bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The COVID-19 Pandemic, Prison Downsizing, and Crime Trends
Authors: Kubrin Charis E. , Bartos Bradley J.
Published: August 2023

California has fundamentally reformed its criminal justice system. Since 2011, the state passed several reforms which reduced its massive prison population. Importantly, this decarceration has not harmed public safety as research finds these measures had no impact on violent crime and only marginal impacts on property crime statewide. The COVID-19 pandemic furthered the state’s trend in decarceration, as California reduced prison and jail populations to slow the spread of the virus. In fact, in terms of month-to-month proportionate changes in the state correctional population, California’s efforts to reduce overcrowding as a means to limit the spread of COVID-19 reduced the correctional population more severely and abruptly than any of the state’s decarceration reforms. Although research suggests the criminal justice reforms did not threaten public safety, there is reason to suspect COVID-mitigation releases did. How are COVID-19 jail downsizing measures and crime trends related in California, if at all? We address this question in the current study. We employ a synthetic control group design to estimate the impact of jail decarceration intended to mitigate COVID-19 spread on crime in California’s 58 counties. Adapting the traditional method to account for the “fuzzy-ness” of the intervention, we utilize natural variation among counties to isolate decarceration’s impact on crime from various other shocks affecting California as a whole. Findings do not suggest a consistent relationship between COVID-19 jail decarceration and violent or property crime at the county level.
Team Ties, Embeddedness, and Turnover Intentions: Integrating Social Networks and Field Theory
Authors: Sahoo Madhu B. , Janardhanan Niranjan S. , Ekkirala Srinivas
Published: August 2023

Although social networks have been examined in teams, an understanding of the consequences of team social network ties on employees’ attitudes beyond team boundaries is hard to come by. Integrating insights from social networks and gestalt field theory, we examine interactive effects of centrality and density of inclusion and exclusion ties in teams on the relationship between employees’ community embeddedness—connectedness with the broader social context—and turnover intentions. In a multi-source field study of 215 employees in 34 teams, we demonstrate that inclusion and exclusion centrality and team exclusion density weaken the effect of community embeddedness on turnover intention.
“There Is No One Way to Get Over It”: An Examination of Psychotherapy and Complementary Therapy Use Within a Sample of Survivors Who Experienced Sexual Violence
Authors: Weingarten Christine A. , Baker Charlene K. , Einolf Christopher J.
Published: August 2023

Literature on sexual violence survivors' service utilization is limited due to examination of singular therapies or narrow timeframes. Using surveys ( n = 303) and interviews ( n = 20), this study increases understanding of survivors' healing. Results show varied therapy use including psychotherapy (76.9%), yoga (50.2%), and massage (32.1%), among others. Mean number of therapies used was over three. Service utilization was delayed over a decade on average. Latent class analysis divided respondents into classes: psychotherapy and bodywork use (42.66%), high therapy use (9.14%), and minimal therapy use (48.20%). Interviews provide additional insight and describe barriers. Recommendations for policy, practice, and future research are discussed.
Histopathologic Findings in Large for Gestational Age Placentas and Correlation With CD15 Immunohistochemistry
Authors: Mehreen Ansa , Suresh Sunitha , Freedman Alexa A. , Ernst Linda M.
Published: August 2023

Background:

The histopathology and CD15 expression in large for gestational age (LGA) placentas is not well-documented.

Methods:

To analyze this, we utilized 2 separate cohorts of placentas from singleton term deliveries. LGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) placentas were compared for major histopathologies including acute and chronic inflammation, maternal and fetal vascular malperfusion, delayed villous maturation (DVM), and villous hypervascularity/chorangiosis. We also examined CD15 immunohistochemistry in LGA and AGA placentas. Stained slides were reviewed blinded to the placental weight. Five random 20× fields were scored semi-quantitatively for CD15 staining of villous capillaries on a scale of 0 to 5 (0 = 0%, 1 = 1%-5%, 2 = 5%-25%, 3 = 25%-50%, 4 = 50%-75%, and 5 = >75%).

Results:

In 1 cohort, 1238 LGA and 7908 AGA placentas were identified. Patients with LGA placentas were significantly more likely to have higher birthweight babies, obesity, hypertensive disorders, pre-gestational, and gestational diabetes. Also, LGA placentas had a higher prevalence of fetal vascular malperfusion, DVM, and villous chorangiosis. In other cohort of 75 LGA placentas and 73 AGA controls, the average score of CD15 staining in villous capillaries was significantly higher amongst LGA placentas.

Conclusion:

We conclude that LGA placentas have increased expression of CD15 in villous capillary endothelium and higher prevalence of FVM, DVM, and villous chorangiosis than AGA placentas.
Nerve ultrasound reference values in children and adolescents: Echogenicity and influence of anthropometric factors including hand volume
Authors: Yusuf Ifirae , Mork Hannah , Erdlenbruch Bernhard , Schellinger Peter Dieter , Philipps Jörg
Published: August 2023

Background

Nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) reference values in high-resolution ultrasound for children and adolescents are influenced by demographic and anthropometric factors such as age, height and weight.

Objectives

The influence of hand volume as an additional morphometric factor was evaluated and nerve echogenicity was analyzed in a prospective cross-sectional study.

Methods

CSA were measured in 30 healthy children and adolescents from 2 to 17 years in the median, ulnar, radial, tibial, peroneal and sural nerves. Height, weight, age, handedness and gender were recorded, the volume of the hands was measured using the water displacement method. The intra-nerve CSA variability (INV), left/right ratios and absolute differences were calculated. Age groups were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis test. The influence of demographic factors was analyzed using Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression. Echogenicity and fraction of black were determined for each nerve segment.

Results

Nerve CSA values were consistently lower than those reported for adults and correlated in all measured nerve sites with age, height, weight and hand volume. Weight showed the highest correlation coefficient (R = .95) with the best fitting model predicting CSA. Correlation coefficients were higher in a linear than in a logarithmic model. Ratios were stable, the absolute differences increased with age and were significantly different between age groups. Most nerves showed a mixed or hypoechogenic pattern in echogenicity analysis, hyperechogenicity is less frequently observed.

Conclusions

Nerve CSA in children and adolescents is lower than in adults and increases proportionally during growth with a constant INV and left/right ratio in different age groups. Weight and age are predominant anthropometric factors predicting nerve size. Hand volume is correlated with nerve size, but does not predict CSA independently. Echogenicity can provide additional information on nerve structure.
That’s political! A Freirean perspective towards coaching as a social practice
Authors: Shoukry Hany , Fatien Pauline
Published: August 2023

Demands to re-embed coaching into its larger social context of operation have generated calls to better document the political aspects of this human learning and development process. To address this critical social turn, this empirical article explores the reframing by practitioners of their understanding of coaching practice, using a Freirean lens of oppression and emancipation. The study consists of a 9-month co-operative inquiry with a group of Egyptian practitioners engaged in a praxis comprising initial training and subsequent cycles of action and reflexive workshops about their coaching sessions. Our study found that a Freire inspired praxis led coaches to develop a dialectical understanding of oppression – moving from conflicting dichotomies to a dynamic view, which has implications for their attitude to and role in coaching. We discuss how the resulting politicization allowed the reframing of coaching as a social practice.
LGBTQ radical activism in the Lebanese Revolution
Authors: Kassir Abed Al Wahab
Published: August 2023

The Lebanese Revolution (2019) made two forms of LGBTQ activism visible. While Helem (2004–present), the first and the most renowned LGBT organization in Lebanon and the Arab World, called for wide participation, affirming the importance of visibility, pride, and equality, others expressed more radical forms of the LGBTQ political agency. In this article, I concern myself with the second form, analyzing LGBTQ radical resistance as an approach and a new form of self-politicization. I look at the meanings behind their critical engagements and tactics, arguing that radical activists have broadened LGBTQ activism beyond the homonormative discourse of visibility and equality. They experience new forms of mobilization in the public space that stand against assimilation politics and respectability politics while creating a new form of what I call “LGBTQ emergent care” that appeared to empower and validate the self and the other.
An approximation technique for solving nonlinear oscillators
Authors: Huq Md Ashraful , Hasan M Kamrul , Alam MS
Published: August 2023

Recently, an approximation technique was presented for solving strong nonlinear oscillators modeled by second-order differential equations. Due to the arising of an algebraic complicity, the method fails to determine suitable solution of some important nonlinear problems such as quadratic oscillator, cubical Duffing oscillator of softening springs, and pendulum equation. However, suitable solutions of these oscillators are found by rearranging only an algebraic equation related to amplitude and frequency. The determination of solutions is simpler than the original version.
Clinical Performance Evaluation of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems: A Scoping Review and Recommendations for Reporting
Authors: Freckmann Guido , Eichenlaub Manuel , Waldenmaier Delia , Pleus Stefan , Wehrstedt Stephanie , Haug Cornelia , Witthauer Lilian , Jendle Johan , Hinzmann Rolf , Thomas Andreas , Eriksson Boija Elisabet , Makris Konstantinos , Diem Peter , Tran Nam , Klonoff David C. , Nichols James H. , Slingerland Robbert J.
Published: August 2023

The use of different approaches for design and results presentation of studies for the clinical performance evaluation of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems has long been recognized as a major challenge in comparing their results. However, a comprehensive characterization of the variability in study designs is currently unavailable. This article presents a scoping review of clinical CGM performance evaluations published between 2002 and 2022. Specifically, this review quantifies the prevalence of numerous options associated with various aspects of study design, including subject population, comparator (reference) method selection, testing procedures, and statistical accuracy evaluation. We found that there is a large variability in nearly all of those aspects and, in particular, in the characteristics of the comparator measurements. Furthermore, these characteristics as well as other crucial aspects of study design are often not reported in sufficient detail to allow an informed interpretation of study results. We therefore provide recommendations for reporting the general study design, CGM system use, comparator measurement approach, testing procedures, and data analysis/statistical performance evaluation. Additionally, this review aims to serve as a foundation for the development of a standardized CGM performance evaluation procedure, thereby supporting the goals and objectives of the Working Group on CGM established by the Scientific Division of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.
The ideology of intersectionality: Historical materialist observations
Authors: Gimenez Martha E.
Published: August 2023

In this article, I argue that intersectionality, in addition to being a widely used social science analytical framework, fulfills important ideological functions in the context of capitalist social formations. It reinforces the turn toward identity politics and theorizing, thus strengthening the use of identity categories of analysis as proxies for class and, consequently, the racial, gender, ethnic, and other divisions that weaken the working class and undermine the possibility of the emergence of working class solidarity.
Theorising (with) urban China, across the border: Two sides of the same coin
Authors: Teo Shaun S.K. , Chung Calvin King Lam , Wang Zheng
Published: August 2023

Responding to the culture of exceptionalism in urban China studies, our article ‘Theorising with urban China’ proposed different ways of leveraging urban China cases to develop a more global urban theory. Such an approach is ambitious and requires further clarification. The generous accounts of four commentators generated big questions and reflections on two fronts: first, on the relationship between theorising and theorising with urban China, and second, on the practicalities of cross-border collaboration in urban China research. This response argues that theorising urban China and theorising with urban China are two sides of the same coin; and that the complementarities between empiricism and theorisation can be fulfilled through collaborations across the Chinese border.
Sarcoidosis presenting as a loss of weight with preserved appetite
Authors: Goonetilleke Asitha , Matthias Anne Thushara
Published: August 2023

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology affecting a wide range of organs and is characterised by the presence of noncaseating granulomas. It has rarely been reported in Sri Lanka. This case describes a 36-year-old male presenting with a loss of weight despite a preserved appetite. He had evidence of sarcoidosis with pulmonary, lymph node, eye, hepatosplenomegaly, thyroid and parotid gland involvement with hypercalcaemia. He was successfully treated with glucocorticoids.
Senior High School Mathematics Teachers’ Perceptions and Use of Continuous Assessment
Authors: Davis Ernest Kofi , Gbormittah Daniel
Published: August 2023

This study sought to ascertain how Senior High School mathematics teachers perceived Continuous Assessment (CA) and used CA scores. It also explored relationships between teachers’ perceptions of CA and their use of CA scores as well as the difficulties mathematics teachers faced administering CA. One hundred sixty (160) Senior High School mathematics teachers from two districts in the Central Region of Ghana participated in the study. Questionnaires were administered to the research participants in 16 Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the two districts. The data collected was analyzed, using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results from the study revealed that the participants perceived CA primarily as a means of generating grades and providing feedback. The majority of the participants used their students’ CA scores for the purpose of generating end-of-term grades. Teachers’ teaching experience and professional status were found to have effect on their perception of CA and the use of CA scores. A strong positive correlation was found to exist between teachers’ perception and their use of CA as well as their teaching experience and the use of CA scores. The implications of the findings for policy and continuous professional development of mathematics teachers have been provided.
Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Therapy in Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies
Authors: Khaity Abdulrhman , Albakri Khaled , Al-dardery Nada Mostafa , Yousef Yaman A.S. , Foppiani Jose A. , Lin Samuel J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Hypertrophic and keloid scars are abnormal tissue growth that can be disfiguring, for which the available treatment has not yielded consistent results. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the capability of Adipose tissue-derived stem cell (ADSC) therapy in treating these scars. Methods: A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception until July 2022. We included experimental studies that evaluated ADSCs as a therapy for hypertrophic and keloid scars in both in-vivo and in-vitro models. Results: Our findings extracted from 12 included studies demonstrated that ADSCs have a promising potential in reducing collagen deposition, proliferation, and migration rates of fibroblast, decreasing gene/protein expression of scar-related molecules including levels of TGF-β1 and lowering intracellular signal pathway-related molecules of hypertrophic and keloid scars in both models. However, no significant difference ( P > .05) was found in the hypertrophic scar in-vitro models in terms of DCN gene expression. Conclusion: Ultimately, the current studies included in this systematic review support the use of ADSCs to alleviate hypertrophic and keloid scars.
Current Practices and Trends of Plastic and Oncoplastic Breast Surgeons in Canada
Authors: Bitoiu Brendon , Grigor Emma , Zeitouni Camille , Arnaout Angel , Zhang Jing
Published: August 2023

Background: There is a lack of previous studies investigating oncoplastic practice trends for breast reconstruction in Canada, particularly from the plastic surgeon perspective. Given the rising popularity of oncoplastic techniques, this study aimed to identify current practice trends for breast and plastic surgeons in Canada. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study of breast and plastic surgeons performing oncoplastic surgery across Canada was conducted. Results: Ninety-five surgeons were invited to complete the survey, with 58 respondents (response rate 61%), of which 29 (50.0%) were breast surgeons and 29 (50.0%) were plastic surgeons. Compared to plastic surgeons, breast surgeons performed significantly more level 1 surgeries (27.6 vs 3.45%, P < .001). Plastic surgeons performed more level 2 (37.9% vs 13.8%, P = .0475) and level 3 (31.4% vs 10.3%, P = .00814) surgeries. Breast surgeons identified significant perceived barriers including unfamiliarity with techniques ( P = .00513), adjuvant therapy delays ( P = .00612), lack of plastic surgery support ( P < .001), lack of radiation oncology support ( P = .0485), increased OR time ( P < .001), lack of OHIP billing codes ( P < .001), and post-operative complication management ( P = .0372). Breast surgeon comfort with oncoplastic techniques was not correlated with practice duration (R-square = .037, P-value = .853). Breast surgeon comfort with contralateral surgery was not correlated with practice setting (R-square = .071, P-value = .632). Conclusions: Breast surgeons perceive a lack of training, a lack of support from plastic surgery, concerns regarding appropriate financial remuneration, and worries of increased OR time as barriers in oncoplastic surgery. Collaboration between general breast surgery and plastic surgery is needed for improving training options for oncoplastic surgery in Canada and for providing excellent breast cancer care overall.
Portal Selection for Suture Anchor Placement During Hip Arthroscopic Labral Repair: A Study Based on 3-Dimensional Model Reconstruction
Authors: Chen Qi , Zou Jiyang , Wang Fusheng , Qiao Kai , Li Han , Zhang Weiguo , Tian Kang
Published: August 2023

Background:

Arthroscopic suture repair is the main treatment option for hip labral tears; however, anchor insertion and placement from arthroscopic portals is difficult.

Purpose:

To quantitatively evaluate the safety of various arthroscopic portals for suture anchor placement during hip labral repair.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

The computed tomography scans of 20 patients with normally developed hip joints were used to create 3-dimensional models. The distances from the anchor to the articular cartilage (DAC) and from the acetabular insertion point to the cortical bone (DCB) were measured in the anterolateral portal (AL), posterolateral portal (PL), midanterior portal (MAP), medial MAP, and 3 distal anterolateral accessory portals (DALAs): DALA-proximal, DALA-middle, and DALA-distal. Labral tears were divided into anterior (4, 3, and 2 o’clock), lateral (1, 12, and 11 o’clock), and posterior (10, 9, and 8 o’clock) acetabular zones, and the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare DAC and DCB in the zones. The success rate was defined as anchors placed with DAC ≥1 mm and DCB ≥15 mm.

Results:

The DAC was significantly smaller in the AL at 1 o’clock (0.68 ± 0.32 mm; P < .001) and 12 o’clock (0.37 ± 0.30 mm; P < .001), and in the PL at 12 o’clock (-0.35 ± 0.38 mm; P < .001) and 11 o’clock (0.60 ± 0.24 mm; P < .001). The DCB was significantly smaller in the DALA-P at 3 o’clock (8.93 ± 2.12 mm; P < .001) and 11 o’clock (9.59 ± 2.84 mm; P < .001), the MAP at 12 o’clock (13.76 ± 3.89 mm; P < .001) and 11 o’clock (0.27 ± 0.27 mm; P < .001), and the MMA at 12 o’clock (5.96 ± 2.31 mm; P < .001) and 11 o’clock (0 mm; P < .001). Success rates were high for MAP and MMA between 4 o’clock and 1 o’clock, for DALA-proximal at 12 o’clock, for AL at 11 o’clock, and for PL between 10 o’clock and 8-o’clock.

Conclusion:

There were significant differences in the success rate of anchor placement using different portals during hip arthroscopic labral repair.

Clinical Relevance:

MAP is recommended for labral repair between 4 o’clock and 1 o’clock, DALA-P is recommended between 2 o’clock and 12 o’clock, AL is suitable at 11 o’clock, and PL is suitable between 10 o’clock and 8 o’clock.
Elite Consensus and Balancing: A Neoclassical Realist Perspective on Pakistan–China Ties
Authors: Larik Abdul Razaque , Mangi Shah Nawaz , Bukhari Syed Gulzar Ali Shah
Published: August 2023

Classical realism believes in the primacy of systemic pressures as independent variable and suggests states to choose appropriate balancing policies as dependent variable. However, this complex causal chain requires the role of intervening variables, which the neoclassical realist theory offers. This article employs the neoclassical realist perspective to the unexplored case of Pakistan–China ties from 1972 to 2018 presenting a causal chain that explains elite consensus as the intervening variable between the perceived Indian threat and the preference of Pakistani decision-makers for strong Pakistan–China bond. This article presents the theoretical perspective, perceived Indian threat, the balancing options available to Pakistan and elite typology. We conclude by presenting the contribution of elite consensus in Pakistan’s choice for forging closer ties with China as an appropriate balancing strategy against the perceived Indian threat specifically and external threats in general.
Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services Among Tribal Women in Empowered Action Group States in India
Authors: Algur Kisan , Bansode Balasaheb , Salve Pradeep
Published: August 2023

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) care services mainly focus on the utilization among tribal women in Empowered Action Group (EAG) states in India. For this study, the NFHS-4 (2015–2016) data were used. Analysis was performed on 54,448 women aged between 15–49, who have a child below 5 years of age, by using bivariate logistics regression, chi-squared test and the Moran-I (Univariate) statistical techniques. Results show that only 11% of tribal women accessed full Antenatal Care (ANC), and 54% of women received Postnatal Care (PNC) in EAG states. More than one-third (34%) of tribal women delivered in their homes compared to institutional delivery (66%). Women with higher education are significantly more likely to utilize ANC and have institutional delivery compared to the women with no-education. Also, mothers from the most abundant wealth status are significantly more likely to receive ANC and PNC and have institutional delivery compared to women with poorest wealth quintile. Considering the inter-EAG states comparison, state like Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are performing poorly. Hence, out of all EAG states districts almost 3–7 districts from (low–high) and 8–11 districts from (high–low) groups show negative autocorrelation or outliers to received MCH care services. Despite continuous and improving efforts of the government, the utilization of MCH services is very low among tribal women in the EAG states of India.
Lateral Opening Wedge Distal Femur Osteotomy and Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction for Recurrent Patellar Instability
Authors: Moran Thomas E. , Tagliero Adam J. , Klosterman Emma , Ramamurti Pradip , Sumpter Anna E. , Diduch David R.
Published: August 2023

Background:

A uniplanar, varus-producing distal femur osteotomy (DFO) may improve patellar tracking by effectively medializing the tibial tubercle, decreasing the Q-angle, and reducing the dislocation vector on the patella.

Indications:

A 17-year-old female with 8° of genu valgum presented with 18 months of symptomatic left knee patellar instability episodes that limit her function.

Technique Description:

A lateral subvastus approach to the distal femur was performed. Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFL-R) was conducted up to the point of femoral-sided graft fixation. A lateral opening wedge DFO was made with a sagittal saw and osteotomes, with care taken to maintain the medial cortical hinge. After distraction of the osteotomy site and femoral head allograft wedge placement, the osteotomy was secured with a lateral distal femoral locking plate. Finally, femoral-sided graft fixation for the MPFL-R was completed.

Results:

There were no immediate complications after surgery. Surgical management led to improvement of the patient's patellar instability, which allowed return to the prior baseline level of function.

Discussion/Conclusion:

The senior author's preferred technique for a lateral opening wedge DFO in association with an MPFL-R is presented. A varus-producing DFO is a surgical option for patients with genu valgum and recurrent patellar instability who have failed conservative management. This case demonstrates the efficacy of a lateral opening wedge DFO in improving patellar tracking and improving knee function by resolving recurrent patellar instability episodes.

Patient Consent Disclosure Statement:

The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.
Evaluation of a Distance Reiki Program for Frontline Healthcare Workers’ Health-Related Quality of Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Dyer Natalie L. , Baldwin Ann L. , Pharo Rosemary , Gray Feona
Published: August 2023

Background

Reiki is a biofield therapy which is based on the explanatory model that the fields of energy and information of living systems can be influenced to promote relaxation and stimulate a healing response.

Objective

To conduct a pragmatic within-subject pilot trial of a remote Reiki program for frontline healthcare workers’ health-related symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Healthcare professionals in the UK (eg, physicians, nurses, and paramedics) were eligible to sign up for a distance Reiki program and were also invited to participate in the research study. Eight Reiki practitioners simultaneously gave each participant Reiki remotely for 20 minutes on 4 consecutive days. Feasibility of the research was assessed, including recruitment, data completeness, acceptability and intervention fidelity, and preliminary evaluation of changes in outcome measures. Participants’ stress, anxiety, pain, wellbeing, and sleep quality were evaluated with 7-point numerical rating scales. Measures were completed when signing up to receive Reiki (pre) and following the final Reiki session (post). Pre and post data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed ranks tests.

Results

Seventy-nine healthcare professionals signed up to receive Reiki and took the baseline measures. Of those, 40 completed post-measures after the 4-day intervention and were therefore included in the pre-post analysis. Most participants were female (97.5%), and the mean age was 43.9 years old (standard deviations = 11.2). The study was feasible to conduct, with satisfactory recruitment, data completeness, acceptability, and fidelity. Wilcoxon signed ranks tests revealed statistically significant decreases in stress (M = −2.33; P < .001), anxiety (M = −2.79; P < .001) and pain (M = −.79; P < .001), and significant increases in wellbeing (M = −1.79; P < .001) and sleep quality (M = −1.33; P = .019).

Conclusions

The Reiki program was feasible and was associated with decreased stress, anxiety and pain, and increased wellbeing and sleep quality in frontline healthcare workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sustained remissions in CLL after frontline FCR treatment with very-long-term follow-up
Authors: Thompson Philip A. , Bazinet Alexandre , Wierda William G. , Tam Constantine S. , O’Brien Susan M. , Saha Satabdi , Peterson Christine B. , Plunkett William , Keating Michael J.
Published: August 2023

Chemoimmunotherapy with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) achieves durable remissions, with flattening of the progression-free survival (PFS) curve in patients with mutated immunoglobulin heavy chain variable gene (IGHV-M). We updated long-term follow-up results from the original 300-patient FCR study initiated at MD Anderson in 1999. The current median follow-up is 19.0 years. With this extended follow-up, the median PFS for patients with IGHV-M was 14.6 years vs 4.2 years for patients with unmutated IGHV (IGHV-UM). Disease progression beyond 10 years was uncommon. In total, 16 of 94 (17%) patients in remission at 10 years subsequently progressed with the additional follow-up compared with the patients in our prior report in 2015. Only 4 of 45 patients (9%) with IGHV-M progressed beyond 10 years. Excluding Richter transformation, 96 of 300 patients (32%) developed 106 other malignancies, with 19 of 300 (6.3%) developing therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (tMNs), which were fatal in 16 of 19 (84%). No pretreatment patient characteristics predicted the risk of tMNs. In summary, FCR remains an option for patients with IGHV-M chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), with a significant fraction achieving functional cure of CLL. A risk-benefit assessment is warranted when counseling patients, balancing potential functional cure with the risk of late relapses and serious secondary malignancies.
BRAF
V600E is associated with higher incidence of second cancers in adults with Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: Acosta-Medina Aldo A. , Kemps Paul G. , Zondag Timo C. E. , Abeykoon Jithma P. , Forma-Borst Jelske , Steenwijk Eline C. , Feijen Elizabeth A. M. , Teepen Jop C. , Bennani N. Nora , Schram Susan M. , Shah Mithun V. , Davidge-Pitts Caroline , Koster Matthew J. , Ryu Jay H. , Vassallo Robert , Tobin W. Oliver , Young Jason R. , Dasari Surendra , Rech Karen , Ravindran Aishwarya , Cleven Arjen H. G. , Verdijk Robert M. , van Noesel Carel J. M. , Balgobind Brian V. , Bouma Gerrit Joan , Saeed Peerooz , Bramer Jos A. M. , de Groen Ruben A. L. , Vermaat Joost S. P. , van de Sande Michiel A. J. , Smit Egbert F. , Langerak Anton W. , van Wezel Tom , Tonino Sanne H. , van den Bos Cor , van Laar Jan A. M. , Go Ronald S. , Goyal Gaurav , van Halteren Astrid G. S.
Published: August 2023

In this retrospective study, BRAF mutation status did not correlate with disease extent or (event-free) survival in 156 adults with Langerhans cell histiocytosis. BRAFV600E was associated with an increased incidence of second malignancies, often comprising hematological cancers, which may be clonally related.
BioLegato: a programmable, object-oriented graphic user interface
Authors: Alvare Graham , Roche-Lima Abiel , Fristensky Brian
Published: August 2023

Background

Biologists are faced with an ever-changing array of complex software tools with steep learning curves, often run on High Performance Computing platforms. To resolve the tradeoff between analytical sophistication and usability, we have designed BioLegato, a programmable graphical user interface (GUI) for running external programs.

Results

BioLegato can run any program or pipeline that can be launched as a command. BioLegato reads specifications for each tool from files written in PCD, a simple language for specifying GUI components that set parameters for calling external programs. Thus, adding new tools to BioLegato can be done without changing the BioLegato Java code itself. The process is as simple as copying an existing PCD file and modifying it for the new program, which is more like filling in a form than writing code. PCD thus facilitates rapid development of new applications using existing programs as building blocks, and getting them to work together seamlessly.

Conclusion

BioLegato applies Object-Oriented concepts to the user experience by organizing applications based on discrete data types and the methods relevant to that data. PCD makes it easier for BioLegato applications to evolve with the succession of analytical tools for bioinformatics. BioLegato is applicable not only in biology, but in almost any field in which disparate software tools need to work as an integrated system.
Nonspecific intraventricular conduction delay predicts the prognosis of dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Yuan Yong , Yang Kai , Liu Qianjun , Song Weixiang , Jin Dongsheng , Zhao Shihua
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Left bundle branch block (LBBB) has been confirmed to be independently associated with adverse outcomes in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). However, prognostic data on nonspecific intraventricular conduction delay (NSIVCD) are still limited and conflicting. We aimed to evaluate the prognosis of DCM with NSIVCD.

Methods

A total of 548 DCM patients who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) from January 2016 to December 2017 were consecutively enrolled. The cohort was divided into four groups: 87 with LBBB, 27 with RBBB, 61 with NSIVCD, and 373 without intraventricular conduction delay (IVCD). After a median follow-up of 58 months (interquartile range: 47–65), 123 patients reached the composite endpoints, which included cardiovascular death, heart transplantation, and malignant arrhythmias. The associations between different patterns of IVCD and the outcomes of DCM were analysed by Kaplan‒Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results

Of 548 DCM patients, there were 398 males (72.6%), and the average age was 46 ± 15 years, ranging from 18 to 76 years. In Kaplan‒Meier analysis, patients with NSIVCD and LBBB showed higher event rates than patients without IVCD, while RBBB patients did not. By multivariate Cox regression analysis, LBBB, NSIVCD, NYHA class, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), indexed left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDDI), percentage of late gadolinium enhancement mass (LGE%), and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were found to be independently associated with the outcomes of DCM.

Conclusions

In addition to LBBB, NSIVCD was an unfavourable prognostic marker in patients with DCM, independent of LVEDDI, NYHA class, LVEF, LGE%, and GLS.
Comparison of Bayesian Networks, G-estimation and linear models to estimate causal treatment effects in aggregated N-of-1 trials with carry-over effects
Authors: Gärtner Thomas , Schneider Juliana , Arnrich Bert , Konigorski Stefan
Published: August 2023

Background

The aggregation of a series of N-of-1 trials presents an innovative and efficient study design, as an alternative to traditional randomized clinical trials. Challenges for the statistical analysis arise when there is carry-over or complex dependencies of the treatment effect of interest.

Methods

In this study, we evaluate and compare methods for the analysis of aggregated N-of-1 trials in different scenarios with carry-over and complex dependencies of treatment effects on covariates. For this, we simulate data of a series of N-of-1 trials for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain based on assumed causal relationships parameterized by directed acyclic graphs. In addition to existing statistical methods such as regression models, Bayesian Networks, and G-estimation, we introduce a carry-over adjusted parametric model (COAPM).

Results

The results show that all evaluated existing models have a good performance when there is no carry-over and no treatment dependence. When there is carry-over, COAPM yields unbiased and more efficient estimates while all other methods show some bias in the estimation. When there is known treatment dependence, all approaches that are capable to model it yield unbiased estimates. Finally, the efficiency of all methods decreases slightly when there are missing values, and the bias in the estimates can also increase.

Conclusions

This study presents a systematic evaluation of existing and novel approaches for the statistical analysis of a series of N-of-1 trials. We derive practical recommendations which methods may be best in which scenarios.
New evidence of trends in cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults in China, 2011-2018: an age-period-cohort analysis
Authors: Guo Shuai , Zheng Xiao-Ying
Published: August 2023

Background

Increasing evidence from high-income countries suggests the risk of cognitive impairment has been declining recently. However, related studies in China have rarely been done, and the results are inconsistent. We analyze the trends in cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults in China between 2011 and 2018.

Methods

We used data from four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), including 48918 individuals aged 45 years and older. Cognitive function was assessed using the CHARLS cognitive measures containing episodic memory, orientation, attention, and visuospatial abilities. The hierarchical age-period-cohort (APC) model was used to quantify the separate age, period, and cohort effects on trends in cognitive function.

Results

The study sample’s ages ranged from 45 to 105 years (Mean = 59.2, SD = 9.4). Cognitive function declined with age net of period and cohort effects, an apparent acceleration in the rate of cognitive decline after age 65 was found adjusting for individual characteristics. Although period effects on trends in cognitive function remained stable during the study period, hierarchical APC models demonstrated significant cohort variations. Independent of age and period effects, there was a fluctuating trend across cohorts before 1960 and an overall decline across successive cohorts.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that the age effect remains the most crucial factor regarding cognitive decline. Moreover, results demonstrate that cohorts living in social upheaval leading to educational deprivation and/or nutritional deficiency in early life may face a higher risk for cognitive deterioration later in life. Such findings indicate that dementia prevention from a life course perspective and cohort-specific strategies are critical to alleviating the future public-health burdens related to cognitive aging. Ongoing attention should be paid to the role of cross-cohort differences in education on cohort trends in cognition in countries like China that are aging rapidly and have a late start in educational expansion compared to other countries. Other factors, such as environmental stimulation, need to be noticed in younger cohorts.
Study protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial assessing a multimodal machine-based exercise training programme in senior care facilities over 6 months – the bestform study (best function of range of motion)
Authors: Siegrist M. , Schaller N. , Weiß M. , Isaak J. , Schmid V. , Köppel E. , Weichenberger M. , Mende E. , Haller B. , Halle M.
Published: August 2023

Background

Physical functioning is a crucial factor for independence and quality of life in old age. The aim of the "bestform—Best function of range of motion" trial is to investigate the effects of a 6 months multimodal machine-based strength, coordination and endurance training on physical function, risk of falls and health parameters in older adults.

Methods

Bestform is a cluster-randomised trial including older adults  ≥ 65 years living in senior care facilities in Southern Germany. Senior care facilities are randomly allocated to the control group with usual care (n ≥ 10 care facilities) and to the intervention group (n ≥ 10 care facilities), overall including  ≥ 400 seniors. Residents belonging to the intervention group are offered a supervised machine-based exercise training programme twice weekly over 45–60 min over six months in small groups, while those in the usual care facilities will not receive active intervention. The primary outcome is the change in Short Physical Performance Battery over six months between groups. Secondary outcomes are change in risk of falling, fear of falling, number of falls and fall-related injuries, physical exercise capacity, handgrip strength, body composition, cardiac function, blood parameters, quality of life, risk of sarcopenia, activities of daily living, and cognition over three and six months.

Discussion

The bestform study investigates the change in physical function between seniors performing exercise intervention versus usual care over six months. The results of the study will contribute to the development of effective physical activity concepts in senior care facilities.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04207307. Registered December 2019.
The metabolic consequences of HIV/TB co-infection
Authors: Herbert Chandré , Luies Laneke , Loots Du Toit , Williams Aurelia A.
Published: August 2023

Background

The synergy between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis during co-infection of a host is well known. While this synergy is known to be driven by immunological deterioration, the metabolic mechanisms that contribute to the associated disease burden experienced during HIV/tuberculosis (TB) co-infection remain poorly understood. Furthermore, while anti-HIV treatments suppress viral replication, these therapeutics give rise to host metabolic disruption and adaptations beyond that induced by only infection or disease.

Methods

In this study, the serum metabolic profiles of healthy controls, untreated HIV-negative TB-positive patients, untreated HIV/TB co-infected patients, and HIV/TB co-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART), were measured using two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Since no global metabolic profile for HIV/TB co-infection and the effect of ART has been published to date, this pilot study aimed to elucidate the general areas of metabolism affected during such conditions.

Results

HIV/TB co-infection induced significant changes to the host’s lipid and protein metabolism, with additional microbial product translocation from the gut to the blood. The results suggest that HIV augments TB synergistically, at least in part, contributing to increased inflammation, oxidative stress, ART-induced mitochondrial damage, and its detrimental effects on gut health, which in turn, affects energy availability. ART reverses these trends to some extent in HIV/TB co-infected patients but not to that of healthy controls.

Conclusion

This study generated several new hypotheses that could direct future metabolic studies, which could be combined with other research techniques or methodologies to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these changes.
Fully automated film mounting in dental radiography: a deep learning model
Authors: Lin Yu-Chun , Chen Meng-Chi , Chen Cheng-Hsueh , Chen Mu-Hsiung , Liu Kang-Yi , Chang Cheng-Chun
Published: August 2023

Background

Dental film mounting is an essential but time-consuming task in dental radiography, with manual methods often prone to errors. This study aims to develop a deep learning (DL) model for accurate automated classification and mounting of both intraoral and extraoral dental radiography.

Method

The present study employed a total of 22,334 intraoral images and 1,035 extraoral images to train the model. The performance of the model was tested on an independent internal dataset and two external datasets from different institutes. Images were categorized into 32 tooth areas. The VGG-16, ResNet-18, and ResNet-101 architectures were used for pretraining, with the ResNet-101 ultimately being chosen as the final trained model. The model’s performance was evaluated using metrics of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. Additionally, we evaluated the influence of misalignment on the model’s accuracy and time efficiency.

Results

The ResNet-101 model outperformed VGG-16 and ResNet-18 models, achieving the highest accuracy of 0.976, precision of 0.969, recall of 0.984, and F1-score of 0.977 (p < 0.05). For intraoral images, the overall accuracy remained consistent across both internal and external datasets, ranging from 0.963 to 0.972, without significant differences (p = 0.348). For extraoral images, the accuracy consistently achieved the highest value of 1 across all institutes. The model’s accuracy decreased as the tilt angle of the X-ray film increased. The model achieved the highest accuracy of 0.981 with correctly aligned films, while the lowest accuracy of 0.937 was observed for films exhibiting severe misalignment of ± 15° (p < 0.001). The average time required for the tasks of image rotation and classification for each image was 0.17 s, which was significantly faster than that of the manual process, which required 1.2 s (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the potential of DL-based models in automating dental film mounting with high accuracy and efficiency. The proper alignment of X-ray films is crucial for accurate classification by the model.
A marked elevation in serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio may indicate pseudo-acute kidney injury due to urinary ascites: a case report and literature review
Authors: Jiang Ran , Huang Yumin , Zeng Ming , Xing Changying , Mao Huijuan , Wu Buyun
Published: August 2023

Background

Urinary ascites represents a scarcely observed pseudo-acute kidney injury in clinical settings. Protracted or missed diagnosis may hold grave ramifications for patient outcomes.

Case presentation

We reported a case involving an elderly female patient experiencing pseudo-acute kidney injury accompanied by ascites, wherein her renal dysfunction persisted despite medical intervention and hemodialysis. Urinary ascites was identified via a methylene blue test and by contrasting creatinine levels in serum and ascites. This patient’s kidney function was multiple typified by a marked elevation in serum creatinine/Cystatin C ratio (> 2 L/dL), potentially serving as a clue for the clinical diagnosis of pseudo-acute kidney injury engendered by urinary ascites.

Conclusions

This case suggested the potential diagnostic value of an asynchronous increase in serum creatinine and serum CysC (or an increased ratio of blood creatinine to blood CysC) in patients with pseudo-acute kidney injury.