bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple coronary artery perforation following global pericardial tamponade in a patient with prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a case report
Authors: Yamada Takehiro , Aoyama Takuma
Published: November 2021

Background

Patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery rarely develop global pericardial tamponade due to pericardial adhesions. There are no reports of multiple coronary artery perforations following global pericardial tamponade during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in these patients.

Case summary

A 52-year-old male who underwent CABG surgery developed effort angina pectoris. Coronary angiography demonstrated chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the first diagonal branch with severe stenosis of the second diagonal branch. Because his chest pain did not improve with medical therapy and ischaemia of the left ventricular anterolateral wall was confirmed by myocardial scintigraphy, PCI was performed. The second diagonal branch stenosis was passed anterogradely by a 0.014-inch coronary angioplasty guidewire, while the first diagonal branch CTO was recanalized by side-branch intravascular ultrasonography-guided parallel wiring. After stent deployment, coronary artery perforation at the distal end of the second diagonal branch was detected via contrast injection. We immediately performed intravascular haemostasis, leading to the disappearance of contrast. However, multiple bleeding sites were visualized by angiography at different sites of coronary arteries, including the circumflex artery. Although intravascular haemostasis is a standard procedure, we could not control rebleeding. Despite intensive care, the patient died.

Discussion

Increased tissue pressure due to bleeding possibly led to global pericardial tamponade with multiple coronary artery perforations. We report a rare case of a patient with multiple coronary artery perforations during coronary intervention.
Age- and Sex-Dependent Changes of Free Circulating Blood Metabolite and Lipid Abundances, Correlations, and Ratios
Authors: Di Cesare Francesca , Luchinat Claudio , Tenori Leonardo , Saccenti Edoardo
Published: November 2021

In this study, we investigated how the concentrations, pairwise correlations and ratios of 202 free circulating blood metabolites and lipids vary with age in a panel of n = 1 882 participants with an age range from 48 to 94 years. We report a statistically significant sex-dependent association with age of a panel of metabolites and lipids involving, in women, linoleic acid, α-linoleic acid, and carnitine, and, in men, monoacylglycerols and lysophosphatidylcholines. Evaluating the association of correlations among metabolites and/or lipids with age, we found that phosphatidylcholines correlations tend to have a positive trend associated with age in women, and monoacylglycerols and lysophosphatidylcholines correlations tend to have a negative trend associated with age in men. The association of ratio between molecular features with age reveals that decanoyl-l-carnitine/lysophosphatidylcholine ratio in women “decrease” with age, while l-carnitine/phosphatidylcholine and l-acetylcarnitine/phosphatidylcholine ratios in men “increase” with age. These results suggest an age-dependent remodeling of lipid metabolism that induces changes in cell membrane bilayer composition and cell cycle mechanisms. Furthermore, we conclude that lipidome is directly involved in this age-dependent differentiation. Our results demonstrate that, using a comprehensive approach focused on the changes of concentrations and relationships of blood metabolites and lipids, as expressed by their correlations and ratios, it is possible to obtain relevant information about metabolic dynamics associated with age.
TopoFun: a machine learning method to improve the functional similarity of gene co-expression modules
Authors: Janbain Ali , Reynès Christelle , Assaghir Zainab , Zeineddine Hassan , Sabatier Robert , Journot Laurent
Published: November 2021

A comprehensive, accurate functional annotation of genes is key to systems-level approaches. As functionally related genes tend to be co-expressed, one possible approach to identify functional modules or supplement existing gene annotations is to analyse gene co-expression. We describe TopoFun, a machine learning method that combines topological and functional information to improve the functional similarity of gene co-expression modules. Using LASSO, we selected topological descriptors that discriminated modules made of functionally related genes and random modules. Using the selected topological descriptors, we performed linear discriminant analysis to construct a topological score that predicted the type of a module, random-like or functional-like. We combined the topological score with a functional similarity score in a fitness function that we used in a genetic algorithm to explore the co-expression network. To illustrate the use of TopoFun, we started from a subset of the Gene Ontology Biological Processes (GO-BPs) and showed that TopoFun efficiently retrieved genes that we omitted, and aggregated a number of novel genes to the initial GO-BP while improving module topology and functional similarity. Using an independent protein-protein interaction database, we confirmed that the novel genes gathered by TopoFun were functionally related to the original gene set.
Alarming Tuberculosis Rate Among People Who Inject Drugs in Vietnam
Authors: Nagot Nicolas , Hai Vinh Vu , Dong Thuy Thi Thu , Hai Oanh Khuat Thi , Rapoud Delphine , Hoang Giang Thi , Quillet Catherine , Minh Khue Pham , Vallo Roselyne , Nham Thanh Tuyet Thi , Castellani Joëlle , Feelemyer Jonathan , Des Jarlais Don C , Nguyen Lan Phuong , Van Le Hoi , Nguyen Nhung Viet , Vo Luan Nguyen Quang , Duong Huong Thi , Moles Jean-Pierre , Laureillard Didier
Published: November 2021

Background

The tuberculosis (TB) epidemic is not homogeneous in the general population but presents high-risk groups. People who inject drugs (PWID) are such a group. However, TB among PWID remains largely undocumented. Our goal was to assess the prevalence of TB and the risk factors associated with TB among PWID in Vietnam.

Methods

We implemented a cross-sectional survey among 2 community-based cohorts of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative PWID in Hai Phong. Participants were screened for TB using questions on TB symptoms. Those who reported any symptom were accompanied by peers to the TB clinic for chest x-ray. If the latter was abnormal, a sputum was collected to perform an Xpert MTB/RIF test.

Results

A total of 885 PWID were screened for TB. For both cohorts, most PWID were male (>90.0%), with a median age of 42 years. Beside heroin injection, 52.5% of participants reported smoking methamphetamine, and 63.2% were on methadone. Among HIV-positive PWID (N = 451), 90.4% were on antiretroviral therapy and 81.6% had a viral load <1000 copies/mL. Using a complete-case analysis, the estimated TB prevalence was 2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0–4.5) and 2.1% (95% CI, 0.8–4.2) among HIV-positive and HIV-negative people, respectively. Living as a couple, arrest over the past 6 months, homelessness, and smoking methamphetamine were independently associated with TB but not HIV infection.

Conclusions

In the context of very large antiretroviral therapy coverage, this extremely high rate of TB among PWID requires urgent actions.
Risk-based approach for a return to in-person instruction in the Philippines
Authors: Toquero Cathy Mae , Maboloc Christopher Ryan
Published: November 2021

The government of the Republic of the Philippines has suspended physical classes since the onset of the pandemic cases in 2020. On 20 September 2021, President Rodrigo Duterte authorized the return to in-person instruction for a limited number of schools in low-risk areas. The state has acknowledged the health concern related to young individuals that the prolonged suspension of face-to-face classes cause. Although equity in education is consistent with the return to physical classes, the danger remains high as the health care system continues to battle the public health emergency. A risk-based approach is necessary in the implementation of the pilot schools to operate safely.
The Intersection Between Childhood Trauma, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Trauma-related and Psychotic Symptoms in People With Psychotic Disorders
Authors: Stone Lena M D , Millman Zachary B , Öngür Dost , Shinn Ann K
Published: November 2021

Introduction

People with psychotic disorders may be disproportionately affected by the traumatic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Childhood trauma, which also increases vulnerability to subsequent stressors, is common in individuals with psychosis. In this study, we investigated the intersection of the pandemic, childhood trauma, and psychotic and trauma-related symptoms in individuals with psychotic disorders.

Methods

We administered a cross-sectional survey to 151 participants [47 schizophrenia (SZ), 53 psychotic bipolar disorder (BP)], 51 healthy control (HC)] during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were asked about exposure to the pandemic’s impacts, childhood trauma, and post-traumatic stress, dissociative, and psychotic symptoms.

Results

BP reported greater negative impacts to emotional health than SZ and HC and to non-COVID physical health than HC. SZ reported less impact on work and employment during the pandemic. There were no other group differences in pandemic-related adversities. We also found that cumulative exposure to the pandemic’s negative impacts was significantly associated with PTSD symptoms but not psychotic or dissociative symptoms. Moreover, the number of adversities an individual experienced during the pandemic was strongly associated with the cumulative number of traumatic experiences they had in childhood.

Discussion

Our results suggest that having a psychotic disorder does not, in and of itself, increase susceptibility to the pandemic’s negative impacts. Instead, we provide evidence of a graded relationship between cumulative exposure to the pandemic’s negative impacts and PTSD symptom severity, as well as a graded relationship between cumulative childhood traumatic experiences and the number pandemic adversities, across diagnoses.
Factors influencing participants’ engagement with an interactive text-message intervention to improve sun protection behaviors: “SunText” randomized controlled trial
Authors: Silva Carina V , Horsham Caitlin , Kou Kou , Baade Peter , Soyer H Peter , Janda Monika
Published: November 2021

There is growing evidence suggesting that text-message-based interventions are effective to promote sun protection behaviors. However, it is still unclear how engagement and adherence with the intervention messages can be optimized through intervention design. This study evaluated the effect of different combinations of personalized and two-way interactive messages on participant engagement with a theory-based skin cancer prevention intervention. In the SunText study conducted in February–July 2019 in Queensland, Australia participants 18–40 years were randomized to four different text message schedules using a Latin square design. This study analyzed if the order and intensity in which the schedules were received were associated with participants’ level of engagement, and if this differed by demographic factors. Out of the 389 participants enrolled in the study, 375 completed the intervention period and remained for analysis. The overall intervention engagement rate was 71% and decreased from the beginning to the end of the study (82.2%–61.4%). The group starting with personalized, but not interactive messaging showed the lowest engagement rate. The intervention involving interactive messages three times a week for 4 weeks achieved the highest engagement rate. The intervention with increasing frequency (personalized and interactive three times a week for 2 weeks; then daily for 2 weeks) had lower engagement than intervention with constant or decreasing frequency. Engagement with two-way interactive messages was high across all intervention groups. Results suggest enhanced engagement with constant or decreasing message frequency compared to increasing frequency.
Assessing the Use of DNA Detection Platforms Combined with Passive Wind-Powered Spore Traps for Early Surveillance of Potato and Tomato Late Blight in Canada
Authors: Arocha Rosete Yaima , To Henry , Evans Martin , White Kristine , Saleh Michael , Trueman Cheryl , Tomecek Joseph , Van Dyk Dennis , Summerbell Richard C. , Scott James A.
Published: November 2021

Quantitative PCR (qPCR), loop-mediated amplification (LAMP), and lateral flow strip-based recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA-LFS) assays were assessed for early detection of Phytophthora infestans, the global causal agent of potato and tomato late blight, on passive wind-powered spore traps known as Spornados. Spore traps were deployed in potato and tomato fields during the 2018, 2019, and 2020 growing seasons in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, and Ontario. All assays used DNA extracts from Spornado cassette membranes targeting the P. infestans nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. A total of 1,003 Spornado samples were qPCR tested, yielding 115 positive samples for P. infestans spores. In further assessment of these samples, LAMP detected P. infestans in 108 (93.9%) of 115 qPCR positive samples, and RPA-LFS detected it in 103 (89.6%). None of the assays showed cross-reaction with other Phytophthora species or pathogenic fungi known to infect potato and tomato. The qPCR detected ≤1 fg of P. infestans DNA, and LAMP and RPA-LFS amplified 10 fg in as little as 10 min. All assays detected P. infestans before the first report of late blight symptoms in commercial potato or tomato fields within each region or province. The combination of Spornado passive samplers with qPCR, LAMP, or RPA-LFS proved a valuable spore trapping system for early surveillance of late blight in potato and tomato. Both LAMP and RPA-LFS showed potential as alternative approaches to qPCR for in-field monitoring of P. infestans.
Global myth busting in family planning
Authors: Kaur Simranvir , Blumenthal Paul D.
Published: November 2021

Purpose of review

Myths and misconceptions about family planning are pervasive around the world and can adversely affect both initiation and continuation of family planning services. Here, we review the current literature and identify major themes among them to better understand these myths and misconceptions.

Recent findings

Myths and misconceptions regarding family planning are a global phenomenon with the most recent studies focused on sub-Saharan Africa and West Africa.

The belief that family planning negatively impacts future fertility was mentioned in all studies reviewed.

Other major themes include misconceptions about the adverse effects, complications, mechanisms of action, and reproductive health.

Myths and misconceptions regarding family planning are widespread. Current literature suggests that there is a globally prevalent belief that family planning negatively impacts future fertility. Misconceptions related to adverse effects and mechanism of action were also identified. There is overall poor knowledge of sexual and reproductive health in the populations studied. Recent studies focus primarily on sub-Saharan Africa and West Africa. These findings and lessons learned may be helpful in customizing contraceptive counseling and increasing both global access to family planning and satisfied clients.
Insights from chemical systems into Turing-type morphogenesis
Authors: Konow C. , Dolnik M. , Epstein I. R.
Published: November 2021

In 1952, Alan Turing proposed a theory showing how morphogenesis could occur from a simple two morphogen reaction–diffusion system [Turing, A. M. (1952)
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond.
A
237
, 37–72. (doi:10.1098/rstb.1952.0012)]. While the model is simple, it has found diverse applications in fields such as biology, ecology, behavioural science, mathematics and chemistry. Chemistry in particular has made significant contributions to the study of Turing-type morphogenesis, providing multiple reproducible experimental methods to both predict and study new behaviours and dynamics generated in reaction–diffusion systems. In this review, we highlight the historical role chemistry has played in the study of the Turing mechanism, summarize the numerous insights chemical systems have yielded into both the dynamics and the morphological behaviour of Turing patterns, and suggest future directions for chemical studies into Turing-type morphogenesis.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Recent progress and open frontiers in Turing’s theory of morphogenesis’.
Systems for intricate patterning of the vertebrate anatomy
Authors: Painter Kevin J. , Ptashnyk Mariya , Headon Denis J.
Published: November 2021

Periodic patterns form intricate arrays in the vertebrate anatomy, notably the hair and feather follicles of the skin, but also internally the villi of the gut and the many branches of the lung, kidney, mammary and salivary glands. These tissues are composite structures, being composed of adjoined epithelium and mesenchyme, and the patterns that arise within them require interaction between these two tissue layers. In embryonic development, cells change both their distribution and state in a periodic manner, defining the size and relative positions of these specialized structures. Their placement is determined by simple spacing mechanisms, with substantial evidence pointing to a variety of local enhancement/lateral inhibition systems underlying the breaking of symmetry. The nature of the cellular processes involved, however, has been less clear. While much attention has focused on intercellular soluble signals, such as protein growth factors, experimental evidence has grown for contributions of cell movement or mechanical forces to symmetry breaking. In the mesenchyme, unlike the epithelium, cells may move freely and can self-organize into aggregates by chemotaxis, or through generation and response to mechanical strain on their surrounding matrix. Different modes of self-organization may coexist, either coordinated into a single system or with hierarchical relationships. Consideration of a broad range of distinct biological processes is required to advance understanding of biological pattern formation.

This article is part of the theme issue 'Recent progress and open frontiers in Turing's theory of morphogenesis'.
Beyond Turing: far-from-equilibrium patterns and mechano-chemical feedback
Authors: Veerman Frits , Mercker Moritz , Marciniak-Czochra Anna
Published: November 2021

Turing patterns are commonly understood as specific instabilities of a spatially homogeneous steady state, resulting from activator–inhibitor interaction destabilized by diffusion. We argue that this view is restrictive and its agreement with biological observations is problematic. We present two alternatives to the classical Turing analysis of patterns. First, we employ the abstract framework of evolution equations to enable the study of far-from-equilibrium patterns. Second, we introduce a mechano-chemical model, with the surface on which the pattern forms being dynamic and playing an active role in the pattern formation, effectively replacing the inhibitor. We highlight the advantages of these two alternativesvis-à-visthe classical Turing analysis, and give an overview of recent results and future challenges for both approaches.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Recent progress and open frontiers in Turing’s theory of morphogenesis’.
Preventing the Transmission of COVID-19 in Older Adults Aged 60 Years and Above Living in Long-Term Care: Rapid Review Update
Authors: Egunsola Oluwaseun , Hofmeister Mark , Dowsett Laura E. , Noseworthy Tom , Clement Fiona
Published: November 2021

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of measures of control and management of COVID-19, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in adults 60 years or above living in long-term care facilities. This is an update of previous work done by Rios et al.
Methods: A rapid review was conducted in accordance with the Rapid Review Guide for Health Policy and Systems Research. Literature search of databases MEDLINE, Cochrane library, and pre-print servers (biorxiv/medrxiv) was conducted from July 31, 2020 to October 9, 2020. EMBASE was searched from July 31, 2020 until October 18, 2020. Titles and abstracts from public archives were identified for screening using Gordon V. Cormack and Maura R. Grossmans Continuous Active Learning (CAL) tool, which uses supervised machine learning.
Results: Five observational studies and one clinical practice guideline were identified. Infection prevention measures identified in this rapid review included: social distancing and isolation, personal protective equipment (PPE) use and hygiene practices, screening, training and staffing policies. The use of PPE, laboratory screening tests, sick pay to staff, self-confinement of staff within the LTCFs for 7 or more days, maintaining maximum resident occupancy, training and social distancing significantly reduced the prevalence of COVID-19 infection among residents and/or staff of LTCFs (p<0.05). Practices such as hiring of temporary staff, not assigning staff to care separately for infected and uninfected residents, inability to isolate sick residents and infrequent cleaning of communal areas significantly increased the prevalence of infection among residents and/or staff of LTCFs (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The available studies are limited to only three countries despite the global nature of the disease. The majority of these studies showed that infection control measures such as favourable staffing policies, training, screening, social distancing, isolation and use of PPE significantly improved residents and staff related outcomes. More studies exploring the effects infection prevention and control practices in long term care facilities are required.
Multiview Graph Learning for single-cell RNA sequencing data
Authors: Karaaslanli Abdullah , Saha Satabdi , Aviyente Selin , Maiti Tapabrata
Published: November 2021

Characterizing the underlying topology of gene regulatory networks is one of the fundamental problems of systems biology. Ongoing developments in high throughput sequencing technologies has made it possible to capture the expression of thousands of genes at the single cell resolution. However, inherent cellular heterogeneity and high sparsity of the single cell datasets render void the application of regular Gaussian assumptions for constructing gene regulatory networks. Additionally, most algorithms aimed at single cell gene regulatory network reconstruction, estimate a single network ignoring group-level (cell-type) information present within the datasets. To better characterize single cell gene regulatory networks under different but related conditions we propose the joint estimation of multiple networks using multiview graph learning (mvGL). The proposed method is developed based on recent works in graph signal processing (GSP) for graph learning, where graph signals are assumed to be smooth over the unknown graph structure. Graphs corresponding to the different datasets are regularized to be similar to each other through a learned consensus graph. We further kernelize mvGL with the kernel selected to suit the structure of single cell data. An efficient algorithm based on prox-linear block coordinate descent is used to optimize mvGL. We study the performance of mvGL using synthetic data generated with a diverse set of parameters. We further show that mvGL successfully identifies well-established regulators in a mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation study and a cancer clinical study of medulloblastoma.
Fiscal policy responses for sustainable post-COVID-19 recovery: Taiwan's experience
Authors: Kuo Yu-Ying
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study examined Taiwan's fiscal policy responses for sustainable post-COVID-19 recovery. The costs and benefits, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of fiscal policy responses were identified and valued. Although it may be too early to conclude whether the benefits outweigh the costs, the performance and outcome of fiscal measures were evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relied on secondary data, including governmental official data, legislative reviews, audit reports and public opinion polls to understand objective and subjective benefits and costs in economic, social and environmental dimensions. However, while the costs were measured in monetary terms, some of the benefits (i.e. satisfaction) could not be monetized; therefore, this study focused on identifying and valuing benefits from fiscal measures but set aside the issues of monetizing and discounting.

Findings

With respect to the costs, a special budget of NT$840 billion was approved, of which 66.83% was allocated for economic development, 33.12% for social welfare and 0.05% for environmental protection. In terms of the benefits, the economic growth rate was forecasted to be 5.88% in 2021 and 3.69% in 2022, while the average economic growth rate was 2.77% during the period from 2012 to 2019. Social equity was emphasized as various and customized bailout packages were provided to impacted individuals and industries. Moreover, most citizens were confident in the government's efforts to combat the pandemic and stimulate recovery in Taiwan.

Originality/value

This paper comprehensively details Taiwan's experience of fiscal policy responses for sustainable post-COVID-19 recovery. The cost-benefit approach was conceptually adopted. Bearing the value of “build back better” and “rebuild better,” the benefits of fiscal measures are promising, although there are indebted costs of the special budget.
Hospitality and tourism industry amid COVID-19 pandemic: voices from small Mediterranean town
Authors: Jafari Kaveh , Özduran Ali , Saydam Mehmet Bahri
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The study sought to examine the impacts of COVID-19 on tourism from the stakeholder perspective in the case of Famagusta town in Northern Cyprus.

Design/methodology/approach

Via a qualitative research approach, data are collected through face-to-face interviews from direct and indirect tourism stakeholders operating in Famagusta. A judgmental sampling strategy was employed to collect data from tourism stakeholders on the impacts of COVID-19 on tourism. Descriptive data analysis is engaged to report the results.

Findings

Results of the study showed that the novel coronavirus has hampered the tourism sector in Famagusta, Northern Cyprus. Indeed, as the globe suffered its effects in terms of economic gains, business and business closure. It has been the same with Famagusta, while a few private sectors positively gained (Internet and Technology), all other tourism-reliant sectors such as hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and the transport sector massively suffered as a result of the global lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Originality/value

Given the ever-changing state of knowledge and scarcity of literature, the current study seeks to summarize what has been learned from previous crises and back it up with qualitative research including senior industry stakeholders.
Rural entrepreneurship and the context: navigating contextual barriers through women's groups
Authors: Semkunde Mohamed A. , Elly Tumsifu , Charles Goodluck , Gaddefors Johan , Chiwona-Karltun Linley
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine how women's groups help women to navigate context-related barriers to their engagement in rural entrepreneurship. The paper combines the contextualisation of entrepreneurship framework and the feminist separatist theory to describe how women's groups in patriarchal rural communities enable women to circumvent context-related barriers and actively engage in rural entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a case study of 12 women's groups engaged in paddy farming, rice processing and marketing in rural Tanzania, this study draws on semi-structured interviews with 46 women, four focus group discussions, four in-depth key informant interviews and non-participant observation.

Findings

Rural women face unique context-related challenges that hinder them from effectively participating in rural entrepreneurship. Specifically, limited access to farmlands and profitable markets, lack of business networks, limited time, poverty and insufficient financial resources constrain women's engagement in entrepreneurship. To overcome these contextual barriers, rural women have organised themselves into groups to gain access to business services, business-related training, grants and business networks.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the existing literature on contextualising entrepreneurship by focussing on how rural contexts may constrain women's entrepreneurial engagement while showing how women respond to contextual barriers that enable them to participate in rural entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

This study shows that women with low education can pursue rural entrepreneurship if they are supported through training and access to networks. This will support the performance of these groups of women.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights into the role of women's groups in navigating gender-related constraints that hinder women from participating in rural entrepreneurship within the patriarchal context of low-income countries. Thus, new perceptions for the gender and rural entrepreneurship theory and the policy implications thereof are proffered.
Evaluating the effectiveness of serious games in facilitating strategic decisions-making under COVID-19 crisis conditions
Authors: Schönbohm Avo , Zhang Tingyue Viktoria
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This research seized the COVID-19 pandemic-induced economic recession as a strategic response background to answer whether serious games (SGs) can be effectively applied to facilitate the strategic decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a conceptual model and hypotheses based on the strategic formulation and SGs literature. Virtual-gamified workshops treat four companies in a quasi-experimental framework applying an action research design approach. The data were analysed triangularly from the observations, the focus group interviews and the surveys.

Findings

A SG facilitates conveying conceptual recession management knowledge and structures the decision-making process. It incentivises creativity and motivation. Meanwhile, it is a tool to mitigate human errors due to cognitive biases. More importantly, it offers a new means to improve strategic decision-making adapted to different cases. The variety of game elements expands possibilities for different needs.

Originality/value

This paper creatively bridges the gap between strategic decision facilitation and serious gaming in a crisis. It contributes a conceptual model and provides practical insights into SGs mechanics for companies.
NegotioPoly: a holistic gaming approach to negotiation teaching
Authors: Rua Tuvana , Aytug Zeynep , Lawter Leanna
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Based on Behavioral Theory of Negotiations (Walton & McKersie, 1965), the purpose of this paper is to discuss the existing gap between negotiation theory and pedagogy and presents an experiential teaching tool that closes this gap. The tool is a ‘serious game’ (Abt, 1975) that reinforces all four core negotiation subprocesses while allowing students to practice their negotiation skills and several critical business competencies in a realistic and improvisational context.

Design/methodology/approach

After successfully using NegotioPoly for five years, qualitative and quantitative data were collected in three sections of negotiation classes to assess student learning and behaviors while playing NegotioPoly and to collect student feedback on the effectiveness of NegotioPoly in teaching and reinforcing key negotiation skills.

Findings

Findings support that NegotioPoly is highly effective in engaging students in a series of realistic negotiations, joint problem solving and strategic decision-making. Results show that, during the game, students demonstrate their negotiation skills and learnings, and they practice all four negotiation subprocesses of distributive, integrative and intraorganizational bargaining and attitudinal structuring.

Practical implications

NegotioPoly enables students to engage in distributive and integrative bargaining, multiple levels of negotiations and coalitions in quick succession. Students practice organizational politics and adjust their negotiations based on relationships and social realities, as they demonstrate advanced deal-making behaviors and core business competencies of problem solving, decision-making, analytical skills and ability to work with others.

Social implications

NegotioPoly reinforces core business competencies such as negotiation, problem solving, analytical skills and the ability to work in teams that employers look for and, therefore, is a useful tool for preparing students for the business world.

Originality/value

NegotioPoly is an experiential learning tool that closes the gap between negotiation theory and pedagogy while providing deep learning and realistic practice opportunities for students where they can use their negotiation skills in a gaming environment that uses multi-party and multi-round negotiations.
A comparison of different maceration techniques on burnt remains
Authors: Triaca Arielle , Mahon Trisha‐Jean , Myburgh Jolandie
Published: November 2021

Maceration is the process of removing soft tissue from bones so as to be able to study the skeletal elements. This is a necessary process in forensic anthropology because human skeletal remains can be used to create a biological profile that can aid in the identification of an unknown individual. The aim of this research was to determine the best method of maceration for burnt remains. Pigs’ trotters were burnt in an open flame and then macerated using a variety of maceration techniques. After maceration, the results obtained were scored on a macroscopic scoring system to assess the damage caused by each of the techniques employed. The maceration technique that caused the least amount of exogenous damage to the skeletal elements was that using plain tap water at a temperature of 80℃. The addition of chemical or enzymatic agents, or an increase in the length of time that the remains were immersed in a solution, had a deleterious effect on the bones.
Short‐term and long‐term outcomes of trichorionic triplet pregnancies with expectant management
Authors: Lee Ji Yeon , Lee Seung Mi , Jeong Mina , Oh Sohee , Hong Subeen , Choe Seung‐Ah , Jun Jong Kwan
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Reproductive endocrinologists recommend selective multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) to save at least one or two babies, because triplet pregnancy is known to increase the risk of miscarriage and preterm delivery. However, recently improved obstetric and neonatal care may affect pregnancy outcomes differently in triplet pregnancies, which could alter practice. We compared the maternal, perinatal, and long‐term outcomes of triplet pregnancies managed expectantly with those of pregnancies reduced to twins.

Material and methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the clinical records of 552 trichorionic triplet pregnancies for obstetric, perinatal, and neurodevelopmental outcomes, which consisted of the expectant management (EM) group (n = 225) and MFPR group (n = 327), in Seoul National University Hospital and CHA Bundang Medical Center from January 2006 to December 2018. Neuromotor development was evaluated using the Korean‐Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Bayley‐III tests, and/or Gross Motor Function Measure. The two groups were compared for the following outcomes: (1) nonviable pregnancy loss before 23 weeks, (2) preterm birth before 32 weeks of gestation, (3) fetal and neonatal survival and (4) long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Results

There were no differences in maternal age, body mass index, nulliparity or previous preterm birth between the two groups. The risk of nonviable pregnancy loss was lower in the EM group than that in the MFPR group (2 [0.9%] vs 21 [6.4%], p = 0.001). The risk of preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation was lower in the MFPR group (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30–0.73, p = 0.001). The survival rate of neonates until discharge (644 [95.4%] vs 572 [87.5], p < 0.001) and the rate of pregnancies with at least one survivor (220 [97.8%] vs 301 [92.0], p = 0.002) were higher in the EM group than those in the MFPR group. In the MFPR group, the risk of developmental delay (aOR = 2.89, 95% CI 1.38–6.02, p = 0.005) was higher.

Conclusions

In trichorionic triplet pregnancies, the possibility of EM to improve survival and reduce the risk of developmental delay has been shown.
Risk factors associated with shortened latency before delivery in outpatients managed for preterm prelabor rupture of membranes
Authors: Point Florian , Ghesquiere Louise , Drumez Elodie , Petit Céline , Subtil Damien , Houfflin‐Debarge Véronique , Garabedian Charles
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) occurs in 3% of pregnancies and is the main cause (~30%) of premature delivery. Home care seems to be a safe alternative for the management of patients with PPROM, who have a longer latency than those with PPROM managed with conventional hospitalization. We aimed to identify the risk factors associated with a shortened latency before delivery in women with PPROM managed as outpatients.

Material and methods

The design was a retrospective cohort study and the setting was a Monocentric Tertiary centre (Lille University Hospital, France) from 2009 to 2018. All consecutive patients in home care after PPROM at 24–36 weeks were included. For the main outcome measure we calculated the latency ratio for each patient as the ratio of the real latency period to the expected latency period, expressed as a percentage. The risk factors influencing this latency ratio were evaluated.

Results

A total of 234 patients were managed at home after PPROM. Mean latency was 35.5 ± 20.7 days, corresponding to an 80% latency ratio. In 196 (83.8%) patients the length of home care was more than 7 days. A lower latency ratio was significantly associated with oligohydramnios (p < 0.001), gestational age at PPROM (p = 0.006), leukocyte count at PPROM more than 12 × 109/L (p = 0.025), and C‐reactive protein concentration more than 5 mg/L at 7 days after PPROM (p = 0.046). Cervical length was not associated with a lower latency ratio.

Conclusions

Women with PPROM managed with home care are stable. The main risk factor associated with a reduced latency is oligohydramnios. Outpatients with oligohydramnios should be informed of the probability of a shortened latency period.
YouTube videos in Japanese as a source of information on nocturnal enuresis: A content‐quality and reliability analysis
Authors: Nishizaki Naoto , Hirano Daishi , Oishi Kimihiko , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: November 2021

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the quality and reliability of Japanese YouTube videos pertaining to nocturnal enuresis (NE).

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, we performed a YouTube search using the keyword “Ya‐nyou‐shou” (‘nocturnal enuresis’ in Japanese). We considered the first 200 videos listed based on the YouTube default option. Videos that were irrelevant, concerned personal experiences or adult NE, had non‐Japanese content, were advertisements, were duplicated, and those without audio were excluded. Video features and upload source were recorded. The Modified DISCERN, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and Global Quality Scale (GQS) scoring systems were used for analysis. Two independent pediatricians, specialists in nephrology and urology, completed the scoring. Correlation analysis was performed between video features and the three quality analysis scores.

Results

In total, 72 videos were analyzed. The most common upload sources were physicians (40.3%) and non‐physician health personnel (40.3%). The median modified DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores for the videos were 1 (lowest: 0; highest: 4), 2 (lowest: 1; highest: 3), and 2 (lowest: 1; highest: 4), respectively. The highest scores for video power index (VPI) were for independent users (6.43 points) and physicians (3.05 points). There were positive correlations between the VPI and video length and modified DISCERN and GQS scores. No video presenter disclosed conflicts of interest.

Conclusions

Most Japanese YouTube videos about NE were low quality. Healthcare experts should be encouraged to upload better quality content.
Interventions for Menière’s disease: an umbrella systematic review
Authors: van Esch Babette Fiebke , van der Zaag-Loonen Hester , Bruintjes Tjasse , Kuijpers Ton , van Benthem Peter Paul G
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To systematically review the efficacy of interventions for Menière’s disease (MD) to report clinical implications of the results and to identify areas for future valuable research.

Methods

In line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Abstracts (PRISMA-A) guideline, a systematic online database search was conducted in which MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (Ovid) and CENTRAL (Cochrane Library) were searched until May 2021 in order to search for the efficacy of treatment was analysed in a systematic review. Systematic reviews (SRs) on treatments for MD were screened for eligible interventions. From these SRs, we included placebo randomised controlled trials (RCTs). A separate search was conducted to identify RCTs on treatment modalities that were systematically reviewed yet published after the conduction of these SRs. The primary outcome was control of vertigo as defined by the American guideline as published in 1995. The PRISMA-A and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to appraise and evaluate the certainty of evidence.

Results

We found five SRs from which 19 RCTs were extracted. Five RCTs were added by the separate search resulting in a total of 25 RCTs (n=1248) which evaluated the efficacy of betahistine dihydrochloride, intratympanic injections with gentamicin or steroids, endolymphatic sac surgery and pressure pulse therapy. Evidence on the efficacy of interventions for patients with MD is generally of low certainty. Betahistine (48 mg per day and 144 mg per day) and positive pressure therapy probably do not reduce MD symptoms when compared with placebo. Intratympanic injection with gentamicin or steroids, or treatment with endolymphatic surgery may reduce symptoms in MD when compared with placebo.

Conclusions

A definite effective and well-tolerated therapy for MD has yet to be discovered and information on the natural course of disease is one of the biggest flaws in current research.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD4201502424.
Development of a self-reported reflective tool on advanced access to support primary healthcare providers: study protocol of a mixed-method research design using an e-Delphi survey
Authors: Breton Mylaine , Gaboury Isabelle , Sasseville Maxime , Beaulieu Christine , Abou Malham Sabina , Hudon Catherine , Rodrigues Isabel , Maillet Lara , Duhoux Arnaud , Deville-Stoetzel Nadia , Haggerty Jeannie
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Timely access is one of the cornerstones of strong primary healthcare (PHC). New models to increase timely access have emerged across the world, including advanced access (AA). Recently in Quebec, Canada, the AA model has spread widely across the province. The model has largely been implemented by PHC professionals with important variations; however, a tool to assess their practice improvement within AA is lacking. The general objective of this study is to develop a self-reported online reflective tool that will guide PHC professionals’ reflection on their individual AA practice and formulation of recommendations for improvement. Specific objectives are: (1) operationalisation of the pillars and subpillars of AA; (2) development of a self-reported questionnaire; and (3) evaluation of the psychometrics.

Methods and analysis

The pillars composing Murray’s model of AA will first be reviewed in collaboration with PHC professional and stakeholders, patients and researchers in a face-to-face meeting, with the goal to establish consensus on the pillars and subpillars of AA. Leading from these definitions, items will be identified for evaluation through an e-Delphi consultation. Three rounds are planned in 2020–2021 with a group of 20–25 experts. A repository of recommendations on how to improve one’s AA practice will be populated based on the literature and enriched by our experts throughout the consultation. Median and measures of dispersions will be used to evaluate agreement. The resulting tool will then be evaluated by PHC professionals for psychometrics in 2021–2022.

Ethics and dissemination

The Centre Intégré de Santé et de Services Sociaux de la Montérégie-Centre Scientific Research Committee approved the protocol, and the Research Ethics Board provided ethics approval (2020-441, CP 980475). Dissemination plan is a mix of community diffusion through and for our partners and to the scientific community including peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
Cerebral venous outflow profiles are associated with the first pass effect in endovascular thrombectomy
Authors: van Horn Noel , Heit Jeremy J , Kabiri Reza , Mader Marius M , Christensen Soren , Mlynash Michael , Broocks Gabriel , Meyer Lukas , Nawabi Jawed , Lansberg Maarten G , Albers Gregory W , Wintermark Max , Fiehler Jens , Faizy Tobias D
Published: November 2021

Background

Recent studies found that favorable venous outflow (VO) profiles are associated with higher reperfusion rates after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO). Fewer retrieval attempts and first-pass revascularization during MT lead to better functional outcomes.

Objective

To examine the hypothesis that favorable VO profiles assessed on baseline CT angiography (CTA) images correlate with successful vessel reperfusion after the first retrieval attempt and fewer retrieval attempts.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients with AIS-LVO treated by MT. Baseline CTA was used to determine the cortical vein opacification score (COVES). Favorable VO was defined as COVES ≥3. Primary outcomes were successful with excellent vessel reperfusion status, defined as Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b/3 and 2c/3 after first retrieval attempt.

Results

617 patients were included in this study, of whom 205 (33.2%) had first pass reperfusion. In univariate analysis, ordinal COVES (p=0.011) values were significantly higher in patients with first pass than in those with non-first pass reperfusion, while the number of patients exhibiting favorable pial arterial collaterals using the Maas scale on CTA did not differ (p=0.243). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, higher COVES were independently associated with TICI 2b/3 (OR=1.25, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.42; p=0.001) and TICI 2c/3 (OR=1.2, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.36; p=0.011) reperfusion after one retrieval attempt, controlling for penumbra volume and time from symptom onset to vessel reperfusion.

Conclusions

Favorable VO, classified as higher COVES, is independently associated with successful and excellent first pass reperfusion in patients with AIS-LVO treated by endovascular thrombectomy.