bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why, When, and in Which Patients Nonoperative Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Fails: An Exploratory Analysis of the COMPARE Trial
Authors: van der Graaff Sabine J.A. , Meuffels Duncan E. , Bierma-Zeinstra Sita M.A. , van Es Eline M. , Verhaar Jan A.N. , Eggerding Vincent , Reijman Max
Published: January 2022

Background:

The optimal treatment strategy for patients with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is still under debate. Different determinants of the need for a reconstruction have not been thoroughly investigated before.

Purpose:

To investigate why, when, and which patients with an ACL rupture who initially started with rehabilitation therapy required reconstructive surgery.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

In the Conservative versus Operative Methods for Patients with ACL Rupture Evaluation (COMPARE) trial, 167 patients with an ACL rupture were randomized to early ACL reconstruction or rehabilitation therapy plus optional delayed ACL reconstruction. We conducted an exploratory analysis of a subgroup of 82 patients from this trial who were randomized to rehabilitation therapy plus optional delayed ACL reconstruction. The reasons for surgery were registered for the patients who underwent a delayed ACL reconstruction. For these patients, we used the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee form, Numeric Rating Scale for pain, and instability question from the Lysholm questionnaire before surgery. To determine between-group differences between the nonoperative treatment and delayed ACL reconstruction group, IKDC and pain scores during follow-up were determined using mixed models and adjusted for sex, age, and body mass index.

Results:

During the 2-year follow-up of the trial, 41 of the 82 patients received a delayed ACL reconstruction after a median time of 6.4 months after inclusion (interquartile range, 3.9-10.3 months). Most reconstructions occurred between 3 and 6 months after inclusion (n = 17; 41.5%). Ninety percent of the patients (n = 37) reported knee instability concerns as a reason for surgery at the moment of planning surgery. Of these patients, 18 had an IKDC score ≤60, 29 had a pain score of ≥3, and 33 patients had knee instability concerns according to the Lysholm questionnaire before surgery. During follow-up, IKDC scores were lower and pain scores were higher in the delayed reconstruction group compared with the nonoperative treatment group. Patients in the delayed reconstruction group had a significantly younger age (27.4 vs 35.3 years; P = .001) and higher preinjury activity level compared with patients in the nonoperative treatment group.

Conclusion:

Patients who experienced instability concerns, had pain during activity, and had a low perception of their knee function had unsuccessful nonoperative treatment. Most patients received a delayed ACL reconstruction after 3 to 6 months of rehabilitation therapy. At baseline, patients who required reconstructive surgery had a younger age and higher preinjury activity level compared with patients who did not undergo reconstruction.
Exploring Employees’ After-Hour Work Communication on Public Social Media: Antecedents and Outcomes
Authors: Yue Cen April
Published: January 2022

This study focused on employees’ work-related social media use outside regular work hours and explored its antecedents and outcomes. Drawing from boundary theory and employee-organization relationship management literature, this study investigated how employees’ preference for work–family segmentation and quality employee-organization relationship affected employees’ work-related social media use. In addition, informed by the effort-recovery model, the current study proposed low psychological detachment from work and high work–family conflict as outcomes of work-related social media use. Through an online survey with 815 employees in the United States, findings of the study supported the proposed antecedents and outcomes. Specifically, employees with a stronger preference for segmenting the work from the home domain engaged less in work-related social media use, and in turn, experienced higher levels of psychological detachment from work and less work–family conflict. On the other hand, those who had high-quality relationships with their organizations reported higher engagement levels in work-related social media, which resulted in lower psychological detachment from work and higher work–family conflict.
Theophylline for Spinal Cord Injury Associated Bradycardia
Authors: Perrine Jordan A. , Barber Jacob , McKnight Roxane L. , Rowe A. Shaun
Published: January 2022

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) related bradycardia occurs frequently in patients with high cervical spine injuries. In patients with SCI-related symptomatic bradycardia, a variety of agents have been used to improve heart rate and reduce the need for vasopressor therapy. The literature concerning the use of theophylline in this disease state is sparse. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate and describe the use of theophylline for SCI-related symptomatic bradycardia. Methods: This was a retrospective case series of patients with SCI-related symptomatic bradycardia who were treated with theophylline. Patients were evaluated based on clinical response to theophylline. Patients were classified as a responder if vasopressors were discontinued or the number of bradycardia episodes decreased following the initiation of theophylline. Results: A total of twenty-six patients were included in the study. 17 (65.4%) patients were classified as responders, 5 (19.2%) patients were classified as non-responders, and 4 (15.4%) of patients were classified as undetermined. 11 patients (43.31%) were discharged on theophylline with 7 of these patients (41.2%) classified as responders. There were no significant differences between those classified as responders and those who were not. Conclusion and Relevance: This case series suggest that theophylline could be used as adjunctive therapy in patients with bradycardia secondary to acute SCI who achieve an adequate response to theophylline.
Bipyridine containing poly(amic-acid)s: Synthesis, characterization, and sorption behavior toward the Ni (II) ions
Authors: Vakili Shaghayegh , Koohmareh Gholam Ali , Malekpour Akbar
Published: January 2022

New poly(amic-acid)s sorbents, bearing bipyridine chelating groups, were synthesized by reaction of benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) with different percentages of 4,6-bis(4-aminophenyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (BAPB), and 1,4-phenylene diamine (PPD) and were characterized by FTIR and 1HNMR spectroscopies. Because of the imidization of these poly(amic-acid)s after about 10% weight loss, their thermal stability was raised to about 500°C. The glass transition temperatures of these polymers were in the range of 154–166°C. The sorption of Ni(II) by these sorbents from the aqueous solutions was investigated by varying different parameters such as the contact time, pH, and sorbent dosage. Results indicated that the optimum efficiencies of these sorbents toward Ni(II) were at 25°C, at pH = 4 and after about 75 min. According to the Langmuir equation, the maximum uptake capacity ( qm) of PAA30/70 as a best sorbent for nickel was 14.66 mg.g−1. The modeling results confirmed the pseudo-second-order sorption for the metal ion. The morphology of these sorbents before and after sorption of Ni(II) was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy and the results confirmed the porous structure of these sorbents.

[Formula: see text]
A method of straightening armoured face conveyor based on space kinematics of reserve pushing mechanism
Authors: Li Suhua , Xie Jiacheng , Wang Xuewen , Ren Fang
Published: January 2022

The straightness control of armoured face conveyor is one of the key problems in longwall mining. Aiming at the problems of less sensing information and low accuracy of straightening of armoured face conveyor, a method of straightening based on the movement laws of reverse floating connection mechanism and deep learning trajectory is proposed in VR (Virtual Reality) environment. Firstly, the spatial kinematic model of the reverse floating connection mechanism of roof support and armoured face conveyor are established with knowledge of the industrial robot, the movement laws are obtained. Secondly, SL-LSTM (Single Layer Long Short Term Memory) prediction model is established by sensitivity analysis method after super parameters are selected, and by considering the influence of sensor error and fluctuation of coal floor, the establishment method of date sets and thought of trajectory prediction are put forward. Thirdly, according to requirements for straightness of fully mechanized working face and data availability, the correction model of prediction trajectory and the trajectory-attitude transformation model are established. Finally, based on the obtained armoured face conveyor trajectory, the relative position between a roof support and the corresponding middle trough is determined after timely advancing of roof support, and then the straightening process of armoured face conveyor is realized after precise pushing of the roof support. The straightness error of the straightening method proposed in this paper is within ±0.14 cm and the straightening effect is better by experiment verification.
Methods of producing three dimensional electrospun scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: A review
Authors: Kareem Muna M , Tanner KE
Published: January 2022

Bone is a dynamic, living tissue that exists and renews itself continuously in a 3D manner. Nevertheless, complex clinical conditions require a bone substitute to replace the defective bone and/or accelerate bone healing. Bone tissue engineering aims to treat bone defects that fail to heal on their own. Electrospinning provides an opportunity to create nano- to micro-fibrous scaffolds that mimic the architecture of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) with high porosity and large specific surface area. Despite these advantages, traditional electrospun meshes can only provide a 2D architecture for cell attachment and proliferation rather than the 3D attachment in native tissue. Fabrication of 3D electrospun scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration is a challenging task, which has attracted significant attention over the past couple of decades. This review highlights recent strategies used to produce 3D electrospun/co-electrospun scaffolds for bone tissue applications describing the materials and procedures. It also considers combining conventional and coaxial electrospinning with other scaffold manufacturing techniques to produce 3D structures which have the potential to engineer missing bone in the human body.
A murine Skint6 W168X allele contributes to autoimmune disease in a transgenic model
Authors: Ju Jiyu , Wang Hui , Lian Meng , Bao Yatao , Zhang Yanyan , Xu Zhiwei
Published: January 2022

Background

The genetic factor is a great driver of systemic lupus erythematosus. A Skint6 W168X allele was previously identified in the murine lupus susceptibility rec1d1 sublocus. The purpose of this study is to investigate the pathogenic role and mechanism of the Skint6 W168X allele in lupus autoimmune disease.

Methods

The gene-editing CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to generate transgenic models with the Skint6 W168X allele. PCR and Sanger’s sequencing techniques were applied to mRNA quantification and DNA sequence detection. Flow cytometry was adopted for immunophenotyping. Pathological evaluation of kidneys and lungs was performed using several immunopathological approaches.

Results

The transgenic models with the Skint6 W168X allele were created, including B6.Skint6X/X and B6.lpr.Skint6X/X strains. The B6.lpr.Skint6X/X mice showed bigger spleen and lymph nodes, more lymphocytes and effector T cell populations, more severe nephritis with more IgG and C3 deposit in glomeruli as well as worse proteinuria, and more severe lung inflammation than control B6.lpr mice. In addition, a skint6 receptor binding Skint6 peptide was identified from T and B lymphocytes. B6.Skint6X/X mice have lower percentages of skint6 receptor+ T and B cells in spleen than B6 mice.

Conclusion

The Skint6 W168X allele in murine lupus rec1d1 sublocus was validated to be a pathogenic mutant gene and contributes to autoimmune disease through producing a truncated Skint6 peptide of binding the skint6 receptors on lymphocytes.
A Clinicopathological and Molecular Analysis of Fumarate Hydratase (FH)-deficient Renal Cell Carcinomas with Heterogeneous Loss of FH Expression
Authors: Anderson William J. , Tsai Harrison K. , Sholl Lynette M. , Hirsch Michelle S.
Published: January 2022

Aims. Fumarate hydratase (FH)-deficient renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a rare aggressive renal malignancy associated with hereditary leiomyomatosis and RCC syndrome (HLRCC). Tumors exhibiting heterogeneous (ie, patchy) FH loss by immunohistochemistry have rarely been described, may be diagnostically challenging, and have never been the focus of a study. We aimed to investigate the FH mutational status of FH-deficient RCC with heterogeneous versus complete FH loss, to characterize additional genetic drivers, and to evaluate 2SC immunohistochemistry in this setting. Methods and Results. We studied FH-deficient RCC with heterogeneous ( n = 3) and complete ( n = 4) FH loss. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on all tumors. No patients had a known history of HLRCC. All tumors had histological features within the morphologic spectrum described for FH-deficient RCC. All 7 tumors were immunoreactive for 2SC. Molecularly, all 7 tumors revealed multiple hits involving the FH locus resulting in complete loss of wild-type alleles. All tumors with heterogeneous FH loss harbored FH missense variants within domain 2 of the protein, and each had concomitant copy neutral loss of heterozygosity (CN-LOH). In complete FH loss tumors, FH alterations included splice variants with concomitant loss of heterozygosity ( n = 2) and homozygous gene deletions ( n = 2). Other non-recurrent alterations included biallelic alterations of TP53, NF2, SMAD4 and activation of PIK3CA. Conclusions. Our series highlights how heterogeneous FH loss (patchy positive staining) is an important staining pattern to recognize since it is compatible with a diagnosis of FH-deficient RCC and should prompt additional ancillary studies (confirmatory 2SC immunohistochemistry and/or molecular testing) and genetic evaluation.
Static and dynamic performances of sandwich plates with magnetorheological elastomer core: Theoretical and experimental studies
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Wenyu , Wang Qingshan , Han Qingkai , Liu Jinguo , Qin Zhaoye , Xiong Jian , Wang Xiangping
Published: January 2022

This paper investigates the static and dynamic performances of sandwich plates with magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) core, in which the MRE core includes two copper wire layers, two inner metal layers, and one MRE layer. First, based on the complex modulus method, the Jolly theory and the pre-defined magnetic coefficients, the dynamic moduli, and loss factors of MRE are assumed as a function of magnetic induction intensity. Furthermore, a theoretical model of the MRE sandwich plates (MRESPs) is proposed, which considers the internal magnetic field excitation and four types of panel materials, namely fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), fiber-reinforced polymer with carbon nanotubes (CNT-FRP), metal and fiber-metal hybrid (FMH) panels. After the deformation and energy equations are derived to solve the static bearing stiffness, dynamic stiffness, and damping parameters, some literature results are employed to provide the initial validation of the model developed. Subsequently, four MRESP specimens with the FRP, CNT-FRP, metal, and FMH panels are fabricated and measured to further verify the model as well as to evaluate the mechanical performance. The influence of critical geometric and material parameters related to MRE on static and dynamic properties is also discussed to summarize some practical conclusions for engineering applications.
Development of a CFD based parametric GUI for the design of the rectangular aerostatic thrust bearings
Authors: Gao Qiang , Qi Lizi , Gao Siyu , Zhu Min , Lu Lihua , Shi Shengyu , Zhang Feihu
Published: January 2022

The CFD method is capable to investigate the influence of the geometrical parameters of the air film and the manufacturing error on the performance of aerostatic bearings. To facilitate the CFD based design of the aerostatic bearings, a parametric GUI for analyzing the performance of aerostatic bearing is developed, by which the performance of aerostatic bearings with varying geometrical parameters and manufacturing errors can be simulated efficiently. Furthermore, as a case study, the influence of the key geometrical parameters and the manufacturing errors on the performance of rectangular aerostatic bearings is investigated, which provides guidance for the design and manufacturing process of an aerostatic stage. Finally, the experimental test was conducted to verify the simulation result.
Manifestations of wisdom in ancient China: An analysis of theZhinang Quanji
Authors: Xiong Mimi , Wang Fengyan
Published: January 2022

This study aims to use summarizing content analysis and descriptive analysis to examine features related to wisdom in Zhinang Quanji, a collection of classical Chinese wisdom stories by 17th-century writer Feng Menglong, so as to investigate the real-life manifestations of wisdom of ancient Chinese. The results are as follows: (1) the wisdom of ancient Chinese is mainly manifested in 20 different kinds of events. Among these, the following are the five instances of wisdom that appear most frequently: (a) act resourcefully and calmly as the situation demands to deal with emergencies; (b) assist those in a higher position (especially through admonishment or remonstration); (c) take note of even the finest detail and wisely settle disputes; (d) when in bureaucratic circles, clearly analyze the situation and plan far ahead; and (e) on the battlefield, ascertain the mentality of the enemy force, take them by surprise, and overcome them. (2) A total of 932 wise characters are included in Zhinang Quanji. Here, several characteristics are commonly found, including dominant maleness, numerical minority of persons aged under 18 and above 60, and predominance of characters who possess human wisdom. The current findings can provide a useful framework for understanding the manifestation of wisdom in concrete life contexts, thus helping us to better understand and grasp the meaning and nature of wisdom.
Examining high school student perceptions of physical education
Authors: Murfay Ken , Beighle Aaron , Erwin Heather , Aiello Erin
Published: January 2022

The current case study was designed to seek out incoming high school students’ perceptions of physical education (PE) and how students felt former PE teachers influenced their perceptions. The study was conducted at a high school in the United States and included semi-structured focus group interviews of 25 students. The results indicated that students have a mix of positive and negative perceptions of PE and reported that the purpose of PE was to participate in physical activity (PA) and learn how to live a healthy lifestyle through fun and meaningful experiences (theme 1). A fun and meaningful PE experience included learning how to live a healthy lifestyle, experiencing success in a variety of physical activities, and engaging socially with other peers (theme 2). The majority of students stated that their teachers controlled the factors that influenced their level of enjoyment in PE (theme 3). Students recognized that these activities and their teachers’ actions influenced their interpretations of their PA experiences in PE. Students reported that these perceptions could influence their future participation in PA. Based on the results of the study, PE has the potential to provide students with positive experiences with PA that encourage individual competence over social comparison. This, combined with meaningful content that is based on PE standards and students’ personal interests, can help to develop positive student perceptions of PE and increase students’ participation in PA.
Adaptive Empathy: A Model for Learning Empathic Responses in Response to Feedback
Authors: Shamay-Tsoory Simone G. , Hertz Uri
Published: January 2022

Empathy is usually deployed in social interactions. Nevertheless, common measures and examinations of empathy study this construct in isolation from the person in distress. In this article we seek to extend the field of examination to include both empathizer and target to determine whether and how empathic responses are affected by feedback and learned through interaction. Building on computational approaches in feedback-based adaptations (e.g., no feedback, model-free and model-based learning), we propose a framework for understanding how empathic responses are learned on the basis of feedback. In this framework, adaptive empathy, defined as the ability to adapt one’s empathic responses, is a central aspect of empathic skills and can provide a new dimension to the evaluation and investigation of empathy. By extending existing neural models of empathy, we suggest that adaptive empathy may be mediated by interactions between the neural circuits associated with valuation, shared distress, observation-execution, and mentalizing. Finally, we propose that adaptive empathy should be considered a prominent facet of empathic capabilities with the potential to explain empathic behavior in health and psychopathology.
Phonological abstraction before lexical access: New evidence from rime priming
Authors: Dufour Sophie , Fléchard Lucie , Nguyen Noël
Published: January 2022

In this study, we focused on the rime priming effect and examined whether the frequency of rimes influences the size of the effect. Using the lexical decision task, we observed that the rime priming effect interacted with rime frequency with a stronger priming effect when the target words contained low-frequency rimes, in comparison with target words containing high-frequency rimes. Moreover, for both target words with low- and high-frequency rimes, a priming effect of similar magnitude was observed whether the primes and targets were pronounced by the same speaker or by different speakers. All together, these findings provide additional support for all the studies that plead for the existence of prelexical units and, in a more general way, for phonological abstraction prior to lexical access.
The stress hyperglycemia ratio predicts early hematoma expansion and poor outcomes in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Chu Heling , Huang Chuyi , Tang Yuping , Dong Qiang , Guo Qihao
Published: January 2022

Background:

Different from diabetic hyperglycemia, stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH) can better reflect elevated blood glucose owing to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, studies about the outcome of ICH patients with SIH are still very limited.

Aims:

This study aimed to investigate whether SIH measured by stress-induced hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) was associated with hematoma expansion and poor outcomes in patients with ICH.

Methods:

A consecutive series of patients with spontaneous ICH from two clinical centers admitted within 24 h after symptom onset were enrolled for prospective analysis. SHR was defined as admission fasting blood glucose divided by estimated average glucose [1.59 × Hemoglobin A1c (%) − 2.59]. This study investigated the association between SHR and hematoma expansion, and short-term and long-term poor outcomes using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results:

A total of 313 ICH patients were enrolled in the study. SHR was markedly higher in patients with hematoma expansion and poor outcomes ( p < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated SHR independently associated with hematoma expansion ( p < 0.001) and poor outcomes, including secondary neurological deterioration within 48 h, 30-day mortality, and 3-month poor modified Rankin Scale (mRS 4–6) ( p < 0.001), while the blood glucose only predicted 30-day mortality. Meanwhile, the diagnostic accuracy of SHR exhibited by area under the curve in receiver operating characteristic analysis was statistically equal to or higher than the well-known predictors.

Conclusion:

SHR is a reliable predictor for early hematoma expansion and poor outcomes in patients with ICH.
Concurrent placement of SpaceOAR gel and gold fiducials during HoLEP: a case report
Authors: Ganesh Meera B. , Kaplunov Briana S. , Lee Matthew S. , Assmus Mark A. , Ross Ashley E. , Coleman Joy , Krambeck Amy E.
Published: January 2022

Herein, we describe a case of a patient diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and elevated Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). He underwent Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) for his severe LUTS with concurrent placement of SpaceOAR gel and gold fiducials in preparation for radiation therapy (RT). After a successful operation, the patient underwent same-day discharge and catheter removal. He regained continence at 2 weeks and started RT at 9 weeks post-HoLEP. We present that concurrent placement of fiducials and SpaceOAR during HoLEP appears to be feasible, well tolerated and effective for PCa patients who elect RT.
A Novel Plating System for First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis: A Retrospective Comparison of Hybrid and Traditional Locking Plate Constructs
Authors: Elattar Osama , Andrews Nicholas A. , Halstrom Jared , Harrelson Whitt M. , Nair Pallavi , Shah Ashish
Published: January 2022

Background

Dorsal plate fixation is commonly used for first metatarsophalangeal joint (1st MTPJ) arthrodesis and plate design continues to evolve. A new staple compression plate (SCP) design attempts to utilize the continuous compression of a nitinol staple across the fusion site while simultaneously providing the stability of a dorsal locked plate. Herein, we compare the radiographic, clinical, and patient-reported outcomes of 1st MTPJ joint arthrodesis using 2 dorsal locking plate constructs including a novel SCP construct.

Methods

Forty-four patients who underwent 1st MTPJ arthrodesis between 2016 and 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. There were 2 group cohorts. Group 1 cohort included 23 patients who received a CrossRoads Extremity SCP, and Group 2 cohort included 21 patients who received a Stryker dorsal locking precontoured titanium plate (LPP). All patients were evaluated with radiographs, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures Information System (PROMIS) outcome scores, and Foot Function Index (FFI).

Results

The complication and union rates did not vary between groups with a fusion rate of 95.7% in the SCP group and 90.5 % in the LPP group. Similarly, we found no significant differences in PROMIS or FFI scores between the SCP and LPP plates.

Conclusion

Use of either dorsal locking plate construct for 1st MTPJ arthrodesis was associated with high union rates and comparable functional outcomes. As locked plate technology continues to evolve for 1st MTPJ arthrodesis, it is important that clinical outcomes are reported.

Levels of Evidence:

Level IV
Alternative data and sentiment analysis: Prospecting non-standard data in machine learning-driven finance
Authors: Hansen Kristian Bondo , Borch Christian
Published: January 2022

Social media commentary, satellite imagery and GPS data are a part of ‘alternative data’, that is, data that originate outside of the standard repertoire of market data but are considered useful for predicting stock prices, detecting different risk exposures and discovering new price movement indicators. With the availability of sophisticated machine-learning analytics tools, alternative data are gaining traction within the investment management and algorithmic trading industries. Drawing on interviews with people working in investment management and algorithmic trading firms utilizing alternative data, as well as firms providing and sourcing such data, we emphasize social media-based sentiment analytics as one manifestation of how alternative data are deployed for stock price prediction purposes. This demonstrates both how sentiment analytics are developed and subsequently utilized by investment management firms. We argue that ‘alternative data’ are an open-ended placeholder for every data source potentially relevant for investment management purposes and harnessing these disparate data sources requires certain standardization efforts by different market participants. Besides showing how market participants understand and use alternative data, we demonstrate that alternative data often undergo processes of (a) prospecting (i.e. rendering such data amenable to processing with the aid of analytics tools) and (b) assetization (i.e. the transformation of data into tradable assets). We further contend that the widespread embracement of alternative data in investment management and trading encourages a financialization process at the data level which raises new governance issues.
Development and Internal Validation of the Postoperative Analgesic Intake Needs Score: A Predictive Model for Post-Operative Narcotic Requirement after Spine Surgery
Authors: Johnson Zachary D. , Connors Scott W. , Christian Zachary , Badejo Olatunde , Adeyemo Emmanuel , Pernik Mark N. , Barrie Umaru , Caruso James P. , Kafka Benjamin , Neeley Om J , Hall Kristen , El Ahmadieh Tarek Y , Dahdaleh Nader S , Reisch Joan S. , Aoun Salah G. , Bagley Carlos A.
Published: January 2022

Study Design

Retrospective Cohort.

Objective

The aim of this study was to develop a clinical tool to pre-operatively risk-stratify patients undergoing spine surgery based on their likelihood to have high postoperative analgesic requirements.

Methods

A total of 1199 consecutive patients undergoing elective spine surgery over a 2-year period at a single center were included. Patients not requiring inpatient admission, those who received epidural analgesia, those who had two surgeries at separate sites under one anesthesia event, and those with a length of stay greater than 10 days were excluded. The remaining 860 patients were divided into a derivation and validation cohort. Pre-operative factors were collected by review of the electronic medical record. Total postoperative inpatient opioid intake requirements were converted into morphine milligram equivalents to standardize postoperative analgesic requirements.

Results

The postoperative analgesic intake needs (PAIN) score was developed after the following predictor variables were identified: age, race, history of depression/anxiety, smoking status, active pre-operative benzodiazepine use and pre-operative opioid use, and surgical type. Patients were risk-stratified based on their score with the high-risk group being more likely to have high opioid consumption postoperatively compared to the moderate and low-risk groups in both the derivation and validation cohorts.

Conclusion

The PAIN Score is a pre-operative clinical tool for patients undergoing spine surgery to risk stratify them based on their likelihood for high analgesic requirements. The information can be used to individualize a multi-modal analgesic regimen rather than utilizing a “one-size fits all” approach.
Apophysitis Among Male Youth Soccer Players at an Elite Soccer Academy Over 7 Seasons
Authors: Gudelis Mindaugas , Perez Luis Til , Cabello Javier Trujillano , Leal Daniel Medina , Monaco Mauricio , Sugimoto Dai
Published: January 2022

Background:

Apophyseal injuries are common in children and adolescent athletes. These injuries are believed to be caused by repetitive overloading, which can create inflammatory and degenerative conditions in growing bone prominences. However, their prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment in young soccer players have been understudied.

Purpose:

To evaluate characteristics of apophyseal injuries in adolescent athletes at an elite soccer academy.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

All apophyseal injuries between July 2008 and June 2015 were evaluated. For each injury, the authors recorded the type and location, age of the player, injury date, imaging modalities, and time absent from training/competition.

Results:

Over the 7 seasons of this study, 210 apophyseal injuries were documented, including 172 simple apophyseal injuries and 38 apophyseal avulsion fractures. The rate of apophyseal injuries was 0.35 per 1000 hours of training exposure. A total of 196 (93.3%) cases were primary injuries, and the rest (6.7%) were reinjuries. Ultrasonography was the most commonly used imaging modality for diagnosis (172 cases; 81.9%). The most common location of apophyseal injuries was the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS). Return to sport was faster in athletes with apophyseal injury at the ischiopubic ramus, those with simple apophyseal injuries, and younger athletes.

Conclusion:

The most common location for apophyseal injury among soccer players was the AIIS. Return to training and competition differed according to injury location, type of apophyseal injury, and age.
Disparate Impacts of Performance Funding Research Incentives on Research Expenditures and State Appropriations
Authors: Hu Xiaodan , Ortagus Justin C. , Voorhees Nicholas , Rosinger Kelly , Kelchen Robert
Published: January 2022

Performance-based funding (PBF) policies with research incentives have grown in popularity over the years despite little understanding regarding whether they actually work. This study leverages a novel national data set to examine the impact of PBF research incentives on the research expenditures and total state appropriations among public 4-year institutions, with a particular focus on minority-serving institutions. We find that PBF research incentives had no impact on the total amount or relative share of total research expenditures or the total amount of state appropriations allocated to treated institutions, regardless of minority-serving institution status. PBF policies that allowed institutions to self-select or opt into including research incentives as part of their PBF formula had a positive impact on the relative share of expenditures allocated to research and total state appropriations.
Vertical ground-motion prediction equation and the vertical-to-horizontal spectral ratio for crustal earthquakes in Taiwan
Authors: Phung Van-Bang , Abrahamson Norman A , Huang Bor-Shouh , Loh Chin Hsiung
Published: January 2022

We develop a ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) for estimating the vertical ground motion amplitudes for crustal earthquakes in Taiwan. The data set used for the development includes strong-motion recordings mainly from Taiwan earthquakes (M3.5–7.6) and supplemented with large-magnitude earthquakes (M6.5–7.9) from other regions in the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) next generation attenuation (NGA)-West2 database. The functional form of the GMPE is similar to that of Phung et al. developed for the horizontal component (P20). The GMPE provides median and standard deviations of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and 5% damped pseudo spectral acceleration response ordinates of the orientation-independent average horizontal component of ground motion (RotD50) for the spectral period of 0.01–10 s. The vertical ground motion developed in this study can be paired with the P20 horizontal component model to estimate a vertical-to-horizontal (V/H) ratio that is unbiased. In the vertical component, we observe significant nonlinear site effects in the period of about 0.2–0.5 s, moderate nonlinear site effects in the period of about 0.01–0.04 s, and small nonlinear site effects in the period of about 0.05–0.075 s. Compared to our horizontal GMPE, anelastic attenuation is faster, VS30-scaling is reduced, and nonlinear site response is weaker for the vertical component.
Biomarkers to identifyMycobacterium tuberculosisinfection among borderline QuantiFERON results
Authors: Uzorka Jonathan W. , Bakker Jaap A. , van Meijgaarden Krista E. , Leyten Eliane M.S. , Delfos Nathalie M. , Hetem David J. , Kerremans Jos , Zwarts Mieke , Cozijn Sandra , Ottenhoff Tom H.M. , Joosten Simone A. , Arend Sandra M.
Published: January 2022

Background

Screening for tuberculosis (TB) infection often includes QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT) testing. Previous studies showed that two-thirds of patients with negative QFT results just below the cut-off, so-called borderline test results, nevertheless had other evidence of TB infection. This study aimed to identify a biomarker profile by which borderline QFT results due to TB infection can be distinguished from random test variation.

Methods

QFT supernatants of patients with a borderline (≥0.15 and <0.35 IU·mL−1), low-negative (<0.15 IU·mL−1) or positive (≥0.35 IU·mL−1) QFT result were collected in three hospitals. Bead-based multiplex assays were used to analyse 48 different cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. A prediction model was derived using LASSO regression and applied further to discriminate QFT-positiveMycobacterium tuberculosis-infected patients from borderline QFT patients and QFT-negative patients

Results

QFT samples of 195 patients were collected and analysed. Global testing revealed that the levels of 10 kDa interferon (IFN)-γ-induced protein (IP-10/CXCL10), monokine induced by IFN-γ (MIG/CXCL9) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in the antigen-stimulated tubes were each significantly higher in patients with a positive QFT result compared with low-negative QFT individuals (p<0.001). A prediction model based on IP-10 and MIG proved highly accurate in discriminating patients with a positive QFT (TB infection) from uninfected individuals with a low-negative QFT (sensitivity 1.00 (95% CI 0.79–1.00) and specificity 0.95 (95% CI 0.74–1.00)). This same model predicted TB infection in 68% of 87 patients with a borderline QFT result.

Conclusions

This study was able to classify borderline QFT results as likely infection-related or random. These findings support additional laboratory testing for either IP-10 or MIG following a borderline QFT result for individuals at increased risk of reactivation TB.
Hypnosis for the management of COPD-related anxiety and dyspnoea in pulmonary rehabilitation: rationale and design for a cluster-randomised, active-control trial (HYPNOBPCO_2)
Authors: Anlló, Hernán , Herer Bertrand , Delignières Agathe , Ghergan Adelina , Bocahu Yolaine , Segundo Isabelle , Moulin Cécile , Larue François
Published: January 2022

Complementary psychological care is recommended for COPD, as it significantly reduces anxiety and boosts the pulmonary rehabilitation efficacy. In a precedent trial (HYPNOBPCO_1,ISRCTN10029862), administering a single hypnosis session was linked to reduced anxiety and improved breathing mechanics in intermediate and advanced COPD patients. However, whether hypnosis could improve self-management of anxiety and dyspnoea in COPD during pulmonary rehabilitation is yet to be investigated.

This is the protocol for HYPNOBPCO_2, a 2-arm, cluster-randomised, statistician-blinded superiority monocentre trial (NCT04868357). Its aim is to assess the efficacy of hypnosis as a tool to manage anxiety and dyspnoea during a pulmonary rehabilitation programme (PRP). Clusters of COPD patients eligible for the conventional hospital-based PRP at the Centre Hospitalier de Bligny (CHB) will be randomised and evenly allocated into two parallel arms: “Hypnosis” (treatment) and “Relaxation” (active control). “Hypnosis” will consist of the CHB's conventional 4-week group PRP, supplemented by two educational sessions for teaching self-hypnosis. “Relaxation” will be identical, except standard relaxation exercises will be taught instead. Primary end-point will consist of assessing weekly changes in anxiety throughout the PRP, additional to total anxiety change after treatment completion. Anxiety will be determined by the six-item version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6). Secondary outcomes will include change in the 6-min walk test and the COPD assessment test (CAT). Further follow-up outcomes will include CAT and STAI-6 retests, re-hospitalisation rate, action plan use and persistence in self-hypnosis use, throughout the 12 weeks ensuing PRP completion.
Using copepods to develop a didactic strategy for teaching species concepts in the classroom
Authors: Gomes Camila Moraes , Sodré Davidson , da Costa Rauquírio Marinho , Magalhães André , do Rosário Renata Furtado , Ferrari Stephen Francis , Gomes Grazielle Fernanda Evangelista , Sampaio Iracilda , Vallinoto Marcelo
Published: January 2022

While there is little doubt that the species is the lowest independent evolutionary unit, understanding the many different species concepts is a difficult task, even for university students. In the present study, we propose a didactic sequence that involves fieldwork, laboratory analyses, experimental cultures, and computational work in an integrated strategy for the comprehension of the phenetic, ecological, biological, and phylogenetic species concepts. This activity is based on the observation of the morphological, ecological, biological, and phylogenetic characteristics of samples of two copepod crustaceans, Acartia tonsa Dana, 1849 and Acartia lilljeborgi Giesbrecht, 1889 (Copepoda, Calanoida). These species were the focus of a simple practical that contributes to the effective comprehension of the four species concepts mentioned above, using straightforward methods that can be standardized easily in the laboratory and classroom. The practical activities developed for the didactic sequence presented here not only made the classes more interesting and motivational, but also contributed to the more effective assimilation of the content, as well as the more effective consolidation of the knowledge presented in the class. It is important to note that these activities can be developed at different educational levels (i.e., undergraduate and graduate students), and can be applied to other types of organism (e.g., amphibians, insects or other copepods), as long as their characteristics are adequate for the systematic exploration of the four species concepts included here.
Poor reporting quality of observational clinical studies comparing treatments of COVID-19 – a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Ziemann Sebastian , Paetzolt Irina , Grüßer Linda , Coburn Mark , Rossaint Rolf , Kowark Ana
Published: January 2022

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific world is in urgent need for new evidence on the treatment of COVID patients. The reporting quality is crucial for transparent scientific publication. Concerns of data integrity, methodology and transparency were raised. Here, we assessed the adherence of observational studies comparing treatments of COVID 19 to the STROBE checklist in 2020.

Methods

Design: We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Setting: We conducted a systematic literature search in the Medline database. This study was performed at the RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Department of Anaesthesiology Participants: We extracted all observational studies on the treatment of COVID-19 patients from the year 2020. Main outcome measures: The adherence of each publication to the STROBE checklist items was analysed. The journals’ impact factor (IF), the country of origin, the kind of investigated treatment and the month of publication were assessed.

Results

We analysed 147 observational studies and found a mean adherence of 45.6% to the STROBE checklist items. The percentage adherence per publication correlated significantly with the journals’ IF (point estimate for the difference between 1st and 4th quartile 11.07%, 95% CI 5.12 to 17.02, p < 0.001). U.S. American authors gained significantly higher adherence to the checklist than Chinese authors, mean difference 9.10% (SD 2.85%, p = 0.023).

Conclusions

We conclude a poor reporting quality of observational studies on the treatment of COVID-19 throughout the year 2020. A considerable improvement is mandatory.
Identification of an ACK1/TNK2-based prognostic signature for colon cancer to predict survival and inflammatory landscapes
Authors: Kong Defeng , Li Guoliang , Yang Zhenrong , Cheng Shujun , Zhang Wen , Feng Lin , Zhang Kaitai
Published: January 2022

Activated Cdc42-associated kinase 1 (ACK1), a kind of tyrosine kinase, is considered to be an oncogene in many cancers, and it is likely to become a potential target for cancer treatment. We found that the expression of the ACK1 gene in colon cancer was higher than that in normal tissues adjacent to cancer, and high expression of the ACK1 gene was associated with poor prognosis of patients. We assessed the prognosis of colon cancer based on ACK1-related genes and constructed a model that can predict the prognosis of colon cancer patients in colon cancer data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We then explored the relationship between ACK1 and the immune microenvironment of colon cancer. The overexpression of ACK1 might hinder the function of antigen-presenting cells. The colon cancer prognosis prediction model we constructed has certain significance for clinicians to judge the prognosis of patients with colon cancer. The expression of the ACK1 gene might affect the infiltration level of a variety of immune cells and immunomodulators in the immune microenvironment.
Attitudes of polish nurses towards representatives of certain religions
Authors: Zalewska-Puchała Joanna , Bodys-Cupak Iwona , Majda Anna
Published: January 2022

Background

The verification of attitudes of nurses towards people of different religions is essential when it comes to anticipating opportunities for cooperation in the field of provision of healthcare. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the attitudes of Polish nurses, on the example of nurses living in the Lesser Poland region (southern Poland) towards representatives of certain religions.

Methods

The study was cross-sectional and was carried out using both the diagnostic survey and method of estimation. The selection of the study group was purposeful. The research tools used in the study include the Bogardus’ Social Distance Scale adapted by Jasińska-Kania and Staszyńska; Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) by Sidanius and Pratto; Social Approbation Questionnaire by Drwal and Wilczyńska and Author’s questionnaire. A significance level of 0.05 was assumed in the analyzes. The research was carried among 1271 professionally active nurses.

Results

The respondents showed the least significant social distance towards the Orthodox and Protestants and the most significant towards the Muslims. There was a considerable dependence when it comes to the level of the social distance of the respondents shown on sociodemographic variables and frequency of contact with Others, provision of healthcare to people of different religions, and training on transcultural nursing. The relationship between SDO and the modified Bogardus Scale has been shown. All subscales of the Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) correlated significantly and negatively with the Bogardus scale.

Conclusions

The study outcomes show that there is a need to train nurses on transcultural nursing.