bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex Cervicomedullary Junction Malformation and Hypoplastic Cerebellar Tonsils following Fetal Repair of Myelomeningocele: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Gillespie Conor , Hall Benjamin , Mahmood Nasim , Pettorini Benedetta
Published: August 2020

Background: Following the publication of the Management of Myelomeningocele study (MOMS), fetal repair of myelomeningocele (MMC) has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. However, limited case presentations exist illustrating the potential mechanical and embryological effects of fetal repair. We present a unique case report of a complex embryological cervicomedullary junction (CMJ) malformation and cerebellar hypoplasia following fetal repair of MMC. Case Description: A 1-day-old female was referred to the paediatric neurosurgical team after having successful surgical intrauterine closure of MMC abroad at 25 weeks gestation. The patient was born by emergency caesarean section at 33 weeks gestation and had a ventricular-peritoneal shunt inserted at 25 days old due to resulting hydrocephalus. Neonatal MRI scans revealed a complex number of malformations that included a split cord located at the CMJ, hypoplasia of the cerebellum and vermis, and a Chiari type II malformation. Conclusion: It is possible that the clefting of the upper cervical spinal cord was undetected at preoperative MRI; however, this is unlikely given the antenatal images. It is our hypothesis that the malformation may have exhibited mechanical change after the repair, as the preoperative MRI showed only a Chiari II malformation without any of the complex abnormalities being present and the split cord was already there but not obvious. There are no existing reports of such a complex malformation following antenatal surgery in the literature. This should be further explored as more cases and trials become available.
Egocentric and Allocentric Spatial Cognition in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Hashimoto Ritsuo , Uechi Momoko , Komori Noriyo
Published: August 2020

Background: Topographical disorientation is one of the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The nature of this symptom, however, remains unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate egocentric and allocentric spatial cognition in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and early AD. Participants and Methods: The participants consisted of normal healthy volunteers (n = 23), patients with aMCI (n = 26), and patients with early AD (n = 22). We administered the card placing test (CPT), in which a subject was required to recreate an array of 3 cards, each of which was randomly placed on 8 grids around the individual, before (part A) and after (part B) the individual’s rotation. With this design, the CPT can reveal an individual’s ability to represent spatial information either egocentrically (CPT-A) or allocentrically (CPT-B). A qualitative analysis of errors in performing the CPT was also conducted. Results: Compared with the controls, the aMCI patients showed significantly poorer CPT-B performance, while there was no significant difference in CPT-A performance between these 2 groups. In contrast, the AD patients demonstrated significantly poorer performance on both the CPT-A and CPT-B than the controls and aMCI patients. There was no significant difference in the profile of errors on the CPT-B between the controls and aMCI patients, whereas there was a notable difference in those on the CPT-A between the controls and AD patients and the aMCI and AD patients. Conclusion: Allocentric spatial cognition is selectively impaired in aMCI patients, while an egocentric spatial cognition is additionally impaired in AD patients.
Inter- and Intraobserver Agreement in First Trimester Ultrasound Evaluation of Placental Biometry
Authors: Trilla Cristina , Medina Maria C. , Parra Juan , Llurba Elisa , Espinós Juan José
Published: August 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical applicability of a new analytical software program by determining the inter- and intraobserver agreement for 2D placental biometry and three-dimensional (3D) placental volume (PV) in the first trimester. Methods: A prospective study of 25 singleton pregnancies between 11 and 14 weeks was conducted. 3D datasets were captured, and PV was estimated using the Phillips QLAB GI3DQ ultrasound quantification software. The basal plate (BP), chorionic plate (CP), placental thickness (PT), and the free uterine surface (FUS) area not occupied by placenta were considered for 2D biometry evaluation. Each variable was measured in 2 orthogonal planes with mean values used for the analysis. Intra- and interobserver agreement was evaluated. Results: Intraobserver agreement for both 2D and 3D measurements was high, particularly for the PV and PT (interclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.989 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97–0.99] and ICC 0.936 [95% CI 0.86–0.97], respectively). Interobserver agreement was good for the PV (ICC 0.963 [95% CI 0.91–0.98]), PT (ICC 0.822 [95% CI 0.63–0.91]), and CP (ICC 0.708 [95% CI 0.44–0.86]), but moderate for BP and FUS. Conclusions: PV, PT, and CP are reproducible measurements to evaluate first trimester placental biometry. Further research is needed to assess the clinical utility of these variables as predictors of poor obstetric outcomes.
Association of Resting Heart Rate With Blood Pressure and Incident Hypertension Over 30 Years in Black and White Adults
Authors: Colangelo Laura A. , Yano Yuichiro , Jacobs David R. , Lloyd-Jones Donald M.
Published: August 2020

Few studies have assessed the association of resting heart rate (RHR) through young adulthood with incident hypertension by middle age. We investigated the association between RHR measured over 30 years with incident hypertension in a cohort of young Black and White men and women. A joint longitudinal time-to-event model consisting of a mixed random effects submodel, quadratic in follow-up time, and a survival submodel adjusted for confounders, was used to determine hazard ratios for a 10 bpm higher RHR. Race-sex specific effects were examined in a single joint model that included interactions of race-sex groups with longitudinal RHR. Out of 5115 participants enrolled in year 0 (1985–1986), after excluding prevalent cases of hypertension at baseline, 1615 men and 2273 women were included in the analytic cohort. Hypertension event rates per 1000 person-years were 42.5 and 25.7 in Black and White men, respectively, and 36.2 and 15.3 in Black and White women, respectively. The hazard ratios for a 10 bpm higher RHR were 1.47 (95% CI, 1.23–1.75), 1.51 (95% CI, 1.28–1.78), 1.48 (95% CI, 1.26–1.73), and 1.02, (95% CI, 0.89–1.17) for Black men, White men, White women, and Black women, respectively. Higher RHR during young adulthood is associated with a greater risk of incident hypertension by middle age. The association is similarly strong in Black men, White men, and White women, but absent in Black women, which may suggest racial differences in the effect of sympathetic nervous activity on hypertension among women.
Velocity Pulsatility and Arterial Distensibility Along the Internal Carotid Artery
Authors: van Tuijl Rick J. , Ruigrok Ynte M. , Velthuis Birgitta K. , van der Schaaf Irene C. , Rinkel Gabriël J. E. , Zwanenburg Jaco J. M.
Published: August 2020

Background

Attenuation of velocity pulsatility along the internal carotid artery (ICA) is deemed necessary to protect the microvasculature of the brain. The role of the carotid siphon within the whole ICA trajectory in pulsatility attenuation is still poorly understood. This study aims to assess arterial variances in velocity pulsatility and distensibility over the whole ICA trajectory, including effects of age and sex.

Methods and Results

We assessed arterial velocity pulsatility and distensibility using flow‐sensitized 2‐dimensional phase‐contrast 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in 118 healthy participants. Velocity pulsatility index (vPI=(V
max
−V
min
)/V
mean
) and arterial distensibility defined as area pulsatility index (A
max
−A
min
)/A
mean
) were calculated at C1, C3, and C7 segments of the ICA. vPI increased between C1 and C3 (0.85±0.13 versus 0.93±0.13,
P
<0.001 for averaged right+left ICA) and decreased between C3 and C7 (0.93±0.13 versus 0.84±0.13,
P
<0.001) with overall no effect (C1–C7). Conversely, the area pulsatility index decreased between C1 and C3 (0.18±0.06 versus 0.14±0.04,
P
<0.001) and increased between C3 and C7 (0.14±0.04 versus 0.31±0.09,
P
<0.001). vPI in men is higher than in women and increases with age (
P
<0.015). vPI over the carotid siphon declined with age but remained stable over the whole ICA trajectory.

Conclusions

Along the whole ICA trajectory, vPI increased from extracranial C1 up to the carotid siphon C3 with overall no effect on vPI between extracranial C1 and intracranial C7 segments. This suggests that the bony carotid canal locally limits the arterial distensibility of the ICA, increasing the vPI at C3 which is consequently decreased again over the carotid siphon. In addition, vPI in men is higher and increases with age.
Sickle Cell Trait and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults
Authors: Zhang Rebecca V. , Ryan Kathleen A. , Lopez Haley , Wozniak Marcella A. , Phipps Michael S. , Cronin Carolyn A. , Cole John W. , Dutta Tara M. , Mehndiratta Prachi , Motta Melissa , Merino José G. , Kittner Steven J.
Published: August 2020

Background and Purpose:

Approximately 8% of Blacks have sickle cell trait (SCT), and there are conflicting reports from recent cohort studies on the association of SCT with ischemic stroke (IS). Most prior studies focused on older populations, with few data available in young adults.

Methods:

A population-based case-control study of early-onset IS was conducted in the Baltimore-Washington region between 1992 and 2007. From this study, 342 Black IS cases, ages 15 to 49, and 333 controls without IS were used to examine the association between SCT and IS. Each participant’s SCT status was established by genotyping and imputation. For analysis, χ
2
tests and logistic regression models were performed with adjustment for potential confounding variables.

Results:

Participants with SCT (n=55) did not differ from those without SCT (n=620) in prevalence of hypertension, previous myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, and current smoking status. Stroke cases had increased prevalence in these risk factors compared with controls. We did not find an association between SCT and early-onset IS in our overall population (odds ratio=0.9 [95% CI, 0.5–1.7]) or stratified by sex in males (odds ratio=1.26 [95% CI, 0.56–2.80]) and females (odds ratio=0.67 [95% CI, 0.28–1.69]).

Conclusions:

Our data did not find evidence of increased risk of early-onset stroke with SCT.
Magnolia ottoi (Magnoliaceae) a new species from Purulhá, Baja Verapaz, Guatemala: conservation and Mayan Q’eqchi ‘ ethnotaxonomy

Authors: VÁZQUEZ GARCÍA J. ANTONIO , TRIBOUILLIER NAVAS ERICK , ARCHILA FREDY , VÉLIZ PÉREZ MARIO ESTEBAN
Published: August 2020

A new species of Magnolia subsect. Talauma (“jomcoj”), Magnolia ottoi, is described and illustrated. The conservation status of this new species is proposed as critically endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria. An identification key and a map with the distribution of the new species and other species of Magnolia subsect. Talauma from Guatemala and neighboring areas (Honduras and Chiapas, México) is also presented. Our field research also unveiled the Mayan Q’eqchi’ ancestral taxonomic knowledge which differentiates magnolias of two different subsections, Magnolia and Talauma, based on wood quality and properties. They consistently distinguished them as “coj” and “jomcoj” respectively.
New species of Condylostylus Bigot (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from Comoros, Madagascar, Tanzania and South Africa, with key to Afrotropical species
Authors: GRICHANOV IGOR YA.
Published: August 2020

Descriptions of five new Afrotropical species of the genus Condylostylus Bigot are provided: C. comorensis sp. nov. from Comoros, C. friedmani sp. nov. from Madagascar, C. gavryushini sp. nov. from Tanzania, C. kaplini sp. nov. from South Africa, and C. madagascarensis sp. nov. from Madagascar. The new species differ from other representatives of the genus in morphology of the male cercus and male secondary sexual characters of the legs. A revised identification key to males of the 25 known species of Afrotropical Condylostylus is provided. Condylostylus congensis Curran, 1927 syn. nov. is newly synonymized with C. beckeri Speiser, 1920.
Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Office versus Operating Room: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Sophia , Connors Joseph , Zhang Yan , Wang Binhuan , Vieira Dorice , Shapira-Galitz Yael , Garber David , Amin Milan R.
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis can be treated in the office or operating room (OR). The choice of treatment is based on several factors, including patient and surgeon preference. However, there is little data to guide the decision-making. This study examines the available literature comparing operative treatment in-office versus OR.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines. Of 2,864 articles identified, 78 were reviewed full-length and 18 were included. Outcomes of interest were recurrence and complication rates, number of procedures, time interval between procedures, and cost.

Results:

Only one study compared outcomes of operative in-office to OR treatments. The weighted average complication rate for OR procedures was 0.02 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.00-0.32), n = 8, and for office procedures, 0.17 (95% CI 0.08-0.33), n = 6. The weighted average time interval between OR procedures was 10.59 months (5.83, 15.35) and for office procedures 5.40 months (3.26-7.54), n = 1. The weighted average cost of OR procedures was $10,105.22 ($5,622.51-14,587.83), n = 2 versus $2,081.00 ($1,987.64-$2,174.36), n = 1 for office procedures.

Conclusion:

Only one study compares office to OR treatment. The overall data indicate no differences aside from cost and imply that office procedures may be more cost-effective than OR procedures. However, the heterogeneous data limits any strong comparison of outcomes between office and OR-based treatment of laryngeal papillomas. More studies to compare the two treatment settings are warranted.
Family Affluence Relationship to Sports Specialization in Youth Athletes
Authors: Walker Gregory A. , Seehusen Corrine N. , Armento Aubrey , Provance Aaron J. , Wilson Julie C. , Howell David R.
Published: August 2020

Our objective was to examine the association between participant-reported family affluence and sport specialization level. We conducted a cross-sectional investigation of adolescent athletes. Specifically, participants completed a level of sport specialization (low/moderate/high) questionnaire and the Family Affluence Scale. The majority (52%) of the 195 youth athlete participants reported low, 33% reported moderate, and 15% reported high sport specialization. Sport specialization groups were similar in age (mean = 15.3 ± 1.6 years), proportion of females (49%), and time spent training (mean = 11.9 ± 5.0 hours per week). The high sport specialization group reported significantly greater family affluence than the low sport specialization group (Family Affluence Scale = 10.4 ± 1.7 vs 9.2 ± 1.9; P = .005). After covariate adjustment, higher levels of sport specialization remained significantly associated with greater family affluence (β = 0.48, 95% confidence interval = 0.11-0.86). Understanding the relationship between family affluence and sports specialization affords an opportunity to better identify and monitor populations likely to specialize in a single sport during high school.
Ferric Derisomaltose
Authors: Craft Brittany M. , Baker Danial E.
Published: August 2020

Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive 5 to 6 well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Subscribers also receive monthly 1-page summary monographs on agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation/medication use evaluation (DUE/MUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are available online to subscribers. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of a facility. Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. For more information about The Formulary Monograph Service, contact Wolters Kluwer customer service at 866-397-3433.
The Effects of Increased Visual Information on Cognitive Workload in a Helicopter Simulator
Authors: Innes Reilly J. , Howard Zachary L. , Thorpe Alexander , Eidels Ami , Brown Scott D.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To test the effects of enhanced display information (“symbology”) on cognitive workload in a simulated helicopter environment, using the detection response task (DRT).

Background

Workload in highly demanding environments can be influenced by the amount of information given to the operator and consequently it is important to limit potential overload.

Methods

Participants (highly trained military pilots) completed simulated helicopter flights, which varied in visual conditions and the amount of information given. During these flights, participants also completed a DRT as a measure of cognitive workload.

Results

With more visual information available, pilots’ landing accuracy was improved across environmental conditions. The DRT is sensitive to changes in cognitive workload, with workload differences shown between environmental conditions. Increasing symbology appeared to have a minor effect on workload, with an interaction effect of symbology and environmental condition showing that symbology appeared to moderate workload.

Conclusion

The DRT is a useful workload measure in simulated helicopter settings. The level of symbology-moderated pilot workload. The increased level of symbology appeared to assist pilots’ flight behavior and landing ability. Results indicate that increased symbology has benefits in more difficult scenarios.

Applications

The DRT is an easily implemented and effective measure of cognitive workload in a variety of settings. In the current experiment, the DRT captures the increased workload induced by varying the environmental conditions, and provides evidence for the use of increased symbology to assist pilots.
Spontaneous Transformation and Recovery From Problematic Eating: A Heuristic Inquiry
Authors: Shelburne Stephanie , Curtis Devorah , Rockwell Donna
Published: August 2020

Health care professionals agree that there are countless individuals with problematic eating habits that detract from health and well-being but do not directly meet the criteria for diagnosis of disorder. Previous research identifies that problematic eating patterns are notoriously challenging to address and that positive changes in behavior are difficult to maintain. This qualitative study contributes to the literature identifying potential mechanisms for transformative and lasting change for individuals exhibiting problematic eating patterns. Utilizing heuristic methodology, the lived experience of spontaneous transformation as a mechanism of change in the development of, and recovery from, problematic eating habits was illuminated and explored by the primary researcher, SS, and six female coresearchers. The data for this study were obtained through in-depth, informal conversational interviews. Heuristic analysis of the data revealed six core themes relevant to the experience of the phenomenon of spontaneous transformation and the recovery from problematic eating habits: (a) early messaging in environment of origin, (b) moments of suffering as gateways to change, (c) perceived loss of control, (d) implicit awareness resulting in transformation, (e) physical expressions of expansion and constriction, (f) and the necessity for a new definition of recovery. The findings of this study point toward the experience of spontaneous transformation as a mechanism for enhanced self-awareness and potential for generating transformational change in patterns of problematic eating.
Is routine colonoscopy necessary for patients who have an unequivocal computerised tomography diagnosis of acute diverticulitis?
Authors: El Zanati Hisham , Chen Adriel , Attiya Abdulaziz , Leung Edward
Published: August 2020

Aims

To assess the incidence of underlying colorectal malignancy in patients admitted as an emergency with a CT diagnosis of acute diverticulitis and determine the need for routine follow up colonoscopy

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on all patients who had been admitted to our surgical unit with CT diagnosed diverticulitis from September 2016 to September 2018 (n = 125).

Results

11 patients (8.8%) required emergency resection with no underlying malignancy found. 76 patients (61%) had a follow up colonoscopy after being discharged. 4 patients were found to have an underlying colorectal malignancy, one of them suspected on CT and another an incidentally detected caecal polyp cancer. Therefore 3/87(3.4%) had an unexpected cancer diagnosis and all those in the diseased segment were within complicated diverticulitis.

Conclusion

Nowadays, multi-slice CT scanners are so good at giving an accurate assessment of colonic pathology. In our study, 96.6% of the patients with a CT diagnosis of acute diverticulitis had no underlying malignancy in the diseased segment with all the cancers within complicated diverticulitis. With such a low yield of underlying malignancy in uncomplicated diverticulitis, we question the need for routine follow up colonoscopy when there is no CT suspicion of malignancy in these patients
Boundary Work and Boundary Objects: Synthesizing Two Concepts for Moments of Controversy
Authors: Houf Jessica R.
Published: August 2020

There are two boundary concepts utilized in technical and professional communication (TPC) scholarship: boundary work and, to a lesser degree, boundary objects. Boundary work functions to demarcate, incorporate, and expel particular ideas, groups, and practices from a field or profession. Boundary objects enhance the capacity of ideas, practices, and theories to translate across different groups. Together, these concepts are useful to TPC scholars interested in moments of controversy. In this essay, I explore the dialectical relationship between these two concepts and apply the resulting synthesis to a contemporary case study, the use of fecal microbiota transplants. I argue that the human microbiome functions as a boundary object and opens space within medicine’s own boundary work for the inclusion of fecal microbiota transplants. Together, the dialectical concepts of boundary work and boundary object create a new kind of analytic that allows TPC scholars to map boundary transformations, recognize moments for intervention, and create strategies for collaboration.
Narratives of Gang Disengagement Among Former Gang Members in South Africa
Authors: Kelly Jane F. , Ward Catherine L.
Published: August 2020

Understanding gang disengagement is important for the development of effective interventions. This research sought to examine how former South African gang members understand their gang disengagement. Two rounds of life history interviews were conducted with 12 former gang members. Thematic narrative analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Findings revealed that personal agency was key to the participants’ disengagement, which included forming a purposive intention to change, committing to and maintaining this change, despite challenges faced, and taking personal responsibility for their pasts. It also involved actively drawing on protective resources—such as meaningful and practical support from loved ones—and prosocial identities available to them within their environments, thus illustrating how the disengagement process is an interaction between inner and outer resources. Therefore, it is imperative that gang-related interventions ensure that individuals have access to the kinds of resources that will support their disengagement.
The challenge of Confucian political meritocracy: A critical introduction
Authors: Kim Sungmoon
Published: August 2020

This article aims to critically evaluate the recent proposals of Confucian political meritocracy by focusing on two sets of questions: the first set on the connection between traditional Confucianism and Confucian political meritocracy and the second set on the nature of Confucian political meritocracy (often presented in terms of ‘democratic meritocracy’) as an alternative version of democratic theory combining the instrumental conception of (minimal) democracy with Confucian perfectionism. After laying out some specific questions belonging to each set as the theoretical challenges for Confucian political theory to becoming a robust political theory, the article further asks how distinguished Confucian political meritocracy is from Confucian democracy that is often equally premised on the combination of the instrumental conception of democracy with Confucian perfectionism without dismissing the critical importance of good political leadership.
Conventional versus minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (COMICS)
Authors: Angelini Gianni D , Reeves Barnaby C , Evans Jonathan , Culliford Lucy A , Collett Laura , Rogers Chris A , Stokes Elizabeth , Anastasiadis Kyriakos , Antonitsis Polychronis , Carrel Thierry , Keller Dorothée , Liebold Andreas , Ashkanani Fatma , El-Essawi Aschraf , Breitenbach Ingo , Lloyd Clinton , Bennett Mark , Cale Alex , Mclean Lindsay , Gunaydin Serdar , Gunertem Eren , Oueida Farouk , Yassin Ibrahim , Serrick Cyril , Rao Vivek , Moscarelli Marco , Condello Ignazio , Punjabi Prakash , Rajakaruna Cha , Bone Daniel , Lansdown William , Moorjani Narain , Dennis Sarah
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

Despite low mortality, cardiac surgery patients may experience serious life-threatening post-operative complications, often due to extracorporeal circulation and reperfusion. Miniaturised cardiopulmonary bypass (minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation) has been developed aiming to reduce the risk of post-operative complications arising with conventional extracorporeal circulation.

Methods:

The COMICS trial is a multi-centre, international, two-group parallel randomised controlled trial testing whether type II, III or IV minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation is effective and cost-effective compared to conventional extracorporeal circulation in patients undergoing elective or urgent coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement or coronary artery bypass grafting + aortic valve replacement. Randomisation (1:1 ratio) is concealed and stratified by centre and surgical procedure. The primary outcome is a composite of 12 serious complications, objectively defined or adjudicated, 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes (at 30 days) include other serious adverse events (primary safety outcome), use of blood products, length of intensive care and hospital stay and generic health status (also at 90 days).

Status of the trial:

Two centres started recruiting on 08 May 2018; 10 are currently recruiting and 603 patients have been randomised (11 May 2020). The recruitment rate from 01 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 was 40-50 patients/month. About 80% have had coronary artery bypass grafting only. Adherence to allocation is good.

Conclusions:

The trial is feasible but criteria for progressing to a full trial were not met on time. The Trial Steering and Data Monitoring Committees have recommended that the trial should currently continue.
Nivolumab plus gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin chemotherapy induce durable complete remission in relapsed/refractory primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Huang Gang , Huang Ju , Zhang Zhili , Xue Chongchong , Liu Yuan
Published: August 2020

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is an uncommon, but aggressive, type of B-cell lymphoma. Patients with relapsed refractory PMBCL (rrPMBCL) have limited therapeutic options and usually have a relatively poor outcome. Immune checkpoint blockade has become a potential treatment for this disease. We report here a case of a female patient with rrPMBCL who was treated with nivolumab plus gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin (GDP) chemotherapy. Complete remission was achieved after four cycles of combined therapy. With continued nivolumab maintenance monotherapy, she has remained in complete remission for longer than 28 months. This is the first report of nivolumab plus GDP chemotherapy inducing complete remission in patient with rrPMBCL. This case supplements the limited literature and provides implications for clinical trial designs regarding the potential use of nivolumab in the treatment of rrPMBCL.
Earnings management and earnings predictability: A quantile regression approach
Authors: Li Leon , Hwang Nen-Chen Richard , Nartea Gilbert V
Published: August 2020

This study argues that the managerial choice of earnings management strategy could be contingent upon a firm’s information asymmetry and such a strategy may affect the firm’s earnings predictability. Measuring information asymmetry by earnings predictability based on the subsequent industry-adjusted dispersion in analysts’ forecasts and employing a quantile regression to analyze 28,383 US firm-year observations from 1988 to 2014, this study reports that the effect of earnings management strategies on earnings predictability is nonuniform. Specifically, the amount of absolute discretionary accruals is negatively (positively) related to the subsequent industry-adjusted dispersion in the low (high) quantiles of analysts’ forecasts. These results support the hypothesis that a firm could implement earnings management strategies according to the degree of information asymmetry between the firm’s management and corporate outsiders.

JEL Classification: G12, G32
Patterns and predictors of opioid use among migraine patients at emergency departments: A retrospective database analysis
Authors: Shao Qiujun , Rascati Karen L , Lawson Kenneth A , Wilson James P
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To compare medication use and health resource utilization between migraineurs with evidence of opioid use at emergency department visit versus no opioid use at emergency department visit, and to examine predictors of opioid use among migraineurs at emergency department visits.

Methods

This was a retrospective study using REACHnet electronic health records (December 2013 to April 2017) from Baylor Scott & White Health Plan. The index date was defined as the first migraine-related emergency department visit after ≥6 months of enrollment. Adult patients with a migraine diagnosis and ≥6 months of continuous enrollment before and after their index dates were included. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were used to compare medication use and health resource utilization between opioid users and non-opioid users. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine predictors of opioid use at emergency department visits.

Results

A total of 788 migraineurs met eligibility criteria. Over one-third (n = 283, 35.9%) received ≥1 opioid medication during their index date emergency department visit. Morphine (n = 103, 13.1%) and hydromorphone (n = 85, 10.8%) were the most frequently used opioids. Opioid users had more hospitalizations and emergency department visits during their pre-index period (both p < 0.05). Significant ( p < 0.05) predictors of opioid use at emergency department visits included past migraine-related opioid use (2–4 prescriptions, Odds Ratio = 1.66; 5–9 prescriptions, Odds Ratio = 2.12; ≥10 prescriptions, Odds Ratio = 4.43), past non-migraine-related opioid use (≥10 prescriptions, Odds Ratio = 1.93), past emergency department visits (1–3 visits, Odds Ratio = 1.84), age (45–64 years, Odds Ratio = 1.45), and sleep disorder (Odds Ratio = 1.43), controlling for covariates.

Conclusion

Opioids were commonly given to migraineurs at emergency departments. Previous opioid use, health resource utilization, age, and specific comorbidities might be used to identify migraineurs with a high risk of opioid use.
Predictive Framework for Modeling Changes in Asphalt Mixture Moduli with Oxidative Aging
Authors: Saleh Nooralhuda F. , Mocelin Douglas , Yousefi Rad Farhad , Castorena Cassie , Underwood B. Shane , Kim Y. Richard
Published: August 2020

This paper presents a predictive framework for asphalt mixture moduli as a function of aging time with two levels of sophistication. This work is built on the method currently implemented in Pavement mechanistic-empirical (ME) that uses an effective time/frequency concept based on time-aging superposition to model the effect of aging on a mixture’s modulus. Time-aging superposition implies that an asphalt mixture’s modulus mastercurves, corresponding to different aging levels, coincide when they are shifted horizontally on the log-frequency axis. This study improves the accuracy of the existing model by decoupling the time-temperature and time-aging shifts. The new framework also uses the binder dynamic shear modulus | G*| as an aging index instead of the viscosity, which is used in Pavement ME. The | G*| aging index is used to calculate an effective frequency at short-term aging (STA), which is then used in the asphalt mixture sigmoidal model to calculate the corresponding asphalt mixture modulus with aging. The pavement aging model introduced by NCHRP 09-54 predicts log | G*| at 64°C and 10 rad/s for a specific field-aged condition and pavement depth. The proposed framework can use the predicted log | G*| to predict the mixture’s corresponding dynamic modulus (| E*|) at that aging level and pavement depth. Level 1 of this framework requires characterizing the | G*| at STA and calibrating the NCHRP 09-54 pavement aging model as well as measuring the mixture | E*| at STA. Level 2 does not require any binder testing, providing relatively less accurate predictions but relieving some testing requirements.
Pathogenic characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from arthroplasty infections
Authors: Chen Peng , Sun Fengjun , Feng Wei , Hong Hai , Li Bo , Song Jie
Published: August 2020

Background:

Staphylococcus aureus has a great ability to form biofilms on implant-related biomaterials. This study aimed to investigate the resistance, biofilm and molecular characteristics of S. aureus strains isolated from patients with postoperative infections after arthroplasty in two Chinese tertiary care hospitals during 2017 to 2018.

Methods:

Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the agar dilution method. Bacterial biofilm formation was determined by crystal violet staining. The genes related to biofilm formation and molecular typing were analyzed by PCR amplification.

Results:

A total of 33 isolates were collected, 21 of which were from Henan. The strains were completely sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, and nitrofurantoin. All the isolates had adhesion ability and could produce biofilms. Of the isolates, 75.0% from Chongqing and 85.7% from Henan had stronger biofilm formation abilities. The strains from Henan had slightly higher resistance, adhesion and biofilm-forming abilities than those from Chongqing. The strains in both hospitals carried at least two genes related to biofilm formation, and the ica and fnb genes were the most frequently detected genes. Three SCC mec types and seven sequence types (STs) were found in Henan, and two SCC mec types and six STs were found in Chongqing. ST239-SCC mec III was the main epidemic clone in the two hospitals.

Conclusion:

The resistance phenotype and molecular characteristics of S. aureus strains varied in different hospitals. The results reflect the potential risks of S. aureus infection in postoperative arthroplasty patients. Our study provides a powerful basis for the clinical treatment, infection control and monitoring of outbreaks of epidemic strains.
Racialized Workplaces, Contemporary Racial Attitudes, and Stereotype Endorsement: A Recipe for Consumer Racial Profiling
Authors: Brewster Zachary W. , Nowak Gerald Roman
Published: August 2020

Negative stereotypes are widely assumed to underpin the mistreatment that black Americans sometimes experience while engaging in everyday consumption activities like shopping or dining away from home. However, studies that directly observe the relationship between service providers’ endorsement of racial stereotypes and the nature of their interactions with black consumers are rare. In response, this study presents results from a factorial survey experiment designed to assess a theoretically grounded causal process leading service providers to racially profile consumers. In two independent samples of restaurant servers and bartenders we show that consumer racial discrimination in the context of full-service restaurants is a function of servers’ endorsement of racial stereotypes depicting blacks as undesirable customers who are dishonest, uncivil, demanding, and bad tippers. Furthermore, we show that servers’ endorsement of such stereotypes and their resultant tendencies to discriminate against black diners increases as a function of contemporary anti-black animus and employment in workplaces characterized by explicit expressions of anti-black biases.
Impact of an RN-led Medicare Annual Wellness Visit on Preventive Services in a Family Medicine Practice
Authors: Farford Bryan A. , Baggett Christy L. , Paredes Molina Carolina S. , Ball Colleen T. , Dover Carla M.
Published: August 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the impact of a registered nurse (RN)-led Medicare annual wellness visit (AWV) on preventive services in a family medicine clinic.

Patients and Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent an RN-led AWV and patients who underwent a standard assessment (SA) between October 2017 and October 2018. A total of 630 patients (330 AWV and 300 SA) were included in this study.

Results:

There were seven preventive services examined for in women and five preventive services examined for in men. Each service was used more often by patients in the AWV group than the SA group (all odds ratios ≥1.64; all P values ≤.004).

Conclusion:

The RN-led AWV is an effective way to assist Medicare beneficiaries in meeting their preventive needs while allowing physicians more time to focus on chronic and acute needs.
From the Mother to the Child: The Intergenerational Transmission of Experiences of Violence in Mother–Child Dyads Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence in Cameroon
Authors: Wadji Dany Laure , Ketcha Wanda Germain Jean Magloire , Wicky Chantal , Morina Naser , Martin-Soelch Chantal
Published: August 2020

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread social problem with serious consequences for the health of both women and their children. However, little is known about the combined effect of maternal childhood abuse and current exposure to IPV with respect to the psychopathological symptoms of the mother–child dyad. In a Cameroonian cultural setting, where IPV affects more than half of women, we aimed to better understand how mother’s childhood abuse and current IPV co-occur to lead to psychopathological symptoms in the mother–child dyad. With the help of a non-governmental organization in Cameroon, we recruited 49 mother–child dyads exposed to IPV, along with 25 mother–child dyads who had not been exposed, and who functioned as a control group. All mothers completed a set of questionnaires, including the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale to assess IPV; the Child Trauma Questionnaire to examine their childhood trauma; the Child Behavior Checklist to assess their children’s psychopathological traits; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; and the Symptom Checklist. We found that physical abuse experienced by mothers during childhood was associated with IPV in adulthood, and specifically sexual abuse, p = .001. In addition, we found that the accumulation of maternal childhood abuse and current IPV was related to anxiety and depression symptoms in mothers, all R2 ≥ .18, all ps ≤ .015, as well as to externalized symptoms in children, all R2 ≥ .27, all ps ≤ .017. Our results suggest the intergenerational transmission of experiences of childhood abuse and current IPV, which calls for the development of interventions and care strategies for the mother–child dyad.
Heat transfer of water–graphene oxide nanofluid magnetohydrodynamic flow through a channel in the presence of the induced magnetic field
Authors: Askari Nematollah , Salmani Hossein , Taheri Mohammad Hasan , Masoumnezhad Mojtaba , Kazemi Mohammad Ali
Published: August 2020

In the present study, the heat transfer of nanofluid magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluid flow through a channel with radiation and viscous dissipation effect is considered. Also, the induced magnetic field is considered. The main aim of the study is to obtain the impact of the induced magnetic field, nanoparticle volume fraction, non-electrically conducting, and conducting walls on the MHD nanofluid flow and heat transfer. Hence, the governing equations include momentum, energy, and induced magnetic field equations that are transformed into non-dimensional forms. The analytical least square method (LSM) and numerical finite element method (FEM) effectively conducted for solving the problem. The results of LSM and FEM are compared, and it is observed that there is an excellent agreement. The effect of several parameters such as Hartmann number, suction/injection parameter, magnetic Prandtl number, radiation parameter, Eckert number, and nanoparticle volume fraction are demonstrated and discussed. It can be concluded that the augmentation of the Hartmann number reduces the value of velocity by up to 50%, and the magnetic Prandtl number augmentation reduces the non-dimensional velocity value of about 10% but increases the induced current density value more than twice. Moreover, the increase of radiation parameter, Eckert number, and nanoparticle volume fraction enhance the heat transfer by 20–50%. Besides, the absolute value of the induced magnetic field increases when the Hartmann number rises. Further, the injection parameter decreases the value of velocity and induced magnetic field by 40–50%; whereas, the value of temperature increases by about 40%, and the induced current density increases by 5–7 times. The suction parameter has the contrary effect.
Path tracking coordinated control strategy for autonomous four in-wheel-motor independent-drive vehicles with consideration of lateral stability
Authors: Xiang Changle , Peng Haonan , Wang Weida , Li Liang , An Quan , Cheng Shuo
Published: August 2020

How to enhance and ensure the vehicle yaw/lateral stability and safety performance is a crucial and worthy research problem for the autonomous four in-wheel-motor independent-drive vehicle. In this paper, a hierarchical path tracking control strategy coordinated with the direct yaw moment control for autonomous four in-wheel-motor independent-drive vehicle is proposed with consideration of the lateral stability. In the upper controller, a novel model predictive control method based on the vehicle 7-degree-of-freedom dynamic model is presented to obtain the front wheel steering angle and two virtual generalized forces, the traction and yaw moment. A dynamic adjustment method of target weight based on variance adjustment factor is proposed to realize multi-objective cooperative control of maneuverability, path tracking accuracy, and yaw stability. Moreover, the tire stability margin and its standard deviation are put forward in the objective function of the lower optimal generalized force distributor, making full use of the road adhesion of each wheel. Carsim–Simulink joint simulation results illustrate that the proposed coordinated control strategy could prosper the multi-objective coordinated control. In addition, the path tracking coordinated control strategy could further improve the lateral stability and safety of the vehicle compared with the mere path tracking control strategy, when autonomous four in-wheel-motor independent-drive vehicle is placed under extremely dangerous road conditions.
Undoing age, redefining gender, and negotiating time: Embodied experiences of midlife women in endurance sports
Authors: Ben Dori Suzy , Kemp Adriana
Published: August 2020

Despite the increasing participation of midlife women in sports, and biomedical and consumerist discourses encouraging physical activity, research on intersections of age, gender, and the body in sports is lacking or fragmentary. Based on in-depth interviews with Israeli women aged 40–60 years participating in marathons, ultramarathons, and triathlons, we explore how they experience their participation and how these experiences correspond with normative socio-temporal assumptions about midlife transitions, gender, and the body. Findings reveal that endurance sports enable midlife women to challenge dominant discourses on the “decaying” and “menopausal” body by undoing age and formulating gender narratives that include new identities and negotiations of temporal orders. The interplay between undoing age and redefining gender operates through two mechanisms: “embodied experiences” that introduce the body as a material reality and a source of critical knowledge, and the liminality of mid-age as a life-course transition characterized by the absence of institutional and symbolic anchors. We make a twofold contribution to the critical literature on gender and life course. First, we develop the concept of embodied experiences as a vantage point for understanding the intersections of age and gender. Second, we highlight the potential of participation in endurance sports for negotiating temporal orders and formulate new narratives of femininity and aging.
Comparison of Three-Dimensional and Conventional Orthodontic Imaging Modalities for Localization of Impacted Maxillary Canines in Patients With Alveolar Cleft
Authors: Padisar Parviz , Tofangchiha Maryam , Salari Behzad , Oveisi Sonia
Published: August 2020

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to identify which diagnostic parameters related to impacted maxillary canines can be reliably detected by the conventional orthodontic radiographic modalities and which factors need to be assessed by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Design:

In this cross-sectional study, 8 orthodontists evaluated 7 parameters related to the position and anatomy of the impacted canines by means of 2-dimensional (2D) records. After 1 month, the same process was repeated by means of CBCT by the same clinicians.

Setting:

Qazvin University of Medical Sciences.

Patients and Participants:

Thirty-two patients with alveolar cleft and impacted maxillary canines who had CBCT scans, lateral cephalograms, and orthopantomographs as pretreatment records.

Main Outcome Measure:

The diagnostic accuracy of 2D and 3-dimensional (3D) radiographic modalities was compared with each other and also with the gold standard by 3 radiologists.

Results:

The diagnostic accuracy of 2D and 3D imaging modalities was not significantly different regarding the mesiodistal inclination of the impacted tooth ( P = .09), apex anatomy ( P = .10), and mesiodistal position of the apex ( P = .19). Cone-beam computed tomography had significantly higher diagnostic accuracy than conventional radiographic modalities regarding overlapping the adjacent tooth ( P = .001), labio–palatal and apico–coronal position of the crown tip, and root resorption of the adjacent tooth ( P = .01).

Conclusion:

The conventional orthodontic radiographic modalities were as accurate as CBCT for determination of impacted canine inclination, apex anatomy, and mesiodistal position of the apex. Cone-beam computed tomography showed higher diagnostic accuracy for other parameters.