prosopanche cocuccii is described as a new species from Southern Brazil. It resembles P. bonacinae due to the trigonous rhizome and by the general size of the flower organs. Nevertheless, P. cocuccii is distinguished by the main floral morphological characteristics used to differentiate species. In addition, the new species presents some rare characters for the genus, such as a highly branched rhizome and flowers usually grouped in fascicles. We provide a description, illustrations, field photographs, morphological details under the stereomicroscope, and comments on habitat, ecology, distribution, and conservation of the new species, as well as an updated key for the genus Prosopanche. In addition, we identified that P. cocuccii produces a large number of rhizomes and fruits for each single host specimen of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), which resulted in a decrease in height and growth of its only known host plant.
Miconia waimiri-atroari (Miconieae, Melastomataceae): a new species from the Brazilian Amazon Forest
Authors: MEIRELLES JULIA , FURLAN SARTOR MARIANA , LOPES CHAGAS RENNAN , CADDAH MAYARA KRASINSKI
Published: September 2021

Miconia waimiri-atroari is presented here as a new species from the Brazilian Amazon Forest. This new species has discolorous leaf blades, inflorescences with scorpioid branches, and petals and antesepalous stamen connectives with glandular trichomes. It has been misidentified as Miconia argyrophylla, another species from the Amazon Forest that has this same set of characters. However, the new species has cylindrical young branches (vs. quadrangular in M. argyrophylla), stellate trichomes on leaf abaxial surface (vs. arachnoid), stamens with yellow filaments that turn red in old flowers (vs. stamens with white filaments that only turn pale in old flowers), and style with glandular trichomes (vs. glabrous). At the moment, the species is only known from a small area north of Manaus, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Morphological description, illustrations, general comments and comparison to other similar species are also provided.
Taxonomic notes on Astragalus vogelii subsp. fatimensis (Galegeae, Fabaceae)
Authors: PUNJANI BHASKER , PATEL SURESH , DESAI PRASHANT , CHAUDHARY LAL BABU , SANJAPPA MUNIVENKATAPPA
Published: September 2021

The correct authority of Astragalus vogelii subsp. fatimensis and its distribution range in India are discussed. The taxon, which is considered rare in India, has been recollected from Gujarat State from new localities in the Banaskantha District. The description of the taxon along with photographs and other taxonomic details are provided here for easy identification.
Philippistenia, a new Disteniini genus from the Philippines (Coleoptera: Disteniidae)
Authors: BOTERO JUAN PABLO , VIVES EDUARD
Published: September 2021

A new genus from the Philippines, Philippistenia, is proposed to gather three species previously allocated in Distenia (Distenia) Lepeletier & Audinet-Serville, 1828: Philippistenia heterotarsalis (Heller, 1923) comb. nov.; P. levitemporalis (Heller, 1924) comb. nov.; and P. halconensis (Vives, 2012) comb. nov. Distenia samarensis Villiers, 1959 is proposed as a junior synonym of P. heterotarsalis. Photographs of Philippistenia species are provided. A key to species of the new genus is proposed and the male terminalia are illustrated. Notes on the localization of the type material of Distenia heterotarsalis and Distenia levitemporalis are provided and lectotypes are designated for both species. Additionally, the geographical distribution of the species is expanded.
Two new species and a new record of the genus Spininola László, Ronkay & Witt, 2010 from China (Lepidoptera, Nolidae, Nolinae)
Authors: HUANG ZHEN-FU , YU YONG , HU YAN-QING
Published: September 2021

Two new species (Spininola yongdingensis and Spininola qianfengensis spp. nov.) are described; Spininola denticulata (Moore, 1888) is reported from China for the first time. Adults and genitalia of new species are illustrated.
A new genus of Cedriini (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Hormiinae) from the Brazilian cerrado
Authors: GIBERTONI JULIA , WHITFIELD JAMES B. , PENTEADO-DIAS ANGÉLICA M.
Published: September 2021

A new genus of the braconid wasp tribe Cedriini, Sagarana n. gen., (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is described and illustrated from the Brazilian cerrado based on a newly discovered species, Sagarana cerradensis n. sp. The genus is clearly distinct from the other genera of the Cedriini, with unusual fringed depressions on the second metasomal sternite that are of unknown function. The confusing taxonomy of this tribe is briefly discussed.
Evaluation of coupled regional climate models in representing the local biophysical effects of afforestation over continental China
Authors: Ge Jun , Qiu Bo , Chu Bowen , Li Duzitian , Jiang Lingling , Zhou Weidan , Tang Jianping , Guo Weidong
Published: September 2021

Regional climate models have been widely used to examine the biophysical effects of afforestation, but their performances in this respect have rarely been evaluated. To fill this knowledge gap, an evaluation method based on the “space for time” strategy is proposed here. Using this method, we validate the performances of three regional models, the Regional Climate Model (RegCM), Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and the WRF model run at a convection-permitting resolution (WRF-CP), in representing the local biophysical effects of afforestation over continental China against satellite observations. The results show that WRF and WRF-CP can not accurately describe afforestation-induced changes in surface biophysical properties, e.g. albedo or leaf area index. Second, all models exhibit poor simulations of afforestation-induced changes in latent and sensible heat fluxes. In particular, the observed increase in the summer latent heat due to afforestation is substantially underestimated by all models. Third, the models are basically reasonable in representing the biophysical impact of afforestation on temperature. The cooling of the daily mean surface temperature and 2-meter temperature in summer are reproduced well. Nevertheless, the mechanism driving the cooling effect may be improperly represented by the models. Moreover, the models perform relatively poorly in representing the response of the daily minimum surface temperature to afforestation. This highlights the necessity of evaluating the representation of the biophysical effects by a model before the model is employed to carry out afforestation experiments. This study serves as a test bed for validating regional model performance in this respect.
Revisiting the Global Seasonal Snow Classification: An Updated Dataset for Earth System Applications
Authors: Sturm Matthew , Liston Glen E.
Published: September 2021

Twenty-five years ago, we published a global seasonal snow classification now widely used in snow research, physical geography, and as a mission planning tool for remote sensing snow studies. Performing the classification requires global datasets of air temperature, precipitation, and land-cover. When introduced in 1995, the finest resolution global datasets of these variables were on a 0.5° × 0.5° latitude-longitude grid (approximately 50 km). Here we revisit the snow classification system and, using new datasets and methods, present a revised classification on a 10-arcsecond × 10-arcsecond latitude-longitude grid (approximately 300 m). We downscaled 0.1° × 0.1° latitude-longitude (approximately 10 km) gridded meteorological climatologies (1981-2019, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts [ECMWF] ReAnalysis, 5thGeneration Land [ERA5-Land]) using MicroMet, a spatially distributed, high-resolution, micro-meteorological model. The resulting air temperature and precipitation datasets were combined with European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI) GlobCover land-cover data (as a surrogate for wind speed) to produce the updated classification, which we have applied to all of Earth’s terrestrial areas. We describe this new, high-resolution snow classification dataset, highlight the improvements added to the classification system since its inception, and discuss the utility of the climatological snow classes at this much higher resolution. The snow class dataset (Global Seasonal-Snow Classification 2.0) and the tools used to develop the data are publicly available online at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).
Disaster-Related Food Security and Past General Governance Strategies in a Worldwide Sample
Authors: Jones Eric C. , Ong Corinne , Haynes Jessica
Published: September 2021

Climate change is an increasingly pressing concern because it generates individual and societal vulnerability in many places in the world and also because it potentially threatens political stability. Aside from sea level rise, climate change is typically manifested in local temperature and precipitation extremes that generate other hazards. In this study, we investigated whether certain kinds of governance strategies were more common in societies whose food supply had been threatened by such natural hazards—specifically, floods, droughts, and locust infestations. We coded and analyzed ethnographic data from the Human Relations Area Files on 26 societies regarding dominant political, economic, and ideological behaviors of leaders in each society for a specified time period. Leaders in societies experiencing food-destroying disasters used different political economic strategies for maintaining power than did leaders in societies that face fewer disasters or that did not face such disasters. In nondisaster settings, leaders were more likely to have inward-focused cosmological and collectivistic strategies; conversely, when a society had experienced food-destroying disasters, leaders were more likely to have exclusionary tribal/family-based and externally focused strategies. This apparent difficulty in maintaining order and coherence of leadership in disaster settings may apply more to politically complex societies than to polities governed solely at the community level. Alternatively, it could be that exclusionary leaders help set up the conditions for disastrous consequences of hazards for the populace. Exceptions to the pattern of exclusionary political economic strategies in disaster settings indicate that workarounds do exist that allow leaders with corporate governance approaches to stay in power.
Long Live Marketization for Local Public Spaces: A Study of Scandinavian Managers’ Satisfaction with Private Provider Performance
Authors: Lindholst Andrej Christian
Published: September 2021

Continued critiques, evidence and newer reform trends have increasingly contested the use of market-centered models–the competition prescription–for urban public space maintenance as well as other local services. This article adopts a contextualized contingency perspective on the competition prescription and questions the contested status of market-centered models in a survey-based study of the current use of and satisfaction with private providers for maintenance of parks/greenspaces and road/streets in Scandinavian local governments. The study finds widespread use of and satisfaction with private providers. However, satisfaction depends on national context and multiple contingencies. The study challenges the contested status of market-centered models, highlights that different models serve different strategic objectives, and directs attention to discussions of context and key contingencies that define how well market-centered models perform.
Positioning imatinib for pulmonary arterial hypertension: A phase I/II design comprising dose finding and single‐arm efficacy
Authors: Wilkins Martin R. , Mckie Mikel A. , Law Martin , Roussakis Andreas A. , Harbaum Lars , Church Colin , Coghlan J Gerry , Condliffe Robin , Howard Luke S , Kiely David G , Lordan Jim , Rothman Alexander , Suntharalingam Jay , Toshner Mark , Wort Stephen J , Villar Sofía S.
Published: September 2021

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is an unmet clinical need. Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, 200 to 400 mg daily reduces pulmonary artery pressure and increases functional capacity in this patient group, but is generally poorly tolerated at the higher dose. We have designed an open‐label, single‐arm clinical study to investigate whether there is a tolerated dose of imatinib that can be better targeted to patients who will benefit. The study consists of two parts. Part 1 seeks to identify the best tolerated dose of Imatinib in the range from 100 and up to 400 mg using a Bayesian Continuous Reassessment Method. Part 2 will measure efficacy after 24 weeks treatment with the best tolerated dose using a Simon’s two‐stage design. The primary efficacy endpoint is a binary variable. For patients with a baseline pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) >1000 dynes · s · cm−5, success is defined by an absolute reduction in PVR of ≥300 dynes · s · cm−5 at 24 weeks. For patients with a baseline PVR ≤1000 dynes · s · cm−5, success is a 30% reduction in PVR at 24 weeks. PVR will also be evaluated as a continuous variable by genotype as an exploratory analysis. Evaluating the response to that dose by genotype may inform a prospective biomarker‐driven study.
Polarization Over Vaccination: Ideological Differences in Twitter Expression About COVID-19 Vaccine Favorability and Specific Hesitancy Concerns
Authors: Jiang Xiaoya , Su Min-Hsin , Hwang Juwon , Lian Ruixue , Brauer Markus , Kim Sunghak , Shah Dhavan
Published: September 2021

Vaccine hesitancy has been a growing public health issue, but during COVID-19, understanding vaccine hesitancy and promote vaccine favorability takes on a troubling immediacy. With the growing political polarization on scientific issues, the COVID-19 vaccine-related sentiment has recently been divided across ideological lines. This study aims to understand how vaccine favorability and specific vaccine-related concerns including possible side effects, distrust in medical professionals, and conspiratorial beliefs concerning COVID-19 vaccines were articulated and transmitted by Twitter users from opposing ideological camps and with different follower scopes. Using a combination of computational approaches, including supervised machine-learning and structural topic modeling, we examined tweets surrounding COVID-19 vaccination ( N = 16,959) from 1 March to 30 June 2020. Results from linear mixed-effects models suggested that Twitter users high on conservative ideology and with a standard instead of large follower scope tend to express less favorable vaccine-related sentiments and talk more about vaccine side effects, distrust of medical professionals, and conspiracy theories. There is also an interaction effect where liberals with large follower scope expressed the least amount of distrust of medical professionals, whereas extreme conservatives expressed greater distrust for health professionals, regardless of their follower scope. Finally, structural topic modeling revealed distinct topical focuses among liberal and conservative users. Theoretical and practical implications for leveraging social media in effective health communication practice were discussed.
The Use of Infrared Thermal Imaging to Determine Functional Nasal Adequacy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Jiang Sydney , Chan Jason , Stupak Howard D.
Published: September 2021

Objective

The goal of this study was to establish a numeric threshold to separate functional from substantially obstructed noses using comparisons of thermal imaging and subjective scores.

Study Design

An inexpensive smartphone application and hardware attachment that uses infrared thermal imaging was tested to differentiate between substantial nasal blockage from an adequately functioning nose.

Setting

Sequential adult participants who presented to a public hospital otolaryngology clinic between June and August 2018 were asked to complete the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) tool.

Methods

A thermal video imaging device was used to record the difference in temperature (ΔT) between inspired (I) and expired (E) air at each nostril. The nostril ΔT between I and E air of patients with severe obstruction by the subjective measure (NOSE score) was compared with that of patients with minimal symptoms.

Results

A total of 26 participants were enrolled in the study. During normal respiration, Total ΔT for the nonobstructed group had a mean of 9.0, whereas the Total ΔT for the obstructed group had a mean of 7.69, a 17% difference that was statistically significant at P =. 045. For the worst‐performing nostril tested, ΔT for the nonobstructed group had a mean/median of 4°C, while the obstructed group had a mean of 3.23°C (median 3; 23.8% difference, P =. 023).

Conclusion

Measures of thermal imaging, particularly at the threshold between the median scores of the worst‐performing nostril, may be a useful clinical test to differentiate between a substantially obstructed nose from an adequately functioning nose, although more data are required.
Down-expression of TaPIN1s Increases the Tiller Number and Grain Yield in Wheat
Authors: Yao Fu Quan , Li Xiao Hui , Wang He , Song Yu Ning , Li Zhong Qing , Li Xing Guo , Gao Xin-Qi , Zhang Xian Sheng , Bie Xiao Min
Published: September 2021

Background

Tiller number is a factor determining panicle number and grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Auxin plays an important role in the regulation of branch production. PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1), an auxin efflux carrier, plays a role in the regulation of tiller number in rice (Oryza sativa); however, little is known on the roles of PIN1 in wheat.

Results

Nine homologs of TaPIN1 genes were identified in wheat, of which TaPIN1-6 genes showed higher expression in the stem apex and young leaf in wheat, and the TaPIN1-6a protein was localized in the plasma membrane. The down-expression of TaPIN1s increased the tiller number in TaPIN1-RNA interference (TaPIN1-RNAi) transgenic wheat plants, indicating that auxin might mediate the axillary bud production. By contrast, the spikelet number, grain number per panicle, and the 1000-grain weight were decreased in the TaPIN1-RNAi transgenic wheat plants compared with those in the wild type. In summary, a reduction of TaPIN1s expression increased the tiller number and grain yield per plant of wheat.

Conclusions

Phylogenetic analysis and protein structure of nine TaPIN1 proteins were analyzed, and subcellular localization of TaPIN1-6a was located in the plasma membrane. Knock-down expression of TaPIN1 genes increased the tiller number of transgenic wheat lines. Our study suggests that TaPIN1s is required for the regulation of grain yield in wheat.
Comparison of hemostatic effect and safety between epinephrine and tramazoline during nasotracheal intubation: a double-blind randomized trial
Authors: Sato-Boku Aiji , Sento Yoshiki , Kamimura Yuji , Kako Eisuke , Okuda Masahiro , Tachi Naoko , Okumura Yoko , Hashimoto Mayumi , Hoshijima Hiroshi , Suzuki Fumihito , Sobue Kazuya
Published: September 2021

Background

Nasal bleeding is the most common complication during nasotracheal intubation (NTI). To reduce nasal bleeding, the nasal mucosa is treated with vasoconstrictors (epinephrine [E] or tramazoline [T]) prior to NTI. This study aimed to determine whether E or T is more effective and safe for reducing nasal bleeding during NTI.

Methods

This study was preregistered on UMIN-CTR after being approved by the IRB of the School of Dentistry at Aichi Gakuin University. Written consent was received from all the patients. Total 206 patients aged 20–70 years and classified as 1–2 on American Society of Anesthesiologists-physical status were scheduled to undergo general anesthesia with NTI. At last, 197 patients were randomly divided into two groups and treated with either E (n = 99; 3 patients were discontinued) or T (n = 98; 2 patient were discontinued). After induction of general anesthesia, each patient’s nasal mucosa was treated using either E or T. The E used in this study was BOSMIN® SOLUTION 0.1% (Daiichi-Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo), and the T used in this study was TRAMAZOLIN Nasal Solution 0.118% AFP, (Alfresa Pharma Corporation, Osaka). E was diluted five times according to the package insert (final concentration of E = 0.02%), and T was used in its original solution. After 2 min, NTI was performed via the right nostril. Primary outcome were the presence of nasal bleeding (if bleeding was recognized at the posterior pharyngeal wall via nasal cavity during intubation, it was defined as bleeding) and the degree of bleeding (classified as none, mild, moderate, or severe). Secondary outcomes were arrhythmia, and hemodynamic (mean atrial pressure and heart rate) changes associated with vasoconstrictors.

Results

The presence of bleeding was comparable in both groups (12.5%, E; 14.5%, T; P = 0.63). No significant difference between the groups regarding the degree of bleeding (P = 0.78) was observed, with most patients having no bleeding (n = 84, E; n = 82, T). No severe bleeding and no arrhythmias induced by vasoconstrictor were observed in the two groups.

Conclusions

Nasal treatment with E or T shows no difference in nasal bleeding during NTI. Although no arrhythmia associated with E was observed in this study, it has been reported in literature. Therefore, as frequency and degree of nasal bleeding were comparable, nasal treatment with T could reduce the risk of NTI.

Trial registration

UMIN-CTR (Registration No. UMIN000037907). Registered (05/09/2019).
Joint latent class model: Simulation study of model properties and application to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease
Authors: Kyheng Maéva , Babykina Génia , Ternynck Camille , Devos David , Labreuche Julien , Duhamel Alain
Published: September 2021

Background

In many clinical applications, evolution of a longitudinal marker is censored by an event occurrence, and, symmetrically, event occurrence can be influenced by the longitudinal marker evolution. In such frameworks joint modeling is of high interest. The Joint Latent Class Model (JLCM) allows to stratify the population into groups (classes) of patients that are homogeneous both with respect to the evolution of a longitudinal marker and to the occurrence of an event; this model is widely employed in real-life applications. However, the finite sample-size properties of this model remain poorly explored.

Methods

In the present paper, a simulation study is carried out to assess the impact of the number of individuals, of the censoring rate and of the degree of class separation on the finite sample size properties of the JLCM. A real-life application from the neurology domain is also presented. This study assesses the precision of class membership prediction and the impact of covariates omission on the model parameter estimates.

Results

Simulation study reveals some departures from normality of the model for survival sub-model parameters. The censoring rate and the number of individuals impact the relative bias of parameters, especially when the classes are weakly distinguished. In real-data application the observed heterogeneity on individual profiles in terms of a longitudinal marker evolution and of the event occurrence remains after adjusting to clinically relevant and available covariates;

Conclusion

The JLCM properties have been evaluated. We have illustrated the discovery in practice and highlights the usefulness of the joint models with latent classes in this kind of data even with pre-specified factors. We made some recommendations for the use of this model and for future research.
An overview of bacterial meningitis epidemics in Africa from 1928 to 2018 with a focus on epidemics “outside-the-belt”
Authors: Mazamay Serge , Guégan Jean-François , Diallo Neby , Bompangue Didier , Bokabo Eric , Muyembe Jean-Jacques , Taty Nadège , Vita Tonton Paul , Broutin Hélène
Published: September 2021

Background

Bacterial meningitis occurs worldwide but Africa remains the most affected continent, especially in the "Meningitis belt" that extends from Senegal to Ethiopia. Three main bacteria are responsible for causing bacterial meningitis, i.e.,N. meningitidis(Nm),S. pneumoniaeandH. influenzaetype b. Among Nm, serogroup A used to be responsible for up to 80 to 85% of meningococcal meningitis cases in Africa. Since 2000, other Nm serogroups including W, X and C have also been responsible for causing epidemics. This overview aims to describe the main patterns of meningitis disease cases and pathogens from 1928 to 2018 in Africa with a special focus on disease conditions “out-of-the-belt” area that is still usually unexplored. Based on basic spatio-temporal methods, and a 90-years database of reported suspected meningitis cases and death from the World Health Organization, we used both geographic information system and spatio-temporal statistics to identify the major localizations of meningitis epidemics over this period in Africa.

Results

Bacterial meningitis extends today outside its historical limits of the meningitis belt. Since the introduction of MenAfrivac vaccine in 2010, there has been a dramatic decrease in NmA cases while other pathogen species and Nm variants including NmW, NmC andStreptococcus pneumoniaehave become more prevalent reflecting a greater diversity of bacterial strains causing meningitis epidemics in Africa today.

Conclusion

Bacterial meningitis remains a major public health problem in Africa today. Formerly concentrated in the region of the meningitis belt with Sub-Saharan and Sudanian environmental conditions, the disease extends now outside these historical limits to reach more forested regions in the central parts of the continent. With global environmental changes and massive vaccination targeting a unique serogroup, an epidemiological transition of bacterial meningitis is ongoing, requiring both a better consideration of the etiological nature of the responsible agents and of their proximal and distal determinants.
Women’s attitudes, beliefs and values about tests, and management for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: Ahmed Shenaz , Brewer Alina , Tsigas Eleni Z. , Rogers Caryn , Chappell Lucy , Hewison Jenny
Published: September 2021

Background

Advances in research suggest the possibility of improving routine clinical care for preeclampsia using screening (predictive) and diagnostic tests. The views of women should be incorporated into the way in which such tests are used. Therefore, we explored the views of women with experience of preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDPs) about predictive and diagnostic tests, treatment risks, and expectant management.

Method

Eight hundred and seven women with experience of preeclampsia or other HDPs completed an online questionnaire. These women were participants in the Preeclampsia Registry (USA). The questionnaire contained 22 items to elicit women’s views about predictive tests (n = 8); diagnostic tests (n = 5); treatment risks (n = 7), and expectant management (n = 2). An optional text box allowed participants to add qualitative open-ended comments. Levels of agreement with the statements were reported descriptively for the sample as a whole, and a preliminary investigation of the role of lived experience in shaping women’s views was conducted by comparing subgroups within the sample based on time of HDP delivery (preterm/term). The qualitative data provided in the optional text box was analysed using inductive thematic analysis to examine participants’ responses.

Results

Women generally favored predictive and diagnostic testing, although not because they would opt for termination of pregnancy. Participants generally disagreed that taking daily low-dose aspirin (LDA) would make them nervous, with disagreement significantly higher in the preterm delivery subgroup. A high proportion of participants, especially in the preterm delivery subgroup, would take LDA throughout pregnancy. The majority of participants would be more worried about the possibility of preeclampsia than about the risks of treatments to their health (60%), and that proportion was significantly higher in the preterm delivery subgroup. There were no differences between subgroups in the views expressed about expectant management, although opinion was divided in both groups. Overall, most participants opted to put the baby’s interests first.

Conclusion

Women with experience of hypertensive disorders were enthusiastic about improved predictive and diagnostic tests. However, varied views about treatment options and expectant management suggest the need for a shared decision-making tool to enable healthcare professionals to support pregnant women’s decision-making to maximize the utility of these tests and interventions.
Manifestation of Susac syndrome during interferon beta-1a and glatiramer acetate treatment for misdiagnosed multiple sclerosis: a case report
Authors: Roskal-Wałek Joanna , Biskup Michał , Dolecka-Ślusarczyk Magdalena , Rosołowska Anita , Jaroszyński Andrzej , Odrobina Dominik
Published: September 2021

Background

Susac syndrome (SS) is characterized by the triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusion, and sensorineural hearing loss. However, the diagnosis of SS remains difficult because the clinical triad rarely occurs at disease onset, and symptom severity varies. SS symptoms often suggest other diseases, in particular multiple sclerosis (MS), which is more common. Misdiagnosing SS as MS may cause serious complications because MS drugs, such as interferon beta-1a, can worsen the course of SS. This case report confirms previous reports that the use of interferon beta-1a in the course of misdiagnosed MS may lead to exacerbation of SS. Moreover, our case report shows that glatiramer acetate may also exacerbate the course of SS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of exacerbation of SS by glatiramer acetate.

Case presentation

We present a case report of a patient with a primary diagnosis of MS who developed symptoms of SS during interferon beta-1a treatment for MS; these symptoms were resolved after the discontinuation of the treatment. Upon initiation of glatiramer acetate treatment, the patient developed the full clinical triad of SS. The diagnosis of MS was excluded, and glatiramer acetate therapy was discontinued. The patient’s neurological state improved only after the use of a combination of corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, and azathioprine.

Conclusions

The coincidence of SS signs and symptoms with treatment for MS, first with interferon beta-1a and then with glatiramer acetate, suggests that these drugs may influence the course of SS. This case report indicates that treatment with glatiramer acetate may modulate or even exacerbate the course of SS.
Climate and health concerns of Montana’s public and environmental health professionals: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Byron Lori , Akerlof Karen L.
Published: September 2021

Background

Rural health professionals stand at the forefront of community response to climate change, but few studies have assessed their perceptions of the threat. Further, no previous study has compared the opinions of environmental to public health professionals or extensively analyzed the factors related to these experts’ climate beliefs, risk perceptions, and issue prioritization.

Methods

In conjunction with the Montana Climate Assessment’s 2021 Special Report on Climate Change and Human Health, the 479 members of the Montana Public Health Association and Montana Environmental Health Association were surveyed during September–October 2019, with 39% completing the survey. We summarized descriptive data about their perceptions of local climate-related changes and their beliefs that global warming is happening, is mostly human-caused, is a risk to human health, and that their offices and others should take action. We also evaluated which sociodemographic and risk perception factors related to these climate beliefs, risk perceptions, and workplace issue prioritization.

Results

Health professionals in Montana, a politically conservative state, demonstrated high levels of awareness that global warming is happening, human-caused, and a threat to human health, well above reported rates of public concern. Eighty-eight percent said that global warming is occurring and 69% that it is mostly anthropogenic. Sixty-nine percent said that their own health was already affected by climate, and 86% said they were already seeing at least one climate change-related event in their communities. Seventy-two percent said that their departments should be preparing to deal with climate change’s health effects, but just 30% said that it is currently happening. We found no statistically significant differences between Montana environmental health and public health professionals in regression models predicting climate beliefs, risk perception, and prioritization. As in studies of the public, political ideology and the observation of local climate-related changes were the strongest factors.

Conclusions

Montana environmental and public health officials said that departmental action was needed on climate change, indicating the readiness of rural health professionals to take action. Further studies of health professionals in rural regions are warranted.