bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new genus within the tribe Lonchaeini (Diptera, Lonchaeidae) based on two species from the Neotropics
Authors: MACGOWAN IAIN
Published: September 2022

Hydrolysa gen. nov. is erected within the tribe Lonchaeini to include Central American species which possess distinctive and unique male genitalia. Two species are described within this new genus, namely Hydrolysa tanetzensis MacGowan sp. nov. and Hydrolysa oaxacana MacGowan sp. nov. A revised key to the genera within the Lonchaeini and a key to males of Hydrolysa is provided.
A new species of Cephalophlugis Gorochov, 1998 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae: Phlugidini) from Southern Brazil, with bioacoustics and cytogenetics
Authors: TAVARES GUSTAVO COSTA , ACOSTA RIULER CORRÊA , TIMM VÍTOR FALCHI
Published: September 2022

Cephalophlugis Gorochov, 1998 is a Neotropical genus of predatory katydids with two valid species, Cephalophlugis cephalotes (Bolívar, 1888) (from São Paulo, Brazil) and Cephalophlugis setosa Gorochov, 2012 (from Sucumbios, Ecuador). Herein, we describe a third species of the genus, Cephalophlugis gaucho sp. nov., from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This species is easily distinguished from the others by the color of the hind wings and the number of spurs on the fore and middle legs. The calling song is composed of a long phrase with a series of syllables that vary in emission rate from beginning to end, with a dominant frequency of 23.43 ± 0.6 (22.12–24.37, n=11) kHz. So far, the species sings at the lowest frequency among the Phlugidini. From the chromosomal perspective, C. gaucho sp. nov. presents the karyotype 2n=31, X0, with the complement conserved within Meconematinae.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the Time of Coronavirus: A Level-1 Trauma Center’s Experience
Authors: Cohen Ryan B. , Severance Grace , Olafson Samantha N. , Ward Candace L. , Parsikia Afshin , Bloom Alexi R. , Moran Benjamin , Kaplan Mark J. , Leung Pak
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the U.S., offers a window into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine surgical care. The purpose of our study was to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic at a Level-1 trauma center on the performance rate of non-elective LC over time.

Methods

A retrospective chart review from July 2019 to December 2020 identified all non-elective LC cases performed at a level-1 trauma center. Patients were categorized into 4 temporal phases along the course of the pandemic based on statewide incidence data on COVID-19: pre-pandemic, peak 1, recovery, and peak 2. We compared the phases based on demographic information and outcomes.

Results

In total, 176 patients were reviewed. The performance rate in cases/day varied as follows: pre-pandemic .61, 1st peak .34, recovery .44, and 2nd peak .53. The complication rate was highest in the 2nd peak (16%) ( P < .05). Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the intra-pandemic period had a higher incidence of complicated gallbladder disease ( P < .05). In the non-elderly subgroup, complicated gallbladder disease was significantly more prevalent in the intra-pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period (25% vs 10%, P < .05).

Conclusions

Our data suggests a learning curve throughout the course of the pandemic, reflecting a stepwise increase in the performance rate of LC. The higher incidence of complicated gallbladder disease in the intra-pandemic period may imply patient hesitancy to seek routine surgical care, especially among younger patients.
Teacher-student relationship and academic achievement in China: Evidence from a three-level meta-analysis
Authors: Lei Hao , Wang Xijing , Chiu Ming Ming , Du Mingfeng , Xie Tongwei
Published: September 2022

Past studies of the relation between teacher-student relationship (TSR) and students’ academic achievement (SAA) yielded mixed results, so this study determined the overall link between TSR and SAA, along with their moderators. This three-level meta-analysis of 90 independent effect sizes in 74 empirical studies of 233,961 students showed an overall positive link between TSR and SAA in China ( r  =  .259, 95% CI  =  [.227; .290]). This relationship was higher in: (a) China's central region (.305) than its eastern (.238) or western regions (.166); (b) senior high school (.345), followed by junior high school (.251), then primary school (.221); (c) English (.302), followed by math (.272), Chinese (.269), and science (.202); and (d) females (B  =  .507) than males. These results suggest the value of improving teacher-student relationships in policies and practices.
Efficient Metropolis-Hastings Robbins-Monro Algorithm for High-Dimensional Diagnostic Classification Models
Authors: Liu Chen-Wei
Published: September 2022

The expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm is a commonly used technique for the parameter estimation of the diagnostic classification models (DCMs) with a prespecified Q-matrix; however, it requires O(2 K) calculations in its expectation-step, which significantly slows down the computation when the number of attributes, K, is large. This study proposes an efficient Metropolis-Hastings Robbins-Monro (eMHRM) algorithm, needing only O( K + 1) calculations in the Monte Carlo expectation step. Furthermore, the item parameters and structural parameters are approximated via the Robbins-Monro algorithm, which does not require time-consuming nonlinear optimization procedures. A series of simulation studies were conducted to compare the eMHRM with the EM and a Metropolis-Hastings (MH) algorithm regarding the parameter recovery and execution time. The outcomes presented in this article reveal that the eMHRM is much more computationally efficient than the EM and MH, and it tends to produce better estimates than the EM when K is large, suggesting that the eMHRM is a promising parameter estimation method for high-dimensional DCMs.
The Role of Minority Serving Institutions in Transforming Teacher Education and Diversifying the Teaching Profession: A Literature Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Ginsberg Alice , Gasman Marybeth , Samayoa Andrés Castro
Published: September 2022

Background

Teacher education programs at Minority Serving Institutions – which include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Native American and Tribal Colleges, Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions, and Hispanic Serving Institutions – are an under-researched resource.

Purpose

Our aim is to provide a foundation and set an agenda for future research on teacher education within the Minority Serving Institution context.

Research Design

The first part of this paper reviews the literature on the relationship between minority student achievement and teacher education, with an emphasis on the contribution and role of minority teacher candidates. The second part of this paper sets the agenda for future research on the role of Minority Serving Institutions’ teacher education programs, including what we already know and seek to learn about their unique and innovative approaches to recruitment, pedagogical approaches and course content, mentoring, academic support and remediation, and pre-service teaching experiences.

Conclusion

Some questions addressed include: In what specific ways are MSIs reframing teaching as a viable and accessible option for minority students? What are MSIs doing with regard to early recruitment of promising minority teacher candidates? What kinds of mentoring and support strategies are they offering, and to what do they attribute high rates of teacher retention in their programs?
How Teacher Education Mundanely Yet Profoundly Fails Transgender and/or Gender Nonconforming Candidates
Authors: Airton Lee , Martin Kel
Published: September 2022

In this commentary, the authors show that teacher education’s mundane—ordinary and unremarkable—demands of all teacher candidates may require transgender and/or gender nonconforming candidates to harm themselves through “non-decisions”: acts of harm to one’s self that would be unthinkable as explicit requests from program faculty or staff, but that these candidates nevertheless undertake, driven to believe they are necessary to become a teacher. The included non-decision examples all link in some way with invocations of “professionalism” in the daily life of teacher education programs.
Drone trauma: violent mediation and remote warfare
Authors: Richardson Michael
Published: September 2022

For people subject to drone war in Gaza, Pakistan, Yemen and elsewhere, the violence and trauma inflicted by remotely piloted aerial systems such as the MQ-9 Reaper takes place at a remove from the sensors, networks, algorithms and interfaces that launch Hellfire and other missiles from the air. Brutal death and wounding bely the precision rhetoric, technocratic discourses and technoscientific imaginaries that shroud drone warfare in popular and political debate over its merits. Much has been said about the traumas of drone operators, but less about the traumas produced by drone warfare in those individuals and communities subject to it. In this short article, I pursue the question of how those traumas on the ground are bound up with the media-technological entities, processes and affects that compose the military drone apparatus: sensors, networks, algorithms, interfaces, atmospheres and missiles. My core contention is that the trauma of drone warfare is characterised by the violent mediation of drone systems, which produce an intensive relation between the not-yet of traumatic violence having commenced before it is felt and the already-too-late of that experience.
Left upper lobectomy in a patient with congenital pericardial defect
Authors: Fiorelli Alfonso , Natale Giovanni , Filippo Vincenzo Di , Opromolla Giorgia , Vicidomini Giovanni , Santini Mario
Published: September 2022

Congenital pericardial defect is an uncommon anomaly due to the congenital absence of the pericardium. In this case, it was associated with diaphragmatic hernia and incidentally discovered during thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy for lung cancer. The thoracoscopic dissection of the hilar structures was complicated with arrhythmia and hypotension. Thus, we converted thoracoscopy to thoracotomy, and the lobectomy was successfully performed. The pericardial defect and diaphragmatic hernia were not repaired, but the vessels and bronchial stump were covered to avoid heart injury. Postoperative course was unremarkable and at six-month follow-up patient did not have any problems.
Virtual home-based palliative care during COVID-19: A qualitative exploration of the patient, caregiver, and healthcare provider experience
Authors: Vincent Daniel , Peixoto Cayden , Quinn Kieran L , Kyeremanteng Kwadwo , Lalumiere Genevieve , Kurahashi Allison M , Gilbert Nathalie , Isenberg Sarina R
Published: September 2022

Background:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many community palliative healthcare providers shifted from providing care in a patient’s home to providing almost exclusively virtual palliative care, or a combination of in-person and virtual care. Research on virtual palliative care is thus needed to provide evidence-based recommendations aiming to enhance the delivery of palliative care during and beyond the pandemic.

Aim:

To explore the experiences and perceptions of community palliative care providers, patients and caregivers who delivered or received virtual palliative care as a component of home-based palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design:

Qualitative study using phone and video-based semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Setting/participants:

A total of 37 participants, including community palliative care patients/caregivers ( n = 19) and healthcare providers ( n = 18) recruited from sites in Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Results:

Overall, participants preferred in-person palliative care compared to virtual care, but suggested virtual care could be a useful supplement to in-person care. The findings are presented in three main themes: (1) Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on community palliative care services; (2) Factors influencing transition from exclusively virtual model of care back to a blended model of care; and (3) Recommended uses and implementation of virtual palliative care

Conclusions:

Incorporating virtual palliative care into healthcare provider practice models (blended care models) may be the ideal model of care and standard practice moving forward beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, which has important implications toward organization and delivery of community palliative care services and funding of healthcare providers.
Diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric ultrasound for peripheral nerve schwannoma
Authors: Yuan Yu , Gao Jinmei , Xiong Guangyi , Guo Lin
Published: September 2022

Background

Ultrasound (US) diagnostic techniques have the advantages of low cost, convenient operation, and high availability.

Purpose

To explore the diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric US in evaluating signs of peripheral schwannoma.

Material and Methods

This retrospective case-control study included patients with soft-tissue masses on the limbs (divided into the schwannoma and non-schwannoma groups) between January 2017 and November 2020. US features were compared between the two groups, and receiver operating characteristics analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of these features.

Results

A total of 165 patients were included in this study; of them, 63 (38.2%) were diagnosed with schwannoma. Regular morphology (95.2% vs. 39.2%), cystic degeneration (71.4% vs. 27.5%), target sign on elastography (82.5% vs. 0), and polar blood supply sign (87.3% vs. 14.7%) were more common in schwannomas than in non-schwannoma lesions (all P < 0.001). Combining the four signs for diagnosis of schwannomas, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 95.24%, 96.08%, and 95.76%, respectively, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.987 (95% confidence interval = 0.955–0.998). Entering and exiting nerve sign was observed in 87.3% of schwannomas and in 3.0% of non-schwannoma lesions ( P < 0.001), while split-fat sign was similar between the two groups (9.5% vs. 2.0%; P = 0.068).

Conclusion

Polar blood supply sign and target sign on elastography are specific US signs in peripheral schwannomas. The combination of two-dimensional imaging, color flow imaging, and elastography can achieve an excellent diagnostic accuracy in schwannomas.
An overview of the history of wind turbine development: Part II–The 1970s onward
Authors: Gipe Paul , Möllerström Erik
Published: September 2022

We review the development of wind turbines for generating electricity from the late 19th century to the present, summarizing some key characteristics. We trace the move from two and four blade wind turbines to the three blades common today. We establish that it was not the governmental-funded wind programs with its large-scale prototypes of the 1970–80s that developed into the commercial turbines of today. Instead, it was the small-scale Danish wind turbines, developed for an agricultural market, that developed into the commercial turbines of today. And we show that much of what we know today about wind turbine design was known by the 1930s and certainly well known by the late 1950s. This work is divided into two parts: the first part takes up the development from the first electricity producing wind turbines through to the 1960s and a second part on development from the 1970s onward.
“This Job has Changed Me”: Work Life Conflict, Self and Social Identity in Correctional Work
Authors: McKendy Laura , Ricciardelli Rosemary
Published: September 2022

Growing research demonstrates the toll of correctional work on the mental health and well-being of staff. Within this body of work, researchers note that work life conflict is a significant stressor faced by correctional workers, though minimal research has examined this topic qualitatively. Drawing on open-ended survey responses from a study on provincial and territorial correctional worker well-being in Canada, we consider how different types of work life conflict, including time, strain and behavior based conflicts, impact sense of self and social identities among workers. More specifically, we examine how work life conflicts give way to: changes in self tied to negative impacts on personality, disposition, and attitudes; loss of self due to lack of time and emotional energy to enact non-work roles and identities; and loss of social identities as a result of both externally and self-imposed forms of social isolation. Findings highlight how work life conflict can have cumulative effects resulting in estrangement with respect to one's self, others, and society more generally.
Experimental study of centrifugal pump as turbine with S-blade impeller
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Wu Zanxiu , Yang Hao , Zhang Xingjie , Yang Junhu , Miao Senchun
Published: September 2022

As a hydraulic energy recovery device, pump as turbine(PAT) has been applied widely in the seawater desalination and petrochemical industry. In order to improve the hydraulic performances, the blade inlet angle was redesigned by analyzing the velocity triangle of PAT impeller inlet, and an S-blade was proposed. Then, A new S-blade impeller was obtained by optimizing the impeller in a real case of centrifugal pump as turbine application, and it was compared with the original impeller through experiments. The results show that the efficiency of the new S-blade impeller is around 3% higher than that of the original blade with the fixed flow rate and head. Under the fixed speed, the shaft power of the new S-blade impeller is higher than that of the original blade, and the maximum deviation is 0.75 kW. The study could have important directive significance to blade optimization of PAT.
Semaglutide ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury through inhibiting HDAC5-mediated activation of NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Jiang Zeyu , Tan Jinyi , Yuan Yan , Shen Jiang , Chen Yan
Published: September 2022

Background

As a life-threatening respiratory syndrome, acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by uncontrollable inflammatory activities. Semaglutide (SEM) has been identified as an effective anti-inflammatory drug in a variety of diseases. This study intended to explore the functional effect and potential mechanisms of SEM in ALI.

Methods

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to construct an in vivo ALI model based on Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and an in vitro ALI model based on human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs). Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining and ELISA were applied to evaluate the histopathological changes in pulmonary tissues and detect TNF-α and IL-6 levels. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to measure gene and protein expressions in pulmonary tissues and cells. HPAEC viability and apoptosis were evaluated by CCK-8 method and flow cytometry methods.

Results

Semaglutide pretreatment significantly mitigated pulmonary injury, reduced TNF-α and IL-6 production, and led to a decrease in cleaved caspase-3 level and an increase in Bcl-2 level, suggesting SEM could ameliorate LPS-induced ALI in rats. In vitro, SEM increased the proliferative capability and mitigated inflammation and apoptosis in LPS-stimulated HPAECs. In addition, SEM inhibited HDAC5-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway in HPAECs. HDAC5 overexpression or NF-κB signaling activation could partly impair SEM-mediated protective effects against LPS-induced damage to HPAECs.

Conclusion

Semaglutide restrains LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting HDAC5/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Factors associated with women's supplemental screening intentions following dense breast notification in an online randomised experimental study
Authors: Nickel Brooke , Dolan Hankiz , Houssami Nehmat , Cvejic Erin , Brennan Meagan , Hersch Jolyn , Dorrington Melanie , Verde Angela , Vaccaro Lisa , McCaffery Kirsten
Published: September 2022

Controversy surrounding recommendations for supplemental screening (ultrasound and magnetic resonance screening) in women with dense breasts exists, as the long-term benefits from these additional modalities may not outweigh the harms. This study aimed to examine factors associated with supplemental screening intentions following a hypothetical breast density notification in a population of women who have not been routinely notified. Australian women of breast screening age participated in an online randomised experimental study where they were presented with one of two breast density notifications (with or without health literacy-sensitive information) and asked their screening intentions. After adjusting for covariates in multivariable analyses, women in both groups (n = 940) who indicated higher levels of breast cancer worry, had private health insurance, had a family history of breast cancer, and had a greater number of times previously attending mammography screening had higher intentions for supplemental screening. Understanding women's supplemental screening intentions following notification of dense breasts has important implications for health systems with breast screening considering the impacts of widespread notification. Personal, clinical and psychological factors should be considered when discussing both the benefits and harms of supplemental screening with women with dense breasts.
How Employees Experience Digital Transformation: A Dynamic And Multi-Layered Sensemaking Perspective
Authors: Van Der Schaft Annemiek H. T. , Lub Xander D. , Van Der Heijden Beatrice , Solinger Omar N.
Published: September 2022

The capacity to deal with digital transformation is a valuable asset for established organizations, and employees play a crucial role in this process. This study contributes to the understanding of employees’ sensemaking of digital transformation in the tour operating industry. Using prior digital transformation research, construal-level theory (CLT), and dynamic change perspectives, our scholarly work focuses on the complexities of organizational change in a digital transformation context. Although employees generally support digital transformation, our findings show that their perceptions change over time across a range of specific challenges experienced during the employee change journey. Our findings stress the importance of adopting a social exchange lens in digital transformation knowledge as this represents deep structure change that might cause well-designed transformation processes to fail. Implications for hospitality and tourism management are discussed.
Banal Koreanness: National imagery in multicultural-themed television shows
Authors: Istad Felicia , Kim Min Jung , Curran Nathaniel Ming
Published: September 2022

This article analyses how three South Korean multicultural-themed reality television programmes discursively produce Koreanness. We ground our study in scholarship on ‘othering’ and the notion of banal nationalism (Billig, 1995) and conduct a thematic analysis of the shows. Our findings show that the programmes adopt a Korea-foreign dichotomy that becomes a lens through which viewers can vicariously experience the existence of a unified South Korean culture. We argue that the juxtaposition of a Korean ‘us’ against a foreign ‘them’ precludes imagining a more pluralistic South Korea – even as the programmes ostensibly celebrate South Korea’s increasing diversity.
Is Beekeeping Commercially and Environmentally viable? an assessment of the adoption of hanging frame beehives in semi-Arid Area of central Tanzania
Authors: Chami Charles Felix , Liwenga Emma Teresa , Masao Catherine Aloyce
Published: September 2022

In Tanzania, beekeeping contributes to the natural ecosystem growth and livelihood of rural poor people. This activity provides income and ensures food security as generated from bee products. This paper explores adoption of hanging frame beehives and its implications for livelihoods and forest conservation in the Chemba district, Dodoma region. Data was collected through interviews and Focus group discussions using structured and unstructured questionnaires. Quantitative and qualitative information were analysed through a statistical package SPSS version 16 and content analysis. The research revealed that 37.9% of the beekeepers obtain an average income of above 50,000 (21.57 USD) Tshs per year from using hanging frame beehives and 36% of other beekeepers obtain less than 50,000 (21.57 USD) Tshs per year from using log beehives. The average income from beekeeping indicates that the communities are not yet receiving reasonable income to emphasise the activity as a main source of income. Furthermore, traditional beekeeping has remained a preferred technique, thus jeopardising the forest ecosystems around the areas. Implying that adoption of hanging frame beehives is still to ensure forest conservation. The study recommends that the government, in collaboration with private stakeholders, should plan to improve beekeeping by introducing improved beehives that can be affordable to rural communities and ensure forest conservation.
Cardiovascular waveforms - can we extract more from routine signals?
Authors: Nandi Manasi , Anton Mary , Lyle Jane V.
Published: September 2022

Cardiovascular waveforms such as blood pressure, ECG and photoplethysmography (PPG), are routinely acquired by specialised monitoring devices. Such devices include bedside monitors, wearables and radiotelemetry which sample at very high fidelity, yet most of this numerical data is disregarded and focus tends to reside on single point averages such as the maxima, minima, amplitude, rate and intervals. Whilst, these measures are undoubtedly of value, we may be missing important information by simplifying the complex waveform signal in this way. This Special Collection showcases recent advances in the appraisal of routine signals. Ultimately, such approaches and technologies may assist in improving the accuracy and sensitivity of detecting physiological change. This, in turn, may assist with identifying efficacy or safety signals for investigational new drugs or aidpatient diagnosis and management, supporting scientific and clinical decision making.
Clinical challenges in diagnosis and treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis
Authors: Neal Chemen M , Martens Mark G
Published: September 2022

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common infection associated most often with the overgrowth of the fungal species Candida albicans. Although most women will have at least one episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis in their lifetime, some will experience recurrent infections. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis can significantly impact quality of life, causing both physical and psychological symptoms, and poses a substantial financial burden for women and the health care system. Acute vulvovaginal candidiasis infections are often diagnosed symptomatically by clinicians or self-diagnosed by patients themselves; this can result in over- and underdiagnosis, as well as misdiagnosis, and has the potential to lead to ineffective treatment and incomplete infection resolution. Clinical diagnosis should include confirmatory laboratory tests, including microscopy and fungal culture, especially in women with a history of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, who are more likely than women with vulvovaginal candidiasis to be infected with less-common Candida species or with azole-resistant strains. With proper diagnosis, most acute vulvovaginal candidiasis episodes can be successfully treated; however, women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis may require long-term maintenance therapy. US-based guidelines recommend ⩽6 months of maintenance fluconazole treatment, but infection recurs in up to 50% of women treated. There are currently no US Food and Drug Administration–approved treatments for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis; however, several promising treatments for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis are in development.
Positive pressure–assisted pleural aspiration: A case report of a novel procedure and a review of literature
Authors: Ruwanpathirana Pramith Shashinda , Karunatillake Ravini , Jayasinghe Saroj
Published: September 2022

Drainage of a pleural effusion is done either by inserting an intercostal tube or by aspirating pleural fluid using a syringe. The latter is a time-consuming and labour-intensive procedure. The serious complications of pleural aspiration are the development of a pneumothorax and re-expansion pulmonary oedema. We describe an observation made during a pleural aspiration in a patient who was on positive pressure ventilation. We explain the physiological basis for the observation, the safety of the procedure and its potential to reduce complications by reviewing the literature. A 56-year-old Sri Lankan female patient with end-stage kidney disease presented with fluid overload and bilateral pleural effusions. She was found to have concurrent COVID pneumonia. The patient was on bilevel positive airway pressure, non-invasive ventilation when pleural aspiration was done. The pleural fluid drained completely without the need for aspiration, once the cannula was inserted into the pleural space. One litre of fluid drained in 15 min without the patient developing symptoms or complications. Positive pressure ventilation leads to a supra-atmospheric (positive) pressure in the pleural cavity. This leads to a persistent positive pressure gradient throughout the procedure, leading to complete drainage of pleural fluid. Pleural fluid drainage in mechanically ventilated patients has been proven to be safe, implying the safety of positive pressure ventilation in pleural fluid aspiration and drainage. It further has the potential to reduce the incidence of post-aspiration pneumothorax by reducing the pressure fluctuations at the visceral pleura. Re-expansion pulmonary oedema is associated with a higher negative pleural pressure during aspiration, and the use of positive pressure ventilation can theoretically prevent re-expansion pulmonary oedema. Positive pressure ventilation can reduce the re-accumulation of the effusion as well. We suggest utilizing positive pressure ventilation to assist pleural aspiration in suitable patients.
Internal carotid artery dissection following self-manipulation: A case report
Authors: Piening Kurt , Piening Nicholas M , Chiou Andy
Published: September 2022

Arterial dissections are a common cause of stroke in young patients. Dissection occurs when the structure of the arterial wall is compromised, allowing blood to collect between layers as an intramural hematoma. Symptoms of cervical artery dissection may include pain, Horner syndrome, cranial and cervical neuropathies, and pulsatile tinnitus. Treatment varies depending on the severity of symptoms but generally includes anticoagulation with surgical therapy reserved for patients with progressive neurologic symptoms or symptom recurrence while on maximum medical therapy. Here, we present the case of a traumatic internal carotid artery dissection with significant narrowing of the artery in a healthy 26-year-old female after self-manipulation of the neck. She developed Horner syndrome secondary to her dissection. Our patient was initially treated with anticoagulation and transitioned to clopidogrel and atorvastatin for outpatient treatment. Six-month follow-up computed tomography angiography showed complete resolution of her dissection. She had overall significant improvement in her symptoms with only mild residual ptosis on the follow-up examination. While the presentation of a patient with neurologic sequelae from a cervical artery dissection causing stroke is a well-known phenomenon, the mechanical cause in this particular case is rare. There have been several case reports in the literature detailing cervical artery dissections following cervical manipulative therapy by trained professionals (i.e. chiropractors, physical therapists, osteopathic physicians) but none occurring from self-manipulation of the neck. This case report details successful treatment of a rare case of internal carotid dissection following self-manipulation with appropriate medical therapy.
Does Economic Freedom Influence the FDI–Growth Nexus in ASEAN Economies?
Authors: Ansari Md. Gyasuddin , Sensarma Rudra
Published: September 2022

Authors examine the role of economic freedom in explaining the spillover of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Authors extend the analysis to the roles of human capital and financial institutions in the FDI–growth nexus. Authors employ two-stage least squares regression to analyse a panel data set of ASEAN countries over 26 years. They find that the positive relationship between FDI and economic growth can be explained by higher economic freedom along with improvements in the quality of human capital and financial institutions. They also provide the policy implications of our findings.

JEL Classification: F20; F21; O40
Implementing computerized physician order entry in a public tertiary care hospital
Authors: Amir Muhammad , Khan Azizullah
Published: September 2022

It is reported that at least one medication error per day occurs in hospitalized patients. Medication errors are not only harmful but also expensive. Prescription review by pharmacists is the standard to reduce prescribing error; however, due to the manual process, pharmacists lack time to conduct prescription reviews. Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) allows clinicians to directly place medication orders electronically, transmitted directly to the pharmacy. Successfully implemented CPOE systems improve the prescribing process and result in fewer medication errors. However, regardless of its significance, implementation of CPOE is a very difficult task, particularly in a public-sector hospital. Lady Reading Hospital-Medical Teaching Institution has a manual system for indenting medication system; pharmacists could only ensure the current dispensing of medication, but lack time and information to conduct a review to ensure the appropriateness of prescription. The article entails the barriers and the process of implementation of e-prescribing.
Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation after a single-trigger pain in patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Ge Xiuhong , Wang Luoyu , Pan Lei , Ye Haiqi , Zhu Xiaofen , Fan Sandra , Feng Qi , Yu Wenhua , Ding Zhongxiang
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study aimed to explore the central mechanism of classical trigeminal neuralgia (CTN) by analyzing the static amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (sALFF) and dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (dALFF) in patients with CTN before and after a single-trigger pain.

Methods

This study included 48 patients (37 women and 11 men, age 55.65 ± 11.41 years) with CTN. All participants underwent 3D-T1WI and three times resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The images were taken before stimulating the trigger zone (baseline), within 5 s after stimulating the trigger zone (triggering-5 s), and in the 30th minute after stimulating the trigger zone (triggering-30 min). The differences between the three measurements were analyzed using a repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Results

The sALFF values of the bilateral middle occipital gyrus and right cuneus gradually increased, and the values of the left posterior cingulum gyrus and bilateral superior frontal gyrus gradually decreased in triggering-5 s and triggering-30 min. The values of the right middle temporal gyrus and right thalamus decreased in triggering-5 s and subsequently increased in triggering-30 min. The sALFF values of the left superior temporal gyrus increased in triggering-5 s and then decreased in triggering-30 min. The dALFF values of the right fusiform gyrus, bilateral lingual gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and right cuneus gyrus gradually increased in both triggering-5 s and triggering-30 min.

Conclusions

The sALFF and dALFF values changed differently in multiple brain regions in triggering-5 s and triggering-30 min of CTN patients after a single trigger of pain, and dALFF is complementary to sALFF. The results might help explore the therapeutic targets for relieving pain and improving the quality of life of patients with CTN.
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and cannabis withdrawal syndrome: a review of the management of cannabis-related syndrome in the emergency department
Authors: Razban Mohammad , Exadaktylos Aristomenis K. , Santa Vincent Della , Heymann Eric P.
Published: September 2022

Background

Cannabis-related medical consultations are increasing worldwide, a non-negligible public health issue; patients presenting to acute care traditionally complain of abdominal pain and vomiting. Often recurrent, these frequent consultations add to the congestion of already chronically saturated emergency department(s) (ED). In order to curb this phenomenon, a specific approach for these patients is key, to enable appropriate treatment and long-term follow-up.

Objectives

This study reviews cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) and cannabis withdrawal syndrome (CWS), in a bid to help promote better understanding and handling of pathologies associated with chronic cannabis use. Following a literature review, we present a novel therapeutic algorithm aimed at guiding clinicians, in a bid to improve long-term outcomes and prevent recurrences.

Methods

Using the keywords “Cannabis,” “Hyperemesis,” “Syndrome,” “Withdrawal,” and “Emergency Medicine,” we completed a literature review of three different electronic databases (PubMed®, Google scholar®, and Cochrane®), up to November 2021.

Results

Although often presenting with similar symptoms such as abdominal pain and vomiting, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) and cannabis withdrawal syndrome (CWS) are the result of two differing pathophysiological processes. Distinguishing between these two syndromes is essential to provide appropriate symptomatic options.

Conclusion

The correct identification of the underlying cannabis-related syndrome, and subsequent therapeutic choice, may help decrease ED presentations. Our study emphasizes the importance of both acute care and long-term outpatient follow-up, as key processes in cannabis-related disorder treatment.
Evolutionary changes in gene expression profiles associated with the coevolution of male and female genital parts among closely related ground beetle species
Authors: Nomura Shota , Sota Teiji
Published: September 2022

Background

The coevolutionary dynamics of corresponding male and female sexual traits, including genitalia, may be driven by complex genetic mechanisms. Carabus (Ohomopterus) ground beetles show correlated evolution in the size of their functionally corresponding male and female genital parts. To reveal the genetic mechanisms involved in the evolution of size, we investigated interspecific differences in gene expression profiles in four closely related species (two species each with long and short genital parts) using transcriptome data from genital tissues in the early and late pupal stages.

Results

We detected 1536 and 1306 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the species in males and 546 and 1959 DEGs in females in the two pupal stages, respectively. The DEGs were clustered by species-specific expression profiles for each stage and sex to identify candidate gene clusters for genital size based on the expression patterns among the species and gene ontology. We identified one and two gene clusters in females and males, respectively, all from the late pupal stage; one cluster of each sex showed similar expression profiles in species with similar genital size, which implies a common gene expression change associated with similar genital size in each sex. However, the remaining male cluster showed different expression profiles between species with long genital parts, which implies species-specific gene expression changes. These clusters did not show sex-concordant expression profiles for genital size differences.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that sex-independent and partly species-specific gene expression underlies the correlated evolution of male and female genital size. These results may reflect the complex evolutionary history of male and female genitalia.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates born to mothers or relatives with COVID-19
Authors: Babaei Roghayeh , Bokharaei-Salim Farah , Khanaliha Khadijeh , Kiani Seyed Jalal , Marjani Arezoo , Garshasbi Saba , Dehghani-Dehej Farzaneh , Chavoshpour Sara
Published: September 2022

Background

In December 2019, in Wuhan, China, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was emerged due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It seems that children and neonates, similar to adult and elderly individuals, are at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, adequate data are not available about neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

This study evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates born to mothers or relatives with COVID-19. This cross-sectional study was performed on 25,044 consecutive Iranian participants in Tehran, Iran, from January 2020 to August 2020. Viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted from 500 µl of the oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal specimens of the participants. The genomic RNA of SARS-CoV-2 was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

Results

Out of all participants, 98 (0.40%) cases were neonates born to mothers or relatives with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, the current study was performed on these neonates. Out of 98 studied neonates, 6 (6.1%) cases had positive PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, among 98 studied neonates’ mothers, 25 (25.5%) cases had positive PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Conclusion

The findings of this study demonstrated that the rate of COVID-19 in neonates born to mothers or relatives with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Iranian population is about 6.1%.
Acute kidney injury in critically ill COVID-19 infected patients requiring dialysis: experience from India and Pakistan
Authors: Anandh Urmila , Noorin Amna , Kazmi Syed Khurram Shehzad , Bannur Sooraj , Shah Syed Shahkar Ahmed , Farooq Mehrin , Yedlapati Gopikrishna , Amer Waseem , Prasad Bonthu , Dasgupta Indranil
Published: September 2022

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) was common in the first two waves of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic in critically ill patients. A high percentage of these patients required renal replacement therapy and died in the hospital.

Methods

The present study examines the clinical presentation, laboratory parameters and therapeutic interventions in critically ill patients with AKI admitted to the ICU in two centres, one each in India and Pakistan. Patient and outcome details of all critically ill COVID 19 patients admitted to the ICU requiring renal replacement therapy were collected. Data was analysed to detect patient variables associated with mortality.

Results

A total of 1,714 critically ill patients were admitted to the ICUs of the two centres. Of these 393 (22.9%) had severe acute kidney injury (AKIN stage 3) requiring dialysis. Of them, 60.5% were men and the mean (± SD) age was 58.78 (± 14.4) years. At the time of initiation of dialysis, 346 patients (88%) were oligo-anuric. The most frequent dialysis modality in these patients was intermittent hemodialysis (48.1%) followed by slow low efficiency dialysis (44.5%). Two hundred and six (52.4%) patients died. The mortality was higher among the Indian cohort (68.1%) than the Pakistani cohort (43.4%). Older age (age > 50 years), low serum albumin altered sensorium, need for slower forms of renal replacement therapy and ventilatory support were independently associated with mortality.

Conclusion

There was a very high mortality in patients with COVID-19 associated AKI undergoing RRT in the ICUs in this cohort from the Indian sub-continent.
Surgical outcomes and observation in exotropia cerebral palsy children with cortical visual impairment
Authors: Ye Haiyun , Liu Qingyu , Zhan Qijia , Zhang Yidan , Du Xiaodong , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Di Yue , Qiao Tong
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is the common cause of pediatric visual impairment in cerebral palsy (CP) while exotropia is the most common strabismus associated with CP. We aim to observe the strabismic surgery outcomes in pediatric patients with CP and CVI.

Method

Our medical records were collected from pediatric patients treated in our hospital from May 1, 2017 to Jan 1, 2022. With normal intelligence assessment and diagnosis of exotropia in children with CP and CVI, microsurgeries were performed under intravenous combined inhalation anesthesia. The strabismus was examined by the prism test under best vision correction and the contrast sensitivity testing (CST) was measured at five levels of spatial frequencies.

Result

A total of 38 exotropia patients with CP and CVI were identified and included for analysis during the study period with age ranged from 5 to 12 years (mean 8.45 years) and mean follow up duration was 8.7 months (6–42 months). After bilateral lateral rectus recession (with/without medial rectus resection or inferior oblique transposition), the exotropia amount of participants were obviously revealed from − 30 ~ − 140 (median, IQR: − 50, 40) prism diopters (PD) preoperatively to 0 ~ − 15 (0, 5) PD postoperatively. Statistically significantly improvements were observed at all levels of spatial frequency on CST postoperatively, especially at high spatial frequency areas (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that the effect of strabismus surgery on exotropia in children with CP and CVI were stable and monocular contrast sensitivity post- operation increased significantly at all spatial frequencies levels.
Influence of a quality improvement intervention on rehabilitation outcomes of children (6–24 months) with acute malnutrition: a retrospective study in rural Angola
Authors: Pietravalle Andrea , Baraldi Alessandro , Scilipoti Martina , Cavallin Francesco , Lonardi Magda , Tshikamb Ivo Makonga , Robbiati Claudia , Trevisanuto Daniele , Putoto Giovanni
Published: September 2022

Background

Defaulting is the most frequent cause of Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) program failure. Lack of community sensitization, financial/opportunity costs and low quality of care have been recognized as the main driving factors for default in malnutrition programs. The present study aimed to evaluate if a logistic reorganization (generic outpatient department, OPD vs dedicated clinic, NRU) and a change in management (dedicated vs non dedicated staff) of the follow-up of children between 6 and 24 months of age with acute malnutrition, can reduce the default, relapse and readmission rate and increase the recovery rate.

Methods

Retrospective observational study on the impact of quality improvement interventions on rehabilitation outcomes of children (6–24 months) with acute malnutrition, admitted at the Catholic Mission Hospital of Chiulo (Angola) from January 2018 to February 2020. Main outcome measures were recovery rate, the default rate, the relapse rate, and the readmission rate.

Results

The intervention was associated with a decrease in the default rate from 89 to 76% (p = 0.02). Recovery rate was 69% in OPD and 88% in NRU (p = 0.25). Relapse rate was nil.

Conclusions

The present study supports the hypothesis that an improvement in quality of care can positively influence the rehabilitation outcomes of malnourished children. Further studies are needed to identify children at risk of low adherence to follow-up visits to increase the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs.