bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prevalence and social-structural correlates of housing status among women living with HIV in Vancouver, Canada
Authors: Zhao Yinong , Shannon Kate , Buxton Jane A. , Ti Lianping , Genovy Theresa A. , Braschel Melissa , Deering Kathleen
Published: September 2022

Background

Women living with HIV (WLWH) experience numerous social and structural barriers to stable housing, with substantial implications for access to health care services. This study is the first to apply the Canadian Definition of Homelessness (CDOH), an inclusive national guideline, to investigate the prevalence and correlates of housing status among WLWH in Metro Vancouver, Canada.

Methods

Our study utilized data from a longitudinal open cohort of cisgender and trans WLWH aged 14 years and older, in 2010–2019. Cross-sectional descriptive statistics of the prevalence of housing status and other social and structural variables were summarized for the baseline visits. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) for repeated measures to investigate the relationship between social and structural correlates and housing status among WLWH.

Results

The study included 336 participants with 1930 observations over 9 years. Housing status derived from CDOH included four categories: unsheltered, unstable, supportive housing, and stable housing (reference). Evidence suggested high levels of precarious housing, with 24% of participants reporting being unsheltered, 47% reporting unstable housing, 11.9% reporting supportive housing, and 16.4% reporting stable housing in the last six months at baseline. According to the multivariable models, living in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighbourhood of Metro Vancouver, hospitalization, physical/sexual violence, and stimulant use were associated with being unsheltered, compared to stable housing; DTES residence, hospitalization, and physical/sexual violence were associated with unstable housing; DTES residence and stimulant use were associated with living in supportive housing.

Conclusion

Complex social-structural inequities are associated with housing instability among WLWH. In addition to meeting basic needs for living, to facilitate access to housing among WLWH, housing options that are gender-responsive and gender-inclusive and include trauma- and violence-informed principles, low-barrier requirements, and strong connections with supportive harm reduction services are critical.
The impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on physical activity amongst older adults: evidence from longitudinal data in the UK
Authors: Elliott Jack , Munford Luke , Ahmed Saima , Littlewood Alison , Todd Chris
Published: September 2022

Background

A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of adverse health outcomes and frailty,particularly for older adults. To reduce transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic, people were instructed to stay at home, group sports were suspended, and gyms were closed, thereby limiting opportunities for physical activity. Whilst evidence suggests that physical activity levels reduced during the pandemic, it is unclear whether the proportion of older adults realising the recommended minimum level of physical activity changed throughout the various stages of lockdown.

Methods

We used a large sample of 3,660 older adults (aged ≥ 65) who took part in the UK Household Longitudinal Study’s annual and COVID-19 studies. We examined changes in the proportion of older adults who were realising the UK Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity recommendations for health maintenance at several time points before and after COVID-19 lockdowns were imposed. We stratified these trends by the presence of health conditions, age, neighbourhood deprivation, and pre-pandemic activity levels.

Results

There was a marked decline in older adults’ physical activity levels during the third national lockdown in January 2021. The proportion realising the Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity recommendations decreased from 43% in September 2020 to 33% in January 2021. This decrease in physical activity occurred regardless of health condition, age, neighbourhood deprivation, or pre-pandemic activity levels. Those doing the least activity pre-lockdown increased their activity during lockdowns and those doing the most decreased their activity levels.

Conclusions

Reductions in older adults’ physical activity levels during COVID-19 lockdowns have put them at risk of becoming deconditioned and developing adverse health outcomes. Resources should be allocated to promote the uptake of physical activity in older adults to reverse the effects of deconditioning.
The impact of two state-level approaches to restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products
Authors: Satchell Tyra , Diaz Megan C. , Stephens Daniel , Bertrand Adrian , Schillo Barbara A. , Whitsel Laurie P.
Published: September 2022

Background

Flavored tobacco products are highly appealing to youth. The Federal government lacks a comprehensive flavored tobacco products policy and states have adopted different approaches restricting these products. This study analyzes the impact of Massachusetts’ comprehensive prohibition and New Jersey’s partial restriction on the sale of flavored tobacco products.

Methods

NielsenIQ Retail Scanner data were used to construct four log per capita dependent variables: e-liquid milliliters, cigarette packs, cigars, and smokeless tobacco ounces for products flavored as fruit, menthol, mint, tobacco and other. All models used difference-in-differences regressions, with Virginia and Pennsylvania serving as controls. The models controlled for state level product prices, population percentages by race/ethnicity, proportion male, median household income, unemployment rate, minimum legal sales age, tobacco 21 policies, and cumulative cases and deaths of COVID-19; the models accounted for time-specific factors by using 4-week period fixed-effects.

Results

There was a significant decrease in sales across all flavored tobacco products in Massachusetts, including fruit [-99.83%, p < 0.01], menthol [-98.33%, p < 0.01], and all other flavored [-99.28%, p < 0.01] e-cigarettes. The cigar group “all other-flavors" [-99.92%, p < 0.01] and menthol flavored cigarettes [-95.36%, p < 0.01] also significantly decreased. In New Jersey, there was a significant decrease in per capita sales of menthol-flavored e-cigarettes [-83.80%, p < 0.05] and cigar group “all other-flavors" experienced a significant increase in per capita sales [380.66%, p < 0.01].

Conclusions

This study contributes to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the impact of sales prohibitions on reducing sales of flavored tobacco products. Statewide comprehensive approaches appear more effective than partial restrictions and should be prioritized.

Implications

Results from this study support emerging research that demonstrates the promising effects of comprehensive flavoring sales prohibitions. This study can be used to inform future flavored tobacco product policy solutions developed by advocates and policy makers to curb overall tobacco initiation and use by youth and adults.
Health insurance ownership among female workers in Indonesia: does socioeconomic status matter?
Authors: Laksono Agung Dwi , Nugraheni Wahyu Pudji , Rohmah Nikmatur , Wulandari Ratna Dwi
Published: September 2022

Background

Female workers are vulnerable groups in the Indonesian context, and female workers must be responsible for domestic problems and earn a living. The study aimed to analyze the role of socioeconomic on health insurance ownership among female workers in Indonesia.

Methods

The study population was all female workers in Indonesia. This cross-sectional study involved 7,943 respondents. The study analyzed health insurance ownership as an outcome variable and socioeconomic status as an exposure variable. The study also involved five control variables: residence, age, marital, education, and occupation. The research used multinomial logistic regression in the final step.

Results

The results show the poorest female workers have a possibility of 0.735 times more than the richest to have NHI (AOR 0.733; 95% CI 0.733–0.737). The poorer female workers have 0.939 times less likely than the richest to have NHI (AOR 0.939; 95% CI 0.937–0.942). Female workers with middle socioeconomic status are possibly 0.833 times less than the richest to have NHI (AOR 0.833; 95% 0.831–0.835). Moreover, the richer female workers have 1.028 times more likely than the richest to have NHI (AOR 1.028; 95% CI 1.025–1.030). Moreover, all socioeconomic statuses have a lower possibility than the richest of having other health insurance.

Conclusions

The study concluded that socioeconomic has a role in health insurance ownership among female workers in Indonesia.
Cup orientation following posterior approach THA – the effect of different visual aids and pelvic supports
Authors: Innmann Moritz M. , Verhaegen Jeroen , Merle Christian , Beaulé Paul E. , Meermans Geert , Grammatopoulos George
Published: September 2022

Introduction

This study aims to compare cup inclination achieved (1) Using two orientation guides, whilst using the same 3-point pelvic positioner and (2) Using two types of pelvic positioners, whilst measuring intra-operative cup inclination with an inclinometer.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective, diagnostic cohort study of a consecutive series of 150 THAs performed through a posterior approach. Two types of 3-point pelvic positioners were used (Stulberg and modified Capello Hip Positioners) and the cup was positioned freehand using one of two orientation guides (mechanical guide or digital inclinometer). Intra-operative inclination was recorded, radiographic cup inclination and anteversion were measured from radiographs. The differences in inclination due to pelvic position (ΔPelvicPosition) and orientation definitions (ΔDefinition) were calculated. Target radiographic inclination and anteversion was 40/20° ± 10°.

Results

There was no difference in radiographic cup inclination/ (p = 0.63) using a mechanical guide or digital inclinometer. However, differences were seen in ΔPelvicPosition between the positioners ((Stulberg: 0° ± 5 vs. Capello: 3° ± 6); p = 0.011). Intra-operative inclination at implantation was different between positioners and this led to equivalent cases within inclination/anteversion targets (Stulberg:84%, Capello:80%; p = 0.48).

Conclusions

With the pelvis securely positioned with 3-point supports, optimum cup orientation can be achieved with both alignment guides and inclinometer. Non-optimal cup inclinations were seen when intra-operative inclinations were above 40° and below 32°, or the ΔPelvicPosition was excessive (> 15°; n = 2). We would thus recommend that the intra-operative cup inclination should be centered strictly between 30° and 35° relative to the floor. Small differences exist between different type of pelvic positioners that surgeons need to be aware off and account for.
Minimally invasive transiliac anatomical locking plate for posterior pelvic ring injury: a retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters for the gull wing plate
Authors: Mitsuzawa Sadaki , Kusakabe Kenji , Nakao Shota , Matsuoka Tetsuya , Yasuda Tadashi , Matsuda Shuichi
Published: September 2022

Background

Posterior pelvic ring injuries are challenging for surgeons to treat adequately due to difficulties with reduction and stabilization. Surgical intervention is a beneficial option to protect neurological structures and provide sufficient stability for early mobilization. The gull wing plate (GWP) is a pre-contoured anatomical locking plate with six screws, and its design is unique among posterior transiliac tension-band plates. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical results of the GWP.

Methods

Patients who had an unstable posterior pelvic ring injury and underwent internal fixation with GWP were retrospectively analyzed at a trauma center. Demographic data, fracture type, perioperative data, and radiological evaluation with computed tomography (CT) were collected. Clinical outcomes were graded using the functional independence measure (FIM) and Majeed outcome score.

Results

Twenty-six patients were enrolled (mean age, 54 years), and the mean follow-up period was 23 months. The mean Injury Severity Score was 24 points, and internal fixation was performed 6.6 days post-trauma. CT evaluation showed the lateral surface angle of the uninjured ilium was approximately 68°. The GWP pre-contoured anatomical design closely matched this angle. The mean FIM and Majeed score were 119 and 76 points, respectively, which were graded as excellent (n = 14), good (n = 9), or fair (n = 3).

Conclusions

With the retrospective single-center data available, the GWP seems to be a minimally-invasive alternative, provides reliable stability of the posterior pelvic ring and allows for rehabilitation within normal ranges.
Managing the moral expansion of medicine
Authors: Hofmann Bjørn
Published: September 2022

Science and technology have vastly expanded the realm of medicine. The numbers of and knowledge about diseases has greatly increased, and we can help more people in many more ways than ever before. At the same time, the extensive expansion has also augmented harms, professional responsibility, and ethical concerns. While these challenges have been studied from a wide range of perspectives, the problems prevail. This article adds value to previous analyses by identifying how the moral imperative of medicine has expanded in three ways: (1) from targeting experienced phenomena, such as pain and suffering, to non-experienced phenomena (paraclinical signs and indicators); (2) from addressing present pain to potential future suffering; and (3) from reducing negative wellbeing (pain and suffering) to promoting positive wellbeing. These expansions create and aggravate problems in medicine: medicalization, overdiagnosis, overtreatment, risk aversion, stigmatization, and healthism. Moreover, they threaten to infringe ethical principles, to distract attention and responsibility from other competent agents and institutions, to enhance the power and responsibility of professionals, and to change the professional-beneficiary relationship. In order to find ways to manage the moral expansion of medicine, four traditional ways of setting limits are analyzed and dismissed. However, basic asymmetries in ethics suggest that it is more justified to address people’s negative wellbeing (pain and suffering) than their positive wellbeing. Moreover, differences in epistemology, indicate that it is less uncertain to address present pain and suffering than future wellbeing and happiness. Based on these insights the article concludes that the moral imperative of medicine has a gradient from pain and suffering to wellbeing and happiness, and from the present to the future. Hence, in general present pain and suffering have normative priority over future positive wellbeing.
Redesigning value-based hospital structures: a qualitative study on value-based health care in the Netherlands
Authors: Steinmann Gijs , Daniels K. , Mieris Fabio , Delnoij Diana , van de Bovenkamp Hester , van der Nat Paul
Published: September 2022

Background

A crucial component of value-based health care concerns the redesign of organizational structures. In theory, hospital structures should follow value creation: addressing medical conditions for specific groups of patients over full cycles of care. In practice, however, it remains unclear how hospitals can reorganize themselves into value-based structures. The purpose of this study is to explore the ways in which Dutch hospitals are currently implementing and pursuing value-based redesign.

Methods

This qualitative exploratory study used semi-structured interviews and a focus group for data collection. Transcripts were analyzed through deductive coding, for which we used Mintzberg’s theory on organizational structures, particularly his work on design parameters.

Results

In their efforts to create more value-based structures, Dutch hospitals often employ a variety of liaison devices, such as project teams and committees. By contrast, the actual formation of units around medical conditions is much rarer. Outcome data are widely used within planning and control systems, and some hospitals partake in external benchmarking. Not all hospitals use cost indicators for monitoring performance.

Conclusions

Value-based redesign is not necessarily a matter of radical changes or binary choices. Instead, as Dutch hospitals show, it can be an incremental process, with a variety of potential knobs to turn to various degrees. Health care executives, managers, and professionals thus have a wide range of options when they aim for more value-based structures. Our conceptualization of “value-based design parameters” can help guide the selection and implementation of strategies and mechanisms for further coordination around medical conditions over full cycles of care.
Sex and macroeconomic differences and trends in early attempts at cigarette smoking among adolescents: findings from 147 countries
Authors: Liu Huaqing , Qi Qi , Duan Ying , Ma Chuanwei , Zhou Chengchao
Published: September 2022

Background

Most tobacco users initiate smoking during adolescence. Little is known about the global prevalence and trends in early cigarette smoking among adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of early attempts at cigarette smoking and its change trends among young adolescents.

Methods

We used data from the Global Youth Tobacco Surveys on adolescents aged 12–16 years, comprising 456,634 participants from 147 countries between 2006 and 2018, to estimate the prevalence of early attempts at cigarette smoking and age distribution at attempt by sex, country income, purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, and WHO region. We assessed the average annual rate of reduction (AARR) in the prevalence of attempts at cigarette smoking before 12 years of age in 70 countries that had data from three or more surveys completed between 1999 and 2018.

Results

The average prevalence of early attempts at cigarette smoking was 12.2% (95% CI: 10.9–13.5) for boys and 6.7% (95% CI: 5.8–7.6) for girls, with the highest prevalence of 17.4% for boys and 10.7% for girls in the European region. Along with the growth of the national economy, the prevalence of early attempts at cigarette smoking gradually increased in both sexes. A total of 22.9% and 30% of countries had a negative change in AARR for boys and for girls, respectively. The countries with an upward prevalence were mainly located in the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and African regions. The age distribution at first cigarette smoked did not differ substantially between sexes. Notably, the age at first cigarette smoked of 10.7 years for girls was significantly earlier than that of 11.8 years for boys in low-income countries. Among cigarette-smoking adolescents, the average percentage of girls reporting smoking their first cigarette at an age <12 years was 55.7% in Q1 for PPP quintiles, 46.5% in Q2, 40.3% in Q3, 38.4% in Q4, and 34.6% in Q5, and the corresponding prevalence for boys was 46.0% in Q1, 42.8% in Q2, 42.9% in Q3, 43.5% in Q4, and 41.1% in Q5.

Conclusions

The global prevalence of early attempts at cigarette smoking among adolescents was substantial, with differences by sex and macroeconomic situation, and our findings stress that interventions and policies targeting the first smoking experience are required to prevent the initiation of tobacco use among early adolescents, especially girls in low-income countries.
Longitudinal patterns and predictors of healthcare utilization among cancer patients on home-based palliative care in Singapore: a group-based multi-trajectory analysis
Authors: Zhuang Qingyuan , Chong Poh-Heng , Ong Whee Sze , Yeo Zhi Zheng , Foo Cherylyn Qun Zhen , Yap Su Yan , Lee Guozhang , Yang Grace Meijuan , Yoon Sungwon
Published: September 2022

Background

Home-based palliative care (HPC) is considered to moderate the problem of rising healthcare utilization of cancer patients at end-of-life. Reports however suggest a proportion of HPC patients continue to experience high care intensity. Little is known about differential trajectories of healthcare utilization in patients on HPC. Thus, we aimed to uncover the heterogeneity of healthcare utilization trajectories in HPC patients and identify predictors of each utilization pattern.

Methods

This is a cohort study of adult cancer patients referred by Singapore Health Services to HCA Hospice Service who died between 1st January 2018 and 31st March 2020. We used patient-level data to capture predisposing, enabling, and need factors for healthcare utilization. Group-based multi-trajectory modelling was applied to identify trajectories for healthcare utilization based on the composite outcome of emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalization, and outpatient visits.

Results

A total of 1572 cancer patients received HPC (median age, 71 years; interquartile range, 62–80 years; 51.1% female). We found three distinct trajectory groups: group 1 (31.9% of cohort) with persistently low frequencies of healthcare utilization, group 2 (44.1%) with persistently high frequencies, and group 3 (24.0%) that begin with moderate frequencies, which dropped over the next 9 months before increasing in the last 3 months. Predisposing (age, advance care plan completion, and care preferences), enabling (no medical subsidy, primary decision maker), and need factors (cancer type, comorbidity burden and performance status) were significantly associated with group membership. High symptom needs increased ED visits and hospitalizations in all three groups (ED visits, group 1–3: incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.74–6.85; hospitalizations, group 1–3: IRR 1.69–6.60). High home visit intensity reduced outpatient visits in all three groups (group 1–3 IRR 0.54–0.84), while it contributed to reduction of ED visits (IRR 0.40; 95% CI 0.25–0.62) and hospitalizations (IRR 0.37; 95% CI 0.24–0.58) in group 2.

Conclusions

This study on HPC patients highlights three healthcare utilization trajectories with implications for targeted interventions. Future efforts could include improving advance care plan completion, supporting care preferences in the community, proactive interventions among symptomatic high-risk patients, and stratification of home visit intensity.
Correlation of plasma cell assessment by phenotypic methods and molecular profiles by NGS in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias
Authors: Rebmann Chigrinova Ekaterina , Porret Naomi A. , Andres Martin , Wiedemann Gertrud , Banz Yara , Legros Myriam , Pollak Matthias , Oppliger Leibundgut Elisabeth , Pabst Thomas , Bacher Ulrike
Published: September 2022

Background

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) detects somatic mutations in a high proportion of plasma cell dyscrasias (PCD), but is currently not integrated into diagnostic routine. We correlated NGS data with degree of bone marrow (BM) involvement by cytomorphology (BMC), histopathology (BMH), and multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) in 90 PCD patients.

Methods

Of the 90 patients the diagnoses comprised multiple myeloma (n = 77), MGUS (n = 7), AL-amyloidosis (n = 4) or solitary plasmocytoma (n = 2). The NGS panel included eight genes CCND1, DIS3, EGR1, FAM46C (TENT5C), FGFR3, PRDM1, TP53, TRAF3, and seven hotspots in BRAF, IDH1, IDH2, IRF4, KRAS, NRAS.

Results

Mutations were detected in 64/90 (71%) of cases. KRAS (29%), NRAS (16%) and DIS3 (16%) were most frequently mutated. At least one mutation/sample corresponded to a higher degree of BM involvement with a mean of 11% pathologic PC by MFC (range, 0.002–62%), and ~ 50% (3–100%) as defined by both BMC and BMH.

Conclusions

The probability of detecting a mutation by NGS in the BM was highest in samples with > 10% clonal PC by MFC, or > 20% PC by BMC/ BMH. We propose further evaluation of these thresholds as a practical cut-off for processing of samples by NGS at initial PCD diagnosis.
Eliminating exogenous insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes by duodenal ablation and GLP-1RA decreases risk scores for cardiovascular events
Authors: Meiring S. , Busch C. B. E. , van Baar A. C. G. , Hemke R. , Holleman F. , Nieuwdorp M. , Bergman J. J. G. H. M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Duodenal Mucosal Resurfacing (DMR) is an endoscopic ablation technique aimed at improving glycaemia and metabolic health in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DMR has an insulin sensitizing effect in patients with T2DM. Reducing hyperinsulinemia can improve cardiovascular health. In the INSPIRE trial, we combined a single DMR with a glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) and demonstrated elimination of insulin treatment in 69% of patients at 6 months and 53% of patients at 18 months while improving glycaemic control and metabolic health. We hypothesized that this treatment approach is associated with improved cardiovascular health, by reducing hyperinsulinemia.

Methods

Before and 6 months after starting the combination treatment to replace insulin, the following assessments were performed to evaluate cardiovascular health: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure abdominal visceral adipose tissue volume, ambulatory 24 h blood pressure (ABPM) analysis, postprandial insulin and triglycerides, fasting lipid panel and urine microalbumin. The Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) score was calculated to estimate 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke and the diabetes lifetime-perspective prediction (DIAL) score was calculated to estimate years free of cardiovascular disease.

Results

Six months after replacing exogenous insulin by DMR and GLP-1RA, visceral adipose tissue decreased significantly by 24%. Postprandial triglyceride and insulin concentrations decreased significantly (p < 0.001), as did total cholesterol (from median 3.64 (IQR 3.34–4.89) to 3.48 (3.18–3.97) mmol/l, p = 0.008), LDL (from median 1.92 (IQR 1.49–2.30) to 1.79 (1.49–2.08 mmol/l, p = 0.044), and urine microalbumin (from median 7 (IQR 3–27) to 4 (3–8) mg/l, p = 0.018). All daytime blood pressure values decreased significantly. The ASCVD 10-year risk score decreased (from median 13.6 (IQR 5.7–26.0) to 11.5 (4.2–22.5) %, p = 0.030)) and the DIAL score increased (from median 82 (IQR 81–83) to 83 (81–84) years, (p = 0.039)).

Discussion

The combination of DMR and GLP-1RA to replace insulin therapy in patients with T2DM is associated with a positive effect on multiple parameters of cardiovascular health. Taken together, they show a pattern of overall improvement in cardiovascular health, as evidenced by decreased risk scores for cardiovascular complications. However, it is not yet clear whether these improvements will translate into a true reduction in cardiovascular events.
COVID-19 impact on mental health, healthcare access and social wellbeing – a black community needs assessment
Authors: Okoro Olihe , Vosen Elyse Carter , Allen Kay , Kennedy Janet , Roberts Renee , Aremu Taiwo
Published: September 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on the Black/African American population. In addition to the higher infection rates and the worse outcomes, there were other unintended consequences of the pandemic. The study objective was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the Black/African American community.

Methods

A needs assessment was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. To address this specific study objective, an item included in the survey questionnaire asked respondents (n = 183) about their greatest worry related to CODID-19. Interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to further explore individual and community perceptions.

Results

The areas of greatest concern were Health (41.0%), Family (25.1%), Finances (8.2%), and Education (4.9%). The needs assessment revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the mental health and wellness, healthcare access and utilization, and social aspects of life the Black community. Emerging themes revealed that there was worsening mental health for many, limited healthcare access and under-utilization, and profound disruption of the social cohesive identity of the Black/African American community.

Conclusion

Pre-existing structural inequities are implicated in the mental health impact, as well as the under-utilization of and limited access to healthcare services in the Black/African American population. The impact on social well-being emphasizes the important role of culture in the population health of communities of color, further supporting the need for culturally-responsive public health interventions when targeting these communities.
A case report of an unusual mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta
Authors: Mangel Tobin P. , Balmforth Damian , Oo Aung
Published: September 2022

Background

Mycotic pseudoaneurysms of the ascending aorta are a rare and devastating complication of previous cardiac surgery.

Case presentation

We present an unusual case of a fungal mycotic pseudoaneurysm secondary to an aortic suture line successfully repaired under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Conclusions

Patients with mycotic pseudoaneurysms of the aorta require a multidisciplinary team approach to prevent devastating complications that may occur in these complex surgical cases.
Iterative algorithm for fixed point problems of generalized nearly asymptotically nonexpansive mappings and solutions of a system of generalized nonlinear variational-like inclusions
Authors: Balooee Javad , Chang Shih-sen , Wang Lin
Published: September 2022

This paper is devoted to the study of a class of generalized nonexpansive mappings called generalized nearly asymptotically nonexpansive mappings and to show that it properly includes the class of nearly asymptotically nonexpansive mappings. We investigate the problem of approximating a common element of the set of solutions of a system of generalized nonlinear variational-like inclusions involvingP-η-accretive mappings and of the set of fixed points of a generalized nearly asymptotically nonexpansive mapping. To this end, we suggest a new iterative algorithm with mixed errors. As an application of the obtained equivalence, we prove the strong convergence and stability of the sequence generated by the proposed iterative algorithm to a common point of the two sets mentioned above.
Sleep Duration and Visceral Adipose Tissue: Linear and Nonlinear Mendelian Randomization Analyses
Authors: Yu Yuefeng , Chen Yingchao , Zhang Haojie , Ai Sizhi , Zhang Jihui , Benedict Christian , Wang Ningjian , Lu Yingli , Tan Xiao
Published: September 2022

Context

Increasing evidence suggests that sleep is important for fat metabolism. However, the causal relationship between sleep duration and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) needs to be further clarified.

Objective

This study investigated the linear and nonlinear causal association between sleep duration and VAT.

Methods

This study used one-sample and two-sample Mendelian randomization MR). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with sleep duration at genome-wide significance were obtained from published genome-wide association studies. We also recalculated the correlation between each SNP and sleep duration in the UK Biobank. The associations of SNPs with predicted VAT (396 858 participants) were conducted in the UK Biobank.

Results

A total of 396 858 eligible participants (54.10% females, 57 ± 8 years old) were included in the study. The participants slept 7.17 ± 1.04 hours and stored 1.25 ± 0.88 kg of VAT on average. Genetically predicted sleep duration was significantly associated with VAT. For each 1-hour increase in genetically predicted sleep duration, the reduction in predicted VAT mass was 0.11 kg (P = 8.18E−16) in total, 0.17 kg (P = 3.30E−11) in men and 0.07 kg (P = 1.94E−06) in women. Nonlinear MR analyses demonstrated nonlinearity (L-shaped associations) between genetically predicted sleep duration and VAT in all participants, men, and women. Complementary analyses provided confirmative evidence of the adverse effects of genetically predicted short sleep duration on the increased VAT. In contrast, no clear evidence on the causal effect of genetically predicted long sleep duration on VAT mass was found.

Conclusion

The causal association of sleep duration with VAT was L-type. Our findings support that short sleep duration is a risk factor for increasing VAT, thus reinforcing the probability that increasing sleep duration may decrease VAT.
In vitromodels of human development and their potential application in developmental toxicity testing
Authors: Niethammer Mirjam , Burgdorf Tanja , Wistorf Elisa , Schönfelder Gilbert , Kleinsorge Mandy
Published: September 2022

Recent publications describe the development of in vitro models of human development, for which applications in developmental toxicity testing can be envisaged. To date, these regulatory assessments have exclusively been performed in animal studies, the relevance of which to adverse reactions in humans may be questioned. Recently developed cell culture-based models of embryo-fetal development, however, do not yet exhibit sufficient levels of standardisation and reproducibility. Here, the advantages and shortcomings of both in vivo and in vitro developmental toxicity testing are addressed, as well as the possibility of integrated testing strategies as a viable option in the near future.
Environmental, individual and social traits of free-ranging raccoons influence performance in cognitive testing
Authors: Stanton Lauren A. , Bridge Eli S. , Huizinga Joost , Benson-Amram Sarah
Published: September 2022

Cognitive abilities, such as learning and flexibility, are hypothesized to aid behavioral adaptation to urbanization. Although growing evidence suggests that cognition may indeed facilitate persistence in urban environments, we currently lack knowledge of the cognitive abilities of many urban taxa. Recent methodological advances, including radio frequency identification (RFID), have extended automated cognitive testing into the field but have yet to be applied to a diversity of taxa. Here, we used an RFID-enabled operant conditioning device to assess the habituation, learning and cognitive flexibility of a wild population of raccoons (Procyon lotor). We examined how several biological and behavioral traits influenced participation and performance in testing. We then compared the cognitive performance of wild raccoons tested in natural conditions with that of wild-caught raccoons tested in captivity from a previous study. In natural conditions, juvenile raccoons were more likely to habituate to the testing device, but performed worse in serial reversal learning, compared with adults. We also found that docile raccoons were more likely to learn how to operate the device in natural conditions, which suggests a relationship between emotional reactivity and cognitive ability in raccoons. Although raccoons in both captive and natural conditions demonstrated rapid associative learning and flexibility, raccoons in captive conditions generally performed better, likely owing to the heightened vigilance and social interference experienced by raccoons in natural conditions. Our results have important implications for future research on urban carnivores and cognition in field settings, as well as our understanding of behavioral adaptation to urbanization and coexistence with urban wildlife.
Distance Olympiads in the organization of joint vocational guidance work of the school and the university
Authors: Zubrilin Andrej , Rybkina Viktoriya , Pronchatova Anna
Published: September 2022

The article shows how using network technologies, in particular the electronic distance learning system (LMS) Moodle, you can build career guidance among schoolchildren, involving them in a conscious choice of a profession in the field of IT technologies (information security specialist, data protection specialist, cryptographer). Some Russian educational Internet platforms are considered, designed to help school graduates decide on their future professional activities. The ways of vocational guidance work at school are shown, which can be implemented both during school hours and after school hours. It proposes its own approach to this type of activity through the involvement of schoolchildren in distance Olympiads. A specific example reveals the technology for the development and implementation of distance Olympiads. The three-year experience of preparing distance Olympiads on the basis of the university is described.
Empathy in the Structure of a Person’s Social and Communicative Competence
Authors: Makarova Valentina , Gur'eva V.
Published: September 2022

One of the urgent problems of our time has become the problem of empathy in the context of socio–psychological problems. Being a socio–psychological mechanism of mutual understanding in the process of communication, empathy determines mobility, pace and structuring of social interaction. In the structure of social competencies, empathic response becomes the basis for solving interpersonal problems, correct interpretation of social signals.
The Specifics of the Organization of Educational and Research Activities of High School Students in the Formation of a Social Picture of the World
Authors: Filippova T.
Published: September 2022

The article raises the problem of insufficient theoretical understanding of the specifics of the educational and research activities of high school students, its potential for the formation of a social picture of the world. The specifics of the organization of educational and research activities in the framework of the study of subjects of the social and humanitarian cycle are shown.
Development of the Mobile Application for Learning English
Authors: Gurikov Sergey , Voronskaya Dar'ya
Published: September 2022

The article presents the experience of developing a mobile application for learning a foreign language. The relevance of this work is due to the need to use auxiliary tools in the educational process in the context of distance learning, as well as the relatively low efficiency of existing applications. A description of the main stages in the development of the program is given, in particular, a comparative analysis of existing solutions is carried out, various approaches to learning the language are considered, and the main functional characteristics of the developed application are listed. The data of the experiment to determine the level of knowledge of users of the developed application are presented.
EXPERIÊNCIAS FORMATIVAS POTENCIALIZADAS PELAS TECNOLOGIAS DIGITAIS NAS AULAS DE MATEMÁTICA
Authors: Oliveira Carloney Alves de , Amancio Joenneyres Raio De Souza
Published: September 2022

As tecnologias digitais vêm conquistando seu espaço na busca de mudanças na prática pedagógica dos professores que ensinam Matemática, para que possam trabalhar nas suas aulas, não de forma linear, mas ampliando a sua visão de mundo, objetivando proporcionar espaços para a construção do saber ao processo de aprendizagem dos nossos alunos. Partindo desse contexto, este artigo tem como objetivo relatar e discutir experiências formativas potencializadas pelas tecnologias digitais nas aulas de Matemática no contexto da cibercultura. O relato ora apresentado, de caráter exploratório, numa abordagem qualitativa, foi desenvolvido na disciplina Saberes e Metodologias do Ensino da Matemática 1, do Curso de Pedagogia, da Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL), com 32 alunos matriculados na disciplina, dos turnos Vespertino e Noturno. Constatamos que a participação dos envolvidos no processo foi um fator significativo para o estudo, o que possibilitou momentos de reflexões e discussões, haja vista a preocupação dos sujeitos no âmbito da construção do conhecimento, sendo o conhecimento construído ativamente por eles na utilização dos dispositivos propostos em cada desafio, e não passivamente recebido.
TRILHA DIDÁTICA PARA O ENSINO DE MATEMÁTICA: UMA PROPOSTA REALIZADA EM CONTEXTO DE ENSINO REMOTO NO MUNÍCIPIO DE CANINDÉ, CE
Authors: Araújo Carlos Henrique Delmiro , Borges Neto Hermínio
Published: September 2022

A pandemia causada pela COVID-19 impulsionou instituições de ensino e professores a transpor as aulas presencias para as aulas online, ocasionando o ensino remoto. Buscando conceitos de Ensino a Distância e utilizando o Moodle Multimeios, a Escola de Ensino Fundamental Coronel Adauto Bezerra, localizada em Canindé, Ceará, adotou esse Ambiente Virtual de Ensino para promover o acesso dos estudantes às aulas realizadas pelos professores dessa escola. Assim, esse trabalho possui como objetivo ilustrar o uso do Moodle Multimeios fundamentado na proposta metodológica Sequência Fedathi nas aulas de Matemática em turmas de 9°ano do Ensino Fundamental. Esse trabalho é de cunho qualitativo com a tipificação enquadrada na pesquisa-ação. Para a análise de dados obtidos, adotou-se categorias elencadas como fundamentais para o professor no processo de imersão e aplicação da Sequência Fedathi em sessões didáticas. Desse modo, houve a criação de trilhas didáticas em que o aluno vivencia as etapas da Sequência Fedathi em contato com recursos como H5P, PHET e Quiz no Moodle Multimeios. A aplicação das trilhas didáticas busca propiciar ao aluno a experimentação e construção do conhecimento, ocasionando em autonomia dele e visa o professor como mediador do conhecimento.
GESTAR II: PROPOSTA DE FORMAÇÃO CONTINUADA E SUAS CONTRIBUIÇÕES PARA A PRÁTICA PEDAGÓGICA DO PROFESSOR DE MATEMÁTICA
Authors: Mascarenhas de Santana Cecilia Cabral Cabral , Silva Ana Lúcia Gomes da
Published: September 2022

A presente pesquisa elegeu como objeto de estudo a docência e sua relação com a formação continuada de professores no âmbito do Programa GESTAR, considerando a problemática enfrentada no ensino da Matemática no espaço público escolar. Este trabalho volta-se para a formação continuada dirigida a professores de Matemática dos anos Finais do Ensino Fundamental, identificando as contribuições e limites evidenciados no processo de ensino da Matemática escolar. Esta investigação se ancorou nas contribuições de Garcia (1998), Fiorentini (2000), Nóvoa (2002), Perrenoud (2002), Tardif (2007), Gatti (2009), D’Ambrósio (2010), Ramalho (2014) e Veiga (2012), como autores que subsidiaram a investigação. A pesquisa teve como objetivo central analisar a proposta de formação continuada ofertada pelo Programa GESTAR, na perspectiva de suas contribuições para a prática pedagógica do professor no processo de ensino da Matemática escolar.  Trata-se de uma pesquisa alicerçada na perspectiva qualitativa, inspirada no paradigma epistemológico da hermenêutica. Como aporte na delimitação da metodologia, utilizamos como autores Ludke e André (1986), Bardin (1997), Ghedin e Franco (2008), Gil (2010) e Minayo (2011). A pesquisa realizou-se tendo como referências a entrevista semiestruturada e observações das aulas de Matemática em duas escolas estaduais da cidade de Senhor do Bonfim/BA. Utilizamos ainda como dispositivo da pesquisa um Caso de Ensino aplicado junto à equipe gestora, coordenação e professores de Matemática em encontros de Atividade Complementar. Investigamos as necessidades e as dificuldades enfrentadas pelos docentes na viabilização de suas práticas pedagógicas na escola. Os resultados revelaram que todos os professores participantes da pesquisa consideraram importante o processo formativo do Programa GESTAR, bem como todo o suporte, acompanhamento/intervenção viabilizados pelos formadores em suas ações formativas, entretanto, apontam a ausência de novos materiais (suportes pedagógicos), de políticas públicas que contribuam para o desenvolvimento de ações planejadas na escola e de apoio da gestão para o desenvolvimento das atividades no contexto escolar. Outro achado da pesquisa, apresentado nos momentos de observação, diz respeito à existência de contextos que estabelecem relações entre teoria e prática, uma vez que os docentes reconhecem a importância de se trabalhar a partir de situações-problema no ensino da Matemática, mesmo evidenciando que essa prática tem ocorrido ainda de forma tímida em alguns contextos de ensino. Situações contextualizadas com outras disciplinas, utilização de outros materiais didáticos, que não somente o livro didático, elaboração de sequências didáticas em consonância com contextos criados pelos próprios docentes, foram apontados como pontos positivos nos processos de ensino. Nesse sentido, apresentamos as informações emergentes do campo, sistematizadas em uma Cartografia das Práticas Pedagógicas.
MARIA FUX: DEPOIS DA QUEDA… DANÇATERAPIA!
Authors: Barbozza Alexsander
Published: September 2022

Este escrito se propões construir uma reflexão mais parofundada nos estudos da artista-docente argentina Maria Fux, juntamente com as suas propostas de Ensino da Dança. Desse modo, resenharemos sua obra "Depois da queda... Dançaterapia!" (2005), evidenciando suas principais pensamentos e os friccionando com os discursos atuais. Assim, compreendemos as premissas de Fux como um conhecimento situado, sendo delineado por interesses de um determinado período e espaço. Como resultado, nos viabiliza uma assimilação mais aprofundada acerca do legado de Maria em solo brasileiro.
ANÁLISE AMBIENTAL A PARTIR DE UMA PERSPECTIVA CRÍTICA
Authors: Gomes Natálha Sant' Anna
Published: September 2022

Esta resenha tem por finalidade descrever e analisar o artigo "Formação Ambiental: Consciência, Saber e Educação", com o intuito de esclarecer de forma direta como a consciência do educando se mostra a partir de uma abordagem socioambiental crítica. Com isso, ao final é feito uma análise crítica relacionando injustiça ambiental no meio escolar.
ANÁLISE DO CICLO DE VIDA NA GESTÃO DE RESÍDUO SÓLIDOS URBANOS: UMA REVISÃO BIBLIOGRÁFICA
Authors: Dos Santos Mônica Daniele Neves , Andrade Rosane Cristina de , Vernin Nathalia Salles , Netto Alena Torres
Published: September 2022

Com o crescimento acelerado da população brasileira nos centros urbanos, o gerenciamento de resíduos vem sendo um dos principais desafios devido ao volume diário produzido e a complexidade de encontrar soluções para tratamento e destinação desses. Os potenciais impactos associados aos resíduos sólidos urbanos motivam o desenvolvimento de pesquisas científicas sobre o assunto e a Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) destaca-se como uma técnica de apoio à tomada de decisão sobre um modelo de gerenciamento de resíduos. No entanto, a confiabilidade dos resultados é influenciada pela metodologia, categorias de impacto selecionados, limites do sistema, qualidade dos dados e robustez das análises. Sendo assim, não é fácil definir uma melhor tecnologia ou política para o gerenciamento dos resíduos sólidos urbanos (GRSU) devido aos diferentes contextos tecnológicos, econômicos, sociais e geográficos dos estudos. Nessa perspectiva, o presente estudo teve como objetivo fazer um levantamento bibliográfico para analisar a aplicação do método de ACV no GRSU em diferentes países. Após esta análise, foi possível constatar que apesar da grande quantidade de modelos de ACV e sua aplicação resultar na redução de impactos ambientais, ainda não é possível um acordo geral sobre uma estratégia de tratamento de resíduos ideal, pois os modelos de gestão de resíduos dependem do cenário local e devem estar adequados às suas especificidades e características. Sendo assim, a tecnologia e os conceitos utilizados por um determinado país não são transferíveis para outro sem as devidas adaptações.