bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inclusive Education Teachers—Strategies of Working Collaboratively With Parents of Children With Special Educational Needs in Macau
Authors: Ng Shun Wing , Kwan Yee Wan
Published: November 2019

Education for learners with special education needs has become one of the major concerns of education policies in every corner of the world. In Macau, however, the transformation of schools into inclusive environments is reported to be slow because many teachers in Macau have not accepted the key values of inclusive education and possess little knowledge of their responsibilities as inclusive education teachers. Despite being nonempirical, the aim of this article is twofold: to inform inclusive education teachers, especially those in Macau and other developing regions, of the necessary knowledge, skills and strategies of working collaboratively with parents of children with SEN and provide policy makers concerned with practical ideas of designing effective professional development programmes for teachers working in the inclusive environment. The ultimate aim is to ensure that children with SEN benefit from an education process that includes quality learning opportunities.
Differential Item Functioning by HIV Status and Sexual Orientation of the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale: An Item Response Theory Analysis
Authors: Radusky Pablo D. , Rodriguez Violeta J. , Kumar Mahendra , Jones Deborah L.
Published: November 2019

The Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D) is the most widely used instrument to assess depressive symptoms in people living with HIV. However, its differential item functioning (DIF) by HIV status and sexual orientation has yet to be explored. This study examined DIF and measurement invariance of the CES-D using an item response theory (IRT) framework, and a more traditional factor analytic approach. Data from 841 HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected individuals, from Miami, Florida, were analyzed. Uniform DIF by HIV status was detected in Items 4, 12, and 16 from the Positive Affect factor. Nonuniform DIF was detected in Items 13 and 17. Uniform DIF by sexual orientation was detected in Items 2, 15, and 19, two of them from the Interpersonal factor. Nonuniform DIF was detected in Item 2. Using a factor analytic approach, the CES-D was invariant at the configural and metric levels by HIV and sexual orientation. These findings indicate that overall, however, using IRT, the magnitudes of DIF were negligible, the CED-D was somewhat invariant using factor analytic methods; the CES-D may be reliably used to compare by HIV status or sexual orientation.
The Impact of Coercive Control on Use of Specific Sexual Coercion Tactics
Authors: Mitchell Jenny E. , Raghavan Chitra
Published: November 2019

There is substantial evidence that women experience unwanted sex under nonviolent duress from partners. This study examined the relationship between coercive control and sexual coercion in heterosexual couples. Among a sample of 136 men arrested for domestic violence, extent of coercive control was used to predict the likelihood of using eight specific sexual coercion tactics. Findings indicated that coercive control predicted significantly greater likelihood of using covert tactics, but not physically violent or overtly aggressive tactics. The tactics that demonstrated the strongest relationship with coercive control seem indicative of a toxic relational environment that may subtly erode victim autonomy and sense of self over time. Implications discuss how use of more covert and insidious tactics maintain invisibility, isolation, blame, and perceived complicitness of victims in clinical, legal, and social settings.
Successful treatment of genital warts with cidofovir cream in a pediatric patient with Fanconi anemia
Authors: Muffarrej Duaa , Khattab Eman , Najjar Rula
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Patients with Fanconi anemia have an increased susceptibility to malignancies associated with human papillomavirus, and thus prevention and early management of human papillomavirus infections in this patient population are crucial.

Case report

A nine-year-old girl with Fanconi anemia developed genital warts about three years after undergoing haplo-identical stem cell transplant. The transplant was complicated by chronic graft-versus-host disease, and the patient had therefore received multiple immunosuppressants. The genital warts were treated with several creams, but minimal improvement was reported.

Management and outcome

Cidofovir was extemporaneously compounded into an unscented 1% moisturizing cream and applied daily at bedtime to the genital warts. By the end of treatment, the warts had been successfully treated, and no adverse events were reported. The patient is still free of any lesions at six months after completing treatment.

Discussion

Although reports have been published on the use of cidofovir cream, most were in adults with non-genital warts. Cidofovir cream may be considered as a treatment option for refractory genital warts in pediatric patients. However, further studies are needed to better define the optimal preparation and dosing for such patient population.
Computer-assisted retinal vessel diameter evaluation in Fabry disease
Authors: Sodi Andrea , Nicolosi Cristina , Vicini Giulio , Lenzetti Chiara , Virgili Gianni , Rizzo Stanislao
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

Fabry disease retinal vascular involvement has been widely reported, with narrowing of the retinal arterioles, dilation and irregularity of the retinal veins, and exaggerated tortuosity of the retinal vessels. We evaluated retinal vessel diameter in Fabry disease, by means of a dedicated software, aiming to provide a quantitative marker of retinal vascular network abnormalities in Fabry disease patients.

Material and methods:

Observational case-control study evaluating different branches of vessels, peripapillary vessels (group A), temporal vascular arcades (group B), and second-order collaterals of the temporal arcades (group C). We obtained the vessel diameters values from eye fundus digital images of eight Fabry disease patients and eight age-sex matched controls, using a semiautomatic software. Mann–Whitney test was used to compare the Fabry disease group versus the control group.

Results:

The difference between the average diameters of all the types of vessels considered were significantly smaller in Fabry disease patients compared to healthy controls, resulting in a decrease in size (mm) of 10.9% for group A, 7.8% for group B, and 7.4% for group C. The most evident difference between Fabry disease patients and controls was found in the largest vessels.

Conclusion:

A computer-assisted analysis of retinal vessel diameter in Fabry disease by means of dedicated software showed narrower retinal arteries in Fabry disease patients than in controls. Our data support the use of semiautomatic assessment of retinal vessel attenuation as an objective and reproducible method to evaluate retinal vascular alterations in Fabry disease, providing a clinical non-invasive tool for early diagnosis and disease monitoring.
A Solo Dance or a Tango?
Authors: Wan Yulin , An Shanshan , Zhou Yanchao , Tang Man , Liu Qiuyun
Published: November 2019

Previous studies have identified genetic factors and Epstein-Barr virus underlying nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A hypothesis postulated that the local buildup of HCl, mediated by hydrogen bond donors and acceptors and basic amino acids, causes cancer. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma incidences are high in the humid southern coastal China, Southeast Asia, and Mediterranean regions, but not in the noncoastal and nonhumid southern Yunnan Province, China, and nonhumid Central China. The nearly saturated humidity in the Huinan period in Guangdong can trigger the expression of proteins with extensive hydrogen bonding to protons, augmenting the formation of HCl that is mutagenic. Given that the Epstein-Barr virus carries high content of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, the moist environment in the nasal cavity may enable the virus to colonize the site, compounding pertinent investigations as both virus and high humidity are likely to trigger carcinogenesis. Therefore, the phenomena of exceptionally high humidity in regions with high nasopharyngeal cancer rates warrant further investigations.
Public opinion on climate change: Belief and concern, issue salience and support for government action
Authors: Crawley Sam , Coffé Hilde , Chapman Ralph
Published: November 2019

Climate policy across the developed world remains inadequate, despite high levels of concern about climate change among the public. Yet public opinion on climate change is complex, with individuals differing on three key opinion dimensions: belief and concern, issue salience, and support for government action. In this study, we investigate how these dimensions intersect at the individual level. Based on data from an online survey conducted in 2018 in the United Kingdom (N = 787), a latent class analysis reveals that there are five climate change opinion publics. The two largest publics have strong beliefs that climate change is occurring, but view it as a low salience issue, or are wary of government action to address it. We also investigate sociopolitical covariates of each public. By providing a detailed picture of climate change views, these findings can help us to better understand the relationship between public opinion and climate policy.
Experiences of rural life among community-dwelling older men with dementia and their implications for social inclusion
Authors: Hicks Ben , Innes Anthea , Nyman Samuel R.
Published: November 2019

Current international dementia care policies focus on creating ‘dementia-friendly’ communities that aim to support the social inclusion of people with dementia. Although it is known that the geo-socio-cultural rural environment can impact on the experiences of people living with dementia, this can be overlooked when exploring and implementing social inclusion policies. This paper addresses an important gap in the literature by exploring the perceptions of daily life for older men (65+ years) living with dementia in three rural areas of England. Open interviews were conducted with 17 rural-dwelling older men with dementia and the data elicited were analysed thematically to construct two higher order themes. The first focussed on ‘ Cracking on with life in a rural idyll’ and highlighted the benefits of rural living including the pleasant, natural environment, supportive informal networks and some accessible formal dementia support. The second presented ‘ A challenge to the idyll’ and outlined difficulties the men faced including a lack of dementia awareness amongst their family and the wider rural community as well as the physical and internal motivational barriers associated with the rural landscape and their dementia. The findings were interpreted through a lens of social inclusion and demonstrated how the geo-socio-cultural rural environment both enabled and inhibited facets of the men’s experiences of life in their communities. Based on these findings, the paper offers recommendations for practitioners, researchers and policy makers wishing to promote social inclusion in rural-dwelling older men living with dementia.
University students/graduates who have experienced parental incarceration: A qualitative exploratory study of protective processes
Authors: Zhang Jinyi , Flynn Catherine
Published: November 2019

Incarceration of a parent has been shown to have significant negative impacts on children’s development, with poorer educational outcomes and engagement in anti-social behaviours. However, the experiences of children who do well, despite parental incarceration, have been largely ignored in scholarly research. This study therefore sought to bring a strengths-orientation to this area, investigating the protective processes described as important by non-offending, ‘resilient’, young adults with lived experience of parental incarceration. Data from individual semi-structured interviews conducted with five university students/graduates demonstrate the role of family support. Family-related protective processes, including positive caregiving characteristics, perceived closeness with non-incarcerated caregivers and multi-faceted family support, are the most important in helping the participants cope well and develop resilience. These findings provide important initial knowledge in this area and propose core areas for further investigation. These preliminary findings suggest that assisting families, through the provision of resources and parenting supports, would be helpful in facilitating the development of resilience for children with incarcerated parents.
Railway bearing and cardan shaft fault diagnosis via an improved morphological filter
Authors: Li Yifan , Zuo Ming J , Chen Zaigang , Lin Jianhui
Published: November 2019

Railway faults are usually observed as impulses in the vibration signal, but they are mostly immersed in noise. To effectively remove noise and identify the impulses, an improved morphological filter is proposed in this article. The proposal focuses on two aspects: a novel gradient convolution operator is proposed for feature extraction, and a new fault sensitivity measurement algorithm is proposed for scale selection because a morphological filter’s effectiveness is mainly determined by these two elements. The performance of the improved morphological filter is evaluated with real vibration signals measured from train’s axle bearings and cardan shafts. From the analysis of three sets of railway faults, the results indicate that the proposed morphological filter effectively detects the faults. Compared with three reported morphological filters, the proposed method has better diagnosis effectiveness.
Contributions of Public Health Social Work Students to Their Professions and Communities
Authors: Forster-Cox Sue , Nelson Anna , Lang Chelse , Gandhi Shammi
Published: November 2019

In the contemporary public health workforce environment, public health social workers (PHSW) bring integrated skills, from both fields, to meet the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations. They receive training in their Master of Public Health/Master of Social Work dual-degree programs, such as the one at New Mexico State University, which serves the U.S./Mexico border region. During their studies, dual-degree students are equipped to address health and human service issues at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels and complete field experience and practicum hours in their communities. Along with practical skills, these students learn culturally responsive/humble ways of being with communities of color and marginalized individuals. After graduation, these emerging career PHSWs enter the workforce in a variety of settings: nonprofit, educational, government, primary care, and more. In this article, the field of public health social work is described in its historic and present forms, followed by PHSWs’ utility to the U.S./Mexico border region, in particular. Finally, we make the call to action for future career PHSWs to engage with this integrated, dynamic, innovative field, and its unique combination of community- and individual-based services and rewards.
A review of calcium phosphate cements and acrylic bone cements as injectable materials for bone repair and implant fixation
Authors: Yousefi Azizeh-Mitra
Published: November 2019

Treatment of bone defects caused by trauma or disease is a major burden on human healthcare systems. Although autologous bone grafts are considered as the gold standard, they are limited in availability and are associated with post-operative complications. Minimally invasive alternatives using injectable bone cements are currently used in certain clinical procedures, such as vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty. Nevertheless, given the high incidence of fractures and pathologies that result in bone voids, there is an unmet need for injectable materials with desired properties for minimally invasive procedures. This paper provides an overview of the most common injectable bone cement materials for clinical use. The emphasis has been placed on calcium phosphate cements and acrylic bone cements, while enabling the readers to compare the opportunities and challenges for these two classes of bone cements. This paper also briefly reviews antibiotic-loaded bone cements used in bone repair and implant fixation, including their efficacy and cost for healthcare systems. A summary of the current challenges and recommendations for future directions has been brought in the concluding section of this paper.
The 2019 Indian Elections and the Ruralization of the BJP
Authors: Maiorano Diego
Published: November 2019

The Indian general elections occurred amid a widespread and severe agricultural crisis. Many analysts thought that this could have a substantial impact on the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prospects to remain in office. This article, using post poll data, analyses the voting behaviour of two key sections of the electorate, the rural poor and the farmers. It shows that the BJP drew substantial support from both categories, across caste and class. Far from being a party of the urban upper classes and castes, the results of the 2019 elections mark the culmination of a decades-long process of ruralization and ‘proletarianization’ of the party.
Effect of haemoglobin levels on outcome in intravenous thrombolysis-treated stroke patients
Authors: Altersberger Valerian L , Kellert Lars , Al Sultan Abdulaziz S , Martinez-Majander Nicolas , Hametner Christian , Eskandari Ashraf , Heldner Mirjam R , van den Berg Sophie A , Zini Andrea , Padjen Visnja , Kägi Georg , Pezzini Alessandro , Polymeris Alexandros , DeMarchis Gian M , Tiainen Marjaana , Räty Silja , Nannoni Stefania , Jung Simon , Zonneveld Thomas P , Maffei Stefania , Bonati Leo , Lyrer Philippe , Sibolt Gerli , Ringleb Peter A , Arnold Marcel , Michel Patrik , Curtze Sami , Nederkoorn Paul J , Engelter Stefan T , Gensicke Henrik ,   for the Thrombolysis in Stroke Patients (TRISP) collaborators
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Alterations in haemoglobin levels are frequent in stroke patients. The prognostic meaning of anaemia and polyglobulia on outcomes in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis is ambiguous.

Patients and methods

In this prospective multicentre, intravenous thrombolysis register-based study, we compared haemoglobin levels on hospital admission with three-month poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale 3–6), mortality and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II-criteria (ECASS-II-criteria)). Haemoglobin level was used as continuous and categorical variable distinguishing anaemia (female: <12 g/dl; male: <13 g/dl) and polyglobulia (female: >15.5 g/dl; male: >17 g/dl). Anaemia was subdivided into mild and moderate/severe (female/male: <11 g/dl). Normal haemoglobin level (female: 12.0–15.5 g/dl, male: 13.0–17.0 g/dl) served as reference group. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated with logistic regression models.

Results

Among 6866 intravenous thrombolysis-treated stroke patients, 5448 (79.3%) had normal haemoglobin level, 1232 (17.9%) anaemia – of those 903 (13.2%) had mild and 329 (4.8%) moderate/severe anaemia – and 186 (2.7%) polyglobulia. Anaemia was associated with poor outcome (ORadjusted 1.25 (1.05–1.48)) and mortality (ORadjusted 1.58 (1.27–1.95)). In anaemia subgroups, both mild and moderate/severe anaemia independently predicted poor outcome (ORadjusted 1.29 (1.07–1.55) and 1.48 (1.09–2.02)) and mortality (ORadjusted 1.45 (1.15–1.84) and ORadjusted 2.00 (1.46–2.75)). Each haemoglobin level decrease by 1 g/dl independently increased the risk of poor outcome (ORadjusted 1.07 (1.02–1.11)) and mortality (ORadjusted 1.08 (1.02–1.15)). Anaemia was not associated with occurrence of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage. Polyglobulia did not change any outcome.

Discussion

The more severe the anaemia, the higher the probability of poor outcome and death. Severe anaemia might be a target for interventions in hyperacute stroke.

Conclusion

Anaemia on admission, but not polyglobulia, is a strong and independent predictor of poor outcome and mortality in intravenous thrombolysis-treated stroke patients.
Explicating Environmental Patriarchy: An Examination Through Gender and Environment Perspectives
Authors: Dalal Anjali
Published: November 2019

Much has been written about the relationship between women, nature and development, a relationship where women’s work, like nature, is often undervalued, in terms of acknowledging the interdependence of women and nature in preservation of environment to foster sustainable growth. Women are perceived as prominent actors in domestic chores as well as contributors to environmental rehabilitation and conservation. However, in comparison to men, their work and knowledge have often been undervalued in both environmental planning and domestic resource management. The existence of environmental patriarchy is, thereby, located at three dimensions; first, women’s exclusion from resource ownership and management; second, women’s exclusion from deliberation of indigenous knowledge; and third, gendered power relationship in society. This article explores the region-specific concerns of women built into theoretical feminist perspectives of the Western world in contrast to the Third World countries, dealt within a theoretical perspective of ecofeminism and feminist environmentalism. However, both the models leave some major theoretical questions unanswered, finally concluded in a perspective as proposed by feminist political ecology. The idea behind doing this is to take account of the various ways of conceptualizing feminist ecological theories so as to emphasize greater role of women in environmental planning and decision-making processes. By simultaneously analysing some environmental movements, it was found that women’s activism was not only sustainable but confronted other social issues and patriarchy in private domain.
Use of pedometers as a tool to promote daily physical activity levels in patients with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Armstrong Matthew , Winnard Andrew , Chynkiamis Nikolaos , Boyle Spencer , Burtin Chris , Vogiatzis Ioannis
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to examine the use of pedometers as a tool to promote daily physical activity levels in patients with COPD.

A systematic review meta-analysis of pedometer physical activity promotion in patients with COPD was conducted. Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL were searched from inception to January 2019. The search strategy included the following keywords: physical activity promotion, pulmonary rehabilitation and daily physical activity. The eligibility criteria for selecting studies were randomised controlled trials reporting pedometer physical activity promotion in patients with COPD.

Improvements in steps per day were found with pedometer physical activity promotion either standalone (n=12, mean 0.53 (95% CI 0.29–0.77); p=0.00001) or alongside pulmonary rehabilitation (n=7, 0.51 (0.13–0.88); p=0.006). A subgroup analysis reported significant differences in the promotion of physical activity based on baseline physical activity levels and the type of instrument used to assess levels of physical activity.

Future trials should consider the way in which pedometers are used to promote physical activity to inform clinical practice in the setting of pulmonary rehabilitation.
Modelling travel time uncertainty in urban networks based on floating taxi data
Authors: Bauer Dietmar , Tulic Mirsad , Scherrer Wolfgang
Published: November 2019

The prediction of the uncertainty of route travel time predictions for all possible routes in an urban road network is of importance for example for logistics. Such predictions need to take the essential features of the data set as well as the underlying traffic dynamics into account.In this paper a large floating taxi data set is used in order to derive predictions of route travel time uncertainty based on link travel time uncertainty predictions. Prediction errors, that is actual travel times minus predicted travel times, are differentiated from model errors, that is measured travel times minus predicted travel times. These two errors are related, but not identical, as model errors contain measurement noise while the prediction errors do not. Detailed models for the variance of the link travel time prediction errors as well as the correlation between the model errors for different links are derived. The models are validated in depth using two different validation data sets.Estimates for the variance of prediction errors are obtained. The standardized model error distributions show a remarkable stability, such that modelling the variance appears to be sufficient for quantifying the uncertainty of the model errors.Furthermore we show that the model errors for adjacent links are highly correlated but correlations fade with increasing distance. Additionally usage of the road network plays a role with high correlation for links along common routes and low correlations for links along seldom used routes. We assume identical features for the prediction errors which is partly validated based on additional data.The paper provides a way to estimate the complete distribution of route travel time prediction errors for any given route in the street network.
Immunogenicity of Del19 EGFR mutations in Chinese patients affected by lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Pan Deng , Zhou Dapeng , Cai Weijing , Wu Weibo , Tan Wen Ling , Zhou Caicun , Lou Yanyan
Published: November 2019

Background

Mutant peptides presented by cancer cells are superior vaccine candidates than self peptides. The efficacy of mutant K-Ras, P53 and EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) peptides have been tested as cancer vaccines in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers. The immunogenicity of EGFR Del19 mutations, frequent in Chinese lung adenocarcinoma patients, remains unclear.

Results

We predicted the HLA binding epitopes of Del19 mutations of EGFR in Chinese lung adenocarcinoma patients with NetMHC software. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the EGFR-reactive IgG in lung cancer patients. Del19 mutations may be presented by multiple HLA Class I molecules, with delE746_A750 presented by 37.5% of Chinese population. For HLA Class II molecules, Del19 mutations of EGFR may be presented by multiple HLA-DRB1 molecules, with delE746_A750 presented by 58.1% of Chinese population. Serum reactivity to wild type EGFR protein was significantly higher in patients with Del19 EGFR mutations than those with EGFR L858R point mutation or with EGFR wild type genotype.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that Del19 mutations of EGFR, with an estimated frequency of 40% in Chinese lung adenocarcinoma patients, may serve as unique targets for immunotherapy in Chinese lung cancer patients.
Disability perceived by primary care patients with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors:   Grupo de estudio del vértigo en atención primaria Florida, Carrillo Muñoz Ricard , Ballve Moreno José Luis , Villar Balboa Iván , Rando Matos Yolanda , Cunillera Puertolas Oriol , Almeda Ortega Jesús , Rodero Perez Estrella , Monteverde Curto Xavier , Rubio Ripollès Carles , Moreno Farres Noemí , Matos Mendez Austria , Gomez Nova Jean Carlos , Bardina Santos Marta , Villarreal Miñano Johan Josué , Pacheco Erazo Diana Lizzeth , Hernández Sánchez Anabella María
Published: November 2019

Background

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo. Little is known on how posterior canal BPPV affects health-related quality of life in patients diagnosed and treated at primary care facilities or on whether patients with subjective and objective disease perceive the effects differently. This study was designed to describe how patients diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV in primary care perceive disability.

Methods

Cross-sectional descriptive study performed at two urban primary care centers. Participants were patients aged 18 years or older with suspected posterior canal BPPV recruited for baseline evaluation in a clinical trial on the effectiveness of the Epley maneuver in primary care. The recruitment period was from November 2012 to January 2015. Perceived disability was evaluated using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory – Screening version (DHI-S). Other variables collected were age and sex, a history or diagnosis of anxiety or depression, treatment with antidepressants and/or anxiolytics, and results of the Dix-Hallpike (DH) test, which was considered positive when it triggered vertigo with or without nystagmus and negative when it triggered neither.

Results

The DH test was positive in 134 patients, 40.30% of whom had objective BPPV (vertigo with nystagmus). The median age of the patients was 52 years (interquartile range [IQR], 39.00–68.50 years) and 76.1% were women. The median total score on the DHI-S was 16 out of 40 (IQR, 8.00–22.00). Scores were higher (greater perceived disability) in women (p < 0.001) and patients with subjective BPPV (vertigo without nystagmus) (p = 0.033). The items perceived as causing the greatest disability were feeling depressed (67.1%) and worsening of the condition on turning over in bed (88%).

Conclusions

Patients diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV in primary care perceive their condition as a disability according to DHI-S scores, with higher levels of disability reported by women and patients with subjective BPPV. Feelings of depression and turning over in bed were associated with the greatest perceived difficulties.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01969513. Retrospectively registered. First Posted: October 25, 2013. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01969513
Neuroma of the Infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve following Total knee Arthroplasty: a case report
Authors: Xiang Yongbo , Li Zeng , Yu Peng , Zheng Zhibo , Feng Bin , Weng Xisheng
Published: November 2019

Background

Injury to the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve (IBSN) is common during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a standard midline skin incision. Occasionally, painful neuromas form at the transection of nerve and cause pain and limitation of the range of motion of the knee joint.

Case presentation

A 70-year-old woman experienced right knee pain and stiffness for 4 years after TKA. Physical assessment revealed medial tenderness; Tinel’s sign was positive. Radiographs revealed that the prosthesis was well-placed and well-fixed. She was diagnosed with arthrofibrosis and possible neuroma after TKA. She underwent right knee exploration, neurectomy, adhesiolysis and spacer exchange. The neuroma-like tissue was sent for pathological examination. The patient recovered uneventfully and at 3-month follow-up reported no recurrence of pain or stiffness. The pathological report confirmed the diagnosis of neuroma.

Conclusions

IBSN injury should be a concern if surgeons encounter a patient who has pain and stiffness after TKA. Tinel’s sign, local anesthetic injection, MRI and ultrasound could help the diagnosis and identify the precise location of neuroma. Surgical intervention should be performed if necessary.
P2Y12 receptor mediates microglial activation via RhoA/ROCK pathway in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis in a mouse model of chronic migraine
Authors: Jing Feng , Zhang Yixin , Long Ting , He Wei , Qin Guangcheng , Zhang Dunke , Chen Lixue , Zhou Jiying
Published: November 2019

Background

Microglial activation contributes to the development of chronic migraine (CM). The P2Y12 receptor (P2Y12R), a metabolic purinoceptor that is expressed on microglia in the central nervous system (CNS), has been indicated to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of chronic pain. However, whether it contributes to the mechanism of CM remains unknown. Thus, the present study investigated the precise details of microglial P2Y12R involvement in CM.

Methods

Mice subjected to recurrent nitroglycerin (NTG) treatment were used as the CM model. Hyperalgesia were assessed by mechanical withdrawal threshold to electronic von Frey and thermal withdrawal latency to radiant heat. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses were employed to detect the expression of P2Y12R, Iba-1, RhoA, and ROCK2 in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). To confirm the role of P2Y12R and RhoA/ROCK in CM, we systemically administered P2Y12R antagonists (MRS2395 and clopidogrel) and a ROCK2 inhibitor (fasudil) and investigated their effects on microglial activation, c-fos, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression in the TNC. To further confirm the effect of P2Y12R on microglial activation, we preincubated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated BV-2 microglia with MRS2395 and clopidogrel. ELISA was used to evaluate the levels of inflammatory cytokines.

Results

The protein levels of P2Y12R, GTP-RhoA, ROCK2, CGRP, c-fos, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the TNC were increased after recurrent NTG injection. A double labeling study showed that P2Y12R was restricted to microglia in the TNC. MRS2395 and clopidogrel attenuated the development of tactile allodynia and suppressed the expression of CGRP, c-fos, and GTP-RhoA/ROCK2 in the TNC. Furthermore, fasudil also prevented hyperalgesia and suppressed the expression of CGRP in the TNC. In addition, inhibiting P2Y12R and ROCK2 activities suppressed NTG-induced microglial morphological changes (process retraction) and iNOS production in the TNC. In vitro, a double labeling study showed that P2Y12R was colocalized with BV-2 cells, and the levels of iNOS, IL-1β, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia were reduced by P2Y12R inhibitors.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that microglial P2Y12R in the TNC plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of CM by regulating microglial activation in the TNC via RhoA/ROCK pathway.
Bifidogenic and butyrogenic effects of young barely leaf extract in an in vitro human colonic microbiota model
Authors: Sasaki Daisuke , Sasaki Kengo , Kadowaki Yasushi , Aotsuka Yasuyuki , Kondo Akihiko
Published: November 2019

Young barley leaf extract (YBL) contains beneficial substances such as fructans, minerals, and vitamins. The effects of YBL administration on the human colonic microbiota and its production of metabolites were evaluated using an in vitro model culture system. Fermentations were started by inoculating fecal samples from nine healthy subjects, with or without 1.5% YBL. Bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing results confirmed that YBL administration significantly increased the relative abundances of bacteria related to the genus Bifidobacterium (p = 0.001, paired t-test) and those of the genera Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, Unclassified Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospira (p = 0.013, p = 0.019, p = 0.028, and p = 0.034, respectively, paired t-test). Increased abundances of the latter genera corresponded to increased butyrate production in human colonic microbiota models following fermentation with 1.5% YBL, when compared to fermentation without 1.5% YBL (p = 0.006, Dunnett’s test). In addition, YBL administration significantly increased the production levels of amino acids such as lysine, glutamate, serine, threonine, alanine, isoleucine, leucine, valine, and phenylalanine. Therefore, our results showed the health-promoting bifidogenic and butyrogenic effects of YBL.
Colchicine causes prenatal cell toxicity and increases tetraploid risk
Authors: Wang Ding , Xie Yingjun , Yan Minyi , Pan Qianying , Liang Yi , Sun Xiaofang
Published: November 2019

Background

Colchicine is a clinical medicine used for relief from gout and familial Mediterranean fever. Because of its toxic effects, intravenous injection of colchicine has been banned, but it is still widely administered orally. We assayed the toxic effects of colchicine in cultured primary chorionic villus cells and amniotic fluid cells to interpret its influence on the placenta and foetus.

Methods

Bright field record and cell count kit 8 were used to value cell viability. Flow cytometer was used to identify cells markers, cell cycle and cell apoptosis. G-banding was used for karyotype analysis for sample genetic and drug effect evaluation.

Results

Chorionic villus cells and amniotic fluid cells were characterized as mesenchymal cells that share most cell surface markers and have a similar response to colchicine. Colchicine did not induce a decline in cell viability at low concentrations but suppressed cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle in the G2/M phase and increased the risk of tetraploid generation in a small subset of cases.

Conclusions

Our study revealed the results of a colchicine-induced toxicity test in prenatal cells and determined the anti-mitotic biologically functional dose and manner of administration that might reduce the risk of tetraploid generation.
Correction to: Practical guidance for the implementation of the CRISPR genome editing tool in filamentous fungi
Authors: Kwon Min Jin , Schütze Tabea , Spohner Sebastian , Haefner Stefan , Meyer Vera
Published: November 2019

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported that Table 5 was missing in the published version, although it was originally submitted and reviewed along with the rest of the manuscript. The complete Table 5 is given in this erratum.
Contraceptive use and discontinuation among women in rural North-West Tanzania
Authors: Safari Wende , Urassa Mark , Mtenga Baltazar , Changalucha John , Beard James , Church Kathryn , Zaba Basia , Todd Jim
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Existing estimates of contraceptive use in Tanzania rely on cross-sectional or retrospective study designs. This study used a 2-year, retrospective, month-by-month calendar of contraceptive utilization among women aged 15–49 years.

Methods

We estimated the median duration of contraceptive use, factors associated with use, and contraceptive discontinuation rates in sexually active women, using life tables and Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

A total of 5416 women contributed to the analysis in the study. Of the 5416 women, 942 (17%) had never had sex, 410 (7.6%) had no sexual partner in the last year. Among the 5416 women, 4064 were sexually active during the period, 814 (21.1%) were pregnant or amenorrheic, 610 (15.0%) were using contraception, and 1203 (29.6%) did not want to get pregnant but were not using contraception. In the 1813 women who wanted to avoid pregnancy, contraceptive use was lower among women over 35 years compared to younger ones (OR = 0.28, 95%CI: 0.19, 0.41), and in HIV positive women (OR = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.60–1.32). On the other hand, use was higher among women who were married/living together compared to unmarried ones (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.54, 3.23). Using a 2-year retrospective contraceptive calendar, 1054 women reported contraceptive use, 15.8% discontinued within 6 months and 30.5% discontinued within 12 months. Higher rates of contraceptive discontinuation were observed among women who used pills (OR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.25, 2.77) or injections (OR = 2.04, 95%CI: 1.59, 2.61) compared to those who used implants.

Conclusion

Contraceptive use was significantly associated with age, education and parity, but not with HIV status. HIV status, number of living children and education are not statistically associated with discontinuation of contraceptive use Pills and injections had the highest rates of discontinuation. Wider choice and greater accessibility of long-acting contraceptive methods with better effectiveness and convenience may serve women better. Furthermore, special efforts may be needed to remove barriers to contraceptive use amongst younger women.
Risk mitigation in electric power systems: Where to start?
Authors: Alshawish Ali , de Meer Hermann
Published: November 2019

Power grids are becoming increasingly intelligent. In this regard, they benefit considerably from the information technology (IT) networks coupled with their underlying operational technology (OT) networks. While IT networks provide sufficient controllability and observability of power grid assets such as voltage and reactive power controllers, distributed energy resources, among others, they make those critical assets vulnerable to cyber threats and risks. In such systems, however, several technical and economic factors can significantly affect the patching and upgrading decisions of their components including, but not limited to, limited time and budget as well as legal constraints. Thus, resolving all vulnerabilities at once could seem like an insuperable hurdle. To figure out where to start, an involved decision maker (e.g. a security team) has to prudently prioritize the possible vulnerability remediation actions. The key objective of prioritization is to efficiently reduce the inherent security risk to which the system in question is exposed. Due to the critical role of power systems, their decision makers tend to enhance the system resilience against extreme events. Thus, they seek to avoid decision options associated with likely severe risks. Practically, this risk attitude guides the decision-making process in such critical organizations and hence the sought-after prioritization as well.Therefore, the contribution of this work is to provide an integrated risk-based decision-support methodology for prioritizing possible remediation activities. It leverages the Time-To-Compromise security metric to quantitatively assess the risk of compromise. The developed risk estimator considers several factors including: i) the inherent assessment uncertainty, ii) interdependencies between the network components, iii) different adversary skill levels, and iv) public vulnerability and exploit information. Additionally, our methodology employs game theory principles to support the strategic decision-making process by constructing a chain of security games. Technically, the remediation actions are prioritized through successively playing a set of dependent zero-sum games. The underlying game-theoretical model considers carefully the stochastic nature of risk assessments and the specific risk attitude of the decision makers involved in the patch management process across electric power organizations.
Child and adolescent mental health amidst emergencies and disasters
Authors: Danese Andrea , Smith Patrick , Chitsabesan Prathiba , Dubicka Bernadka
Published: November 2019

The mental health of children and young people can be disproportionally affected and easily overlooked in the context of emergencies and disasters. Child and adolescent mental health services can contribute greatly to emergency preparedness, resilience and response and, ultimately, mitigate harmful effects on the most vulnerable members of society.
Recent advances in understanding Japanese encephalitis
Authors: Banerjee Arup , Tripathi Aarti
Published: November 2019

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a clinical manifestation of the brain inflammation caused by JE virus (JEV). This virus imparts permanent neurological damage, thus imposing a heavy burden on public health and society. Neuro-inflammation is the hallmark of JEV infection. The prolonged pro-inflammatory response is due primarily to microglial activation, which eventually leads to severe encephalitis. A continual effort is going on in the scientific community toward an understanding of cellular and molecular factors that are involved in JEV neuro-invasion and inflammatory processes. This review not only gives a comprehensive update on the recent advances on understanding virus structure and mechanisms of pathogenesis but also briefly discusses crucial unresolved issues. We also highlight challenging areas of research that might open new avenues for controlling virus-induced neuro-inflammation.
Knowledge of pastoralists on livestock diseases and exposure assessment to brucellosis within rural and peri-urban areas in Kajiado, Kenya
Authors: Onono Joshua , Mutua Penina , Kitala Philip , Gathura Peter
Published: November 2019

Background: Livestock diseases impact the livelihoods of pastoralists. Brucellosis, a neglected zoonotic disease is highly prevalent in this system with an estimated 16% of livestock population in sub-Saharan Africa infected with the disease. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge of livestock diseases and the risk of exposure to brucellosis among pastoralists living in Kajiado County of Kenya.

Methods: The study sites included pastoralist communities living in rural and peri-urban areas within the County. Both primary and secondary data were collected using participatory methods including pairwise ranking, proportional piling and probing and a review of the published literature. Exposure risk assessment was conducted according to the CODEX Alimentarius framework: Hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment and risk estimation.

Results: According to pastoralists, livestock diseases that frequently occurred in their flocks and herds were contagious caprine pleuropneumonia, lumpy skin disease and foot and mouth disease; but zoonoses, including anthrax and brucellosis, were also mentioned during focus group discussions. Potential pathways of exposure to brucellosis and other zoonoses included consumption of unpasteurized milk, handling infected aborted materials without protective measures and consumption of raw meat and raw blood. Consumption of unpasteurized milk and handling infected aborted materials without protectives were linked with high risk of exposure to household members living in rural areas, with the risk level within the peri-urban areas ranked very low to low for most of these risk practices.

Conclusions: The results call for enhanced public education targeting vulnerable groups to mitigate risks of disease spread and other impacts of brucellosis within the affected pastoralist production systems.
A systematic review of criminal recidivism rates worldwide: 3-year update
Authors: Yukhnenko Denis , Sridhar Shivpriya , Fazel Seena
Published: November 2019

Background: Comparing recidivism rates between countries may provide useful information about the relative effectiveness of different criminal justice policies. A previous 2015 review identified criminal recidivism data for 18 countries and found little consistency in outcome definitions and time periods. We aimed to update recidivism rates in prisoners internationally.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of criminal recidivism rates in prisoners and followed PRISMA guidelines. Using five bibliographic indexes, we carried out non-country-specific and targeted searches for 50 countries with the largest total prison populations. We included reports and studies of released prisoners that reported re-arrest, reconviction and reincarceration rates. Meta-analysis was not possible due to multiple sources of heterogeneity.

Results: We identified criminal recidivism information for 23 countries. Of the 50 countries with the largest prison populations, 10 reported recidivism rates for prisoners. The most commonly reported outcome was the 2-year reconviction rate. We were able to examine reconviction between different time periods for 11 countries and found that most reported small changes in official recidivism rates. Overall, for 2-year follow-up period, reported re-arrest rates were between 26% and 60%, reconviction rates ranged from 20% to 63%, and reimprisonment rates varied from 14 to 45%.

Conclusions: Although some countries have made efforts to improve reporting, recidivism rates are not comparable between countries. Criminal justice agencies should consider using reporting guidelines described here to update their data.