bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Preference Survey Module: A Validated Instrument for Measuring Risk, Time, and Social Preferences
Authors: Falk Armin , Becker Anke , Dohmen Thomas , Huffman David , Sunde Uwe
Published: October 2022

Incentivized choice experiments are a key approach to measuring preferences in economics but are also costly. Survey measures are a low-cost alternative but can suffer from additional forms of measurement error due to their hypothetical nature. This paper seeks to leverage the strengths of both approaches by proposing a new survey module on risk aversion, time discounting, trust, altruism, positive and negative reciprocity, in which survey items are selected based on ability to predict choices in corresponding, incentivized experiments. The methodology and results provided in the paper can also potentially provide a model for researchers who have specific requirements and want to design their own modules.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Funding: The project received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7-2007-2013) [Grant 209214]. A. Falk and T. Dohmen acknowledge funding from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) [Grant CRC TR 224 (Project A01)] and Germany’s Excellence Strategy [Grant EXC 2126/1-390838866].

Supplemental Material: Data and the online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4455 .
CEO Succession Roulette
Authors: Cvijanović Dragana , Gantchev Nickolay , Li Rachel
Published: October 2022

Despite intense scrutiny from investors, markets, and regulators, many public companies have no formal succession plans. Anecdotal evidence links succession risk to significant value destruction, but there is limited academic research evaluating the effects of succession planning on chief executive officer (CEO) turnover outcomes. We provide evidence that succession planning reduces the cost of management transitions by improving their efficiency. Firms with succession plans experience not only lower uncertainty around turnover events but also a faster reduction in uncertainty over the incoming CEO’s tenure, consistent with faster learning about CEO-firm fit. Succession planning also raises the quality of the CEO-firm match, as evidenced by longer CEO tenure, and improves the board’s readiness to replace an underperforming CEO, increasing turnover performance sensitivity.

This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting.

Supplemental Material: The data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4572 .
The effects of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep quality and fatigue in patients recovering from a traumatic brain injury
Authors: O'Ceallaigh-Wong Ruairí
Published: October 2022

People recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) have long and arduous rehabilitation periods. The effects of sleep on neurorehabilitation have been discussed within the literature because of the role it plays on structural and psychological outcomes. Non-pharmacological interventions have been examined in the literature because of their effect on sleep quality and fatigue for patients recovering from a TBI, as well as their ease of use and low financial burden. With the prevalence of TBI patients in the acute neurosurgical setting, the use of non-pharmacological interventions to improve the sleep quality of TBI patients was reviewed to facilitate evidence-based practice, as well as to highlight gaps in the literature to insight further research. There is a small body of randomised controlled trials relevant to this field, which, in-part, support the use of non-pharmacological interventions as treatment for sleep quality outcomes and fatigue. While these studies consistently highlight limitations in their design, they continuously support larger-scale research that optimises problematic limitations.
Effects of service animals on Tourette syndrome: a case study
Authors: Spencer Meagan
Published: October 2022

Patients with Tourette syndrome have difficulty maintaining a good quality of life because of motor or vocal tics. Therefore, a review of current and novel interventions is needed to help clinicians and patients when choosing the best interventions for the patient's specific situation. This case study looks at the effects of a service animal on the impairment level and quality of life of a patient with Tourette syndrome. In this case, evidence-based practice includes patient perspectives, clinical expertise and a literature search. The methods used in this case study include quantitative clinician rating scales, qualitative observation and patient reporting. The patient has reported fewer vocal tics when the service dog is within the patient's vicinity and the patient can cue her kinaesthetically. In this case, there are very clear benefits to using a service dog in the treatment of Tourette syndrome.
Research Roundup
Authors: McLoughlin Alison
Published: October 2022

Alison McLoughlin provides a synopsis and brief review of recently published research articles that are of interest to neuroscience nurses, highlighting key points to keep you up to date; a full reference is provided for those who wish to read the research in more detail
Population health management and neurology services
Authors: Thomas Sue
Published: October 2022

Sue Thomas highlights how population health management and the wider determinants of health need to be considered in the new NHS landscape for future planning and delivery of health and social care services.
Somatic symptom disorder, neurology and long Covid: understanding what cannot be explained
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: October 2022

The neurological symptoms associated with long Covid are incredibly varied, with the origin of these symptoms not clearly understood among clinicians. For many, the neurological symptoms of long Covid have been linked to a form of somatic symptom disorder, with some people requiring psychiatric management. Sarah Palmer provides a summary on the nature of somatic symptom disorder and discusses a recent publication that links a diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder to the unexplained neurological symptoms in patients with long Covid.
The perioperative management of transgender patients: a knowledge gap we can no longer ignore
Authors: Flower Luke , Kamarrudin Kamilla , Lennie Yasmin , Edwardson Stuart
Published: October 2022

Recent years have seen an increase in the number of people openly identifying as transgender in the UK, with current estimates ranging between 200 000 and 600 000 individuals. There has also been an increase in the number of patients undergoing both medical and surgical gender-affirming treatment. There are several important, specific considerations that perioperative clinicians must be aware of when caring for transgender patients, including changes to the airway, potential respiratory and cardiovascular complications, and the management of hormone therapy. Alongside this, important general considerations include the correct use of patient pronouns and ensuring patients are admitted to correctly gendered wards. Despite the need for these considerations, the perioperative management of transgender patients is not covered in the Royal College of Anaesthetists' curriculum; to date, no national guidelines exist on the subject. This article discusses some of the key, specific perioperative considerations relevant to transgender patients, and highlights the need for national guidelines and improved education on the subject.
Establishing the inter-rater and test–retest reliability of the levator scapulae index in women with chronic mechanical neck pain: a reliability study
Authors: Mishra Arushi , Goyal Manu , Sharma Sunita , Kumar Parveen , Ahmed Sohel
Published: October 2022

Background/aims

The levator scapulae is an important postural muscle that tends to shorten or become tight because of overactivity and bad posture, leading to neck and shoulder pain. Therefore, it is important to measure its length to effectively address dysfunction. The aim of this study was to measure the length of the levator scapulae using the levator scapulae index and examine this tool's inter-rater and test–retest reliability in women with chronic mechanical neck pain.

Methods

A total of 130 women aged between 18 to 30 years, with a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2 and experiencing chronic mechanical neck pain, participated in this study. The length of the participants' levator scapulae was measured with a digital Vernier calliper and with the women in a standing position. Measurements were taken twice on the same day in the afternoon, with a 1 hour resting time between trials. The test–retest reliability of the levator scapulae index was measured for each participant. The procedure was repeated by two researchers after a 1-hour interval, and a mean value was obtained. Variability in body height was normalised by using the levator scapulae index (levator scapulae length [cm]/subject's height [cm]×100)

Results

Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test was used to establish the test–retest reliability (rho=0.96). Inter-rater reliability was established by intra-class correlation coefficient (rater A: 1.0, rater B: 0.98) with Cronbach's alpha (0.99).

Conclusions

The findings demonstrated the excellent reliability of the levator scapulae index for the measurement of levator scapulae length in females with chronic mechanical neck pain. This study helps to establish a reliable method for levator scapulae length measurement, which helps clinicians to plann more efficient treatment protocols for patients with chronic mechanical neck pain.
Adipose in Candyland: Diet and exercise in a pill
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: October 2022

Mark Greener looks at the latest research into the controversial topic of weight loss drugs
Code-Switching Pattern of Turkish- Russian Bilingual Ahıska Turks and Matrix Language Frame Model
Authors: İNAN Kayhan
Published: October 2022

During the 75 years following Ahıska Turks’ expatriation from their homeland in Soviet Georgia in 1944 to the Central Asian Soviet Republics, they have evolved into a multilingual society. Ahıska Turks use Turkish and Russian language pairs in their daily communication. They adopt code-switching strategies in their daily communication. Turkish-Russian code-switching pattern of Ahıska Turks was not analyzed linguistically in terms of bilingual communication. Therefore, this study aims to investigate Ahıska Turks from a different perspective. It reflects the code-switching situation by examining the Bishkek show of Miko Şov, an Ahıska Turks’ comedy group. The records were investigated based on the Matrix Language Frame Model and the pattern is divided into categories as nouns, adjectives, adpositions, verbs, and adverbs. It is determined that the same strategies were followed with other Turkic languages contacting Russian.
Feasibility of double-sided silicon-photodetector-based simultaneous X-ray and neutron detecting radiation imaging module
Authors: Kang Chang Goo , Kim Su Jin , Park Jeong Min , Choi Hyojeong
Published: October 2022

Current combined X-ray and neutron radiation imaging equipment comprises two separate radiation generators and two imaging systems and uses a single-side silicon photodetector for radiation detection. If two radiation generators and two imaging modules are merged into one generator and one imaging system, a cost-efficient and lightweight portable multi-radiation security inspection system can be developed. This study describes the development and feasibility test of a double-sided silicon-photodetector-based X-ray and neutron simultaneous X-ray and neutron detecting radiation sensor module for an X-ray and neutron merged imaging system. The feasibility of this developed radiation sensor module was confirmed using X-ray transmission and a 14-MeV neutron irradiation test. Our results confirm the successful combination of two radiation generators and two imaging modules into one generator and one imaging system, which can help in implementing a cost-efficient and lightweight portable multi-radiation security inspection.
G2Φnet: Relating genotype and biomechanical phenotype of tissues with deep learning
Authors: Zhang Enrui , Spronck Bart , Humphrey Jay D. , Karniadakis George Em
Published: October 2022

Many genetic mutations adversely affect the structure and function of load-bearing soft tissues, with clinical sequelae often responsible for disability or death. Parallel advances in genetics and histomechanical characterization provide significant insight into these conditions, but there remains a pressing need to integrate such information. We present a novel genotype-to-biomechanical phenotype neural network (G2Φnet) for characterizing and classifying biomechanical properties of soft tissues, which serve as important functional readouts of tissue health or disease. We illustrate the utility of our approach by inferring the nonlinear, genotype-dependent constitutive behavior of the aorta for four mouse models involving defects or deficiencies in extracellular constituents. We show that G2Φnet can infer the biomechanical response while simultaneously ascribing the associated genotype by utilizing limited, noisy, and unstructured experimental data. More broadly, G2Φnet provides a powerful method and a paradigm shift for correlating genotype and biomechanical phenotype quantitatively, promising a better understanding of their interplay in biological tissues.
2-Bromopalmitate decreases spinal inflammation and attenuates oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain via reducing Drp1-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Dong Zhi-Bin , Wang Yu-Jia , Cheng Meng-Lin , Wang Bo-Jun , Lu Hong , Zhu Hai-Li , Liu Ling , Xie Min
Published: October 2022

Oxaliplatin (OXA) is a third-generation platinum compound with clinical activity in multiple solid tumors. Due to the repetition of chemotherapy cycle, OXA-induced chronic neuropathy presenting as paresthesia and pain. This study explored the neuropathy of chemotherapy pain and investigated the analgesic effect of 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP) on the pain behavior of OXA-induced rats. The chemotherapy pain rat model was established by the five consecutive administration of OXA (intraperitoneal, 4 mg/kg). After the establishment of OXA-induced rats, the pain behavior test, inflammatory signal analysis and mitochondrial function measurement were conducted. OXA-induced rats exhibited mechanical allodynia and spinal inflammatory infiltration. Our fluorescence and western blot analysis revealed spinal astrocytes were activated in OXA rats with up-regulation of astrocytic markers. In addition, NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome mediated inflammatory signal cascade was also activated. Inflammation was triggered by dysfunctional mitochondria which represented by increase in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) level and manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity. Intrathecally injection of 2-BP significantly attenuated dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) mediated mitochondrial fission, recovered mitochondrial function, suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome cascade, and consequently decreased mechanical pain sensitivity. For cell research, 2-BP treatment significantly reversed tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced mitochondria membrane potential deficiency and high reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. These findings indicate 2-BP decreases spinal inflammation and relieves OXA-induced neuropathic pain via reducing Drp1-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction.
Associations of alkaline water with metabolic risks, sleep quality, muscle strength: A cross-sectional study among postmenopausal women
Authors: Chan Yoke Mun , Shariff Zalilah Mohd , Chin Yit Siew , Ghazali Sazlina Shariff , Lee Ping Yein , Chan Kai Sze
Published: October 2022

Much has been claimed on the health benefits of alkaline water including metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its features with scarcity of scientific evidence. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted to determine whether regular consumption of alkaline water confers health advantage on blood metabolites, anthropometric measures, sleep quality and muscle strength among postmenopausal women. A total of 304 community-dwelling postmenopausal women were recruited with comparable proportion of regular drinkers of alkaline water and non-drinkers. Participants were ascertained on dietary intake, lifestyle factors, anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Diagnosis of MetS was made according to Joint Interim Statement definition. A total of 47.7% of the participants met MS criteria, with a significant lower proportion of MetS among the alkaline water drinkers. The observed lower fasting plasma glucose (F(1,294) = 24.20, p = 0.025, partial η2= 0.435), triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein concentration ratio (F(1,294) = 21.06, p = 0.023, partial η2= 0.360), diastolic blood pressure (F(1,294) = 7.85, p = 0.046, partial η2= 0.258) and waist circumference (F(1,294) = 9.261, p = 0.038, partial η2= 0.263) in the alkaline water drinkers could be considered as favourable outcomes of regular consumption of alkaline water. In addition, water alkalization improved duration of sleep (F(1,294) = 32.05, p = 0.007, partial η2= 0.451) and handgrip strength F(1,294) = 27.51, p = 0.011, partial η2= 0.448). Low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (F(1,294) = 1.772, p = 0.287, partial η2= 0.014), body weight (F(1,294) = 1.985, p = 0.145, partial η2= 0.013) and systolic blood pressure (F(1,294) = 1.656, p = 0.301, partial η2= 0.010) were comparable between the two different water drinking behaviours. In conclusion, drinking adequate of water is paramount for public health with access to good quality drinking water remains a critical issue. While consumption of alkaline water may be considered as a source of easy-to implement lifestyle to modulate metabolic features, sleep duration and muscle strength, further studies are warranted for unravelling the precise mechanism of alkaline water consumption on the improvement and prevention of MetS and its individual features, muscle strength and sleep duration as well as identification of full spectrum of individuals that could benefit from its consumption.
Impact of gender mismatch on corneal graft rejection and rejection-related graft failure in repeat penetrating keratoplasty
Authors: Chuckpaiwong Varintorn , Jongkhajornpong Passara , Rajsirisongsri Pongthep , Sontichai Vachira , Nijvipakul Sarayut , Lekhanont Kaevalin
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To explore the impact of gender mismatch on corneal allograft rejection and rejection-related graft failure in patients with repeat penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Methods

A retrospective cohort was conducted at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Patients with repeat PK and follow-up period of at least 6 months were recruited. Demographic data, pre-operative ocular findings and donor information were collected. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to gender mismatch between donor and recipient (male to female vs others). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The association between risk factors and the outcomes of graft rejection and rejection-related graft failure were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

Of 68 patients with repeat PK, 26 patients (38.2%) were gender mismatched. There was no difference in 3-year rejection-free survival and graft survival between patients with gender mismatch and others (p = 0.698 and p = 0.402, respectively). Younger recipients (< 40 years) showed a significantly higher rejection rate compared to older recipients (hazard ratio; HR = 3.14, 95% confidence interval; CI 1.15 to 8.58), while patients with multiple PK (> 2 times) were found to be significantly associated with higher rejection-related graft failure compared to patients with 2 times or less PK (HR = 2.72, 95% CI 1.03 to 7.21). After multivariate analysis, only younger recipients demonstrated a statistical significance on graft rejection (adjusted HR = 2.86, 95% CI 1.04 to 7.84).

Conclusions

Gender mismatch might not impact corneal graft rejection or rejection-related graft failure in patients with repeat PK. Younger age was found to be a strong factor associated with graft rejection. Gender matching might not be compulsory for repeat PK.
A simplified model for prophylactic transarterial chemoembolization after resection for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lin Nanping , Wang Lei , Huang Qizhen , Zhou Weiping , Liu Xiaolong , Liu Jingfeng
Published: October 2022

Background

Prophylactic transarterial chemoembolization (p-TACE) is frequently conducted for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China, but the question of who could benefit from it remains controversial. Hence, we wanted to establish a nomogram model to identify patients eligible for p-TACE.

Methods

Data from HCC patients receiving R0 resection with or without p-TACE between January 2013 and December 2014 were identified, using primary liver cancer big data, to establish a nomogram model to predict overall survival (OS). Based on the model, Patients receiving R0 resection between January 2015 and December 2015 were divided into three subgroups, and survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan–Meier method and analyzed by the log-rank test among patients in each subgroup.

Results

A nomogram integrating the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, AFP, tumor diameter, and microvascular invasion was developed to predict the OS of patients with HCC receiving R0 resection, and significant differences were observed in the median OS of the subgroups of low-risk (≤20), intermediate-risk (20~120), and high-risk (>120) identified by the current model. This model showed good calibration and discriminatory power in the validation cohort and the external cohort (c-index of 0.669 and 0.676, respectively). In the external cohort, the Kaplan–Meier curves showed that p-TACE could only significantly prolong the median OS of high-risk patients (25.6 vs. 33.7 months, P<0.05), but no differences were observed in any subgroups stratified by the current staging systems (all P>0.05).

Conclusion

This readily available nomogram model could help guide decisions about p-TACE, but it needs further validation.
Dp71 and intellectual disability in Indonesian patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Iskandar Kristy , Triono Agung , Sunartini  , Dwianingsih Ery Kus , Indraswari Braghmandita Widya , Kirana Ignatia Rosalia , Ivana Gabriele , Sutomo Retno , Patria Suryono Yudha , Herini Elisabeth Siti , Gunadi
Published: October 2022

Introductions

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive progressive muscular disease marked by developmental delays due to mutations in the DMD gene, which encodes dystrophin. Brain comorbidity adds to the burden of limited mobility and significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and their family. The changes of expression of dystrophin isoforms in the brain due to DMD gene mutations are thought to be related to the cognitive and neurobehavior profiles of DMD.

Objectives

This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize cognitive and neurodevelopmental profiles of patients with DMD and to explore underlying genotype-phenotype associations.

Methods

Patients with DMD aged 5–18 years from Dr Sardjito Hospital and Universitas Gadjah Mada Academic Hospital from 2017–2022 were included. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and whole exome sequencing were used to determine mutations in the DMD genes. Cognitive function was measured by intelligence quotient testing using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and adaptive function tests with Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. The Autism Mental Status Exam and Abbreviated Conner’s Rating Scale were used to screen for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), respectively.

Results

The mean total IQ score of DMD patients was lower than that of the general population (80.6 ± 22.0 vs 100 ± 15), with intellectual disability observed in 15 boys (29.4%). Of the 51 patients with DMD, the Dp71 group had the lowest cognitive performance with a total IQ score (46 ± 24.8; p = 0.003), while the Dp427 group and Dp140 group’s total IQ scores were 83.0 ± 24.6 and 84.2 ± 17.5 respectively. There were no DMD patients with ASD, while 4 boys (7.8%) had comorbidity with ADHD.

Conclusion

Boys with DMD are at higher risk of intellectual disability. The risk appears to increase with mutations at the 3’ end of the gene (Dp71 disruption). Moreover, Dp71 disruption might not be associated with ADHD and ASD in patients with DMD.
SkiNet: A deep learning framework for skin lesion diagnosis with uncertainty estimation and explainability
Authors: Singh Rajeev Kumar , Gorantla Rohan , Allada Sai Giridhar Rao , Narra Pratap
Published: October 2022

Skin cancer is considered to be the most common human malignancy. Around 5 million new cases of skin cancer are recorded in the United States annually. Early identification and evaluation of skin lesions are of great clinical significance, but the disproportionate dermatologist-patient ratio poses a significant problem in most developing nations. Therefore a novel deep architecture, named as SkiNet, is proposed to provide faster screening solution and assistance to newly trained physicians in the process of clinical diagnosis of skin cancer. The main motive behind SkiNet’s design and development is to provide a white box solution, addressing a critical problem of trust and interpretability which is crucial for the wider adoption of Computer-aided diagnosis systems by medical practitioners. The proposed SkiNet is a two-stage pipeline wherein the lesion segmentation is followed by the lesion classification. Monte Carlo dropout and test time augmentation techniques have been employed in the proposed method to estimate epistemic and aleatoric uncertainty. A novel segmentation model named Bayesian MultiResUNet is used to estimate the uncertainty on the predicted segmentation map. Saliency-based methods like XRAI, Grad-CAM and Guided Backprop are explored to provide post-hoc explanations of the deep learning models. The ISIC-2018 dataset is used to perform the experimentation and ablation studies. The results establish the robustness of the proposed model on the traditional benchmarks while addressing the black-box nature of such models to alleviate the skepticism of medical practitioners by incorporating transparency and confidence to the model’s prediction.
Quality of life and its related psychological problems during coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Homayuni Atefeh , Hosseini Zahra , Shahabi Nahid , Ezati Rad Roghayeh , Moayedi Farah
Published: October 2022

Background

The prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has endangered the psychological health of individuals. This study aimed to assess the quality of life and its related psychological problems during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 559 citizens above the age of 16 years, in Isfahan and Bandar Abbas cities in Iran were selected with a convenient sampling method. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data, which consisted of five sections: demographic information, short health anxiety inventory (SHAI), perceived stress scale (PSS), world health organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and Padua inventory. Data were analyzed using statistical tests including t-test, path analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) using SPSS 24 and Amos 21 statistical software.

Results

A total of 559 subjects with the mean age of 37.34 ± 11.19 years participated in this study. Most of the participants were female (78.5%), married (71.6%) and employed (40.9%). The majority of them also had a bachelor’s degree (42.9%). There were significant negative correlations between perceived helplessness (r = -.597, p = .000), perceived stress (r = -.715, p = .000), risk of disease (r = -.302, p = .000), negative effect of disease (r = -.424, p = .000), health anxiety (r = -.366, p = .000), contamination obsessions (r = -.187, p = .000) and washing compulsions (r = -.193, p = .000) with quality of life. On other hand, significant positive correlation was found between perceived self-efficacy (r = .665, p = .000) and quality of life.

Conclusions

According to our findings, health anxiety, perceived stress and obsessive-compulsive disorder were negatively affected psychological health during COVID-19 which in turn decreased quality of life. Therefore, we suggest considering prevention and treatment of theses psychological problems to diminish the risk of reduced quality of life during COVID-19 global pandemic crisis.
An interactive Malaysian Childhood Healthy Lifestyle (i-MaCHeL) intervention programme to change weight-related behaviour in preschool child-parent dyads: Study protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rashid Ahmad Faezi , Wafa Sharifah Wajihah , Abd Talib Ruzita , Abu Bakar Nor Mazlina
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Unhealthy weight, especially childhood obesity, is emerging as a growing epidemic and a challenge in developed and developing countries. Partnership with parents to promote healthy lifestyle changes may have a lifelong impact on weight-related outcomes in children. This study aims to determine the efficacy of an Interactive Malaysian Childhood Healthy Lifestyle (i-MaCHeL) intervention programme to change weight-related behaviour in preschool child-parent dyads.

Materials and methods

The i-MaCHeL programme is a single-blind, theory-driven intervention, two-group cluster randomised controlled trial that evaluates the efficacy of a 3-month health promotion intervention in preschool child-parent dyads. In recognition of the value of multiple theoretical approaches, the strong theoretical basis consists of Social Cognitive Theory, Health Belief Model, and Trans-Theoretical Model principles underpinning the development of the intervention programme. In total, 460 child-parent dyads from 12 preschools in Terengganu, Malaysia, will be recruited. The children in the intervention group will expose to the i-MaCHeL classroom activities, while the parents will access the i-MaCHeL Web-based educational programme and numerous parent-child home-based online activities. The children in the control group will continue with any existing health-related activities, while the parents will receive the link to the general health newsletters. BMI z-score, dietary intake, physical activity, screen time duration, health-related quality of life, parental self-efficacy, parental role modelling, and parental policies will be assessed at baseline, 3 months’ post-baseline, and at 6 months’ follow-up (9 months’ post-baseline). General linear model repeated measure analysis will be used to determine differences between groups at the 3- and 9-month surveys with adjustment for potential covariates. Statistical analyses will follow intention-to-treat principles.

Conclusion

We hypothesise that the combination of the classroom and interactive Web-based activities will have a strong potential to be effective strategies to sustain child-parent engagement and participation in the weight-related behaviour change programme.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04711525.
Development law and growth model of dynamic pore water pressure of tailings under different consolidation conditions
Authors: Du Changbo , Jiang Xinqi , Wang Laigui , Yi Fu , Niu Ben
Published: October 2022

Tailings dams are in danger of liquefaction during earthquakes. The liquefaction process can be indirectly reflected by the evolution rule of the dynamic pore water pressure. To study the development law of dynamic pore water pressure of tailing sand under different consolidation conditions, the evolution equation of critical dynamic pore water pressure of tailings under isotropic and anisotropic consolidation conditions was derived based on the limit equilibrium theory. Moreover, the development law of dynamic pore water pressure was expounded theoretically. The dynamic triaxial tests of tailing silty sand and tailing silt under different dry densities, consolidation ratios, and confining pressures were performed. The dynamic pore water pressure ratio and vibration ratio curves of tailings under isotropic and anisotropic consolidation were analyzed, and a dynamic pore water pressure growth index model suitable for both isotropic and anisotropic consolidation was derived. The results showed that the critical dynamic pore water pressure was positively correlated with the confining pressure and average particle size of tailings under isotropic consolidation conditions. The tailings have a limit dynamic effective internal friction angle φdc under the anisotropic consolidation condition. The evolution law of critical dynamic pore water pressure can be judged according to the dynamic effective internal friction angle of tailing sand φd and φdc values. The consolidation ratio significantly affects the dynamic pore pressure growth curve while confining pressure and dry density do not. For different tailing materials, the dynamic pore water pressure ratio is positively correlated with tailing particles. The dynamic pore water pressure growth process of tailing silty sand and tailing silt can be divided into two stages: rapid and stable growths. The development law of two types of tailings can be described by the dynamic pore water pressure growth index model. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for the seismic design of tailings dams in practical engineering.
Gutka consumption and dietary partialities explaining anemia in women of a coastal slum of Karachi, Pakistan: A mixed-method study
Authors: Muhammad Ameer , Saleem Sarah , Ahmad Daniyaal , Tariq Eleze , Shafiq Yasir
Published: October 2022

Background

Limited literature is available on the dietary pattern and its consequences on health of women living in coastal slums of Karachi, Pakistan.

Material and methods

The study employed a mixed-method approach where concurrent quantitative and qualitative assessments were carried out. An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect information on demographic, household, obstetrics characteristics, and dietary pattern of married women of reproductive age (MWRA). Blood samples were collected to identify the hemoglobin level to determine anemia. For the qualitative component, focus group discussions were carried out with women and in-depth interviews with shopkeepers to understand the availability of food items at household level and in local markets respectively. In addition, observational visits were carried out at different points in time to the local market to document the availability of iron-rich foods for the community.

Results

The overall prevalence of anemia in sample population was 68.0%. Women with no formal education (AOR: 2.93 95% CI: 1.90–4.52), who consumed gutka (AOR: 2.84 95% CI: 1.81–4.46), did not eat red meat (AOR: 1.68 95% CI: 1.06–2.65), and only had seafood (AOR: 4.56 95% CI: 1.38–15.02) were more likely to be anemic as compared to their counterparts. Qualitative data revealed that any kind of meat and fruits were beyond the reach of community people due to non-affordable cost. A high percentage of women used a locally produced recreational substance known as gutka which gives them a feeling of wellbeing and suppresses hunger.

Conclusion

In our study population, lack of access to diversity of food items, illiteracy, and use of gutka are the statistically significant factors which are associated with anemia in married women of this coastal slum area. The lack of demand for diversity in food is related to poverty and preference of spending money on gutka.
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease have an increased removal rate of soluble beta-amyloid-42
Authors: Zaretsky Dmitry V. , Zaretskaia Maria V. , Molkov Yaroslav I. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: October 2022

Senile plaques, which are mostly composed of beta-amyloid peptide, are the main signature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Two main forms of beta-amyloid in humans are 40 and 42-amino acid, long; the latter is considered more relevant to AD etiology. The concentration of soluble beta-amyloid-42 (Aβ42) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF-Aβ42) and the density of amyloid depositions have a strong negative correlation. However, AD patients have lower CSF-Aβ42 levels compared to individuals with normal cognition (NC), even after accounting for this correlation. The goal of this study was to infer deviations of Aβ42 metabolism parameters that underlie this difference using data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort. Aβ42 is released to the interstitial fluid (ISF) by cells and is removed by several processes. First, growth of insoluble fibrils by aggregation decreases the concentration of soluble beta-amyloid in the ISF. Second, Aβ42 is physically transferred from the brain to the CSF and removed with the CSF flow. Finally, there is an intratissue removal of Aβ42 ending in proteolysis, which can occur either in the ISF or inside the cells after the peptide is endocytosed. Unlike aggregation, which preserves the peptide in the brain, transfer to the CSF and intratissue proteolysis together represent amyloid removal. Using a kinetic model of Aβ42 turnover, we found that compared to NC subjects, AD patients had dramatically increased rates of amyloid removal. A group with late-onset mild cognitive impairment (LMCI) also exhibited a higher rate of amyloid removal; however, this was less pronounced than in the AD group. Estimated parameters in the early-onset MCI group did not differ significantly from those in the NC group. We hypothesize that increased amyloid removal is mediated by Aβ42 cellular uptake; this is because CSF flow is not increased in AD patients, while most proteases are intracellular. Aβ cytotoxicity depends on both the amount of beta-amyloid internalized by cells and its intracellular conversion into toxic products. We speculate that AD and LMCI are associated with increased cellular amyloid uptake, which leads to faster disease progression. The early-onset MCI (EMCI) patients do not differ from the NC participants in terms of cellular amyloid uptake. Therefore, EMCI may be mediated by the increased production of toxic amyloid metabolites.
Lightweight mobile network for real-time violence recognition
Authors: Zhang Youshan , Li Yong , Guo Shaozhe
Published: October 2022

Most existing violence recognition methods have complex network structures and high cost of computation and cannot meet the requirements of large-scale deployment. The purpose of this paper is to reduce the complexity of the model to realize the application of violence recognition on mobile intelligent terminals. To solve this problem, we propose MobileNet-TSM, a lightweight network, which uses MobileNet-V2 as main structure. By incorporating temporal shift modules (TSM), which can exchange information between frames, the capability of extracting dynamic characteristics between consecutive frames is strengthened. Extensive experiments are conducted to prove the validity of this method. Our proposed model has only 8.49MB parameters and 175.86MB estimated total size. Compared with the existing methods, this method greatly reduced the model size, at the cost of an accuracy gap of about 3%. The proposed model has achieved accuracy of 97.959%, 97.5% and 87.75% on three public datasets (Crowd Violence, Hockey Fights, and RWF-2000), respectively. Based on this, we also build a real-time violence recognition application on the Android terminal. The source code and trained models are available onhttps://github.com/1840210289/MobileNet-TSM.git.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy after resuscitation from cardiac arrest in vasospastic angina: A retrospective study
Authors: Tateishi Kazuya , Kondo Yusuke , Saito Yuichi , Kitahara Hideki , Fukushima Kenichi , Takahashi Hidehisa , Yamashita Daichi , Ohashi Koichi , Suzuki Ko , Hashimoto Osamu , Sakai Yoshiaki , Kobayashi Yoshio
Published: October 2022

Patients with vasospastic angina (VSA) who are resuscitated from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) are at a high risk of recurrent lethal arrhythmia and cardiovascular events. However, the benefit of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in this population has not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to analyze the prognostic impact of ICD therapy on patients with VSA and SCA. A total of 280 patients who were resuscitated from SCA and received an ICD for secondary prophylaxis were included in the present multicenter registry. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence of VSA. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death and appropriate ICD therapy (appropriate anti-tachycardia pacing and shock) for recurrent ventricular arrhythmias. Of 280 patients, 51 (18%) had VSA. Among those without VSA, ischemic cardiomyopathy was the main cause of SCA (38%), followed by non-ischemic cardiomyopathies (18%) and Brugada syndrome (7%). Twenty-three (8%) patients were dead and 72 (26%) received appropriate ICD therapy during a median follow-up period of 3.8 years. There was no significant difference in the incidence of the primary endpoint between patients with and without VSA (24% vs. 33%, p = 0.19). In a cohort of patients who received an ICD for secondary prophylaxis, long-term clinical outcomes were not different between those with VSA and those with other cardiac diseases after SCA, suggesting ICD therapy may be considered in patients with VSA and those with other etiologies who were resuscitated from SCA.
Medical students’ perceived stress and perceptions regarding clinical clerkship during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kim Hae Won , Hong Jong Won , Nam Eun Ji , Kim Ka Young , Kim Ji Hye , Kang Jee In
Published: October 2022

Background

It is important to ensure that both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of clinical education are maintained during the pandemic. Understanding students’ views on clinical rotations and the extent of their perceived pandemic-related stress would thus be useful for designing and implementing effective clerkship programs. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate perceived stress and perceptions regarding clinical clerkship among incoming clinical students (third year) and senior clinical students (fourth year) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

After completing orientation programs at the beginning of the academic year, we surveyed students on their perceived stress, their general perspectives regarding the appropriate scope of clinical clerkship, and their preferences regarding level of participation in clerkship. We examined the differences in stress and clerkship-related perceptions based on the students’ study year and sex using independent t-test, chi-squared test, and Fisher’s exact test. In addition, the influences of stress, sex, and study year on clerkship-related perceptions were examined using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

The independent t-test indicated that third-year students experienced lower stress than did fourth-year students. Clerkship-related perceptions also differed significantly between third- and fourth-year students. Multinomial logistic regression analyses on the scope of and participation levels in clinical clerkship revealed that third-year students had significantly lower odds of preferring a limited range of clinical rotations and lower engagement in clerkships compared to fourth-year students.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected clinical education and, consequently, medical students’ inclination toward active participation in clinical rotations. It is thus essential to understand students’ views and provide them with relevant intra-pandemic educational supports.
Molecular diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis on postmortem carcasses during routine meat inspection in Benin: GeneXpert® testing to improve diagnostic scheme
Authors: Boko Cyrille K. , Zoclanclounon Ange-Régis , Adoligbe Camus M. , Dedehouanou Hebert , M'Po Marguéritte , Mantip Samuel , Farougou Souaïbou
Published: October 2022

Background and Aim: Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonotic disease of major public health importance, particularly in African countries, where control measures are limited or largely not applied. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of the currently used bovine TB diagnostic method at slaughterhouses in Benin; this is to contribute to the betterment and improvement in the epidemiological surveillance of the disease in the country.

Materials and Methods: A total of 40 tissue samples were collected from meat/viscera (lung, liver, heart, kidney, and the gastro-intestinal tract tissues) at Cotonou slaughterhouses from ruminants suspected to be infected with bovine TB during routine meat inspection. The collected samples were analyzed using GeneXpert testing technique as a reference method.

Results: Twenty-six samples tested positive out of the 40 suspected tissue samples collected by GeneXpert diagnostic technique; this shows the limitation of the routine meat inspection in detecting bovine TB as currently performed in Benin.

Conclusion: The outcome of the use of the molecular technique, therefore, supports the importance of the use of a molecular tool alongside the routine meat inspection for a better understanding of the epidemiology of bovine TB in Benin. However, more robust technical and policy efforts are needed for a sustainable implementation of such a strategy.
The Applications of Gold and Gold Nanoparticles as a Biomaterial in Dentistry - Gainful or Gimmick
Authors: Hussain Ali Sirsmith John  , Shweta K. Sedani  , Kasturi Wankhede
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Dentistry is considered an art and science, an art that involves the use as well as manipulation of various materials and science which includes the knowledge and application of these materials for the general welfare of the patient. Dentistry has evolved throughout the years through various technological advancements and the incorporation of newer materials into existing ones which have led to greater success and also better treatment options and techniques. The use of gold is not new in dentistry; it is one of the earliest used dental materials. The beneficial features of the element include anti-bacterial and antifungal properties. Gold is also one of the most biocompatible biomaterials; its use has been observed in the management of dental caries, periodontal disease, implant dentistry and also diagnosis of cancer.
The relationship between body image and anthropometric measurements among adolescent girls during menstrual and non-menstrualtime periods: a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Turker Perim Fatma , Çalışkan Hilal , Bayram Sinem
Published: October 2022

Introduction: In recent studies, it has been suggested that anxiety about body image increases during menstruation in adolescents and may affect nutritional status. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between adolescents' body images, body perceptions and anthropometric measurements during menstrual and non-menstrual time periods.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a private high school between September-November 2021. Participants were adolescent girls aged 14-18. The questionnaire included information about menstruation, anthropometric measurements, and the Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) and Stunkard Figure Rating Scale.
Results: The mean age (total=291) was 15.9(1.13) years, body mass index (BMI) was 21.13(3.33) kg/m2, waist circumference was 70.48(8.87) cm and the BCS was 97.39(24.59). The majority of students have normal BMI. However, according to waist circumference 28.5% of the them were obese (≥ 90th percentile). Difference between actual BMIs and body image in the menstrual period was significant (p<0.001), the agreement with each other was slight (K=0.172). There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between actual BMIs and body image in the non-menstrual period and the agreement with each other was moderate (K=0.474). During non-menstrual periods, 79.7% of students with normal BMI perceived their body images as normal, and 70.5% of overweight students perceived as overweight.
Conclusions: Since the menstruation is a period in which body image is perceived differently than it is, special consideration of adolescent girls in terms for eating disorders should be encouraged.