bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid PTFE-glass hierarchical braided/epoxy composites with self-lubricating and high tribological performance
Authors: Zahabi Saeed Reza , Sheikhzadeh Mohammad , Akbarzadeh Saleh , Abuzade RamazanAli , Ko Frank
Published: December 2020

In this study hybrid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/glass fibers were employed in hierarchical braided structure as a composite reinforcement. PTFE-covered glass fibers were braided to achieve the hierarchical structure, then the composites were prepared through vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. Tribological experiments were performed on the composites. The results showed self-lubricating and lower dynamic friction coefficient due to the PTFE transfer film formation. SEM micrographs confirmed the transfer film formation. Friction coefficient of 0.112, 0.105 and 0.096 were obtained under loading of 20, 30 and 40 N forces, respectively. The experimental coefficient of friction results were confirmed by mixture theory. The self-lubricating feature of PTFE-glass braided epoxy composite along with its mechanical characteristics makes it a feasible alternative for traditional wet bearing parts.
Acceptability of the “Love, Sex, & Choices” HIV Prevention Intervention by Hispanic Female College Students
Authors: Jones Sandra Gracia , Jones Rachel , Fenkl Eric A. , Lacroix-Williams Lorraine , Simon Sharon , Chadwell Katherine
Published: December 2020

Introduction:

Hispanic women are affected by HIV. “Love, Sex & Choices” (LSC) is an innovative 12-episode urban soap opera video series targeting young adult Black women streamed to smartphones. This study purpose was to determine whether LSC is an acceptable HIV prevention intervention for female Hispanic college students in South Florida.

Method:

After institutional review board approval, female Hispanic college students were recruited from two campuses to watch the LSC video series and complete an online evaluation survey.

Results:

Study participants ( n =101) evaluated LSC as definitely/probably important for women (97.0%), helpful for making relationship decisions (86.2%), changing attitudes about having sex (79.2%), asking partners to use a condom (80.2%), leaving partners who won’t use condoms (74.2%), handling oneself in tough situations in a relationship (79.2%), and getting an HIV test (83.2%). Participants liked/related to LSC and thought their friends would also like the series.

Conclusions:

Results indicated that young Hispanic women related to the video series, were likely to get HIV tested after watching the video series, found the story lines realistic, and thought their friends would like the series. The next step is to test the effectiveness of LSC to change behaviors of young Hispanic women at risk of HIV.
Experiences With Machismo and Pain: Latino Veterans
Authors: Cancio Roberto
Published: December 2020

Physical and emotional pain from combat-related injuries and experiences are serious problems among Latino veterans. This study fleshes out existing cultural constructs and concepts (e.g., machismo and familism) from the participants’ point of view and may serve as an important step in unraveling the influence of Latino culture on pain, providing a deeper and more critical theorization between masculinity, race/ethnicity, and the military. Using 26 interviews from U.S.-born Latino veterans, this study analyzes the meanings and experiences of pain from combat, masculinity, and how culture affects expressions of pain. The following themes emerged: (a) Latino culture and ethnicity, (b) machismo and pain, (c) the transforming self, and (d) feeling disconnected and dealing with pain. Overall, respondents were governed by strict gender standards influenced by their ethnic identity and exacerbated by military masculinity. Findings suggest that the study of race/ethnicity acts as a fundamental framework from which to understand the experiences and behaviors of pain.
White privilege, Black resilience: Women of color leading the academy
Authors: Gause Simone AF
Published: December 2020

In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, women are still grappling with white male dominance, abuses of power, and normalized tolerance of racism or discrimination. White male dominance is also prevalent in America’s education ecosystems as women are still underrepresented in academic leadership. Academic leaders who are women of color face a double bind of both gender and racial biases, both systemically and institutionally. The ways in which women of color navigate these institutional leadership pathways, the hurdles they overcome, and microaggressive behaviors they traverse are not extensively articulated in the literature. Using narrative inquiry, this study examined the lived experiences of women of color leading community colleges and revealed how their resilient attitudes, motivations, and intentions toward transforming the community college presidency upstaged the cloak of white privilege in academia. The national resurgence in women’s rights and anti-discrimination dovetails with calls from the American Council on Education and other national organizations to dramatically increase the representation of women (and women of color) as chief executives of universities. With such lofty goals, the findings of this study have implications on recruitment and retention of women of color faculty and administrators and leadership succession planning in higher education.
Seasonal variation in gonad physiology indicates juvenile breeding in the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug)
Authors: Dixon Andrew , Ward Janelle , Ichinkhorloo Sarangerel , Erdenechimeg Tuvshinjargal , Galtbalt Batbayar , Davaasuren Batmunkh , Bold Batbayar , Batbayar Nyambayar
Published: December 2020

We describe seasonal changes in the physiology of reproductive organs of Saker Falcons electrocuted on an electricity power line in Mongolia. Macroscopic examination of the gonads revealed asymmetry in testes size, with bias to the left body side. This asymmetry declined with seasonal increase in testes size during the main egg-laying period of the breeding season. In females, 91% possessed both left and right ovaries ( N = 161); there was no visible oviduct associated with the right ovary and it was smaller than the functional left ovary. Both ovaries showed seasonal development in size, becoming larger during the peak egg-laying period. Hierarchical preovulatory follicular development was recorded in two females, with ca. 5 mm difference in the diameter of sequential follicles. Both sexes developed brood patches during the main incubation period, with adults more likely to exhibit brood patches than juveniles. Among juveniles, at least 82% of females and 91% of males were non-breeders without brood patches. The high electrocution rate at our studied power line provided a rare opportunity to examine the non-breeding component of the Saker population. Juveniles predominated in the non-breeding population during the main egg-laying period (89%, N = 65), with the proportion of adults electrocuted being significantly lower among females. Only a small proportion of juvenile females exhibited gonadal evidence of breeding, consistent with the low observed frequency of juvenile breeders at nests. The demographic composition of the non-breeding population is consistent with female mortality rates exceeding that of males, and potentially indicates incipient population decline.
Phase II randomized trial of a non-steroidal mouth wash for prevention and treatment of stomatitis in women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer treated with everolimus
Authors: Peddi Parvin F. , Tetef Merry , Coluzzi Paul , Arzoo Karo K. , Hu Eddie H. , Berkowitz Maurice J. , Chan David , Moore Dennis , Adams Brad , Wang Xiaoyan , Hurvitz Sara A.
Published: December 2020

Background:

Stomatitis is a frequent dose limiting toxicity of everolimus, an approved therapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer. No randomized trials of a prophylactic measure to prevent mucositis have been reported.

Methods:

We conducted a phase II, open-label trial in which patients with metastatic breast cancer starting everolimus were randomized to best supportive care (BSC) versus prophylactic use of an oral mucoadhesive, non-steroid containing mouth wash. The primary endpoint was rate of any grade stomatitis as reported by the treating physicians. Secondary endpoints were severity of stomatitis according to the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS) and rates of everolimus dose reduction or discontinuation due to mucositis.

Results:

Of 61 evaluable patients, 32 were randomized to and treated with oral mucoadhesive and 29 with BSC. Any grade stomatitis developed in 46.9% (15/32) of study arm and 65.5% (19/29) of BSC arm patients ( p = 0.14). The difference between the two arms was significantly in favor of the mucoadhesive arm when mucositis was scored according to the OMAS with average score of 0.3 in study arm versus 0.5 in the control arm ( p = 0.03). There were fewer dose adjustments or therapy discontinuations in the study arm compared with BSC (16% versus 31%, respectively) but the difference did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion:

Here we provide early evidence from the first randomized trial supporting the use of oral prophylactic mucoadhesive for everolimus-associated stomatitis. A trial comparing prophylactic oral mucoadhesive to steroid mouth wash may be warranted.
Endoscopic radiofrequency facet joint treatment in patients with low back pain: technique and long-term results. A prospective cohort study
Authors: Meloncelli Stefano , Germani Giorgio , Urti Ignazio , Divizia Marco , Rosciano Maria , Puntillo Filomena , Paladini Antonella , Varrassi Giustino
Published: December 2020

Aims:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic rhizotomy (ER) for denervation of lumbar facet joints in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) due to facet joint syndrome (FJS).

Methods:

A total of 50 consecutive patients suffering from chronic LBP due to facet joints were screened to be treated with ER. The patients participating in the study had a 2-year follow up. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were assessed in the preoperative and postoperative period. To evaluate secondary endpoints, patients were divided into groups. One group included the patients previously treated with percutaneous radiofrequency (RF). The other group comprised patients at their first interventional treatment. We also compared patients dividing them by age and by number of joints treated, trying to elucidate if these parameters could be predictive of effectiveness of the procedure.

Results:

All patients had a reduction in NRS and an improvement in ODI. NRS was reduced significantly after 1 month and remained the same until the end of the study. ODI was significantly improved from T1 (1 month after surgery) up to T7 (end of the study). The improvements did not differ whether already treated with percutaneous rhizotomy or not. Patients less than 60 years or with 1–2 joints treated had better improvement compared with the others.

Conclusion:

The results obtained demonstrate that ER for denervation of the facet joint is an effective treatment in patients with chronic LBP, with consistent and stable results at 2-year follow up. The technique has a rapid learning curve and no major complications occurred. Moreover, the previous percutaneous RF treatment had no influence on the results obtained with endoscopic technique. There is evidence that best results are obtained in younger patients and/or in patients with 1–2 joints treated.

Lay summary

Low-back pain has facet joints inflammation or degeneration as pain generator in 20–40% of cases. Nervous lesion of the dorsal ramus innervating the facet joints has been shown as an efficacious treatment to obtain good analgesia. Percutaneous techniques have provided short term results for several reasons. This research aimed to see whether endoscopic denervation, which guarantees a more precise approach to anatomical structure, would result in more durable results. The study conducted on 40 patients has made it clear that this approach gives significant analgesia for at least 2 years, which was the time of patient follow up.
Innovation under pressure: Implications for data privacy during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Newlands Gemma , Lutz Christoph , Tamò-Larrieux Aurelia , Villaronga Eduard Fosch , Harasgama Rehana , Scheitlin Gil
Published: December 2020

The global Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in social and economic disruption unprecedented in the modern era. Many countries have introduced severe measures to contain the virus, including travel restrictions, public event bans, non-essential business closures and remote work policies. While digital technologies help governments and organizations to enforce protection measures, such as contact tracing, their rushed deployment and adoption also raises profound concerns about surveillance, privacy and data protection. This article presents two critical cases on digital surveillance technologies implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic and delineates the privacy implications thereof. We explain the contextual nature of privacy trade-offs during a pandemic and explore how regulatory and technical responses are needed to protect privacy in such circumstances. By providing a multi-disciplinary conversation on the value of privacy and data protection during a global pandemic, this article reflects on the implications digital solutions have for the future and raises the question of whether there is a way to have expedited privacy assessments that could anticipate and help mitigate adverse privacy implications these may have on society.
The impact of a health introduction course for medical interpreters in the healthcare sector
Authors: Abdulkadir Leila Saud , Sodemann Morten , Gudex Claire , Möller Sören , Nielsen Dorthe Susanne
Published: December 2020

The aim was to examine the impact on interpreters’ health knowledge, attitudes and self-evaluated skills after they participated in a pilot health introduction course at a university hospital in Denmark. The study was conducted as an intervention study using a questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was distributed to interpreters one week before the six-week course started, and again at one week and at three months after course completion. Level of knowledge was calculated based on the number of answers to 18 multiple-choice questions on common health issues, diagnoses and treatments. Of the 100 interpreters who registered for the course, 86 completed the course, and 61 of these participants (70%) completed both the baseline and the one-week questionnaire. The mean knowledge score increased from 48 ( SD 6.9) at baseline to 52 ( SD 3.4; p < 0.001) one week after the course and was 51 ( SD 7.3; p < 0.001) three months after the course ( n = 55). Participants who increased their knowledge score the most were those with the least interpreter experience ( p = 0.001). One week after the course, most participants (83–95%) agreed that the individual lessons had been useful in their subsequent interpreting activities and that they had gained useful information. The health introduction course appeared to be beneficial for interpreters. This study highlights the need for greater focus on education for interpreters working in the healthcare sector.
Muslim Treatment of Other Religions in Medieval Bengal
Authors: Elius Mohammad , Khan Issa , Mohd Nor Mohd Roslan , Muneem Abdul , Mansor Fadillah , Yakub @ Zulkifli Bin Mohd Yusoff Mohd
Published: December 2020

This research analyzes Muslim treatment of other religions in Medieval Bengal from 1204 to 1757 CE with a special reference to Muslim rulers and Sufi saints. The study is based on historical content analysis using a qualitative research design. The study shows the Muslim sultans and Mughals in the medieval period played a vital role in promoting interreligious harmony and human rights in Bengal. In addition, the Muslim missionaries and Sufis served as a force against religious hatred in society. The Muslim sultans and Mughals applied liberal and accommodative views toward non-Muslims. They did not force non-Muslims to accept Islam. Muslims and non-Muslims were integrated society, and they enjoyed full socioeconomic and religious rights. Moreover, Sufis conducted various approaches toward Muslims and non-Muslims as well. They promoted the message of equality and moral conduct among the diver’s faiths of the people. They also applied liberal, syncretic, and accommodative attitude in attracting non-Muslims to Islam in Bengal. The study concludes that most rulers were sympathetic and cooperative in dealing with the people of other religions.
Modes of gender relationships in early medieval India: Study based on inscriptions
Authors: Verma Anjali
Published: December 2020

One major source of information on the position of women and the male attitude towards them in early medieval India (ad 800–1200) consists of the large body of inscriptions in Sanskrit and south Indian languages. This article is concerned with the woman’s position in the family as contemporaneously conceived based on this extensive source. Male preference and dominance were expressed in particular ways; and it is with this particularity that the present study is largely concerned. Since inscriptions, especially the voluble ones, were set up to record some act of the royalty or the nobility, one is warned in advance of the limitations of the evidence. Yet, as will be seen, ordinary women too sometimes appear in our epigraphic evidence.
Women, poverty and work in colonial rural India: The Dufferin Inquiry, 1887–88
Authors: Moosvi Shireen
Published: December 2020

The survival of the original reports of officials engaged in the Dufferin Inquiry (1887–88) from what is now Uttar Pradesh, enables us to have detailed descriptions of the extent of poverty in India’s countryside at that time. The details cover conditions of women, including their share in both domestic and field labour. One can infer the state of gender relations from these descriptions, with bride-price rather than dowry as the prominent institution. We are also able to see how caste customs also shaped women’s access to the labour market outside the home.
Women, gender and sexuality: Changing historiographies of colonial India—A bibliographical essay
Authors: Gupta Charu
Published: December 2020

Drawing on fragmentary examples from women’s histories in colonial India, this paper underlines the problems and possibilities in historiographies of modern India. Feminist scholars argue that the three terms—women, gender and sex—have often been used interchangeably. However, the commonsensical term woman is neither a natural category (of non-men) nor a homogeneous community (of sisterhood), for there are historically many ways of being a woman in different times. Further, gender is not merely a natural or biological identity of a person. It is a historical, social and political construction of how to be a man or a woman. Even sex is no longer seen as the biological ground upon which gender is constructed, as sexualities too are socially produced and regulated by dominant discourses, which establish one kind of sexuality as normal and relegate others into the domain of deviance, perversion or criminality. Through selective readings from discourses around women’s education and conceptualisation of the modern women in colonial India, the paper reflects on how a gender-sensitive perspective produces a more complex and textured view of historical processes. While patriarchies were recast in more powerful, though subtle ways, they were also subverted, or at least questioned, in colonial India.
Book review: Avik Chanda, Dara Shukoh: The Man Who Would be King and Supriya Gandhi, The Emperor Who Never Was: Dara Shukoh in Mughal India
Authors: Moosvi Shireen
Published: December 2020

Avik Chanda, Dara Shukoh: The Man Who Would be King (Noida: Harper Collins), 2019, 337 pp., ₹699 (Hb).

Supriya Gandhi, The Emperor Who Never Was: Dara Shukoh in Mughal India (Cambridge), 2020, 338 pp., $29.95 (Hb).
Book review: John Guy, Art and Independence: Y.G. Srimati and the Indian Style and Geeti Sen, Meera Mukherjee: Purity of Vision
Authors: Das Shilpi
Published: December 2020

John Guy, Art and Independence: Y.G. Srimati and the Indian Style (Ahmedabad: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd), 2019, 144 pp., 66 colour illustrations, 63 colour photographs, ₹1,750 (Hb).

Geeti Sen, Meera Mukherjee: Purity of Vision (Ahmedabad: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd), 2018, 152 pp., 146 colour illustrations, 26 colour photographs, ₹2,950 (Hb).
Book review: Panchali Ray, ed., Women Speak Nation: Gender, Culture, and Politics
Authors: Biswas Richa
Published: December 2020

Panchali Ray, ed., Women Speak Nation: Gender, Culture, and Politics (New York: Routledge), 2020, 230 pp., ₹995 (Hb).
Animal-assisted therapy on happiness and life quality of chronic psychiatric patients living in psychiatric residential care homes: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Sahebalzamani Mohammad , Rezaei Omid , Moghadam Ladan Fattah
Published: December 2020

Background

Psychiatric patients who live in psychiatric residential care homes may often feel a loss of autonomy, decision making, and participation in social activities. They usually have few or no visitors and also do not have any purpose for living. Animals may increase the happiness and quality of life of psychiatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) on happiness and quality of life of chronic psychiatric patients living in psychiatric residential care homes in Tehran, Iran.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 70 males with a chronic psychiatric disorder who were living in psychiatric residential care homes in Tehran, Iran, in 2016. The patients were randomly selected and divided into animal therapy intervention group and control group. Patients in the intervention group received animal-therapy with a bird for eight weeks. Patients in the control group received no intervention. The Oxford Happiness Inventory evaluated all patients pre and post-intervention. To evaluate life quality, the Wisconsin Quality of Life Index was used. Data were statically analyzed using SPSS Ver.19.0. ANCOVA with pretest statistical control. The significance level was set as p < 0.05.

Results

The mean age in both control and intervention groups were 47.12 and 45.82 years, and the mean age of illness onset for both control and intervention groups was 18.94 and 16.83 years, respectively. The result of this study showed that happiness in the intervention group had significantly increased (p < 0.001). The results also showed that the quality of life in four sub-domains increased significantly.

Conclusion

To bring happiness to chronic psychiatric patients living in psychiatric residential care homes is essential and may result in returning them to society and healthy life. The results of this study showed that AAT was helpful for chronic psychiatric patients living in psychiatric residential care homes and not only made them happy but also increased their quality of life.

Trial registration

This was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) (clinical trial code: IRCT20101013004922N4. Registered 2018-08-19. Retrospectively registered, https://www.irct.ir/trial/32390
Psychosocial support interventions for improved adherence and retention in ART care for young people living with HIV (10–24 years): a scoping review
Authors: Okonji Emeka F. , Mukumbang Ferdinand C. , Orth Zaida , Vickerman-Delport Shelley A. , Van Wyk Brian
Published: December 2020

Background

Mental health disorders such as high levels of anxiety, isolation, depression and suicide ideation reported among young people living with HIV (10–24 years;YPLHIV) contribute significantly to poor medication adherence and retention in care. While there is evidence supporting the role of psychosocial support interventions in promoting adherence and retention in antiretroviral treatment (ART) among adults living with HIV, there is little evidence on the role of psychosocial support on medication adherence among YPLHIV. This scoping review was designed to identify and classify the types and effects of psychosocial support interventions designed to improve adherence and retention in ART among YPLHIV globally.

Method

We searched six electronic databases (i.e., Scopus, Pubmed and EBSCOHost (Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, Psycarticles and Medline). Six relevant articles published between 2011 and 2019 met our inclusion criteria. We extracted information relevant to the nature and outcomes of the reported interventions using thematic content analysis informed by the Population, Intervention, comparison, outcome, and time (PICOT) framework.

Results

Four distinctive treatment modalities that focused on improving ART adherence and retention in care were identified: individual counselling, support groups, family-centered services, and treatment supporters.

Conclusion

There is a dearth of psychosocial support interventions to improve adherence and retention in ART amongst adolescents and young adults living with HIV. Future research and programming should seek to address psychosocial support interventions or approaches specifically designed to address the needs of YPLHIV.

Trial registration

PROSPERO: Registration CRD42018105057.
SARS coronavirus 2: from genome to infectome
Authors: Rastogi Meghana , Pandey Neha , Shukla Astha , Singh Sunit K.
Published: December 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to the group of Betacoronaviruses. The SARS-CoV-2 is closely related to SARS-CoV-1 and probably originated either from bats or pangolins. SARS-CoV-2 is an etiological agent of COVID-19, causing mild to severe respiratory disease which escalates to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or multi-organ failure. The virus was first reported from the animal market in Hunan, Hubei province of China in the month of December, 2019, and was rapidly transmitted from animal to human and human-to-human. The human-to-human transmission can occur directly or via droplets generated during coughing and sneezing. Globally, around 53.9 million cases of COVID-19 have been registered with 1.31 million confirmed deaths. The people > 60 years, persons suffering from comorbid conditions and immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection. The virus primarily targets the upper and the lower respiratory tract and quickly disseminates to other organs. SARS-CoV-2 dysregulates immune signaling pathways which generate cytokine storm and leads to the acute respiratory distress syndrome and other multisystemic disorders.
Social capital, depressive symptoms, and perceived quality of care among hypertensive patients in primary care
Authors: Li Haitao , Xia Hui , Yi Shijian , Rao Lichang
Published: December 2020

Background

Depression is an important issue in the management of hypertension. However, little attention has been paid to addressing such aspects of psychological health among patients with hypertension. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms among patients with hypertension in primary care settings and to identify the potential role of social capital in predicting depressive symptoms. The influence of psychological well-being on the perceived quality of hypertensive care was also examined.

Methods

In Shenzhen, China, an on-site cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2017. In total, 1046 respondents completed a face-to-face survey interview. We examined the associations between social capital, depressive symptoms, and perceived quality of care.

Results

The results showed that 10.7% of patients with hypertension who attended primary care facilities had depressive symptoms. Two components of social capital—social ties (9.63 vs. 10.67; OR = 1.314, 95% CI 1.165–1.483; P < .001) and trust (3.46 vs. 3.89; OR = 2.535, 95% CI 1.741–3.691; P < .001)—were protective factors for depression among patients with hypertension in primary care settings. We also found that depressive symptoms were negatively associated with perceived quality of care (30.5 vs. 32.5; β = 1.341, 95% CI 0.463–2.219; P = .003)..

Conclusions

We found inverse associations between depressive symptoms and perceived quality of care and between social capital and the occurrence of symptoms of depression. Our findings suggest that strategies addressing both hypertension and depressive symptoms should be implemented to better manage hypertension. Appropriate social interventions should be designed and implemented.
Factors influencing Australian chiropractors who choose not to join national professional associations: a qualitative study
Authors: Innes Stanley I. , Cope Vicki , Young Kenneth J.
Published: December 2020

Background

Professional associations (PAs) are perceived to promote their professions and support their members. Despite these advantages, about 1 in 3 Australian chiropractors choose not to belong to either of the two PAs. Our study had two objectives: 1) to explore the views of non-member chiropractors about PAs in general; 2) seek to understand the motivations of non-member Australian chiropractors about not joining a PA.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive study utilised in-depth semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions for thematic analysis and was conducted from January to April 2020. Nine participants were interviewed before no new themes were articulated. Participants had to be registered chiropractors who had not been members of a PA for at least three years. Recruitment was through a Facebook advertisement and snowball sampling. Interviews were transcribed and imported into NVivo qualitative analysis software, allowing identification of key concepts surrounding non-membership of chiropractic PAs.

Results

Five themes were identified. 1) A tarnished image, suggested the profession has a poor standing in the eyes of the public and other health professionals. 2) Not worth the money, expressed the annual membership dues were not viewed as good value for money. 3) Going it alone / what’s in it for me? indicated there was no direct benefit or anything deemed essential for practice. 4) Two warring factions, reflected not wanting to be seen to be part of the internal conflict between conservative and evidence-based practitioners. 5) Lack of visibility, described no visible presence or strong communication that clearly displayed the advantages of membership.

Conclusions

Non-members are looking for PAs to enhance the respectability of the profession in a manner that ultimately results in increased patient volume and the provision of readily accessible day-to-day resources and information. These results can inform the construction of a survey for the broader chiropractic non-membership community to confirm and expand upon these findings and potentially improve PAs.
Clinical and radiological results of kyphectomy and sliding growing rod surgery technique performed in children with myelomeningocele
Authors: Özcan Çağrı , Polat Ömer , Alataş İbrahim , Çamur Savaş , Sağlam Necdet , Uçar Bekir Yavuz
Published: December 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to present clinical and radiological results of myelomeningocele (MMC) patients treated with the sliding growing rod (SGR) technique after kyphectomy.

Methods

Between 2016 and 2019, 30 patients (21 males and nine females) who underwent the SGR technique with kyphectomy and posterior instrumentation due to MMC were retrospectively reviewed. Patients’ pre- and postoperative kyphosis, scoliosis, correction rates, bleeding during surgery, blood supply during and after surgery, operation time, instrumentation levels, number of vertebrae removed, MMC onset levels, hospital stay, annual lengthening amounts, and complications were evaluated.

Results

The mean patient age was 6.9 (4–10) years. Mean preoperative kyphosis was 115° (87–166°), mean early postoperative kyphosis was 3.9° (20–10°), and final follow-up postoperative kyphosis was 5.1° (22–8°). In nine patients presenting with scoliosis, scoliosis was evaluated as 60.2° (115–35°) preoperative, as 12.9° (32–0°) early postoperative, and 15.7° (34–0°) in the final measurement. The kyphotic deformity correction rate was 96.5%, and the scoliotic deformity correction rate was 74.9%. A statistically significant difference was seen between pre- and early postoperative values in kyphosis and scoliosis measurements (p< 0.05). The annual prolongation of the patients was calculated as averages of 0.72 and 0.77 cm/year between T1–T12 and T1–S1, respectively.

Conclusion

Kyphectomy performed during the early MMC period patients appears to be an excellent method for facilitating rehabilitation and daily care of these patients. It appears that the SGR technique, which provides lung volume protection and lengthening with kyphectomy, is a safe and reliable method in patients.

Level of evidence

Level 4
Use of the sagittal Cobb* angle to guide the rod bending in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures: a retrospective clinical study
Authors: Shi Zongpo , Wang Gang , Jin Zhen , Wu Tao , Wang Haoran , Sun Jinpeng , Nicolas Yap San Min , Rupesh K. C. , Yang Kaixiang , Liu Jun
Published: December 2020

Background

Pedicle screw fixation is a well-established technique for thoracolumbar fracture. A large number of studies have shown that the bending angle of the connecting rod has a significant correlation with the postoperative spinal stability. However, no studies have confirmed an objective indicator to guide the bending angle of the connecting rod during the operation. Our study aims to define a sagittal Cobb* angle to guide the bending angle of the connecting rod during surgery.

Methods

The frontal and lateral X-ray films in 150 cases of normal thoracolumbar spine were included to measure the normal spinal sagittal Cobb* angle in each segment. The patients who underwent single segment thoracolumbar fractures and pedicle screw internal fixation surgery were included. The radiological parameters included lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and sacral slope (SS) were measured. The incidence of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) 2 years after surgery was measured.

Results

The average values of normal sagittal Cobb* angle in each segment were − 5.196 ± 3.318° (T12), 2.279 ± 3.324° (L1), 7.222 ± 2.798° (L2), and 12.417 ± 11.962° (L3), respectively. The LL in the three groups was 35.20 ± 9.12°, 46.26 ± 9.68°, and 54.24 ± 15.31°, respectively. Compared with the normal group, there were significant differences in group A and group C, respectively (p < 0.05). The results were similar in the parameters of TL, PT, and SS. The incidences of SVA > 50 mm in group A, group B, and group C were 23.33%, 12.50%, and 19.23%, respectively. The parameter of PI in three groups was 41.36 ± 12.69, 44.53 ± 15.27, and 43.38 ± 9.85°, respectively. The incidences of ASD in group A, group B, and group C 2 years after surgery were 21.67%, 13.75%, and 17.95%, respectively.

Conclusions

The study confirmed that the sagittal Cobb* angle can be used as a reference angle for bending rods. When the bending angle of the connecting rod is 4 to 8° greater than the corresponding segment sagittal Cobb* angle, the patient’s spinal sagittal stability is the best 2 years after the operation.
Topical ropivacaine for analgesia of aplasia cutis congenita in newborns with hereditary epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Chambelland A. , Devos C. , Casagrande F. , Chiaverini C.
Published: December 2020

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) in patients with hereditary epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is often associated with major pain. We report our experience with using topical ropivacaine during dressing in newborns with ACC. Eight full-term newborns with EB and ACC were hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit for severe pain during dressing despite the use of paracetamol, opioids (n = 8) or ketamine (n = 7). Topical xylocaine was poorly tolerated and not effective. Ropivacaine 2 mg/ml was used directly in contact with the ACC, with a maximum 1 mg/kg/day, which enabled care without the child crying. No immediate or late systemic toxicity was observed. Topical ropivacaine 0.2% appears to be an interesting topical analgesic, with good clinical tolerance and rapid action, in newborns with ACC and EB. These data need to be confirmed in a prospective study including pharmacokinetics evaluations.
Tumor promoting effects of circRNA_001287 on renal cell carcinoma through miR-144-targeted CEP55
Authors: Feng Jiafu , Guo Yongcan , Li Yuanmeng , Zeng Jiawei , Wang Yaodong , Yang Yuwei , Xie Gang , Feng Qian
Published: December 2020

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common urological cancer. circular RNAs (circRNAs) is involved in the development of various types of cancers. However, the roles and underlying mechanisms of circRNAs in RCC are not fully elucidated. Herein, we aimed to examine the potential effect of circ_001287 on RCC progression.

Materials and Methods

Microarray-based gene expression profiling of RCC was initially employed in order to identify differentially expressed genes. Next, the expression of circ_001287 was examined, and the cell line with the highest circ_001287 expression was selected for subsequent investigation. The interaction among circ_001287, miR-144, and CEP55 was identified by conducting luciferase reporter assay, RNA-pull down, RIP, RT-qPCR and FISH. The effect of circ_001287 on proliferative, invasive and migratory capacities as well as tumorigenicity of transfected cells in mice was examined using gain- and loss-of-function experiments.

Results

circ_001287 and CEP55 were highly expressed while miR-144 was decreased in RCC tissues and cell lines. circ_001287 can up-regulate CEP55 by binding to miR-144, which resulted in increased proliferative, invasive and migratory capacities and tumor growthin vivo. In addition, down-regulation of miR-144 was also observed to promote these biological activities.

Conclusions

Overall, these results elucidate a new mechanism for circ_001287 in RCC development and provide a potential therapeutic target for RCC patients.
Iatrogenic severe hyperglycemia due to parenteral administration of glucose in children – a case series
Authors: Bruns Nora , Große Lordemann Anja , Rasche Tobias , Meyburg Jochen , Krüger Marcus , Wieg Christian , Gratopp Alexander , Hoppenz Marc , Heitmann Friedhelm , Hoppen Thomas , Löffler Günther , Felderhoff-Müser Ursula , Dohna-Schwake Christian
Published: December 2020

Background

Iatrogenic severe hyperglycemia (ISH) caused by glucose-containing i.v. solution is a potentially fatal treatment error. The objective of this study was to investigate the causes, circumstances, course of disease, and complications of ISH > 300 mg/dl (16.7 mmol/l) in neonates and children.

Methods

We emailed a survey to 105 neonatal and pediatric intensive care units in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, asking to retrospectively report cases of ISH.

Results

We received 11 reports about premature infants to children. Four patients (36%) had poor outcome: 2 died and 2 suffered persistent sequelae. The highest observed blood glucose was at median 983 mg/dl (54.6 mmol/l) (range 594–2240 mg/dl; 33.0–124.3 mmol/l) and median time to normoglycemia was 7 h (range 2–23). Blood glucose was higher and time to normoglycemia longer in patients with poor outcome. Invasive therapy was required in 73% (mechanical ventilation) and 50% (vasopressor therapy) of patients, respectively. Administration of insulin did not differ between outcome groups. Patients with poor outcome showed coma (100% vs. 40%) and seizures (75% vs. 29%) more frequently than those with good outcome.

Conclusions

ISH is a severe condition with high morbidity and mortality. Further research to amplify the understanding of this condition is needed, but focus should largely be held on its prevention.
Basedow-Graves’ disease in a pediatric patient with Sticlker syndrome, a new endocrine finding to improve personalized treatment
Authors: Onesimo Roberta , De Rose Cristina , Cipolla Clelia , Casa Silvia Della , Leoni Chiara , Salerni Annabella , Ricci Daniela , Zampino Giuseppe
Published: December 2020

Background

Stickler syndrome is a connective tissue disorder with predominantly autosomal dominant inheritance, with ocular, auditory and joint involvement.

Thyroid dysfunction was not described as part of alterations in Stickler syndrome and in particular, the association between Stickler’s syndrome and Graves’ disease has never been previously reported in literature.

Moreover, the presence of Graves’ disease is uncommon in the pediatric age (especially in children younger than 6 years old).

Case presentation

We report the case of a 5-years old child affected by Stickler syndrome who received the diagnosis of Graves’s disease, in absence of suggestive symptoms, during health supervision.

Conclusions

This is the first evidence of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune pattern for Sticker syndrome.

Further clinical reports are expected before suggesting the implementation of new clinical skills for Stickler syndrome, but this paper may contribute to improve personalized management of this rare disorder.
RNA sequencing analysis of altered expression of long noncoding RNAs associated with Schistosoma japonicum infection in the murine liver and spleen
Authors: Xia Tianqi , Giri Bikash Ranjan , Liu Jingyi , Du Pengfei , Li Xue , Li Xuxin , Li Shun , Cheng Guofeng
Published: December 2020

Background

Schistosomiasis is a chronic, debilitating infectious disease caused by members of the genusSchistosoma. Previous findings have suggested a relationship between infection withSchistosomaspp. and alterations in the liver and spleen of infected animals. Recent reports have shown the regulatory role of noncoding RNAs, such as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), in different biological processes. However, little is known about the role of lncRNAs in the mouse liver and spleen duringSchistosoma japonicuminfection.

Methods

In this study, we identified and investigated lncRNAs using standard RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The biological functions of the altered expression of lncRNAs and their target genes were predicted using bioinformatics. Ten dysregulated lncRNAs were selected randomly and validated in reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) experiments.

Results

Our study identified 29,845 and 33,788 lncRNAs from the liver and spleen, respectively, of which 212 were novel lncRNAs. We observed that 759 and 789 of the lncRNAs were differentially expressed in the respective organs. The RT-qPCR results correlated well with the sequencing data. In the liver, 657 differentially expressed lncRNAs were predicted to target 2548 protein-coding genes, whereas in the spleen 660 differentially expressed lncRNAs were predicted to target 2673 protein-coding genes. Moreover, functional annotation showed that the target genes of the differentially expressed lncRNAs were associated with cellular processes, metabolic processes, and binding, and were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways, the cell cycle, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, and pathways in cancer.

Conclusions

Our study showed that numerous lncRNAs were differentially expressed inS. japonicum-infected liver and spleen compared to control liver and spleen; this suggested that lncRNAs may be involved in pathogenesis in the liver and spleen duringS. japonicuminfection.

Graphical Abstract
What is the impact of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on clinical treatment?
Authors: Xie Qixin , Liu Rui , Jiang Jia , Peng Jing , Yang Chunyan , Zhang Wen , Wang Sheng , Song Jing
Published: December 2020

Background

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) present in the umbilical cord tissue are self-renewing and multipotent. They can renew themselves continuously and, under certain conditions, differentiate into one or more cell types constituting human tissues and organs. HUC-MSCs differentiate, among others, into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes and have the ability to secrete cytokines. The possibility of noninvasive harvesting and low immunogenicity of HUC-MSCs give them a unique advantage in clinical applications. In recent years, HUC-MSCs have been widely used in clinical practice, and some progress has been made in their use for therapeutic purposes.

Main body

This article describes two aspects of the clinical therapeutic effects of HUC-MSCs. On the one hand, it explains the benefits and mechanisms of HUC-MSC treatment in various diseases. On the other hand, it summarizes the results of basic research on HUC-MSCs related to clinical applications. The first part of this review highlights several functions of HUC-MSCs that are critical for their therapeutic properties: differentiation into terminal cells, immune regulation, paracrine effects, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-fibrotic effects, and regulating non-coding RNA. These characteristics of HUC-MSCs are discussed in the context of diabetes and its complications, liver disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, arthritis, brain injury and cerebrovascular diseases, heart diseases, spinal cord injury, respiratory diseases, viral infections, and other diseases. The second part emphasizes the need to establish an HUC-MSC cell bank, discusses tumorigenicity of HUC-MSCs and the characteristics of different in vitro generations of these cells in the treatment of diseases, and provides technical and theoretical support for the clinical applications of HUC-MSCs.

Conclusion

HUC-MSCs can treat a variety of diseases clinically and have achieved good therapeutic effects, and the development of HUC-MSC assistive technology has laid the foundation for its clinical application.
Development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity – Female Bodies
Authors: Steinfeld Beate , Hartmann Andrea S. , Waldorf Manuel , Vocks Silja
Published: December 2020

Background

Despite evidence that thinness and muscularity are part of the female body ideal, there is not yet a reliable figure rating scale measuring the body image of women which includes both of these dimensions. To overcome this shortcoming, the Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity - Female Bodies (BIMTM-FB) was developed.

Methods

The objective of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of this measure.N = 607 non-clinical women andN = 32 women with eating disorders answered the BIMTM-FB as well as instruments assessing eating disorder symptoms and body image disturbance in order to test the convergent validity of the BIMTM-FB. To assess test-retest reliability, a two-week interval was determined.

Results

The results indicated that the body-fat dimension of the BIMTM-FB correlates significantly with the Contour Drawing Rating-Scale, the Drive for Leanness Scale (DLS) and the Body Appreciation Scale, while the muscularity dimension of the BIMTM-FB was significantly associated with the DLS and the Drive for Muscularity Scale, proving the convergent validity of the BIMTM-FB. High coefficients of test-retest reliability were found. Moreover, the BIMTM-FB differentiated between the clinical sample and the non-clinical controls.

Conclusions

The BIMTM-FB is a figure rating scale assessing both thinness and muscularity as part of the female body ideal. Due to its high reliability and validity, the BIMTM-FB can be recommended in research and practice.