bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpersonal violence in a city of Paraná: a study about the epidemiological profile of victims and characterization of dental trauma
Authors: Sato Cindy Maki , Pinto Paulo Henrique Viana , Costa Larissa Barros , Silva Ricardo Henrique Alves da
Published: April 2023

The socioeconomic context and population vulnerability are directly associated with violence in the country. In Brazil, the Criminal Code provides the illicit act and punishes the aggressor who offends the physical aggression from a person. Interpersonal violence is an illegal act and is associated with the vulnerability of victims. Therefore, the study of the epidemiological profile of victims of interpersonal violence is needed to alert the population about their susceptibility. The present study aimed to design the epidemiological profile of victims of bodily injury from interpersonal violence in the region of Maringá, in the state of Paraná, and to study the characterization of dental injuries in terms of permanent weakness and deformity. Four thousand nine hundred sixty-two reports performed between 2018 and 2020 were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Data collected included: sex, age, marital status, the region affected by the bodily injury, type of dental trauma, and responses to “weakness” or/and “permanent deformity”. During the period studied, there was a prevalence of female victims (57.8%), white skin color (80.2%), aged between 21 and 30 years (24.9%), single (54.9%), and the most affected region was the upper limbs (32.1%). Regarding bodily injuries with dental involvement, 67 cases were reported, male victims were prevalent (60.3%), and dental fracture was highlighted with 54.4% of examined injuries. The implementation of the Forensic Dentistry Centre took place in August 2019 at the Medico-Legal Institute of Maringá. Also, with the interruption of expert activities in 2020 - due to the COVID-19 pandemic – relevant outcomes regarding permanent weakness were
 
 
observed. The epidemiological profile of victims is characterized by the female sex, white skin color, the age group from 21 to 30 years old, and singles. Regarding dental trauma, male victims, and dental fractures were prevalent. Furthermore, there was an increase in the classification of "permanent weakness", as well as a slight increase in cases of "further assessment required" for permanent deformity.
Métodos de avaliação cognitiva de pacientes com Síndrome de Apert e de Crouzon
Authors: Lovalho Adriana , Barreto Augusto de Freitas , Astolfi Gustavo Henrique Blumer , Mazzo Alessandra , Fernandes Adriano Yacubian
Published: April 2023

Introdução: A Craniossinostose Coronal bilateral implica em diminuição do Perímetro Craniano (PC) no eixo ântero-posterior (Braquicefalia) e frequentemente se associa ao aumento do eixo céfalo-caudal (vertical-altura) do crânio (Turricefalia), sendo um dos achados mais comuns nas Síndromes de Crouzon e Apert. Objetivo: Identificar, analisar e sintetizar os métodos de avaliação cognitiva apropriados para o acompanhamento da evolução de pacientes com cranioestenoses sindrômicas, em particular as síndromes de Apert e de Crouzon. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão de escopo. Para a formulação da pergunta norteadora da pesquisa e da estratégia de busca, foi utilizada a estratégia Population [((Apert OR Crouzon) AND (Disease OR Syndrom*))], Concept [((cognit* OR neurobehavioral OR neurocognit* OR neuropsyc*) AND (evaluation OR evaluations OR assessment OR “test” OR tests OR status OR development OR disorder OR disorders OR impairment OR impairments OR impaired OR function OR functions))] e Context (em qualquer contexto). Foram inclusos os artigos escritos em inglês, português e espanhol em qualquer período. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados: Embase, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE e rede BVS Salud. Resultados: Inúmeros testes de avaliação cognitiva validados internacionalmente foram aplicados aos pacientes com Apert e Crouzon, mas não se observou uma padronização (protocolo) seguida pelas várias unidades de assistência. Dos 75 tipos de Testes Cognitivos aplicados houve o predomínio da Escala de Inteligência de Wechsler (e seus subtestes), 50%. Na população avaliada predominou duas faixas etárias: escolares e adolescentes. As crianças com Apert e Crouzon obtiveram escores piores nos transtornos de socialização, atenção e internalização quando comparadas com o grupo normativo, sendo os piores resultados encontrados em Apert. Fatores que interferem no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor: pressão intracraniana, malformações encefálicas, genética, idade na correção cirúrgica (postergação da primeira cirurgia após um ano de idade associou-se a um quociente de inteligência mais baixo), institucionalização, ambiente familiar, escolaridade dos cuidadores e nível socioeconômico. Considerações finais: os resultados obtidos contribuíram para maior conhecimento do perfil cognitivo dos pacientes com estas síndromes. Somente conhecendo as habilidades e dificuldades neuropsicomotoras, cognitivas e psicossociais dos pacientes com Apert e Crouzon é que as equipes de saúde, da escola e de cuidadores poderão entender melhor a capacidade perceptiva destes no processo de aprendizado e estarão mais aptas em atender as necessidades especiais destes pacientes e poderão ofertar os estímulos mais adequados no momento mais oportuno.
Policy as a Booster Shot? The Impact of Satisfaction with Pandemic Policies on Presidential Evaluations in Taiwan
Authors: Rich Timothy S.
Published: April 2023

How does satisfaction in COVID policies influence presidential evaluations? Taiwan’s initial handling of the pandemic garnered considerable international attention, with initial high public satisfaction. Little attention, however, falls on how this satisfaction influenced evaluations of Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, over time. With nine survey waves from 2020 to 2022, this analysis finds that satisfaction with COVID policies corresponded with both greater satisfaction with and trust in Tsai; however, the impact of this satisfaction was smaller than on traditional policy areas.
The Glasgow Coma Scale: A disconnect between medical documentation and traumatic brain injury litigation in the United States
Authors: Kelly Nicole A , Kelly Rachel E , Berkeley Ross P
Published: April 2023

Traumatic brain injuries are consistently difficult to objectively measure. This creates significant challenges for medical and legal practitioners who each apply the Glasgow Coma Scale-based traumatic brain injury severity classifications of “mild”, “moderate” and “severe”. It can be difficult to medically define an often-subjective traumatic brain injury, where the law requires objective evidence of injuries. This descriptive review aims to elucidate the intended purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale in traumatic brain injury assessment by doctors and attorneys. We highlight two different Glasgow Coma Scale uses, demonstrating a disconnect between the clinical traumatic brain injury adjectival classifications used in medicine and law. The Glasgow Coma Scale-based adjectival traumatic brain injury classifications create a diagnostic label which can affect a patient long after their initial medical assessment, representing a de facto diagnosis to the legal profession which may affect a patient’s potential legal financial recovery.
Management of Heart Failure in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus in the UAE: A Call to Action
Authors: Sabbour Hani , Ahmad Aftab
Published: April 2023

Background:

Heart failure (HF) is an important adverse outcome of diabetes mellitus (DM) with high rates of mortality and HF-related hospitalizations. The risk of HF is 2 times higher in patients with DM compared to those without DM. Due to under-recognition and underdiagnoses, HF is often a neglected outcome in the diabetic population. There is a dearth of data regarding the true prevalence of HF and the management protocols for diabetic patients at risk of HF in the UAE and the Middle East. This lacuna in the information has led to the inception of this “call to action” paper, which identifies the gaps in the true prevalence of HF and describes the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management of HF in the Middle East.

Methodology:

An advisory board meeting was convened and a group of key opinion leaders and experts in cardiology and endocrinology assembled to describe the prevalence, diagnosis, and management of HF in diabetes patients and to present a “call to action” in the UAE and Middle East scenario. After the group discussion, key expert opinions were formulated and “call to action” recommendations were proposed.

Conclusion:

This “call to action” is mainly based on the available evidence from the literature and the experts’ clinical experience. Based on the new evidence from various cardiovascular outcome trials, the “call to action” highlights a series of collaborative learning regarding the role of newer antidiabetic therapies like sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in the prevention and management of HF. This “call to action” intends to serve as a guide for physicians, including primary healthcare providers, in their management of diabetic patients with HF.
Mechanical performance of sandwich materials with reduced environmental impact for marine structures
Authors: Robin Alban , Davies Peter , Arhant Mael , Le Jeune Sebastian , Lacotte Nicolas , Morineau Eliaz , Ioos Fanny , Dourlen Pascal , Cairo Raphael
Published: April 2023

Glass fibre reinforced composite facings on PVC (poly(vinyl chloride)) foam cores are widely used sandwich materials in boat structures, but life cycle analysis suggests that alternative materials may be preferable for the environment. However, in order to design with these alternative materials their mechanical behaviour must be characterized and understood. This paper describes an experimental campaign to evaluate the performance of alternative sandwich materials with reduced environmental impact, under loading conditions relevant to boat design. Flax and bamboo composite faced PET (poly(ethylene terephthalate)) foam sandwich materials are compared to the current PVC foam sandwich on a constant weight basis. A series of quasi-static tests is described first and analysed. Then hard and soft impact tests are described, which allow a comparison to be made between existing and alternative sandwich options. The results indicate that the alternative materials show lower flexural stiffness. Damage initiation levels are also lower, but the impact energy levels they can support are promising, and facing improvements could raise these further.
Environmental activism in the platform society: Spatial agency in digital maps
Authors: Meng Jing , Lin Yu-Peng , Tsai Hui-Ju
Published: April 2023

Digital maps structure how we understand and interact with space while simultaneously affording agency and the potential for an alternative use of space. This article investigates how digital maps exercise data and spatial agency. Our empirical object is the environmental mobile mapping application water refill map (WRM, Hong-Te/ Fengcha Action奉茶行動) in Taiwan. Drawing on the walk-through method and semi-structured interviews with WRM’s founders, we examine how the app leverages the power of digital mapping to encourage participation in environmental activities. We argue that by facilitating data and spatial agency, digital maps enable placemaking at the cognitive and hermeneutic levels. They also turn closed spaces into public ones, thus aiding place-shaping. Meanwhile, this digital environmental activism takes place in a field of contestation and negotiation between agency and structure, apps and infrastructural platforms, collective action and individual power, and environmentalism and (adjusted) commercialism.
Reading ebooks and printed books with parents: A case study of children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Lee Sung Hee , McKee Aja
Published: April 2023

Background and aims

Ebooks have become a ubiquitous presence in many classrooms today. Yet, empirical evidence on literacy development has not been well produced, especially for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This mixed-method case study aimed to explore how four children with ASD interact with ebooks and printed books with parents at home.

Methods

Four children (age 5–7 years) with ASD and their parents read one animated ebook and another printed book over four separate sessions. Parents also explained preselected word meanings to their children. In this mixed-method case study, we examined multiple quantitative and qualitative sources of evidence related to reading with parents at home.

Results

Quantitatively, all four children with ASD learned more word meanings from ebook than from the printed book, and three demonstrated a higher engagement with ebook than the printed book reading. Qualitatively, the majority of parents felt their children's engagement was higher with ebook than with printed book. Children with ASD tend to have tactile-related experiences while reading the printed book and auditory-related experiences during the ebook reading. Qualitative data also demonstrated a particular feature reported to be beneficial in previous research could be distracting for some children with ASD.

Implications

When parents are trained to explain critical word meanings to their children, animated ebooks can effectively improve the meaning-making skills of children with ASD. Findings also highlight the importance of individualized attention when choosing and using ebooks for children with ASD.
People are like plutonium
Authors: See Judi E , Rosenfeld Robert B , Taylor Sylvester , Wedic K M
Published: April 2023

An analogy is drawn between the study of human behavior and the study of plutonium to demonstrate that soft and hard sciences are more similar than different, making the distinction moot and unproductive. The studies of human behavior and plutonium follow a common scientific research cycle that aligns with Thomas Kuhn’s views of scientific change. This common research cycle provides evidence that the thought processes and methodologies required for success are congruent in the soft and hard sciences. The primary implication from this analogy is that scientists in all disciplines should eradicate the distinction between soft and hard sciences. Focusing on similarities rather than differences among researchers from different disciplines is necessary to enhance collective intelligence and the type of transdisciplinary collaboration required to tackle difficult sociotechnical problems.

CCS Concepts: • Social and professional topics • User characteristics • Cultural characteristics.
Post-partum myocardial ischemia due to intramuscular methylergonovine-induced coronary vasospasm: case report
Authors: Jang Sae K , Berlacher Kathryn , Hauspurg Alisse
Published: April 2023

Background

Methylergonovine is a vasoconstrictive agent historically used as a provocative agent in the lab for coronary vasospasm; it is also a first line uterotonic agent for management of postpartum hemorrhage.

Case Presentation

A 29-year-old female with history of smoking and idiopathic thrombocytopenia received intramuscular methylergonovine after delivery of twins for intrauterine hemorrhage management. Subsequently, she had episodes of chest pain with high sensitivity Troponin I elevation to 1509 ng/L with accompanying septal T wave inversions, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction to 49% and basal septal wall hypokinesis. Computed tomography (CT) coronary angiogram showed patent coronary arteries and no coronary arterial dissection. The patient was conservatively managed with aspirin and metoprolol, and on follow up had fully recovered left ventricular function with resolution of wall motion abnormalities. Given this, coronary vasospasm due to intramuscular methylergonovine is the most likely cause of patient’s chest pain and associated myocardial ischemia.

Conclusions

Intramuscular, intrauterine, intravenous, and even oral methylergonovine can rarely cause coronary vasospasm leading to myocardial ischemia. Cardiologists caring for postpartum patients should be aware of these potential lethal complications; prompt identification and administration of sublingual nitroglycerin can prevent severe complications of arrythmias, heart block, or cardiac arrest.
Development and early validation of questionnaires to assess system level factors affecting male partners’ attendance at childbirth in LMICs
Authors: Uhawenimana Thierry Claudien , Gray Nicola M. , Whitford Heather , McFadden Alison
Published: April 2023

Background

There is evidence that a woman who receives continuous labour support from a chosen companion can have shorter labour duration, is more likely to give birth without medical interventions, and report a satisfying childbirth experience. These outcomes result from the beneficial effects of emotional and practical support from the woman’s chosen companion, and care provided by health providers. When a woman’s chosen companion is her male partner, in addition to the above benefits, his presence can promote his bonding with the baby, and shared parenthood. However, there may be healthcare system barriers, including organisational, management and individual (staff) factors, that inhibit or restrict women’s choice of companion. There are currently no suitable survey tools that can be used to assess the system level factors affecting the implementation of male partners’ attendance at childbirth in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs).

Methods

We designed two questionnaires to help to address that gap: the Male Partners’ Attendance at Childbirth-Questionnaire for Heads of Maternity Units (MPAC-QHMUs); and the Male Partners’ Attendance at Childbirth-Questionnaire for Maternity Staff (MPAC-QMS). We carried out an extensive review to generate initial items of the two questionnaires. We assessed the content and face validity of the two questionnaires in a three-round modified Delphi study.

Results

The Male Partners’ Attendance at Childbirth-Questionnaire for Heads of Maternity Units (MPAC-QHMUs) focused on organisational and management factors. The Male Partners’ Attendance at Childbirth-Questionnaire of Maternity Staff (MPAC-QMS) focused on individual staff factors. The final MPAC-QHMUs and MPAC-QMS included items which garnered over 80% content relevance according to the experts’ rating. After all three consensus rounds of the Delphi study, 43 items were retained for the MPAC-QHMUs and 61 items were retained for the MPAC-QMS.

Conclusions

The MPAC-QHMUs and the MPAC-QMS may help understanding of barriers affecting male partners’ attendance at childbirth in LMICs in order to devise implementation strategies to enable wider availability and to maximize women’s choices during labour and childbirth. The MPAC-QHMUs and the MPAC-QMS as newly-developed questionnaires require further validation of their acceptability and feasibility in different cultural contexts, and languages.
Persistent psychosis associated with extreme delta brush in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: a case report
Authors: Nóbrega Paulo Ribeiro , Lima Paulo Reges Oliveira , de Oliveira Junior¹ Pedro Helder , Sanders Lorena Pitombeira , Sobreira-Neto Manoel Alves , Magalhães Samir Câmara , Sanders Lia Lira Olivier , Braga-Neto Pedro
Published: April 2023

Background

Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is an emerging differential diagnosis of first episode and persistent psychosis in the psychiatric community, as clinical manifestations include psychiatric symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, decreased consciousness, and dyskinesias. This disease is associated with extreme delta brush (EDB), but the significance and temporal course of this EEG pattern still needs to be determined. Herein, we report a case of anti-NMDAR encephalitis with persistent psychosis associated with EDB occurrence on multiple occasions during a 5-year disease course.

Case presentation

A 15-year-old girl was diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and treated with progressive improvement. Four years after initial manifestations, an EDB pattern was seen on electroencephalogram (EEG) without new neurological symptoms. She had residual symptoms of episodic auditory hallucinations and impulsivity. One year later, the patient had a recurrence of neurological symptoms (seizures, dyskinesias and impaired attention), persisting with EDB on EEG. Clinical symptoms and EDB resolved after second-line treatment with rituximab.

Conclusion

We describe the first case of persistent psychosis in anti-NMDAR encephalitis associated with extreme delta brush on multiple EEGs on prolonged follow-up. Electroencephalographic patterns such as EDB may serve as markers of residual disease activity, including psychiatric symptoms. Further studies with prolonged EEG monitoring are needed to better understand these findings.
Choledochoscope-guided treatment of pulmonary embolism caused by ventricular myxoma
Authors: Mao Yong , Wang Cuiting , Wei Yalin , Li Yongnan , Wu Xiangyang
Published: April 2023

A 33-year male patient presented with a 6-month history of cough and shortness of breath upon physical activity. Echocardiography demonstrated right ventricular space-occupying lesions. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest showed multiple emboli in the pulmonary artery and its branches. Right ventricle tumor (myxoma) resection, tricuspid valve replacement, and clearance of the pulmonary artery thrombus were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. Minimally invasive forceps and balloon urinary catheters were used to clear the thrombus. Clearance was confirmed by direct visualization using a choledochoscope. The patient recovered well and was discharged. The patient was prescribed oral warfarin 3 mg/day, and the international normalized ratio for prothrombin time was maintained between 2.0 and 3.0. Pre-discharge echocardiogram showed no lesion in the right ventricle or pulmonary arteries. The 6-month follow-up echocardiography indicated that the tricuspid valve was functioning well and showed no thrombus in the pulmonary artery.
Abnormal expression of lysosomal glycoproteins in patients with congenital disorders of glycosylation
Authors: Sabry Sahar , Eissa Noura R. , Zaki Maha S.
Published: April 2023

Objective

The study of the impact of some inherited defects in glycosylation on the biosynthesis of some lysosomal glycoproteins. Results description: Whole-exome sequencing revealed a homozygous variant; 428G > A; p. (R143K) in SRD5A3 in one patient and a heterozygous one c.46G > A p. (Gly16Arg) in SLC35A2 in the other patient. Both variants were predicted to be likely pathogenic. Lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 2 (LAMP2) immunodetection in both cases showed a truncated form of the protein. Cystinosin (CTN) protein appeared as normal and truncated forms in both patients in ratios of the mature to truncated forms of CTN were lower than the control. The levels of the truncated forms of both cellular proteins were higher in the SRD5A3-CDG case compared to the SLC35A2-CDG case. The tetrameric form of cathepsin C (CTSC) was expressed at low levels in both cases with congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG). SLC35A2-CDG patient had one extra-unknown band while SRD5A3-CDG patient had a missing band of CTSC forms. The expression patterns of lysosomal glycoproteins could be different between different types of CDG.
Gun owners’ assessment of gun safety policy: their underlying principles and detailed opinions
Authors: Grene Kathleen , Dharani Amani , Siegel Michael
Published: April 2023

Background

While gun owners are frequently surveyed, we are not aware of any study that has examined principles held by gun owners that underlie their gun policy opinions, or their opinions about specific provisions of each policy. To find the common ground between gun owners and non-gun owners, this paper aims to answer the following: (1) What underlying principles affects gun owner support for gun policies; (2) how do gun owners’ attitudes change depending on the specific provisions within these policies?

Methods

In May 2022, a survey was administered by NORC at the University of Chicago and completed by adult gun owners (n = 1078) online or by phone. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA. The survey used a 5-point Likert scale to evaluate gun owners’ principles and attitudes toward firearm regulation, such as red flag laws, and possible provisions to these policies. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 96 adult gun owners and non-gun owners to further clarify points in the survey for the former and to ascertain support for the same policies and their potential provisions for the latter.

Results

The principle that gun owners identified with the most concerned keeping guns out of the hands of those with an increased risk for violence. There was significant overlap among gun owners and non-gun owners on policy support, especially with this central theme that those with a history of violence should be prevented from accessing a firearm. The degree of support for policies was different depending on what provisions were said to be included in the policy. For example, the degree of support for universal background checks ranged from 19.9 to 78.4% depending on the details of the legislation.

Conclusion

This research demonstrates common ground between gun owners and non-gun owners: It informs the gun safety policy community about gun owners’ views and principles on gun safety policy and which policy provisions impact their support for a given law. This paper suggests that an effective, mutually agreed upon gun safety policy is possible.
Differential impact of yeast cell wall products in recovery of porcine intestinal epithelial cell barrier function following Lipopolysaccharide challenge
Authors: Browne Niall , Daly Daniel , Horgan Karina
Published: April 2023

Background

In swine intestinal barrier deterioration can be caused by exposure to harmful bacteria, toxins or contaminants that can lead to a leaky gut and post weaning diarrhoea. A leaky gut leads to increased infection, inflammation and poor nutrient absorption that can impair piglet growth and ultimately survival. Application of yeast cell wall (YCW) products may offer an opportunity to reduce the intestinal barrier damage caused by microbial challenge. A Mannan rich fraction (MRF) and three YCW products were compared by examining their impact on intestinal barrier function using a Jejunal model of intestine in response to a bacterial challenge using Salmonella LPS.

Results

Trans epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) readings showed MRF had a significantly higher barrier function (P ≤ 0.05) over the positive control while YCW products A, B and C demonstrated no significant improvement to the positive control. Transcriptome analysis of the IPEC-J2 cells showed that differentially expressed genes associated with the gene ontology (GO) term for Structural molecule activity was significantly upregulated in the MRF treated cells over the positive control cells with 56 genes upregulated compared to product B (50 genes), Product C, (25 genes) and the negative control’s 60 genes. Product A had no functional grouping under the structural molecule activity term.

Both qPCR and western blotting analysis of tight junction associated genes showed that MRF treated cells demonstrated significantly higher Claudin 3 junctional gene expression (P ≤ 0.05) over the positive control and treatments A, B and C. Occludin expression was significantly higher in MRF treated cells (P ≤ 0.05) over the positive control and product B. A nonsignificant rise in TJP-1 gene expression was observed in the MRF treated cells when compared to the positive control. Protein abundances of Claudin 3, Occludin and TJP-1 were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher following MRF application to LPS challenged IPEC-J2 cells over the positive control.

Conclusions

The difference in each YCW products production and composition appeared to influence intestinal barrier integrity. The action of MRF demonstrates its potential ability to raise intestinal barrier integrity of IPEC-J2 intestinal cells on an in vitro level through significantly elevated intracellular connections.
Different novel biomarkers involved in diagnosing hypothyroidism
Authors: Sharma Hansi , Kakadiya Jagdish
Published: April 2023

Hypothyroidism is a clinical condition caused by the deficiency of thyroid hormones that are T4and T3due to an increase in serum TSH level. The upper and lower limit of T4and TSH helps to identify the disease. The metabolic pathways are important to know for diagnostic tests. By conducting different biochemical tests, a proper diagnosis can be performed when hypothyroidism is suspected clinically. Previously, many assays were performed just to detect the disease but recent tests are in both direct and indirect categories. Direct tests are purposely enough to detect the deficiency of thyroid hormones just like T3, T4, serum TSH, free-T4, free-T3, T4resin uptake, free T4index, T4binding globulin, and anti-TPO. All these tests are performed considering the reference ranges of hormones and the discovery that lower and higher TSH readings, even within the standard range, could predict future hypothyroidism, respectively, while the connection is stronger for hypothyroidism, supports the significance of diagnosing moderate thyroid status problems. If needed, one can also consider the radiological test that is a radioactive iodine uptake test. Other biochemical tests are considered as indirect because these tests actually confirm other changes in the body due to hypothyroidism such as lipid profile tests (TC, TAG, HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and TAG/HDL-C), cytokine tests (interleukin-6, TNF-α, visfatin, and leptin) and other regular tests like iron deficiency test, hemoglobin test, ferritin, and TIBC. This article carries brief information regarding all the tests mentioned above and their purpose of conduction in hypothyroidism disease.
Effect of hormonal changes during menstrual cycle on measures of differential sensitivity: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kasera Shejal , Yadav Suryakant , Prabhu Prashanth
Published: April 2023

Background

Cyclic fluctuation levels of hormones in females during different phases of menstruation can lead to many favorable and unfavorable changes. Different researchers had investigated these changes and suggested that such hormonal fluctuations may lead to alterations in auditory functions indirectly. The evidence from different studies suggested variations in thresholds of female participants between pre-menstruation and post menstruation stages. However, to our best knowledge, no attempts have been made to assess the differential sensitivity in females across the four phases of the menstrual cycle. The present study aims to investigate these variations in the auditory system across the four phases of menstruation.

Methods and materials

The participants were 27 volunteers with the age range of 18–30 years, consisting of 12 females (experimental group) and 15 males (control group). Three psychoacoustics measures, i.e., differential limen of intensity (DLI), differential limen of frequency (DLF), and differential limen of time (DLT), to assess the differential sensitivity were performed to analyze any audiological changes that may occur during each menstrual cycle phase.

Results

The results of the study showed that the scores were significantly poorer (p < 0.05) in the menstrual phase compared to other phases for all the tests in females. The scores were significantly better (p > 0.05) at the premenstrual phase for all the tests in females. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in scores across the phases for all the tests in males. The results of the study agree with previous studies which also report the effect of hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle in various audiological tests.

Conclusion

The results of the current study support to the theory that changes in sex hormone levels at different phases of menstrual cycle can affect differential sensitivity.
Intraoperative Visualization of Flow in Direct Cerebrospinal Fluid-Venous Fistulas Using Intrathecal Fluorescein
Authors: Häni Levin , El Rahal Amir , Fung Christian , Volz Florian , Kraus Luisa Mona , Lützen Niklas , Urbach Horst , Schnell Oliver , Beck Jürgen
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND:

Cerebrospinal fluid-venous fistulas (CVFs) are a rare cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Intraoperatively, CVFs are not readily identifiable and difficult to differentiate from normal veins.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the utility of intrathecal fluorescein injection intraoperatively to visualize and identify the CVF.

METHODS:

We report a case series of patients treated surgically for a CVF. After surgical exposure, we injected intrathecal fluorescein (5-10 mg) through a lumbar catheter, which we placed immediately before surgery.

RESULTS:

Four patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension with a suspected CVF underwent surgical ligation with adjunctive intrathecal fluorescein application. Intraoperative fluorescein injection confirmed the presence of a CVF in 3 cases. In 2 cases, we observed rapid fluorescein filling of a single epidural vein constituting the CVF. Other epidural vessels did not fill with fluorescein. In 1 case, fluorescein helped to identify a residual CVF after previous incomplete embolization. In the fourth case, no CVF was found intraoperatively. By contrast, a meningeal nerve root diverticulum was visualized, wrapped, and clipped.

CONCLUSION:

We demonstrate for the first time the direct intraoperative visualization of CVF using intrathecal fluorescein. CVF can be identified intraoperatively using fluorescein dye, which can be a valuable adjunct for the surgeon confronted with this disease.
High-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging in intracranial vasculopathies: an experience from eastern India
Authors: Das Shambaditya , Mossa-Basha Mahmud , Dey Mousam , Hazra Avijit , Pandit Alak , Das Gautam , Dubey Souvik , Ray Biman Kanti
Published: April 2023

Objective:

To evaluate the role of high-resolution intracranial vessel wall imaging (HR-IVWI) in differentiation of various intracranial vasculopathies in addition to luminal and clinical imaging in the largest cohort of Indian stroke patients.

Methods:

A single-center, cross-sectional study was undertaken recruiting consecutive stroke or TIA patients presenting within a month of onset, with luminal irregularity/narrowing upstream from the stroke territory. The patients were initially classified into TOAST and Chinese ischemic stroke sub-classification (CISS) on the basis of clinical and luminal characteristics and reclassified again following incorporation of HR-IVWI findings.

Results:

In our cohort of 150 patients, additional use of HR-IVWI led to a 10.7 and 14% change in initial TOAST and CISS classification respectively (p < 0.001). In TOAST classification, 12 “undetermined aetiology” were reclassified into intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD), 1 “undetermined aetiology” into CNS angiitis and 1 “undetermined aetiology” into arterial dissection. Similarly, in CISS 19 “undetermined aetiology” was reclassified into 16 large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and 3 “other aetiology” consisting of one CNS angiitis, Moyamoya disease (MMD) and arterial dissection each. Two initial classification of MMD by CISS and TOAST were changed into ICAD. The observed change in diagnosis following incorporation of HR-IVWI was proportionately highest in ICAD (LAA) subgroup (TOAST-9.3%, CISS-12%).

Conclusion:

Adjunctive use of HR-IVWI, to clinical and luminal assessment, can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy during evaluation of intracranial vasculopathies, with its greatest utility in diagnosing in ICAD, CNS angiitis and dissection.

Advances in knowledge:

HR-IVWI allows clearer etiological distinction of intracranial vasculopathies having therapeutic and prognostic implications.
Juhan Aul – 125 years from the birth of the founder of Estonian anthropology
Authors: Veldre Gudrun
Published: April 2023

On 15 October 2022, 125 years passed from the birth of Juhan Aul (1897–1994), the founder of Estonian anthropology. The article gives a brief overview of the versatile scientist’s contribution to the history of science and anthropology. Some aspects that have been particularly emphasized in his works, presentations and manuscripts and the importance of the anthropological data throughout the ages are highlighted. As a further development of the data collected by Juhan Aul, Markus Valge’s doctoral thesis was published in the year of his 125th birthday.
Improving Broader Sharing to Address Geographic Inequity in Liver Transplantation
Authors: Akshat Shubham , Ma Liye , Raghavan S.
Published: April 2023

Problem definition: This paper studies the deceased-donor liver allocation policies in the United States. In the transplant community, broader organ sharing is believed to mitigate geographic inequity (intergeographic variation in transplant rates, patient survival rates, waiting times, and offers) in organ access, and recent policies are moving in that direction in principle. The liver-allocation policy has gone through two major modifications in the last 10 years. Despite these overhauls, geographic inequity persists. Methodology/results: In this study, we develop a patient’s dynamic choice model to analyze the patient’s strategic response to a policy change. We use this to evaluate several (existing and proposed) organ-allocation policies. On historical data, we show that our model’s predictions are more precise than the existing liver simulated allocation model. It more accurately captures (1) a patient’s change in organ offer acceptance probability (with their sickness level) and (2) the behavioral change of a patient in terms of organ offer acceptance probability with a change in policy. Next, we study the current acuity circles policy (a one-size-fits-all variant of broader sharing) and conclude that it results in lower efficiency (more offer refusals and a lower transplant benefit) than the previous share 35 policy and performs similarly on geographic equity measures. Finally, we show that broader sharing in its current form may not be the best strategy to balance geographic equity and efficiency. The intuition is that, by indiscriminately enlarging the pool of supply locations from where patients can receive offers, they tend to become more selective, resulting in more offer rejections and less efficiency. We illustrate that a policy that equalizes the supply (deceased donors)-to-demand (waiting list patients) ratios across geographies is better than acuity circles in achieving geographic equity at the lowest trade-off on efficiency metrics. Managerial implications: The key message to policymakers is that they should move away from the one-size-fits-all approach and focus on matching supply and demand to develop organ-allocation policies that score well in terms of efficiency and geographic equity.

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2023.1211 .
Urinary tract infections: Do catheters really matter?
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: April 2023

Mark Greener looks into the latest evidence on catheterisation
Robust and non-robust bound states in the continuum in rotationally symmetric periodic waveguides
Authors: Zhang Nan , Lu Ya Yan
Published: April 2023

A fiber grating and a one-dimensional (1D) periodic array of spheres are examples of rotationally symmetric periodic (RSP) waveguides. It is well known that bound states in the continuum (BICs) may exist in lossless dielectric RSP waveguides. Any guided mode in an RSP waveguide is characterized by an azimuthal index m, the frequency ω, and Bloch wavenumber β. A BIC is a guided mode, but for the same m, ω and β, cylindrical waves can propagate to or from infinity in the surrounding homogeneous medium. In this paper, we investigate the robustness of nondegenerate BICs in lossless dielectric RSP waveguides. The question is whether a BIC in an RSP waveguide with a reflection symmetry along its axis z, can continue its existence when the waveguide is perturbed by small but arbitrary structural perturbations that preserve the periodicity and the reflection symmetry in z. It is shown that for m = 0 and m ≠ 0, generic BICs with only a single propagating diffraction order are robust and non-robust, respectively, and a non-robust BIC with m ≠ 0 can continue to exist if the perturbation contains one tunable parameter. The theory is established by proving the existence of a BIC in the perturbed structure mathematically, where the perturbation is small but arbitrary, and contains an extra tunable parameter for the case of m ≠ 0. The theory is validated by numerical examples for propagating BICs with m ≠ 0 and β ≠ 0 in fiber gratings and 1D arrays of circular disks.
Predicting adherence to postdischarge malaria chemoprevention in Malawian pre-school children: A prognostic multivariable analysis
Authors: Kühl Melf-Jakob , Nkosi-Gondwe Thandile , ter Kuile Feiko O , Phiri Kamija S , Pannu Mehmajeet , Mukaka Mavuto , Robberstad Bjarne , Engebretsen Ingunn M. S
Published: April 2023

Chemoprevention with antimalarials is a key strategy for malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa. Three months of postdischarge malaria chemoprevention (PDMC) reduces malaria-related mortality and morbidity in pre-school children recently discharged from hospital following recovery from severe anemia. Research on adherence to preventive antimalarials in children is scarce. We aimed to investigate the predictors for caregivers’ adherence to three courses of monthly PDMC in Malawi. We used data from a cluster randomized implementation trial of PDMC in Malawi (n = 357). Modified Poisson regression for clustered data was used to obtain relative risks of predictors for full adherence to PDMC. We did not find a conclusive set of predictors for PDMC adherence. The distribution of households across a socio-economic index and caregivers’ education showed mixed associations with poor adherence. Caregivers of children with four or more malaria infections in the past year were associated with reduced adherence. With these results, we cannot confirm the associations established in the literature for caregiver adherence to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). PDMC combines multiple factors that complicate adherence. Our results may indicate that prevention interventions introduce a distinct complexity to ACT adherence behavior. Until we better understand this relationship, PDMC programs should ensure high program fidelity to sustain adherence by caregivers during implementation.
Associated risk factors of severe dengue in Reunion Island: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Carras Mathys , Maillard Olivier , Cousty Julien , Gérardin Patrick , Boukerrou Malik , Raffray Loïc , Mavingui Patrick , Poubeau Patrice , Cabie André , Bertolotti Antoine
Published: April 2023

Background

Since 2018, a dengue epidemic has been raging annually in Reunion Island, which poses the major problem of its morbidity and mortality. However, there is no consensus in the literature on factors associated with severity of illness. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with the occurrence of severe dengue (SD) according to the criteria adopted in 2009 by the World Health Organization (WHO), during the 2019 epidemic.

Methodology/Principal findings

A total of 163 patients with RT-PCR-confirmed dengue were included in a multicenter prospective cohort study in Reunion Island between January and June 2019. Of these, 37 (23%) were classified as SD, which involves presentation dominated by at least one organ failure, and 126 (77%) classified as non-SD (of which 90 (71%) had warning signs). Confusion, dehydration, and relative hypovolemia were significantly associated with SD in bivariate analysis (p < 0.05). The factors associated with SD in multivariate analysis were a time from first symptom to hospital consultation over 2 days (OR: 2.46, CI: 1.42–4.27), a history of cardiovascular disease (OR: 2.75, 95%CI: 1.57–4.80) and being of Western European origin (OR: 17.60, CI: 4.15–74).

Conclusions/Significance

This study confirms that SD is a frequent cause of hospitalization during dengue epidemics in Reunion Island. It suggests that cardiovascular disease, Western European origin, and delay in diagnosis and management are risk factors associated with SD fever, and that restoration of blood volume and correction of dehydration must be performed early to be effective.

Trial registration

NCT01099852; clinicaltrials.gov
Environmental soil contamination with zoonotic soil-transmitted helminths in the temple grounds of Chachoengsao Province, Thailand
Authors: Dokmaikaw Amornrat , Suntaravitun Pisit
Published: April 2023

Background and Aim: Soil-transmitted helminth infections are a serious public health problem. The soil is an important reservoir for several helminth species. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of soil contamination with zoonotic soil-transmitted helminths.

Materials and Methods: Soil samples were collected on the grounds of 19 temples in Ratchasan and Bang Khla districts, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand, between June 2021 and February 2022. A total of 190 soil samples were collected from ten different areas on the grounds of each temple, of which 31 (16.3%) were contaminated. The samples were analyzed by a centrifugal flotation technique using a saturated sodium nitrate solution.

Results: Six genera of helminths were recovered from the soil samples, of which five genera were identified as helminth eggs and two genera were identified as helminth larvae. The prevalence of soil contamination with helminth eggs was as follows: Toxocara spp. 15.8% (30/190), hookworm/strongylid 12.1% (23/190), Trichuris spp. 6.8% (13/190), Taenia spp. 2.1% (4/190), Ascaris spp. 1.6% (3/190), and unidentified helminth eggs 5.8% (11/190). Moreover, nematode larvae consisted of 8.4% (16/190) hookworm/strongylid, 3.7% (7/190) of Strongyloides spp., and 4.2% (8/190) unidentified nematode larvae. The rates of soil-transmitted helminth contamination were not significantly different between Ratchasan and Bang Khla districts (p = 0.878).

Conclusion: Soil-transmitted helminth contamination was found in the soil environment of the community temples with a high probability of spreading intestinal helminthiasis to the local residents. Therefore, public awareness campaigns should be conducted targeting people in the community to increase their knowledge and understanding about animal healthcare to prevent and control the spread of soil-transmitted helminthiasis.

Keywords: soil contamination, soil-transmitted helminth, temple, Thailand, zoonotic helminth.
TOPLUMSAL HUZURUN SAĞLANMASINDA DİN VE DİN GÖREVLİLERİ
Authors: YAVUZER Hasan
Published: April 2023

Toplumun temel kurumlarından bir tanesi de dindir. Din, insanlık tarihi ile başlamış ve insanlık ile yaşıt evrensel bir olgudur. Tarihin her döneminde ve her toplumda var olmuş, günümüzde de varlığını en canlı bir şekilde hissettiren önemli ve hassas bir kurumdur. Antropoloji bilimi tarih boyunca bireysel olarak inanmayan kişiler olmakla beraber top yekûn dinsiz bir topluma rastlanmadığını haber vermektedir.
İnsanların huzur ve mutluluğuna önemli katkı sağlayan en güçlü temel kurumlardan biri olan din, geçmişte olduğu gibi günümüzde de birey ve toplumların sosyal, kültürel, siyasal ve ekonomik hayatlarını derinden etkilemekte, milli birlik ve beraberliğe de önemli katkı sağlamaktadır. Din kurucusu olan Peygamberler yaşadıkları dönemde bireyleri ve toplumları inanç, ahlak ve sosyal hayat açısından derinden etkilemiştir. Sosyolojik açıdan yaklaşıldığında ve din toplum ilişkileri açısından değerlendirildiğinde din ve din görevlileri toplumları pek çok yönü ile etkilemiş ve ciddi oranda dönüştürmüşlerdir. İslam dini ve bu dini tebliğ eden Hz. Peygamber de bunun en canlı örneklerinden sadece biridir. Hz. Peygamber, yüce yaratıcıya inancı kaybedip kendi elleri ile yaptıkları putlara tapan insanları İslam dini etrafında birleştirmiş, bir Allah inancı etrafında kenetlemiştir. Getirmiş olduğu ahlak kuralları ile de toplumun huzur ve mutluluğunu pekiştirmiş, din kardeşliği ilkesini geliştirerek inananları kaynaştırmıştır.
Bu çalışmada milli birlik ve beraberlik ile toplumsal huzurun sağlanmasında din ve din görevlilerinin etki ve katkıları ele alınacaktır.