bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Point-of-Care Hemoglobin A1c Testing on Population Health-Based Onsite Testing Adherence: A Primary-Care Quality Improvement Study
Authors: Crocker Joseph Benjamin , Lynch Stephen H. , Guarino Anthony J. , Lewandrowski Kent
Published: November 2020

Background:

The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a gold-standard test to diagnose and monitor diabetes mellitus and has been incorporated into population health performance metrics for quality care. However, patients and practices remain challenged in completing timely HbA1c tests. Point-of-care testing (POCT) for HbA1c provides a quick, easy, reliable method for monitoring diabetes in the primary care office setting. The objectives of this quality improvement study were to evaluate the impact of HbA1c POCT on onsite HbA1c testing frequency as a component of population health performance, as well as to measure the utility of HbA1c POCT in identifying clinically meaningful change in disease.

Method:

Prospective quality improvement cohort study among sequentially scheduled adult patients with diabetes due for HbA1c testing across three primary care practices.

Results:

Practices with HbA1c POCT were 3.7 times less likely to miss HbA1c testing at the time of the visit compared with practices in which HbA1c POCT was not available ( P < .001). Nearly one in four patients in each group were found to have clinically worsening diabetes (defined by an increase in HbA1c of ≥0.5% or 5.5 mmol/mol). Nearly half of those patients in the intervention group were identified by POCT.

Conclusions:

HbA1c POCT can improve population health-driven HbA1c testing adherence at office visits in primary care and may enable more timely intervention of diabetes management for patients with worsening disease.
Understanding Consumer Enchantment via Paranormal Tourism: Part II—Preliminary Rasch Validation
Authors: Houran James , Lange Rense , Laythe Brian
Published: November 2020

Situational-enchantment is a hypothesized arousal state encompassing a potent sense of connection or oneness with a “transcendent power or ultimate reality.” Qualitative research previously suggested that this individual difference involves dissonance around ideations with competing “Emotional, Sensorial, Timeless, Rational, and Transformative” themes. We tested this presumed phenomenology via an online convenience sample of 79 men and 101 women who reported memorable ghostly experiences during a paranormal tour within the last 12 months. Respondents provided a global enchantment rating of their anomalous experiences, as well as selected specific descriptors from a set of 30 items on an adjective checklist (ACL). Analyses revealed that 21 items on the Enchantment-ACL formed a Rasch hierarchy of generally “pleasant” themes that was free of response biases related to age, sex, and latency (time since the “enchanting” experience). This structured sequence contained all five experiential themes, and the resulting Enchantment-ACL measure of this phenomenon showed good internal reliability (Rasch reliability = .82) and a positive correlation with global enchantment ratings ( r = .51, p < .001). The other nine items formed a separate factor containing overtly “unpleasant” ideations. We discuss the results within a cognitive dissonance framework for situational-enchantment, although future research must explore potential nuances related to the construct’s dimensionality and the specific role of pleasant versus unpleasant ideations.
Noise in Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery Operating Rooms
Authors: Levin Marc , Zhou Kelvin , Sommer Ethan C. , Purohit Hitansh , Wells Jeffery , Pugi Jakob , Sommer Doron D.
Published: November 2020

Background

Noise in the operating room (OR) contributes to miscommunication among team members and may negatively impact patient outcomes.

Objectives

This study aimed to quantify noise levels during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. The secondary aim was to understand how OR team members perceive noise during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery.

Methods

Noise levels were measured using the validated phone application SoundMeter X 10.0.4 (r1865) (Faber Acoustical, Utah, USA) at the ear-level of the surgeon, scrub nurse, circulating nurse, and anesthesiologist. At the end of each surgery, OR team members were asked to complete a six-question questionnaire about noise during that surgery.

Results

One thousand four hundred and two noise measurements were recorded across 353 trials. The loudest mean noise measurement was 84.51 dB and maximum noise measurement was 96.21 dB at the ear-level of the surgeon. Noise was significantly higher at the ear-level of the surgeon and scrub nurse in comparison to the circulating nurse (p = .000) and anesthesiologist (p = .000). Forty percent of questionnaire respondents believed noise was a problem and 38% stated that noise caused communication issues during surgery.

Conclusion

Surgeons and scrub nurses have significantly higher noise exposure in comparison to circulating nurses and anesthesiologists during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. For these members of the OR team, noise is also identified as problematic and causing issues with communication. Mechanisms to reduce potential noise may be implemented to improve communication and patient outcomes in endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery.
Diagnostic Criteria for Odontogenic Sinusitis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Allevi Fabiana , Fadda Gian Luca , Rosso Cecilia , Martino Federica , Pipolo Carlotta , Cavallo Giovanni , Felisati Giovanni , Saibene Alberto Maria
Published: November 2020

Background

Odontogenic sinusitis affects a significant proportion of patients with paranasal sinus infections. Nevertheless, no shared diagnostic criteria for this condition have yet been implemented and published studies differ in their definition of the disease.

Objective

The present systematic review of the literature was undertaken to characterize and analyze the different diagnostic criteria currently employed for odontogenic sinusitis.

Methods

Systematic searches for studies published between 2009 and 2019 were performed in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Search criteria were designed to identify all studies focusing, even partially, on odontogenic sinusitis. Human original studies except single case reports published in the English, French, German, Spanish, or Italian language were included. We removed duplicate abstracts and conducted full-text reads, data extraction, and quality assessment procedures (using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine levels of evidence and National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Study Quality Assessment Tools). We reviewed articles for diagnostic criteria, both in terms of definition and etiology identification.

Results

Among 1,000 unique citations, 63 studies were deemed eligible. Most articles (n = 45) were retrospective case series; a single randomized clinical trial was available. Only 49 studies reported diagnostic criteria, yet relied marginally on published guidelines (n = 10 articles) for identifying sinusitis, often choosing instead to develop their own clinical (n = 15 articles), endoscopic (n = 12 articles), and/or radiologic (n = 30 articles) criteria. For odontogenic focus identification, 14 papers required a multidisciplinary evaluation, 11 papers required a time relationship between dental procedures and sinusitis, 24 papers required oroscopy and/or dental evaluation, and 53 papers required computed tomography.

Conclusions

Current diagnostic criteria for odontogenic sinusitis are extremely heterogeneous. Establishing shared diagnostic criteria aimed at defining both sinusitis and related odontogenic foci would spur collaboration between investigators and support more comprehensive outcomes evaluations together with a better understanding of treatment options.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children: An ethical analysis with a global-child lens
Authors: Campbell Sydney , Cicero Oneto Carlo , Saini Manav Preet Singh , Attaran Nona , Makansi Nora , Passos Dos Santos Raissa , Pukuma Shilni , Carnevale Franco A.
Published: November 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the lives of children and adolescents in resource-limited countries have been significantly impacted in complex ways, while largely having their interests overlooked. The purpose of this colloquium is to examine these impacts across seven resource-limited nations and apply an ethical lens to examine the ways in which children and adolescents have been treated impermissibly. We finish with recommendations and calls to action for key stakeholders to consider.
Association between plasma levels of BDNF and the antisuicidal effects of repeated ketamine infusions in depression with suicidal ideation
Authors: Zheng Wei , Zhou Yan-Ling , Wang Cheng-Yu , Lan Xiao-Feng , Zhang Bin , Zhou Su-Miao , Yan Su , Yang Ming-Zhe , Nie Sha , Ning Yu-Ping
Published: November 2020

Background:

This study is the first to examine the association between plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the antisuicidal effects of repeated ketamine infusions in depressed patients with suicidal ideation.

Methods:

Fifty-seven depressed patients with suicidal ideation received six ketamine infusions (0.5 mg/kg) during a 12 days period. Suicidality was measured with the Scale for Suicidal Ideations (SSI-part 1), item 10 of the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and item 3 of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) at baseline, 1 day after the first infusion (1 day), 1 day after the sixth infusion (13 days), and at 2 weeks after the last infusion (26 days). Plasma levels of BDNF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline, 13 days, and 26 days.

Results:

Overall, 46 (80.7%) depressed patients with suicidal ideation had an antisuicidal response at 13 days. Despite a significant reduction in suicidal symptoms over time, no changes in plasma levels of BDNF were found after ketamine treatment when compared with baseline. Correlation analysis showed that no significant association was observed between the plasma levels of BDNF and the changes in the severity of suicidal symptoms as measured by SSI-part 1, item 10 of the MADRS, or item 3 of the HAMD at 1 day, 13 days, and 26 days (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Our results indicated that plasma levels of BDNF may not serve as a biomarker for determining the antisuicidal effects of six ketamine infusions in depressed patients with suicidal ideation.
2019: A year of expansion in psychedelic research, industry, and deregulation
Authors: Aday Jacob S , Bloesch Emily K , Davoli Christopher C
Published: November 2020

Public and scientific interest into psychedelic drugs has grown steadily over much of the last two decades, before an exponential increase in recent years. We contend that 2019, in particular, involved myriad notable changes in the science, industry, and deregulation of psychedelic drugs. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for professionals to keep up-to-date on these advancements given the rapid growth of the field. Further, broad contemporary synopses are critical in maintaining records in the history of science. To address these concerns, this article synthesizes the significant number of scientific, business, and regulatory changes related to psychedelic drugs which occurred in 2019. Establishment of psychedelic research centers, novel applications of the drugs, and international expansion of the field in 2019 seemed to solidify psychedelic research’s place in science. Additionally, many in the business and pharmaceutical industries stimulated considerable investment and innovation in psychedelics for the first time. In the US, successful decriminalization efforts and endorsements by eminent political figures, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Andrew Yang, and the heads of the NIH and FDA, in 2019 were representative of unprecedented regulatory changes. Collectively, this article serves as a succinct summary of the changes psychedelic drugs made across various levels of society in 2019—by coalescing emerging research themes, industrial innovations, and attitude shifts.
The future of global environmental assessments: Making a case for fundamental change
Authors: Castree Noel , Bellamy Rob , Osaka Shannon
Published: November 2020

Since the late 1970s, over 140 global environmental assessments (GEAs) have been completed. But are they any longer fit for purpose? Some believe not. Compelling arguments have been advanced for a new assessment paradigm, one more focussed on problem-solving than problem-identification. If translated into new assessment practices, this envisaged paradigm could prevail for the next several decades, just as the current one has since the late 1970s. In this paper, it is contended that the arguments for GEAs 2.0 are, in fact, insufficiently bold. Solutions-orientated assessments, often associated with a ‘policy turn’ by their advocates, are undoubtedly necessary. But without a ‘politics turn’ they will be profoundly insufficient: policy options would be detached from the diverse socio-economic explanations and ‘deep hermeneutics’ of value that ultimately give them meaning, especially given the very high stakes now attached to managing human impacts on a fast-changing planet. Here we make the case for GEAs 3.0, where two paradigmatic steps forward are taken at once rather than just one. The second step involves the introduction of political reasoning and structured normative debate about existential alternatives, a pre-requisite to strategic decision-making and its operational expression. Possible objections to this second step are addressed and rebutted. Even so, the case for politically-overt GEAs faces formidable difficulties of implementation. However, we consider these challenges less a sign of our undue idealism and more an indication of the urgent need to mitigate, if not overcome them. In a world of ‘wicked problems’ we need ‘wicked assessments’ adequate to them, preparatory to so-called ‘clumsy solutions’. This paper is intended to inspire more far-reaching debate about the future of GEAs and, by implication, about the roles social science and the humanities might usefully play in addressing global environmental change.
Aberrant miR-219-5p is correlated with TLR4 and serves as a novel biomarker in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome caused by acute paraquat poisoning
Authors: Dai Yunxiang , Liu Xia , Gao Yuming
Published: November 2020

This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of serum microRNA-219-5p (miR-219-5p) in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) caused by acute paraquat (PQ) poisoning, and its correlation with Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4). Luciferase reporter assay was used to investigate in vitro the correlation of miR-219-5p with TLR4. Serum miR-219-5p levels were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum levels of TLR4, IL-1β, and TNF-α were measured by Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). ROC analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic significance, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the prognostic value of miR-219-5p in MODS patients. TLR4 was a target gene of miR-219-5p and was increased in MODS patients. Serum miR-219-5p level was decreased and negatively correlated with TLR4 level in MODS patients ( r = −0.660, P < 0.001), which had important diagnostic value and negatively correlated with APACHE II score in MODS patients. The miR-219-5p expression was markedly associated with the WBC, ALT, AST, PaCO2, Lac, and APACHE II score. Non-survivals had more patients with low miR-219-5p expression. Patients with low miR-219-5p expression had shorter survival time. MiR-219-5p and APACHE II score were two independently prognostic factors for 28-day survival. MiR-219-5p was negatively correlated with, while TLR4 was positively correlated with the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. The serum miR-219-5p level may be a potential biomarker for acute PQ-induced MODS diagnosis and prognosis. Furthermore, miR-219-5p may be associated with the progression of MODS by regulating TLR4-related inflammatory response.
Gifted Education in Hong Kong: A School-Based Support Program Catering to Learner Diversity
Authors: Cheung Ruby S. H. , Hui Anna N. N. , Cheung Alan C. K.
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

This study explores the contributions and effectiveness of the Jockey Club “Giftedness into Flourishing Talents” Project (Project GIFT) in supporting learner diversity in gifted education, including meeting the educational and psychological needs of highly capable and gifted students in Hong Kong.

Design/Approach/Methods:

This study investigates the effectiveness of Project GIFT in supporting the development of diversity in learning in 20 project schools. Through close cooperation with project schools, Project GIFT comprised six developmental areas: school development, curriculum development, teachers’ professional development, parent empowerment, student development, and financial support. To further assess the usefulness of the school-based support provided by Project GIFT, this study examines the implementation of school-based gifted education in two project schools based on the aforementioned components.

Findings:

This study reveals Project GIFT’s significant role in promoting school-based gifted education in Hong Kong schools. Indeed, it was the first cross-institutional and research-based educational program in gifted education that intervened at both Level 1 (whole class) and Level 2 (pullout) of the three-tiered policy stipulated by the Hong Kong Education Bureau. One of the few gifted education programs implemented in Asia, Project GIFT focused on six key components to specifically support high-ability and gifted students with diverse educational and affective needs. This study shows that Project GIFT significantly enhanced diversity in learning, its collaboration with two key schools resulting in the successful enhancement of school development, professional development, curriculum development, student development, parent empowerment, and financial support.

Originality/Value:

The article fills the research gap by examining the effectiveness of a school-based gifted education program focused on enriching and differentiating curricula for different regular and pull-out programs. In doing so, this article attests to the success of the program in addressing the educational and psychosocial needs of gifted students at local schools in Hong Kong.
Examining Burnout and the Relationships Between Job Characteristics, Engagement, and Turnover Intention Among U.S. Educators
Authors: Russell Mia B. , Attoh Prince A. , Chase Tyrone , Gong Tao , Kim Jinhee , Liggans Girvin L.
Published: November 2020

As a modern epidemic, burnout is the leading reason educators leave the profession. Guided by the job demands–resources theory, this study empirically examines the underlying processes associated with burnout and the direct relationships between job characteristics (i.e., job demands and job resources), turnover intention, and work engagement among a U.S. sample of educators ( n = 855). Although both job demands and job resources were positively related to work engagement, job demands had a stronger influence. Job demands and job resources were related to burnout; however, job resources had a stronger effect. Burnout mediated the relationship between job demands and work engagement as well as job resources and turnover intention. This study shows that job demands and job resources play an important role in burnout and work engagement. As a workplace phenomenon, addressing burnout requires leaders and managers to create organizational strategies that strengthen and support the work environment. Findings from this study may help inform practice and policy changes, including the intentional development of supportive work environments, carefully crafted positions with person-fit in mind, and effective monitored paid time off policies and processes. Other recommendations and future research are also offered.
Sport, Social Justice, and the Limits of Dissent After George Floyd: A Reply to Butterworth
Authors: Kurtz Jeffrey B.
Published: November 2020

Michael Butterworth’s lead article in the August-October special issue of Communication & Sport raised important insights about unity within sport. This reply argues that those insights were encumbered by a blind spot: Where Butterworth critiqued examples of unity that minimized the agonistic spirit of sport, he gave free pass to calls for unity on behalf of social justice. My reply works through examples of dissent from protests that marked the sporting landscape following the murder of George Floyd. Specifically, I consider the case of Rachel Hill, an attacker for the Chicago Red Stars of the Women’s National Soccer League, who elected to stand during the national anthem while her entire team kneeled in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. Hill’s “tinted dissent” poses difficult questions for Butterworth’s theorizing about the merits of rivalry and sporting agonism: Thinking beyond the national anthem, how might Hill’s decision to stand, and the backlash she endured, reveal a troubling totalizing logic within calls for social justice? Can our scholarship make space for dispositions that strive to understand, and not solely critique, the strange dynamics of power that pervade sport? How should instances of dissenting athlete-activism be judged?
More than Just Soup: Use of a Student-Led COVID-19 Social Pediatrics Initiative to Propose the Integration of Social Medicine Electives in Undergraduate Medical Education
Authors: Daccache Jennifer , Khoury Michel , Habibi Charlene , Bennett Susan
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

The need to educate medical students on the social forces shaping disease and health patterns is paramount in preparing incoming physicians with the aptitudes to address health inequities. Despite its well-documented merit as a model of practice, social medicine remains underrepresented at the undergraduate medical education level. We hypothesize that the success of this student-led COVID-19 initiative proposes a tangible and innovative solution to address the lack of social medicine exposure in undergraduate medical education.

Methodology:

We sought to evaluate the impact of sustaining clinical learning during the pandemic using the social pediatrics model as a didactic vector for clerkship students. We extracted learning objectives relevant to the teaching of social medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s CanMEDS framework and developed a survey aimed at evaluating the attainability of each of those objectives. The survey was distributed to students enrolled in the social pediatrics COVID-19 initiative after 6 weeks (April-May), as well as a control group.

Results:

Completing the survey were 19 students from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, 7 in the intervention group and 12 in the control group. Students that participated in the social pediatrics initiative yielded significantly higher values for the achievement of 6 out of 9 social medicine learning objectives when compared to the control group. Although the values followed a similar trend for the remaining 3 objectives, favoring the intervention group, they were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

The positive results from this study and the COVID-19 student-led initiative template can serve as a catalyst for curricular change so as to ensure graduates are adequately trained to contend with the realities of the social landscape in which they will practice. Future plans include the incorporation of interactive social medicine experiences throughout all 4 years of medical school.
Health and Integrative Wellness: Mapping Wellness and Its Cultural Psychology in Contemporary Africa
Authors: Michael Matthew , Chiroma Nathan , Yusuf Hauwa’u Evelyn
Published: November 2020

The present work probes the ethnocultural psychology of African people in the creative negotiations of wellness across healing spaces. Using data drawn from ethnographic method, the research engages the cultural dynamics in the emerging ethnomedical conversations among 250 sick clients of African healing shrines, over 50 contemporary practitioners of African healing shrines, 40 biomedical doctors and nurses, and 40 church workers/Christian healers in Nigeria and Ghana. The findings of this research suggest that there are dialogic paths of ecumenical interaction, active routes of referral systems, and social contours of transborder spiritualities across contemporary African healing spaces.
Optical character recognition and the smart ancient script database
Authors: Liu Zhiji
Published: November 2020

The initial success of optical character recognition (OCR) for ancient scripts has opened the floodgates for ‘smart’ ancient script research. ‘Smart’ ancient script research requires the support of a smart ancient script database.  In order to compile the big data necessary for this smart research, smart ancient script database software must be able to recognize all aspects and all levels of all ancient script materials. Therefore, in addition to the integration of OCR functionality into this software, the other primary imperative moving forward is to innovate a new digitized ancient script data system, one that includes full-scale supplementation to include all available materials, as well as newly inputted image data. This data must include variant graphic forms, variant written forms, handwriting, graphic components, calligraphic styles, and other of the inexhaustible different variations in script construction. This database must contain a multi-level framework with an annotated arrangement of the fullest range of meanings for words within linguistic context. It must also contain a digitally integrated multiple-path indexed arrangement of the important paleographical interpretations in the field. Our strategy for the construction of this smart ancient script database is to push forward with both algorithm writing and data input work simultaneously and in mutual support, following an open-sourced community supported model, making this project an exercise in interdisciplinary collaboration within the paleography community.
Managing Global Teams and a Multicultural Workforce
Authors: Phulpagar Santosh
Published: November 2020

In order to enable organisations to succeed in contemporary times, it has become necessary for them to draw upon a range of actors located in different geographies. Instead of viewing the multiple cultures of employees located in different geographies as hindrances, it is useful for teams to view them as sources for designing a unique culture. Also, teams may benefit from embracing the paradoxes that are inherent to the context of globally distributed members. Teams need to recognize that the issue of utmost importance is the growth and evolution of their project. In order for a project to achieve its objectives, teams may need to build a balance between individual contributions and collective deliberations.
A Survey of Craniofacial Fellowships in North America: The Craniofacial Fellowship Experience Outside of the Operating Room
Authors: Nguyen Jenny Lee , Brady Colin M. , Williams Joseph K.
Published: November 2020

Residencies are governed by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s (ACGME) common program requirements to help ensure that residents are adequately trained to practice medicine independently. Fellowships either rely on ACGME accreditation for standardization, have developed their own specialty accreditation councils, or have no governing body to monitor programs, such as in craniofacial surgery. This study was designed to capture the clinical, educational, and scholarly experiences of craniofacial fellows to better understand the current craniofacial fellowship landscape. An anonymous online survey was sent to all North American craniofacial surgery fellowship program directors via email. The first question group focused on program characteristics: ACGME accreditation, core faculty, and patient population. The second question group focused on the fellow’s scholarly experience: educational meetings and research requirements. The third question group focused on the fellow’s non-operative experience: clinic participation and call experience. The fourth question group focused on the fellow’s international experience. A total of 22 of 31 programs directors (71%) responded to the survey. The majority of fellowship programs (95.5%) had an educational program of meetings. The majority of programs (82.8%) mandated clinic time for the fellows. Five programs (22.7%) had a fellow’s clinic. The majority of fellowship programs (95.5%) had research expectations for the fellow. Call type and frequency varied widely between fellowship programs. Less than half (47.6%) of programs had an international experience for the fellow. Three-fourths of fellows only interacted with subspecialties of the cleft and craniofacial multidisciplinary clinic during clinic time. A total of 16 fellowship programs (72.7%) were non-ACGME accredited. Despite rapid growth in craniofacial fellowships and a lack of current oversight as to content, programs provide a similar experience for fellows outside of the operating room. Areas for further discussion regarding standardizing programs may include international experiences and formal exposure to other disciplines within the cleft and craniofacial clinic.
Predictable and Effective Treatment of Bilateral Subcondylar Fractures Using Closed Reduction With a Novel Acrylic Wedge Splint
Authors: Luby Alexandra O. , Sacks Gina N. , Buchman Alexandra T. , Buchman Brevin C. , Ulma Raquel M. , Buchman Steven R.
Published: November 2020

Treatment of bilateral subcondylar fractures is a challenging clinical problem, and optimal management of these fractures remains controversial. Similar to unilateral subcondylar fractures, bilateral injuries present with significant malocclusion due to fracture segment displacement; however, the loss of vertical stops on both sides of the mandible mandate a more concerted approach to surgical management. Closed reduction and maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) alone in bilateral subcondylar fractures carry a higher risk of recurrent anterior open bite postoperatively secondary to the absence of a vertical stop with fracture segment displacement and persistent shortening of the posterior facial height. Therefore, some surgeons consider bilateral subcondylar fractures an indication for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Unfortunately, open approaches involving the proximal subcondylar fracture segment are riddled with potential risks including facial nerve damage, parotid gland injury, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) damage. Given that neither approach is optimal, investigation of new approaches for the treatment of bilateral subcondylar fractures is warranted. The objective of this paper is to present our novel technique for the treatment of bilateral subcondylar fractures, which utilizes a combination of traditional closed reduction and MMF with a custom “wedge” occlusal splint to overcorrect the traumatic shortening of the posterior mandibular height.
Platelet extracellular vesicles mediate transfusion-related acute lung injury by imbalancing the sphingolipid rheostat
Authors: McVey Mark J. , Weidenfeld Sarah , Maishan Mazharul , Spring Chris , Kim Michael , Tabuchi Arata , Srbely Victoria , Takabe-French Alisa , Simmons Szandor , Arenz Christoph , Semple John W. , Kuebler Wolfgang M.
Published: November 2020

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a hazardous transfusion complication with an associated mortality of 5% to 15%. We previously showed that stored (5 days) but not fresh platelets (1 day) cause TRALI via ceramide-mediated endothelial barrier dysfunction. As biological ceramides are hydrophobic, extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be required to shuttle these sphingolipids from platelets to endothelial cells. Adding to complexity, EV formation in turn requires ceramide. We hypothesized that ceramide-dependent EV formation from stored platelets and EV-dependent sphingolipid shuttling induces TRALI. EVs formed during storage of murine platelets were enumerated, characterized for sphingolipids, and applied in a murine TRALI model in vivo and for endothelial barrier assessment in vitro. Five-day EVs were more abundant, had higher long-chain ceramide (C16:0, C18:0, C20:0), and lower sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) content than 1-day EVs. Transfusion of 5-day, but not 1-day, EVs induced characteristic signs of lung injury in vivo and endothelial barrier disruption in vitro. Inhibition or supplementation of ceramide-forming sphingomyelinase reduced or enhanced the formation of EVs, respectively, but did not alter the injuriousness per individual EV. Barrier failure was attenuated when EVs were abundant in or supplemented with S1P. Stored human platelet 4-day EVs were more numerous compared with 2-day EVs, contained more long-chain ceramide and less S1P, and caused more endothelial cell barrier leak. Hence, platelet-derived EVs become more numerous and more injurious (more long-chain ceramide, less S1P) during storage. Blockade of sphingomyelinase, EV elimination, or supplementation of S1P during platelet storage may present promising strategies for TRALI prevention.
Hepatocyte high-mobility group box 1 protects against steatosis and cellular stress during high fat diet feeding
Authors: Lin Minjie , Long Jungke , Li Wenbo , Yang Chenxuan , Loughran Patricia , O’Doherty Robert , Billiar Timothy R. , Deng Meihong , Scott Melanie J.
Published: November 2020

Background

Circulating high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) plays important roles in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Intracellular HMGB1 is critical for the biology of hepatocytes. However, the intracellular role of HMGB1 in hepatocellular steatosis is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of hepatocyte-specific HMGB1 (HC-HMGB1) in development of hepatic steatosis.

Methods

Wild type (WT) C57BL/6 and HC-HMGB1−/−mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) or low-fat diet (LFD) for up to 16 weeks.

Results

As expected, HMGB1 translocated from nuclear into cytoplasm and released into circulation after HFD treatment. HC-HMGB1 deficiency significantly reduced circulating HMGB1, suggesting that hepatocyte is a major source of circulating HMGB1 during NAFLD. Unexpectedly, HC-HMGB1 deficiency promoted rapid weight gain with enhanced hepatic fat deposition compared with WT at as early as 4 weeks after HFD treatment. Furthermore, there was no difference between WT and HC-HMGB1−/−mice in glucose tolerance, energy expenditure, liver damage or systemic inflammation. Interestingly, hepatic gene expression related to free fatty acid (FFA) β-oxidation was significantly down-regulated in HC-HMGB1−/−mice compared with WT, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers were significantly higher in livers of HC-HMGB1−/−mice. In vitro experiments using primary mouse hepatocytes showed absence of HMGB1 increased FFA-induced intracellular lipid accumulation, accompanied by increased ER-stress, significant downregulation of FFA β-oxidation, and reduced oxidative phosphorylation.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that hepatocyte HMGB1 protects against dysregulated lipid metabolism via maintenance of β-oxidation and prevention of ER stress. This represents a novel mechanism for HMGB1-regulation of hepatocellular steatosis, and suggests that stabilizing HMGB1 in hepatocytes may be effective strategies for prevention and treatment of NAFLD.
Research on the Preparation and Spectral Characteristics of Graphene/TMDs Hetero-structures
Authors: Han Tao , Liu Hongxia , Wang Shulong , Chen Shupeng , Yang Kun
Published: November 2020

The Van der Waals (vdWs) hetero-structures consist of two-dimensional materials have received extensive attention, which is due to its attractive electrical and optoelectronic properties. In this paper, the high-quality large-size graphene film was first prepared by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method; then, graphene film was transferred to SiO2/Si substrate; next, the graphene/WS2 and graphene/MoS2 hetero-structures were prepared by the atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition method, which can be achieved by directly growing WS2 and MoS2 material on graphene/SiO2/Si substrate. Finally, the test characterization of graphene/TMDs hetero-structures was performed by AFM, SEM, EDX, Raman and PL spectroscopy to obtain and grasp the morphology and luminescence laws. The test results show that graphene/TMDs vdWs hetero-structures have the very excellent film quality and spectral characteristics. There is the built-in electric field at the interface of graphene/TMDs heterojunction, which can lead to the effective separation of photo-generated electron–hole pairs. Monolayer WS2 and MoS2 material have the strong broadband absorption capabilities, the photo-generated electrons from WS2 can transfer to the underlying p-type graphene when graphene/WS2 hetero-structures material is exposed to the light, and the remaining holes can induced the light gate effect, which is contrast to the ordinary semiconductor photoconductors. The research on spectral characteristics of graphene/TMDs hetero-structures can pave the way for the application of novel optoelectronic devices.
Correction to: Optimality criteria for futility stopping boundaries for group sequential designs with a continuous endpoint
Authors: Li Xieran , Herrmann Carolin , Rauch Geraldine
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
High frequency of HPV genotypes 59, 66, 52, 51, 39 and 56 in women from Western Mexico
Authors: Molina-Pineda Andrea , López-Cardona María Guadalupe , Limón-Toledo Laura Patricia , Cantón-Romero Juan Carlos , Martínez-Silva María Guadalupe , Ramos-Sánchez Holanda Vanesa , Flores-Miramontes María Guadalupe , de la Mata-González Pedro , Jave-Suárez Luis F. , Aguilar-Lemarroy Adriana
Published: November 2020

Background

Human papillomavirus infection is an important factor associated with cervical cancer (CC) development. The prevalence and genotype distribution vary greatly worldwide. Examining local epidemiological data constitutes an important step towards the development of vaccines to prevent CC. In this work, we studied the prevalence of HPV genotypes in women from Western Mexico with the COBAS 4800 and/or Linear Array Genotyping Test (LA).

Methods

The samples analysed in this study represent a population from Western Mexico, which includes six different states. Our approach was first to test for HPV in cervical samples from women who attended their health clinic for routine gynaecological studies (open-population,n = 3000) by utilizing COBAS 4800. Afterwards, 300 of the HPV-positive samples were randomly selected to be genotyped with LA; finally, we genotyped samples from women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN 1,n = 71) and CC (n = 96) with LA. Sociodemographic data of the diverse groups were also compared.

Results

The overall HPV prevalence among the open-population of women as determined by COBAS 4800 was 12.1% (n = 364/3000). Among the HPV-positive samples, single infections (SI) with HPV16 were detected in 12.4% (n = 45/364), SI with HPV18 were detected in 1.4%, and infection with at least one of the genotypes included in the high-risk HPV pool was detected in 74.5% of the cases. LA analysis of the samples showed that in addition to HPV genotypes 16 and 18, there was a high prevalence of HPV genotypes 59, 66, 52, 51, 39 and 56 in women from Western Mexico. With respect to the sociodemographic data, we found statistically significant differences in the number of pregnancies, the use of hormonal contraceptives and tobacco intake.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that there is a high prevalence of HPV genotypes which are not covered by the vaccines currently available in Mexico; therefore, it is necessary to include HPVs 59, 66, 51, 39 and 56 in the design of future vaccines to reduce the risk of CC development. It is also essential to emphasize that the use of hormonal contraceptives and tobacco smoking are risk factors for CC development in addition to the presence of HPV.
Validation of PET/MRI attenuation correction methodology in the study of brain tumours
Authors: De Luca Francesca , Bolin Martin , Blomqvist Lennart , Wassberg Cecilia , Martin Heather , Falk Delgado Anna
Published: November 2020

Background

This study aims to compare proton density weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) zero echo time (ZTE) and head atlas attenuation correction (AC) to the reference standard computed tomography (CT) based AC for 11C-methionine positron emission tomography (PET)/MRI.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of 14 patients with suspected or confirmed brain tumour and 11C-Methionine PET/MRI was included in the study. For each scan, three AC maps were generated: ZTE–AC, atlas-AC and reference standard CT-AC. Maximum and mean standardised uptake values (SUV) were measured in the hotspot, mirror region and frontal cortex. In postoperative patients (n = 8), SUV values were additionally obtained adjacent to the metal implant and mirror region. Standardised uptake ratios (SUR) hotspot/mirror, hotspot/cortex and metal/mirror were then calculated and analysed with Bland–Altman, Pearson correlation and intraclass correlation reliability in the overall group and subgroups.

Results

ZTE–AC demonstrated narrower SD and 95% CI (Bland–Altman) than atlas-AC in the hotspot analysis for all groups (ZTE overall ≤ 2.84, − 1.41 to 1.70; metal ≤ 1.67, − 3.00 to 2.20; non-metal ≤ 3.04, − 0.96 to 3.38; Atlas overall ≤ 4.56, − 1.05 to 3.83; metal ≤ 3.87, − 3.81 to 4.64; non-metal ≤ 4.90, − 1.68 to 5.86). The mean bias for both ZTE–AC and atlas-AC was ≤ 2.4% compared to CT-AC. In the metal region analysis, ZTE–AC demonstrated a narrower mean bias range—closer to zero—and narrower SD and 95% CI (ZTE 0.21–0.48, ≤ 2.50, − 1.70 to 2.57; Atlas 0.56–1.54, ≤ 4.01, − 1.81 to 4.89). The mean bias for both ZTE–AC and atlas-AC was within 1.6%. A perfect correlation (Pearson correlation) was found for both ZTE–AC and atlas-AC compared to CT-AC in the hotspot and metal analysis (ZTE ρ 1.00, p < 0.0001; atlas ρ 1.00, p < 0.0001). An almost perfect intraclass correlation coefficient for absolute agreement was found between Atlas-, ZTE and CT maps for maxSUR and meanSUR values in all the analyses (ICC > 0.99).

Conclusions

Both ZTE and atlas-AC showed a good performance against CT-AC in patients with brain tumour.
Determinants of uptake of first dose of intermittent preventive treatment among pregnant women in a secondary health Centre in Maiduguri, Nigeria
Authors: Balami Ahmed Dahiru , Md. Said Salmiah , Mohd. Zulkefli Nor Afiah , Bachok Norsa’adah , Audu Bala
Published: November 2020

Background

Studies on uptake of first dose of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) are lacking, despite it being a predictor of subsequent doses. This study aimed at assessing the determinants of uptake of first dose of IPTp among pregnant women at the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which respondents were selected using a systematic random sampling method, and structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from them. Chi-squared test was used to determine factors associated with uptake of first IPTp dose, while a further multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine its predictors.

Results

Three hundred and eighty respondents answered the survey, whose ages ranged from 15 to 45 years, and 86.8% were multigravid. Sixty five percent of them were aware of IPTp, and 34.7% believed that IPTp could be harmful to their pregnancies. Over a half of the respondents (52.9%) believed that taking all their IPTp medicines was very good for their pregnancies, while 45.0% felt that taking their IPTp medicines was very pleasant. Only two respondents (0.5%) stated that it was very untrue that their significant others thought that they should take all their IPTp medicines. Half of the respondents said it was very easy for them to take all their IPTp medicines even if they were experiencing mild discomforts while taking them. Less than a half (42.37%) had received their first dose of IPTp. In bivariate as well as multivariate analysis, only higher level of knowledge was significantly associated with uptake of first IPTp dose. Those with better knowledge of IPTp were about twice more likely to have taken their first dose of IPTp, compared to those with lower knowledge of IPTp (AOR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.17–2.92).

Conclusions

Knowledge of IPTp as well as its uptake, were sub-optimal in this study. Since knowledge of IPTp significantly predicts uptake of the first dose of IPTp, there is the need to implement health education campaigns to raise the awareness of pregnant women and their families on the need to receive and comply with it.
The effectiveness of a collaborative infertility counseling (CIC) on pregnancy outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a randomized trial
Authors: Rasoulzadeh Bidgoli Mahboobeh , Latifnejad Roudsari Robab , Montazeri Ali
Published: November 2020

Background

The optimal objective of infertility treatments is to increase pregnancy rate. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a collaborative counseling program on pregnancy rate in women undergoing in vitro treatment.

Methods

This was a parallel group randomized trial on a sample of 60 women attending to an infertility research center affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences for fertility treatment. Women were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. Then, a five-session program offered to the intervention group while the control group received nothing expect the usual care. The primary outcome for the study was positive pregnancy test at the end of study. Statistical analyses including independent samples t-test were performed to explore the data.

Results

The outcome analysis showed that there were no significant differences in pregnancy rate between the intervention and the control groups (P = 0.298). Also, there were no significant differences in follicle and embryo numbers between two groups. However, a significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of oocyte numbers where the intervention group had more oocyte (P = 0.014).

Conclusion

Overall the findings indicated that the collaborative infertility counseling did not improve treatment success in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Trial registration

IRCT201110267915N1. Registered 2014.07.25-Retrospectively registered (http://en.irct.ir/trial/8359).