bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological Treatment Effects Unrelated to Hair-Cortisol and Hair-BDNF Levels in Chronic Tinnitus
Authors: Basso Laura , Boecking Benjamin , Neff Patrick , Brueggemann Petra , Mazurek Birgit , Peters Eva M. J.
Published: February 2022

Background

Currently, there are no objective markers to measure treatment efficacy in chronic (distressing) tinnitus. This study explores whether stress-related biomarkers cortisol and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) measured in hair samples of chronic tinnitus patients change after compact multimodal tinnitus-specific cognitive behavioral therapy.

Methods

In this longitudinal study, hair-cortisol and hair-BDNF levels, self-reported tinnitus-related distress (Tinnitus Questionnaire; TQ), and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Questionnaire; PSQ-20) were assessed before and 3 months after 5 days of treatment in N = 80 chronic tinnitus patients. Linear mixed-effects models with backward elimination were used to assess treatment-induced changes, and a cross-lagged panel model (structural equation model) was used for additional exploratory analysis of the temporal associations between TQ and hair-BDNF.

Results

At follow-up, a reduction in TQ (p < 0.001) and PSQ-20 scores (p = 0.045) was observed, which was not influenced by baseline hair-cortisol or hair-BDNF levels. No changes in biomarker levels were observed after treatment. The exploratory analysis tentatively suggests that a directional effect of baseline TQ scores on hair-BDNF levels at follow-up (trend; p = 0.070) was more likely than the opposite directional effect of baseline hair-BDNF levels on TQ scores at follow-up (n.s.).

Discussion

While the treatment effectively reduced tinnitus-related distress and perceived stress in chronic tinnitus patients, this effect was not mirrored in biological changes. However, the lack of changes in hair-cortisol and hair-BDNF levels might have been influenced by the treatment duration, follow-up interval, or confounding medical factors, and therefore must be interpreted with caution. The relationship between tinnitus-related distress and hair-BDNF levels should be explored further to obtain a better understanding of stress-related effects in chronic tinnitus.
Characteristics of High Suicide Risk Messages From Users of a Social Network—Sina Weibo “Tree Hole”
Authors: Yang Bing Xiang , Chen Pan , Li Xin Yi , Yang Fang , Huang Zhisheng , Fu Guanghui , Luo Dan , Wang Xiao Qin , Li Wentian , Wen Li , Zhu Junyong , Liu Qian
Published: February 2022

Background

People with suicidal ideation post suicide-related information on social media, and some may choose collective suicide. Sina Weibo is one of the most popular social media platforms in China, and “Zoufan” is one of the largest depression “Tree Holes.” To collect suicide warning information and prevent suicide behaviors, researchers conducted real-time network monitoring of messages in the “Zoufan” tree hole via artificial intelligence robots.

Objective

To explore characteristics of time, content and suicidal behaviors by analyzing high suicide risk comments in the “Zoufan” tree hole.

Methods

Knowledge graph technology was used to screen high suicide risk comments in the “Zoufan” tree hole. Users' level of activity was analyzed by calculating the number of messages per hour. Words in messages were segmented by a Jieba tool. Keywords and a keywords co-occurrence matrix were extracted using a TF-IDF algorithm. Gephi software was used to conduct keywords co-occurrence network analysis.

Results

Among 5,766 high suicide risk comments, 73.27% were level 7 (suicide method was determined but not the suicide date). Females and users from economically developed cities are more likely to express suicide ideation on social media. High suicide risk users were more active during nighttime, and they expressed strong negative emotions and willingness to end their life. Jumping off buildings, wrist slashing, burning charcoal, hanging and sleeping pills were the most frequently mentioned suicide methods. About 17.55% of comments included suicide invitations. Negative cognition and emotions are the most common suicide reason.

Conclusion

Users sending high risk suicide messages on social media expressed strong suicidal ideation. Females and users from economically developed cities were more likely to leave high suicide risk comments on social media. Nighttime was the most active period for users. Characteristics of high suicide risk messages help to improve the automatic suicide monitoring system. More advanced technologies are needed to perform critical analysis to obtain accurate characteristics of the users and messages on social media. It is necessary to improve the 24-h crisis warning and intervention system for social media and create a good online social environment.
How Do Children of Parents With Mental Illness Experience Stigma? A Systematic Mixed Studies Review
Authors: Dobener Lisa-Marie , Fahrer Julia , Purtscheller Daniel , Bauer Annette , Paul Jean Lillian , Christiansen Hanna
Published: February 2022

Stigma can have devastating health and wellbeing impacts, not just on people with mental health problems, but on people associated with the stigmatized person. This is called stigma-by-association. Children whose parents have mental health problems are a particularly vulnerable group, and stigma acts as a mechanism, contributing to the transgenerational transmission of mental disorders. The current study is a systematic mixed studies review, synthesizing knowledge about how this group of children experience stigma-by-association. Overall, 32 studies were included, after a systematic search including quantitative, qualitatative, and mixed methods studies. The methodological quality was assessed and qualitative content analysis undertaken. We grouped children's stigma experiences into four dimensions, i.e., experienced stigma, anticipated stigma, internalized stigma, and structural discrimination. Results show that stigma is an important factor in those children's lives, and needs further investigation in qualitative and quantitative research. The current study emphasizes the importance of anti-stigma interventions and campaigns.
Emotional Ego- and Altercentric Biases in High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Behavioral and Neurophysiological Evidence
Authors: Hartmann Helena , Lengersdorff Lukas , Hitz Hannah H. , Stepnicka Philipp , Silani Giorgia
Published: February 2022

Self-other distinction is a crucial aspect of social cognition, as it allows us to differentiate our own mental and emotional states from those of others. Research suggests that this ability might be impaired in individuals on the autism spectrum, but convincing evidence of self-other distinction difficulties in the emotional domain is lacking. Here we aimed at evaluating emotional self-other distinction abilities in autistic and non-autistic adults, in two behavioral pilot studies and one fMRI study. By using a newly developed virtual ball-tossing game that induced simultaneous positive and negative emotional states in each participant and another person, we were able to measure emotional egocentric and altercentric biases (namely the tendency to ascribe self-/other-related emotions to others/ourselves, respectively). Despite no behavioral differences, individuals on the autism spectrum showed decreased activation (1) in the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) during active overcoming of the emotional egocentric bias vs. passive game viewing, and (2) in the right supramarginal gyrus (rSMG) during ego- vs. altercentric biases, compared to neurotypical participants. These results suggest a different recruitment of these two regions in autistic individuals when dealing with conflicting emotional states of oneself and another person. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of considering different control conditions when interpreting the involvement of rTPJ and rSMG during self-other distinction processes.
A Plea for Diversity in Eating Disorders Research
Authors: Halbeisen Georg , Brandt Gerrit , Paslakis Georgios
Published: February 2022

Eating disorders (EDs) are often stereotyped as affecting the SWAG, that is, as affecting mostly skinny, White, affluent girls. Over the last decade, however, significant progress has been made toward increasing diversity in ED research. There is consensus that EDs affect individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, with recent studies exploring social determinants of ED etiology, ED presentation, and developing diversity-affirming ED assessments. This article provides a brief summary of current developments related to diversity as a research theme, and proposes different perspectives toward further improving diversity in ED research. Specifically, we argue for exploring the role of diversity in ED treatment settings and outcomes, for pursuing diversity-oriented research pro-actively rather than as a reaction to issues of under-representation, and for integrating diversity across different areas of medical education and trainings in psychotherapy. Limitations with respect to the paucity of research, and the link between diversity as a research theme and ED-related workforce diversity are discussed.
Therapists and the Topic of Meaning in Life in Their Encounters With Adolescents With Developmental Trauma: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Olstad Kjersti , Lien Lars , Leonhardt Marja , Sørensen Torgeir , Danbolt Lars Johan
Published: February 2022

Background

Meaning in life is important to achieve quality of life, psychological well-being and good mental health. Existential issues such as meaning in life have limited attention in mental health care and treatment for children and young people in Norway. People in crisis often ponder existential questions. We find little research on this topic in relation to therapists who work with adolescents with developmental trauma. The purpose of this study was to examine how meaning in life is understood and addressed from the perspectives of therapists working with adolescents struggling with trauma.

Method

The study has a qualitative design, based on focus groups with therapists in mental health care for children and adolescents. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using systematic text condensation.

Results

Therapists had limited professional experience and competence to address and explore meaning as a topic in therapy. Yet there was interest in the topic and they thought that young people with trauma experience may benefit from the incorporation of meaning perspectives into therapy.

Conclusion

Therapists at a mental health outpatient clinic for children and adolescents found the topic of meaning important but challenging to involve in the treatment of adolescents with developmental trauma. There is a need for more research to enhance understanding of what it means to include meaning as a topic in child and adolescent psychiatry, and what may be the specific benefit and challenges involved.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly—Chances, Challenges, and Clinical Implications of Avoidance Research in Psychosomatic Medicine
Authors: Labrenz Franziska , Woud Marcella L. , Elsenbruch Sigrid , Icenhour Adriane
Published: February 2022

Avoidance behaviors are shaped by associative learning processes in response to fear of impending threats, particularly physical harm. As part of a defensive repertoire, avoidance is highly adaptive in case of acute danger, serving a potent protective function. However, persistent or excessive fear and maladaptive avoidance are considered key factors in the etiology and pathophysiology of anxiety- and stress-related psychosomatic disorders. In these overlapping conditions, avoidance can increase the risk of mental comorbidities and interfere with the efficacy of cognitive behavioral treatment approaches built on fear extinction. Despite resurging interest in avoidance research also in the context of psychosomatic medicine, especially in conditions associated with pain, disturbed interoception, and disorders of the gut-brain axis, current study designs and their translation into the clinical context face significant challenges limiting both, the investigation of mechanisms involved in avoidance and the development of novel targeted treatment options. We herein selectively review the conceptual framework of learning and memory processes, emphasizing how classical and operant conditioning, fear extinction, and return of fear shape avoidance behaviors. We further discuss pathological avoidance and safety behaviors as hallmark features in psychosomatic diseases, with a focus on anxiety- and stress-related disorders. Aiming to emphasize chances of improved translational knowledge across clinical conditions, we further point out limitations in current experimental avoidance research. Based on these considerations, we propose means to improve existing avoidance paradigms to broaden our understanding of underlying mechanisms, moderators and mediators of avoidance, and to inspire tailored treatments for patients suffering from psychosomatic disorders.
Geospatial Clustering of Mobile Phone Use and Tuberculosis Health Outcomes Among African Health Systems
Authors: Ibeneme Sunny , Ukor Nkiruka , Droti Benson , Karamagi Humphrey , Okeibunor Joseph , Zawaira Felicitas
Published: February 2022

Background

While multiple studies have documented the impacts of mobile phone use on TB health outcomes for varied settings, it is not immediately clear what the spatial patterns of TB treatment completion rates among African countries are. This paper used Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) techniques to explore the clustering spatial patterns of TB treatment completion rates in 53 African countries and also their relationships with mobile phone use. Using an ESDA approach to identify countries with low TB treatment completion rates and reduced mobile phone use is the first step toward addressing issues related to poor TB outcomes.

Methods

TB notifications and treatment data from 2000 through 2015 that were obtained from the World Bank database were used to illustrate a descriptive epidemiology of TB treatment completion rates among African health systems. Spatial clustering patterns of TB treatment completion rates were assessed using differential local Moran's I techniques, and local spatial analytics was performed using local Moran's I tests. Relationships between TB treatment completion rates and mobile phone use were evaluated using ESDA approach.

Result

Spatial autocorrelation patterns generated were consistent with Low-Low and High-Low cluster patterns, and they were significant at different p-values. Algeria and Senegal had significant clusters across the study periods, while Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, South Africa, and Cameroon had significant clusters in at least two time-periods. ESDA identified statistically significant associations between TB treatment completion rates and mobile phone use. Countries with higher rates of mobile phone use showed higher TB treatment completion rates overall, indicating enhanced program uptake (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Study findings provide systematic evidence to inform policy regarding investments in the use of mHealth to optimize TB health outcomes. African governments should identify turnaround strategies to strengthen mHealth technologies and improve outcomes.
Changes in the Proportion of Gastrointestinal Emergency Endoscopy and Peptic Ulcer Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Local Retrospective Observational Study From Vietnam
Authors: Dao Hang Viet , Hoang Long Bao , Le Nha Ngoc Hoa , Tran Trang Thi Thu , Nguyen Hung Manh , Dao Long Van , Le Ngoan Tran
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted the practice of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy units and may increase the risk of digestive disorders. We described the situational changes in GI endoscopy and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) proportion during COVID-19 in Vietnam and examined the associated factors.

Methods

A retrospective ecological study was conducted on data of Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Vietnam. The number of upper GI endoscopy and the proportion of GI emergency endoscopy and PUD were compared between 2019 and 2020 by month (January to June). Log-binomial regression was used to explore associated factors of GI emergency endoscopy and PUD.

Results

The number of endoscopies decreased remarkably during the nationwide social distancing in April 2020. Compared to April 2019, the proportion in April 2020 of both GI emergency endoscopy [4.1 vs. 9.8%, proportion ratio (PR) 2.39, 95% CI 2, 2.87], and PUD [13.9 vs. 15.8%; PR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.29] was significantly higher. In log-binomial models, the proportion of GI emergency endoscopy was higher in April 2020 compared to April 2019 (adjusted PR, 2.41; 95% CI, 2.01, 2.88). Male sex and age of ≥50 years were associated with an increased PUD and GI emergency conditions.

Conclusion

The proportion of both GI emergency endoscopy and PUD was significantly higher during the time of the state of emergency due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when compared to 2019 at the same health facility in Vietnam. The findings suggest that healthcare delivery reforms during the era of an emerging pandemic are required to reduce digestive disorders, in particular, and chronic diseases in general.
Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions Implemented to Control the COVID-19 Were Associated With Reduction of Influenza Incidence
Authors: Huang Qing-Mei , Song Wei-Qi , Liang Fen , Ye Bi-Li , Li Zhi-Hao , Zhang Xi-Ru , Zhong Wen-Fang , Zhang Pei-Dong , Liu Dan , Shen Dong , Chen Pei-Liang , Liu Qu , Yang Xingfen , Mao Chen
Published: February 2022

Background

Non-pharmaceutical interventions were implemented in most countries to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. We aimed to describe the incidence of influenza in four countries in the 2019–2020 season and examined the effect of these non-pharmaceutical interventions on the incidence of influenza.

Methods

We used the network surveillance data from 2015 to 2020 to estimate the percentage increase in influenza cases to explore the effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented to control the COVID-19 on the incidence of influenza in China, the United States, Japan, and Singapore.

Results

We found that the incidence of influenza has been almost zero and reached a persistent near-zero level for a continuous period of six months since epidemiologic week 14 of 2020 in the four countries. Influenza incidence decreased by 77.71% and 60.50% in the early days of COVID-19 in the 2019–2020 season compared to the same period in preceding years in Japan and Singapore, respectively. Furthermore, influenza incidence decreased by 60.50–99.48% during the period of compulsory interventions in the 2019–2020 season compared to the same period in preceding years in the four countries.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the application of non-pharmaceutical interventions, even everyday preventive action, was associated with a reduction of influenza incidence, which highlights that more traditional public health interventions need to be reasserted and universalized to reduce influenza incidence.
Clinical Evidence Informing Treatment Guidelines on Repurposed Drugs for Hospitalized Patients During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic: Corticosteroids, Anticoagulants, (Hydroxy)chloroquine
Authors: Wüstner Stefanie , Hogger Sara , Gartner-Freyer Daniela , Lebioda Andrea , Schley Katharina , Leverkus Friedhelm
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In early 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spread worldwide, overwhelming hospitals with severely ill patients and posing the urgent need for clinical evidence to guide patient care. First treatment options available were repurposed drugs to fight inflammation, coagulopathy, and viral replication. A vast number of clinical studies were launched globally to test their efficacy and safety. Our analysis describes the development of global evidence on repurposed drugs, in particular corticosteroids, anticoagulants, and (hydroxy)chloroquine in hospitalized COVID-19 patients based on different study types. We track the incorporation of clinical data in international and national treatment guidelines and identify factors that characterize studies and analyses with the greatest impact on treatment recommendations.

Methods

A literature search in MEDLINE was conducted to assess the clinical evidence on treatment with corticosteroids, anticoagulants, and (hydroxy)chloroquine in hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the first year of the pandemic. Adoption of the evidence from this clinical data in treatment guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), Germany, and United States (US) was evaluated over time.

Results

We identified 106 studies on corticosteroids, 141 studies on anticoagulants, and 115 studies on (hydroxy)chloroquine. Most studies were retrospective cohort studies; some were randomized clinical trials (RCTs), and a few were platform trials. These studies were compared to studies directly and indirectly referred to in WHO (7 versions), German (5 versions), and US (21 versions) guidelines. We found that initially large, well-adjusted, mainly retrospective cohort studies and ultimately large platform trials or coordinated meta-analyses of RCTs provided best available clinical evidence supporting treatment recommendations.

Discussion

Particularly early in the pandemic, evidence for the efficacy and safety of repurposed drugs was of low quality, since time and scientific rigor seemed to be competing factors. Pandemic preparedness, coordinated efforts, and combined analyses were crucial to generating timely and robust clinical evidence that informed national and international treatment guidelines on corticosteroids, anticoagulants, and (hydroxy)chloroquine. Multi-arm platform trials with master protocols and coordinated meta-analyses proved particularly successful, with researchers joining forces to answer the most pressing questions as quickly as possible.
Psychotherapeutic Intervention for Adults With Acquired Brain Injury: A Case Study Using BackUp
Authors: Thøgersen Cecilie Marie S. , Glintborg Chalotte , Hansen Tia G. B. , Trettvik Johan
Published: February 2022

A moderate-to-severe acquired brain injury (ABI) can have tremendous lifelong consequences for ABI-survivors and their families. Despite rehabilitation practice since the 1980s aspiring to a dynamic, coherent and holistic approach, the psychological dimension still seems to be a challenge and research has revealed persisting psychosocial impairments after ABI. Therefore, we developed BackUp©, a manual based short term psychological intervention for adults with ABI. This study explores the effect of the intervention though a small feasibility study, employing a single case design. One client received the intervention. Self-report measures were collected, and a semi structured interview was conducted. While results from pre, post and follow-up measures do not show clear positive results, the interview reveals positive experiences and the participant reported achieving his therapy goal. This case study provides support for a psychological intervention to support the psychological rehabilitation after an ABI.
Fast Online Optimization for Terrain-Blind Bipedal Robot Walking With a Decoupled Actuated SLIP Model
Authors: Wang Ke , Fei Hengyi , Kormushev Petar
Published: February 2022

We present an online optimization algorithm which enables bipedal robots to blindly walk over various kinds of uneven terrains while resisting pushes. The proposed optimization algorithm performs high-level motion planning of footstep locations and center-of-mass height variations using the decoupled actuated spring-loaded inverted pendulum (aSLIP) model. The decoupled aSLIP model simplifies the original aSLIP with linear inverted pendulum (LIP) dynamics in horizontal states and spring dynamics in the vertical state. The motion planning can be formulated as a discrete-time model predictive control (MPC) problem and solved at a frequency of 1 kHz. The output of the motion planner is fed into an inverse-dynamics–based whole body controller for execution on the robot. A key result of this controller is that the feet of the robot are compliant, which further extends the robot’s ability to be robust to unobserved terrain variations. We evaluate our method in simulation with the bipedal robot SLIDER. The results show that the robot can blindly walk over various uneven terrains including slopes, wave fields, and stairs. It can also resist pushes of up to 40 N for a duration of 0.1 s while walking on uneven terrains.
Expanding Our Knowledge of Menstrual Irregularities Reported by Females With Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Authors: Mowrey Kate , Northrup Hope , Hashmi Syed Shahrukh , Rodriguez-Buritica David
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of our study is to expand the knowledge regarding intrinsic reproductive dysfunction in females with TSC and to explore the impact of mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) on menstrual irregularity in the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) community.

Methods

An electronic survey composed of author-designed questions set out to evaluate reproductive history, presence of menstrual irregularities, mTORi use, as well as maternal reproductive history among females with TSC.

Results

Of the 68 responses from females with TSC regarding age of menarche, the average age was 12.3 years. 56.5% (n = 48) of respondents reported irregular menstrual cycles and noted a total of 102 menstrual irregularities. There was a cohort of 35 women with a reported history of mTORi use. Of these women, 68.6% (n = 24) reported irregular menstrual cycles after taking mTORi. In comparison, among the females with no history of mTORi use (n = 50) only 48% reported irregular menstrual cycles (n = 24).

Conclusions

Our data expands the knowledge regarding intrinsic menstrual dysregulation present in women with TSC, demonstrates a rate of menstrual irregularities among females taking mTORi, and identifies a tendency toward early menarche that may be a previously unrecognized feature of TSC.
A Comparison of Puncture and Continuous Pump Analgesia With Two Different Approaches to Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Thoracic Surgery
Authors: Huang Qiao-wen , Lu Zhi-wei , Li Jia-bin , Zhang Wen-qing , Jiang Li-wei , Lin Zhi-jian
Published: February 2022

Background

This study aims to compare the success rate of thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) and the effect of postoperative analgesia between two approaches.

Methods

A total of 34 patients with American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status score II–III, undergoing an optional thoracoscopic surgery, were randomly assigned to a parasagittal approach group (group P, n = 17) and a transverse intercostal approach group (group T, n = 17). The catheterization time, success rate of the puncture and catheterization, block plane and effect at the surgical site were compared between two groups. The mean arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded, as well as the cold tactile block plane and numeric rating scale (NRS) at 0.5, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h after surgery. The study was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=9624 (Registration number: ChiCTR2100054642).

Results

The catheterization time in group P was significantly longer than that in group T (P < 0.05). The success rate of catheterization in group P was lower than that in group T, but no statistical significance (P = 0.085). There was no significant difference in the success rate of Puncture and blocking effect of the surgical site at 30 min post-injection between two groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the cold tactile block plane and NRS scores during coughing between two groups at 0.5, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study suggests that there is no significant difference in postoperative block level or pain score during coughing for thoracoscopic surgery between ultrasound-guided parasagittal and transverse intercostal approach, but the parasagittal approach takes longer and has a higher failure rate.
Perianal Diseases in Pregnancy and After Childbirth: Frequency, Risk Factors, Impact on Women's Quality of Life and Treatment Methods
Authors: Bužinskienė Diana , Sabonytė-Balšaitienė Živilė , Poškus Tomas
Published: February 2022

Hemorrhoids and anal fissures occur in about 40% of pregnant women and women during postpartum period. Usually they occur during the third trimester of pregnancy and 1–2 days after giving birth. Constipation during pregnancy, perianal diseases during previous pregnancy and childbirth, instrumental delivery, straining duration of more than 20 min, and weight of the newborn more than 3,800 g are associated with hemorrhoids. Perianal diseases reduce the quality of life of both pregnant and postpartum women. In the absence of acute conditions, surgical treatment of hemorrhoids is delayed after pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation. Thrombosed internal hemorrhoids and perianal thrombosis are to be treated conservatively in most instances by prescribing adequate pain relief, oral, and topical flavonoid preparations.
Comparison of Percutaneous Kyphoplasty With or Without Posterior Pedicle Screw Fixation on Spinal Sagittal Balance in Elderly Patients With Severe Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Zhou Quan , Zhang Junxin , Liu Hao , He Wei , Deng Lei , Zhou Xinfeng , Yang Huilin , Liu Tao
Published: February 2022

Objective

To compare the effects of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) with or without posterior pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) on spinal sagittal balance in elderly patients with severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (sOVCF).

Methods

From January 2016 to December 2018, 102 elderly patients with single-level thoracolumbar sOVCF were enrolled. Among them, 78 cases underwent PKP (Group A), and 24 cases underwent PPSF+KP (Group B). Clinical evaluation included perioperative parameters, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back pain; Radiographic evaluation included anterior vertebral height (AVH) and rate (AVHr), local kyphotic angle (LKA), and spino-pelvic sagittal balance parameters.

Results

Perioperative parameters including operation time, blood loss, fluoroscopic time and hospital stay in Group A were less than those in Group B (p < 0.05). Compared with the pre-operative results, the ODI and VAS scores of both groups decreased significantly in the three follow-ups after surgery (p < 0.05). The post-operative ODI and VAS scores of Group A were significantly better than those of Group B, but the results were opposite at the final follow-up (p < 0.05). Compared with the pre-operative values, except that there was no significant difference in pelvic incidence (PI) (p > 0.05), other radiographic parameters of both groups were improved significantly in the three follow-ups after surgery (p < 0.05). The AVH, AVHr, LKA and lumbar lordosis (LL) in Group B were better than those in Group A in the three follow-ups after surgery (p < 0.05). At the final follow-up, the sacral slope (SS) and pelvic tilt (PT) differed significantly between the two groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Both PPSF+KP and PKP can achieve favorable clinical outcomes and maintain the spinal sagittal balance. Compared with PPSF+KP, PKP showed more significant advantages in the early post-operative period. However, in the long-term follow-up, PPSF+KP showed better clinical outcomes and may be better than PKP in maintaining spinal sagittal balance.
Effects of Chlortetracycline Rumen-Protected Granules on Rumen Microorganisms and Its Diarrhea Therapeutic Effect
Authors: Yu Yang , Li Xin , Liu Ziyao , Xu Ying , Shen Yue , Li Guoji , Huang Xianhui
Published: February 2022

Chlortetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used as an oral medication in ruminants. However, this antibiotic affects the rumen microbial population, thereby upsetting the normal microbiota of ruminants. This study determined whether our newly developed chlortetracycline rumen-protected granules are relatively harmless to rumen microorganisms while effective against lamb E. coli diarrhea. We used a qPCR assay to quantify selected rumen microorganisms from lambs treated with or without oral chlortetracycline. We also assessed bacterial diversity in the rumen by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Lambs were divided into three groups: one group given with oral chlortetracycline granules for 7 days; one group with chlortetracycline premix; and one without treatment. Rumen fluid was collected on 0 d, 7 d, and 14 d of the experiment. In the therapeutic effect trial, cases of naturally E. coli-infected lamb with diarrhea were selected and divided into low, medium, and high dose groups of granules, premix, infection control, and healthy control groups. Treatments were continuously administered for 7 days, and animals were observed for 14 days after drug withdrawal to score and evaluate the treatment effect. Results of qPCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the granules could diminish the impact of chlortetracycline on rumen microorganisms compared with the premix. The diarrhea therapeutic effect trial showed that the oral administration of the chlortetracycline rumen-protected granules at the dose of 30 mg/kg·bw/d for 7 days could effectively treat lamb diarrhea caused by E. coli. In conclusion, we provide a new drug preparation of chlortetracycline that can diminish the effect on the rumen microbiota while treating diarrhea caused by E. coli.
A Geodemographic View of the Accessibility of Selected Outpatient Services in Czechia
Authors: Maláková Kateřina
Published: February 2022

Objectives: Although people use health services throughout their lives, there are important differences in timing, location, and frequency of utilization. The aim of this article is to identify and explain these differences in terms of healthcare accessibility.

Methods: Outpatient health services—diabetology, cardiology, and psychiatry—are analysed using anonymized data from the General Health Insurance Company (GHIC) in Czechia for 2019. Healthcare utilization is studied in relation to selected geodemographic characteristics—patient’s age, sex, place of permanent residence, and location of healthcare provision.

Results: The analysis found significant differences in the utilization of the selected health services in terms of age, sex, and size of the patient’s municipality of residence. Generally, men tended to travel outside their municipality for healthcare more than women. Young patients were more likely (and also further) to travel outside their municipality for healthcare than older patients.

Conclusion: The reasons for this were the location of the health service provider (mostly concentrated in local/regional centres), the patient’s ability and willingness to travel for healthcare, and differences in the patient’s permanent and ordinary place of residence.
Results of the Adult COVID-19 Lifestyle Matching Study
Authors: Zhong Rui , Zhang Qiong , Qiu Yanfang , Chen Lingxia , Xie Jianghua , Chen Yongjun , Zou Yajiao , Zhu Lei , Tong Li , Zou Yanhui , Wang Wei , Zhou Yuhua
Published: February 2022

Objective: The aim of our case-control study was to find the influence of lifestyle and comorbidities on COVID-19 susceptibility, identify risk factors and protective factors, and identify ways to encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Methods: Patients with COVID-19 were matched with non-COVID-19 participants in a ratio of 1:2. Univariate analysis was performed using the chi-square test, and multivariate analysis was performed using conditional logistic regression.

Results: Multivariate analysis using conditional logistic regression found that alcohol consumption (AC) and a bland diet increased the risk of COVID-19, while college degrees and above, smoking, drinking tea, and exercise, especially walking, significantly reduced the risk of COVID-19.

Conclusion: After removing the effects of demographic factors, the study demonstrated that AC significantly reduced the ability of the body to resist COVID-19 infection. Moreover, following a bland diet increased the susceptibility to COVID-19. Notably, people who drank tea and performed regular exercises, especially walking, were significantly less likely to be infected with COVID-19. College degree or above relative illiteracy is COVID-19 protective factors of infection.
Pesticide Use Culture among Food Crop Farmers: Implications for Subtle Exposure and Management in Barbados
Authors: Yawson David Oscar
Published: February 2022

Globally, there is a strong interest in on-farm pesticide use culture due to genuine concerns about the individual, public, and ecological health risks posed by pesticides. At farm scale, pesticide use culture can be captured via the assessments of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) to inform intervention strategy and integrated science-based management. Despite the intensive use of pesticides in agriculture in the Caribbean, there is limited information on pesticide use culture or KAP assessment. This study assessed the pesticide use culture among selected food crop farmers in Barbados. A cross-sectional study of 93 food crop farmers, using a semi-structured instrument, was carried out. The results show that the respondents self-rated their level of knowledge on pesticide handling and application as medium to high but low on waste management. Over 50% of the respondents indicated they determine application rates and could understand and follow information on pesticide labels. The majority of the respondents relied on the Internet for information on pesticides, and less than half had received formal training on pesticide use in the three years preceding this study. On attitude, there was overwhelming support for the encouragement of pesticide usage to reduce losses in yield and quality of harvest. Knowledge did not always imply positive attitudes toward safe practices. While 86% agreed that pesticides posed considerable risks to the personal health of users, 60% agreed that one did not need to have all the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) before using a given pesticide. Due to gaps in the knowledge–attitude–practice continuum, some respondents applied pesticides when necessary, and there was low adherence to the use of recommended PPE when handling/applying pesticides or cleaning/repairing pesticide application equipment, and some respondents indicated a tendency to eat, drink, or smoke during or immediately after pesticide application. These suggest subtle exposure. It was concluded that the low use of recommended PPE, high reliance on the Internet for pesticide guidance, and, particularly, pesticide waste disposal practices require urgent attention from policy, regulatory, and practical levels to improve the pesticide use culture.
Lung Function Variation during the Estrus Cycle of Mares Affected by Severe Asthma
Authors: Mainguy-Seers Sophie , Diaw Mouhamadou , Lavoie Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2022

While the prevalence of asthma is higher in boys than in girls during childhood, this tendency reverses at puberty, suggesting an effect of sex hormones on the disease pathophysiology. Fluctuations of asthma severity concurring with the estrus cycle are reported in women, but this phenomenon has never been investigated in mares to date. The objective of this exploratory study was to determine whether the estrus cycle modulates airway obstruction in severe equine asthma (SEA). Five mares with SEA during exacerbation of the disease were studied. The whole breath, expiratory and inspiratory resistance, and reactance were compared during the follicular and luteal phases of the estrus cycle. The reproductive tract was evaluated by rectal palpation, ultrasound, and serum progesterone levels. The inspiratory resistance and reactance improved during the luteal phase of the estrus cycle, and variation in progesterone levels and the dominant follicle size correlated with several lung function parameters. The fluctuation of airway dysfunction during the estrus cycle is noteworthy as deterioration of the disease could perhaps be expected and prevented by horse owners and veterinarians. Further studies are required to determine if the equine species could be a suitable model to evaluate the effects of sex hormones on asthma.
Eye Region Surface Temperature and Corticosterone Response to Acute Stress in a High-Arctic Seabird, the Little Auk
Authors: Jakubas Dariusz , Wojczulanis-Jakubas Katarzyna , Grissot Antoine , Devogel Marion , Cendrowska Martyna , Chastel Olivier
Published: February 2022

Measuring changes in surface body temperature (specifically in eye-region) in vertebrates using infrared thermography is increasingly applied for detection of the stress reaction. Here we investigated the relationship between the eye-region temperature (TEYE; measured with infrared thermography), the corticosterone level in blood (CORT; stress indicator in birds), and some covariates (ambient temperature, humidity, and sex/body size) in a High-Arctic seabird, the Little Auk Alle alle. The birds responded to the capture-restrain protocol (blood sampling at the moment of capturing, and after 30 min of restrain) by a significant TEYE and CORT increase. However, the strength of the TEYE and CORT response to acute stress were not correlated. It confirms the results of a recent study on other species and all together indicates that infrared thermography is a useful, non-invasive measure of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity under acute activation, but it might not be a suitable proxy for natural variation of circulating glucocorticoid levels.
Detection and Genomic Characterization of Canine Circovirus in Iran
Authors: Beikpour Farzad , Ndiana Linda Amarachi , Sazmand Alireza , Capozza Paolo , Nemati Farzad , Pellegrini Francesco , Zafari Salman , Zolhavarieh Seyed Masoud , Cardone Roberta , Faraji Reza , Lanave Gianvito , Martella Vito , Decaro Nicola
Published: February 2022

Canine circovirus (CaCV) is a single-stranded DNA virus that globally circulates in dogs and wild carnivores. Although the pathogenic potential of the virus has not been fully understood yet, CaCV has been suggested to exacerbate the clinical course of other canine viral infections but also to circulate in dogs without clinical signs. In this study, we carried out real-time PCR assays to detect enteric pathogens from 156 canine rectal swabs collected from dogs without enteritis in 3 different regions in Iran. A total of 14 samples tested positive for CaCV and full-length genome sequences were obtained from 6 of the detected strains. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that, despite the distance between the different sample collection sites, all Iranian CaCV strains were closely related and formed a separate clade from extant CaCVs. The present study shows that CaCV is circulating in non-diarrheic dogs in Iran, thus highlighting the need for further epidemiological investigations in Iranian domestic and wild carnivores.
Pulmonary and Systemic Skeletal Muscle Embolism in a Beaked Whale with a Massive Trauma of Unknown Aetiology
Authors: Sierra Eva , Ramírez Tania , Bernaldo de Quirós Yara , Arregui Marina , Mompeó Blanca , Rivero Miguel A. , Fernández Antonio
Published: February 2022

An adult female Sowerby’s beaked whale was found floating dead in Hermigua (La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain) on 7 December 2016. Severe traumas of unknown aetiology were attributed, and the gross and microscopic findings are consistent with catastrophic trauma as a cause of death. Rib fractures affected the intercostals, transverse thoracis skeletal muscles, and thoracic rete mirabile. Degenerated muscle fibres were extruded to flow into vascular and lymphatic vessels travelling to several anatomic locations into the thoracic cavity, including the lungs, where they occluded the small lumen of pulmonary microvasculature. A pulmonary and systemic skeletal muscle embolism was diagnosed, constituting the first description of this kind of embolism in an animal. The only previous description has been reported in a woman after peritoneal dialysis. Skeletal pulmonary embolism should be considered a valuable diagnostic for different types of trauma in vivo in wild animals. This is especially valuable when working with decomposed carcasses, as in those cases, it is not always feasible to assess other traumatic evidence.
Characterization of Wind Gusts: A Study Based on Meteorological Tower Observations
Authors: Yan Bowen , Chan Pakwai , Li Qiusheng , He Yuncheng , Cai Ying , Shu Zhenru , Chen Yao
Published: February 2022

Accurate information on wind gusts is of critical importance to various practical problems. In this study, observational wind data from high-frequency response (i.e., at a sampling rate of 10 Hz), ultrasonic anemometers instrumented at four different heights (i.e., 10 m, 40 m, 160 m, 320 m) on a weather tower were collected. The observation site featured a typical suburban condition, with no significant obstacles in the immediate proximity. The data were analyzed to identify a total of twelve descriptors of wind gusts, and to find the parent distributions that estimate these parameters well via regression analysis. The results show that the gust parameters in the context of gust magnitude and amplitude with units are best fit by the Weibull model, while non-dimensional parameters in terms of gust factor and peak factor are reasonably assessed by the log-logistic distribution. The uplift time and gust nonsymmetric factor generally exhibit a lognormal distribution, while the Gamma distribution can describe the gust length scale, uplift magnitude and passage time. It is also shown that gust factors increase linearly along with turbulence intensity. Nevertheless, empirical linear formulas given in previous studies tend to over-predict. For the vertical structure of gust descriptors, it is found that the average wind speed, gust amplitude and gust length scale in 10 min monotonically increase with height, whereas the function relationship of gust amplitude, peak factor, gust factor, turbulence intensity, rise amplitude and falling amplitude tends to decrease with height.