bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ni-Mo-P coatings on thrust plate of a gear pump to enhance its mechanical, tribological, and corrosion resistance properties
Authors: Sharma Anubhav Kumar , Kumar Niranjan , Das Alok Kumar , Kumar Monty
Published: July 2023

Thrust plate in an external gear pump is one of the most important element which aligns the rotating gears and prevents the leakage through lateral clearances between rotating and non-rotating surfaces. It acts as a sacrificing element and fails frequently under fluctuating load pressure condition. The present research aims at enhancing the relative mechanical and tribological properties of the sacrificial thrust plate through electroless Ni-Mo-P coatings. Molybdenum (Mo) concentration in the electroless bath were tested for their effects on surface morphology, hardness, phase formation, wear rate, and wettability. A hard and self-lubricating layer (Al, Ni, Si, and Mo phases) on the coated surface was indicated by the compositional analysis performed using EDS and XRD. Results show that the microhardness of the coated surfaces has increased significantly by 149.5% (maximum hardness ~ 183.45 HV0.2) for 32 g L−1 Mo concentration. With 32 g L−1 Mo, the maximum coating thickness and water contact angle were 58 µm and 111°, respectively. The base material’s coefficient of friction was 0.5, whereas it was 0.25, 0.10, 0.06, and 0.03 for the samples made with 8, 16, 24, and 32 g L−1 Mo concentration, respectively. Compared to the uncoated sample, the maximum decrement in corrosion rate was found to be about six to seven times in the coated sample (with 32 g L−1 Mo). As a result, the developed coating surfaces provide hardness, lubricity, hydrophobicity, corrosion, and wear resistance simultaneously. The methodology of surface treatment can be used to modify the surface of critical hydraulic components having significant wear like in case of hydraulic cylinders.
Creep of autofrettaged thick-walled FGM cylindrical vessel
Authors: Abdolkhani F. , Hashemian M. , Aghadavoudi F. , Habibi N.
Published: July 2023

In this research work, the creep of thick-walled cylindrical vessels made of FGM with autofrettaged-treated was investigated using the analytical method. At different plastic depths and a variety of internal pressures for elastic modulus and yield stress constants ( n1 and n4), changes in residual creep strain rate (radial and circumferential) and final creep strain rate are investigated. The obtained results show that the circumferential stresses in the autofrettage have different values depending on the depth of the plastic. In the equivalent stress diagram, the resulting stress at the plastic points of the vessel reaches the yield stress of the FGM, and the stress decreases along the radius. If [Formula: see text] is increased from 1 to 1.8, the maximum creep strain rate decreases (for several n4, the dimensionless plastic depth is equal to 1.8). The results show that up to a dimensionless plastic depth of 1.5, the change in residual strain rate is negligible. The slope of the graphs for the dimensionless depths above 1.6 increases sharply. A comparison of the maximum circumferential stress as a function of plastic depth for the present work and the study by Darijani shows very good agreement between the two studies.
Predictive abilities comparison from multiple dynamic prediction models
Authors: Moreau Clémence , Riou Jérémie , Roux Marine
Published: July 2023

With the development of personalized medicine, the study of individual prognosis appears to be a major contemporary scientific issue. Dynamic models are particularly well adapted to such studies by allowing some potential changes in the follow-up to be taken into account. In particular, this leads to more accurate predictions by updating the available information throughout the patient monitoring. Some mathematical tools have been developed to quantify and compare the effectiveness of dynamic predictions using dynamic versions of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and the Brier score in the competing risks setting. Nevertheless, only two predictive abilities can be compared. This may be too restrictive in a clinical context where more and more information can be collected during patient follow-up thanks to recent technological advances. Here we propose a new procedure that allows multiple comparisons of the predictive abilities of different biomarkers, based on the dynamic area under the receiver operating characteristic curve or Brier score. Performances of our testing procedure were assessed by simulations. Moreover, a motivating application in hepatology will be presented. Finally, this work compares more than two dynamic predictive abilities of biomarkers and is available via R functions on GitHub.
Theorising Necromale Through Killable Female: A Study of Murder 2 and Article 15
Authors: Rathour Ankita
Published: July 2023

This essay studies the construction of killable female bodies via two Hindi films: Murder 2 (2011) and Article 15 (2019) and theorises a necromale—male murdering agent following a violent sovereign ethos, which, in turn, illuminates sovereign Indian masculinity in crisis. One of the many romances of the idea of sovereignty and ideals of self-rule is the construction of imaginary adversaries whose violent execution serves the sovereign purpose. This essay extends the rhetoric of sovereignty to include male violence in the study of alleged enemies—dead girls. If sovereignty means power to kill or let live, then in what ways does that definition play out in these films through gender violence? The essay expands on the exclusionary principles of killability—secrecy around murder investigations, hasty cremation/burial, and patriarchal and casteist public discourses that serve exclusively to make the male Indian sovereign violence against the victims doubtable. The killable females became the potent ground where caste, patriarchal, and national ideologies combine, enabling the Indian male sovereignty to deploy its power to kill. However, this sovereign/casteist murderous male, whom the essay establishes as a necromale, is killable in return. The male power to kill emerges as a suicidal martyrdom because the state’s right to kill ultimately reserves the monopoly on violence.
The What and the How: A pilot study of feedback from service providers and consumers about service development in new urban mental health hub
Authors: Wilhelm Kay , Short Brooke , Chiem Lyn , Son Hing Megan , Schiavuzzi Francesca , Evans Sean , Taylor Matt , Grant Pat
Published: July 2023

Objective

An inner-city hospital purchased a local hotel to provide support, digital engagement, skill development groups and referrals to partner agencies. Being aware of the hotel’s importance to the local community, we sought feedback on a model of care relevant to perceived gaps and needs in support for mental health.

Methods

Four online focus groups included healthcare professionals, nominated opinion leaders from local Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), consumers and carers to reflect a range of views. Focus group data were qualitatively analysed.

Results

Participants made useful suggestions about WHAT educational, preventative and therapeutic services were needed. They emphasised the importance of HOW people engage with the service, the balance between accessibility and security. Other themes included targeting people with limited health literacy, integration with existing services, building on site heritage and ongoing evaluation of objectives and needs.

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrated clear support for providing safe and welcoming access to services, with resources and access to services to improve their health and wellbeing built on principles of social justice and inclusion. Participants had constructive ideas of what was needed, and ongoing patient and public research is anticipated.
Anxiety, Depression, Stress, and Self-Esteem in Turkish Parents of Children with Microtia
Authors: Turhan Damar Hale , Ogce Aktas Filiz
Published: July 2023

Objective

To describe factors affecting anxiety, depression, stress, and self-esteem in parents of children with microtia.

Design

Cross-sectional correlational study.

Participants

Parents (N = 117) of children with microtia were recruited nationally through a Turkish craniofacial non-governmental organization's social media.

Main Outcome Measures

Demographics, parental report of microtia experiences and concerns, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.

Results

The mean parental age was 35.61 ± 5.96 years and 74.4% were female. The mean age of their children was 6.08 ± 4.22 years, 69.2% were male, 93.8% had unilateral microtia, and 14.5% had ear reconstruction. Some parents had low self-esteem (24.8%) and were in the severe range for depression (30.7%), anxiety (25.6%), and stress (21.4%). Depression (M = 7.43, SD = 5.35) was associated with worry about child's future (β = 0.25, P = .013), microtia information given around birth (β = −0.20, P = .024), and child no ear surgery (β = −0.23, P = .008), while stress (M = 8.21, SD = 5.37) was associated with worry about the child's future (β = 0.28, P = .008). Parental self-esteem (M = 29.59, SD = 5.10) was related to child having ear surgery (β = 0.19, P = .047) and information about microtia provided around birth (β = 0.22, P = .018). There were no significant associations with Anxiety (M = 6.04, SD = 4.82) identified by multiple regression.

Conclusions

While most parents were in the average to moderate range for clinical concerns, a fifth to a third of participants were in the severe range for depression, anxiety, and stress and a quarter of participants for low self-esteem. Informing families about the microtia treatment process, having the child have surgery, and interventions for reducing their future concerns may provide psychological relief for them.
Spondyloarthropathies That Mimic Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Narrative Review
Authors: Tanios Mina , Brickman Bradley , Norris Jordan , Ravi Sreeram , Eren Emre , McGarvey Cade , Morris David J , Elgafy Hossein
Published: July 2023

Ankylosing spondylitis is the most common type of seronegative inflammatory spondyloarthropathy often presenting with low back or neck pain, stiffness, kyphosis and fractures that are initially missed on presentation; however, there are other spondyloarthropathies that may present similarly making it a challenge to establish the correct diagnosis. Here, we will highlight the similarities and unique features of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, radiographic findings, and management of seronegative inflammatory and metabolic spondyloarthropathies as they affect the axial skeleton and mimic ankylosing spondylitis. Seronegative inflammatory spondyloarthropathies such as psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, noninflammatory spondyloarthropathies such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, and ochronotic arthritis resulting from alkaptonuria can affect the axial skeleton and present with symptoms similar those of ankylosing spondylitis. These similarities can create a challenge for providers as they attempt to identify a patient’s condition. However, there are characteristic radiographic findings and laboratory tests that may help in the differential diagnosis. Axial presentations of seronegative inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and metabolic spondyloarthropathies occur more often than previously thought. Identification of their associated symptoms and radiographic findings are imperative to effectively diagnose and properly manage patients with these diseases.
Screening depression and anxiety in Indigenous peoples: A global scoping review
Authors: Meldrum Kathryn , Andersson Ellaina , Webb Torres , Quigley Rachel , Strivens Edward , Russell Sarah
Published: July 2023

Indigenous peoples’ worldviews are intricately interconnected and interrelated with their communities and the environments in which they live. Their worldviews also manifest in a holistic view of health and well-being, which contrasts with those of the dominant western biomedical model. However, screening depression and/or anxiety in Indigenous peoples often occurs using standard western tools. Understandably, the cultural appropriateness of these tools has been questioned. The purpose of this scoping review was to map the literature that used any type of tool to screen depression or anxiety in Indigenous adults globally. A systematic scoping review method was used to search databases including, but not limited to, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and Google. Database-specific search terms associated with Indigenous peoples, depression and anxiety, and screening tools were used to identify literature. In addition, citation searches of related systematic reviews and relevant websites were conducted. The data set was limited to English language publications since database inception. Fifty-four publications met the review's inclusion criteria. Most studies were completed in community settings using standard western depression and anxiety screening tools. Thirty-three different tools were identified, with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 being the most frequently used. The review's findings are concerning given repeated calls for culturally appropriate screening tools to be used with Indigenous peoples. Although there has been some work to cross-culturally adapt depression screening tools for specific Indigenous populations, clearly more clinicians and researchers need to be aware of, and use, culturally appropriate approaches to screening.
A Simple and Versatile Test for Elbow Posterolateral Rotatory Instability
Authors: Goldin Amanda N. , Dwight Kathryn D. , Hentzen Eric R. , Leek Bryan T. , Hughes-Austin Jan M. , Ward Samuel R. , Abrams Reid A.
Published: July 2023

Background:

Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) results from lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LCL) deficiency. The lateral pivot shift test is used to diagnose PLRI but can be difficult to perform and is poorly tolerated. We present a new maneuver, the Posterior Radiocapitellar Subluxation Test (PRST), that we believe is easier to perform. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and reproducibility of the PRST with the lateral pivot shift test.

Methods:

We obtained 10 cadaveric upper extremity specimens, performed a Kocher approach on each, released the LCL origin in 5, then closed. The specimens were randomized, and 3 attending orthopedic surgeons and 1 resident blindly performed the PRST then the lateral pivot shift test after re-randomization and assessed presence or absence of PLRI. This process was repeated the following day. The data for each test were analyzed for sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.

Results:

For the blinded testing when comparing PRST with the pivot shift test, overall accuracy was 77.5%, compared with 67.5% ( P = .03), sensitivity was 75.0%, compared with 50.0% ( P = .003), and specificity was 80.0%, compared with 85.0% ( P = .55). Conclusions: The PRST appears to be at least as accurate as the lateral pivot shift test, with comparable intraobserver and interobserver reliability.
Furthering the Field of Lifestyle Medicine Through the Donald A. Pegg Student Leadership Award
Authors: Lintvedt Annika F. , Garcia Abigail , Coffee Ali K. , Manga Stephen , Voehl Timothy
Published: July 2023

Lifestyle medicine focuses on six pillars: a predominantly whole food, plant-based dietary pattern, physical activity, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, sleep, and positive social connection. Lifestyle medicine has been shown to be effective in treating heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, among others. Despite these data, lifestyle medicine education amongst medical schools continues to be inadequate. Lifestyle Medicine Interest Groups (LMIGs) are student-led organizations which work to fill the gap in lifestyle medicine education by holding a variety of programming for their student bodies, while concurrently advocating for designated lifestyle medicine education within formal curricula. The Donald A. Pegg Student Leadership Award was created by Dr. Beth Frates, current President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, to recognize outstanding student leaders in the field of lifestyle medicine, and specifically for the work related to their LMIG. The Donald A. Pegg Award provides recipients with LMIG funding for their respective institutions, complementary registration for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine national conference, and a stipend for conference travel. The funding provided by the Donald A. Pegg Award allows LMIGs to expand their reach to their greater student bodies, helping to further the field of lifestyle medicine. The purpose of this article is to highlight the 2022 Donald A. Pegg award recipients and how they are using its merit to advance the field of lifestyle medicine.
Examining how data becomes information for an upcoming opponent in football
Authors: Mehta Saumya , Furley Philip , Raabe Dominik , Memmert Daniel
Published: July 2023

As the sport industry witnesses a surge in the type and volume of data-driven decisions, the general question of the process of information development remains: how is data used to develop meaningful information? And does the presence of novel quantitative data sources lend greater objectivity to match analysis? Study 1 examines how 12 football analysts use the same qualitative (video) and quantitative (event and position) data to develop information constituting a typical opponent report for an upcoming match, while Study 2 investigates the agreement between grade evaluations of these opponent reports by numerous professional coaches. Findings of Study 1 through independent-samples t-tests ( t(18) = 3.922, p = 0.001) indicate a clear dominance of qualitative video data over quantitative event and position data in all opponent reports. Despite the presence of quantitative data sources, analysts tend to prefer annotated video data. Possible relations to previous experience and familiarity with data, coach–analyst preferences and biases are discussed. Results from Study 2 show extremely weak intra-class correlations (ICC) ( r = 0.147; p = 0.011) between different grades awarded to the same video, depicting a clear lack of agreement in what coaches consider a good opponent report. Furthermore, coaches most valued the comprehensibility and relevance of the report. No significant associations were found between use of either data type and better grades. The subjectivity of the coaching process highlighting preferences regarding data validity and negotiations of adopting new key performance indicators (KPIs) is discussed, alongside limitations of the sample as well as the level of coach–analysts involved.
Time in a Virtual World: Facebook Intrusion, Time Perspective, and Contents of Facebook Narratives
Authors: Sobol Małgorzata , Blachnio Agata , Pasternak Katarzyna
Published: July 2023

Online social networking sites are places where users spend a lot of their time and leave a huge number of narratives. In the virtual world of Facebook, moving in a space is limited to only a slight hand movement. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the level of Facebook intrusion, time perspective, and the contents of Facebook narratives. The participants were 83 Polish Facebook users, aged 18 to 62 years. We used the Facebook Intrusion Questionnaire, the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, and the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program. The results suggest that Facebook intrusion is connected with the low future perspective of Facebook users. Moreover, the stronger the Facebook intrusion, the more swear words in Facebook narratives. There were significant positive relationships between a present fatalistic time perspective and words expressing aggression in Facebook narratives. The results were interpreted in the context of the theory of embodied cognition.
Objects of mestizo memory
Authors: Mejía Alexander F
Published: July 2023

This visual essay explores the relationship of racialization and family archives based on an inquiry into my Guatemalan father’s collection of media artifacts. The media objects include VHS tapes, photographic prints, and legal documents. All of the images presented are from my father’s media archive, and they are presented in relation to a series of textual reflections. These reflections are drawn from my own experiences producing oral histories with my tía Marta in Guatemala, my father’s reflections on his archive of media objects, and a review of colonial texts that elaborated the descriptions of ethnoracial categories related to “mestizaje” in Central America. Taken together, this image-based and textual exploration presents the reader with an opportunity to reflect on the contingent, fraught, and open-ended process of racialization, as well as on moments of foreclosure where boundaries of ethnoracial identity are demarcated and reified. The essay meditates on ways that utterances and dialogue about family archives constitute sites of racialization. There is a corresponding video essay featuring my father’s narration along with his interaction with his archive at the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwPmMwBJc-k .
Restoring Wnt signaling in a hormone-simulated postpartum depression model remediated imbalanced neurotransmission and depressive-like behaviors
Authors: Ye Binglu , Yuan Yawei , Liu Rui , Zhou Haitao , Li Yujie , Sheng Zhihao , Li Tianyu , Zhang Bing , Xu Zhendong , Li Yang , Liu Zhiqiang
Published: July 2023

Background

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental disorder that negatively impacts mothers and infants. The mechanisms of vulnerability to affective illness in the postpartum period remain largely unknown. Drastic fluctuations in reproductive hormones during the perinatal period generally account for triggering PPD. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the PPD-like behaviors induced by the fluctuations in hormones has rarely been reported.

Methods

We utilized hormones-simulated pseudopregnancy (HSP) and hormones-simulated postpartum period (HSPP) rat models to determine how drastic fluctuations in hormone levels affect adult neurotransmission and contribute to depressive-like behaviors. The electrophysiological response of CA1 pyramidal neurons was evaluated by whole-cell patch clamping to identify the hormone-induced modulations of neurotransmission. The statistical significance of differences was assessed with One-way ANOVA and t-test (p < 0.05 was considered significant).

Results

Reproductive hormones withdrawal induced depressive-like behaviors and disturbed the balance of excitatory and inhibitory transmission in the pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus. Molecular analyses revealed that the blunted Wnt signaling might be responsible for the deficits of synaptic transmission and behaviors. Activation of Wnt signaling increased excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. Reactivation of Wnt signaling alleviated the anhedonic behaviors and abnormal synaptic transmission.

Conclusions

Restoring Wnt signaling in the hormones-simulated postpartum period rat models remediated depression-related anhedonia symptoms and rebalanced the excitation/inhibition ratio by collectively enhancing the plasticity of GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses. The investigations carried out in this research might provide an alternative and prospective treatment strategy for PPD.
CircRNA/lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network and gene landscape in calcific aortic valve disease
Authors: Zheng Yuqi , Wen Shuyu , Jiang Shijiu , He Shaolin , Qiao Weihua , Liu Yi , Yang Wenling , Zhou Jin , Wang Boyuan , Li Dazhu , Lin Jibin
Published: July 2023

Background

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a common valve disease with an increasing incidence, but no effective drugs as of yet. With the development of sequencing technology, non-coding RNAs have been found to play roles in many diseases as well as CAVD, but no circRNA/lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA interaction axis has been established. Moreover, valve interstitial cells (VICs) and valvular endothelial cells (VECs) play important roles in CAVD, and CAVD differed between leaflet phenotypes and genders. This work aims to explore the mechanism of circRNA/lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network in CAVD, and perform subgroup analysis on the important characteristics of CAVD, such as key cells, leaflet phenotypes and genders.

Results

We identified 158 differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs), 397 DElncRNAs, 45 DEmiRNAs and 167 DEmRNAs, and constructed a hsa-circ-0073813/hsa-circ-0027587–hsa-miR-525-5p–SPP1/HMOX1/CD28 network in CAVD after qRT-PCR verification. Additionally, 17 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in VICs, 9 DEGs in VECs, 7 DEGs between different leaflet phenotypes and 24 DEGs between different genders were identified. Enrichment analysis suggested the potentially important pathways in inflammation and fibro-calcification during the pathogenesis of CAVD, and immune cell patterns in CAVD suggest that M0 macrophages and memory B cells memory were significantly increased, and many genes in immune cells were also differently expressed.

Conclusions

The circRNA/lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA interaction axis constructed in this work and the DEGs identified between different characteristics of CAVD provide a direction for a deeper understanding of CAVD and provide possible diagnostic markers and treatment targets for CAVD in the future.
Plastome evolution in the genus Sium (Apiaceae, Oenantheae) inferred from phylogenomic and comparative analyses
Authors: Zhou Jing , Niu Junmei , Wang Xinyue , Yue Jiarui , Zhou Shilin , Liu Zhenwen
Published: July 2023

Background

Sium L. (Apiaceae) is a small genus distributed primarily in Eurasia, with one species also occurring in North America. Recently, its circumscription has been revised to include 10 species, however, the phylogenetic relationships within its two inclusive clades were poorly supported or collapsed in previous studies based on nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS or cpDNA sequences. To identify molecular markers suitable for future intraspecific phylogeographic and population genetic studies, and to evaluate the efficacy of plastome in resolving the phylogenetic relationships of the genus, the complete chloroplast (cp) genomes of six Sium species were sequenced.

Results

The Sium plastomes exhibited typical quadripartite structures of Apiaceae and most other higher plant plastid DNAs, and were relatively conserved in their size (153,029–155,006 bp), gene arrangement and content (with 114 unique genes). A total of 61–67 SSRs, along with 12 highly divergent regions (trnQ, trnG-atpA, trnE-trnT, rps4-trnT, accD-psbI, rpl16, ycf1-ndhF, ndhF-rpl32, rpl32-trnL, ndhE-ndhG, ycf1a and ycf1b) were discovered in the plastomes. No significant IR length variation was detected showing that plastome evolution was conserved within this genus. Phylogenomic analysis based on whole chloroplast genome sequences produced a highly resolved phylogenetic tree, in which the monophyly of Sium, as well as the sister relationship of its two inclusive clades were strongly supported.

Conclusions

The plastome sequences could greatly improve phylogenetic resolution, and will provide genomic resources and potential markers useful for future studies of the genus.
Investigating the association factors of acute postpartum pain: a cohort study
Authors: Tan Chin Wen , Tan Nicole Y-Kit , Sultana Rehena , Tan Hon Sen , Sng Ban Leong
Published: July 2023

Background

Labor pain intensity is known to predict persistent postpartum pain, whereas acute postpartum pain may interfere with maternal postpartum physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Nevertheless, there is little research studying the association between labor pain intensity and acute postpartum pain. This study investigated the associations between labor pain intensity and psychological factors with acute postpartum pain.

Methods

We included women with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II, having ≥ 36 gestational weeks and a singleton pregnancy. We investigated the association between labor pain intensity (primary exposure) and high acute postpartum pain at 0 to 24 h after delivery (Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ≥ 3 of 10; primary outcome). Pre-delivery questionnaires including Angle Labor Pain Questionnaire (A-LPQ), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Fear Avoidance Components Scale (FACS) and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were administered. Demographic, pain, obstetric and neonatal characteristics were also collected accordingly.

Results

Of the 880 women studied, 121 (13.8%) had high acute postpartum pain at 0 to 24 h after delivery. A-LPQ total, PCS, FACS and STAI scores were not significantly associated with acute postpartum pain. Greater A-LPQ subscale on birthing pain (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05, p = 0.0008), increased blood loss during delivery (for every 10ml change; aOR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.03, p = 0.0148), presence of shoulder dystocia (aOR 10.06, 95% CI 2.28–44.36, p = 0.0023), and use of pethidine for labor analgesia (aOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.07–2.84, p = 0.0271) were independently associated with high acute postpartum pain. “Sometimes” having nausea during menstruation before current pregnancy (aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.16–0.72, p = 0.0045) was found to be independently associated with reduced risk of high acute postpartum pain.

Conclusions

Pre-delivery pain factor together with obstetric complications (shoulder dystocia, blood loss during delivery) were independently associated with high acute postpartum pain.

Trial registration

This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov registry (NCT03167905) on 30/05/2017.
Comparison of health information exchange data with self-report in measuring cancer screening
Authors: Bhattacharyya Oindrila , Rawl Susan M. , Dickinson Stephanie L. , Haggstrom David A.
Published: July 2023

Background

Efficient measurement of the receipt of cancer screening has been attempted with electronic health records (EHRs), but EHRs are commonly implemented within a single health care setting. However, health information exchange (HIE) includes EHR data from multiple health care systems and settings, thereby providing a more population-based measurement approach. In this study, we set out to understand the value of statewide HIE data in comparison to survey self-report (SR) to measure population-based cancer screening.

Methods

A statewide survey was conducted among residents in Indiana who had been seen at an ambulatory or inpatient clinical setting in the past year. Measured cancer screening tests included colonoscopy and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) for colorectal cancer, human papilloma virus (HPV) and Pap tests for cervical cancer, and mammogram for breast cancer. For each screening test, the self-reported response for receipt of the screening (yes/no) and ‘time since last screening’ were compared with the corresponding information from patient HIE to evaluate the concordance between the two measures.

Results

Gwet’s AC for HIE and self-report of screening receipt ranged from 0.24–0.73, indicating a fair to substantial concordance. For the time since receipt of last screening test, the Gwet’s AC ranged from 0.21–0.90, indicating fair to almost perfect concordance. In comparison with SR data, HIE data provided relatively more additional information about laboratory-based tests: FIT (19% HIE alone vs. 4% SR alone) and HPV tests (27% HIE alone vs. 12% SR alone) and less additional information about procedures: colonoscopy (8% HIE alone vs. 23% SR alone), Pap test (13% HIE alone vs. 19% SR alone), or mammography (9% HIE alone vs. 10% SR alone).

Conclusion

Studies that use a single data source should consider the type of cancer screening test to choose the optimal data collection method. HIE and self-report both provided unique information in measuring cancer screening, and the most robust measurement approach involves collecting screening information from both HIE and patient self-report.
Pseudohypercreatininemia after surgery for aortic dissection: a case report
Authors: Tasaki Ayako , Fukuda Makoto , Ikeda Yuki , Yamasaki Masatora , Yamaguchi Ikko , Aishima Shinichi , Miyazono Motoaki
Published: July 2023

Background

Elevated creatinine concentrations often indicate acute renal injury and renal biopsies are considered in this situation. However,pseudohypercreatininemia is potential cause of elevated creatinine concentrations, and invasive interventions should be avoided.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old woman underwent surgery for descending aortic dissection.Nine days postoperatively, her creatinine concentration increased from 1 mg/dl to 5.78 mg/dl (normal range, 0.47–0.7 mg/dl). Azotemia and hyperkalemia were absent and physical examination findings were unremarkable. Cystatin C concentration was 1.56 mg/l (normal range, 0.56–0.8 mg/l) and pseudohypercreatininemia was suspected. Testing with different reagents showed a creatinine concentration of 0.84 mg/dl. Immunoglobulin (Ig)G was markedly elevated, and creatinine and IgG fluctuated in parallel, suggesting the cause of the pseudohypercreatininemia. IgG4 was also elevated at 844 mg/dl. Immunosuppressive steroid therapy effectively decreased the IgG concentration and resolved the pseudohypercreatininemia.

Conclusions

In cases of elevated creatinine concentration with the presence of abnormal proteins, pseudohypercreatininemia should be considered. We report a rare case of pseudohypercreatininemia caused by polyclonal IgG.
IgG4-related disease of duodenal obstruction due to multiple ulcers in a 12-year-old girl
Authors: Kato Daiki , Uchida Hiroo , Hinoki Akinari , Sumida Wataru , Shirota Chiyoe , Makita Satoshi , Okamoto Masamune , Takimoto Aitaro , Takada Shunya , Nakagawa Yoichi
Published: July 2023

Background

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic inflammatory disease and affected individuals typically present with an increased infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells in the pancreas, hepatobiliary tract, and liver but rarely in the gastrointestinal tract.

Case presentation

A 12-year-old girl presented with vomiting and poor weight gain. Gastroscopy revealed duodenal stenosis and ulceration. Computed tomography revealed edematous duodenal wall thickening and air-fluid levels on the right side of the duodenum, which suggested duodenal perforation or penetration. She underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, and IgG4-RD was diagnosed via histopathology.

Conclusions

This is the first pediatric case of isolated duodenal IgG4-RD resulting in duodenal obstruction after multiple ulcers. Gastrointestinal IgG4-RD should be among the differential diagnoses of unexplained gastrointestinal obstruction or ulceration even in children.
Potential role between inflammatory cytokines and Tie-2 receptor levels and clinical symptoms in patients with first-episode schizophrenia
Authors: Yan Fanfan , Meng Xiaojing , Cheng Xialong , Pei Wenzhi , Chen Yuanyuan , Chen Long , Zheng Mingming , Shi Li , Zhu Cuizhen , Zhang Xulai
Published: July 2023

Background

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which may be involved in the underlying pathological mechanism of the disease and may influence patient prognosis. We evaluated the differences in serum cytokine and Tie-2 receptor levels between patients with first-episode SCZ and healthy controls and explored the correlation thereof with clinical symptoms.

Methods

Seventy-six participants were recruited for the present study, including 40 patients with first-episode SCZ and 36 healthy controls. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores, demographic data, and blood samples were collected at baseline. A hypersensitive Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) electrochemiluminescence assay system was used to measure cytokine and Tie-2 receptor levels. Spearman’s correlation and stepwise linear regression were used to analyze the data.

Results

Serum interleukin-1β and -4 levels were significantly increased, and Tie-2 levels were significantly decreased, in first-episode SCZ patients as compared to healthy controls. IL-1β levels were positively correlated with total BPRS scores, resistance subscores, and PANSS positive subscores. Furthermore, IL-1β levels were negatively correlated with Tie-2 receptor expression levels. Stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated that IL-1β levels correlated positively with PANSS positive subscores and BPRS total scores. PANSS negative subscores, general psychopathology subscores, and PANSS total scores had positive effects on the Tie-2 receptor. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that IL-1β and Tie-2 were highly sensitive and specific for predicting first-episode SCZ symptoms and achieving an area under the ROC curve of 0.8361 and 0.6462, respectively.

Conclusion

Our results showed that patients with first-episode SCZ have low-grade inflammation. IL-1β and Tie-2 receptors may be important mediators between inflammation and vascular dysfunction in patients with SCZ and may underlie the increased cardiovascular disease in this population.

Trial registration

The clinical trial registration date was 06/11/2018, registration number was chiCTR1800019343.
Altered hippocampal subfield volumes in major depressive disorder with and without anhedonia
Authors: Wu Congchong , Jia Lili , Mu Qingli , Fang Zhe , Hamoudi Hammza Jabbar Abdl Sattar , Huang Manli , Hu Shaohua , Zhang Peng , Xu Yi , Lu Shaojia
Published: July 2023

Background

Previous neuroimaging findings have demonstrated the association between anhedonia and the hippocampus. However, few studies have focused on the structural changes in the hippocampus in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with anhedonia. Meanwhile, considering that multiple and functionally specialized subfields of the hippocampus have their own signatures, the present study aimed to investigate the volumetric alterations of the hippocampus as well as its subfields in MDD patients with and without anhedonia.

Methods

A total of 113 subjects, including 30 MDD patients with anhedonia, 40 MDD patients without anhedonia, and 43 healthy controls (HCs), were recruited in the study. All participants underwent high-resolution brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and the automated hippocampal substructure module in FreeSurfer 6.0 was used to evaluate the volumes of hippocampal subfields. We compared the volumetric differences in hippocampal subfields among the three groups by analysis of variance (ANOVA, post hoc Bonferroni), and partial correlation was used to explore the association between hippocampal subregion volumes and clinical characteristics.

Results

ANOVA showed significant volumetric differences in the hippocampal subfields among the three groups in the left hippocampus head, mainly in the cornu ammonis (CA) 1, granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus (GC-ML-DG), and molecular layer (ML). Compared with HCs, both groups of MDD patients showed significantly smaller volumes in the whole left hippocampus head. Interestingly, further exploration revealed that only MDD patients with anhedonia had significantly reduced volumes in the left CA1, GC-ML-DG and ML when compared with HCs. No significant difference was found in the volumes of the hippocampal subfields between MDD patients without anhedonia and HCs, either the two groups of MDD patients. However, no association between hippocampal subfield volumes and clinical characteristics was found in either the subset of patients with anhedonia or in the patient group as a whole.

Conclusions

These preliminary findings suggest that MDD patients with anhedonia exhibit unique atrophy of the hippocampus and that subfield abnormalities in the left CA1 and DG might be associated with anhedonia in MDD.
Association between albumin-to-globulin ratio and the risk of overall survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with anlotinib treatment: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Jinzhan , Xie Congyi , Yang Yimin , Yang Shuwen , Huang Jinxian , Ye Feiyang , Lin Zhenyang , Tong Lin , Liu Jiaxin
Published: July 2023

Objective

Researches about the association between serum albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) and the prognosis of lung cancer are limited. We aimed to investigate the relationship between AGR and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with anlotinib.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 196 advanced NSCLC patients with anlotinib treatment between June 1, 2018 and June 1, 2021. The exposure was AGR, calculated by baseline serum albumin / (serum total protein - serum albumin). The outcome was OS, defined as the period from the date of initial treatment with anlotinib to death or the last follow-up. The univariate and multivariate linear regression models and generalized additive models (GAM) were used to analyze the relationship between AGR and OS. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the OS.

Results

After adjusting for potential confounders, a non-linear relationship was observed between AGR and OS, which had an inflection point of 1.24. The hazard ratio and the confidence intervals on the left and the right sides of the inflection point were 13.05 (0.52 to 327.64) and 0.20 (0.07 to 0.57), respectively. It suggested that AGR was positively associated with OS when AGR was larger than 1.24, for every 1 unit increase in AGR, the risk of death lowered approximately by 80%.

Conclusions

The relationship between AGR and the OS for advanced NSCLC patients with anlotinib is non-linear. AGR level is an independent protective factor for OS in advanced NSCLC patients who received anlotinib therapy.
Differences in joint line level and posterior condylar offset during total knee replacement with use of gap-balancing and measured resection techniques—matched cohort study
Authors: Maciąg Bartosz M. , Kordyaczny Tomasz , Jegierski Dawid , Łapiński Marcin , Dorocińska Monika , Żarnovsky Krystian , Maciąg Grzegorz J. , Adamska Olga , Stolarczyk Artur
Published: July 2023

Background

Total knee replacement (TKR) is considered one of the most common elective orthopaedic procedures. The main focus of TKR is to offer patient's symptomatic relief from persistent knee pain. To achieve this it is crucial to restore joint biomechanics by performing proper bone cuts. Some surgeons favor the measured resection technique, others prefer gap balancing technique. The researchers of the presented study performed TKR using these two techniques. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative change in joint line and posterior condylar offset after TKR with use of anatomic knee design implants between gap balancing and measured resection techniques.

Methods

Two hundred twenty-five X-rays of patients who underwent TKR performed by a single surgeon between 2020 and 2021 were analyzed. The first group of patients (101) was operated with the use of gap balancing technique and the second group (124) was operated with the use of measured resection technique. Patients included in the study were > 50 years of age, had confirmed primary knee osteoarthritis, underwent primary TKR with a PS (posterior stabilized) knee implants without patella resurfacing and had at least 15 degree flexion contracture. T-student test and U Mann–Whitney test were used in statistical analysis of results, according to the normality of distribution examined with the Shapiro–Wilk test. Post-hoc analysis was performed using the Dwass-Steel-Crichtlow-Fligner test (DSCF).

Results

The postoperative analysis showed a significantly elevated joint line level in the gap balancing group (-2.6 ± 4.1 vs -0.7 ± 4.8, p < 0.0005). In the gap balancing group significantly more patients had joint lines elevated > 2 mm comparing to measured resection technique. The difference between pre- and postoperative PCO (posterior condylar offset) and PCOR (posterior condylar offset ratio) results had no significant differences (100.8 ± 11.8 vs 101 ± 12.5, p > 0.05) between the groups.

Conclusions

The results of the study suggest that when it comes to restoring joint line level measured resection technique seems to be superior in comparison to the gap balancing technique. What is more, results indicate measured resection is equal in terms of restoring posterior condylar offset to the gap balancing technique.

Trial registration

NCT04164147, date of registration: November 14, 2019.
Simultaneous bilateral versus unilateral total hip arthroplasty: Pain and physical function in a one- and five-year follow-up - retrospective patients record study
Authors: Ristolainen Leena , Kettunen Jyrki , Lohikoski Jouni , Kautiainen Hannu , Manninen Mikko
Published: July 2023

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) decreases pain and improves function in patients with osteoarthritis. In some cases, both hips have been operated simultaneously. Our aim was to report patients’ pain and physical function after one- and five-years post-operatively among patients who underwent unilateral THA and those who underwent bilateral THA at the same time in one orthopaedic hospital in Finland.

Methods

The study group consisted of 488 patients retrospectively selected patients from a single centre; 421 of them underwent unilateral THA and 67 underwent simultaneous bilateral THA. The patients had two clinical examinations one and five years postoperatively. Systematic data about pain and physical function were collected using the scaled Orton Hip Score (sOHS). Register data on revisions and mortality events were from the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare.

Results

At the one-year follow-up, total sOHS was improved remarkably from the preoperative situation, both in the unilateral THA (age and gender adjusted mean improvement 42 points (95% CI: 40 to 44, p < 0.001) and in the bilateral THA groups (age and gender adjusted mean improvement 45 [95% CI: 41 to 49], p < 0.001), with no group differences after five-years of operation (age and gender adjusted p = 0.19). Total sOHS was statistically higher in the bilateral THA compared to the unilateral THA after one year (98 vs. 95, p < 0.001) and five years (97 vs. 95, p = 0.003) of operation.

Conclusions

Patients in unilateral THA and bilateral THA groups had increased their physical function, and pain had decreased after one-year follow-up of the primary THA operation, and condition remained after five years of operation. At follow-ups, patients who underwent bilateral THA had slightly better physical function compared to patients who underwent unilateral THA at follow-up; however, this difference had no clinical relevance.