bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of a games-based intervention on wellbeing in adolescent girls
Authors: Murphy John , Sweeney Mary Rose , McGrane Bronagh
Published: April 2022

Objective:

To examine the impact of a self-determination theory-informed school-based lunchtime games intervention on wellbeing and symptoms of anxiety and depression among adolescent girls in Ireland.

Design:

Non-randomised controlled intervention design.

Method:

This self-determination theory-informed intervention consisted of lunchtime games for girls aged 13 ± 0.7 years, 3 days a week. After a 2-week ‘sampling’ period, students self-selected to 0, 1, 2 or 3 days of lunchtime games. Intervention and control groups were compared by pre- and post-testing. Participants were included in the intervention design via a survey to ascertain the most popular games and activities at the outset.

Results:

Participating in games twice a week led to significant decreases ( p < .01) in symptoms of anxiety and depression while the control group showed significant increases ( p < .01) in symptoms of anxiety and depression. Mental wellbeing significantly ( p < .01) increased among those who participated two and three times a week. Increases in mental wellbeing were similar in effect size to increases in self-efficacy.

Conclusion:

Higher frequencies of physical activity led to increased mental health. Self-efficacy may act as an underlying mechanism for increases in mental health through physical activity.
Evaluation of a road safety educational programme for senior elementary school students in Cambodia: A pilot study
Authors: An Bomi , Yang Sook Ja
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

Road accidents are the leading cause of non-disease-related deaths among teenagers in Cambodia. However, Cambodian schools continue to lack road safety education programmes and standardised guidelines. This study evaluated the effects of a customised comprehensive road safety educational programme for older elementary school students in Cambodia.

Design:

We conducted a road safety educational programme at an elementary school in Cambodia. The programme consisted of seven parts and included content related to pedestrian and vehicle (car, motorcycle and bike) safety.

Methods:

We used a mixed method to evaluate changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices following the programme. For the quantitative evaluation, we conducted a quasi-experimental study using a nonequivalent control group pre-test–post-test design involving 52 students. The experimental group comprised fourth graders (aged 10 years) and the control group consisted of fifth graders (aged 11 years). For the qualitative evaluation, we conducted focus group interviews with six participants from the experimental group.

Results:

Post-test road safety knowledge ( Z = −2.79; p = .005) and attitudes ( Z = −2.05, p = .041) improved significantly in the experimental group. Qualitatively, three themes were identified: participants acquired new insights into road safety, they adopted more positive attitudes and they made an effort to practise road safety.

Conclusion:

This pilot study demonstrated a possible positive effect of a road safety educational programme, suggesting that, following additional verification, it could be used to improve road safety for older elementary school students in Cambodia.
General trust in the health care system and general trust in physicians: A multilevel analysis of 30 countries
Authors: Yuan Yaqi , Lee Kristen Schultz
Published: April 2022

This article builds upon a multilevel theory of trust to explore the relationship between general trust in health care systems and general trust in physicians and the social-contextual factors that shape this relationship. We develop a model of trust in physicians emphasizing the embeddedness of individuals in broader social-institutional contexts. We analyze data from 30 countries in the 2011 International Social Survey Program ( N = 38,068) and specify hierarchical linear models with macro-micro level interactions. At the individual level, we find that individuals who trust the health care system are more likely to trust physicians in general. At the country level, we find that respondents from countries with predominately publicly financed health care systems are more likely to trust physicians than their counterparts in countries with less public funding of the health care system. Finally, we find that the greatest predicted probability of trust in physicians is found among individuals who trust their publicly funded health care system and the lowest probability is among individuals who have no confidence in their privately funded health care system. Based on these findings, we call for greater attention to the interaction of micro- and macro-level factors in models of trust in physicians cross-nationally.
Revolutionary struggle and its diffusion: A configurational analysis of the 2011 Arab Uprisings
Authors: Patros Tyson
Published: April 2022

Researchers of revolutionary waves argue that early cases diffuse mobilization to later cases which are, compared with their forerunners, disadvantaged as they have fewer favorable antecedent conditions and less strategic protagonists. Using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) and comparative case studies, I examine the 2011 Arab Uprisings in order to ask: (1) Why does revolutionary struggle (mass mobilization to topple an existing regime) in a given region emerge in and then diffuse to some countries but not others? and (2) Why do the struggles vary in form—that is, in terms of social composition, action types, and demands? My study finds three configurations of antecedent conditions that favor the emergence of revolutionary struggle. The three “paths” follow a two-sided narrowing pattern: each successive path has fewer expected favorable conditions and yields a less expansive form of struggle. These paths account for the six national cases of “revolutionary struggle” in the region, and co-occur with one path leading to mass reformist struggle and several other paths leading to relative quiescence. Overall, the article demonstrates how specific antecedent conditions combine in causal ways amid the temporal unfolding of a revolutionary wave. Furthermore, by identifying the narrowing pattern of revolutionary diffusion, the article suggests that later struggles essentially reflect locally informed strategic rationales, not irrational emulation or externally driven emergent processes, as posited by previous studies.
‘The apocalypse’: A qualitative pilot study of the psychological aftermath of the 2020 Beirut blast
Authors: El Hajj Magalie
Published: April 2022

Background:

There has been very limited data describing the psychological aftermath of the Beirut blast.

Aims:

This qualitative pilot study aimed to explore the psychological and physical reactions to the trauma experienced by Beirut blast survivors, as well as their coping strategies.

Methods:

From November 2020 to February 2021, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Lebanese citizens who were within a 4 km radius of the Beirut port at the time of the explosion. A thematic analysis was adopted.

Results:

Three themes were identified: (1) the blast; (2) life after the blast: extended trauma; (3) coping strategies. First, almost all participants vividly remembered the moment of the blast and referred to it as a turning point in their lives. They also remembered being on an emotional rollercoaster, feeling physically numb, worried about another explosion and finding God in the midst of tragedy. Second, all participants reported several negative experiences in their post-blast life, which may have enhanced/prolonged their trauma, including losses of different kinds (of a country, home, loved ones, hope, safety/security, culture and heritage), the cumulative impact of the blast, the impossibility to ever return to ‘normality’, persistent survival guilt and somatisation. Lastly, different coping strategies were adopted to deal with trauma, such as talking it out, establishing a consistent daily routine, helping the community, overworking and detachment.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the many layers of psychological suffering of Beirut blast survivors in the current context of collective distress dominating Lebanon.
Gendered racial microaggressions, internalized racism, and suicidal ideation among emerging adult Asian American women
Authors: Keum Brian TaeHyuk , Wong Michele J. , Salim-Eissa Rangeena
Published: April 2022

Background:

Despite suicide being the leading cause of death among emerging adult Asian American women (AAW), little is known about the risk factors.

Aim:

We tested whether gendered racial microaggressions stress (GRMS) would be associated with AAW’s suicidal ideation, and whether internalized racism (self-negativity, IRSN; weakness stereotypes, IRWS; and appearance bias, IRAB) would exacerbate this link based on self-devaluating implications of internalized racism.

Method:

Using a sample of 309 AAW ( Mage = 20.00, SD = 6.26), we conducted a moderated logistic regression with GRMS predicting suicidal ideation (endorsement or no endorsement) and the three internalized racism factors (IRSN, IRWS, and IRAB) as moderators.

Results:

GRMS significantly predicted suicidal ideation with a threefold increase in the odds of suicidal ideation. Only IRSN significantly exacerbated this link at low to mean levels.

Conclusion:

Gendered racial microaggressions is likely a risk factor for suicidal ideation among AAW, particularly for those who internalize negative images of themselves as Asian individuals.
Dynamic Stereotyping Across Occupations. How Management Academics and Practitioners Negotiate the Knower-Doer Stereotype in Interaction
Authors: Ungureanu Paula , Bertolotti Fabiola
Published: April 2022

Despite the growing debate on the difficult relationship between management theory and practice, we still know little about what happens when academics and practitioners meet in liminal contexts, and how they deal with perceived differences. We study a corporate executive program where management academics and R&D managers draw on the ‘knower-doer’ stereotype to exchange knowledge about technology innovation management. We introduce the concept of dynamic stereotyping -i.e. using readily available occupational images to engage immediately in temporary and fluid exchanges with members of other occupations. Dynamic stereotyping (anticipation, reaction and reversal) can help reduce the relational insecurity experienced by academics and practitioners when they meet and promote the transition from abstracted to more embodied and realistic views of each other. We contribute to the theory-practice debate and to the literatures on stereotypes and occupations by providing a process-based view on stereotyping and the conditions favoring dynamic versus rigid stereotyping.
Visible Occlusal Plaque Index Predicting Caries Lesion Activity
Authors: Carvalho J.C. , Mestrinho H.D. , Aimée N.R. , Bakhshandeh A. , Qvist V.
Published: April 2022

This study was undertaken to appraise the predictive validity of the Visible Occlusal Plaque Index (VOPI) in assessing occlusal caries lesion activity in adolescents. A total of 618 adolescents aged 10 to 15 y were examined at the beginning of the trial and 511 (82.7%) at the 2-y follow-up. Adolescents and parents answered questionnaires about demographics, oral health behavior, and family sociodemographic variables. The VOPI has a 4-point ordinal scale ranging from no plaque to heavy plaque. Molar teeth were assigned to group VOPI 0–1 (no/thin plaque; n = 2,539) and group VOPI 2–3 (thick/heavy plaque; n = 843). At baseline examination, occlusal surfaces at risk of transition ( n = 3,382) were either sound (55%), inactive noncavitated lesions (21%), inactive cavitated lesions (1%), active noncavitated lesions (15%), or active cavitated lesions (7%). The relative risk (RR) for caries lesion transition was estimated. Sound occlusal surfaces with no or thin plaque were significantly more likely to remain sound (RR = 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–1.4) than those harboring thick or heavy plaque. Inactive noncavitated occlusal lesions presenting no or thin plaque were significantly less likely to progress to active noncavitated lesions (RR = 0.1; CI: 0.0–0.8) than their counterparts with thick or heavy plaque. Active noncavitated lesions harboring thick and heavy plaque had a significantly lowest chance of becoming sound (RR = 0.7; CI: 0.5–0.9) and a highest risk of remaining active (RR = 1.5; CI: 1.1–1.9). Stepwise logistic regression analyses were run according to surface status at baseline and showed that none of the nonclinical predictors were significant for the outcome. The presence of thick and heavy plaque on occlusal surfaces was a predictor for caries lesion development, progression and activity ( P < 0.0001). In conclusion, besides being an additional clinical tool for oral hygiene assessment, the VOPI is a predictor for development, progression, and activity of occlusal caries lesion. This is of particular interest for assessment of occlusal lesions undergoing health-promoting transitions.
A Qualitative Illustration of the Operation of Secondary Effect of Social Stratification: Decisions of Community-College Students in Seeking a Transfer in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Yi-Lee
Published: April 2022

This paper offers a qualitative analysis of decisions of 64 community-college students in seeking a transfer in Hong Kong. In weighing a number of educational options and then offers, with a similar level of desirability in some cases, in order to achieve their transfers, advantaged-class and disadvantaged-class respondents struggled with different logics of reasoning and negotiated anxiously with their changing structural realities. This qualitative analysis addresses the contextual, processual and emotional aspects of their decision making and provides a more convincing illustration of how the secondary effect of social stratification operates against a changing landscape of higher education.
Risk and Protective Factors Associated With Smartphone Addiction and Phubbing Behavior Among College Students in China
Authors: Lai Xinyi , Hu Chenyan , Ying Liang , Xu Huihui , Zhao Chengjia , Yang Xue , Yu Xin , Zhang Guohua
Published: April 2022

Both smartphone addiction and phubbing are emerging behavioral problems. The present study investigates potential risk and protective factors of smartphone addiction and phubbing behavior, including demographic factors, personal factors, and interpersonal factors among Chinese college students. A total of 866 college students (Mage = 21.01, SD = 1.60) completed self-reported questionnaires in classroom settings. Collected data were analyzed by using Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical linear regression analyses. The risk factors for smartphone addiction were phubbing behavior, depression, and social anxiety, while the protective factors were self-control and sense of security. In addition, the risk factors for phubbing behavior included female sex and smartphone addiction, while the protective factors included sense of security and interpersonal adaptability. Our findings help to enhance understanding of the general and specific risks and protective factors for smartphone addiction and phubbing behavior, which can benefit intervention development for related behavior prevention and reduction.
Diversity Wanted! Utilizing Transdisciplinary Scholarship on Structural Inequality to Educate Psychology Graduate Students
Authors: Gómez Jennifer M.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) should promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice for the next generation of psychologists.

Statement of the Problem

I worry that the SoTL propagates an exclusionary field that becomes increasingly irrelevant in our diverse society given that graduate curricula largely exclude scholarship on structural inequality.

Literature Review

I detail the process of graduate curricular changes in my current department, with a focus on my new required graduate course, Diversity, Systems, and Inequality. I utilize scholarship from law, sociology, philosophy, women and gender studies, education, and psychology.

Teaching Implications

I provide the structure and content of the course—including syllabi and lecture slides—as well as modes of assessment that promote inclusivity and critical thinking. I detail how current faculty can learn to incorporate the content of this work into their own teaching and scholarship through weekly journal clubs.

Conclusion

SoTL outlets can publish transdisciplinary, inclusive course materials regarding structural inequality, thus mainstreaming and amplifying such work for the benefit of the field and our world.
Full adaptive Kalman filters for nonlinear fractional-order systems containing unknown parameters and fractional-orders
Authors: Huang Xiaomin , Gao Zhe
Published: April 2022

In this study, full adaptive Kalman filters are designed for continuous-time nonlinear fractional-order systems (FOSs) containing unknown parameters and fractional-orders. First, the estimated FOS is discretized using the Grünwald–Letnikov difference method to transform the fractional-order differential equation into a difference equation. Then, in terms of the nonlinear function contained in the investigated system, the Taylor expansion formula is adopted to linearize the discretized equation. Based on the method of augmented vector, an augmented state equation is established by state equations, unknown parameter equations, and fractional-order equation to achieve the state estimation. Besides, the sigmoid function is brought to ensure that the estimation of the fractional-order is performed in a suitable range. Because the covariance matrices of noises are difficult to be measured in physical systems, we also concern the problems on the state estimation, parameter estimation, and fractional-order estimation under the cases that the covariance matrix of process noise is unknown or the covariance matrix of measurement noise is unknown. Considering that the initial value can produce an error of state estimation and parameter identification for the FOS defined under the Caputo sense, the augmented vector method is used to achieve the initial value compensation. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is validated by four examples.
Extending the boundaries of alternative dispute resolution: Private dispute resolution in Irish industrial relations
Authors: Roche William K
Published: April 2022

This article examines the features and effectiveness of 11 ‘private dispute resolution arrangements’ (PDRAs) established by employers and unions in Ireland since the early 2000s to resolve collective disputes within organizations. These PDRAs are groundbreaking in redrawing the rules aligning internal dispute resolution with services provided by external state agencies. The article extends the boundaries of our knowledge of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) by highlighting the features of PDRAs and by identifying the conditions contributing to their evenhandedness, fairness and independence.
Association Between Mean Platelet Volume, Platelet Count, and Distribution Width With Depth of Invasion in Oral Cancers
Authors: Demir Berat , Abuzaid Ghazi
Published: April 2022

Introduction:

To examine the potential predictive roles of the preoperative mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet count (PC), and platelet distribution width (PDW) in patients with oral cancer and their association with the depth of invasion (DOI).

Methods:

This retrospective study included 122 patients (66 males, 56 females) diagnosed with oral cancer between January 2009 and January 2015 by our Otolaryngology Department. At diagnosis, the mean age was 64.6 ± 13.9 years. The average follow-up period was 39.2 ± 23.9 months.

Results:

We found significant differences in all parameters (PDW, MPV, PC) based on the positivity of the lymph node and the tumor stage. The mean PDW, MPV, and PC were significantly higher in the exitus group than in the survivor group ( P = .010, .036, and .047, respectively). In patients with high PDW, we observed a lower progression-free survival. We observed that PDW had a significant impact on the recurrence of the disease. Platelet distribution width, MPV, and PC were significant prognostic factors. A high PDW increased fatality 4.1 times, and a high MPV increased fatality 4.7 times ( P = .040 and .032, respectively). We found in a univariate analysis that tumor grade, PDW, MPV, and PC were predictive factors for fatality. On multivariate analysis, we found that MPV, PC, and predictors were independent of tumor grade. We observed an association between MPV and DOI.

Conclusion:

High PC, MPV, and PDW could be meaningful prognostic predictors for low survival rates. Mean platelet volume appears to be a more effective marker because it is associated with the DOI and prognosis. However, further research is required to confirm our findings.
Query-focused summarisation in research articles based on semantic function of sentences
Authors: Wang Yueqian , Bu Yi , Huang Win-bin
Published: April 2022

Query-focused summarisation (QFS) in research articles is usually used to help researchers to sum up content related to specific aspects of research articles. However, most QFS approaches failed to consider the inherent structure of research articles to speculate the semantic functions of sentences to make summarisations relate to the given aspect more precisely. Systematic functional linguistic studies suggested that research articles contain inherent structures in which sections and sentences have their specific functions. We suppose these structures can be used as auxiliary information for scientific summarisation. In this article, we seek to improve existing extractive QFS methods by using the macrostructure and discourse segment structure of research articles. We categorise sentences in research articles into different types according to their semantic functions and assign different weights to each type of sentence using an action-based relevance calculation method. We show that our system outperforms the baseline system on a benchmark dataset. Our findings suggest that using the inherent structure of research articles as assistance is practical for scientific summarisation.
Preoperative Predictors of Free Flap Failure
Authors: Stevens Madelyn N. , Freeman Michael H. , Shinn Justin R. , Kloosterman Nicole , Carr Shane , Mannion Kyle , Rohde Sarah L.
Published: April 2022

Objective

Microvascular free tissue transfer is an important reconstructive option for defects of the head and neck. The present study aims to identify preoperative patient‐ and tumor‐specific characteristics, laboratory values, and other risk factors associated with early free flap failure.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study of 1070 patients.

Setting

Head and neck surgical oncology service at a tertiary care center from 2005 to 2019.

Methods

Demographics, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, treatment history, and cancer stage were collected for consecutive patients who underwent free flap reconstruction of the head and neck and experienced early free flap failure (<8 days from surgery).

Results

In 1070 patients, the prevalence of early free flap failure was 3.8% (n = 41). Female sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.58; 95% CI, 1.36‐4.99), presence of peripheral vascular disease (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.05‐6.57), and elevated preoperative platelet count (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.20‐5.47) were independently associated with risk of early free flap failure.

Conclusion

Female sex, peripheral vascular disease, and preoperative thrombocytosis are all strong predictors of early free flap failure. This suggests that hypercoagulability and poor vessel quality may predispose patients to flap loss. Patients with elevated platelets or peripheral vascular disease warrant careful reconstructive decision making and close monitoring in the perioperative period.
Repeat Fine‐Needle Aspiration With Molecular Analysis in Management of Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Papazian Michael R. , Dublin Jared C. , Patel Kepal N. , Oweity Thaira , Jacobson Adam S. , Brandler Tamar C. , Givi Babak
Published: April 2022

Objective

To analyze clinical outcomes in a series of indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs) with repeat fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and results of genomic classifier.

Study Design

Historical chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Methods

We reviewed FNA samples from subjects with Bethesda III or IV diagnoses from January 2015 to December 2018 at a single institution and selected those with repeat FNA and ThyroSeq testing of the same nodule. Patient demographics, Bethesda classifications, ThyroSeq results, treatment detail, and surgical pathology, when available, were analyzed.

Results

Ninety‐six patients with cytologic diagnosis of ITN, repeat FNA, and ThyroSeq testing were identified. Following repeat FNA, 55 nodules (57%) remained ITN; 40 (42%) were reclassified as benign; and 1 (1%) was reclassified as suspicious for malignancy. In 31 patients with ThyroSeq analysis accompanying initial and repeat FNA, 26 (84%) had the same result on each, while 5 (16%) tested ThyroSeq positive following an initially negative result (κ = 0.24). Most nodules that were downgraded to Bethesda II on repeat FNA (37/40, 93%) were managed nonsurgically. Patients with ThyroSeq‐positive results were treated with surgery more often (25/28, 89%) than patients with ThyroSeq‐negative results (11/68, 16%; P < .0001). In excised nodules, the prevalence of malignancy and noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features was 28% (n = 10) and 22% (n = 8), respectively, and all malignancies were low risk.

Conclusion

In this case series, repeat FNA helped patients with ITNs avoid diagnostic surgery through reclassification to benign cytology. The risk of high‐risk malignancy in ThyroSeq‐positive nodules with repeat indeterminate cytology was low.
Advances in Animal Models and Cutting-Edge Research in Alternatives: Proceedings of the Second International Conference on 3Rs Research and Progress, Hyderabad, 2021
Authors: Sonawane Akshay , Vadloori Bharadwaja , Poosala Suresh , Kandarova Helena , Kulkarni Mandar , Olayanju Adedamola , Dey Tuli , Saxena Uday , Smirnova Lena , Kanda Yasunari , Reddy Jaganmohan , Dravida Subhadra , Biswas Saikat , Vinken Mathieu , Gettayacamin Montip , Ahluwalia Arti , Mondini Franco , Bhattacharya Somshuvra , Kulkarni Pushkar , Jacobsen Kirsten Rosenmay , Vangala Subrahmanyam , Millás Ana Luiza
Published: April 2022

The fact that animal models fail to replicate human disease faithfully is now being widely accepted by researchers across the globe. As a result, they are exploring the use of alternatives to animal models. The time has come to refine our experimental practices, reduce the numbers and eventually replace the animals used in research with human-derived and human-relevant 3-D disease models. Oncoseek Bio-Acasta Health, which is an innovative biotechnology start-up company based in Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam, India, organises an annual International Conference on 3Rs Research and Progress. In 2021, this conference was on ‘Advances in Research Animal Models and Cutting-Edge Research in Alternatives’. This annual conference is a platform that brings together eminent scientists and researchers from various parts of the world, to share recent advances from their research in the field of alternatives to animals including new approach methodologies, and to promote practices to help refine animal experiments where alternatives are not available. This report presents the proceedings of the conference, which was held in hybrid mode (i.e. virtual and in-person) in November 2021.
Cell saver blood transfusions may be associated with a decrease in inflammation and improved outcome measures in pediatric cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Martinez Michael J , Schwingshackl Andreas , Romero Tahmineh , Roach Gavin D , Belperio John A , Federman Myke D
Published: April 2022

Objective

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a requisite for correction of congenital heart disease by open-heart surgery and induces a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to complications such as acute lung injury and acute kidney injury. In addition, blood transfusions are commonly required for this type of surgery, and they may further exacerbate this inflammatory response and increase morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that, in contrast to red blood cells, intraoperative cell saver (CS) blood transfusions attenuate the post-CPB proinflammatory cytokine response.

Methods

Serum cytokine concentrations of IL-10, IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were measured at four time points (preoperatively and postoperatively on postoperative days 0, 1, and 2).

Results

Anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels were significantly lower in the CS group on POD 0 than in the control group (mean 1083.2 pg/mL vs 2080.2 pg/mL, 95%CI 357.4–1636.6, p = .0026). Of the clinical parameters measured, mean BUN and creatinine levels on POD 2 were significantly lower in the CS group (13.79 vs 21.88, p = .004 and 0.45 vs 0.55, p = .055, respectively). In addition, the duration of milrinone use decreased by 80% in the CS group (0.20, 95%CI 0.04, 0.94; p = .048), the median time to extubation in hours was significantly lower in the CS group (3.5 vs 6.5; 95%CI −38.00, −0.50; p = .026), and hospital length of stay was decreased by 60% in the CS group ( p = .003).

Conclusions

CS transfusions in children may lower postoperative anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels, possibly due to an overall decrease in proinflammatory state, and may be associated with improvements in renal and pulmonary functions.
Genetic ablation of smooth muscle KIR2.1 is inconsequential to the function of mouse cerebral arteries
Authors: Kowalewska Paulina M , Fletcher Jacob , Jackson William F , Brett Suzanne E , Kim Michelle SM , Mironova Galina Yu , Haghbin Nadia , Richter David M , Tykocki Nathan R , Nelson Mark T , Welsh Donald G
Published: April 2022

Cerebral blood flow is a finely tuned process dependent on coordinated changes in arterial tone. These changes are strongly tied to smooth muscle membrane potential and inwardly rectifying K+ (KIR) channels are thought to be a key determinant. To elucidate the role of KIR2.1 in cerebral arterial tone development, this study examined the electrical and functional properties of cells, vessels and living tissue from tamoxifen-induced smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific KIR2.1 knockout mice. Patch-clamp electrophysiology revealed a robust Ba2+-sensitive inwardly rectifying K+ current in cerebral arterial myocytes irrespective of KIR2.1 knockout. Immunolabeling clarified that KIR2.1 expression was low in SMCs while KIR2.2 labeling was remarkably abundant at the membrane. In alignment with these observations, pressure myography revealed that the myogenic response and K+-induced dilation were intact in cerebral arteries post knockout. At the whole organ level, this translated to a maintenance of brain perfusion in SMC KIR2.1−/− mice, as assessed with arterial spin-labeling MRI. We confirmed these findings in superior epigastric arteries and implicated KIR2.2 as more functionally relevant in SMCs. Together, these results suggest that subunits other than KIR2.1 play a significant role in setting native current in SMCs and driving arterial tone.
Epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of the vulva: report of a rare case and literature review
Authors: Lan Honghe , Chai Wei , Gong Fengyan , Jia Guifeng
Published: April 2022

Leiomyosarcoma of the vulva is a rare soft tissue sarcoma that accounts for approximately 1% of all primary vulvar neoplasms, but it is the most common type of vulvar sarcoma. It usually originates from the smooth muscle within erectile tissue or blood vessel walls, the round ligament, the dartos muscle or the arrector pili muscle. No treatment algorithms have been established to date. Surgical resection is preferred for vulvar leiomyosarcoma. Currently, the recommended surgical method is extensive local resection with a safe surgical margin of at least 2 cm. The use of chemoradiotherapy for vulvar sarcoma remains controversial. This case report describes a 39-year-old female that underwent resection of a vulvar mass in January 2019. Postoperative pathological examination indicated that it was an epithelioid leiomyosarcoma. She presented with tumour recurrence after 43 days. Based on the diagnosis, radical right vulvectomy with a tumour margin of 2 cm was performed. The tumour margin was negative. The patient refused to undergo auxiliary radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The follow-up findings do not indicate any signs of recurrence. In order to avoid recurrence, vulvar epithelioid leiomyosarcomas should be completely resected with a margin of 2 cm at the time of first occurrence.
Caesarism, passive revolution, and the state: Insights from Rafael Correa’s government in Ecuador (2007–2017)
Authors: Forero Jorge Enrique
Published: April 2022

Over the last decade, the concept of passive revolution has been central in the Neo-Gramscian academic production. However, the role of the state in this type of political junctures has not received enough attention, neither in relation to the embedded class struggles nor on the impact these have had in the processes of ‘conservation-innovation’ that, according to Gramsci, are featured in passive revolutions. This article aims to contribute to such literature gap by bringing forth theoretical insights from Nicos Poulantzas and Kees Van der Pijl regarding ‘state autonomy’ and using them for the analysis of a recent political process, which several scholars label as a passive revolution: Rafael Correa’s government in Ecuador (2007–2017). The article suggests that the latter should be understood as a case of Caesarism, and more specifically, a political intervention of Ecuador’s cadres, aimed to break a ‘catastrophic equilibrium’ in the confrontation between the country’s power block and its contending anti-neoliberal coalition.
On the hoard of money and expanded reproduction
Authors: Saratchand C
Published: April 2022

The paper incorporates the hoard of money in a simple three-department scheme of expanded reproduction. The sui-generis features of the hoard of money are briefly set out. The paper then demonstrates that due to the existence of the hoard of money, it is possible for there to be generalised over-production of all non-money commodities. The paper concludes with some suggestions for further work in this research direction.

JEL classifications: B14, B24, B51, E11.
Dose-dependent effects of oleuropein administration on regulatory T-cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: An in vitro approach
Authors: Yousefi Zahra , Mirsanei Zahra , Bitaraf Fatemeh S , Mahdavi Sepideh , Mirzaii Mehdi , Jafari Reza
Published: April 2022

Introduction:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that is identified with chronic inflammation and progressive destruction of the joints. The defective activity of regulatory T cells (Tregs) plays a crucial role in RA development. Oleuropein (OLEU) is the most common polyphenolic compound in olive leaf extracts with numerous pharmacological activities. In this study, the potential effects of OLEU in shifting CD4+ T cells toward Tregs are evaluated in patients with RA.

Methods

32 healthy controls (HC) and 45 RA patients were included in two groups. The immunoturbidometric technique was used to measure serum levels of c-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF). Isolated CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HC and RA patients were cultured with appropriate concentrations of OLEU. The cytotoxicity effects of OLEU were determined using the MTT assay at 24, 48, and 72 h. The percentage of CD4+CD25 + FoxP3 regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) and the expressions of IL-10 and TGF-β were evaluated by flow cytometry and immunoassay techniques after treatment of cells with different concentrations of OLEU for 24 h. The serum levels of RF and CRP in patients with RA were 11.8 ± 5.32 IU/ml and 6.36 ± 5.82 mg/l, respectively.

Results

OLEU had a dose-dependent effect on the CD4+ T cells via increasing the frequency of CD4+CD25 + FoxP3 Tregs ( p = 0.0001). Moreover, it induced the production of IL-10 ( p = 0.0001) and TGF-β ( p < 0.01) in both HC and RA patients.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that OLEU may have immunomodulatory effects by inducing Tregs, and it might help in developing a novel nutrition strategy for management of autoimmune diseases such as RA.
Sovereignty, society and human rights: Theorising society and human survival in times of global crisis
Authors: Leahy Angela
Published: April 2022

The coronavirus pandemic and climate crisis have highlighted the power of governments in relation to people and the societies in which they live. This article looks at two sociological approaches that together capture the core features of the relationship between sovereignty, society and individual safety. Sociologists of human rights point to the importance of sovereignty for the enforcement of human rights and draw on the work of Arendt, who argues all rights are lost to those who find themselves outside the protection of the state. Wickham’s Hobbesian sociology adds an important social dimension to these ideas. He adopts Hobbes’ argument that sovereignty secures both society and the protection of people. The article recovers additional ideas in Hobbes’ theory of rights that further link these two approaches. For Hobbes, governments hold a responsibility to protect their citizens’ right to survive. The article discusses the relevance of these ideas to the coronavirus pandemic and climate crisis. It argues sociology is well-placed to explore ways in which the continued exercise of sovereign power in relation to society and human survival is shaping humanity’s response to these global crises.
Guns and lightning: Power law distributions in intrastate conflict intensity dynamics
Authors: Trinn Christoph , Naumann Lennard
Published: April 2022

The discovery of power laws in conflict intensities has spurred numerous explanation attempts. Two different interpretations have persisted: the notion that power laws are spurious results of random processes and the opposing view that power-law distributions attest to endogenous dynamics linked to self-organized criticality (SOC). We substantiate the SOC forest-fire model for intrastate conflicts, conceptualizing conflict potential as social pressure, measured by horizontal inequality. This potential is triggered by infinitesimal events. Their occurrence depends on the interaction density between conflict actors, operationalized as the conjunction of state capacity and non-state governance. In a global analysis of 143 conflict dyads, we find that 40 conform to a power law and 33 to a stretched exponential distribution, the two outcomes predicted by the model. We find evidence that the forest-fire model is a plausible approximation of the dynamics of intrastate conflicts, accounting for both the conformity and the non-conformity to power laws.
Patient Satisfaction in Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics: In-Person vs Telemedicine
Authors: Kennelly Ann M. , McIntyre Brandon , Wood Alexis C. , Monteiro Sonia , Voigt Robert G.
Published: April 2022

Background

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical practices for children with neurodevelopmental disorders urgently adopted telehealth, despite limited data regarding patient satisfaction.

Objective

To compare patient satisfaction survey scores for neurodevelopmental pediatric appointments completed in-person to appointments completed via telemedicine.

Methods

Using routinely collected Press Ganey survey results, the proportion of Top Box scores (the percentage of responses in the highest possible category [ie, the percentage of “very good” or “always” responses]) for an in-person only group was compared to the proportion in a telemedicine-only group using Fisher's exact test.

Results

Most respondents gave Top-Box scores in response to all of the questions for both in-person and telemedicine visits. There were no statistically significant differences in any domain of the Press Ganey surveys in Top Box percentages for in-person vs telemedicine visits.

Conclusion

This study provides preliminary evidence that telehealth may be an acceptable modality for families seeking care for their children with neurodevelopmental concerns.
Factors Associated with Colorectal Cancer Prevalence Among Long-Haul Truck Drivers in the United States
Authors: Rogers Charles R. , May Folasade P. , Petersen Ethan , Brooks Ellen , Lopez Jasmine A. , Kennedy Carson D. , Thiese Matthew S.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To determine the age-adjusted association between colorectal cancer (CRC) risk factors and CRC prevalence among long-haul truck drivers (aged 21–85), after adjustment for age.

Design

Pooled cross-sectional analysis using Commercial Driver Medical Exam (CDME) data. Setting. National survey data from January 1, 2005, to October 31, 2012.

Participants

47,786 commercial motor vehicle drivers in 48 states.

Measures

CRC prevalence was the primary outcome; independent variables included demographics, body mass index (BMI), and concomitant medical conditions.

Analysis

Kruskal-Wallis tests to analyze continuous variables; Fischer’s exact tests to analyze categorical variables; univariate and multivariable logistic regression for rare events (Firth method) to quantify the association between the independent variables of interest and CRC prevalence. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were adjusted for age, gender, years with current employer, year of exam, and BMI in a multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Many factors were statistically significant. Obesity (OR = 3.14; 95% CI = 1.03–9.61) and increasing age (OR = 1.10 per year; 95% CI = 1.07–1.13) were significantly associated with CRC prevalence. Truckers with 4 or more concomitant medical conditions were significantly more likely to have CRC (OR = 7.03; 95% CI = 1.83–27.03).

Conclusions

Our findings highlight mutable risk factors and represent an opportunity for intervention that may decrease CRC morbidity and mortality among truck drivers, a unique population in the United States estimated to live up to 16 years less than the general population.
The Effect of Cumulative Lifetime Estrogen Exposure on Cognition in Depressed Versus Non-Depressed Older Women
Authors: Oughli Hanadi Ajam , Nguyen Sarah A. , Siddarth Prabha , Fox Molly , Milillo Michaela , Ercoli Linda , Lavretsky Helen
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Two-thirds of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease are women. Declining estrogen levels influence mood and cognition. Cumulative lifetime estrogen exposure (CLEE) correlates with cognition later in life. We examined the relationship of CLEE to depression and cognition in older women with major depression compared to non-depressed women.

Design

Older women (age ≥60 years) with depression were compared to non-depressed women using a lifetime estrogen exposure questionnaire. CLEE was defined as combined durations of reproductive span (age of menopause minus age of menarche) and any post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy use. Higher vs lower CLEE groups were based on a median of 474 months of estrogen exposure.

Setting

University hospital outpatient research program

Participants

135 women ≥60 years; 64 depressed and 71 non-depressed

Measurments

Participants completed a comprehensive cognitive test battery. General linear models were used to examine the association between cognitive domain scores and CLEE in depressed and non-depressed women, controlling for age, education, and ethnicity.

Results

Depressed and non-depressed groups had significantly different levels of CLEE, measured in months: mean 495.7 (SD 108.6) vs 456.4 (SD 66.0) months, F(1,130) = 5.01, p = .03. Within the non-depressed participants, higher CLEE was associated with improved delayed recall (F(1,59) = 5.94, p = .02, effect size = .61), while no such relationship was observed in the depressed group.

Conclusion

Higher CLEE was associated with improvement in delayed recall among non-depressed, but not among depressed participants. This suggests a protective role of estrogen on memory in non-depressed older postmenopausal women. Further research should examine the role of the CLEE in antidepressant response and cognitive decline.
Morphological, mechanical, and physical properties of ground rubber tire thermoplastic elastomer/rubberwood sawdust composites: Effects of composition contents and rubber types
Authors: Homkhiew Chatree , Rawangwong Surasit , Boonchouytan Worapong , Suchaiya Voravadee
Published: April 2022

Waste tire disposal is a growing challenge among major cities worldwide because each year, a huge number of end-of-life tires is generated. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential of ground rubber tire (GRT) and waste rubberwood sawdust (RWS) as materials for developing wood-polymer composites (WPCs). The effects of the compositions’ contents and rubber types on the mechanical and physical properties, as well as the morphology of the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)/RWS composites were investigated. The results revealed that the addition of about 30–60 wt% of RWS improved the modulus of elasticity, compressive modulus, and hardness of the TPE composites based on both the GRT and natural rubber (NR). With the same RWS content and rubber type, the TPE/RWS composites with rubber/plastic blends of a 30/70 ratio clearly yielded better mechanical and physical properties than those blends with a 40/60 ratio. The addition of about 2–4 wt% of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) improved all the properties of the TPE/RWS composites. Overall, the composites based on the GRT gave superior strength, rigidity, and dimensional stability than that based on NR. It is therefore suggested that the eco-friendly TPE composites made from GRT and waste rubberwood could be a suitable replacement for the inorganic filler-natural rubber composites for saving costs and the environment.
The Association of Dispositional Optimism and Pessimism With Cardiovascular Disease Events in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Craig Heather , Ryan Joanne , Freak-Poli Rosanne , Owen Alice , McNeil John , Woods Robyn L. , Britt Carlene , Tonkin Andrew , Gasevic Danijela
Published: April 2022

Objective: Positive psychosocial factors may protect against cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to determine the association of optimism and pessimism with CVD events in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: 11,651 adults aged 70 years and over, participants of the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP), were followed-up for 4.7 years (median). The association of optimism and pessimism (assessed as separate constructs by revised Life Orientation Test) and incident CVD events (composite and components) was assessed by Cox regression adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic and health factors. Results: No association was observed between optimism and pessimism with composite CVD events. Being more pessimistic was associated with a greater risk of fatal coronary heart disease, while being more optimistic was associated with a lower risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction. Conclusions: Optimism and pessimism may shape cardiovascular health of older adults; and we argue these psychosocial factors should be researched as separate constructs.