bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth effects of lysine in compounded diets for American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis
Authors: Reigh Robert C. , Williams Millie B.
Published: April 2022

Nutritional requirements of the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, are largely unknown despite the value of farm‐raised alligator as an aquaculture product. We conducted a 10‐month growth trial to determine effects of graded levels of dietary lysine on alligator growth as measured by increase in body length, body weight gain, and free lysine concentration in blood plasma. One‐hundred‐ninety‐two hatchling alligators were fed 50% crude protein, pelletized diets, composed primarily of practical feed ingredients, with 1.5, 2.25, 3.0, or 3.75% dietary lysine. Diets were fed for 326 days under temperature‐controlled, laboratory conditions. Body lengths and body weights were measured at 60‐day intervals, and blood samples were taken at the final weighing. Increases in body length, body weight gain, and free lysine level in blood plasma indicated that a concentration of at least 2.25% dietary lysine (as fed)—about 4.5% of protein—was adequate for growth of alligator under the conditions of this study. Results suggest that the lysine requirement of American alligator is similar to requirements reported for other aquaculture species, including some fishes, crustaceans, and amphibians.
On Mates's puzzle
Authors: Soria‐Ruiz Andrés
Published: April 2022

I defend a metalinguistic account of Mates's puzzle: sentences where synonymous expressions cannot be substitutedsalva veritate. If Andrea thinks that attorneys are different from lawyers, and she thinks that Fiona is the former but not the latter, we may hesitate to substitute ‘lawyer’ for ‘attorney’ in ‘Andrea believes that Fiona is an attorney’, even though ‘lawyer’ and ‘attorney’ are synonymous. I argue that these sentences reportde rebeliefs about linguistic expressions, thereby blocking such substitutions, and I offer a compositional derivation of their meaning.
Gastrointestinal symptoms and the severity of COVID‐19: Disorders of gut–brain interaction are an outcome
Authors: Ebrahim Nakhli Ramin , Shanker Aaron , Sarosiek Irene , Boschman Jeffrey , Espino Karina , Sigaroodi Solmaz , Al Bayati Ihsan , Elhanafi Sherif , Sadeghi Amin , Sarosiek Jerzy , Zuckerman Marc J. , Rezaie Ali , McCallum Richard W. , Schmulson Max J. , Bashashati Ali , Bashashati Mohammad
Published: April 2022

Background

Many of the studies on COVID‐19 severity and its associated symptoms focus on hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between acute GI symptoms and COVID‐19 severity in a clustering‐based approach and to determine the risks and epidemiological features of post‐COVID‐19 Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction (DGBI) by including both hospitalized and ambulatory patients.

Methods

The study utilized a two‐phase Internet‐based survey on: (1) COVID‐19 patients’ demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, complications, and hospitalizations and (2) post‐COVID‐19 DGBI diagnosed according to Rome IV criteria in association with anxiety (GAD‐7) and depression (PHQ‐9). Statistical analyses included univariate and multivariate tests.

Results

Five distinct clusters of symptomatic subjects were identified based on the presence of GI symptoms, loss of smell, and chest pain, among 1114 participants who tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2. GI symptoms were found to be independent risk factors for severe COVID‐19; however, they did not always coincide with other severity‐related factors such as age >65 years, diabetes mellitus, and Vitamin D deficiency. Of the 164 subjects with a positive test who participated in Phase‐2, 108 (66%) fulfilled the criteria for at least one DGBI. The majority (n = 81; 75%) were new‐onset DGBI post‐COVID‐19. Overall, 86% of subjects with one or more post‐COVID‐19 DGBI had at least one GI symptom during the acute phase of COVID‐19, while 14% did not. Depression (65%), but not anxiety (48%), was significantly more common in those with post‐COVID‐19 DGBI.

Conclusion

GI symptoms are associated with a severe COVID‐19 among survivors. Long‐haulers may develop post‐COVID‐19 DGBI. Psychiatric disorders are common in post‐COVID‐19 DGBI.
Out of the wild: the wild (and often weedy) roots of our crops
Authors: Särkinen Tiina , Gagnon Edeline , Knapp Sandra
Published: April 2022

This article is a Commentary on Muñoz‐Rodríguez et al. (2022), 234: 1185–1194.
Internal carotid artery calcifications in a South African population: A CBCT imaging study
Authors: Uys André , Mavuso Diana
Published: April 2022

Background

Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally and account for 25,000 deaths annually in South Africa. Both medial and intimal located intracranial internal carotid artery (iICA) calcifications are associated with stroke. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is commonly used where advanced dental imaging of the skull is required and often includes areas outside of the field of interest. Modalities such as CBCT have great potential to identify and provide early detection of calcifications during imaging for dental purposes. The aim of the study was to investigate the presence, distribution and extent of iICA calcifications in a South African population using CBCT images. Retrospectively collected CBCT data sets of 582 patients were evaluated. All data sets were evaluated for the presence, location and severity of calcifications within the course of the internal carotid artery.

Results

Age was associated with a higher prevalence of internal carotid artery (ICA) calcifications, but sex was not. Individuals older than 61 years presented with a high number of calcifications. In total, the presence of calcifications was found in 199 patients (i.e. 34.19% of the patients). White South African individuals showed the highest prevalence. A higher degree of calcifications was also present within the C4, C5 and C6 ICA segments.

Conclusions

Detection of calcifications along the course of the ICA was possible using CBCT images taken for dental treatment purposes. Early detection of calcifications allows for appropriated referral and assessment which will be beneficial to the patient presenting with ICA calcifications.
Disposition activation during organizational change: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Gonzalez Katerina , Portocarrero Florencio F. , Ekema Michael L.
Published: April 2022

How do dispositions affect an individual's attitudes and behaviors during organizational change? In this systematic and meta‐analytic investigation, using data from 154 articles (168 independent samples), we classify a broad set of dispositions into a previously validated two‐factor dispositional model. This model distinguishes between two dispositional factors that shed light on individuals’ adaptation to change: positive self‐concept and risk tolerance. Drawing from trait activation theory (TAT), we examine the magnitude of effects between each dispositional factor and various groups of outcomes: explicit change responses (e.g., resistance), well‐being (e.g., stress), work attitudes (e.g., job satisfaction), and work behaviors (e.g., job performance). We also evaluate the moderating effects of the change context (its stage, dimensions, and types), national context (cultural dimensions), and study design. To this end, we conducted multi‐level meta‐analyses using samples of employees who experienced organizational change. Our findings support the notion that during organizational change, positive self‐concept and risk tolerance are valid predictors across outcome categories and demonstrate that positive self‐concept is more strongly associated with several employees’ change responses and work attitudes than risk tolerance. These associations vary depending on the type of outcome, the stage of change, the national cultural dimension, and the study design, and to a lesser degree, the dimension and type of change. Finally, we offer theoretical and empirical research directions for organizational change and personality scholars.
Differential uptake of nitrogen forms by two herbs in the Gurbantunggut desert, Central Asia
Authors: Zhuang W. , Wang M. , Xiao Y. , Zhou X. , Wu N.
Published: April 2022

Understanding how plants adjust their requirements for different N forms can help elucidate plant coexistence strategies in N‐limited desert ecosystems. To understand the mechanisms involved, we investigated whether two desert herbs can directly absorb dissolved organic nitrogen (N) and tested whether the patterns changed over different growth stages.

Two dominant herbaceous species, Astragalus arpilobus and Arnebia decumbens, from the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut desert, China, were selected. Short‐term (24 h) 15N‐labelled tracer (15N‐NO3, 15N‐NH4, 2‐13C‐15N‐Glycine) treatments were conducted at two soil depths (0–5 cm and 5–15 cm) in the season of rapid growth (June) and in the peak biomass season (July). Enrichment in 13C and 15N was assessed in the two species receiving glycine.

The ratio 13C:15N was 0.21–1.39 at the 24‐h harvest, suggesting that approximately 10.5–69.5% of glycine had been absorbed. The amount of absorbed 15N was significantly affected by species, month, soil depth and N form. The two species absorbed most 15N from the 0–5 cm soil layer, and the absorption rate in July was higher than that in June. The absorption of 15N‐NO3 and 15N‐NH4 was significantly higher than that of 2‐13C‐15N‐Glycine.

The results indicate that these herbs could use amino acids in the N‐deficient desert ecosystem. The two co‐existing species used different forms of inorganic N for their requirements and maintained a specific preference throughout various growth stages.
A flexible method for parameterizing ranked nodes in Bayesian networks using Beta distributions
Authors: Mascaro Steven , Woodberry Owen
Published: April 2022

When novice modelers first attempt to build a Bayesian network, they are often impressed with the intuitive graphical structures that capture their causal understanding. This favorable impression evaporates on proceeding to parameterization. Conditional probability tables (CPT) require parameters for often hundreds of very similar scenarios and specifying them in the absence of data can be overwhelming. The problem is even more severe when eliciting parameters from experts with limited time. Often, there is local structure with fewer parameters that better describes the relationship. Such structures include the Noisy OR, decision trees, and equations. These work well for modelers, but can be an issue for experts and particularly groups of experts. An alternative approach is to elicit only a few CPT rows and interpolate the remainder. This is a promising approach, as it can handle unknown structures and multiple experts, but existing techniques can be limited. Here, we present a flexible approach called InterBeta for performing CPT interpolation with ordered nodes. In the simplest case, just two CPT rows are needed, but this can be easily augmented with further information. The basic approach assumes input independence, but allows dependencies to be reintroduced as required, and can also be combined with other local structures such as decision trees or equations, leaving the interpolator to fill in the gaps. We explain the InterBeta method, describe its capabilities and limitations and how it compares to similar approaches and show how it can trade‐off elicitation effort against faithfully representing expert understanding.
Residents’ information seeking behavior and protective action for earthquake hazards in The Portland Oregon Metropolitan Area
Authors: C. MacPherson‐Krutsky Carson , Lindell Michael K. , D. Brand Brittany
Published: April 2022

Though significant research exists on earthquake hazard adjustment adoption more generally, research focused on how information seeking influences planned or actual preparedness behavior is rare, limiting our understanding of how information seeking translates into preparedness. To address this gap, our study tests a proposed model of household seismic hazard adjustment using questionnaire responses of roughly 400 households living in the Portland, OR metropolitan region. The proposed model includes components of the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) with specific emphasis on past information seeking behavior, preparedness behavior, intentions to seek information, and intentions to take protective action. Other components include risk perception, earthquake experience, affective response, seismic risk zone residency, and demographics. Consistent with previous research, this study finds information seeking behavior to be the strongest influence on preparedness with other important influences being risk perception, affective response, and intentions to prepare. We find weak ties between risk zone residency and earthquake risk perception, though this may be because our sample has little experience with earthquakes and the majority live in the same earthquake risk zones. Importantly, longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether information seeking and intentions to prepare eventually result in household protective action.
Hemodiafiltration in the pediatric population
Authors: de Zan Francesca , Schmitt Claus Peter , Shroff Rukshana
Published: April 2022

Hemodiafiltration (HDF) is increasingly adopted as a safe and effective treatment compared to conventional hemodialysis (HD) in children. We describe the outcomes of prospective observational studies in children on HDF versus HD showing that HDF was associated with an attenuation of the cardiovascular risk profile, improved blood pressure control, reduced inflammation, improved bone health and growth, and most importantly, an improved health‐related quality of life.
Identification of the novel HLA‐B*46:83 allele by sequencing‐based typing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Wang Fang , Wang Wei , Dong Lina , He Ji , Zhu Faming
Published: April 2022

HLA‐B*46:83 differs from HLA‐B*46:03 by one single nucleotide substitution at position 539G>T.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐A*31:11:02 allele by next generation sequencing
Authors: Azzarone Raffaella , Scimitarra Maria , Fracassi Daniela , Scacchi Simona , Papola Franco
Published: April 2022

HLA‐A*31:11:02 differs from A*31:01:02 by one nucleotide substitution at position 565 in exon 3.
Evaluation of the superior and inferior labial musculomucosal flaps in cats: An angiographic study and case series
Authors: Canever Laura E. , Degner Daniel A.
Published: April 2022

Objective

To evaluate the angiosomes of the superior and inferior labial arteries in the cat and describe the use of a musculomucosal axial pattern flap incorporating each artery for reconstruction of palatal defects in cats.

Study design

Cadaveric study and a series of two clinical cases.

Sample population

Five feline cadavers and two client‐owned cats.

Methods

The common carotid arteries of five feline cadavers were injected with barium sulfate. Radiographs of excised tissue specimens were examined to map the location of the superior and inferior labial arteries and to visualize each angiosome available for an axial pattern flap. Labial musculomucosal flaps were utilized to reconstruct palatal defects in two live cats.

Results

The superior and inferior labia were predominantly perfused by the superior and inferior labial arteries, respectively, and the angiosome of each artery encompassed the majority of its respective labium. Comparative positive contrast angiograms revealed the vascular supply was located within the musculomucosal layer. Reconstruction of recurrent palatal defects utilizing musculomucosal flaps based on these angiosomes in two clinical cases was successful with complete survival of the flaps.

Conclusion

The upper and lower lips were found to have robust vascular supplies within the musculomucosal layer which can support musculomucosal axial pattern flaps.

Clinical significance

This information provides the veterinary surgeon with additional surgical options for reconstruction of central and caudal palatal defects in the cat.
Pullulan‐Collagen hydrogel wound dressing promotes dermal remodelling and wound healing compared to commercially available collagen dressings
Authors: Chen Kellen , Sivaraj Dharshan , Davitt Michael F. , Leeolou Melissa C. , Henn Dominic , Steele Sydney R. , Huskins Savana L. , Trotsyuk Artem A. , Kussie Hudson C. , Greco Autumn H. , Padmanabhan Jagannath , Perrault David P. , Zamaleeva Alsu I. , Longaker Michael T. , Gurtner Geoffrey C.
Published: April 2022

Biological scaffolds such as hydrogels provide an ideal, physio‐mimetic of native extracellular matrix (ECM) that can improve wound healing outcomes after cutaneous injury. While most studies have focused on the benefits of hydrogels in accelerating wound healing, there are minimal data directly comparing different hydrogel material compositions. In this study, we utilized a splinted excisional wound model that recapitulates human‐like wound healing in mice and treated wounds with three different collagen hydrogel dressings. We assessed the feasibility of applying each dressing and performed histologic and histopathologic analysis on the explanted scar tissues to assess variations in collagen architecture and alignment, as well as the tissue response. Our data indicate that the material properties of hydrogel dressings can significantly influence healing time, cellular response, and resulting architecture of healed scars. Specifically, our pullulan‐collagen hydrogel dressing accelerated wound closure and promoted healed tissue with less dense, more randomly aligned, and shorter collagen fibres. Further understanding of how hydrogel properties affect the healing and resulting scar architecture of wounds may lead to novel insights and further optimization of the material properties of wound dressings.
THE WHOLENESS OF HUMANITY: COLERIDGE, COGNITION, AND HOLISTIC PERCEPTION
Authors: Wallace Rebekah
Published: April 2022

Holistic perception is an antidote to the subject–object divide, a divide that leads to a mechanistic understanding of the world and can see human beings only in terms of parts, without a robust articulation of wholeness. In this piece, I argue that philosopher of science Henri Bortoft offers an empirically grounded theory, based on consciousness studies, which recasts the problem of the many and the one, offering insight into just such a holistic perception. I further argue that Samuel Taylor Coleridge's philosophy of unity and multiplicity agrees in many respects with that of Bortoft. However, Coleridge draws further implications of his philosophy for Trinitarian theology. I will argue, in line with Bortoft and Coleridge, that perception is a hinge point in this discussion, allowing the move between the discussion of wholeness, subjectivity, and identity. I conclude that a holistic perceptual shift reconstitutes the human person in a way that is theologically significant, especially with respect to Christian Trinitarian doctrine.
Consensus on β-Lactamase Nomenclature
Authors: Bradford Patricia A. , Bonomo Robert A. , Bush Karen , Carattoli Alessandra , Feldgarden Michael , Haft Daniel H. , Ishii Yoshikazu , Jacoby George A. , Klimke William , Palzkill Timothy , Poirel Laurent , Rossolini Gian Maria , Tamma Pranita D. , Arias Cesar A.
Published: April 2022

Assigning names to β-lactamase variants has been inconsistent and has led to confusion in the published literature. The common availability of whole genome sequencing has resulted in an exponential growth in the number of new β-lactamase genes.
The Consistent Tick-Vertebrate Infectious Cycle of the Lyme Disease Spirochete Enables Borrelia burgdorferi To Control Protein Expression by Monitoring Its Physiological Status
Authors: Stevenson Brian , Krusenstjerna Andrew C. , Castro-Padovani Tatiana N. , Savage Christina R. , Jutras Brandon L. , Saylor Timothy C.
Published: April 2022

The Lyme disease spirochete,
Borrelia burgdorferi
, persists in nature by alternatingly cycling between ticks and vertebrates. During each stage of the infectious cycle,
B. burgdorferi
produces surface proteins that are necessary for interactions with the tick or vertebrate tissues it encounters while also repressing the synthesis of unnecessary proteins.
Education Racial and Gender Disparities in COVID-19 Worry, Stress, and Food Insecurities across Undergraduate Biology Students at a Southeastern University
Authors: Correia Kelly M. , Bierma Shannon R. , Houston Sophia D. , Nelson Madison T. , Pannu Khushwant S. , Tirman Chase M. , Cannon Randi L. , Clance Lauren R. , Canterbury Dawn N. , Google Angela N. , Morrison Blair H. , Henning Jeremiah A.
Published: April 2022

The global spread of the novel coronavirus first reported in December 2019 led to drastic changes in the social and economic dynamics of everyday life. Nationwide, racial, gender, and geographic disparities in symptom severity, mortality, and access to health care evolved, which impacted stress and anxiety surrounding COVID-19.
Escherichia marmotae—a Human Pathogen Easily Misidentified as Escherichia coli
Authors: Sivertsen Audun , Dyrhovden Ruben , Tellevik Marit Gjerde , Bruvold Torbjørn Sæle , Nybakken Eirik , Skutlaberg Dag Harald , Skarstein Ingerid , Kommedal Øyvind
Published: April 2022

Escherichia coli
is the most common pathogen found in blood cultures and urine and among the most important pathogenic species in the realm of human health. The notion that some of these isolates are not
Es. coli
but rather another species within the same genus may have implications for what
Es. coli
constitutes.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: an unusual cause of stroke
Authors: Huckenpahler Alison Lee , Iqbal Harris , Gallan Alexander , Jha Pinky
Published: April 2022

Stroke has become increasingly common with the rise in hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and other metabolic disorders. In this case, a 69-year-old man with several weeks of non-specific symptoms and no history of metabolic disorders presents with unilateral weakness and supraventricular tachycardia. Kidney biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. He responded well to rituximab infusions.
Femur fracture in a paediatric patient with hereditary hyaline fibromatosis syndrome
Authors: Morley Hannah Louise , Shaw David L , Hannant Gary
Published: April 2022

An 18-month-old girl with hereditary hyaline fibromatosis syndrome (HHFS) and fixed flexion contractures presented with an oblique femur fracture, following a fall out of her mother’s arms. The fracture was abutting intramedullary hyaline lesions. Due to her condition, balanced traction was impossible to apply. The authors report effective treatment of her injury using a non-operative approach in an early hip spica, over a 4-week period. There was no evidence of delayed osseous healing. Early spica application could be used as a definitive management option in children with femur fractures and fixed flexion contractures in future. This case emphasises the need for preventative measures to support bone health in patients with HHFS.
Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness measured with SD-OCT in a population-based study: the Handan Eye Study
Authors: Wu Jian , Du Yifan , Lin Caixia , Zhu Yingting , Chen Wei , Pan Qing , Zhuo Yehong , Wang Ningli
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To examine the normative profile of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and ocular parameters based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and its associations with related parameters among the Chinese population.

Methods

This population-based cohort Handan Eye Study (HES) recruited participants aged≥30 years. All subjects underwent a standardised ophthalmic examination. Peripapillary RNFL thickness was obtained using SD-OCT. Mixed linear models were adopted to evaluate the correlation of RNFL thickness with ocular parameters as well as systemic factors. R V.3.6.1 software was used for statistical analysis.

Results

3509 subjects (7024 eyes) with the average age of 55.54±10.37 were collected in this analysis. Overall mean RNFL thickness measured was 113.46±10.90 µm, and the thickest quadrant of parapapillary RNFL was the inferior quadrant, followed by the superior quadrant, the nasal quadrant and the temporal quadrant. In the multivariate linear regression model, thinner RNFL thickness was remarkable association with male (p<0.001), older age (p<0.001), increased body mass index (>30, p=0.018), absence of diabetes (p=0.009), history of cataract surgery (p=0.001), higher intraocular pressure (p=0.007), lower spherical equivalent (p<0.001) and increased axial length (p=0.048).

Conclusions

In non-glaucoma individuals, this difference of RNFL thickness in Chinese population should be noted in making disease diagnoses. Meanwhile, multiple ocular and systemic factors are closely related to the thickness of RNFL. Our findings further emphasise the need to demonstrate ethnic differences in RNFL thickness and the specificity of associated ocular and systemic factors, as well as to develop better normative databases worldwide.

Trial registration number

HES was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry website, and the registry number was ChiCTR-EOC-17013214.
Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on psychological health and nutritional habits in Italy: results from the #PRESTOinsieme study
Authors: Lorenzoni Giulia , Azzolina Danila , Maresio Elisabetta , Gallipoli Silvia , Ghidina Marco , Baldas Solidea , Berchialla Paola , Giron Maria Cecilia , Silano Marco , Gregori Dario
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The present work aims to present the results of the ‘PRESTOinsieme’ (which is ‘we will be together soon’ in English). The web-based survey (www.prestoinsieme.com) describes changes in lifestyle habits and symptoms of psychological discomfort in the Italian population during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Design

Cross-sectional online survey disseminated by messaging apps (ie, WhatsApp and Telegram) and social networks (ie, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn).

Setting

Italy.

Participants

Italian population older than 16 years of age.

Exposure

COVID-19 lockdown.

Main outcomes and measures

Survey respondents filled out a set of validated questionnaires aimed at assessing lifestyle habits and psychological health, that is, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to screen for psychological distress, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to screen for post-traumatic stress and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

Results

Survey respondents totalled 5008. Moderate or severe psychological distress was reported in 25.5% and 22% of survey respondents, respectively. Lower age, female gender, being unemployed (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.02) or being a student (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.28) were predictors of more severe depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

The present study is one of the largest population-based surveys conducted in Italy during the first COVID-19 lockdown, providing valuable data about the Italian population’s psychological health. Further studies should be conducted to understand whether psychological distress persists after the end of the lockdown.
Qualitative study informing the development and content validity of the HAND-Q: a modular patient-reported outcome measure for hand conditions
Authors: Sierakowski Kyra , Kaur Manraj N , Sanchez Kathleen , Bain Gregory , Cano Stefan J , Griffin Philip , Klassen Anne , Pusic Andrea L , Lalonde Don , Dean Nicola R
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to identify and understand the issues that are relevant to patients with hand conditions. The data were used to develop a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for adults with hand conditions (HAND-Q) and refine it with input from patients and clinician experts.

Design

Semistructured qualitative interviews were used to understand what matters to patients. Cognitive debriefing was used to refine preliminary HAND-Q scales.

Setting

Hand clinics in tertiary healthcare centres in Canada, Australia and USA.

Participants

Eligible participants were English-speaking adults who had experienced hand surgery in the preceding 12 months and were at least 4 weeks post-hand surgery A total of 62 in-depth interviews (females, n=34; mean age=65 years) were conducted to develop an item pool and draft the HAND-Q scales. The preliminary scales were refined through cognitive debriefing interviews with 20 participants and feedback from 25 clinician experts. All interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using a line-by-line approach.

Results

Qualitative data were organised into two top-level domains of health-related quality of life and satisfaction with treatment outcomes. The scales were refined iteratively, and the field-test version included 319 unique items and 20 independently functioning scales.

Conclusions

The HAND-Q is a comprehensive PROM developed using extensive patient and clinician expert input, following established guidelines for PROM development and validation. In the next phase, the psychometric properties of the HAND-Q will be established in an international field test, following which the HAND-Q will be available for use in clinical research and practice .
Understanding surgical disease and care for Māori in Aotearoa: protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Rahiri Jamie-Lee , Tuhoe Jason , Harwood Matire , Koea Jonathan
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Māori continue to experience inequitable healthcare and health outcomes compared with other New Zealanders. A narrative review conducted in 2016 described disparities in access to and through the surgical care pathway for Māori from a limited pool of small retrospective cohort studies. This review only targeted studies that specifically investigated surgical care for Māori; however, many other studies have performed subanalyses for Māori as part of bigger ethnographic epidemiological studies and Indigenous health has become more topical in Australasia since this review was conducted. Health disparities and inequities in surgical care for Māori are still not well understood. This scoping review aims to report the nature and extent of disparities in surgical disease and care for Māori.

Methods and analysis

A scoping review will be performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist. This study will be informed by Kaupapa Māori research methodology. Electronic searches of PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus will be performed between 19 February and 19 March 2022. Two authors will independently identify and retrieve relevant texts in an iterative manner and examine how responsive each of the included studies are to Māori using the recently described Māori framework—a framework designed to guide researcher responsiveness to Māori.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has not been sought as our review will only include published and publicly accessible data. We will publish the review in an open access peer-reviewed surgical journal. This protocol has been registered in Open Science Framework (10.17605/OSF.IO/NP4H3).
Understanding national trends in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Canada: results from five sequential cross-sectional representative surveys spanning April 2020–March 2021
Authors: Lavoie Kim , Gosselin-Boucher Vincent , Stojanovic Jovana , Gupta Samir , Gagné Myriam , Joyal-Desmarais Keven , Séguin Katherine , Gorin Sherri Sheinfeld , Ribeiro Paula , Voisard Brigitte , Vallis Michael , Corace Kimberly , Presseau Justin , Bacon Simon
Published: April 2022

Objective

To examine rates of vaccine hesitancy and their correlates among Canadian adults between April 2020 and March 2021.

Design

Five sequential cross-sectional age, sex and province-weighted population-based samples who completed online surveys.

Setting

Canada.

Participants

A total of 15 019 Canadians aged 18 years and over were recruited through a recognised polling firm (Leger Opinion). Respondents were 51.5% female with a mean age of 48.1 (SD 17.2) years (range 18–95 years) and predominantly white (80.8%).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Rates of vaccine hesitancy over the five surveys (time points) and their sociodemographic, clinical and psychological correlates.

Results

A total of 42.2% of respondents reported some degree of vaccine hesitancy, which was lowest during surveys 1 (April 2020) and 5 (March 2021) and highest during survey 3 (November 2020). Fully adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that women, those aged 50 and younger, non-white, those with high school education or less, and those with annual household incomes below the poverty line in Canada were significantly more likely to report vaccine hesitancy, as were essential and healthcare workers, parents of children under the age of 18 and those who do not get regular influenza vaccines. Endorsing prevention behaviours as important for reducing virus transmission and high COVID-19 health concerns were associated with 77% and 54% reduction in vaccine hesitancy, respectively. Having high personal financial concerns was associated with 1.33 times increased odds of vaccine hesitancy.

Conclusions

Results highlight the importance of targeting vaccine efforts to specific groups by emphasising the outsized health benefits compared with risks of vaccination. Future research should monitor changes in vaccine intentions and behaviour to better understand underlying factors.
Latent class growth analysis identified different trajectories in cognitive development of extremely low birthweight children
Authors: Haavisto Anu , Klenberg Liisa , Tommiska Viena , Lano Aulikki , Mikkola Kaija , Fellman Vineta
Published: April 2022

Background

Recent longitudinal studies suggest stable cognitive development in preterm children, although with great individual variation. This prospective neurocognitive follow-up study of extremely low birthweight (ELBW, <1000 g) children aimed to characterise groups with different developmental trajectories from preschool to preteen age.

Methods

ELBW children (n=115) born in Finland in 1996–1997 participated in cognitive assessments at a median age of 5.0 years and 11.3 years. A standardised test of intelligence (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence–Revised or Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–third edition) was administered at both ages.

Results

Three ELBW groups with different developmental trajectories over time were identified with latent class growth analysis. Children with average (Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ): 85–115) and below average (FSIQ: <85) intelligence at 5 years of age had significant decreases in intelligence scores by 11 years of age (–11.7 points and –14.9 points, respectively, both p<0.001), while those with above average intelligence (FSIQ: >115) showed stable development (–3.2 points, p=0.250). Multiple linear regression showed that neonatal complications (intraventricular haemorrhage grade 3–4 and blood culture positive sepsis) and maternal education significantly predicted lower intelligence at the second assessment (F(3,106)=7.27, p<0.001, adjusted R2=0.147).

Conclusions

ELBW children represent a heterogeneous patient population in which groups with different cognitive trajectories can be detected. Deterioration may occur particularly in children with initial average or below average cognitive performance at 5 years of age, with neonatal complications and lower maternal education presenting as risk factors. Catch-up in cognitive functions seems more uncommon in the ELBW population, which should be noted in clinical work.
High-flow nasal oxygen therapy
Authors: Mercadante Sebastiano , Adile Claudio , Ferrera Patrizia , Giuliana Fausto , Grassi Yasmine
Published: April 2022

Objective

To report data of the use of high-flow nasal therapy (HFNT) in the palliative care setting.

Methods

Five hypoxaemic patients were treated by HFNT in a 1-year period in a palliative care setting, either in the last days of life or as part of an intensive treatment for a reversible cause of hypoxic dyspnoea.

Results

Four patients had a similar clinical pattern. After starting HFNT, dyspnoea intensity decreased and oxygen saturation improved, providing a clinical improvement for a duration of 2–3 days, but after 48–72 hours, their conditions deteriorated and patients underwent palliative sedation. Indeed, one patient with pulmonary embolism and pneumonia was treated by HFNT successfully and was discharged home 2 weeks after admission.

Conclusions

HFNT may be helpful for severely hypoxaemic patients who are unresponsive to common measures adopted in the last weeks/days of life of patients with advanced cancer or to treat reversible conditions. The findings of this case series showed the ethical and psychological aspects of end of life, particularly for caregivers. Future studies should assess an early use of this device in combination with lower doses of opioids or as an alternative to their use.
Adult patients with congenital heart disease in the intensive care unit
Authors: Ramlakhan Karishma Priyadarshani , van der Bie Maaike , den Uil Corstiaan A , Dubois Eric A , Roos-Hesselink Jolien W
Published: April 2022

Objective

Current data on intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) are limited and focus on admissions after elective cardiac surgery. This study describes non-elective ICU admissions in patients with ACHD.

Methods

A retrospective matched cohort study was performed from January 2000 until December 2015 in a tertiary care centre ICU (there was no cardiac care unit). Primary outcomes were short-term (during hospital stay or <30 days after discharge) and long-term (>30 days after discharge until end of follow-up) mortality. Outcomes were compared with non-ACHD non-elective ICU admissions, matched 1:1 on age, sex and admission diagnosis.

Results

A total of 138 admissions in 104 patients with ACHD (65.9% male, median age 30 years) were included, during 8.6 years of follow-up. The majority had a moderate-to-severe heart defect. Arrhythmia was the most common admission diagnosis (44.2%), followed by haemorrhage (10.9%), heart failure (8.7%) and pulmonary disease (8.7%). Short-term mortality and total mortality were lower in the ACHD admissions than in the non-ACHD admissions (4.8% vs 16.3%, p=0.005 and 17.3% vs 28.9%, p=0.030), whereas long-term (12.5% vs 12.6%, p=0.700) did not differ. Severe CHD (HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 8.6) at baseline, and mechanical circulatory support device use (8.3, 1.4 to 47.4) and emergency intervention (0.2, 0.1 to 0.7) during the ICU stay were independently associated with mortality in the ACHD group.

Conclusions

Non-elective ICU admissions in patients with ACHD are most often for arrhythmia and in patients with moderate-to-severe CHD. Reassuringly, short-term and total mortality are lower compared with patients without ACHD, however, long-term mortality is higher than expected for patients with ACHD.
Occupational inhalational accidents: analysis of cases from the UK SWORD reporting scheme from 1999 to 2018
Authors: Fishwick David , Carder Melanie , Iskandar Ireny , Fishwick Beth Charlotte , van Tongeren Martie
Published: April 2022

Objective

To estimate the reported UK incidence of occupational inhalation accidents, and to consider changes of incidence and potential causes over time.

Methods

Cases of occupational inhalation accident reported to Surveillance of Work Related Occupational Respiratory Diseases (SWORD) over 20 years were grouped into four 5-year time periods. Cases were characterised by causative exposure, occupation and industrial sector. Incidence rates were calculated using Office of National Statistics employment data.

Results

The 172 actual cases reported to SWORD equated to an estimated 502 cases after adjusting for reporting frequency. Their mean age was 41.3 years (SD 12.3); 77% were male. The annual incidence fell from 1.7 per million employed in the first 5-year period, to 0.5 in the most recent. The most common occupations, responsible for 35% of all cases, were in descending order (number, % of total cases): Labourers in process and plant operations (8, 4.7), welding trades (8, 4.7), fire service officers (8, 4.7), heavy goods vehicle drivers (7, 4.1), metal working production and maintenance fitters (7, 4.1), civil service administrative officers and assistants (7, 4.1), food, drink and tobacco process operatives (6, 3.5), and three summated categories of elementary and service occupations including cleaners and domestics (10, 5.8).

Three of 40 exposure categories were common to all time periods; acids (19.6% of all cases 1999–2004, 2.3% 2005–2009, 6.3% 2010–2013, 6.3% 2014–2018), chlorine/hypochlorites (7.2%, 7.0%, 2.5%, 6.3%, respectively) and solvents (14.4%, 11.6%, 12.5%, 6.3%, respectively).

Conclusions

The incidence of inhalation accidents appears to have fallen, although certain exposures appear to be persistently linked to cases.
Non-empirical management of asymptomatic chlamydia and gonorrhoea reduces unnecessary antibiotic use fivefold: a before and after study
Authors: Rasul Rafeeqah , McIver Ruthy , Patel Prital , Foster Rosalind , McNulty Anna
Published: April 2022

Objectives

In 2019, informed by favourable patient and provider acceptability surveys and concerns about antimicrobial resistance, Sydney Sexual Health Centre stopped routinely providing empirical antibiotic treatment to asymptomatic contacts ofChlamydia trachomatis(chlamydia) andNeisseria gonorrhoea(gonorrhoea). We aimed to assess if this policy change had any negative impact on patient outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective file review of people who presented as asymptomatic contacts of chlamydia and gonorrhoea cases before and after the policy change was conducted. Data on infection type, test results and treatment were extracted. For contacts who tested positive and were treated non-empirically, additional data were reviewed including sexual activity and symptom or complication development between testing and treatment, time from testing to notification and treatment and loss to follow-up.

Results

Of 1194 asymptomatic sexual contacts of chlamydia or gonorrhoea, most tested negative to both infections (814, 68%). All contacts with a positive result who were not treated empirically were notified of their result and 173 (99%) were treated within a mean time of 5 days. More contacts were overtreated in 2018 (n=355, 58%) under the empirical treatment model compared with 2019 (n=58, 11%, p≤0.001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of contacts who tested positive and were treated (p=0.111) or developed symptoms (p=0.413) before and after the policy change and no contacts who were treated non-empirically developed complications of pelvic inflammatory disease, epididymitis or proctitis between testing and treatment.

Conclusion

In this population, a switch from empirically treating all asymptomatic contacts to treating only those who tested positive significantly reduced antibiotic overuse with minimal adverse outcomes. Our findings support results-directed treatment for asymptomatic sexual contacts of chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Numbers or mass? Comparison of two theoretically different stage-based stock assessment models and their ability to model simulated and real-life stocks
Authors: Batts Luke , Minto Cóilín , Gerritsen Hans , Brophy Deirdre
Published: April 2022

Stage-based assessment models are a type of fisheries stock assessment model that offer an alternative middle ground between aggregate and compositional models. We compare the capabilities of two theoretically different stage-based assessment approaches: an implementation of a biomass-based delay-difference model first described in a theoretical paper by Schnute in 1987, and an implementation of the well-known numbers-based two-stage model Catch-Survey Analysis (CSA). Models were tested within a simulation framework as well as on the real stock of white-bellied anglerfish ( Lophius piscatorius) in the Celtic Seas and Northern Bay of Biscay. For the simulated stocks, estimates from the biomass-based two-stage models were close to the true values in certain scenarios, but were sensitive to selectivity assumptions and configuration of growth within the model. CSA was more robust to selectivity assumptions, performing well in all simulated stock scenarios. Overall, results indicated that CSA was a robust stock assessment model but with relatively low precision, whereas the Schnute model was precise but required growth and mean fish weight data unaffected by selectivity.
Interactions of the doubly charmed state $$T_{cc} ^+$$ with a hadronic medium
Authors: Abreu L. M. , Navarra F. S. , Nielsen M. , Vieira H. P. L.
Published: April 2022

We calculate the cross sections of the processes$$T_{cc}^+ \pi , T_{cc}^+ \rho \rightarrow D^{(*)} D^{(*)} $$Tcc+π,Tcc+ρ→D(∗)D(∗)and of the corresponding inverse reactions. We use effective Lagrangians to account for the couplings between light and heavy mesons, and give special attention to the form factors in the vertices. Using QCD sum rules we calculate here for the first time the$$ T_{cc}^+ - D - D^*$$Tcc+-D-D∗form factor. The$$T_{cc}^+$$Tcc+absorption cross sections are found to be larger than the production ones. We compare our results with the only other existing estimate of these quantities, presented in a work by J. Hong, S. Cho, T. Song and S. H. Lee, in which the authors employed the quasi-free approximation. We find cross sections which are one order of magnitude smaller.
Stability analysis of circular orbits around a traversable wormhole with massless conformally coupled scalar field
Authors: Giri Shobhit , Nandan Hemwati , Joshi Lokesh Kumar , Maharaj Sunil D.
Published: April 2022

We study the stability of circular orbits in the background of a traversable wormhole (TWH) spacetime obtained as a solution of Einstein’s field equations coupled conformally to a massless scalar field. The Lyapunov stability approach is employed to determine the stability of circular orbits (timelike and null) of non-spinning test particles around a TWH spacetime. In the case of timelike geodesics, the particle is confined to move in four different types of effective potentials depending on various values of the angular momentum $$\tilde{L}$$

L
~

with both centrifugal and gravitational part. The effective potential for null geodesics consists of only a centrifugal part. Further, we characterize each fixed point according to its Lyapunov stability, and thus classify the circular orbits at the fixed point into stable center and unstable saddle points by depicting the corresponding phase-portraits.
OPTICAL SOLITON WAVE SOLUTIONS OF THE FRACTIONAL COMPLEX PARAXIAL WAVE DYNAMICAL MODEL ALONG WITH KERR MEDIA
Authors: KHATER MOSTAFA M. A. , ALABDALI ALIAA MAHFOOZ , MASHAT ARWA , SALAMA SAMIR A.
Published: April 2022

This paper studies the optical soliton wave solutions of the fractional complex paraxial wave dynamical (FPWD) model with Kerr media. This model investigates the frequency of the beam obeying that reveals non-dispersive and non-diffractive Spatio-temporal localized wave envelopes promulgating in optical Kerr media. This model is equivalently the well-known nonlinear Schrödinger equation. These two models concentrate on the nonlinear visual medium to increase its strength and increase the nonlinear optical operation’s efficiency. Three recent computational schemes are employed to investigate the considered model’s abundant wave solutions; these solutions are then used to evaluate the initial and boundary conditions. The solutions’ accuracy is investigated by calculating the absolute error between solutions exact and approximate solutions. Additionally, the solution’s stability is checked by employing Hamiltonian system properties. The results’ physical interpretation is explained through some different sketches in 2D, 3D, and density plots.