bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New class of magenta dyestuffs based on azomethine pyrazolone disperse dyes: Synthesis, characterization, and dyeing performance on polyester fabrics with ultraviolet protection and pH-dependent properties
Authors: Ibrahim Seham A , Rizk Hala F
Published: June 2021

Eight azomethine pyrazolone magenta dyes with iminodiethanol groups have been synthesized from 1,3-disubstituted- 1H-pyrazol-5( 4H)-ones in good yield. The newly synthesized dyes were characterized using spectroscopic data and elemental analyses techniques. All dyes have been successfully applied to polyester fabrics as disperse dyes where their dyeing performances have been discussed and evaluated in detail. The shades of these dyes ranged from red violet, purple and dark purple colors with good depth, brightness and good leveling properties. Multifunctional properties such as color representation, colorimetric data (L*, a*, b*, C*, h*, K/S), fastness properties of the dyed samples with respect to washing, perspiration, rubbing and light fastness have been discussed and evaluated in detail. The degree of exhaustion and fixation was also achieved after establishing the optimal dyeing conditions at 130°C, high pressure, 2% shade, and pH ≈5. As well, the influence of the dye bath pH on the K/S percentage and color intensity was estimated and discussed. Furthermore, the dyed fabrics were tested for ultraviolet protection factor and the results showed that these dyes gave excellent ultraviolet protection.
Do Spitzenkandidaten debates matter? Effects on voters’ cognitions and evaluations of candidates and issues
Authors: Palacios Irene , Arnold Christine
Published: June 2021

The Lisbon Treaty introduced key institutional changes to increase the relevance of elections to the European Parliament (EP). Among these was the ‘Spitzenkandidaten process’, which was introduced with the aim to increase the visibility of the EP elections and mobilise more citizens to turnout to vote. This article investigates the effect that the debates among the Lead Candidates had on voters’ perceptions about candidates and policy issues. To do this, we administered a two-wave panel online survey to a sample of students from different European universities prior to the Spitzenkandidaten debates and directly after them, following the logic of a quasi-experimental research design. Following a difference-in-differences approach, we gauge the extent to which those respondents who were exposed to the debates increased their degree of information about the candidates and changed their perceptions about the candidates and their policy positions. The findings reveal that respondents who followed the debate felt significantly more informed to make up their minds about the candidates as well as to make their vote decisions, and show that the debate slightly improved their perceptions of the policy positions of those candidates who they had intended to vote for.
Severe lupus induced by the tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor Anbainuo: a case report
Authors: Pan Xiaoli , Yuan Yuan , Huang Fei , Tian Mei
Published: June 2021

In rare cases, clinical inhibitors of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) can induce symptoms of lupus erythematosus (drug-induced lupus, DIL), but this adverse response usually resolves rapidly upon drug withdrawal. We report the case of a 25-year-old Asian woman with rheumatoid arthritis exhibiting severe prolonged DIL even after the termination of TNF-α inhibitor treatment. The patient had been treated intermittently using Traditional Chinese Medicine for 11 years, but this therapy failed to effectively control her clinical symptoms. Subsequently, methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine were prescribed, but a reduced white blood cell count was detected. Finally, the TNF-α inhibitor Anbainuo was prescribed. However, after 2 months of treatment, the patient exhibited elevated serum creatinine, anti-double-stranded DNA (+++), anti-nuclear antibody (1:1000), and urine protein (+++) accompanied by buccal erythema, hair loss, and hand shaking, consistent with Anbainuo-induced lupus, lupus nephritis, and lupus encephalopathy. Moreover, her serum creatinine level remained high after Anbainuo withdrawal and prolonged steroid and immunosuppressive therapy. Careful and sustained monitoring for adverse reactions to Anbainuo (and other TNF-α inhibitors) is recommended.
Surplus to the city: Austerity urbanism, displacement and ‘letting die’
Authors: Gillespie Tom , Hardy Kate , Watt Paul
Published: June 2021

Urban scholars have traditionally associated displacement in cities of the global North with gentrification, generally understood as a class-based process of neighbourhood change. This article expands this scalar focus and adopts the larger scale of the local authority district (in this case the London borough) as its epistemological starting point to study the displacement of homeless people by the local state. Participatory action research was undertaken with housing campaigners in the East London borough of Newham to explore who is being displaced, their experiences of displacement and the impacts of displacement on their lives. Empirically, the article argues that displacement in this case is a product of national welfare state restructuring – or ‘austerity urbanism’ – implemented through a localised regime of ‘welfare chauvinism’ in which some groups are framed as economically unproductive and therefore undeserving of access to social housing. Displacement has the effect of reinforcing the surplus status of these groups by separating them from employment, education and care networks and eroding their physical and mental health. The article draws on research on the biopolitics of surplus populations in the global South to develop an original theorisation of the relationship between welfare state restructuring and displacement. This theorisation reveals that displacement is the spatial expression of a biopolitical shift away from the logic of ‘making live’ associated with the post-war welfare state towards a logic of ‘letting die’ more traditionally associated with postcolonial contexts.
Putting the Neoliberal Transformation of Turkish Healthcare System and Its Problems into a Historical Perspective
Authors: Konuralp Emrah , Bicer Sermin
Published: June 2021

The principal objective of this article is to analyze how the Health Transformation Program (HTP), the latest reform to have overhauled the Turkish healthcare system, has been designed according to the project of global neoliberal capital accumulation. This reform is in line with the transformation of the Turkish economy, which has been ongoing since the 1980s. With this aim in mind, this research examines how neoliberalism affects both the provision of healthcare services and household healthcare expenditures in Turkey. The article concludes that, as well as the HTP transferring public funds to the private sector and promoting the rent-seeking characteristic of the Turkish bourgeoisie, the financial burden of healthcare services on primarily the middle and lower-income groups in Turkey has increased dramatically and led to a rise in out-of-pocket expenditures.

JEL Classification: H51, I14
Research on the performance of a novel electro-hydraulic proportional directional valve with position-feedback groove
Authors: Zhao Ruihao , Liao Yaoyao , Lian Zisheng , Li Runze , Guo Yongchang
Published: June 2021

Accurate posture control of hydraulic roof supports, which use pressurized water as their fluid power source, is an important part and research direction of intelligent fully mechanized mining face. At present, the large flow on/off directional valve used on the hydraulic roof support cannot meet the requirement of precise posture control of the roof support. To overcome the conundrum, a novel two-position three-way electro-hydraulic proportional directional flow valve for hydraulic roof support is proposed. The new valve contains two pilot stages and two main spools. The two pilot stages cooperate with each other to control the movement of the two main valve spools, which are the inlet valve spool and the outlet valve spool. The inlet valve spool adopts the Valvistor principle. The valve can realize manual pilot control and electro-hydraulic proportional flow control of the passage P-A, which has been verified by a simulation model. In this paper, the static and dynamic mathematical models of the new proportional valve are established, and the key parameters affecting the valve performances are analyzed and verified by the simulation model. An optimization control scheme is proposed to overcome the influence of supply pressure, P-A pressure difference, and nonlinear interference force on steady-state displacement and response speed of the valve. The results show that this optimization method can significantly improve the response speed of the spool and promote the linearity of spool displacement under a slope signal. In addition, the fluctuation of chamber pressure and spool displacement caused by the discontinuous flow of a fast switching valve is systematically analyzed. The analysis shows that increasing pulse-width modulation carrier frequency is an effective way to reduce fluctuation amplitude. The research provides a new design idea and control method for an electro-hydraulic proportional directional valve of hydraulic roof support.
Low Rate of Peri-implant Osteolysis in Trabecular Metal Total Ankle Replacement on Short- to Midterm Follow-up
Authors: Kormi Sami , Kohonen Ia , Koivu Helka , Tiusanen Hannu
Published: June 2021

Background:

Peri-implant osteolysis is one of the major complications related to total ankle replacement. The aim of this study was to investigate the short- to midterm incidence of peri-implant osteolysis using computed tomography (CT) as imaging method for the Trabecular Metal Total Ankle (TMTA) implant representing a novel total ankle replacement (TAR) implant design regarding material and surgical technique.

Methods:

In total, 104 consecutive patients who had a primary TMTA replacement between March 2013 and October 2017 were included in the study. The radiographic evaluation included weightbearing anteroposterior and lateral views at baseline and after 3, 6, and every 12 months postoperatively. A helical CT was undertaken preoperatively and of the 80 patients available to follow up at least 12 months postoperatively, with average time interval between the TAR operation and the latest CT of 39 (range, 12-85) months.

Results:

Eight of 80 patients had altogether 11 osteolytic lesions around the components on CT images. Seven lesions were found in tibia, 3 in talus, and 1 in distal fibula. Four of the tibial lesions were situated in the medial malleolus and were not in contact with the prosthesis component. The sizes of the osteolytic lesions ranged between 7 and 20 mm, and the average volume of the lesions was 689 mm3.

Conclusion:

We conclude that the risk of peri-implant osteolysis with the TMTA implant is minimal in short to midterm. The anatomic configuration, unique material, and surgical technique may all contribute to the TMTA implant having a low rate of peri-implant osteolysis.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics: A Dampened Microglial Response?
Authors: Chatila Zena K. , Bradshaw Elizabeth M.
Published: June 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a debilitating age-related neurodegenerative condition. Unbiased genetic studies have implicated a central role for microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the central nervous system, in AD pathogenesis. On-going efforts are clarifying the biology underlying these associations and the microglial pathways that are dysfunctional in AD. Several genetic risk factors converge to decrease the function of activating microglial receptors and increase the function of inhibitory receptors, resulting in a seemingly dampened microglial phenotype in AD. Moreover, many of these microglial proteins that are genetically associated with AD appear to interact and share pathways or regulatory mechanisms, presenting several points of convergence that may be strategic targets for therapeutic intervention. Here, we review some of these studies and their implications for microglial participation in AD pathogenesis.
Expert Versus Novice: Criminal Expertise in Sexual Burglary and Sexual Robbery
Authors: Reale Kylie S. , Beauregard Eric , Chopin Julien
Published: June 2021

Although there has been considerable variation in the application of expertise to offending populations, one aspect that is widely agreed upon is that expertise is best represented on a continuum from novice to expert. The present study, therefore, investigated criminal expertise in 877 hybrid offenses that involve sexual assault and robbery (i.e., sexual robbery) or burglary (i.e., sexual burglary). Specifically, we analyzed the crime-commission processes of both these offenses using latent class analyses to determine the heterogeneity of criminal expertise among each domain. Results showed an expert to novice continuum in both domains, including a “domain-specific” expert sexual burglary subgroup who was characterized by a high degree of offense-related competencies relevant to sexual burglary. We also found an expert subgroup in sexual robbery who had more general skills (i.e., overlapping expertise) relevant to violent offending. Implications for offender decision-making, treatment, and practice are discussed.
Emerging Roles for the Gut Microbiome in Lymphoid Neoplasms
Authors: Shi Zhuangzhuang , Zhang Mingzhi
Published: June 2021

Lymphoid neoplasms encompass a heterogeneous group of malignancies with a predilection for immunocompromised individuals, and the disease burden of lymphoid neoplasms has been rising globally over the last decade. At the same time, mounting studies delineated a crucial role of the gut microbiome in the aetiopathogenesis of various diseases. Orchestrated interactions between myriad microorganisms and the gastrointestinal mucosa establish a defensive barrier for a range of physiological processes, especially immunity and metabolism. These findings provide new perspectives to harness our knowledge of the gut microbiota for preclinical and clinical studies of lymphoma. Here, we review recent findings that support a role for the gut microbiota in the development of lymphoid neoplasms and pinpoint relevant molecular mechanisms. Accordingly, we propose the microbiota-gut-lymphoma axis as a promising target for clinical translation, including auxiliary diagnosis, novel prevention and treatment strategies, and predicting clinical outcomes and treatment-related adverse effects of the disease in the future. This review will reveal a fascinating avenue of research in the microbiota-mediated lymphoma field.
Developing an infrastructure for secure patient summary exchange in the EU context: Lessons learned from the KONFIDO project
Authors: Natsiavas Pantelis , Mazzeo Giovanni , Faiella Giuliana , Campegiani Paolo , Dumortier Jos , Stan Oana , Nalin Marco , Mari Martinez David , Theodouli Anastasia , Moschou Kostas , Votis Kostas , Coppolino Luigi , Romano Maria , Tzovaras Dimitris , Clemente Fabrizio , Gelenbe Erol , Romano Luigi
Published: June 2021

Background:

The increase of healthcare digitalization comes along with potential information security risks. Thus, the EU H2020 KONFIDO project aimed to provide a toolkit supporting secure cross-border health data exchange.

Methods:

KONFIDO focused on the so-called “User Goals”, while also identifying barriers and facilitators regarding eHealth acceptance. Key user scenarios were elaborated both in terms of threat analysis and legal challenges. Moreover, KONFIDO developed a toolkit aiming to enhance the security of OpenNCP, the reference implementation framework.

Results:

The main project outcomes are highlighted and the “Lessons Learned,” the technical challenges and the EU context are detailed.

Conclusions:

The main “Lessons Learned” are summarized and a set of recommendations is provided, presenting the position of the KONFIDO consortium toward a robust EU-wide health data exchange infrastructure. To this end, the lack of infrastructure and technical capacity is highlighted, legal and policy challenges are identified and the need to focus on usability and semantic interoperability is emphasized. Regarding technical issues, an emphasis on transparent and standards-based development processes is recommended, especially for landmark software projects. Finally, promoting mentality change and knowledge dissemination is also identified as key step toward the development of secure cross-border health data exchange services.
The Benefit of Enhanced Daycare of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Cancer Treatment Related Adverse Events: A Retrospective Study of Medical Records
Authors: Wu Hsiu-An , Chen Chien-Hung , Hsieh Ming-Hsien , Wu Yung-Chang , Chiu Jung-Peng , Huang Chien-Jung , Hsu Chung-Hua
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Cancer patients undergo therapies that might lead to severe adverse events. The enhanced daycare of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) we describe was intended to help cancer patients suffering from severe adverse events to obtain relief. We used the Taiwan brief version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0 (Taiwan brief version questionnaire of CTCAE) as a primary measurement to evaluate the efficacy of the enhanced day care of TCM. The secondary measurements were the Taiwanese version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI-T) questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, which were used to quantify fatigue and quality of life (QOL), respectively.

Methods/Design:

This is a retrospective study of medical records. There were 401 patients treated with enhanced daycare of TCM from June 2017 to November 2019.

Results:

Among 22 common adverse symptoms in the Taiwan brief version questionnaire of CTCAE4.0, 14 symptoms achieved a significant improvement, and the change of the total scores was also statistically significant ( P < .001). Cancer stages II to IV showed significant improvement on the CTCAE and BFI-T; stage I only showed improvement on the BFI-T. On the WHOQOL questionnaire, there was a statistically significant difference in self-evaluation of the quality of life ( P = .001) and self-evaluation of the total health condition aspect ( P < .001).

Conclusions:

The enhanced TCM daycare program helped cancer patients decrease the severity of their adverse events and improve their fatigue and QOL. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04606121.
Comparison of the Clinical and Treatment Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy for Catatonia Indication in the Context of Gender
Authors: Parsanoglu Zozan , Balaban Ozlem Devrim , Gica Sakir , Atay Ozge Canbek , Altin Ozan
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to compare in the context of gender both clinical diagnosis and disease-related differences and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-related differences in data and efficacy in hospitalized patients with catatonic signs and symptoms. Data from 106 patients who received ECT with catatonia indication were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data of male (n = 58) and female (n = 48) patients were compared. Hospitalization documents and outpatient files, sociodemographic and clinical data form, Clinical Global Improvement scores used by the ECT unit in the follow-up of patients who received ECT were used in the study. It was seen that the mean age of women at the onset of ECT was higher than in men and the presence of prolonged seizures was more common than men. In men, it was found out that the average number of sessions with the onset of clinical response to treatment was higher than the average of women. The distribution of diagnoses by gender showed that the presence of schizophrenia diagnosis in men and of bipolar disorder in women were significantly more frequent compared to the opposite sex. It was found out that there were no significant differences between genders in terms of response rate to ECT. Our study is important for being the first study in the literature investigating the gender differences in ECT used for catatonia. However, gender is not a distinctive factor in the effectiveness of treatment, there are some important differences between male and female patients showing signs and symptoms of catatonia and undergoing ECT.
Email Interviews: A Guide to Research Design and Implementation
Authors: Dahlin Emma
Published: June 2021

As scholars in social sciences and humanities explore new methods for studying increasingly digitized societies, electronic research methods—such as email interviews—have moved from marginal complementary activities to, depending on the purpose of the study, potentially becoming primary methods. However, while there is no lack of discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of such methods, there is little guidance in the literature in terms of how electronic methods can be used effectively and productively in qualitative research. This article adds to the existing body of literature by outlining a strategy for email interviews. The argument of the article is that email interviewing can be fruitfully combined with explorative interviewing, offering the researcher a way to strategically work with the extended time frame that asynchronous interviewing brings with it. This gives the researcher an opportunity to work with open-ended introductory questions, follow-up questions, and cross-fertilization of multiple interviews carried out simultaneously. The article brings forward the argument that a methodological strategy that combines email interviews and explorative interviewing can help the researcher draw the moment of surprise closer together with the moment of analysis and thereby challenge existing theories and knowledge of the study object. The argument is illustrated through examples from an ethnographic study with no in-person elements. Additionally, the article acknowledges that email interviewing is necessary for some significant research tasks and in some cases even a more suitable option than traditional in-person methods due to the study’s objective and the nature of its participants.
Comparison of one-year patency rates of end-to-side and side-to-side anastomosis technique in proximal forearm region radial-cephalic fistulas
Authors: Kasimzade Ferit , Ada Fatih
Published: June 2021

Objectives

In this study, the effects of anastomosis techniques on the results of patients with autogenous radial-cephalic proximal forearm fistula were investigated.

Methods

Patients who underwent radial-cephalic proximal forearm fistula surgery (arteriovenous fistula) between April 2015 and August 2017 at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Ordu University were compared retrospectively in terms of the results of anastomosis techniques. The study included 131 patients who had arteriovenous fistulas created by side-to-side and end-to-side anastomosis technique.

Results

There was no significant difference in demographic data, comorbidities, radial artery, and cephalic vein diameters in patients undergoing radial-cephalic proximal forearm fistula surgery. However, it was observed that fistula maturation was earlier in the group with end-to-side anastomosis technique, and the one-year patency rates were higher in the group with side-to-side anastomosis technique.

Conclusion

In Arteriovenous fistulas created in the proximal forearm region, the one-year patency rate of the side-to-side anastomosis technique was higher, while the maturation of the end-to-side technique observed earlier.
When the Future “Spills Under”: General Self-Efficacy Moderates the Influence of Expected Exercise on Present Intellectual Performance
Authors: Krpan Dario , Galizzi Matteo M. , Dolan Paul
Published: June 2021

We examined whether an expected future activity (exercise vs. relaxation) impacts a present behavior (performance on an intellectual task) that occurs prior to this activity. Across two experiments ( n = 320 and n = 466), the influence of expected exercise compared to relaxation on present intellectual performance was moderated by general self-efficacy (GSE)—a core personality trait that determines people’s confidence that they can surmount physically or intellectually challenging activities. Participants high in GSE had better intellectual performance when they were expecting to exercise versus relax, whereas the effect reversed under low GSE. Moderated mediation analyses suggested that task-focused attention (i.e., participants’ level of focus while solving the intellectual task) accounted for a significant proportion of variance between the future activity (exercise vs. relaxation) and present intellectual performance across different GSE levels. These findings document a previously unexplored channel through which future expectations shape present outcomes.
Distance Estimation in Virtual Reality Is Affected by Both the Virtual and the Real-World Environments
Authors: Zhang Junjun , Yang Xiaoyan , Jin Zhenlan , Li Ling
Published: June 2021

The experience in virtual reality (VR) is unique, in that observers are in a real-world location while browsing through a virtual scene. Previous studies have investigated the effect of the virtual environment on distance estimation. However, it is unclear how the real-world environment influences distance estimation in VR. Here, we measured the distance estimation using a bisection (Experiment 1) and a blind-walking (Experiments 2 and 3) method. Participants performed distance judgments in VR, which rendered either virtual indoor or outdoor scenes. Experiments were also carried out in either real-world indoor or outdoor locations. In the bisection experiment, judged distance in virtual outdoor was greater than that in virtual indoor. However, the real-world environment had no impact on distance judgment estimated by bisection. In the blind-walking experiment, judged distance in real-world outdoor was greater than that in real-world indoor. On the other hand, the virtual environment had no impact on distance judgment estimated by blind-walking. Generally, our results suggest that both the virtual and real-world environments have an impact on distance judgment in VR. Especially, the real-world environment where a person is physically located during a VR experience influences the person’s distance estimation in VR.
Aberrant expression of proatherogenic cytokines and growth factors in human umbilical vein endothelial cells from newborns of type 2 diabetic women
Authors: Sultan Samar
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

This study reports the levels of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors previously identified as taking part in the pathology of atherosclerosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells derived from mothers with type 2 diabetes and compares them with those in human umbilical vein endothelial cells derived from healthy mothers under normal glucose conditions.

Methods:

Cytokine analysis measures of human umbilical vein endothelial cell lysates were obtained using a multiple analyte profiling (xMAP) assay based on magnetic bead-based technology, using the MAGPIX instrument. The correlation between cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors was examined statistically in human umbilical vein endothelial cells derived from mothers with type 2 diabetes.

Results:

This study showed that the expression of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 alpha was significantly greater in human umbilical vein endothelial cells derived from mothers with type 2 diabetes than those derived from healthy mothers. The protein level of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was higher in human umbilical vein endothelial cells derived from mothers with type 2 diabetes than those derived from healthy mothers. A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between the protein expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells derived from mothers with type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion:

Diabetes evokes a persistent inflammatory phenotype in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, as indicated by the enhanced production of cytokines and growth factors under normal glucose conditions.
‘Out of sight, out of mind?’ A follow-up on HIV-infected patients with drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis in Uganda: A case series
Authors: Notarfrancesco Marco , Castelnuovo Barbara , Kaelin Marisa , Fehr Jan , Sekaggya-Wiltshire Christine
Published: June 2021

Among new tuberculosis cases in Uganda, 10.3% are drug-resistant and 43% occur in people living with HIV. Both resistance and HIV–tuberculosis co-infection lead to unfavourable tuberculosis treatment outcomes. In this case series, we followed up eight HIV–tuberculosis co-infected patients withdrawn from a pharmacokinetics study on anti-tuberculosis drugs between April 2013 and April 2015 following a diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis. We identified resistance patterns and treatment regimens and evaluated their tuberculosis treatment outcomes. Two patients were multidrug-resistant, only one out of eight was treated according to the World Health Organization guidelines applicable at that time and five had unfavourable tuberculosis treatment outcomes, that is, were lost to follow-up, could not be evaluated or died. Taken together, we found unfavourable tuberculosis treatment outcomes for patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis. This indicates the necessity of implementation of current treatment guidelines and close monitoring for patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Mapping Persian Twitter: Networks and mechanism of political communication in Iranian 2017 presidential election
Authors: Kermani Hossein , Adham Marzieh
Published: June 2021

This paper investigates the structure of networked publics and their sharing practices in Persian Twitter during a period surrounding Iran’s 2017 presidential election. Building on networked gatekeeping and framing theories, we used a mixed methodological approach to analyze a dataset of 2,596,284 Persian tweets. Results revealed that Twitter provided a space for Iranians to discuss public topics. However, this space is not necessarily used by voiceless and marginalized groups; and the uses are not limited to discussing controversial issues. The growing body of conservative crowdsourced elites emerged to defend the regime’s ideology. Moreover, the dominant networked frames were shaped around normal and routine subjects in an election time. Thus, Twitter was not a platform for only seeking liberal demands. It was to some extent used to serve the regime’s political interests. Furthermore, while many ordinary users rose to prominence, mainstream media continued to act as powerful players. This study contributes to the existing literature into networked practices, digital democracy, and citizen journalism; particularly in restrictive contexts.
Third Position as a Home Position Alternative: A Survey of Views and Approaches of Violin/Viola Instructors
Authors: Arıca Eylem
Published: June 2021

Although violin/viola pedagogues who use the third position as the home position in beginning-level teaching have reported positive experiences, school curricula and most pedagogues’ repertoires remain limited to method books that use the first position. The reasons for this preference have not been adequately addressed in string pedagogy and music education research. This study therefore aimed to examine the opinions of violin/viola trainers on the use of the third position as home position through a survey. A questionnaire sent to various music associations, schools, and violin/viola educators internationally yielded a sampling of 160. The results showed that 73.1% of the participants hold the opinion that the third position is not widely used in beginning-level training, and 63.5% think that method books that employ the technique are insufficient. However, 53.1% of the participants believe that using the third position as the home position may have benefits; 61.1% think that the left hand takes the ideal shape in the third position; and 68.3% think that a wider availability of method books would increase the number of trainers who use the technique to teach. The study found that further research of the technique is necessary, especially for educators who are interested in using it.
Efficiency Assessment of Multidetector-Row Computed Tomographic Angiography Using Reconstruction with Locoregional Perforator Flaps
Authors: Badiul Pavlo O. , Sliesarenko Sergii V. , Cherednychenko Nataliia O. , Morgun Olga V.
Published: June 2021

Background: Reconstruction with the use of perforator flaps makes it possible to make the skin surface resistant to the influence of mechanical factors and as similar to the lost skin cover as possible. However, while planning any flap, along with the design of the required shape and size, its blood supply should be taken into account to ensure optimal viability. Therefore, the task to precisely determine the topographic–anatomical relationships suitable for the formation of a pedicle of perforators is still relevant. The aim of this study was to increase the efficiency of surgical reconstruction of wound defects by transposition of locoregional perforator flaps. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 72 cases of reconstruction by means of locoregional perforator flaps with vascular pedicle detachment to determine the efficiency of preoperative diagnostic preparation with the help of multidetector-row computed tomographic angiography (MDCT) in the process of reconstruction. Thirty-seven individual cases of surgical interventions were chosen using a case-controlled study from the study group when MDCT with angiography was used for preoperative planning of perforator flaps, as well as 35 control cases similar in terms of important predictive peculiarities with the reconstruction at the same level of difficulty. The patient groups were precisely matched by gender ( P = .950), age ( P = .804), flap area ( P = .192), and type of reconstruction that was performed. Results: In all cases, the location of the perforator with a diameter greater than 1.0 mm was marked. All perforators determined during MDCT scanning were faultlessly localized intraoperatively. The distance between the intraoperative position of the perforator and the position obtained in the result of the examination did not exceed 1 cm. There was no need to change the planned design of the flap intraoperatively. In all cases where MDCT was performed, the duration of the surgical procedure varied from 60 to 150 minutes (average: 120.77 [18.90] minutes) and was reduced by 49.40 minutes (95% CI: 39.17-59.63) compared with the patients who did not undergo preoperative visualization of perforators where the average duration of the operation was 170.17 (19.19) minutes (from 140 to 220 minutes). Among the patients examined by MDCT, surgical complications were noted in 5 cases (13.51%) compared to 14 cases (40.00%) in the control group. Conclusions: The preoperative MDCT for the locoregional perforator flap reconstruction makes it possible to increase the efficiency of patient treatment given the reduction in surgery duration by 49.40 minutes (95% CI: 39.17-59.63) on average and the reduction in the level of postsurgery complications from 40% to 13.5% compared with the group of patients in whom presurgical visualization was not performed ( P = .031).
Adverse Effects of Personal Protective Equipment Among Intensive Care Unit Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review
Authors: Unoki Takeshi , Sakuramoto Hideaki , Sato Ryuhei , Ouchi Akira , Kuribara Tomoki , Furumaya Tomomi , Tatsuno Junko , Wakabayashi Yuki , Tado Asami , Hashimoto Naoya , Inagaki Noriko , Sasaki Yoshiko ,   from the Committee and working group of COVID-19 Task Force of the Japan Academy of Critical Care Nursing
Published: June 2021

Introduction

To avoid exposure to SARS-COV-2, healthcare professionals use personal protective equipment (PPE) while treating COVID-19 patients. Prior studies have revealed the adverse effects (AEs) of PPE on healthcare workers (HCWs); however, no review has focused on the AEs of PPE on HCWs in intensive care units (ICUs). This review aimed to identify the AEs of PPE on HCWs working in ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted. MEDLINE, CINAHL, the World Health Organization (WHO) global literature on COVID-19, and Igaku-chuo-zasshi (a Japanese medical database), Google Scholar, medRxiv, and Health Research Board (HRB) open research were searched from January 25–28, 2021. The extracted data included author(s) name, year of publication, country, language, article title, journal name, publication type, study methodology, population, outcome, and key findings.

Results

The initial search identified 691 articles and abstracts. Twenty-five articles were included in the analysis. The analysis comprised four key topics: studies focusing on PPE-related headache, voice disorders, skin manifestations, and miscellaneous AEs of PPE. The majority of AEs for HCWs in ICUs were induced by prolonged use of masks.

Conclusion

The AEs of PPE among HCWs in ICUs included heat, headaches, skin injuries, chest discomfort, and dyspnea. Studies with a focus on specific diseases were on skin injuries. Moreover, many AEs were induced by prolonged use of masks.
24-hour blood pressure variability and treatment effect of intravenous alteplase in acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Barow Ewgenia , Boutitie Florent , Cheng Bastian , Cho Tae-Hee , Ebinger Martin , Endres Matthias , Fiebach Jochen B , Fiehler Jens , Nickel Alina , Puig Josep , Roy Pascal , Lemmens Robin , Thijs Vincent , Muir Keith W , Nighoghossian Norbert , Pedraza Salvador , Simonsen Claus Z , Gerloff Christian , Thomalla Götz
Published: June 2021

Introduction

To assess the association between 24 h blood pressure variability (BPV) on functional outcome and treatment effect of intravenous alteplase in acute ischaemic stroke.

Patients and methods

In all patients with acute ischaemic stroke of unknown onset randomised in the WAKE-UP (Efficacy and Safety of magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]-based Thrombolysis in Wake-Up Stroke) trial, blood pressure (BP) was measured before randomisation and after initiation of treatment at regular intervals up to 24 hours. Individual BPV was measured by coefficient of variation (CV) of all BP values. Primary outcome measure was favourable outcome defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0 or 1 at 90 days after stroke.

Results

BP measurements were available for 498 of 503 patients randomised (177 women [35.5%], mean age [SD] of 65.2 [11.5] years). Systolic BPV was not associated with the treatment effect of thrombolysis (test for interaction, p = 0.46). The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for favourable outcome with alteplase, adjusted for age, stroke severity and baseline BP on admission, did not show an association across the quintiles of increasing systolic BPV with an aOR 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–4.70) in the lowest quintile to aOR 1.05 (95% CI, 0.43–2.56) in the highest quintile. Higher mean systolic BP was associated with a smaller treatment effect of thrombolysis with a significant interaction (p = 0.033). The aOR for favourable outcome with alteplase decreased with quintiles of increasing mean systolic BP from aOR 3.16 (95% CI, 1.26–7.93) in the lowest quintile to aOR 0.84 (95% CI, 0.34–2.10) in in the highest quintile.

Conclusions

There was a significant interaction between mean systolic BP and treatment effect of thrombolysis with higher mean systolic BP being associated with poorer outcome. BPV was not associated with outcome after thrombolysis. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01525290.
European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guidelines on management of transient ischaemic attack
Authors: Fonseca Ana Catarina , Merwick Áine , Dennis Martin , Ferrari Julia , Ferro José M , Kelly Peter , Lal Avtar , Ois Angel , Olivot Jean Marc , Purroy Francisco
Published: June 2021

The aim of the present European Stroke Organisation Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) management guideline document is to provide clinically useful evidence-based recommendations on approaches to triage, investigation and secondary prevention, particularly in the acute phase following TIA. The guidelines were prepared following the Standard Operational Procedure for a European Stroke Organisation guideline document and according to GRADE methodology. As a basic principle, we defined TIA clinically and pragmatically for generalisability as transient neurological symptoms, likely to be due to focal cerebral or ocular ischaemia, which last less than 24 hours. High risk TIA was defined based on clinical features in patients seen early after their event or having other features suggesting a high early risk of stroke (e.g. ABCD2 score of 4 or greater, or weakness or speech disturbance for greater than five minutes, or recurrent events, or significant ipsilateral large artery disease e.g. carotid stenosis, intracranial stenosis). Overall, we strongly recommend using dual antiplatelet treatment with clopidogrel and aspirin short term, in high-risk non-cardioembolic TIA patients, with an ABCD2 score of 4 or greater, as defined in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We further recommend specialist review within 24 hours after the onset of TIA symptoms. We suggest review in a specialist TIA clinic rather than conventional outpatients, if managed in an outpatient setting. We make a recommendation to use either MRA or CTA in TIA patients for additional confirmation of large artery stenosis of 50% or greater, in order to guide further management, such as clarifying degree of carotid stenosis detected with carotid duplex ultrasound. We make a recommendation against using prediction tools (eg ABCD2 score) alone to identify high risk patients or to make triage and treatment decisions in suspected TIA patients as due to limited sensitivity of the scores, those with score value of 3 or less may include significant numbers of individual patients at risk of recurrent stroke, who require early assessment and treatment. These recommendations aim to emphasise the importance of prompt acute assessment and relevant secondary prevention. There are no data from randomised controlled trials on prediction tool use and optimal imaging strategies in suspected TIA.
European Stroke Organisation expedited recommendation for the use of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy early after minor stroke and high-risk TIA
Authors: Dawson Jesse , Merwick Áine , Webb Alastair , Dennis Martin , Ferrari Julia , Fonseca Ana Catarina ,   for the European Stroke Organisation
Published: June 2021

Prevention of early recurrent ischaemic stroke remains a priority in people with TIA or ischaemic stroke. A number of trials have recently been completed assessing the efficacy of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) versus single antiplatelet therapy early after minor or moderate stroke or high-risk TIA. We present an Expedited Recommendation for use of dual antiplatelet therapy early after ischaemic stroke and TIA on behalf of the ESO Guideline Board. We make a strong recommendation based on high quality of evidence for use of 21-days of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel in people with a non-cardioembolic minor ischaemic stroke or high-risk TIA in the past 24 hours. We make a weak recommendation based on moderate quality evidence for 30-days of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and ticagrelor in people with non-cardioembolic mild to moderate ischaemic stroke or high-risk TIA in the past 24 hours.
Hospital-based prospective study of pertussis in infants and close contacts in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Noel Gaelle , Lotfi Masoumeh Nakhost , Mirshahvalad Sajedeh , Mahdi Sedaghatpour , Tavel David , Zahraei Seyed M. , Ghanaie Roxana Mansour , Heidary Tahereh , Goudarzi Aliahmad , Kazemi Azardokht , Karimi Abdollah , Nateghian Alireza , Ait-Ahmed Mohand , Guiso Nicole , Shahcheraghi Fereshteh , Taieb Fabien
Published: June 2021

Background

Pertussis remain a global health concern, especially in infants too young to initiate their vaccination. Effective vaccination and high coverage limit the circulation of the pathogen, yet duration of protection is limited and boosters are recommended during a lifetime. In Iran, boosters are given at 18 months and 6 years old using whole pertussis vaccines for which efficacy is not known, and pertussis surveillance is scant with only sporadic biological diagnosis. Burden of pertussis is not well understood and local data are needed.

Methods

Hospital-based prospective study implementing molecular laboratory testing in infants aged ≤6 months and presenting ≥5 days of cough associated to one pertussis-like symptom in Tehran. Household and non-household contact cases of positive infants were evaluated by comprehensive pertussis diagnosis (molecular testing and serology) regardless of clinical signs. Clinical evaluation and source of infection were described.

Results

A total of 247 infants and 130 contact cases were enrolled. Pertussis diagnosis result was obtained for 199 infants and 104 contact cases. Infant population was mostly < 3 months old (79.9%; 157/199) and unvaccinated (62.3%; 124/199), 20.1% (40/199) of them were confirmed having B. pertussis infection. Greater cough duration and lymphocyte counts were the only symptoms associated to positivity. Half of the contact cases (51.0%; 53/104) had a B. pertussis infection, median age was 31 years old. A proportion of 28.3% (15/53) positive contacts did not report any symptom. However, 67.9% (36/53) and 3.8% (2/53) of them reported cough at inclusion or during the study, including 20.8% (11/53) who started coughing ≥7 days before infant cough onset. Overall, only five samples were successfully cultured.

Conclusion

These data evidenced the significant prevalence of pertussis infection among paucy or poorly symptomatic contacts of infants with pertussis infection. Widespread usage of molecular testing should be implemented to identify B. pertussis infections.
Vitamin D status and vitamin D deficiency risk factors among pregnancy of Shanghai in China
Authors: Yang Chun , Jing Wu , Ge Sheng , Sun Wenguang
Published: June 2021

Background

There is increasing awareness that vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women may be associated with several adverse effects for the mother and newborn. The risks for vitamin D deficiency are unclear. This study was to assess vitamin D nutritional status and vitamin D deficiency risk factors among pregnant women in Shanghai in China.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional study conducted in the Sixth Affiliated People’s Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. A total of 953 healthy pregnant women participated, serological examinations and other variables included serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], total blood cholesterol (TCh), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, triglycerides at the first antenatal visit (12–14 weeks) pregnancy parity and age, body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy, and completed OGTTs test. Associations between vitamin D deficiency and possible predictors (age group, pre-pregnancy BMI, parity, and gestational hyperlipemia) were assessed with a multinomial logistic regression analysis. And also used to investigate the effects of 25(OH)D and the other variables on the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Results

The mean vitamin D level of pregnancy was 16 (a range from 11 to 21) ng/ml, and severe vitamin D deficiency was 31.8% (303); vitamin D deficiency was 40.7% (388); vitamin D insufficiency was 25.1% (239); normal vitamin D was 2.4%(23). Vitamin D deficiency risk factors were age over 30, parity over 2, overweight, obese, and hyperlipemia. The increasing level of vitamin D nutritional status in pregnancy is significantly related to reducing gestational diabetes mellitus. Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions

It is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Chinese pregnancy in Shanghai. Aging more than 30 years, the parity of more than 2, overweight and obesity, and hyperlipemia are risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus. Public health strategies to prevent vitamin D deficiency should focus on those risks to promote health pregnancy of Shanghai in China.