bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Negative Life Events and Social Support on Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Chinese Middle School Students
Authors: Xin Moye , Yang Xueyan , Liu Kun , Naz Boke Bilun , Bastien Laurianne
Published: July 2020

The field of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is dominated by research conducted with Caucasian majority samples in Western countries such as North America and Europe. Far less NSSI-related research is conducted in non-Western cultures, even though NSSI behavior is a growing issue in China where studies have found that NSSI among youth occurs at a higher prevalence and has an earlier onset as compared to Western studies. Based on the data collected from middle school students in Xi’an, China, this article tries to figure out the predictive factors that are related to adolescents’ NSSI using gender analysis, specially negative life events and social support, and the following conclusions are drawn: (a) There is no significant gender difference in the prevalence of NSSI of middle school students. (b) Negative life events are the risk factors of middle school students’ NSSI engagement. Individuals with higher scores of negative life events are more likely to have NSSI. (c) Social support is a protective factor of middle school students’ NSSI, which has main effect and also as a moderator to NSSI, individuals received more social support are less likely to engage in NSSI.
Social group membership and an incidental ingroup-memory advantage
Authors: Jeon Youngbin A , Banquer Alexis M , Navangul Anaya S , Kim Kyungmi
Published: July 2020

Extending the self-reference effect in memory to the level of social identity, previous research showed that processing information in reference to one’s ingroup at encoding enhances memory for the information (i.e., the group-reference effect). Notably, recent work on the self-reference effect has shown that even simply co-presenting an item with self-relevant vs. other-relevant information (e.g., one’s own or another person’s name) at encoding can produce an “incidental” self-memory advantage in the absence of any task demand to evaluate the item’s self-relevancy. In three experiments, the present study examined whether this incidental self-memory advantage extends to the level of social identity using newly created, minimal groups (Experiments 1 and 2) and pre-existing groups (Experiment 3; one’s own or another study major). During encoding, participants judged the location of each target word in relation to a simultaneously presented cue (Ingroup-cue or Outgroup-cue in Experiments 1 and 3; Ingroup-cue, Outgroup-cue, or Neutral-cue in Experiment 2). Consistent across all experiments, a subsequent recognition test revealed a significant memory advantage for words that were presented with the Ingroup-cue. Crucially, this incidental ingroup-memory advantage was driven by ingroup-memory enhancement rather than outgroup-memory suppression relative to memory for words presented with the Neutral-cue (Experiment 2), and was positively correlated with self-reported levels of ingroup identification (i.e., self-investment to one’s ingroup; Experiment 3). Taken together, the present findings provide novel evidence that mere incidental associations between one’s ingroup and to-be-remembered items in a non-referential, non-evaluative encoding context can produce a memory advantage for the items.
Effects of contrastive focus on lexical predictability during sentence reading: The case of not only. . .but also constructions
Authors: Lowder Matthew W , Ryan Gwynna , Opie Jaclyn , Kaminsky Emily
Published: July 2020

Previous research suggests that language comprehenders are sensitive to the presence of focus-sensitive particles—words like only and not that are effective at marking the focus of the sentence. In addition to signalling linguistic focus, these words can also establish a semantic contrast between the focused element and an alternate set. For example, the phrase not only the bride places linguistic focus on the bride and may also prompt comprehenders to anticipate a set of upcoming entities that stand in semantic contrast to the bride. We tested this possibility in an eyetracking-while-reading experiment that systematically crossed structure (focus vs. noun-phrase coordination) with predictability of an upcoming target noun (predictable vs. unpredictable). Whereas first-pass reading time showed a robust predictability effect for the coordination condition, the effect was eliminated for the focus condition. Later eyetracking measures revealed main effects of both predictability and syntactic structure. Overall, the results suggest that language comprehenders rapidly make use of the cue not only and may use this cue to begin anticipating a set of upcoming sentence continuations during online sentence processing.
Business strategy in Bangladesh—Electric vehicle SWOT-AHP analysis: Case study
Authors: Suman Md. Nazmul Hasan , Chyon Fuad Ahmed , Ahmmed Md. Sazol
Published: July 2020

Electric vehicle (EV) has made a revolution in the automobile industry. The largest automobile industries are moving toward this. Within the next 5–10 years, the world will shift to EVs. Bangladesh is one of the emerging countries in Asia, so it will have great market potentiality. Bangladesh will have a big opportunity for EV business. However, there are some challenges too to introduce a new business model like EV business. In this study, we have tried to analyze the market potentiality and the business strategy in Bangladesh through strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis and analytical hierarchy process to analyze different strategies. These strategies had a feasible solution proved by sensitivity analysis.
The Role of the School Nurse in Increasing Instructional Time Using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavior (MTSS-B): A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Rau Wendy , Lytle Megan
Published: July 2020

Frequent visits to the health office can lead to considerable time spent out of the classroom along with affecting relationships and health office resources and staffing. This article features the practice component of continuous quality improvement in the principal of quality improvement in the Framework for the 21st Century School Nursing Practice™ and is the third in a series focusing on the Framework. The article discusses how using multi-tiered systems of support for behavior (MTSS-B) to create expectations for the health office environment, along with intense, individualized plans for specific students, were successful in decreasing health office visits across the school district, with the ultimate goal of increasing instructional time. Outcome data revealed reductions in health office visits with a district-wide decrease of 4.1% one-year postimplementation of the project. More importantly, school nurses are providing better trauma-informed care with intentionality while still meeting the needs of students.
The More-or-Less Morphing Face Illusion Revisited: Perceiving Natural Transient Changes in Faces Despite Fast Saccades
Authors: Utz Sandra , Carbon Claus-Christian
Published: July 2020

van Lier and Koning introduced the more-or-less morphing face illusion: The detection of changes in a constantly morphing face-sequence is strongly suppressed by fast eye saccades triggered by a moving fixation dot. Modulators of this intriguing effect were investigated with systematically varied facial stimuli (e.g., human faces from varying morphological groups, emotional states) and fixation location. Results replicated the overall pattern of moving fixations substantially reducing the sensitivity to detect transitions. Importantly, a deviation from real to perceived changes could only be detected when faces were altered in a way not happening in real world—by changing identity. When emotional states of faces were changed, people were capable of perceiving these changes: A situation very similar to everyday life where we might quickly inspect a face by executing fast eye saccades but where we are still aware of transient changes of the emotional state of the very same person.
Aligning Society, Organisation and Employee Development Through Volunteering
Authors: Matti Deepak Prabhu
Published: July 2020

As an organisation, Cognizant firmly believes that giving back to the society is an earnest reflection of the values we stand for. Our vision is to harness our technology expertise and the diverse skillsets of our global workforce to drive change and inclusion and thereby be a force for societal good. One of our biggest innovations in this endeavour has been ‘Outreach’, our employee-led grassroots social initiatives programme that leverages the power of employee volunteerism to drive a culture of purpose. Outreach is underpinned by our belief that while an organisation’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) ethos is crucial, what really drives change and creates impact is the individual social responsibility (ISR) quotient: the community conscience that inspires our employees to address today’s socio-economic challenges. This article outlines how Cognizant Outreach has synergised the social conscience of our employees with the organisation’s social responsibility to create a vibrant volunteering platform for the larger good of the society.
Culture en Vogue: Visible and Invisible Manifestations of Cultural Indicators
Authors: Vasudevan Alasingachar
Published: July 2020

Culture en vogue in organisations is the visible and invisible behaviour patterns of people, visualised as the ego state of organisations as they transit business cycles. The author discovers the characteristic of successful Indian organisation culture as RISC—resilience, integrity, sensitivity and compassion. In future, HR will learn culture audit, develop customised scorecards for culture champions and embrace the six value orientation essential for consolidating culture. They need to fine-tune servant leadership, empower autonomous delivery groups at the bottom of the pyramid and educate people on how to use critical feedback from stakeholders to rejig processes that uphold culture. Short stories from L&T, TVS Motor and Freudenberg Group operating in India exemplify the contextual validity of culture en vogue.
Probabilistic seismic hazard assessments for Northern Southeast Asia (Indochina): Smooth seismicity approach
Authors: Ornthammarath Teraphan , Warnitchai Pennung , Chan Chung-Han , Wang Yu , Shi Xuhua , Nguyen Phuong Hong , Nguyen Le Minh , Kosuwan Suwith , Thant Myo
Published: July 2020

We present an evaluation of the 2018 Northern Southeast Asia Seismic Hazard Model (NSAHM18) based on a combination of smoothed seismicity, subduction zone, and fault models. The smoothed seismicity is used to model observed distributed seismicity from largely unknown sources in the current study area. In addition, due to a short instrumental earthquake catalog, slip rate and characteristic earthquake magnitudes are incorporated through the fault model. To achieve this objective, the compiled earthquake catalogs and updated active fault databases in this region were reexamined with consistent use of these input parameters. To take into account epistemic uncertainty, logic tree analysis has been implemented incorporating basic quantities such as ground-motion models (GMMs) for three different tectonic regions (shallow active, subduction interface, and subduction intraslab), maximum magnitude, and earthquake magnitude frequency relationships. The seismic hazard results are presented in peak ground acceleration maps at 475- and 2475-year return periods.
Artificial intelligence–based morphological fingerprinting of megakaryocytes: a new tool for assessing disease in MPN patients
Authors: Sirinukunwattana Korsuk , Aberdeen Alan , Theissen Helen , Sousos Nikolaos , Psaila Bethan , Mead Adam J. , Turner Gareth D. H. , Rees Gabrielle , Rittscher Jens , Royston Daniel
Published: July 2020

Accurate diagnosis and classification of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) requires integration of clinical, morphological, and genetic findings. Despite major advances in our understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of MPNs, the morphological assessment of bone marrow trephines (BMT) is critical in differentiating MPN subtypes and their reactive mimics. However, morphological assessment is heavily constrained by a reliance on subjective, qualitative, and poorly reproducible criteria. To improve the morphological assessment of MPNs, we have developed a machine learning approach for the automated identification, quantitative analysis, and abstract representation of megakaryocyte features using reactive/nonneoplastic BMT samples (n = 43) and those from patients with established diagnoses of essential thrombocythemia (n = 45), polycythemia vera (n = 18), or myelofibrosis (n = 25). We describe the application of an automated workflow for the identification and delineation of relevant histological features from routinely prepared BMTs. Subsequent analysis enabled the tissue diagnosis of MPN with a high predictive accuracy (area under the curve = 0.95) and revealed clear evidence of the potential to discriminate between important MPN subtypes. Our method of visually representing abstracted megakaryocyte features in the context of analyzed patient cohorts facilitates the interpretation and monitoring of samples in a manner that is beyond conventional approaches. The automated BMT phenotyping approach described here has significant potential as an adjunct to standard genetic and molecular testing in established or suspected MPN patients, either as part of the routine diagnostic pathway or in the assessment of disease progression/response to treatment.
Long-term sickness absence among young and middle-aged workers in Norway: the impact of a population-level intervention
Authors: Hanvold Therese N. , Kristensen Petter , Corbett Karina , Hasting Rachel L. , Mehlum Ingrid S.
Published: July 2020

Background

The study objective was to evaluate the impact of a population-level intervention (the IA Agreement) on the of one-year risk for long-term sickness absence spells (LSAS) among young and middle aged workers in Norway.

Methods

Using an observational design, we conducted a quasi-experimental study to analyse registry data on individual LSAS for all employed individuals in 2000 (n = 298,690) and 2005 (n = 352,618), born in Norway between 1976 and 1967. The intervention of interest was the tripartite agreement for a more inclusive working life (the IA Agreement). We estimated difference in pre-post differences (DID) in LSAS between individuals working in IA companies with the intervention and companies without, in 2000 and 2005. We used logistic regression models and present odds ratios (DID OR) with accompanying 95% CI. We stratified analyses by sex, industry and company size.

Results

We found no significant change in the overall risk of long-term sickness absence spells after implementing the intervention among young and middle aged workers. Stratified by sex, the intervention resulted in a slight decrease in LSAS risk among female workers (DID OR 0.93 (0.91–0.96)) while the intervention showed no impact among male workers (DID OR 1.01 (0.97–1.06)). We found that companies signing the IA Agreement were large (≥50 employees) and often within the manufacturing and health and social sectors. In large manufacturing companies, we found a reduction in LSAS, among workers both in companies with and without the intervention, resulting in no statistically significant impact of the IA intervention. In large health and social companies, we found an increase in LSAS among workers both in companies with and without the intervention. The increase was smaller among the workers in companies offering the IA intervention compared with workers in companies without, resulting in a positive impact of the IA intervention in the health and social industry. This impact was statistically significant only among female workers.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the impact of the IA Agreement on the risk of long-term sickness absence spells varies considerably depending on sex and industry. These findings suggest that reducing LSAS may warrant industry-specific interventions.
Is a differentiated care model needed for patients with TB? A cohort analysis of risk factors contributing to unfavourable outcomes among TB patients in two states in South India
Authors: Washington Reynold , Potty Rajaram Subramanian , Rajesham A. , Seenappa T. , Singarajipura Anil , Swamickan Reuben , Shah Amar , Prakash K. H. , Kar Arin , Kumaraswamy Karthikeyan , Prarthana B. S. , Maryala Bala Krishna , Sushma J. , Dasari Ramesh , Shetty Bharath , Panibatla Vikas , Mohan H. L. , Becker Marissa
Published: July 2020

Background

TB is a preventable and treatable disease. Yet, successful treatment outcomes at desired levels are elusive in many national TB programs, including India. We aim to identify risk factors for unfavourable outcomes to TB treatment, in order to subsequently design a care model that would improve treatment outcomes among these at-risk patients.

Methods

We conducted a cohort analysis among TB patients who had been recently initiated on treatment. The study was part of the internal program evaluation of a USAID-THALI project, implemented in select towns/cities of Karnataka and Telangana, south India. Community Health Workers (CHWs) under the project, used a pre-designed tool to assess TB patients for potential risks of an unfavourable outcome. CHWs followed up this cohort of patients until treatment outcomes were declared. We extracted treatment outcomes from patient’s follow-up data and from the Nikshay portal. The specific cohort of patients included in our study were those whose risk was assessed during July and September, 2018, subsequent to conceptualisation, tool finalisation and CHW training. We used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to assess each of the individual and combined risks against unfavourable outcomes; death alone, or death, lost to follow up and treatment failure, combined as ‘unfavourable outcome’.

Results

A significantly higher likelihood of death and experiencing unfavourable outcome was observed for individuals having more than one risk (AOR: 4.19; 95% CI: 2.47–7.11 for death; AOR 2.21; 95% CI: 1.56–3.12 for unfavourable outcome) or only one risk (AOR: 3.28; 95% CI: 2.11–5.10 for death; AOR 1.71; 95% CI: 1.29–2.26 for unfavourable outcome) as compared to TB patients with no identified risk. Male, a lower education status, an initial weight below the national median weight, co-existing HIV, previous history of treatment, drug-resistant TB, and regular alcohol use had significantly higher odds of death and unfavourable outcome, while age > 60 was only associated with higher odds of death.

Conclusion

A rapid risk assessment at treatment initiation can identify factors that are associated with unfavourable outcomes. TB programs could intensify care and support to these patients, in order to optimise treatment outcomes among TB patients.
MicroRNA-410-3p modulates chondrocyte apoptosis and inflammation by targeting high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in an osteoarthritis mouse model
Authors: Pan Hong , Dai Huming , Wang Linzhi , Lin Silong , Tao Yuefeng , Zheng Yi , Jiang Renyi , Fang Fan , Wu Yifan
Published: July 2020

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent type of arthritis, which commonly involves inflammation in the articular cartilage in OA pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in the regulation and pathophysiology of various diseases including OA. MiR-410-3p has been demonstrated to mediate inflammatory pathways, however, the regulatory functions of miR-410-3p in OA remain largely unknown.

Methods

The regulations of miR-410-3p were investigated in OA. Mouse primary chondrocytes and mouse in vivo models were used. The expression levels of miR-410-3p and HMGB1 were measured by qPCR. The transcription activity of NF-κB was assessed by luciferase reporter assay. MTT assay was performed to assess cellular proliferation. Cell apoptosis was evaluated with the Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC) Annexin V assay. Expression levels of proteins were determined by Western blot.

Results

The results demonstrated that miR-410-3p was markedly downregulated in articular cartilage tissues as well as in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated chondrocytes in OA mice. In addition, upregulation of miR-410-3p markedly inhibited LPS-induced apoptosis of chondrocytes. The results also demonstrated that the high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was a target of miR-410-3p. LPS-induced upregulated expression of HMGB1 significantly suppressed expression of miR-410-3p. Furthermore, upregulation of miR-410-3p markedly inhibited HMGB1 expression, the nuclear factor (NF)-kB activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. Taken together, the results suggested that miR-410-3p targeted HMGB1 and modulated chondrocytes apoptosis and inflammation through the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Conclusions

These findings provide insights into the potential of miR-410-3p/ HMGB1 as therapeutic targets for OA treatment.
Transmitted drug resistance mutations and subtype diversity amongst HIV-1 sero-positive voluntary blood donors in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Obeng Billal Musah , Bonney Evelyn Yayra , Asamoah-Akuoko Lucy , Nii-Trebi Nicholas Israel , Mawuli Gifty , Abana Christopher Zaab-Yen , Sagoe Kwamena William Coleman
Published: July 2020

Background

Detection of HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance (TDR) and subtype diversity (SD) are public health strategies to assess current HIV-1 regimen and ensure effective therapeutic outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-1 patients. Globally, limited data exist on TDR and SD among blood donors. In this study, drug resistance mutations (DRMs) and SD amongst HIV-1 sero-positive blood donors in Accra, Ghana were characterized.

Methods

Purposive sampling method was used to collect 81 HIV sero-positive blood samples from the Southern Area Blood Center and confirmed by INNO-LIA as HIV-1 and/or HIV-2. Viral RNA was only extracted from plasma samples confirmed as HIV-1 positive. Complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized using the RNA as a template and subsequently amplified by nested PCR with specific primers. The expected products were verified, purified and sequenced. Neighbour-joining tree with the Kimura’s 2-parameter distances was generated with the RT sequences using Molecular Evolutionary Genetic Analysis version 6.0 (MEGA 6.0).

Results

Out of the 81 plasma samples, 60 (74%) were confirmed as HIV-1 sero-positive by INNO-LIA HIVI/II Score kit with no HIV-2 and dual HIV-1/2 infections. The remaining samples, 21 (26%) were confirmed as HIV sero-negative. Of the 60 confirmed positive samples, (32) 53% and (28) 47% were successfully amplified in the RT and PR genes respectively. Nucleotide sequencing of amplified samples revealed the presence of major drug resistance mutations in two (2) samples; E138A in one sample and another with K65R. HIV-1 Subtypes including subtypes A, B, CRF02_AG and CRF09_cpx were found.

Conclusion

This study found major drug resistance mutations, E138A and K65R in the RT gene that confer high level resistance to most NNRTIs and NRTI respectively. CRF02_AG was most predominant, the recorded percentage of subtype B and the evolutionary relationship inferred by phylogenetic analysis may suggest possible subtype importation. However, a more prospective and detailed analysis is needed to establish this phenomenon. The data obtained would inform the selection of drugs for ART initiation to maximize therapeutic options in drug-naïve HIV-1 patients in Ghana.
COVID-19 therapeutics: how to sow confusion and break public trust during international public health emergencies
Authors: Singh Jerome Amir , Ravinetto Rafaella
Published: July 2020

Since SARS-CoV2 was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, those tasked with the stewardship of public health at a global, regional, and local level—policymakers, politicians, scientists, drug regulators, health officials, professional associations, journal editors, publishers, and clinicians—have displayed rushed decisions and lapses in judgment in their handling of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as potential COVID-19 therapeutics and prophylactics. These lapses merit noting as they hold lessons for how the guardians of medicines regulation and public health can inadvertently sow confusion and damage public trust.
Comparative genomics of Xanthomonas fragariae and Xanthomonas arboricola pv. fragariae reveals intra- and interspecies variations
Authors: Gétaz Michael , Blom Jochen , Smits Theo H. M. , Pothier Joël F.
Published: July 2020

The quarantine bacterium Xanthomonas fragariae causes angular leaf spots on strawberry. Its population structure was recently found to be divided into four (sub)groups resulting from two distinct main groups. Xanthomonas arboricola pv. fragariae causes bacterial leaf blight, but the bacterium has an unclear virulence status on strawberry. In this study, we use comparative genomics to provide an overview of the genomic variations of a set of 58 X. fragariae and five X. arboricola pv. fragariae genomes with a focus on virulence-related proteins. Structural differences within X. fragariae such as differential plasmid presence and large-scale genomic rearrangements were observed. On the other hand, the virulence-related protein repertoire was found to vary greatly at the interspecies level. In three out of five sequenced X. arboricola pv. fragariae strains, the major part of the Hrp type III secretion system was lacking. An inoculation test with strains from all four X. fragariae (sub)groups and X. arboricola pv. fragariae resulted in an interspecies difference in symptom induction since no symptoms were observed on the plants inoculated with X. arboricola pv. fragariae. Our analysis suggests that all X. fragariae (sub)groups are pathogenic on strawberry plants. On the other hand, the first genomic investigations of X. arboricola pv. fragariae revealed a potential lack of certain key virulence-related factors which may be related to the difficulties to reproduce symptoms on strawberry and could question the plant-host interaction of the pathovar.
Fracture identification of Ordovician carbonate reservoir based on R/S analysis in the north of the Shunbei no. 5 fault zone, Tarim Basin
Authors: Yang Ruiqiang , Ding Wenlong , Liu Jingtao , Zhao Zhan , Li Shuanggui , Xiao Zikang
Published: July 2020

Fractures are widely developed in various reservoirs, where they provide not only migration pathways but also additional storage space for oil and gas. With the improvement of exploration and development in recent years, the study of fractures has become one of the key factors for high production in reservoirs, and the accurate identification of fracture distribution is of great significance for the exploration and development of many reservoirs. Outcrop, core observation, well logging, and imaging analysis all show that various types of fractures are widely developed in the Ordovician carbonate reservoir in the Shunbei area of the Tarim Basin, with horizontal fractures and low-angle oblique fractures being the main types. To strengthen the further study of fractures in this area, we improve the commonly used ratio of the range to standard deviation (R/S) analysis method. We combine numerical analysis of R( n)/S( n) curves and the existing core data to predict fracture development zones in the Ordovician reservoirs north of the Shunbei no. 5 fault zone. Validated by fractures observed in the core, our results indicate that the R/S analysis is able to predict fractures in the carbonate reservoir. By adding a second derivative term, we are able to reduce the false positives suffered by the traditional R/S method. Fracture prediction is more automated, more accurate, and precise, with accurate identification approaching 68%. We also examine the ability of different log curves for fracture identification, and we determine that the RD and AC curves are the most effective. Our findings indicate that the R/S analysis method using conventional log curves holds great promise in fracture prediction for areas lacking core and image log data.
Undernutrition and Pubertal Timing in Female Survivors of Medulloblastoma and Other Embryonal Tumors
Authors: Zhu Jia , Feldman Henry A , Chordas Christine , Wassner Ari J , Manley Peter E , Cohen Laurie E
Published: July 2020

Context

Children with brain tumors may have pubertal onset at an inappropriately young chronologic age. Hypothalamic-pituitary irradiation ≥18Gy has been found to be a risk factor; age at irradiation is associated with pubertal timing. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown.

Objective

To determine the impact of body mass index (BMI) and catch-up growth on pubertal timing in females treated for medulloblastoma and other embryonal tumors.

Design, Setting, and Patients

Retrospective cohort analysis of 90 female patients treated for medulloblastoma and other embryonal tumors at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children’s Hospital from 1996 to 2016. Eighteen individuals met inclusion criteria, with a mean ± SD follow-up period of 11.9 ± 3.4 years.

Main Outcome Measures

Multiple linear regression models for age at pubertal onset and bone age discrepancy from chronologic age at pubertal onset assessed the joint influences of age at irradiation, hypothalamic irradiation dose, undernutrition duration, BMI standard deviation score (SDS) at pubertal onset, and catch-up BMI SDS.

Results

The mean ± SD age of pubertal onset was 9.2 ± 1.3 years and hypothalamic radiation dose was 31.9 ± 9.9 Gy. There was a direct relationship between age at irradiation and age at pubertal onset (β = 0.323 ± 0.144 [standard error] year per year; P = 0.04) that was significantly attenuated after adjusting for BMI SDS at pubertal onset (P = 0.5) and catch-up BMI SDS (P = 0.08), suggesting that BMI is a mediator.

Conclusions

Both absolute and catch-up BMI SDS at pubertal onset are significant mediators of pubertal timing and bone age discrepancy in pediatric medulloblastoma and other embryonal tumors, and thus, are targetable risk factors to optimize pubertal timing.
Prospective Evaluation of Late-Night Salivary Cortisol and Cortisone by EIA and LC-MS/MS in Suspected Cushing Syndrome
Authors: Kannankeril Joshua , Carroll Ty , Findling James W , Javorsky Bradley , Gunsolus Ian L , Phillips Jonathan , Raff Hershel
Published: July 2020

Context

Late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC) measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA-F) is a first-line screening test for Cushing syndrome (CS) with a reported sensitivity and specificity of >90%. However, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, validated to measure salivary cortisol (LCMS-F) and cortisone (LCMS-E), has been proposed to be superior diagnostically.

Objective, Setting, and Main Outcome Measures

Prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of EIA-F, LCMS-F, and LCMS-E in 1453 consecutive late-night saliva samples from 705 patients with suspected CS.

Design

Patients grouped by the presence or absence of at least one elevated salivary steroid result and then subdivided by diagnosis.

Results

We identified 283 patients with at least one elevated salivary result; 45 had an established diagnosis of neoplastic hypercortisolism (CS) for which EIA-F had a very high sensitivity (97.5%). LCMS-F and LCMS-E had lower sensitivity but higher specificity than EIA-F. EIA-F had poor sensitivity (31.3%) for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent CS (5 patients with at least 1 and 11 without any elevated salivary result). In patients with Cushing disease (CD), most nonelevated LCMS-F results were in patients with persistent/recurrent CD; their EIA-F levels were lower than in patients with newly diagnosed CD.

Conclusions

Since the majority of patients with ≥1 elevated late-night salivary cortisol or cortisone result did not have CS, a single elevated level has poor specificity and positive predictive value. LNSC measured by EIA is a sensitive test for ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome but not for ACTH-independent CS. We suggest that neither LCMS-F nor LCMS-E improves the sensitivity of late-night EIA-F for CS.
Discovering the Exhibition by Curating It
Authors: Lowe Nicholas
Published: July 2020

Nicholas Lowe, curator of goat island archive—we have discovered the performance by making it, a retrospective held ten years after the twenty-three-year run of the company Goat Island, explains how his concept of archival performance developed in response to Goat Island’s past. Noting the fundamental gap between the ephemeral performances and their retrospective archives, he expanded the notion of archive to bodily and spatially communicate with the contemporary. Introducing each work presented in goat island archive, Lowe describes how the artists regenerated the original ideas of the performances by various means—including architectures, human bodies, historical narratives, and digital technologies—to invoke past performances within the present.
Nine New Fields
Authors: Jeffery Mark
Published: July 2020

Mark Jeffery introduces the generative process behind the 2019 convening of in>time, an annual festival of Chicago’s tight-knit experimental performance scene. in>time closed the decade by celebrating the history of Goat Island, the ground-breaking company that itself formally disbanded ten years before. The 2019 festival continued as a retrospective exhibition, goat island archive—we have discovered the performance by making it, presented at the Chicago Cultural Center. Jeffery describes how the curatorial team paired nine artists/collectives with each of Goat Island’s past performances. Distributed across the city, all nine works arose in answer to one central question: “In endings, what is it to begin again?”
Biometric analysis of the foetal meconium pattern using T1 weighted 2D gradient echo MRI
Authors: Hyde Georgia , Fry Andrew , Raghavan Ashok , Whitby Elspeth
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

Foetal MRI is used to assess abnormalities after ultrasonography. Bowel anomalies are a significant cause of neonatal morbidity, however there are little data concerning its normal appearance on antenatal MRI. This study aims to investigate the pattern of meconium accumulation throughout gestation using its hyperintense appearance on T1 weighted scans and add to the current published data.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral clinical MRI centre. Foetal body MRI scans of varying gestational ages were obtained dating between October 2011 and March 2018. The bowel was visualised on T1 weighted images. The length of the meconium and the width of the meconium at the rectum, sigmoid colon, splenic flexure and hepatic flexure was measured. Presence or absence of meconium in the small bowel was noted. Inter- and intrarater reliability was assessed.

Results:

181 foetal body scans were reviewed. 52 were excluded and 129 analysed. Visualisation of the meconium in the large bowel became increasingly proximal with later gestations, and small bowel visualisation was greater at earlier gestations. There was statistically significant strong (r = 0.6–0.8) or very strong (r = 0.8–1.0) positive correlation of length and width with increasing gestation. Interrater reliability was moderate to excellent (r = 0.4–1.0).

Conclusion:

This study provides new information regarding the pattern of meconium accumulation throughout gestation. With care, the results can be used in clinical practice to aid diagnosis of bowel pathology.

Advances in knowledge:

The findings of this study provide further information concerning the normal accumulation of foetal meconium on MR imaging, an area where current research is limited.
The application of a gamma distribution model to diffusion-weighted images of the orofacial region
Authors: Chikui Toru , Tokumori Kenji , Panyarak Wannakamon , Togao Osamu , Yamashita Yasuo , Kawano Shintaro , Kamitani Takeshi , Yoshiura Kazunori
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

This study evaluated the correlation among the diffusion-derived parameters obtained by monoexponential (ME), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and γ distribution (GD) models and compared these parameters among representative orofacial tumours.

Methods:

Ninety-two patients who underwent 1.5 T MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging were included. The shape parameter (κ), scale parameter (θ), ratio of the intracellular diffusion (ƒ1), extracellular diffusion (ƒ2) and perfusion (ƒ3) were obtained by the GD model; the true diffusion coefficient (D) and perfusion fraction (f) were obtained by the IVIM model; and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was obtained by the ME model.

Results:

ƒ1 had a strongly negative correlation with the ADC (ρ = −0.993) and D (ρ = −0.926). A strong positive correlation between f and ƒ3 (ρ = 0.709) was found. Malignant lymphoma (ML) had the highest ƒ1, followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), malignant salivary gland tumours, pleomorphic adenoma (Pleo) and angioma. Both the IVIM and GD models suggested the highest perfusion in angioma and the lowest perfusion in ML. The GD model demonstrated a high extracellular component in Pleo and revealed that the T4a+T4b SCC group had a lower ƒ2 than the T2+T3 SCC group, and poor to moderately differentiated SCC had a higher ƒ1 than highly differentiated SCC.

Conclusions:

Given the correlation among the diffusion-derived parameters, the GD model might be a good alternative to the IVIM model. Furthermore, the GD model’s parameters were useful for characterizing the pathological structure.
ESTRATÉGIAS MERCADOLÓGICAS PARA OBTENÇÃO DE VANTAGEM COMPETITIVA NO SETOR CALÇADISTA
Authors: Scalabrin Andrius Ivo , Frizon Jucelia Appio
Published: July 2020

Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar quais ferramentas do composto de marketing varejista influenciam a percepção de vantagem competitiva, sob a ótica de clientes, e teve como foco as lojas de uma rede varejista de calçados na Região Sudoeste do Paraná. Por meio da abordagem quantitativa, utilizou-se da pesquisa de levantamento e amostragem não probabilística por tipicidade. O questionário estruturado foi elaborado com base nos estudos de Pelissari et al. (2011) e de Cerutti (2010). Por meio de análise de regressão, os resultados da pesquisa apontaram que os conjuntos de variáveis referentes às estratégias de marketing varejista, denominados construtos independentes, que exercem influência com significância estatística sobre o construto dependente Vantagem Competitiva, são Produto, Preço, Promoção e Ponto. Entretanto, a Presentação e Pessoal não exercem influência significativa, convergindo com resultados de outros estudos empíricos sobre a temática e predominando os 4 Ps básicos do composto de marketing.
Analysis of Eradication, Recurrence and Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and Interleukin-1β in paediatric patients with Helicobacter Pylori Infection-related Gastritis
Authors: Zhang Yuanda , Bi Binbin , Guo Xu , Zhang Shaohui
Published: July 2020

Objective: To study whether the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-(OH)D3) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are correlated to the eradication and recurrence of helicobacter pylori (Hp) in paediatric patients with Hp infection-related gastritis.

Methods: A total of 142 paediatric patients with Hp infection-related gastritis from November 2017 to March 2018 in Baoding Children’s Hospital were selected as study subjectswere selected as study subjects and were followed up for one year. Paediatric patients were grouped and analyzed according to the effect of follow-up treatment and recurrence.

Results: The levels of 25-(OH) D3 in the non-eradication group were lower than those in the eradication group and the control group (F=27.087, P<0.05); the levels of IL-1β were higher than those in the eradication group and the control group (F=16.610, P<0.05). Recurrence during follow-up visits: The levels of 25-(OH) D3 in the recurrence group were lower than those in the non-recurrence group and the control group (F=33.837, P<0.05); the levels of IL-1β in the recurrence group were higher than those in the non-recurrence group and the control group (F=7.896, P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed the levels of 25-(OH) D3 and IL-1β in the eradication group and the non-eradication group were negatively correlated (r=-0.232, P<0.05); the levels of 25-(OH) D3 and IL-1β in the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group were negatively correlated (r=-0.225, P<0.05).

Conclusion: Relatively high levels of IL-1β may be correlated to the difficulty in eradicating the Hp infection in paediatric patients. Relatively low levels of 25-(OH) D3 may be correlated to the difficulty in eradicating the Hp infection and recurrence in paediatric patients.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2292

How to cite this:Zhang Y, Bi B, Guo X, Zhang S. Analysis of Eradication, Recurrence and Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and Interleukin-1β in paediatric patients with Helicobacter Pylori Infection-related Gastritis. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1377-1381.   doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2292

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre in Pakistan
Authors: Fatima Tehseen , Das Bhagwan , Sattar Saadia , Islam Najmul
Published: July 2020

Objective: To study the clinical, biochemical and radiological features and management outcomes of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan and comprised data of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism from 2008 to 2017.

Results: Out of 103 patients, 83(80.6%) were female. Overall mean age was 59.3±16.2 years. Musculoskeletal manifestations were seen in 60(58.3%) patients and renal manifestations in 28(27.2%). Ostieits fibrosa cystica was found in 04(3.88%) patients. Overall, Ultrasound neck and sestamibi scan localized the lesion in 66 (64.1%) and 77 (76.2%) patients respectively. Among 79 patients who underwent surgery, 67 (84.8%) patients had an adenoma, 05 (6.3%) had hyperplasia and 02(2.53%) patients had parathyroid carcinoma whereas histopathology was inconclusive in 5 (6.32%) out of the 79 surgically treated patients. Disease recurrence was seen in 13 out of 79(16.45%) patients who underwent surgery.

Conclusion: Primary hyperparathyroidism is associated with significant morbidity in our population. Targeted measures like improving patient awareness, routine calcium screening, vitamin D supplementation and a high index of suspicion by the clinician may help in early diagnosis of the condition and thus reduce morbidity.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2572

How to cite this:Fatima T, Das B, Sattar S, Islam N. Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1199-1203. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2572

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Effectiveness of Pre-operative Respiratory Muscle Training versus Conventional Treatment for Improving Post operative Pulmonary Health after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Sahar Wajeeha , Ajaz Noor , Haider Zulfiqar , Jalal Anjum
Published: July 2020

Objective: To evaluate the Effectiveness of Pre-operative Respiratory Muscle Training versus Conventional Treatment for Improving post-operative pulmonary health after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG).

Methods: A Prospective Randomized clinical trial was performed on sixty patients who underwent elective CABG at Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology. At the time of admission all patients were subjected to 6-minutes’ walk test (6MWT) as baseline. The subjects were then divided into two groups. The Group-I was subjected to respiratory muscle training whereas the Group-2 received the routine preoperative care. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) was then repeated a day before surgery (pre-operative) and before discharge (post-operatively). Duration of post-operative mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy and hospital stay were also noted as outcome measures of this study.

Results: The pre-operative and post-operative readings showed that the patients in the interventional group performed better than the control group in their 6MWT with P-value of less than 0.05. Similarly the interventional group had shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, dependence on oxygen therapy and postoperative hospital stay as compared with the control group showing P-values below 0.05.

Conclusion: The results showed that respiratory muscle training results in improved postoperative functional capacity and reduces of hospital stay.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2899

How to cite this:Sahar W, Ajaz N, Haider Z, Jalal A. Effectiveness of Pre-operative Respiratory Muscle Training versus Conventional Treatment for Improving Post operative Pulmonary Health after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1216-1219.   doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2899

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Successful radio-frequency catheter ablation of two cases of supraventricular tachycardia via a left-sided inferior vena cava
Authors: Awan Romana Asad , Khanzada Muhammad Faisal , Mumtaz Zubair , Qadir Faisal
Published: July 2020

Congenital venous anomalies are uncommon, incidental findings encountered during adult interventional electrophysiology procedures. Femoral venous access is conventionally used during cardiac electrophysiology studies to gain access to the heart. The chance finding of an inferior vena cava anomaly may preclude the performance of these procedures from the femoral approach. We describe two cases in which we were able to successfully perform different radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures in the presence of an unusual venous anomaly, the left-sided IVC.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2947

How to cite this:Awan RA, Khanzada MF, Mumtaz Z, Qadir F. Successful radio-frequency catheter ablation of two cases of supraventricular tachycardia via a left-sided inferior vena cava. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1402-1404. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2947

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Απολιθωμένο Δάσος Λέσβου: Χαλαζίας & πιεζοηλεκτρισμός
Authors: Ζούρος-Καρδάτος Kωνσταντίνος , Παπαρίσβας Φώτιος , Κουτσουκέλλης Γεώργιος , Μανιάτης Παναγιώτης , Γιαννίκος Παναγιώτης
Published: July 2020

Το Απολιθωμένο Δάσος Λέσβου είναι ένα μοναδικό μνημείο της φύσης, που καταγράφει τη γεωλογική ιστορία της λεκάνης του Αιγαίου τα τελευταία 20 εκατομμύρια χρόνια. Αποκαλύπτει πληροφορίες για τη σύνθεση των οικοσυστημάτων και τις κλιματικές μεταβολές στο Αιγαίο. Η Πολιτεία αναγνωρίζοντας την μεγάλη περιβαλλοντική, παλαιοντολογική και εκπαιδευτική αξία του Απολιθωμένου Δάσους Λέσβου το έχει ανακηρύξει «Διατηρητέο Μνημείο της Φύσης».Το Απολιθωμένο Δάσος Λέσβου δημιουργήθηκε λόγω της έντονης ηφαιστειακής δραστηριότητας που προκάλεσε την κάλυψη των δένδρων από παχύ στρώμα ηφαιστειακής τέφρας και την κυκλοφορία θερμών ρευστών πλούσιων σε πυρίτιο. Η υδροθερμική κυκλοφορία προκάλεσε την αντικατάσταση του οργανικού υλικού του ξύλου από διοξείδιο του πυριτίου.Στην εργασία μας με θέμα «Απολιθωμένο Δάσος Λέσβου: χαλαζίας & πιεζοηλεκτρισμός» μελετήθηκε η σχέση των απολιθωμένων δένδρων με το ορυκτό χαλαζίας και το πυρίτιο, τι είναι ο πιεζοηλεκτρισμός, πώς δημιουργείται ο πιεζοηλεκτρισμός, ποιες συσκευές λειτουργούν χάρις στον πιεζοηλεκτρισμό.