bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
escrita de si na literatura japonesa: uma breve análise do Diário de Tosa e do Diário da efemeridade
Authors: Afonso Joy Nascimento , Betella Gabriela Kvacek
Published: June 2021

Embora na atualidade a literatura oriental possa ser percebida com mais facilidade em nosso cotidiano, devido à globalização do mercado editorial e à possibilidade de acesso às traduções para a língua portuguesa, parece-nos que pouco se conhece de obras canônicas da cultura japonesa. Muito do que temos acesso hoje – obras representativas da literatura contemporânea – foi influenciado pela literatura clássica, por mais que possa parecer contraditório em termos de inovações da prosa. O presente artigo tem como objetivo analisar, de forma breve, duas obras clássicas da literatura japonesa sob o enfoque da voz narrativa diaristica, atualmente conhecida como produção intimista ou escrita de si. Apesar de constituírem de fato dois diários, as vozes narrativas das duas obras possuem características peculiares, refletem a sociedade e a cultura da época de maneira particular. Dessa forma, temos acesso, também, ao período de florescimento da cultura autóctone japonesa, onde escrita e literatura se formaram no país. Os dois diários aqui analisados, contemporâneos entre si, influenciaram profundamente a literatura japonesa, visto que foram as primeiras obras escritas utilizando-se da voz narrativa feminina. O Diário de Tosa, escrito pelo poeta Ki no Tsurayuki (872 – 945), tem como narradora uma dama que acompanha a viagem de retorno do governador de Tosa e seu séquito à capital Heian, e no Diário da Efemeridade, a autora conhecida apenas como Mãe de Michitsuna (936 – 995) assume a voz narrativa, a fim de relatar suas próprias memórias como dama da corte, casada com um dos príncipes regentes da Corte de Heian.
Amae: uma emoção para compreender a psique japonesa
Authors: Almeida Igor de , Nakao Gen
Published: June 2021

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar um panorama do conceito japonês de amae sob a perspectiva da psicologia cultural. São apresentadas e discutidas diversas publicações científicas desde a publicação do primeiro livro sobre o assunto no ocidente nos anos 1970 (DOI,1973), até as pesquisas atuais, de teor intercultural. O artigo tem início com uma breve apresentação da psicologia cultural e sua importância, passa por um histórico das pesquisas sobre amae, discute as possíveis funções culturais do amae, sua influência dentro da psicologia clínica, as diferenças entre amae e apego, estudos que investigaram amae em outras culturas que não a japonesa, e termina com uma reflexão sobre o conceito.
uso de línguas pela primeira geração de imigrantes okinawanos na Casa Verde em São Paulo
Authors: Nakama Eduardo , Mukai Yûki
Published: June 2021

Este trabalho investiga a situação sociolinguística de uso das línguas por dez okinawanos de primeira geração que imigraram para o Brasil e que vivem atualmente no distrito da Casa Verde na capital do estado de São Paulo. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa (LÜDKE; ANDRÉ, 1986; SILVA, 2017) do tipo etnográfico (BLOMMAERT, 2006; GREEN; BLOOME, 1997) na modalidade de história de vida (CRUZ NETO, 2002; SAKURAI, 2012). Baseado no conceito de bilinguismo de Grosjean (1982, 2008) e translinguagem (GARCÍA, 2009), foi revelado que os imigrantes de Okinawa, província do Japão, usam mais de uma língua no dia a dia e mudam de uma língua para outra de acordo com o contexto e os interlocutores, mais especificamente, levando em consideração o conhecimento linguístico de seu interlocutor.
The right to mourn: Post-traumatic stress and the forensic pathologist
Authors: Byard Roger W
Published: June 2021

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition characterised by recurrent intrusive distressing memories of a traumatic event(s) with recurrent dreams and flashbacks. Given the nature of standard forensic pathology practice which involves on-going assessments of violent crimes and their sequelae with autopsy dissections of victims and in detail study of injuries, it is surprising that more has not been written on this in the literature. Perhaps PTSD should be studied further in a forensic context with a recognition that years of intimate exposure to violence may lead to accumulated, ongoing and unresolved grief in practitioners.
Case study of gas drainage well location optimization in abandoned coal mine based on reservoir simulation model
Authors: Zheng Guiqiang , Han Jiaye , Sang Fengyun , Gao Tianxin , Chen Dong , Zhang Zhendong
Published: June 2021

The development of abandoned coal mine gas has multiple advantages in terms of safety, economy, environment, and society. Due to previous excavations, the gas distribution is heterogeneous, thereby hindering well location optimization. In this study, considering the Shenbei abandoned coal mine as an example, the authors developed a workflow for well location optimization through simulation. The workflow includes: (1) the setup of an initial reservoir simulation model with the preliminary well location designed by experience; (2) the optimization of the well location based on the flowline distribution, and it is preferred that the well connect a large number of flowlines; (3) the simulation based on the optimized well location, and (4) repetition of the steps until the optimized well locations are determined. Moreover, the role of fracturing is also examined through simulation scenarios. The simulation results show that the locations of the two originally designed wells (1# and 4#) should be optimized due to the relatively low gas production without fracturing. The two wells are optimized according to the flow streamlines, demonstrating performance improvement. Moreover, the simulation results also show that there is no need to optimize the well 4# location if the fracturing technology is applied. An additional well is suggested based on the flow streamline analysis and gas production performance simulation. The main conclusions drawn from this study are as follows. (1) Five optimized well locations are determined for the Shenbei abandoned coal mine, and they should be located within the “O” ring, a high permeability region nearby the previous excavation zone; (2) Fracturing is an effective method for stimulating gas production; however, the extent of fracturing varies from well to well; (3) The workflow applied in this study is effective for the well location optimization in abandoned coal mines.
Electoral administration and the problem of poll worker recruitment: Who volunteers, and why?
Authors: Clark Alistair , James Toby S
Published: June 2021

Elections depend on the thousands of people who give up their time to administer this crucial public service. They staff polling stations and ensure votes are issued, cast and counted. Poll workers are effectively ‘stipended volunteers’, receiving some limited financial compensation, but working for the broader public good. It is important to understand why people choose to give up their time to provide this fundamental public service to their fellow citizens. Using original data from a poll worker survey conducted in the 2015 British general election, this article investigates the motivations and incentives for poll workers volunteering to administer major elections in an important advanced democracy. Exploratory expectations are set out about the motivations of poll workers, and the relationship to their socio-economic characteristics, and levels of social capital and satisfaction with democracy. Contrary to expectations, the findings note that, earning some extra money is important to many, although motivations are more broadly structured around solidary, purposive and material motivations. The article establishes a range of relationships between each set of incentives, and poll workers’ socio-economic, social capital and satisfaction profiles.
Optimization of dynamic properties for laminated multiphase nanocomposite sandwich conical shell in thermal and magnetic conditions
Authors: Kolahchi Reza , Keshtegar Behrooz , Trung Nguyen-Thoi
Published: June 2021

This paper extends an optimization procedure to obtain the optimal dynamic properties of laminated sandwich multiphase nanocomposite truncated conical shell under magneto-hygro-thermal conditions. Based on principle of Hamilton, the equations of motion are obtained and solved by differential quadrature method and Bolotin's methods for obtaining the dynamic stability region. Based on particle swarm optimization and harmony search algorithms, a novel hybrid optimization method basis HS and PSO is proposed to enhance the performance and convergence of optimum dynamic conditions in this problem. By applying the hybrid optimization algorithm namely as HS-PSO, the volume percent of CNT and carbon fiber, number of laminas, cone semi vertex angle and moisture changes are optimized and the effects of magnetic field and temperature are shown on the dynamic stability of system. The result illustrates that proposed PSO-HS method with same conditions by other optimization methods as harmony memory size (number of particles) of 5 and total iterations of 100 shows the superior convergence performance compare to HS and PSO algorithms.
Development and control of an active torsional vibration damper for vehicle powertrains
Authors: Yücesan Alisan , Mugan Ata
Published: June 2021

Due to environmental pollution concerns, emission regulations on internal combustion engines (ICEs) have been tightening and the importance of fuel efficiency has become pronounced. Thereupon, downsizing, downspeeding, turbo supercharging, and cylinder deactivation techniques have been implemented in designing modern ICEs. Despite their considerable benefits, these methods result in boosted torsional oscillations necessitating new vibration isolation technologies due to the limited performance of passive torsional vibration dampers. In addition, trade-offs are indispensable in the passive damper system designs since different engine operating points demand different values of oscillation attenuation parameters. Thus, this study was initiated to develop a novel active torsional vibration damper (ATVD) to attenuate the torsional vibrations of all engine operating points without making any trade-off and to open up a new comfort zone for the development of modern ICEs. Proposed ATVD is essentially a parametrically excited system that adjusts the stiffness rate, damping rate, and moment of inertia in accordance with a fuzzy logic control (FLC) law to maximize engine-borne torsional vibration attenuation capability. The ATVD performance is evaluated in a co-simulation environment by using a driving cycle with six engine operating points and its advantages over conventional passive dampers are demonstrated.
Paradigmatic fronteras: Troubling available design and translanguaging with sticky literacy
Authors: Abraham Stephanie
Published: June 2021

In this article, I explore the paradigmatic boundaries between New Literacy Studies, translanguaging, and posthuman thought around language and literacy. This enquiry began with a recent encounter with emergent bilingual children in a community-based writing programme which caused me to ‘rethink’ some of my humanistic groundings and assumptions about literacy(ies) and turn to posthuman thinking to address its affective workings. Notably, I wanted to pay more attention to bodies, laughter, and material when thinking about the emergence of a language and literacy moments in my data collection. This emergence of literacy occurred during a research project that I had designed, which focused on implementing translanguaging pedagogies as an act of resistance and restorative justice in a community-based writing centre that served the Latinx community in urban Philadelphia. I had framed that study, theoretically and methodologically, with and around sociocultural theories of literacy and language, informed by the scholarship stemming from New Literacies Studies and Translanguaging as a Theory of Language. Through a set of Saturday workshops, I had set out to understand how a translanguaging pedagogy could foster a critical, restorative, and resistant language and literacy pedagogy and practice for these emergent bilingual children. However, during one of these workshops, some literacy emerged that did not fit within my theoretical framework. It was data that I didn’t know what to do with, and it all began with a ball of sticky tack.
Order processing of number symbols is influenced by direction, but not format
Authors: Wong Becky , Bull Rebecca , Ansari Daniel , Watson David M , Liem Gregory Arief D
Published: June 2021

This study probed the cognitive mechanisms that underlie order processing for number symbols, specifically the extent to which the direction and format in which number symbols are presented influence the processing of numerical order, as well as the extent to which the relationship between numerical order processing and mathematical achievement is specific to Arabic numerals or generalisable to other notational formats. Seventy adults who were bilingual in English and Chinese completed a Numerical Ordinality Task, using number sequences of various directional conditions (i.e., ascending, descending, mixed) and notational formats (i.e., Arabic numerals, English number words, and Chinese number words). Order processing was found to occur for ascending and descending number sequences (i.e., ordered but not non-ordered trials), with the overall pattern of data supporting the theoretical perspective that the strength and closeness of associations between items in the number sequence could underlie numerical order processing. However, order processing was found to be independent of the notational format in which the numerical stimuli were presented, suggesting that the psychological representations and processes associated with numerical order are abstract across different formats of number symbols. In addition, a relationship between the processing speed for numerical order judgements and mathematical achievement was observed for Arabic numerals and Chinese number words, and to a weaker extent, English number words. Together, our findings have started to uncover the cognitive mechanisms that could underlie order processing for different formats of number symbols, and raise new questions about the generalisability of these findings to other notational formats.
Comparison of extra-articular radiographic parameters of distal radius fractures on plain radiographs and CT scans
Authors: Kramer Simon B. , Selles Caroline A. , Bakker Daniel , Schep Niels W. L.
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to compare extra-articular radiographic parameters of distal radial fractures measured on plain radiographs and CT scans. Two researchers independently measured four extra-articular radiographic parameters (dorsal tilt, carpal alignment, radial inclination and ulnar variance) on both radiographs and CT scans in 85 patients. Inter-observer reliability for both techniques was assessed, along with the agreement between CT scans and radiographs using the intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman plots. The results showed that dorsal tilt, carpal alignment, radial inclination and ulnar variance can be measured reliably on both radiographs and CT scans. At a patient level, carpal alignment, radial inclination and ulnar variance CT scan measurements are an acceptable alternative to plain radiograph measurements in the vast majority of patients. In contrast, dorsal tilt CT scan measurements are not comparable with radiographs in 40% of the cases. Therefore, caution should be taken in measuring dorsal tilt on CT scans.
miR-150 and SRPK1 regulate AKT3 expression to participate in LPS-induced inflammatory response
Authors: Yao Yanfen , Wang Hong , Xi Xueqin , Sun Wei , Ge Junke , Li Pibao
Published: June 2021

miR-150 was found to target the 3′-untranslated regions of AKT3, and the AKT pathway was affected by SR protein kinase 1 (SRPK1). However, the expression and significance of miR-150, AKT3 and SRPK1 in acute lung injury (ALI) were not clear. Here, we found that the expression of miR-150 was significantly reduced, while the expression of AKT3 and SRPK1 were markedly increased in LPS-treated A549, THP-1 and RAW 264.7 cells. miR-150 significantly decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, reduced the expression of AKT3, but had no impact on SRPK1 expression compared with the control group in LPS-treated A549, THP-1 and RAW 264.7 cells. AKT3 silencing only reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and showed no effect on miR-150 and SRPK1 expression. Finally, we observed that miR-150 mimics and/or silencing of SRPK1 decreased the expression of AKT3 mRNA. Besides, over-expression of miR-150 or silencing of SRPK1 also reduced the expression of AKT3 protein, which exhibited the lowest level in the miR-150 mimics plus si-SRPK1 group. However, si-SRPK1 had no effect on miR-150 level. In conclusion, miR-150 and SRPK1 separately and cooperatively participate into inflammatory responses in ALI through regulating AKT3 pathway. Increased miR-150 and silenced SRPK1 may be a novel potential factor for preventing and treating more inflammatory lung diseases.
Haematemesis
Authors: Lumley Emma S , Peter Mark B
Published: June 2021

Haematemesis, the vomiting of blood, is the major sign of an upper gastrointestinal bleed. It encompasses fresh bright red blood, streaks of blood mixed with stomach contents and the classically described ‘coffee ground’ vomit indicating old, partially digested blood. It can be scary for patients and doctors alike, and is not an easy thing to assess or manage in the community setting. The focus must be on the haemodynamic stability of the patient and on identifying factors associated with increased mortality. Significant haematemesis is a poor prognostic factor and needs prompt transfer to hospital for assessment and resuscitation.
Criminology: Some lines of flight
Authors: Berg Julie , Shearing Clifford
Published: June 2021

The 40th Anniversary Edition of Taylor, Walton and Young’s New Criminology, published in 2013, opened with these words: ‘The New Criminology was written at a particular time and place, it was a product of 1968 and its aftermath; a world turned upside down’. We are at a similar moment today. Several developments have been, and are turning, our 21st century world upside down. Among the most profound has been the emergence of a new earth, that the ‘Anthropocene’ references, and ‘cyberspace’, a term first used in the 1960s, which James Lovelock has recently termed a ‘Novacene’, a world that includes both human and artificial intelligences. We live today on an earth that is proving to be very different to the Holocene earth, our home for the past 12,000 years. To appreciate the Novacene one need only think of our ‘smart’ phones. This world constitutes a novel domain of existence that Castells has conceived of as a terrain of ‘material arrangements that allow for simultaneity of social practices without territorial contiguity’ – a world of sprawling material infrastructures, that has enabled a ‘space of flows’, through which massive amounts of information travel. Like the Anthropocene, the Novacene has brought with it novel ‘harmscapes’, for example, attacks on energy systems. In this paper, we consider how criminology has responded to these harmscapes brought on by these new worlds. We identify ‘lines of flight’ that are emerging, as these challenges are being met by criminological thinkers who are developing the conceptual trajectories that are shaping 21st century criminologies.
Inequality and punishment: A global paradox?
Authors: Karstedt Susanne
Published: June 2021

Across the world, the most marginalised groups of society are overrepresented in prisons and institutions of the criminal justice system. Besides racial and ethnic minorities, prisons worldwide disproportionately house individuals who count among the least educated, most unemployed and poorest groups of society. However, it is one of the paradoxes of penality that whilst it is obvious that criminal justice systems across the world target disadvantaged populations, the link between imprisonment and socio-economic inequality has been mostly elusive on a global and cross-national scale. This contribution addresses this paradox and aims at unravelling it. It will focus on those processes and mechanisms through which social inequality is transmitted into unequal criminal punishment, and how criminal punishment reproduces inequality. I will first present the evidence from a macro- and comparative perspective, and then explore the relationship between punishment and inequality within societies. Imprisonment growth and concentration of imprisonment are identified as routes towards exacerbating and entrenching inequality, thus being a cause rather than a consequence of inequality.
The sensitivity to change of the cluster headache quality of life scale assessed before and after deep brain stimulation of the ventral tegmental area
Authors: Cappon Davide , Ryterska Agata , Akram Harith , Lagrata Susie , Cheema Sanjay , Hyam Jonathan , Zrinzo Ludvic , Matharu Manjit , Jahanshahi Marjan
Published: June 2021

Background

Cluster headache (CH) is a trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC) characterized by a highly disabling headache that negatively impacts quality of life and causes limitations in daily functioning as well as social functioning and family life. Since specific measures to assess the quality of life (QoL) in TACs are lacking, we recently developed and validated the cluster headache quality of life scale (CH-QoL). The sensitivity of CH-QoL to change after a medical intervention has not been evaluated yet.

Methods

This study aimed to test the sensitivity to change of the CH-QoL in CH. Specifically we aimed to (i) assess the sensitivity of CH-QoL to change before and following deep brain stimulation of the ventral tegmental area (VTA-DBS), (ii) evaluate the relationship of changes on CH-QoL with changes in other generic measures of quality of life, as well as indices of mood and pain. Ten consecutive CH patients completed the CH-QoL and underwent neuropsychological assessment before and after VTA-DBS. The patients were evaluated on headache frequency, severity, and load (HAL) as well as on tests of generic quality of life (Short Form-36 (SF-36)), mood (Beck Depression Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale), and pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire, Headache Impact Test, Pain Behaviour Checklist).

Results

The CH-QoL total score was significantly reduced after compared to before VTA-DBS. Changes in the CH-QoL total score correlated significantly and negatively with changes in HAL, the SF-36, and positively and significantly with depression and the evaluative domain on the McGill Pain Questionnaire.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that changes after VTA-DBS in CH-QoL total scores are associated with the reduction of frequency, duration, and severity of headache attacks after surgery. Moreover, post VTA-DBS improvement in CH-QoL scores is associated with an amelioration in quality of life assessed with generic measures, a reduction of depressive symptoms, and evaluative pain experience after VTA-DBS. These results support the sensitivity to change of the CH-QoL and further demonstrate the validity and applicability of CH-QoL as a disease specific measure of quality of life for CH.
Nanobiocide Based-Silver Nanomaterials Upon Coronaviruses: Approaches for Preventing Viral Infections
Authors: Khoshnevisan Kamyar , Maleki Hassan , Baharifar Hadi
Published: June 2021

The effectiveness of silver nanomaterials (AgNMs), as antiviral agents, has been confirmed in humans against many different types of viruses. Nanobiocides-based AgNMs can be effectively applied to eliminate coronaviruses (CoVs), as the cause of various diseases in animals and humans, particularly the fatal human respiratory infections. Mostly, these NMs act effectively against CoVs, thanks to the NMs’ fundamental anti-viral structures like reactive oxygen species (ROS), and photo-dynamic and photo-thermal abilities. Particularly, the antiviral activity of AgNMs is clarified under three inhibitory mechanisms including viral entry limitation, attachment inhibition, and viral replication limitation. It is believed that nanobiocide with other possible materials such as TiO2, silica and, carbon NMs exclusively nano-graphene materials can emerge as a more effective disinfectant for long-term stability with low toxicity than common disinfectants. Nanobiocides also can be applied for the prevention and treatment of viral infections specifically against COVID-19.

Graphic Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum in HIV: two case reports
Authors: John Jeff , Kesner Ken , Lazarus John
Published: June 2021

Background

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the scrotum was the first malignancy known to be associated with exposure to an occupational carcinogen—in this case, soot trapped in the breeches of chimney sweeps. Better civil rules and regulations and the replacement of hearths with other forms of heating have rendered SCC of the scrotum a rarity. We report two cases of scrotal SCC with vastly differing clinical presentations and management.

Case presentation

Case 1 had T1 N0 M0 disease and presented with a small (< 2 cm), innocuous-looking, non-healing ulcer of eight years duration. A punch biopsy revealed a superficially invasive SCC confirmed on immunohistochemical profiling. A wide local excision of the lesion was subsequently performed. Follow-up at three years showed no signs of recurrence. Case 2 presented with T4 N1 M1 disease and rapidly progressing locally destructive mass. A punch biopsy of the scrotal lesion confirmed invasive moderately differentiated focally keratinising SCC. The metastatic evaluation confirmed the presence of metastatic, extensive para-aortic lymphadenopathy. He was managed with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy.

Conclusion

Early detection and management of patients with SCC of the scrotum are essential. If the diagnosis is delayed, treatment options become limited, and the prognosis is poor. Notwithstanding the rarity of this disease, multicentre trials are needed to provide more precise guidelines as to the optimal management of these patients.
Aberrant expression of HDL-bound microRNA induced by a high-fat diet in a pig model: implications in the pathogenesis of dyslipidaemia
Authors: Sui Guoyuan , Jia Lianqun , Song Nan , Min Dongyu , Chen Si , Wu Yao , Yang Guanlin
Published: June 2021

Background

A high-fat diet can affect lipid metabolism and trigger cardiovascular diseases. A growing body of studies has revealed the HDL-bound miRNA profiles in familial hypercholesterolaemia; in sharp contrast, relevant studies on high-fat diet-induced dyslipidaemia are lacking. In the current study, HDL-bound miRNAs altered by a high-fat diet were explored to offer some clues for elucidating their effects on the pathogenesis of dyslipidaemia.

Methods

Six pigs were randomly divided into two groups of three pigs each, namely, the high-fat diet and the balanced diet groups, which were fed a high-fat diet and balanced diet separately for six months. HDL was separated from plasma, which was followed by dissociation of the miRNA bound to HDL. miRNA sequencing of the isolated miRNA was performed to identify the differential expression profiles between the two groups, which was validated by real-time PCR. TargetScan, miRDB, and miRWalk were used for the prediction of genes targeted by the differential miRNAs.

Results

Compared with the balanced diet group, the high-fat diet group had significantly higher levels of TG, TC, LDL-C and HDL-C at six months. miRNA sequencing revealed 6 upregulated and 14 downregulated HDL-bound miRNAs in the high-fat diet group compared to the balanced diet group, which was validated by real-time PCR. GO enrichment analysis showed that dysregulated miRNAs in the high-fat diet group were associated with the positive regulation of lipid metabolic processes, positive regulation of lipid biosynthetic processes, and positive regulation of Ras protein signal transduction. Insulin resistance and the Ras signalling pathway were enriched in the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.

Conclusions

Twenty HDL-bound miRNAs are significantly dysregulated in high-fat diet-induced dyslipidaemia. This study presents an analysis of a new set of HDL-bound miRNAs that are altered by a high-fat diet and offers some valuable clues for novel mechanistic insights into high-fat diet-induced dyslipidaemia. Further functional verification study using a larger sample size will be required.
Strategies for assessing the impact of loss to follow-up on estimates of neurodevelopmental impairment in a very preterm cohort at 2 years of age
Authors: Piedvache Aurélie , van Buuren Stef , Barros Henrique , Ribeiro Ana Isabel , Draper Elizabeth , Zeitlin Jennifer ,   the EPICE Research group, Martens E. , Martens G. , Van Reempts P. , Boerch K. , Hasselager A. , Huusom L. D. , Pryds O. , Weber T. , Toome L. , Varendi H. , France Ile-de , Ancel P. Y. , Blondel B. , Burguet A. , Jarreau P. H. , Truffert P. , Maier R. F. , Misselwitz B. , Schmidt S. , Gortner L. , Baronciani D. , Gargano G. , Agostino R. , DiLallo D. , Franco F. , Carnielli V. , Koopman-Esseboom C. , van Heijst A. , Nijman J. , Gadzinowski J. , Mazela J. , Graça L. M. , Machado M. C. , Rodrigues Carina , Rodrigues T. , Bonamy A. K. , Norman M. , Boyle E. Wilson E , Draper E. S. , Manktelow B. N. , Fenton A. C. , Milligan D. W. A. , Zeitlin J. , Bonet M. , Piedvache A.
Published: June 2021

Background

Loss to follow-up is a major challenge for very preterm (VPT) cohorts; attrition is associated with social disadvantage and parents with impaired children may participate less in research. We investigated the impact of loss to follow-up on the estimated prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment in a VPT cohort using different methodological approaches.

Methods

This study includes births < 32 weeks of gestational age (GA) from 4 regions in the UK and Portugal participating in a European birth cohort (N = 1737 survivors). Data on maternal characteristics, pregnancy complications, neonatal outcomes and neighborhood deprivation were collected at baseline. Neurodevelopment was assessed at 2 years of corrected age (CA) using standardized parent-report measures. We applied (1) multiple imputation (MI) and (2) inverse probability weighting (IPW) to estimate the impact of non-response on the prevalence of moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairment and assessed violations of the missing at random (MAR) assumption using the delta method.

Results

54.2% of children were followed-up. Follow-up was less likely when mothers were younger, multiparous, foreign-born, did not breastfeed and came from deprived areas. The prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment was 18.4% (95% confidence interval (CI):15.9–21.1) and increased to 20.4% (95%CI: 17.3–23.4) and 20.0% (95%CI:16.9–23.1) for MI and IPW models, respectively. Simulating strong violations of MAR (children with impairments being 50% less likely to be followed-up) raised estimates to 23.6 (95%CI:20.1–27.1)

Conclusions

In a VPT cohort with high loss to follow-up, correcting for attrition yielded modest increased estimates of neurodevelopmental impairment at 2 years CA; estimates were relatively robust to violations of the MAR assumption.
Social media attention and citations of published outputs from re-use of clinical trial data: a matched comparison with articles published in the same journals
Authors: Anthony N. , Pellen C. , Ohmann C. , Moher D. , Naudet F.
Published: June 2021

Background

Data-sharing policies in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) should have an evaluation component. The main objective of this case–control study was to assess the impact of published re-uses of RCT data in terms of media attention (Altmetric) and citation rates.

Methods

Re-uses of RCT data published up to December 2019 (cases) were searched for by two reviewers on 3 repositories (CSDR, YODA project, and Vivli) and matched to control papers published in the same journal. The Altmetric Attention Score (primary outcome), components of this score (e.g. mention of policy sources, media attention) and the total number of citations were compared between these two groups.

Results

89 re-uses were identified: 48 (53.9%) secondary analyses, 34 (38.2%) meta-analyses, 4 (4.5%) methodological analyses and 3 (3.4%) re-analyses. The median (interquartile range) Altmetric Attention Scores were 5.9 (1.3—22.2) for re-use and 2.8 (0.3—12.3) for controls (p = 0.14). No statistical difference was found on any of the components of in the Altmetric Attention Score. The median (interquartile range) numbers of citations were 3 (1—8) for reuses and 4 (1 – 11.5) for controls (p = 0.30). Only 6/89 re-uses (6.7%) were cited in a policy source.

Conclusions

Using all available re-uses of RCT data to date from major data repositories, we were not able to demonstrate that re-uses attracted more attention than a matched sample of studies published in the same journals. Small average differences are still possible, as the sample size was limited. However matching choices have some limitations so results should be interpreted very cautiously. Also, citations by policy sources for re-uses were rare.

Trial registration

Registration: osf.io/fp62e
Pediatric living-donor liver transplantation using right posterior segment grafts
Authors: Qu Xiaoye , Wan Ping , Feng Mingxuan , Qiu Bijun , Luo Yi , Zhou Tao , Zhu Jianjun , Zhao Dong , Gu Guangxiang , Zhang Jianjun , Xia Qiang
Published: June 2021

Background

The right posterior segment (RPS) graft was introduced to overcome graft size discrepancy in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). However, it was very rarely used in pediatric patients. Here we presented 4 pediatric LDLT cases receiving RPS graft between January 2015 and April 2020 in our center. A total of 1868 LDLT procedures were performed in this period.

Methods

Recipients included 1 boy and 3 girls with a median age of 45 months (range from 40 to 93 months). They were diagnosed with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, propionic academia, ornithine transcarbamylase and biliary atresia, respectively. Four donors were all mothers with a median age of 32.5 years (31–38 years). Computer tomography angiography indicated posterior right branches branched off separately from main portal veins (type III variation). Three of these donor livers had 1 orifice of right hepatic veins (RHV). In the remaining 1 donor liver, the RHV showed 3 orifices and an outflow patch plastic was performed. Inferior right hepatic veins weren’t found in four donor grafts. The median graft weight was 397.5 g (352–461 g) and the median graft-to-recipient weight ratio was 2.38% (1.44–2.80%).

Results

Postoperative complications occurred in neither donors nor recipients. Within the median follow-up duration of 29 months (14–64 months), four children are all alive with normal liver function.

Conclusion

In summary, for older children weighed more than 15 kg with donors’ variation of type III portal veins, the use of RPS grafts could be a feasible and favorable option.
Biopsy in emergency gastroscopy does not increase the risk of rebleeding in patients with Forrest I acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding combined with suspected malignant gastric ulcer: a multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhao Quchuan , Chi Tianyu
Published: June 2021

Background

Few studies have reported whether a biopsy in emergency gastroscopy (EG) increased the risk of rebleeding in patients with Forrest I acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (ANVUGIB) combined with suspected malignant gastric ulcer (SMGU). This study aims to conduct a multicenter retrospective cohort study using propensity score matching to verify whether a biopsy in EG increases the risk of rebleeding in patients diagnosed with Forrest I ANVUGIB combined with SMGU.

Methods

Using the data for propensity-matched patients, logistic regression models were fitted using rebleeding as the dependent variable. Survival time was defined as the length of time the patient experienced from visiting the emergency department to rebleeding. We used the Kaplan–Meier (KM) method to analyze the 30-day survival of the patients with and without a biopsy after matching, and the log-rank test was performed to examine the differences in survival.

Results

With the use of propensity score matching, 308 patients who underwent a biopsy in EG were matched with 308 patients who did not. In the five logistic regression models, there were no significant group differences in the risk of rebleeding in patients with Forrest I ANVUGIB combined with SMGU between the biopsy and no-biopsy groups. The probability of survival was not significantly different between the no-biopsy and biopsy groups.

Conclusions

In this multicenter, retrospective propensity score matching cohort study, compared with patients without a biopsy, patients with a biopsy during EG had no increased risk of rebleeding, and there was no significant difference in the rate of rebleeding.
Legionnaires’ disease arising with hirsutism: case report of an extremely confusing event
Authors: Serio Gabriella , Fortarezza Francesco , Pezzuto Federica , Santacroce Luigi , Nazzaro Pietro , Bellitti Emilio , Cavone Domenica , Marzullo Andrea , Vimercati Luigi
Published: June 2021

Background

Legionella bacteria is a common cause of pneumonia, but the infection may affect several organs in the most serious cases. A systemic involvement ab initio could be non-specific, leading to a diagnostic misinterpretation.

Case presentation

A 33-year-old woman had been complaining of mental confusion, restlessness, aggressiveness, and, subsequently, hirsutism. After 3 weeks, the patient developed pneumonia and died during the hospitalization. The autopsy examination revealed a multi-organ necrotizing exudative disease involving the lung, the heart and the brain. The microbiological tests of tracheal aspirate were positive for Legionella pneumophila serotype 1.

Conclusion

The Legionella infection may show a proteiform clinical course and an extra-pulmonary manifestation may be the first sign of the disease. Herein, we report a case of Legionella infection in a young female, presenting with non-specific neurological symptoms and hirsutism at onset, misdiagnosed as a metabolic disease.
Developmental trends in early childhood and their predictors from an Indian birth cohort
Authors: Koshy Beena , Srinivasan Manikandan , Bose Anuradha , John Sushil , Mohan Venkata Raghava , Roshan Reeba , Ramanujam Karthikeyan , Kang Gagandeep
Published: June 2021

Background

Early childhood developmental pattern analyses not only project future cognition potential, but also identify potential risks for possible intervention. The current study evaluates developmental trends in the first 3 years of life and their predictors in a low and middle income country setting.

Methods

Trends of early childhood development at 6, 15, 24 and 36 months of age and their predictors were explored in a longitudinal community-based birth cohort study in an urban slum in Vellore, South India. Development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III (BSID-III).

Results

The birth cohort enrolled 251 children with 94, 91, 91 and 87% follow-up at 6, 15, 24 and 36 months respectively. Child development domains of cognition, language, motor and social skills showed a significant decline in scores between 6 and 36 months of age. Higher socioeconomic position (SEP) and nurturing home environment contributed to increase in cognition scores by 1.9 and 0.9 units respectively. However, stunting caused a decline in cognition scores by 1.7 units. Higher maternal cognition, higher SEP, and caregiver responsivity positively contributed to language change over time, while higher maternal depression contributed negatively. An enriching home environment, growth parameters and blood iron status had positive association with change in motor skills.

Conclusions

A triple intervention plan to enhance home environment and nurturance, early childhood nutrient supplementation, and maternal education and well-being might prevent child developmental decline in high risk settings.
Adaptation and implementation of a parenting curriculum in a refugee/immigrant community using a task-shifting approach: a study protocol
Authors: Whitaker Daniel J. , Self-Brown Shannon , Weeks Erin A. , O’Connor Mary Helen , Lyons Matthew , Willging Cathleen , Lee Nae Hyung , Kumar Jessica L. , Joseph Hannah , Reidy Dennis E. , Rivers Danielle , Rao Nikita
Published: June 2021

Background

Delivering evidence-based interventions to refugee and immigrant families is difficult for several reasons, including language and cultural issues, and access and trust issues that can lead to an unwillingness to engage with the typical intervention delivery systems. Adapting both the intervention and the delivery system for evidence-based interventions can make those interventions more appropriate and palatable for the targeted population, increasing uptake and effectiveness. This study focuses on the adaptation of the SafeCare© parenting model, and its delivery through either standard implementation methods via community-based organizations (CBO) and a task-shifted implementation in which members of the Afghans, Burmese, Congolese community will be trained to deliver SafeCare.

Method

An adaptation team consisting of community members, members of CBO, and SafeCare experts will engage a structured process to adapt the SafeCare curriculum for each targeted community. Adaptations will focus on both the model and the delivery of it. Data collection of the adaptation process will focus on documenting adaptations and team member’s engagement and satisfaction with the process. SafeCare will be implemented in each community in two ways: standard implementation and task-shifted implementation. Standard implementation will be delivered by CBOs (n = 120), and task-shifted implementation will be delivered by community members (n = 120). All interventionists will be trained in a standard format, and will receive post-training support. Both implementation metrics and family outcomes will be assessed. Implementation metrics will include ongoing adaptations, delivery of services, fidelity, skill uptake by families, engagement/completion, and satisfaction with services. Family outcomes will include assessments at three time points (pre, post, and 6 months) of positive parenting, parent-child relationship, parenting stress, and child behavioral health.

Discussion

The need for adapting of evidence-based programs and delivery methods for specific populations continues to be an important research question in implementation science. The goal of this study is to better understand an adaptation process and delivery method for three unique populations. We hope the study will inform other efforts to deliver health intervention to refugee communities and ultimately improve refugee health.
Changes in physical activity across pregnancy among Chinese women: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Lü Yan , Feng Yahui , Ma Shuai , Jiang Yu , Ma Liangkun
Published: June 2021

Background

Sufficient physical activity (PA) during pregnancy is beneficial for a woman’s health; however, the PA levels of Chinese women at different pregnancy stages are not clear. The aim of our study was to investigate PA changes during pregnancy and the association of population characteristics with PA change among Chinese women.

Methods

Data were obtained from 2485 participants who were enrolled in the multicentre prospective Chinese Pregnant Women Cohort Study. PA level was assessed in early pregnancy (mean = 10, 5–13 weeks of gestation) and again in mid-to-late pregnancy (mean = 32, 24–30 weeks of gestation) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF). Sufficient PA (≥ 600 MET min/week) in early pregnancy and insufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy indicated decreasing PA. Insufficient PA in early pregnancy and sufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy indicated increasing PA. The associations between demographic, pregnancy and health characteristics and PA changes were examined by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Total energy expenditure for PA increased significantly from early (median = 396 MET min/week) to mid-to-late pregnancy (median = 813 MET min/week) (P < 0.001), and 55.25% of the participants eventually had sufficient PA. Walking was the dominant form of PA. Women with sufficient PA levels in early pregnancy were more likely to have sufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy (OR 1.897, 95% CI 1.583–2.274). Women in West China and those in Central China were most and least likely, respectively, to have increasing PA (OR 1.387, 95% CI 1.078–1.783 vs. OR 0.721, 95% CI 0.562–0.925). Smoking was inversely associated with increasing PA (OR 0.480, 95% CI 0.242–0.955). Women with higher educational levels were less likely to have decreasing PA (OR 0.662, 95% CI 0.442–0.991).

Conclusions

PA increased as pregnancy progressed, and walking was the dominant form of PA among Chinese women. Further research is needed to better understand correlates of PA change.
Fractional CO2 laser treatment effect on cervicovaginal lavage zinc and copper levels: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Sipos Attila G. , Pákozdy Krisztina , Jäger Szilvia , Larson Kindra , Takacs Peter , Kozma Bence
Published: June 2021

Background

The basic principle of vaginal laser therapy is the rejuvenation of the affected tissue. Zinc and copper are essential nutritional trace elements and have a key role in connective tissue homeostasis. We aimed to investigate the effect of vaginal, fractional CO2 laser treatment on cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) zinc and copper levels.

Methods

Twenty-nine postmenopausal women with symptoms of vaginal dryness were enrolled in our prospective cohort study. Three treatments with MonaLisa Touch CO2 laser system were performed four weeks apart. At each treatment CVL was collected, Vaginal Health Index (VHI) was obtained, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for vaginal dryness was assigned by patients. Zinc and copper concentrations were measured with optical emission spectrometry before each treatment and six weeks after the 3rd treatment.

Results

The VHI scores significantly improved after each laser treatment (mean ± SD VHI score, 13.03 ± 4.49 before vs. 15.55 ± 4.35 after the 1st, 17.79 ± 4.57 after the 2nd and 19.38 ± 4.39 after the 3rd treatment, P < 0.01). Similarly, VAS scores reflected improvement (mean ± SD VAS score 6.59 ± 2.86 before vs. 4.17 ± 2.86 after the 1st, 2.45 ± 2.43 after the 2nd and 1.41 ± 1.94 after the 3rd treatment, P < 0.01). CVL zinc levels were significantly higher compared to copper levels (0.06 ± 0.04 vs. 0.006 ± 0.006 mg/L, P < 0.01) at baseline. While copper levels remained the same through treatments, the CVL zinc level was significantly higher after the second laser treatment compared to the baseline.

Conclusions

Fractional CO2 laser treatment of the vagina impacts CVL zinc and copper levels differently. While CVL copper levels were not different after each laser treatment, zinc levels were significantly higher after the second treatment before returning to baseline values.