bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wanghong e-commerce in/as China’s economic transformation: A case study of beauty wanghong
Authors: Guan Zexu , Zhou Oscar Tianyang
Published: August 2024

This article examines the crucial encounter between wanghong and e-commerce in the specific process of China’s platformization. We develop a threefold (macro-meso-micro) approach that combines perspectives from political economy, critical industry studies, and ethnographic research to identify and unpack the heterogeneous actors and actions in the evolution of wanghong e-commerce, using beauty wanghong as a case study. Drawing upon document studies (146 documents between 2001 and 2022) and 21 semi-structured interviews (supplemented by ethnographic field observations over seven months in 2018), we argue that: first, the contrast between strong consumer demand (activated by beauty wanghong) and poorly developed retail and distribution channels in the Chinese beauty industry provides a precondition for the emergence of beauty wanghong e-commerce; second, e-commerce platform Alibaba has boosted and institutionalized the convergence of wanghong and e-commerce, developing a new “social commerce model” that integrates social networking with entertainment in the context of e-commerce transactions; finally, China’s ongoing economic transformation has created possibilities and challenges for wanghong e-commerce and energized this new “social commerce” business model. The articulation of the wanghong and e-commerce is a result—and also a stage—of the integration of the manufacturing industry and platform economy in China. It is a consequence, yet an embodiment of China’s economic transformation.
A Longitudinal and Within-Person Perspective on Self-Compassion and Internalizing Symptoms in Emerging Adults: The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation
Authors: Wong Tracy K. , Hamza Chloe A.
Published: August 2024

Emerging adulthood (ages 18–25 years) is a period of increased vulnerability for mental health challenges. A potential protective factor is self-compassion, which is thought to promote better mental health through healthier emotion regulation capacities. However, longitudinal research on the associations among self-compassion, emotion regulation, and mental health is lacking. To address these gaps, a multi-wave within-person approach was used in this study. Participants included emerging adults ( N = 1125, Mage = 17.96 years) studying at a Canadian university. Random-intercept cross-lagged modelling demonstrated that within-person increases in common humanity predicted fewer depressive symptoms. Conversely, within-person increases in emotion regulation difficulties predicted more depressive symptoms over time, and vice versa. A mediation path from self-kindness to depressive symptoms via common humanity was also evident. Findings underscore the need for a more comprehensive examination of the dynamic interplay among self-compassion, emotion regulation, and mental health concerns while considering the multifaceted nature of self-compassion.
Social Identity Mapping and Psychotic Disorders: Understanding the Relationships Between Social Identity Features, Self-Esteem, and Quality of Life
Authors: Conneely Maev , Giacco Domenico , Hickling Lauren M. , Priebe Stefan , Jones Janelle M.
Published: August 2024

Having more social connections is related to better quality of life in people with psychosis. However, little is known about the nature of these social connections or whether the personal significance of social connections matters for quality of life. We aimed to fill this gap by surveying 200 people with psychosis using social identity mapping (SIM), which allows people to name their groups, roles, and relationships and how they feel about these. SIM names were categorized into 10 groups, with “activities” (39%) and “family” (14%) being most common; “patient” (3%), “politics” (2%), and “local residence” (1%) were least common. Hierarchical regression revealed that the only variable associated with better quality of life was having a greater number of highly important connections. This was mediated by self-esteem. Clinicians and researchers should examine the potential of social identification, the internalization of social connections, as a means of improving quality of life.
An Ergonomic Golf Grip Leads to Lower Forearm Muscle Activity - A Prospective Case Series of 30 Right-Handed Amateur and Professional Golfers
Authors: Bochnia Jan Moritz , Bockholt Sebastian , Gosheger Georg , Theil Christoph , Schneider Kristian Nikolaus
Published: August 2024

Background

The elbow is a common site for overuse injuries in golfers. Tendinopathies, such as medial and lateral epicondylitis, are frequently diagnosed in amateur and professional golfers. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of an ergonomic golf grip on forearm muscle activity during the five phases of the golf swing.

Methods

Thirty right-handed golfers with a mean age of 32 years (range, 18–70 years) and a mean handicap of 15 (range, 0–43) performed 10 golf swings with a standard and ergonomic golf grip respectively. The mean and maximum muscle activity of the Musculus (M.) extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), M. flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), M. pronator teres (PT) and M. biceps brachii (BB) of the lead and trail arms were assessed during the five phases of the golf swing using surface electromyography (EMG). Subgroup analyses were performed regarding sex, playing ability (handicap < 10 vs. ≥10), weekly playing time (≤ 5 h, 5–20 h, > 20 h) and preexisting elbow pain during golfing (VAS < 2 vs. VAS ≥ 2). Significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

An ergonomic golf grip resulted in a reduction in muscle activity in at least one but up to three consecutive phases of the golf swing for the ECRB, FCU and PT of the lead arm and for the PT of the trail arm. Amateurs, a playing time < 20 h per week and golfers without preexisting elbow pain were factors that were associated with greater reductions in muscle activity.

Conclusion

Forearm muscle activity can be decreased using an ergonomic golf grip, indicating the possible role of an ergonomic golf grip as a preventive measure against overuse syndromes such as medial and lateral epicondylitis.

Trial registration number

This study was retrospectively registered at the German Clinical Trials Register DRKS-ID: DRKS00033732 (01/03/2024).
Non-human peptides revealed in blood reflect the composition of intestinal microbiota
Authors: Arapidi Georgij P. , Urban Anatoly S. , Osetrova Maria S. , Shender Victoria O. , Butenko Ivan O. , Bukato Olga N. , Kuznetsov Alexandr A. , Saveleva Tatjana M. , Nos Grigorii A. , Ivanova Olga M. , Lopukhov Leonid V. , Laikov Alexander V. , Sharova Nina I. , Nikonova Margarita F. , Mitin Alexander N. , Martinov Alexander I. , Grigorieva Tatiana V. , Ilina Elena N. , Ivanov Vadim T. , Govorun Vadim M.
Published: August 2024

Background

The previously underestimated effects of commensal gut microbiota on the human body are increasingly being investigated using omics. The discovery of active molecules of interaction between the microbiota and the host may be an important step towards elucidating the mechanisms of symbiosis.

Results

Here, we show that in the bloodstream of healthy people, there are over 900 peptides that are fragments of proteins from microorganisms which naturally inhabit human biotopes, including the intestinal microbiota. Absolute quantitation by multiple reaction monitoring has confirmed the presence of bacterial peptides in the blood plasma and serum in the range of approximately 0.1 nM to 1 μM. The abundance of microbiota peptides reaches its maximum about 5 h after a meal. Most of the peptides correlate with the bacterial composition of the small intestine and are likely obtained by hydrolysis of membrane proteins with trypsin, chymotrypsin and pepsin – the main proteases of the gastrointestinal tract. The peptides have physicochemical properties that likely allow them to selectively pass the intestinal mucosal barrier and resist fibrinolysis.

Conclusions

The proposed approach to the identification of microbiota peptides in the blood, after additional validation, may be useful for determining the microbiota composition of hard-to-reach intestinal areas and monitoring the permeability of the intestinal mucosal barrier.
Multispectral fluorescence imaging of EGFR and PD-L1 for precision detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a preclinical and clinical study
Authors: Jin Nenghao , An Yu , Tian Yu , Zhang Zeyu , He Kunshan , Chi Chongwei , Mu Wei , Tian Jie , Du Yang
Published: August 2024

Background

Early detection and treatment are effective methods for the management of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which can be facilitated by the detection of tumor-specific OSCC biomarkers. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) are important therapeutic targets for OSCC. Multispectral fluorescence molecular imaging (FMI) can facilitate the detection of tumor multitarget expression with high sensitivity and safety. Hence, we developed Nimotuzumab-ICG and Atezolizumab-Cy5.5 imaging probes, in combination with multispectral FMI, to sensitively and noninvasively identify EGFR and PD-L1 expression for the detection and comprehensive treatment of OSCC.

Methods

The expression of EGFR and PD-L1 was analyzed using bioinformatics data sources and specimens. Nimotuzumab-ICG and Atezolizumab-Cy5.5 imaging probes were developed and tested on preclinical OSCC cell line and orthotopic OSCC mouse model, fresh OSCC patients’ biopsied samples, and further clinical mouthwash trials were conducted in OSCC patients.

Results

EGFR and PD-L1 were specifically expressed in human OSCC cell lines and tumor xenografts. Nimotuzumab-ICG and Atezolizumab-Cy5.5 imaging probes can specifically target to the tumor sites in an in situ human OSCC mouse model with good safety. The detection sensitivity and specificity of Nimotuzumab-ICG in patients were 96.4% and 100%, and 95.2% and 88.9% for Atezolizumab-Cy5.5.

Conclusions

EGFR and PD-L1 are highly expressed in OSCC, the combination of which is important for a precise prognosis of OSCC. EGFR and PD-L1 expression can be sensitively detected using the newly synthesized multispectral fluorescence imaging probes Nimotuzumab-ICG and Atezolizumab-Cy5.5, which can facilitate the sensitive and specific detection of OSCC and improve treatment outcomes.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100045738. Registered 23 April 2021, https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=125220
Development and evaluation of the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation to deliver Physical Activity in School Scale (COM-PASS)
Authors: Verdonschot A. , Beauchamp M. R. , Brusseau T. A. , Chinapaw M. J. M. , Christiansen L. B. , Daly-Smith A. , Eather N. , Fairclough S. J. , Faulkner G. , Foweather L. , García-Hermoso A. , Ha A. S. , Harris N. , Jaakkola T. , Jago R. , Kennedy S. G. , Lander N. J. , Lonsdale C. , Manios Y. , Mazzoli E. , Murtagh E. , Nathan N. , Naylor P. J. , Noetel M. , O’Keeffe B. , Resaland G. K. , Ridgers N. D. , Ridley K. , Riley N. , Rosenkranz R. R. , Rosenkranz S. K. , Sääkslahti A. , Sczygiol S. M. , Skovgaard T. , van Sluijs E. M. F. , Smith J. J. , Smith M. , Stratton G. , Vidal-Conti J. , Webster C. A. , Young E. S. , Lubans D. R.
Published: August 2024

Background

Teachers are recognized as ‘key agents’ for the delivery of physical activity programs and policies in schools. The aim of our study was to develop and evaluate a tool to assess teachers’ capability, opportunity, and motivation to deliver school-based physical activity interventions.

Methods

The development and evaluation of the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation to deliver Physical Activity in School Scale (COM-PASS) involved three phases. In Phase 1, we invited academic experts to participate in a Delphi study to rate, provide recommendations, and achieve consensus on questionnaire items that were based on the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behavior (COM-B) model. Each item was ranked on the degree to which it matched the content of the COM-B model, using a 5-point scale ranging from ‘1 = Poor match’ to ‘5 = Excellent match’. In Phase 2, we interviewed primary and secondary school teachers using a ‘think-aloud’ approach to assess their understanding of the items. In Phase 3, teachers (n = 196) completed the COM-PASS to assess structural validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results

Thirty-eight academic experts from 14 countries completed three rounds of the Delphi study. In the first round, items had an average rating score of 4.04, in the second round 4.51, and in the third (final) round 4.78. The final tool included 14 items, which related to the six constructs of the COM-B model: physical capability, psychological capability, physical opportunity, social opportunity, reflective motivation, and automatic motivation. In Phase 2, ten teachers shared their interpretation of COM-PASS via a 20-min interview, which resulted in minor changes. In Phase 3, CFA of the 3-factor model (i.e., capability, opportunity, and motivation) revealed an adequate fit to the data (χ2 = 122.6, p < .001, CFI = .945, TLI = .924, RMSEA = .066). The internal consistencies of the three subscale scores were acceptable (i.e., capability: α = .75, opportunity: α = .75, motivation: α = .81).

Conclusion

COM-PASS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing teachers’ capability, opportunity, and motivation to deliver physical activity interventions in schools. Further studies examining additional psychometric properties of the COM-PASS are warranted.
Traumatic childhood experiences and personality functioning: effect of body connection in a cross-sectional German and Chilean sample
Authors: Bertsch Katja , Göhre Isabelle , Cottin Marianne , Zettl Max , Wienrich Carolin , Back Sarah N.
Published: August 2024

Background

Traumatic childhood experiences are a major risk factor for developing mental disorders later in life. Over the past decade, researchers have begun to investigate the role of early trauma in impairments in personality functioning following the introduction of the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders in Section III of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders 5. Although first studies were able to empirically demonstrate a significant link between early trauma and impairments in personality functioning, only little is known about the underlying mechanisms. One possible mechanism is body connection due to its involvement in self-regulatory processes and its link to both early trauma and personality (dys)functioning.

Objective

In the current study, we investigated whether body connection, which encompasses the awareness, integration, and utilization of one’s own bodily signals, mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and personality functioning.

Participants and setting

A total of 1,313 adult participants recruited in Germany and Chile anonymously provided self-report data in an online survey.

Methods

Self-report data included the short form of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), the Scale of Body Connection (SBC), and the brief form of the Levels of Personality Functioning Scale (LPFS-BF 2.0) as well as demographic data (age, sex, education, clinical diagnoses).

Results

Traumatic childhood experiences explained 27.2% of the variance in impairments in personality functioning. Interestingly, 60.5% of this effect was explained by body connection, particularly body dissociation. Additional exploratory analyses revealed that body dissociation and, to a much lesser extent, body awareness, accounted for 64.41% of the variance in self functioning and 55.75% of the variance in interpersonal functioning explained by childhood trauma.

Conclusion

Body connection appears to be an important mediator in the association between early trauma and impaired personality functioning, underscoring the need for interventions specifically targeting the avoidance and ignorance of signals from one’s own body in individuals with traumatic childhood trauma.
What could be the role of genetic tests and machine learning of AXIN2 variant dominance in non-syndromic hypodontia? A case-control study in orthodontically treated patients
Authors: Alhazmi Nora , Alaqla Ali , Almuzzaini Bader , Aldrees Mohammed , Alnaqa Ghaida , Almasoud Farah , Aldibasi Omar , Alshamlan Hala
Published: August 2024

Background

Hypodontia is the most prevalent dental anomaly in humans, and is primarily attributed to genetic factors. Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with hypodontia, genetic risk assessment remains challenging due to population-specific SNP variants. Therefore, we aimed to conducted a genetic analysis and developed a machine-learning-based predictive model to examine the association between previously reported SNPs and hypodontia in the Saudi Arabian population. Our case–control study included 106 participants (aged 8–50 years; 64 females and 42 males), comprising 54 hypodontia cases and 52 controls. We utilized TaqManTM Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction and allelic genotyping to analyze three selected SNPs (AXIN2: rs2240308, PAX9: rs61754301, and MSX1: rs12532) in unstimulated whole saliva samples. The chi-square test, multinomial logistic regression, and machine-learning techniques were used to assess genetic risk by using odds ratios (ORs) for multiple target variables.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression indicated a significant association between homozygous AXIN2 rs2240308 and the hypodontia phenotype (ORs [95% confidence interval] 2.893 [1.28–6.53]). Machine-learning algorithms revealed that the AXIN2 homozygous (A/A) genotype is a genetic risk factor for hypodontia of teeth #12, #22, and #35, whereas the AXIN2 homozygous (G/G) genotype increases the risk for hypodontia of teeth #22, #35, and #45. The PAX9 homozygous (C/C) genotype is associated with an increased risk for hypodontia of teeth #22 and #35.

Conclusions

Our study confirms a link between AXIN2 and hypodontia in Saudi orthodontic patients and suggests that combining machine-learning models with SNP analysis of saliva samples can effectively identify individuals with non-syndromic hypodontia.
Poly(ethylene glycol) patterned surfaces functionalized with gallic acid@Au nanoparticles: investigation of antibacterial activity for biomedical applications
Authors: Karaagac Zehra
Published: August 2024

Polymer patterns are promising for many applications due to their high stability and superior chemical and physical properties. By functionalizing various surfaces with polymer patterns, it is possible to detect and prevent many common infections. Treatment of resistant bacteria with antibiotics is limited and they can spread quickly. For this reason, it was designed a surface that can prevent contamination by functionalizing polymer patterns. In the study, a polymer pattern model obtained by combining gallic acid with gold nanoparticles (GA@AuNP) synthesized through green chemistry was designed. Polymer-patterned structures were obtained on silicon wafers using Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) polymer and were self-assembled with GA@AuNPs. Diagnosis and inhibition of bacterial cells in a short time were demonstrated with the prepared modified PEG polymer pattern. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering effects were used to optimize the stability of surfaces patterned with self-assembled GA@Au NPs. By modification of PEG polymer patterns, a biomarker design that can be used in many different bioapplications is proposed.
Effectiveness of chest pain center accreditation on the hospital outcome of acute aortic dissection: a nationwide study in China
Authors: Liu Li-Wei , Cui Yi-Kai , Zhang Lin , Jia Dai-Le , Wang Jing , Gu Jia-Wei , Zhang Jin-Yan , Dong Zhen , Jin Xue-Juan , Zou Xiao-Yi , Sun Guo-Li , Dai Yu-Xiang , Sun Ai-Jun , Ge Jun-Bo
Published: August 2024

Background

The National Chest Pain Center Program (NCPCP) is a nationwide, quality enhancement program aimed at raising the standard of care for patients experiencing acute chest pain in China. The benefits of chest pain center (CPC) accreditation on acute coronary syndrome have been demonstrated. However, there is no evidence to indicate whether CPC accreditation improves outcomes for patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with AAD from 1671 hospitals in China, using data from the NCPCP spanning the period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2022. The patients were divided into 2 groups: pre-accreditation and post-accreditation admissions. The outcomes examined included in-hospital mortality, misdiagnosis, and Stanford type A AAD surgery. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to explore the relationship between CPC accreditation and in-hospital outcomes. Furthermore, we stratified the hospitals based on their geographical location (Eastern/Central/Western regions) or administrative status (provincial/non-provincial capital areas) to assess the impact of CPC accreditation on AAD patients across various regions.

Results

The analysis encompassed a total of 40,848 patients diagnosed with AAD. The post-accreditation group exhibited significantly lower rates of in-hospital mortality and misdiagnosis (12.1% vs. 16.3%, P < 0.001 and 2.9% vs. 5.4%, P < 0.001, respectively) as well as a notably higher rate of Stanford type A AAD surgery (61.1% vs. 42.1%, P < 0.001) compared with the pre-accreditation group. After adjusting for potential covariates, CPC accreditation was associated with substantially reduced risks of in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 0.644, 95% CI 0.599–0.693) and misdiagnosis (adjusted OR 0.554, 95% CI 0.493–0.624), along with an increase in the proportion of patients undergoing Stanford type A AAD surgery (adjusted OR 1.973, 95% CI 1.797–2.165). Following CPC accreditation, there were significant reductions in in-hospital mortality across various regions, particularly in Western regions (from 21.5 to 14.1%). Moreover, CPC accreditation demonstrated a more pronounced impact on in-hospital mortality in non-provincial cities compared to provincial cities (adjusted OR 0.607 vs. 0.713).

Conclusion

CPC accreditation is correlated with improved management and in-hospital outcomes for patients with AAD.
Experiences, acceptability and feasibility of an isometric exercise intervention for stage 1 hypertension: embedded qualitative study in a randomised controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Rees-Roberts Melanie , Borthwick Rachel , Santer Ellie , Darby John , West Alan , O’Driscoll Jamie M. , Pellatt-Higgins Tracy , Gousia Katerina , Short Vanessa , Doulton Tim , Wiles Jim , Farmer Chris , MacInnes Douglas
Published: August 2024

Background

Healthy lifestyle changes for patients with stage 1 hypertension are recommended before antihypertensive medication. Exercise has antihypertensive benefits; however, low adoption and high attrition are common. Patients need easily adoptable, effective and manageable exercise interventions that can be sustained for life. We present participant and stakeholder perceptions of an isometric exercise intervention for stage 1 hypertension delivered in the National Health Service (NHS, UK).

Methods

An embedded qualitative study within a randomised-controlled feasibility study included intervention arm participants (n = 10), healthcare professionals from participating NHS sites (n = 3) and non-participating NHS sites (n = 5) taking part in semi-structured interviews to explore feasibility of delivering an isometric exercise intervention within the study design and an NHS context. Data was analysed using reflective thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes were identified: study deliverability; motivators and barriers; support for study participation. Findings indicated that the study was well designed. Health benefits, unwillingness to take medication, altruism and interest in the study helped motivation and adherence. Study support received was good, but healthcare professionals were insecure in intervention delivery with regular training/supervision needed. Perception of health improvement was mixed, but, in some, uptake of wider lifestyle changes resulted from participation. Stakeholders felt that current service challenges/demand would make implementation challenging.

Conclusions

Despite participant positivity, delivery of an isometric intervention in an NHS setting was considered challenging given the current service demand, although possible with robust effectiveness evidence. Findings support further effectiveness data and implementation development of the isometric exercise intervention.

Trial registration

ISRCTN, ISRCTN13472393. Registered 18 September 2020.
Anecdotes impact medical decisions even when presented with statistical information or decision aids
Authors: Line Emily N. , Jaramillo Sara , Goldwater Micah , Horne Zachary
Published: August 2024

People are inundated with popular press reports about medical research concerning what is healthy, get advice from doctors, and hear personal anecdotes. How do people integrate conflicting anecdotal and statistical information when making medical decisions? In four experiments (N = 4126), we tested how people use conflicting information to judge the efficacy of artificial and real medical treatments. Participants read an anecdote from someone in a clinical trial, or who had undergone a medical treatment previously, for whom the medical treatment was ineffective. We found that reading anecdotes for either artificial or real medical treatments shifted participants’ beliefs about the efficacy of a medical treatment. We observed this result even when the anecdote was uninformative, was paired with an icon array, or when participants were provided with thorough medical decision aids about reproductive health procedures. Our findings highlight the pervasive effect of anecdotes on medical decision making.
Activation patterns of rotator-cuff muscles from quantitative IVIM DWI after physical testing
Authors: Marth Adrian Alexander , Spinner Georg Ralph , von Deuster Constantin , Sommer Stefan , Sutter Reto , Nanz Daniel
Published: August 2024

Background

The diagnostic value of clinical rotator cuff (RC) tests is controversial, with only sparse evidence available about their anatomical specificity. We prospectively assessed regional RC muscle activation patterns by means of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after the execution of common clinical RC tests.

Methods

Ten healthy subjects (five males, five females) underwent three sessions of diffusion-weighted 3-T shoulder MRI before and after testing the supraspinatus (SSP, Jobe test, session 1), subscapularis (SSC, lift-off test, session 2, at least 1 week later), and infraspinatus muscle (ISP, external rotation test, session 3, another week later). IVIM parameters (perfusion fraction, f; pseudo-diffusion coefficient. D*; and their product, fD*) were measured in regions of interest placed in images of the SSP, SSC, ISP, and deltoid muscle. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for group comparisons; p-values were adjusted using the Bonferroni correction.

Results

After all tests, fD* was significantly increased in the respective target muscles (SSP, SSC, or ISP; p ≤ 0.001). After SSP testing, an additional significant increase of fD* was observed in the deltoid, the SSC, and the ISP muscle (p < 0.001). After the SSC and ISP tests, no significant concomitant increase of any parameter was observed in the other RC muscles.

Conclusion

IVIM revealed varying activation patterns of RC muscles for different clinical RC tests. For SSP testing, coactivation of the deltoid and other RC muscles was observed, implying limited anatomical specificity, while the tests for the SSC and ISP specifically activated their respective target muscle.

Relevance statement

Following clinical RC tests, IVIM MRI revealed that SSP testing led to shoulder muscle coactivation, while the SSC and ISP tests specifically activated the target muscles.

Key Points

In this study, intravoxel incoherent motion MRI depicted muscle activation following clinical rotator cuff tests.

After supraspinatus testing, coactivation of surrounding shoulder girdle muscles was observed.

Subscapularis and infraspinatus tests exhibited isolated activation of their respective target muscles.

Graphical Abstract
Assessment of thoracic disc degeneration using dual-energy CT-based collagen maps
Authors: Bernatz Simon , Hoppe Alexander Tom , Gruenewald Leon David , Koch Vitali , Martin Simon S. , Engelskirchen Lara , Radic Ivana , Bucolo Giuseppe , Gotta Jennifer , Reschke Philipp , Hammerstingl Renate M. , Scholtz Jan-Erik , Gruber-Rouh Tatjana , Eichler Katrin , Vogl Thomas J. , Booz Christian , Yel Ibrahim , Mahmoudi Scherwin
Published: August 2024

Background

We evaluated the role of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)-based collagen maps in assessing thoracic disc degeneration.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent DECT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine within a 2-week period from July 2019 to October 2022. Thoracic disc degeneration was classified by three blinded radiologists into three Pfirrmann categories: no/mild (grade 1–2), moderate (grade 3–4), and severe (grade 5). The DECT performance was determined using MRI as a reference standard. Interreader reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Five-point Likert scales were used to assess diagnostic confidence and image quality.

Results

In total, 612 intervertebral discs across 51 patients aged 68 ± 16 years (mean ± standard deviation), 28 males and 23 females, were assessed. MRI revealed 135 no/mildly degenerated discs (22.1%), 470 moderately degenerated discs (76.8%), and 7 severely degenerated discs (1.1%). DECT collagen maps achieved an overall accuracy of 1,483/1,838 (80.8%) for thoracic disc degeneration. Overall recall (sensitivity) was 331/405 (81.7%) for detecting no/mild degeneration, 1,134/1,410 (80.4%) for moderate degeneration, and 18/21 (85.7%) for severe degeneration. Interrater agreement was good (ICC = 0.89). Assessment of DECT-based collagen maps demonstrated high diagnostic confidence (median 4; interquartile range 3–4) and good image quality (median 4; interquartile range 4–4).

Conclusion

DECT showed an overall 81% accuracy for disc degeneration by visualizing differences in the collagen content of thoracic discs.

Relevance statement

Utilizing DECT-based collagen maps to distinguish various stages of thoracic disc degeneration could be clinically relevant for early detection of disc-related conditions. This approach may be particularly beneficial when MRI is contraindicated.

Key Points

A total of 612 intervertebral discs across 51 patients were retrospectively assessed with DECT, using MRI as a reference standard.

DECT-based collagen maps allowed thoracic disc degeneration assessment achieving an overall 81% accuracy with good interrater agreement (ICC = 0.89).

DECT-based collagen maps could be a good alternative in the case of contraindications to MRI.

Graphical Abstract
Advanced MRI-based evaluation of gray and white matter changes in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Mohsen Mohamed , Mohamed Nehal Aboubakr Elsayed , Bedir Abdelhalim El-Tantawy Mohamed , Razek Ahmed Abdel Khalek Abdel , Saied Ahmed Effat Abbas Mohamed
Published: August 2024

Background

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder and the second most common neurodegenerative disease. The aim of our study was to compare gray–white matter changes (GWC) between Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and age-matched healthy control group as well as comparing GWC between different stages of PD (early and complicated). Our study was prospective cross-sectional case–control observational study with analytic component conducted on twenty patients and ten controls without any signs or symptoms of PD or any history of PD in first-degree relatives. All patients and controls were tested for history taking with stress on resting tremors, rigidity, gait abnormalities, postural instability and any symptoms of cognitive impairment, clinical examination including general examination and neurological examination. Also diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with fiber tracking (tractography) and susceptibility-weighted MR imaging were performed for all cases.

Results

As regards DTI and evaluation of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values between PD cases and healthy controls, the cases group showed significant decrease in FA values at substantia nigra on both sides and left cingulum as well as significant increase in MD values at substantia nigra on both sides and corpus callosum. Also, there are significant decrease in FA values at substantia nigra on both sides and significant increase in MD values at substantia nigra on both sides and right cingulum in late parkinsonism when compared to early parkinsonism. A cutoff FA value of 0.945 at right substantia nigra and cutoff FA value of 0.585 at left substantia nigra showed significant AUC that could differentiate between cases and controls. Also cutoff MD value of 0.791 at right substantia nigra and cutoff MD value of 0.813 at left substantia nigra showed significant AUC that could differentiate between cases and controls.

Conclusions

Diffusion tensor imaging showed valuable role in evaluation of gray–white matter changes in Parkinson's disease. Also, it helps to assess degree of gray–white matter changes when comparing late parkinsonism to early parkinsonism through evaluation of FA and MD values at corpus callosum, substania nigra, and cingulum.
Global Neurosurgery: A Path Forward Through Health System Strengthening
Authors: Rosseau Gail , Shlobin Nathan A. , Baticulon Ronnie E. , Ghotme Kemel A. , Garcia Roxanna M.
Published: August 2024

The future of global neurosurgery should focus on addressing the unmet neurosurgical need from a health system approach should we hope to achieve sustainable and ethical change. In this article, we review the global building blocks, as defined by the World Health Organization, and use this framework to propose strategies to strengthen neurosurgical care on the global frontier. The targets for Universal Healthcare Coverage by 2030, as outlined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, are reviewed, and the role of neurosurgeons in addressing the global targets is discussed. Surgical indicators according to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery are also reviewed, and neurosurgical indicators are proposed according to the 6 surgical indicators of the commission. The execution of these global targets and indicators within the context of health system strengthening will be a persistent challenge, given the complexity of health system and its components. The neurosurgical community must continue to support, promote, and diversify collaborations, especially among deserts of neurosurgical care across the world. Innovative technology and education are essential to this global dilemma.
Achieving Equity Through Global Neurosurgery Research
Authors: Baticulon Ronnie E. , Dewan Michael C. , Karekezi Claire , Shlobin Nathan A. , Garcia Roxanna M. , Ghotme Kemel A. , Thango Nqobile , Rosseau Gail , Hutchinson Peter J.
Published: August 2024

Since the release of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery report in 2015, there has been an increase in the number of published papers on global neurosurgery, gaining widespread support from major neurosurgery journals. However, there remains no consensus on what may be considered part of global neurosurgery literature. Here, we propose that global neurosurgery research encompasses all scholarly work that measure, explore, or address inequity in the care of neurosurgical disease. We describe the growth of global neurosurgery research, cite landmark papers, and discuss barriers to participation, particularly among neurosurgeons in low- and middle-income countries. We introduce the 3Rs framework, advocating for global neurosurgery research that is rigorous, responsive, and responsible. This narrative review aims to guide young neurosurgeons and other researchers interested in the field, and to provide a framework through which global neurosurgery practitioners and advocates can evaluate previously accomplished work, paving the way toward neurosurgery that is timely, safe, and affordable to all.
The Power of Advocacy in Global Neurosurgery
Authors: Ghotme Kemel A. , Rosseau Gail , Blount Jeffrey , Caceres Adrian , Garcia Roxanna M. , Qureshi Mahmood , Baticulon Ronnie , Shlobin Nathan A. , Park Kee B. , Boop Frederick A. , Enam Syed Ather , Conteh Fatu , Figaji Anthony , Aldana Philip R. , Barthélemy Ernest J. , Moser Richard , Ocal Eylem , Patissapu Jogi , Johnson Walter D. , Khan Tariq
Published: August 2024

Advocacy, one of the five domains of global neurosurgery, represents a powerful avenue to influence public policy to expand access to safe, timely, and affordable neurosurgical care. In this manuscript, we characterize advocacy in global neurosurgery, describe specific neurosurgeon-led initiatives, and delineate how neurosurgeons can become involved in global neurosurgery advocacy efforts. Advocacy in global neurosurgery involves working together in organized neurosurgery with organizations focused on clinical provisions, training, and policy initiatives. Effective advocacy uses a data-driven approach with myriad facilitators, including collaboration and approach strategies for sharing information and a variety of contextual, ideological, and practical barriers. The main action fronts for global neurosurgery include identifying needs, broadening access, and assuring quality. Neurosurgery-led initiatives transforming public policy have occurred on regional and global scales and accelerated since 2019. Folate fortification of staple foods to prevent neural tube defects represents a recent and notably successful area of advocacy and remains in progress. Neurosurgeons who aspire to become involved in advocacy efforts must obtain competencies and skills distinct from, yet complementary to, the traditional neurosurgical training curriculum.
The Rate and Risk Factors of Deep Brain Stimulation–Associated Complications: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Tiefenbach Jakov , Kuvliev Enio , Dullur Prateek , Mandava Nymisha , Hogue Olivia , Kondylis Efstathios , Sharma Akshay , Rammo Richard , Nagel Sean , Machado Andre G.
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established neurosurgical treatment of a variety of neurological disorders. DBS is considered a safe and effective neurosurgical procedure; however, surgical complications are inevitable, and clinical outcomes may vary. The aim of this study was to describe DBS complications at a large clinical center in the United States and to investigate the relationship between patients' baseline characteristics, surgical technique, and operative complications.

METHODS:

We identified all patients who underwent DBS lead implantation at our center between 1st January 2012 and 1st January 2020. We extracted relevant information regarding patient demographics, surgical details, clinical complications, and clinical outcomes from the electronic medical records.

RESULTS:

A total of 859 leads were implanted in 481 patients (153 men, 328 women). The mean patient age at the time of the surgery was 65 years, with the mean disease duration of 13.3 years. There were no mortalities and 57 readmissions within 30 days (mean = 14.2 days). The most common complications included pneumocephalus (n = 661), edema (n = 78), altered mental state (n = 35), implantable pulse generator discomfort (n = 34), hemorrhage (n = 26), and infection (n = 23). Most notably, the use of general anesthesia, hypertension, heart disease, and depression were associated with significantly longer postoperative stay. High preoperative body mass index was associated with higher rates of surgery-related infections and lead revision/explantation. The intraoperative mean arterial pressure, anesthesia type, and frame apparatus were all important predictors of postoperative pneumocephalus.

CONCLUSION:

In this report, we described the rates and types of complications associated with DBS surgery at a large neurosurgical center in the United States. The novel insights highlighted in this study present an opportunity to further improve the clinical outcomes and patient selection in DBS surgery.
Carotid Plexus Sympathetic Nerves as a Landmark for the Abducens Nerve Within the Cavernous Sinus During Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery: Cadaveric Anatomic Study and Surgical Consideration
Authors: Phoominaonin I-sorn , Vargas Rosales Andres Felipe , Choby Garret W. , Wang Eric W. , Zenonos Georgios A. , Snyderman Carl H. , Gardner Paul A.
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The abducens nerve (CN VI) is vulnerable to injury during endoscopic endonasal transcavernous surgery. In this study, the authors aimed to develop the surgical anatomic landmark and explore the relationship between the sympathetic nerves (SNs) around the internal carotid artery (ICA) and CN VI within the cavernous sinus (CS).

METHODS:

The relationship and patterns between the SNs and CN VI were investigated in 15 cadaveric specimens. The intraoperative examples of anatomic landmark were presented.

RESULTS:

There were SNs around the ICA running into the CN VI, classified into ascending SNs and accessory sympathetic branches. The ascending SNs were divided into 3 types: (1) Type I had a single ascending SN. There were 2 subtypes of Type I (Type IA [17/30, 56.7%] was defined as a single ascending branch that ran into the CN VI, and Type IB [4/30, 13.3%] was defined as a single ascending branch with a terminal bifurcation before merging into the CN VI or lateral CS wall), (2) Type II (7/30, 23.3%) was defined as 2 ascending branches that ran into the CN VI and the lateral CS wall, and (3) Type III (2/30, 6.7%) was defined as 3 ascending branches that ran into the CN VIs and the lateral wall of the CS. The accessory branches of the SNs were defined by sympathetic branches from the posterior genu or horizontal ICA and found in 6/30 sides (20%).

CONCLUSION:

The authors propose a classification of the relationship between paraclival ICA SNs and the CN VI within the CS, as approached during endoscopic endonasal surgery. The consistent relationship of the ascending SN and CN VI within the CS provides a reliable anatomic landmark during the endonasal approach to the CS.
World Poetry Today: Production, Translation, Reception
Authors: Lukas Liina , Lotman Rebekka , Valk Jaanus
Published: August 2024

World Poetry Today: Production, Translation, Reception
Instituciones, gobernanza y economía: hacia la innovación institucional en América Latina
Authors: Rojas Rivera Ángela Milena
Published: August 2024

El análisis institucional se propone aportar en la construcción de teorías más completas de la organización social, asumiendo la existencia de la diversidad y la complejidad en las interacciones humanas. Representa la aspiración a construir un enfoque integrador y constituye el referente central de este libro. Instituciones, gobernanza y economía, obedece a la necesidad de difundir herramientas para comprender y solucionar problemas de gobernanza colectiva, agudizados en nuestra época actual de subprovisión de bienes públicos, deterioro ambiental, debilitamiento de las comunidades y polarización política. A ellos se suman las demandas urgentes de América Latina y el Caribe, estancadas ante la persistente desigualdad económica y la debilidad del Estado. Reúne la exposición de los principales conceptos y análisis institucionalistas, y pone en diálogo a diversos autores cuando es posible. Ofrece además instrumentos analíticos para plantear y resolver problemas de investigación y de política pública conexos con el desarrollo socioeconómico de Latinoamérica y el Caribe.
Common Ownership, Competition, and Corporate Governance
Authors: Denicolò Vincenzo , Panunzi Fausto
Published: August 2024

This paper presents a theoretical framework for determining the ownership stakes held by financial investors in companies competing in the same product market, commonly referred to as the level of common ownership. In our model, these investors are primarily motivated by the anticipation of capital gains resulting from the impact of common ownership on product market competition, which enhances profitability for the firms involved. However, common ownership also undermines effective corporate governance by diminishing blockholders’ incentives to engage in value-enhancing behaviors, such as managerial monitoring. These adverse effects on corporate governance act as limiting factors, ultimately determining the equilibrium level of common ownership.

This paper was accepted by Joshua Gans, business strategy.
The influence of aquatic activity on osteoarthritis
Authors: Makowska Karolina , Billewicz Marta , Lis Laura , Marczyk Aleksandra , Perwejnis Sebastian , Pietrzykowska Julia , Popiołek Adam , Turek Aleksandra , Zatorska Oksana
Published: August 2024

© 2024 Medical University of Lublin. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonComercial-No Derivs licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/)
Abstract
Introduction. In 2020, osteoarthritis (OA) affected up to 595 million people in the world, which is 7% of the population. Three quarters of them are over 55 years old and 60% are women. The pathophysiological basis of degenerative disease is a disturbance in the balance between the processes of formation and degradation of articular cartilage. Additionally, degeneration processes affect other elements of the musculoskeletal system, such as the synovial capsule, ligaments and muscles around the joint. Due to the severe pain, degenerative disease leads to a significant reduction in the quality of life and limited mobility. In the final stage it leads to disability. Arthritis most often involves the knee, hip joints, arms as well as vertebral column. To slow down the degenerative processes and minimize the complications of the disease, effective preventive methods should be implemented as soon as possible. Especially since there is currently no effective drug available for this disease. A popular method of combating pain is aquatic activity. The physical properties of water have a positive effect on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. This review article assessed the effectiveness of aquatherapy depending on risk factors and the stage of osteoarthritis.
Aim. Review and presentation of the current state of knowledge about water exercises on the course of osteoporosis, taking into account groups at risk of degenerative disease.
Material and methods. Analysis of the studies available on open access sources at PubMed, Google Scholar, National Library of Medicine and Coachrane. The research was conducted through word analysis key words such as: “arthritis”, „aquatic activity”, „osteoarthritis”. Selection criteria for articles included consideration of their title, abstract, and publication date, with a focus on English-language publications.
Conclusion and Results.This article demonstrates the positive impact of water exercises on the course of osteoporosis, as well as their preventive effect. The relationship between hydrotherapy and OA in individual risk groups was presented. Aquatic activity has been shown to be effective in inhibiting degenerative processes, reducing joint stiffness, improving walking distance, and mental condition.

Keywords: osteoarthritis, aquatic activity, arthritis, WOMAC, degenerative disease, DALY.