bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hematuria and its repetition after initial control in patients receiving anti-coagulant: A prospective observational study
Authors: Hajikhani Ehsan , Ghahestani Seyyed Mohammad , Akhavizadegan Hamed , Karbakhsh Mojgan
Published: April 2021

Objectives:

Although Gross hematuria in patients receiving anticoagulants is not very common, it is one of the most common reasons of consulting with urologists. It is recommended to investigate urinary tract malignancies but simultaneous approach to anticoagulation and hematuria so as the optimum balance could be attained, is not clearly defined in the literature yet. We aim to answer pitfalls of hematuria management in anticoagulant receiving patients in this manuscript.

Materials and methods:

In a prospective case control study during 2017–2019, we observed and collected the data of patients receiving anticoagulant therapy and suffered from gross hematuria with coagulation parameters in prophylactic or therapeutic range in an academic hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. SPSS 24th version was used for descriptive analysis of collected data.

Results:

Sixty-six patients encountered hematuria while receiving anticoagulant therapy. Although hematuria was more common in male patients, its recurrence was higher in female patients. It started mostly in first 72 h of therapy and was anticoagulant-dose dependent. Degree of hematuria was mostly mild or moderate by visual estimation and controlled easily by holding the anticoagulant therapy for less than 2 days. Anti-platelet therapy, urinary catheterization and patient’s activity did not have any effect on re-bleeding rate.

Conclusion:

Considering the fact that ruling out the urinary tract malignancy is mandatory in these patients, moderate and severe hematuria can be controlled simply by short term holding the anticoagulant therapy while continuing antiplatelet therapy albeit there is possibility to continue them in mild cases. Removing urinary catheters and decreasing the patient’s mobility are not recommended. In order to decrease the recurrence of hematuria, re-establishing anticoagulation with LMWH and non-Vitamin D dependent oral agents rather than continuing Heparin and Warfarin might be helpful.
Custodial Grandparent’s Job Loss During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Relationship With Parenting Stress and Mental Health
Authors: Wu Qi , Xu Yanfeng , Jedwab Merav
Published: April 2021

Involuntary job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic adds challenges, especially for custodial grandparents that are taking care of grandchildren. Grandparents are relatively vulnerable, and they need more attention and support when facing the negative impacts of COVID-19. This study analyzed cross-sectional survey data collected from 234 custodial grandparents via Qualtrics Panels in June 2020 in the United States. After using the propensity score weighting adjustment, results from logistic and ordinary least squares regression showed that compared with grandparents that did not lose their job during the pandemic, grandparents that did had more parenting stress and worse mental health. Moderation analysis also showed that social support was a significant moderator of the relationship between job loss and mental health, but not the relationship between job loss and parenting stress. The findings and implications are discussed.
The Association Between Sarcopenia and Postoperative Outcomes Among Older Adults With Hip Fracture: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chiang Ming-Hsiu , Kuo Yi-Jie , Chen Yu-Pin
Published: April 2021

Hip fracture is a serious clinical event with high morbidity and mortality. Sarcopenia is characterized by age-related loss of muscle mass and function, leading to several adverse health outcomes. In this systematic review, no limitation criteria were used for study selection and 327 studies were identified in the initial search. Of these, 11 studies comprising a total of 2,314 patients were selected. The overall proportion of older adults with hip fracture having sarcopenia was 44%, with a disparity of approximately 10% between men and women. Most studies have indicated that older adults with sarcopenia had poorer postoperative functional recovery than those without sarcopenia; the association between sarcopenia and high postoperative mortality or long hospital stay was heterogeneous. Well-organized studies with longer follow-up periods are warranted.
Determination of the composition and properties of PET bottles: Evidence of the empirical approach from Perm, Russia
Authors: Polygalov Stepan , Ilinykh Galina , Korotaev Vladimir , Stanisavljevic Nemanja , Batinic Bojan
Published: April 2021

Efficient collection systems and information about the characteristics and quality of collected secondary plastic waste flows are of fundamental importance for the development of circular economies. In order to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of separate collection systems for plastic packaging, especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, characteristic of the collected PET bottles in street mesh containers were studied in the city of Perm, Russia. The share of extraneous fractions was assessed and differentiation was carried out by volume, type of product, label presence, shape, content of solid and liquid impurities and colour. These results indicate that PET composition in different seasons is very similar, despite the assumption that the consumption of PET bottles in the spring and autumn seasons varies. In the mesh containers, up to 34% of the items were foreign objects, considering that only PET bottles should be collected. In each dimensional flow of PET bottles, the proportion of transparent bottles prevailed; it ranged from 31% to 70%. Based on the results of the experiment, almost all PET bottle categories had a standard shape, except packaging for food products and household chemicals, in which 26–27% of PET bottles had a non-standard shape. The results about charactersitic of source-separated PET bottles are fundamental for goal-oriented design and implementation of collection, recycling technologies, secondary separation facilities, the economics of recycling intitatives and reverse vending machines for collecting materials.
Minocycline hydrochloride loaded mPEG-PCLA membranes: Preparation and in vitro evaluation for periodontitis therapy
Authors: Wang Ningtao , Huang Zhengmei , Wang Shenchun , Lang Meidong , Zhang Xiuyin
Published: April 2021

This study was aimed at alleviating shortcomings in the treatment of periodontitis by preparation of a biopolymer membrane loaded with minocycline hydrochloride (MH) inserted into periodontal pockets to treat infections. Monomethoxy-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (ε-caprolactone-co-L-lactide) (mPEG-PCLA) is a biocompatible and biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymer. It, therefore, has attracted considerable attention in drug delivery systems and periodontal treatment. We chose it as a membrane material for MH-drug loading. The MH-loaded membranes were prepared by the solvent casting technique with the content of 5, 8 and 10 wt.%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) revealed no interaction between MH and polymer. The drug-loaded membrane surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vitro release studies showed that the initial drug release exceeded 40% within 24 h, followed by a sustained release for up to 2 weeks, which would enable the therapeutic level to maintain over a longer time. The antibacterial activity studies in vitro demonstrated a positive effect on the periodontal pathogen. MH drug-loaded membranes have no adverse effect on the growth of periodontal ligament fibroblasts in the MTT test. The study suggests that mPEG-PCLA membranes containing MH are a potential antibacterial drug delivery system for local treatment of periodontitis.
Manipulating the solution environment to control the surface roughness of elastin-based polymer coatings
Authors: Cobb Jared S , Rourke Anna S , Creel Aiden , Janorkar Amol V
Published: April 2021

Elastin-like polypeptides (ELP) have been used as a genetically-engineered, biocompatible substitute for elastin. Cell culture coatings prepared using ELP conjugated to low molecular weight polyethyleneimine (PEI) entices cells to form three-dimensional cellular aggregates that mimic their in vivo counterparts. This study seeks to control the deposition of the ELP and ELP-PEI molecules to control the roughness of the final coatings. The two polymers were coated onto three different substrates (glass, polystyrene, tissue-culture polystyrene) and the solution environment was altered by changing the polymer concentration (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg/mL) and/or salt concentration (None, 0.2 M phosphate buffered saline) for a total of 36 conditions. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to measure the average roughness (Ra) of the samples and found that ELP coated samples had a higher Ra than their ELP-PEI counterparts. The coatings were tested for stability by performing cell culture media changes every three days for 11 days. AFM showed that the average roughness of the tested samples increased with each media change. To address this, the surfaces were crosslinked using hexamethyl diisocyanate, which minimized the change in surface roughness even when subjected to an intense sonication process. This study provides parameters to achieve elastin-based coatings with controlled roughness that can be used to support stable, long-term in vitro cell culture.
Person-situation dynamics in educational contexts: A self- and other-rated experience sampling study of teachers’ states, traits, and situations
Authors: Abrahams Loes , Rauthmann John F. , Fruyt Filip De
Published: April 2021

The situations people find themselves in and how they experience them is fundamental to a host of life and work outcomes. However, most research has so far only relied on self-reports and is thus not able to disentangle different situation components. The present study therefore examined the dynamics between self- and other-rated situation characteristics, personality traits, and personality states in an educational setting. One hundred and seventy-three student teachers ( n = 2244–2261 observations) and 94 supervisors ( n = 1110–1122 observations) participated in a 13- or 14-day experience sampling study during student teachers’ internships and rated situations and teachers’ personality states twice daily. Answering three research questions yielded that (1) self-rated traits were mostly not associated with self- or supervisor-rated situation characteristics; (2) self- and supervisor-rated situation characteristics predicted self- and supervisor-rated personality state expressions (although effects were largest for same-rater associations); and (3) there were no interaction effects of traits and situation characteristics on personality state expressions. These results have important theoretical and applied implications as they advance our understanding of person-situation dynamics in an applied setting and suggest that associations between situations and personality states are not solely attributable to common rater effects.
Modified IWO algorithm for topological optimum synthesis of the displacement amplifying compliant mechanism
Authors: Varedi-Koulaei SM , MohammadZadeh MR
Published: April 2021

The conventional mechanisms transmitted force and displacement through rigid members (high stiffness) and traditional joints (with high softness), where recently, researchers have come up with new systems called compliant mechanisms that transfer power and mobility through the deformation of their flexible members. One of the most frequently used approaches for designing compliant mechanisms is topology optimization. Extracting the optimal design of a displacement amplifying compliant mechanism using the modified Invasive Weed Optimization (MIWO) method is the current study's main novelty. The studied mechanism is a compliant micro-mechanism that can be used as a micrometric displacement amplifier. The goal of this synthesis is to maximize the output-to-input displacement ratio. In this research, a new random step is added to the Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO) method; the new seeds can be spread farther from their parents, which can be improved the algorithm's abilities. The results show that the use of the modified IWO algorithm for this problem has led to a significant improvement over the results from similar articles.
Optimization-based subject-specific planar human vertical jumping prediction: Model development and validation
Authors: Baus Juan , Harry John R , Yang James
Published: April 2021

Jumping biomechanics may differ between individuals participating in various sports. Jumping motion can be divided into different phases for research purposes when seeking to understand performance, injury risk, or both. Experimental-based methods are used to study different jumping situations for their capabilities of testing other conditions intended to improve performance or further prevent injuries. External loading training is commonly used to simulate jumping performance improvement. This paper presents the optimization-based subject-specific planar human vertical jumping to develop the prediction model with and without a weighted vest and validate it through experiments. The skeletal model replicates the human motion for jumping (weighting, unweighting, breaking, propulsion) in the sagittal plane considering four different loading conditions (0% and 10% body mass): unloaded, split-loaded, front-loaded, and back-loaded. The multi-objective optimization problem is solved using MATLAB® with 35 design variables and 197 nonlinear constraints. Results show that the model is computationally efficient, and the predicted jumping motion matches the experimental data trend. The simulation model can predict vertical jumping motion and can test the effect of different loading conditions with weighted vests and arm-swing strategy on the ground reaction forces. This work is novel in the sense that it can predict ground reaction forces, joints angles, and center of mass position without any experimental data.
Variations of cooling performance on turbine vanes due to incipient particle deposition
Authors: Yang Xing , Hao Zihan , Feng Zhenping
Published: April 2021

In this paper, to demonstrate the deposition effects on cooling performance, the changing patterns of film cooling due to particle deposition are numerically investigated on a turbine vane that is cooled by an array of film-holes. The uniqueness of this work is addressing the cooling performance at an early deposition stage, in which deposits are relatively slight. The build-ups of the deposits are simulated by moving grid nodes on the wall boundaries. Results show that in addition to particle velocity, the blowing conditions and wall temperatures are two important factors to determine the deposition patterns. Increasing coolant-to-mainstream mass flow ratios and lowering wall temperatures can help inhibit the growth of deposits. In addition, the modifications of the vane profile due to incipient deposition are completely different from those with excessive deposition. Although flow fields are less sensitive to the early-stage deposits in the subsonic vane passage, cooling effectiveness is significantly changed and the changes are linked to the mass flow ratios. Compared to the cooling performance from a non-deposition case, reduced cooling performance due to incipient deposition is found at a low mass flow ratio of 1.09%, while cooling performance is improved at moderate and high mass flow ratios of 1.64% and 2.06%.
Association of microRNA-125a with the clinical features, disease activity and inflammatory cytokines of juvenile-onset lupus patients
Authors: Eissa Eman , Morcos Botros , Abdelkawy Rania Fawzy Mahmoud , Ahmed Hanan H , Kholoussi Naglaa M
Published: April 2021

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with marked variation in its clinical presentation. Juvenile-onset SLE (jSLE) exhibits an aggressive clinical phenotype and severe complications. Dysregulated expression of microRNAs (miRs) in immune cells from patients with SLE has been found. We aim to evaluate the association of miR-125a with the clinical and laboratory characteristics, disease activity and inflammatory cytokines of jSLE patients.

Methods

60 jSLE patients and 25 normal controls were involved in the study. The expression pattern of miR-125a was determined in plasma of all subjects using qRT-PCR. In addition, plasma levels of IL-17 and IFN-γ were examined using ELISA. The correlation of miR-125a expression with the clinical manifestations and disease activity of jSLE patients was analyzed. Also, its association with the inflammatory cytokines was investigated in jSLE patients.

Results

Our findings showed that miR-125a expression levels were significantly reduced in jSLE patients compared to normal controls ( p < 0.01) and these expression levels differed based on the clinical variability of patients. In addition, plasma levels of IL-17 and IFN-γ in jSLE patients were significantly higher than healthy controls ( p < 0.01). Finally, miR-125a expression had significant negative associations with each of SLEDAI-2K ( p < 0.01), SLICC ( p < 0.01), ESR ( p < 0.05), proteinuria ( p < 0.01) and IL-17 levels ( p < 0.01) in jSLE patients.

Conclusion

Our findings postulate that miR-125a could act as a candidate therapeutic target for its possible regulation of inflammation in jSLE patients.
EBV load is associated with cfDNA fragmentation and renal damage in SLE patients
Authors: Truszewska Anna , Wirkowska Agnieszka , Gala Kamila , Truszewski Piotr , Krzemień-Ojak Łucja , Mucha Krzysztof , Pączek Leszek , Foroncewicz Bartosz
Published: April 2021

Background

For long Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has been suspected to be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to verify the association between EBV, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and kidney disease in SLE.

Methods

Blood samples were obtained from 43 SLE patients and 50 healthy individuals. EBV load was measured via real-time PCR assay. Sizing and quantification of plasma cfDNA was performed on Bioanalyzer. We proposed that the uniformity of cfDNA fragmentation can be described using cfDNA fragmentation index.

Results

SLE patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD +) had higher EBV load compared to CKD(–) patients (P = 0.042). Patients with high cfDNA level had higher EBV load (P = 0.041) and higher cfDNA fragmentation index (P < 0.001) compared to patients with low cfDNA level. Among patients with high cfDNA level, EBV load was higher in CKD(+) group compared to CKD(–) group (P = 0.035). EBV load was positively correlated with the fragmentation index in all SLE patients (P = 0.028, R2 = 0.13), and the correlation was even more pronounced in CKD (+) patients (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.20).

Conclusions

We showed that EBV load was associated with non-uniform cfDNA fragmentation, higher cfDNA levels, and kidney disease in SLE patients. Although the causality of this relationship could not be determined with the current study, it brings rationale for further investigations on the role of EBV and cfDNA interplay in SLE pathogenesis.
Near infrared spectroscopy of plantation forest soil nutrients in Sabah, Malaysia, and the potential for microsite assessment
Authors: Ahmad Jani Hamzad Fahmi , Meder Roger , Hamid Hazandy Abdul , Razali Sheriza Mohd , Yusoff Khairul Hafiz Mohd
Published: April 2021

Knowledge of soil physical and chemical properties is vital to the optimal growing performance of agricultural crops, including plantation forest trees. Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been shown to be a tool that enables rapid and low-cost assessment of soils, however its use in forest plantations has been slow to develop. This study shows the development of calibrations for total organic carbon, total nitrogen and soil pH using a handheld NIR spectrometer for soils at three sites in Sabah, Malaysia. Soil samples were collected, dried, milled and scanned after which they were analysed using standard chemical methods to obtain total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN). Partial least squares regression was used to develop calibrations between reference data and NIR spectra and validated using an independent sample set. The calibration of soil pH is made using a subset of samples across A- and B-horizons for samples from two of the three sites. The most effective spectral pre-treatment was the standard normal variate for TOC and TN while the Savitzky-Golay first derivative was the best pre-treatment for predicting soil pH. Principal component analysis was performed on the raw NIR spectra of all samples to confirm that the samples from different sites were able to be used in a single regression analysis. Kennard-Stone selection was used to create calibration sets and validation sets from the combined spectra from all sites and both soil horizons. Calibrations were also developed independently on the A- and B-horizon samples, but there were insufficient sample numbers to utilize an independent validation set. The coefficients of determination for the validation set (r2p) were 0.77 and 53 for TOC and TN respectively while the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) was 0.44 g 100 g−1 for TOC and 0.051 g 100 g−1 for TN. In addition, it showcases the application of these calibrations to provide spatial assessment of two differing micro-sites within a single Eucalyptus pellita progeny breeding trial. Combined with the potential to monitor foliar nutrients, the ability to obtain high spatial details of soil composition will assist tree plantation growers and also other agricultural producers, such as oil palm plantation managers, to better manage their soil and fertiliser regimes.
Impact of cumulative experience on the quality of screening colonoscopy: A 13-year observational study
Authors: Naumann David N , Kavanagh Cheryl , Hipkiss Gaynor , Potter-Concannon Sarah , Budhoo Misra , Ahmed Monzur , Karandikar Sharad
Published: April 2021

Objective

To investigate trends in quality of screening colonoscopy (using the Global Rating Score) in the 13 years since introduction of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England.

Setting

An English Bowel Cancer Screening Programme colonoscopy service from 2007 to 2019.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was undertaken using a prospectively collected database in order to analyse trends in screening endoscopies (including patients following positive faecal occult blood test or with high-risk findings on flexible sigmoidoscopy). The Global Rating Score quality indicators for Bowel Cancer Screening Programme colonoscopy were used as outcome measures, and trends over time were analysed. These included caecal intubation rate, adenoma detection rate, colorectal cancer detection rate, proportion of patients with minimal or mild discomfort scores, proportion of patients who required intravenous sedation, and adverse events.

Results

There were 5352 colonoscopies included, performed by 3 endoscopists; 73.8% were index procedures (i.e. first Bowel Cancer Screening Programme colonoscopy) and the remainder were follow-up or surveillance colonoscopies. The mean age of patients was 66 (standard deviation 5) years, and 59.8% were male. Mean age increased over time ( R2=0.033; p < 0.001). There were significant trends over time towards higher caecal intubation rate ( p = 0.015), higher adenoma detection rate ( p < 0.001), lower proportion requiring intravenous sedation ( p < 0.001). There were no significant trends in comfort scores ( p = 0.606), adverse events ( p = 0.503) or colorectal cancer detection ( p = 0.089).

Conclusion

There was a consistent improvement in the Global Rating Score for Bowel Cancer Screening Programme colonoscopies since the start of the programme, even when quality was already high at the start. Patients can expect high-quality colonoscopy when participating in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.
Central nervous system lesions caused by canine distemper virus in 4 vaccinated dogs
Authors: Feijóo Gimena , Yamasaki Kanji , Delucchi Luis , Verdes José Manuel
Published: April 2021

We examined the cerebellum and cerebrum of 4 vaccinated dogs, 3–60-mo-old, that displayed clinical signs of canine distemper virus (CDV) infection, and died 7–40 d after developing neurologic signs. The main histologic lesions were demyelination, gliosis, meningitis, perivascular lymphocytic cuffing, and inclusion bodies. These lesions were similar in all 4 cases regardless of the time since vaccination, except that meningoencephalitis and gliosis were subacute in 3 dogs and chronic in 1 dog. However, these differences did not appear to be related to their vaccination status. Immunohistologically, a CDV-positive immunoreaction was seen mainly in astrocytes, neurons and their axons, lymphocytes around and in the blood vessels of the pia mater and choroid plexus, ependymal cells of each ventricle, and the cells of the choroid plexus. The histologic and immunohistologic changes were similar in the cerebellum and cerebrum. The genetic characterization of the virus strains in 2 of these naturally occurring canine distemper cases confirmed that they were South American wild-type strains (Kiki and Uy251) belonging to the EU1/SA1 lineage. These strains are not included in the commercial CDV vaccines available in Uruguay.
Collective Memory Work: A Method for Turning Adult Learners’ Work-Life Experiences Into a Rich Collective Knowledge Resource in Higher Education
Authors: Wichmand Mette , Kolbaek Ditte
Published: April 2021

The aim of this article is to examine collective memory work (CMW) as a method for turning the work-life experiences of adult learners in a part-time master’s program into a collective knowledge resource, thereby strengthening the interplay between theory and practice in the students’ learning processes. CMW is a well-known qualitative research method, but only a limited amount of research has been done on its use in the context of higher education. This article is based on a case study of five CMW workshops executed between 2015 and 2019 as part of the program ‘Master’s in ICT and Learning’ provided by four collaborating Danish universities. The data consist of an educational design, in-class observations, and 103 memories written by students. This study shows how CMW enables students to share and analyze their work-life experiences as a relevant and rich collective knowledge resource, which allows them to discover shared structures between their work-life experiences and strengthen the interplay between theory and practice in their learning. The conclusion is that even though CMW is not designed to be used in an educational setting, the method can be applied with great results to turn students’ work-life experiences into a collective knowledge resource.
Impact of Removing the Race Coefficient in Renal Function Estimate Equations on Drug Dosage Recommendations
Authors: Miller Janine , Knorr John P.
Published: April 2021

Background

The appropriateness of including the race coefficient in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) equations in Black patients is debated, and the impact on drug dosing is unknown.

Objective

This study explored the impact of removing the race coefficient on drug dosing in Black patients in comparison to conventional methods.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of hospitalized patients who self-identified as Black/African American and were prescribed an antimicrobial that includes renal dosage recommendations in the product labeling. The primary end point was the discordance between drug dosing recommendations derived by body surface area deindexed GFR estimated by the CKD-EPI equation (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology study) with and without race versus recommendations derived from Cockcroft-Gault (CG).

Results

A total of 210 Black patients were included. There was an 18% rate of discordance when GFR was estimated with the race coefficient (GFR w/Race) versus without the race coefficient (GFR w/out Race). GFR w/out Race had a higher level of agreement with dosing by creatinine clearance (CrCl; κ = 0.779) than GFR w/Race versus CrCl (κ = 0.651). GFR w/out Race had less within-patient difference than GFR w/Race in comparison to CrCl (mean difference: −6.3 vs −18.0 mL/min).

Conclusions and Relevance

This represents the first report to examine the removal of the race coefficient and its implication on drug dose discordance. GFR w/out Race had a higher level of agreement and less drug dose discordance than GFR w/Race, in comparison to CrCl estimates. If GFR equations are considered comparable to CrCl for the purposes of guiding drug dosing, GFR w/out Race should be considered.
Cross domain modularization tool: Mechanics, electronics, and software
Authors: Askhøj Christoffer , Christensen Carsten Keinicke Fjord , Mortensen Niels Henrik
Published: April 2021

Modularization is a strategy used for handling the demand for external complexity with less internal complexity, which leads to higher profits and more efficient product development processes. However, modularity is often driven in silos, not crossing into the engineering fields of mechanics, electronics, and software. Therefore, we present the MESA (Mechanics, Electronics, and Software Architecture) tool—a tool that can be used to visualize modular product architectures across mechanics, electronics, and software. The tool demonstrates how a change in one domain affects the rest and how well aligned the modularity in the different domains is. The tool has been tested in two case companies that were used for case application and has helped provide information for making key design decisions in the development of new product families.
Retrospective review of accelerated daratumumab administration
Authors: Patel Ashka , Clark Stefanie , Espiritu Jennifer , Dechen Tenzin , Tran Qua
Published: April 2021

Daratumumab is an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody approved for multiple myeloma. The initial infusion is administered over a median of 7.5 hours with subsequent infusions given over 3 to 4 hours. Studies show high incidence of infusion related reactions (IRRs) with the initial dose which decreases with subsequent infusions. Accelerated 90 minute daratumumab infusions following the second dose of standard administration are widely accepted in practice including at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) despite limited data from small safety studies. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety of accelerated daratumumab administration compared to standard administration. The primary outcome is the incidence of common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) version 5.0 grade 1 or higher for IRRs in accelerated and standard infusions. Secondary outcomes include non-IRR adverse events and amount of supportive care medications used pre- and post- and during accelerated and standard infusions. A total of seventy five patients received a daratumumab infusion between November 2015 and August 2019. There were a total of 420 daratumumab infusions evaluated, 317 (75.5%) were standard infusions of which 152 infusions were standard infusions that preceded an accelerated infusion. There were a total of 103 (24.5%) accelerated infusions. IRRs occurred in a total of 38 (9%) of the infusions with CTCAE grade 2 reactions occurring in total of 21 (5%) infusions and grade 1 occurring in 15 (3.6%) infusions. Overall accelerated daratumumab administration is safe and well tolerated when given following at least two standard infusions.
A poroelasticity model for interstitial fluid flow and matrix deformation in a non-homogeneous solid tumor
Authors: Jin Z-H
Published: April 2021

This paper describes a small-strain poroelasticity model to examine the interstitial fluid pressure and matrix deformation in a non-homogeneous solid tumor consisting of an inner core with a reduced specific microvascular area encapsulated in an outer tissue shell with a regular specific microvascular area. A singular perturbation technique is employed to capture the transitional behavior at the interface between the inner core and outer shell under a cyclic microvascular pressure. The perturbation solution reveals the existence of two boundary layers: one at the interface between the inner core and outer shell, and the other at the tumor surface. The amplitude of the tumor interstitial fluid (TIF) pressure is at a lower constant level in the inner core and increases rapidly in the boundary layer at the interface between the inner core and outer shell to the pressure value of the corresponding homogeneous tumor with the outer shell properties. The radial strain undergoes dramatic changes in the boundary layers, and reaches the peak near the interface between the inner core and outer shell. The behavior of the effective stresses remains similar to that of the TIF pressure.
Understanding Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy in Canada: Attitudes, Norms, Intentions, and Vaccine Uptake
Authors: Greyson Devon , Dubé Ève , Fisher William A. , Cook Jocelynn , Sadarangani Manish , Bettinger Julie A.
Published: April 2021

To improve uptake of influenza vaccine in pregnancy, it is important to understand the factors that predict prenatal vaccination. The aim of this study was to test the capability of the theory of planned behavior, augmented with information constructs, to predict and explain influenza vaccination uptake in a sample of 600 pregnant individuals in Canada. A baseline survey at the start of influenza season assessed beliefs, norms, perceived control, and information-seeking behavior related to influenza vaccination in pregnancy, as well as respondent demographics. A follow-up survey at the conclusion of influenza season assessed self-reported influenza vaccine uptake as well as infant vaccination intentions. Multivariable analysis indicated that attitudes toward influenza vaccination in pregnancy, subjective norms, information seeking, and past vaccination behavior predicted intentions to be vaccinated, and intentions predicted vaccine uptake. Neither perceived control nor demographics were significant predictors of intentions or vaccine uptake. These findings suggest that presumptive offering of vaccination in pregnancy by health care providers, as well as patient and public health educational interventions, may be effective in communicating norms and strengthening positive attitudes and intentions concerning influenza vaccination in pregnancy, resulting in higher vaccine coverage.
Sexual Health Interventions for Racial/Ethnic Minorities Using Community-Based Participatory Research: A Systematic Review
Authors: McCuistian Caravella , Peteet Bridgette , Burlew Kathy , Jacquez Farrah
Published: April 2021

Background

Racial/ethnic minorities (REMs) continue to carry the burden of sexual health disparities in the United States, including increased health risks and lower proportions of preventative care. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has been useful in developing interventions aimed at reducing these disparities. Specifically, partnership with the target group members has resulted in more culturally relevant intervention strategies.

Aim

The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the existing research on sexual health interventions targeting U.S. REMs that were developed using CBPR, to highlight the role target group members played in the development of these interventions, and to explore the benefits and outcomes of these partnerships.

Method

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guided the search of 46 thesauri terms for CBPR, sexual health, and REMs across six databases.

Results

The initial search yielded 805 identified studies. After applying limiters, reviewing abstracts, and doing a full-text review, 24 appropriate studies were retained. The key findings indicated significant intervention outcomes such as increased health knowledge, attitude change, and behavioral intention that could reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors. Twelve studies detailed the methods for partnering with target group members to formulate interventions, highlighting the benefits related to recruitment, retention, and cultural relevance.

Discussion

CBPR is well-positioned to address sexual health disparities among REMs. While community partnership strategies vary, the findings yield evidence that CBPR addressing sexual health disparities is achievable, can influence the effectiveness of interventions, and should be considered as an orientation in future sexual health research.
Sleep time and homework hours/daily are associated with reduced visual acuity among school students aged 9–18 in Shenyang in 2016
Authors: Liu Hezuo , Ren Shi , Sun Qi , Bai Yinglong , Zhai Lingling , Wei Wei , Jia Lihong
Published: April 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this survey was to explore the prevalence of reduced visual acuity and its associated factors among school students in Shenyang in 2016.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study using data from the Ministry of Education’ Student Physical Fitness (MESPF) monitoring in 2016. A total of 13,642 students aged 9–18 years were surveyed in Shenyang. The unaided distance visual acuity was measured, and questionnaire on lifestyle behaviors that may affect visual acuity was investigated among students. The prevalence of reduced visual acuity and its associated factors were analyzed.

Results:

The average prevalence of reduced visual acuity among students aged 9–18 years was 65.8%, and severe reduced visual acuity was main (42.9%), and there were statistical effect of age, gender, and region on the prevalence of reduced visual acuity. Binary and multi variable logistic regression results revealed that students sleeping <8 h, homework hours ⩾1 h, and parental myopia had an increased risk of reduced visual acuity.

Conclusions:

Sleep time <8 h and homework time ⩾1 h may be associated with reduced visual acuity among students in Shenyang. Therefore, it is benefit for student to get enough sleep and decreasing studying time in order to prevent and reduce poor vision.
Optic disc morphometry using spectral domain optical coherence tomography in a Nigerian population
Authors: Awe Oluwaseun Olaniyi , Onakpoya Oluwatoyin Helen , Adeoye Adenike Odunmorayo
Published: April 2021

Purpose:

To assess morphological optic disc dimensions using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a Nigerian population.

Materials and method:

Good quality SD-OCT scans of the optic disc of 147 eyes of 88 participants were selected, enrolled, and retrospectively reviewed. All subjects had optic nerve head and retinal nerve fibre layer OCT imaging, as well as analysis, done using the Topcon 3D OCT-1 Maestro®. The age, sex, and some OCT-generated optic disc dimensions namely disc area (DA), vertical disc diameter (VDD), horizontal disc diameter (HDD) were retrieved from the database and analyzed.

Results:

The mean age of the study subjects was 52.6±20.9 years with a range of 8–90 years; male to female ratio was 1:1.3. The right eye and left eye accounted for 75 and 72 of the 147 scans respectively. The mean DA, VDD, and HDD were 2.54 ± 0.48 mm2, 1926.5 ± 189.6 μm and 1673.9 ± 173.9 μm, respectively. Males had significantly larger DA than females (2.56 ± 0.53 mm2 vs 2.51 ± 0.44 mm2, p = 0.043). The mean DA and VDD of eyes of subjects aged 21–40 years were significantly higher compared to subjects aged 60 years and more ( p = 0.008 and 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion:

The mean optic disc area and diameters are larger than those reported in similar studies involving blacks and other races. The mean disc area reduces with increasing age.
Eye pain and blurred vision as main complaints in a new case with MDPL syndrome
Authors: Zhou Lin , Lv Zhiqing , Tian Xuelian , Zhang Yi , Xu Zhuping
Published: April 2021

Introduction:

We report a novel phenotype of mandibular hypoplasia, deafness, and progeroid features with lipodystrophy (MDPL) syndrome with POLD1 mutation in a Chinese girl.

Case description:

Diabetic retinopathy was detected as the primary manifestation in a Chinese girl with MDPL syndrome carrying a known POLD1 mutation (c.1812_1814delCTC, p.Ser605del). Typical characteristics of the syndrome including mandibular hypoplasia, deafness, progeroid features, and diabetes were detected after comprehensive examinations. The patient suffered from blurred vision and eye pain due to the neovascularization of the retina (vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment) and iris (neovascular glaucoma). The literature review revealed that the prevalence of hepatomegaly and abnormal triglyceride levels were significantly higher in female than in male with MDPL syndrome carrying POLD1 mutations.

Conclusion:

These results expand our knowledge regarding the clinical phenotypes of MDPL syndrome with POLD1 mutations. Diabetic retinopathy is a non-negligible complication of MDPL syndrome. The phenotype varies among female and male patients with the syndrome. Hepatomegaly and abnormal triglyceride levels are more common in female patients with MDPL syndrome.
Contrast sensitivity assessment for early detection of hydroxychloroquine toxicity
Authors: Singla Ekta , Ichhpujani Parul , Sharma Urvashi , Kumar Suresh
Published: April 2021

Introduction:

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), is known to cause visual dysfunction during its prolonged course of administration. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and field tests are the commonly used screening tests. Not much is known about the role of contrast sensitivity (CS) as method for early detection of HCQ toxicity. This pilot study was designed to study the change in central and peripheral contrast sensitivity for detecting early signs of HCQ toxicity.

Design:

Prospective study conducted at Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh, India.

Participants:

Twenty eyes of 10 treatment naïve, autoimmune patients.

Methods:

All patients underwent functional tests, contrast sensitivity tests: Pelli Robson and Spaeth Richman Contrast Sensitivity (SPARCS). Average and quadrant wise SPARCS score; Pelli Robson score and structural parameters viz., macular OCT parameters were compared at baseline, 3- and 6-month post treatment with HCQ.

Main outcome measures:

Change in CS using SPARCS and Pelli Robson were recorded at each visit and compared with the baseline. Structural and functional parameters were correlated.

Results:

The average SPARCS scores at baseline, 3-month post HCQ and at 6-month post HCQ were 82.37 ± 8.40, 73.17 ± 9.63 and 70.37 ± 10.08, respectively. Quadrant wise change from first visit to third visit was statistically significant only in superotemporal ( p = 0.002), inferotemporal ( p = 0.02) and central ( p = 0.01) quadrants. There was no correlation between SPARCS and Pelli Robson ( S = 0.1454, p = 0.466). Similarly, there was no significant correlation between the structural and functional parameters.

Conclusions:

HCQ affect the CS by virtue of its action on bipolar and ganglion cells. Decrease in central and peripheral CS as measured by SPARCS can be a sign of early visual dysfunction, hence must be considered as an early indicator of HCQ toxicity.
‘Build a future champion’: Exploring a branded activity-tracking platform for children and parents
Authors: Lyall Ben
Published: April 2021

This article explores a specific – but highly plastic – activity-tracking platform. Marketed to parents, ‘Milo Champions’ encourages the monitoring and rewarding of children, based on their activities and behaviours. The platform incorporates a popular Australian food brand – Nestlé’s Milo – and is designed for children aged between 6 and 12. Utilising walkthrough and software studies methodologies, the platform is traced by analysing app interfaces and online promotional material. Milo Champions is a niche example in the growing category of children’s activity-tracking apps: one that wraps masculinised logics of self-tracking around a multitude of parenting practices and envisages them, being deployed through feminised practices of caregiving. This article adds to prescient discussions about the ‘datafied child’ of the 21st century, and how health and wellbeing informatics are entangled with corporate interests.
Exploring anhedonia in adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): A mixed-methods study
Authors: Smith Lucie , Crawley Esther , Riley Madeleine , McManus Megan , Loades Maria Elizabeth
Published: April 2021

Background:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) may get in the way of enjoying activities. A substantial minority of adolescents with CFS/ME are depressed. Anhedonia is a core symptom of depression. Anhedonia in adolescents with CFS/ME has not been previously investigated.

Method:

One hundred and sixty-four adolescents, age 12 to 18, with CFS/ME completed a diagnostic interview (K-SADS) and questionnaires (HADS, RCADS). We used a mixed-methods approach to explore the experience of anhedonia and examine how common it is, comparing those with clinically significant anhedonia to those without.

Results:

Forty-two percent of adolescents with CFS/ME reported subclinical or clinical levels of anhedonia. Fifteen percent had clinically significant anhedonia. Thematic analysis generated two themes: (1) stopping activities that they previously enjoyed and (2) CFS/ME obstructs enjoyment. Most (72%) of those who reported clinically significant anhedonia met the depression diagnostic criteria. Those who were depressed used more negative language to describe their experience of activities than in those who were not depressed, although the themes were broadly similar.

Conclusions:

Experiencing pleasure from activities may be affected in CFS/ME, particularly in those who are depressed. Anhedonia may get in the way of behavioural strategies used within CFS/ME treatments.
Testing modified gender-moderated exercise and self-esteem (EXSEM) model of positive body image in adolescents
Authors: Jankauskiene Rasa , Baceviciene Migle
Published: April 2021

The most acceptable model explaining the associations between physical exercise and self-esteem is the exercise and self-esteem model (EXSEM). The present cross-sectional study tested the mediating role of body appreciation and physical fitness perception in the associations between physical activity and self-esteem in modified EXSEM. Overall, 1412 Lithuanian adolescents (40.2% were boys, mean age 17.0 (SD = 0.5) years) completed online questionnaires. The study was implemented in 2019 from October to December. Perceived physical fitness and body appreciation mediated the associations in the EXSEM. Physical fitness perception was directly associated with the self-esteem of girls, but not boys. Gender moderated EXSEM associations in body appreciation and perceived physical fitness showed stronger mediation effects for the adolescent girls compared to boys. Increasing physical activity, positive body image and perception of physical fitness might help to foster mental health, especially in girls.