bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of Flipped Classroom in Health Professions Education in China: A Systematic Review
Authors: Li Sisi , Liao Xunchen , Burdick William , Tong Kuang
Published: October 2020

Background:

Flipped classroom has received much attention during the last few years in China, but inconsistent conclusions are made about the effectiveness this approach in health professions education. This review examined the findings of controlled studies published in Chinese in order to summarize the effects of the flipped classroom methodology. These studies focused specifically on undergraduate level of health professions students.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted using China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform in June 2019. No date restrictions were used. Peer-reviewed papers were reviewed and experimental studies were included if the study compared student outcomes using flipped classroom method versus traditional lectures. The revised version of the Kirkpatrick’s model was applied to evaluate the effectiveness of the flipped classroom approach.

Results:

In total, 934 articles were obtained. Among them, 235 articles were full text reviewed and 59 met the inclusion criteria. Most of the student agreed that flipped classroom strategy was very helpful improving their self-learning ability, problem solving ability, teamwork, and communication skills, but reported increased workload and less-efficiency compared with traditional lectures. However, the majority of studies (n = 52) showed positive findings of the flipped classroom on changes in knowledge and skills, and 3 in negative. Among these 59 studies, there was little evidence of changes in behavior, organizational practice and patient outcome.

Conclusions:

Better design with reduced content should be considered for instructors to promote learning effectiveness. Long-term effects of flipped classroom should be considered in future studies.
Das Bild vom Arbeitnehmer im Wandel der Arbeitgeber-Arbeitnehmer-Beziehungen
Authors: Staehle Wolfgang H.
Published: October 2020

Im Laufe der historischen Entwicklung der Arbeitsbeziehungen hat sich sowohl auf Arbeitgeberund Management-Seite wie auch auf Arbeitnehmer- und Betriebsrats-Seite die Sichtweise vom Arbeitnehmer gewandelt. Es lassen sich vier historische Phasen mit jeweils zwei zueinander komplementrären Sichtweisen vom Arbeitnehmer kennzeichnen. Die anfängliche Sicht als Kostenfaktor bzw. Lohnmaximierer ist mittlerweile auf beiden Seiten der Anerkenntnis des Arbeitnehmers als Individuum gewichen.

Im folgenden werden die historischen Phasen und die jeweiligen Handlungsstrategien beschrieben.
Beschäftigungsdauer und Beschäftigungsstrukturen innerhalb betrieblicher Organisationskonfigurationen
Authors: Schwan Rolf , Soeters Joseph
Published: October 2020

Zu den Kennzeichen interner Arbeitsmärkte gehört eine lange Beschäftigungsdauer von Arbeitnehmern. Zugrunde liegt dem die Strategie der Arbeitnehmerbindung. Diese wird nicht allein durch die Perspektive von betrieblicher Beschäftigungssicherheit erreicht, sondern auch durch die Perspektive der Beförderung. Eine darauf bezogene Organisationsstruktur läßt sich ebenfalls zu den Kennzeichen interner Arbeitsmärkte zählen.

Gegenstand dieser Studie ist die empirische Überprüfung von Kennzeichen interner Arbeitsmärkte. An Hand von zwei gegensätzlich erscheinenden Organisationskonfigurationen, der Maschinenbürokratie und der professionellen Bürokratie, wird geprüft, bei welcher Organisationskonfiguration sie stärker akzentuiert sind. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß Maschinenbürokratien stärker mit den Kennzeichen interner Arbeitsmärkte übereinstimmen. Daraus ergeben sich Anhaltspunkte für eine divergierende betriebliche Beschäftigungsstrategie.
Universitätsinterne Karrieren von Studierenden
Authors: Mayrhofer Wolfgang
Published: October 2020

Auf der Basis von Ergebnissen aus der betrieblichen Laufbahn- und Karriereforschung werden Studienverläufe von Studierenden an der Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien analysiert. Dabei wird insbesondere untersucht, ob sich - ähnlich wie im betrieblichen Bereich - innerhalb der Vielfalt der denkmöglichen Studienverläufe bestimmte inneruniversitäre Studienkarrieremuster entdecken lassen und inwieweit die entstehenden studentischen Karrieren pfadabhängig sind, d.h. vom bisherigen Studienverlauf (individuelle Karrieregeschichte) beeinflußt sind. Es zeigt sich, daß ein Großteil der Studierenden sich auf relativ wenigen Pfaden bewegt und die individuelle Studienvergangenheit von Bedeutung für das zukünftige Studienverhalten ist.
Führung und Management
Authors: Kirsch Werner , zu Knyphausen Dodo
Published: October 2020

Vor dem Hintergrund der Idee einer selbstbezüglichen Führungslehre, die auch ihre eigene Anwendung in der Unternehmenspraxis thematisiert, werden in dem folgenden Beitrag ein Sprachspiel vorgestellt, das “Führung” und “Management” voneinander differenziert, und die Voraussetzungen herausgearbeitet, unter denen es zweckmäßig ist, von dem Vorhandensein eines “Management” in Unternehmungen zu sprechen. Dabei wird auch die Frage behandelt, welche Rolle in diesem Zusammenhang die Ausdifferenzierung von Managementsystemen spielt. Diese werden als besonders prominenter Bestandteil der “Ökologie der Ideen” einer Führungslehre angesehen, deren Anwendung zu einer Professionalisierung der Unternehmenspraxis beitragen soll. Beispiele aus dem Personalmanagement sollen die Argumentation untermauern.
Führungsstilforschung: Ein Vorschlag zur Neuorientierung
Authors: Gebert Diether
Published: October 2020

Auf der Basis der Beschreibung einiger Vorzüge und Grenzen des kontingenztheoretischen Denkansatzes wird als Vorschlag zur Diskussion gestellt, statt inhaltlicher Führungsempfehlungen dem Praktiker eine formale Heuristik zur “zielorientierten Führung” an die Hand zu geben, mit deren Hilfe die Führungskraft das je relevante Führungsverhalten selber herauszufiltern imstande ist. In dieser Heuristik steht die inhaltliche Bestimmung des zielrelevanten Geführtenverhaltens im Mittelpunkt der Betrachtung. Anhand von Untersuchungen im Bankbereich wird der Nutzen dieser Heuristik empirisch veranschaulicht. Die Heuristik der zielorientierten Führung wird gegenüber den Weg-Ziel-Theorien sowie gegenüber der Führung durch Zielvereinbarung abgegrenzt. Abschließend wird die Frage erörtert, wie die Qualifikation zur Abarbeitung der Heuristik gefördert werden kann.
Mitarbeiterführung durch partizipative Gruppenarbeit in kontrakttheoretischer Perspektive
Authors: von Eckardstein Dudo
Published: October 2020

Gruppenarbeit, in den 70er Jahren als Instrument zur Humanisierung des Arbeitslebens eingeführt, scheint derzeit primär der Produktivitäts- und Qualitätssteigerung zu dienen. Dennoch beginnt die gewerkschaftliche Skepsis ihr gebenüber einer positiveren Beurteilung zu weichen. Vor dem Hintergrund dieser fließenden Einschätzungen werden verschiedene Formen von Gruppenarbeit beschrieben und unter dem Aspekt der Transaktionskosten-Vorteilhaftigkeit im Vergleich zu hierarchisch gesteuerter Arbeit interpretiert. Anschließend werden die vertraglichen Beziehungen zwischen den diversen Akteuren beleuchtet, wobei unterschiedlich präzis kodifizierte Vertragstypen herausgearbeitet werden. In einem letzten Punkt werden vorsichtige Empfehlungen zur Vertragsgestaltung und damit zum Management von partizipativen Organisationsformen abgeleitet.
Managing the boss - “Führung von unten”
Authors: Wunderer Rolf
Published: October 2020

In diesem Beitrag wird eine empirisch zentrale, wissenschaftlich aber vernachlässigte Dimension von Führung behandelt.

Zunächst werden Aspekte der “Gewährung” von Geführteneinfluß diskutiert - vor allem über kooperativ-delegative Führungsstile. Es folgen empirisch häufig ermittelte Einflußstrategien von Geführten - auch vergleichend mit Formen der Vorgesetzten- und Kollegenbeeinflussung. Abschließend wird ein Strategieansatz zur Förderung einer “Führung von unten” entwickelt.
Management by Sokrates
Authors: Kappler Ekkehard
Published: October 2020

Anhand dreier angedeuteter praktischer Beispiele entwickelt der Autor eine fundamentale Leitfrage der Organisationsentwicklung, die Führung und Organisationsentwicklung nahezu integiert. In einer kommunikativen Praxis, die nicht mehr auf abstrakte Verallgemeinerungen hofft, sondern ihre Verallgemeinerungen in konkreter Vergegenwärtigung der Situation entwickelt, wird der von Staehle in die deutschsprachige Führungsdebatte eingeführte “situative Ansatz” so radikal fortgeführt bzw. aufgehoben, daß Organisations- und Personalentwicklung zur Hebamme für Führungskräfte und für den Wandel der Organisationskultur zu einem zukunftsweisenden, weil gegenwartsfähigen Prozeß werden können.
Führungs- und Führungsnachwuchskräfte: Spannungen und Wandlungen in Phasen gesellschaftlichen Umbruchs
Authors: von Rosenstiel Lutz
Published: October 2020

Unter dem Aspekt der Identifikation mit dem Unternehmen und der Wertkongruenz zwischen dem Unternehmen und seinen Führungskräften werden die Anforderungen an die Führungskräfte thematisiert. Dabei wird auf Spannungen hingewiesen, die sich im Zuge des Wertewandels zwischen Führungs- und Führungsnachwuchkräften einerseits und den Unternehmen andererseits ergeben haben, um die sich daraus ergebenden Konfliktlagen und Wertkonflikte aufzudecken. Diese werden sodann mit ausgewählten Befunden aus verschiedenen empirischen Projekten belegt. Dabei werden spezifisch auf unterschiedliche bzw. übereinstimmende Wertorientierungen von Führungs- und Führungsnachwuchskräften eingegangen und die Krisen des Übergangs bei Führungsnachwuchskräften von der Universität in den Beruf nachgezeichnet; die Unterschiede der Aspirationen des Führungsnachwuchses in West- und Ostdeutschland in der schwierigen Phase des Zusammenwachsens werden aufgezeigt; schließlich werden in einem Kohortenvergleich Wertorientierungen von Führungskräften aus Großunternehmen der frühen 80er und frühen 90er Jahre miteinander verglichen.
Internationaler Transfer von Führungskräften
Authors: Macharzina Klaus
Published: October 2020

Die strategische Bedeutung des internationalen Führungskräftetransfers hat durch die Globalisierung der Geschäftstätigkeit stark zugenommen, wobei neben der Besetzung vakanter Positionen die Koordination der Subsysteme internationaler Unternehmen und die Führungskräfteentwicklung im Mittelpunkt der führungsgeleiteten und Human Resources-orientierten Transferziele stehen. Das personalpolitische Handlungsmuster des Führungskräftetransfers sollte mit der strategischen Orientierung des jeweiligen Unternehmens abgestimmt sein. Die erfolgreiche Durchführung von Führungskräftetransfers bedarf eines unterstützenden personalpolitischen Rahmens, bestehend aus Vorbereitungs- und Trainingsmaßnahmen, Betreuung während des Auslandsaufenthalts und Wiedereingliederungsbegleitung.
Kooperatives Lehren, Lernen und Forschen als Impuls für die autonome Entwicklung der Universität
Authors: Schratz Michael
Published: October 2020

Der Autor initiierte an der Universität Innsbruck ein hochschuldidaktisches Entwicklungsprojekt, das in interdisziplinärer Herangehensweise die professionelle Selbstevaluation durch HochschullehrInnen förderte. Nach dem Konzept der Aktionsforschung versuchten interessierte Lehrende in Zusammenarbeit mit ihren Studierenden den eigenen Unterricht zu analysieren. In einer wechselnden Abfolge von Plenar- und Gruppenphasen kam es zu einem kontinuierlichen Austausch zwischen praktischer Analyse und theoretischer Auseinandersetzung. Im Gegensatz zu herkömmlichen Angeboten hochschuldidaktischer Weiterbildung standen die ‘subjektiven Theorien’ der Teilnehmerlnnen aus den verschiedenen Fakultäten im Vordergrund, die bei der Diskussion von Fallstudien thematisiert wurden und damit den Ansatzpunkt für Veränderungen darstellten.
Tibial Plafond Attachment of the Posterior-Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Fujimoto Shutaro , Teramoto Atsushi , Anzai Ken , Murahashi Yasutaka , Okada Yohei , Kamiya Tomoaki , Watanabe Kota , Fujimiya Mineko , Yamashita Toshihiko
Published: October 2020

Background:

Some recent studies have reported the role of the posterior malleolus as an attachment of the posterior-inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL) and suggested that even a small fragment should be fixed. However, there are few anatomic studies of the tibial plafond attachment of the PITFL.

Methods:

Seven Thiel-embalmed ankles were obtained. The margin of the distal tibial joint surface and the attachments of the superficial fiber of the PITFL (sPITFL) and the deep fiber (dPITFL) were identified. In the frontal view, the percentages of the attachments of the sPITFL and dPITFL of the mediolateral dimension of the posterior tibial plafond were measured. In the lateral view, the line that started from the proximal margin of the attachment of the sPITFL and parallel to the tibial axis was drawn, and the distance between that line and the posterior edge of the joint surface was measured (AP distance of the sPITFL). Then, the percentage of the AP distance of the sPITFL of the joint surface in the anteroposterior dimension of the tibial plafond was measured.

Results:

In the frontal view, the mediolateral distance of the attachment of the sPITFL was 5.0 mm, and that of the dPITFL was 19.5 mm. The percentage of the attachment of the sPITFL on the tibial plafond was 20.6%, and that of the dPITFL was 78.2%. In the lateral view, the average AP distance of the sPITFL was 0.5 mm, and the percentage in the anteroposterior dimension of the tibial plafond was 1.7%.

Conclusion:

The PITFL was attached to less than 10% of the anteroposterior dimension of the tibial plafond in most ankles. Conversely, the PITFL attached widely in the mediolateral dimension.

Clinical Relevance:

This study suggests that the size of the posterior malleolar fragment in the mediolateral dimension could help estimate how much of the PITFL attaches to the fragment which may have implications for ankle stability.
The Tày and Zhuang vernacular scripts: Preliminary comparisons
Authors: Holm David
Published: October 2020

The author has conducted a survey of the vernacular character scripts of the Tai-speaking ethnic groups of southern China, including the Zhuang, Bouyei, Nong and Sha. The survey analysed traditional texts from 45 different locations, including four texts from northern Vietnam. The results of that survey were published in Mapping the Old Zhuang Character Script ( Holm 2013) . In recent years the author has extended the coverage of this survey further into northern Vietnam, looking specifically at traditional texts in the vernacular character scripts of the Tày and Nùng peoples, who speak Tai-Kadai languages closely related to Zhuang. The present article will compare the vernacular scripts of the Zhuang and Tày, and point out how they may be related. The survey data allow us to quantify degrees of commonality and difference, and generate hypotheses on the relative dates of the Zhuang and Tày scripts. Our preliminary finding is that the Tày script is a script of mixed origins, with a layer of older readings dating back to the Middle Chinese period (Sui-Tang), as well as a more recent layer dating from around the 17th century.
Best Practices for Mentoring in Arts Entrepreneurship Education: Findings From a Delphi Study
Authors: Hanson Josef
Published: October 2020

Arts entrepreneurship education is a multifaceted endeavor encompassing a diversity of learning contexts, from collegiate lecture halls to close apprenticeships and one-on-one coaching. Although existing research explores best practices for the arts entrepreneurship classroom, relatively few studies have been undertaken to explore the role of mentoring in arts endeavoring, the effectiveness of mentoring as a targeted pedagogical approach, and how mentoring might complement or even conflict with the tenets of classroom-based arts entrepreneurship education. The purpose of this study was to build consensus among established arts entrepreneurship educators regarding optimal mentoring activities, outcomes, and competencies. Eleven experts in the field of arts entrepreneurship participated in a multiphase Delphi procedure to generate and subsequently evaluate approaches to, and outcomes and characteristics of, effective mentoring. The result is a set of 43 expert-approved recommendations that can inform mentoring practice immediately and provide a foundation for future research in this still-emerging area of inquiry.
Effect of machining parameters and vibration on polymethylmethacrylate curved surface in single-point diamond turning
Authors: Mahajan Kuldeep A. , Pawade Raju
Published: October 2020

Single-point diamond turning (SPDT) is an emerging process for achieving nanometric surface finish, required in various optical devices made from metals like aluminum, copper, and nonmetals like polymers. The optical devices are manufactured in different shapes and profiles, preferably flat and curved surfaces. During the manufacturing of optical devices, controllable and noncontrollable parameters affect the desired surface finish. In this article, controllable machining parameters such as the incremental distance of X slide, feed rate, spindle speed, and depth of cut are selected to study their effect on surface finish and vibration generation of the curved surface. The chosen workpiece material is polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Design of experiment (DoE) is used to find out the optimum parameters of surface finish and infeed vibration responses. According to the Taguchi and analysis of Variance (ANOVA) analysis, the feed rate is the most influencing parameter for surface roughness, and incremental distance is for infeed vibration. A confirmation test is carried out to verify the experimental responses with a mathematical regression model, and it shows a close difference within 2.7 percent. Further, minimum surface roughness is perceived as 12.4 nm, corresponding to an infeed vibration amplitude of 4.9 µm/s2, which is signified at a lower frequency.
Interaction between the genetic risk score and dietary protein intake on cardiometabolic traits in Southeast Asian
Authors: Alsulami Sooad , Aji A. S. , Ariyasra U. , Sari S. R. , Tasrif N. , Yani F. F. , Lovegrove J. A. , Sudji I. R. , Lipoeto N. I. , Vimaleswaran K. S.
Published: October 2020

Background

Cardiometabolic diseases are complex traits which are influenced by several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Thus, analysing the combined effects of multiple gene variants might provide a better understanding of disease risk than using a single gene variant approach. Furthermore, studies have found that the effect of SNPs on cardiometabolic traits can be influenced by lifestyle factors, highlighting the importance of analysing gene-lifestyle interactions.

Aims

In the present study, we investigated the association of 15 gene variants with cardiometabolic traits and examined whether these associations were modified by lifestyle factors such as dietary intake and physical activity.

Methods

The study included 110 Minangkabau women [aged 25–60 years and body mass index (BMI) 25.13 ± 4.2 kg/m2] from Padang, Indonesia. All participants underwent a physical examination followed by anthropometric, biochemical and dietary assessments and genetic tests. A genetic risk score (GRS) was developed based on 15 cardiometabolic disease-related SNPs. The effect of GRS on cardiometabolic traits was analysed using general linear models. GRS-lifestyle interactions on continuous outcomes were tested by including the interaction term (e.g. lifestyle factor*GRS) in the regression model. Models were adjusted for age, BMI and location (rural or urban), wherever appropriate.

Results

There was a significant association between GRS and BMI, where individuals carrying 6 or more risk alleles had higher BMI compared to those carrying 5 or less risk alleles (P = 0.018). Furthermore, there were significant interactions of GRS with protein intake on waist circumference (WC) and triglyceride concentrations (Pinteraction = 0.002 and 0.003, respectively). Among women who had a lower protein intake (13.51 ± 1.18% of the total daily energy intake), carriers of six or more risk alleles had significantly lower WC and triglyceride concentrations compared with carriers of five or less risk alleles (P = 0.0118 and 0.002, respectively).

Conclusions

Our study confirmed the association of GRS with higher BMI and further showed a significant effect of the GRS on WC and triglyceride levels through the influence of a low-protein diet. These findings suggest that following a lower protein diet, particularly in genetically predisposed individuals, might be an effective approach for addressing cardiometabolic diseases among Southeast Asian women.
Negative correlation between concentration of iron oxides and particulate matter in atmospheric dust: case study at industrial site during smoggy period
Authors: Petrovský Eduard , Kapička Aleš , Grison Hana , Kotlík Bohumil , Miturová Hana
Published: October 2020

Background

Environmental magnetism, focusing on ferrimagnetic iron oxides, provides useful additional information on pollution of different environments. Magnetic methods have been applied to studies of atmospheric dust, namely PM10 (particulate matter smaller than 10 µm) in, e.g., industrial or urban areas. Until now, positive correlation was reported between concentration of iron oxides (expressed in terms of either magnetic susceptibility, saturation remanent or saturation induced magnetization) and concentration of PM10 or smaller. Purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between iron oxides and PM at monitoring site close to source of emissions rich in iron oxides during period of smoggy conditions.

Results

We examined 24-h PM10 and PM1 samples, collected during 10 days of smoggy winter period at a site close to steel plant, which represents a significant source of atmospheric emissions in industrial region of Northern Moravia (Czech Republic), known for generally high degree of air pollution. Magnetic hysteresis loops were measured to obtain parameters reflecting the concentration and grain-size distribution of iron oxides. Our data show unexpected negative correlation between saturation magnetization (concentration of ferrimagnetic iron oxides) and both PM1 and PM10 concentrations, to the best of our knowledge the trend not being reported yet.

Conclusions

Our finding may seemingly disqualify magnetic methods as useful proxy in air pollution studies. However, we suggest that this is an exceptional case, specific to this region and monitoring site, as well as to synoptic conditions during the smoggy period. Although the significant dust emissions are presumably rich in iron oxides, the overall air quality at the monitoring site is determined by the general environment, controlled by many other sources of different character in the region, and by the specific climatic conditions. Thus, the steel plant, presumably emitting dust rich in ferrimagnetic iron oxides, dominates the deposited dust at the nearby monitoring site only during few days of suitable weather (namely wind speed and direction).
Assessing transport policies for tourist mobility based on accessibility indicators
Authors: Coppola Pierluigi , Carbone Armando , Aveta Carmine , Stangherlin Piera
Published: October 2020

Tourism is a key sector in the national economies, representing a real asset for increasing the competitiveness and the world-wide visibility of a Country. In Italy, the widespread diffusion of the tourist heritage represents a great potential for the economic development but requires efforts to identify sustainable and seamless travel solutions, given the limited resources available for tourist mobility. The Italian National Plan of Tourist Mobility identifies in accessibility one of the key drivers for investment, and to this aim has developed a Planning Support System (PSS) to identify the investments to bridge up the accessibility gap of national tourist sites from the main airports, ports and railway stations (i.e. the “access gates” to the Country), either on the road network or using collective transport services. The PSS is based on the methodology presented in this paper, combining two concepts extensively studied in the literature, i.e. the generalized travel cost and the accessibility, in order to identify where and how to invest either to improve existing mobility services or to build new infrastructure. Given the number of tourist sites scattered over the national territory, the application of the proposed methodology to the Italian case study represents a relevant example of how accessibility measures can be applied in practice to link with policy goals and to identify planning priorities. The application is easily replicable and transferable at regional and local level.
Comparative genomics and community curation further improve gene annotations in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus
Authors: Athanasouli Marina , Witte Hanh , Weiler Christian , Loschko Tobias , Eberhardt Gabi , Sommer Ralf J. , Rödelsperger Christian
Published: October 2020

Background

Nematode model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Pristionchus pacificus are powerful systems for studying the evolution of gene function at a mechanistic level. However, the identification of P. pacificus orthologs of candidate genes known from C. elegans is complicated by the discrepancy in the quality of gene annotations, a common problem in nematode and invertebrate genomics.

Results

Here, we combine comparative genomic screens for suspicious gene models with community-based curation to further improve the quality of gene annotations in P. pacificus. We extend previous curations of one-to-one orthologs to larger gene families and also orphan genes. Cross-species comparisons of protein lengths, screens for atypical domain combinations and species-specific orphan genes resulted in 4311 candidate genes that were subject to community-based curation. Corrections for 2946 gene models were implemented in a new version of the P. pacificus gene annotations. The new set of gene annotations contains 28,896 genes and has a single copy ortholog completeness level of 97.6%.

Conclusions

Our work demonstrates the effectiveness of comparative genomic screens to identify suspicious gene models and the scalability of community-based approaches to improve the quality of thousands of gene models. Similar community-based approaches can help to improve the quality of gene annotations in other invertebrate species, including parasitic nematodes.
The combined usage of Matrine and Osthole inhibited endoplasmic reticulum apoptosis induced by PCV2
Authors: Xu Yinlan , Sun Panpan , Wan Shuangxiu , Guo Jianhua , Zheng Xiaozhong , Sun Yaogui , Fan Kuohai , Yin Wei , Sun Na , Li Hongquan
Published: October 2020

Background

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is an important and common DNA virus that infect pig and can cause immunosuppression and induce apoptosis in the infected cells. To escape the host immune system, PCV2 constantly builds up complex mechanisms or mutates genes, and that is why it is difficult to eradicate complex PCV2 infection by relying on vaccines and single compound. At present, there is few literature reports on the effective prevention and treatment of PCV2 infection by a combination of two or more compounds. Previously, we have demonstrated the anti-PCV2 effect of Matrine in vitro, but its mechanism has not been further evaluated. Literatures have proven that Osthole has a variety of pharmacological activities, and we tested the ability of Osthole to inhibit PCV2 replication in cell culture. Therefore, this study explored the synergistic antiviral effect of Matrine combined with Osthole and their synergistic anti-apoptotic mechanism.

Results

Osthole alone had an anti-PCV2 effect, and then its synergistic anti-PCV2 effect of Osthole and Matrine was better than that of Matrine or Osthole alone as demonstrated by qRT-PCR, IFA and Western blotting results. The anti-apoptotic mechanism of these two compounds by inducing the PERK pathway by PCV2 was elucidated through Annexin V-FITC/PI, JC-1 and Western blotting. Matrine and Osthole combination could inhibit the expression of Cap in Cap-transfected PK-15 cells, thus inhibiting Cap-induced PERK apoptosis. Ribavirin was used as a positive control.

Conclusions

The combination of Osthole and Matrine had the synergistic effect of anti-PCV2 infection by directly inhibiting the expression of PCV2 Cap protein. The combination of these two compounds also inhibited PERK apoptosis induced by PCV2 Cap protein, possibly by regulating the level of GRP78. The results formed a base for further studies on the mechanism of anti-PCV2 in vivo using Matrine and Osthole combination and developing new anti-PCV2 compounds with Cap and GRP78 as therapeutic targets.
Pathogenic NF1 truncating mutation and copy number alterations in a dedifferentiated liposarcoma with multiple lung metastasis: a case report
Authors: Kim Yoon-Seob , Shin Sun , Jung Seung-Hyun , Chung Yeun-Jun
Published: October 2020

Background

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS), which accounts for an estimated 15–20% of liposarcomas, is a high-grade and aggressive malignant neoplasm, exhibiting a poor response to available therapeutic agents. However, genetic alteration profiles of DDLPS as well as the role of NF1 mutations have not been studied extensively.

Case presentation

The current study reports a patient presenting with rapidly growing DDLPS accompanied by multiple lung and pleural metastases, in whom whole-exome sequencing revealed a NF1 truncating mutation of the known pathogenic variant, c.C7486T, p.R2496X, as well as multiple copy number alterations (CNAs), including the well-known 12q13–15 amplification, and multiple chromothripsis events encompassing potential cancer-related genes.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that, in addition to the 12q13–15 amplification, NF1 inactivation mutation and other CNAs may contribute to DDLPS tumorigenesis accompanied by aggressive clinical features.
Evaluation of regional ventilation by electric impedance tomography during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in neurocritical care: a pilot study
Authors: Spatenkova Vera , Teschner Eckhard , Jedlicka Jaroslav
Published: October 2020

Background

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) has become a widely performed technique in neurocritical care, which is however known to be accompanied by some risks to the patient. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the derecruitment effects of PDT with the electric impedance tomography (EIT) during the PDT procedure in neurocritical care.

Methods

The prospective observational pilot study investigated 11 adult, intubated, mechanically ventilated patients with acute brain disease. We recorded EIT data to determine regional ventilation delay standard deviation (RVD SD), compliance win (CW) and loss (CL), end-expiratory lung impedance (EELI), with the EIT belt placed at the level of Th 4 before, during and after the PDT, performed in the standard PDT position ensuring hyperextension of the neck.

Results

From 11 patients, we finally analyzed EIT data in 6 patients - EIT data of 5 patients have been excluded due to the insufficient EIT recordings. The mean RVD SD post-PDT decreased to 7.00 ± 1.29% from 7.33 ± 1.89%. The mean post-PDT CW was 27.33 ± 15.81 and PDT CL 6.33 ± 6.55. Only in one patient, where the trachea was open for 170 s, was a massive dorsal collapse (∆EELI − 25%) detected. In other patients, the trachea was open from 15 to 50 s.

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of EIT to detect early lung derecruitment occurring due to the PDT procedure. The ability to detect regional changes in ventilation could be helpful in predicting further progression of ventilation impairment and subsequent hypoxemia, to consider optimal ventilation regimes or time-schedule and type of recruitment maneuvres required after the PDT.
Relationship between the bony correction angle and mechanical axis change and their differences between closed and open wedge high tibial osteotomy
Authors: Ogino Takahiro , Kumagai Ken , Yamada Shunsuke , Akamatsu Tomotaka , Nejima Shuntaro , Sotozawa Masaichi , Inaba Yutaka
Published: October 2020

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the bony correction angle and mechanical axis change and their differences between closed wedge high tibial osteotomy (CWHTO) and open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO).

Methods

A total of 100 knees of 89 patients who underwent OWHTO (50 knees) or CWHTO (50 knees) between 2011 and 2015 with a clinical follow-up for 1 year and a radiological follow-up for 1 month were investigated in a case control study. Anteroposterior radiographs of the knee and full-length leg were taken in the standing position using digital acquisition. The femorotibial angle (FTA), % mechanical axis deviation (MAD), % anatomical tibial axis deviation (ATAD), % mechanical tibial axis deviation (MTAD), mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA), and joint line convergence angle (JLCA) were measured on preoperative and postoperative radiographs using a dedicated software.

Results

CWHTO resulted in a greater variation between the tibial anatomical and mechanical axes than OWHTO (P <  0.05), and a greater soft tissue correction than OWHTO (P <  0.05). However, no significant difference was found between CWHTO and OWHTO in the ratio of MAD change to the correction angle. When the osteotomy was planned with the same bony correction angle, %MAD passed more laterally in OWHTO than in CWHTO (P <  0.05). These results suggested a lesser valgus bony correction ratio due to greater medial shift of the tibial axis and greater valgus compensation of the soft tissue in CWHTO compared to OWHTO.

Conclusions

The ratio of mechanical axis shift to the correction angle differed in preoperative planning, but postoperative alignment was comparable between opening wedge and closed wedge high tibial osteotomy.
CT, US and MRI of xanthine urinary stones: in-vitro and in-vivo analyses
Authors: Shamir Stephanie B. , Peng Qi , Schoenfeld Alan H. , Drzewiecki Beth A. , Liszewski Mark C.
Published: October 2020

Background

Xanthine urinary stones are a rare entity that may occur in patients with Lesch–Nyhan syndrome receiving allopurinol. There is little literature describing imaging characteristics of these stones, and the most appropriate approach to imaging these stones is therefore unclear. We performed in-vitro and in-vivo analyses of xanthine stones using computed tomography (CT) at different energy levels, ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

Five pure xanthine stones from a child with Lesch-Nyhan were imaged in-vitro and in-vivo. CT of the stones was performed at 80 kVp, 100 kVp, 120 kVp and 140 kVp and CT numbers of the stones were recorded in Hounsfield units (HU). US of the stones was performed and echogenicity, acoustic shadowing and twinkle artifact were assessed. MRI of the stones was performed and included T2-weighted, ultrashort echo-time-weighted and T2/T1-weighted 3D bFFE sequences and signal was assessed.

Results

In-vitro analysis on CT demonstrated that xanthine stones were radiodense and the average attenuation coefficient did not differ with varying kVp, measuring 331.0 ± 51.7 HU at 80 kVp, 321.4 ± 63.4 HU at 100 kVp, 329.7 ± 54.2 HU at 120 kVp and 328.4 ± 61.1 HU at 140 kVp. In-vivo analysis on CT resulted in an average attenuation of 354 ± 35 HU. On US, xanthine stones where echogenic with acoustic shadowing and twinkle artifact. On MRI, stones lacked signal on all tested sequences.

Conclusion

Xanthine stone analyses, both in-vitro and in-vivo, demonstrate imaging characteristics typical of most urinary stones: dense on CT, echogenic on US, and lacking signal on MRI. Therefore, the approach to imaging xanthine stones should be comparable to that of other urinary stones.
Use of traditional medicine for dental care by different ethnic groups in New Zealand
Authors: Guo Jun , Low Kah Seng , Mei Li , Li Jia Hui , Qu Wenwen , Guan Guangzhao
Published: October 2020

Background

There is an increasing public interest in the use of TM internationally, yet there is a paucity of research on the use of TM by the public in the dental setting. This study aimed to explore the views, use of and access to TM in dentistry among different ethnic groups residing in New Zealand.

Methods

Qualitative study and in-depth interviews were used. An individual semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using an inductive approach to identify the main themes.

Results

Three main themes were extracted from interviews with 14 participants from diverse cultural backgrounds: [1] the perspectives of TM varied among different ethnic groups and included the involvement of spirituality, the environment, knowledge and usage of TM. [2] The TM that was used by different ethnic groups included plants, herbs, massage, and other forms of healing. Reasons for choosing traditional or western medicines generally included family tradition, access to TM, and finding a competent traditional healer. [3] The barriers in accessing TM included the paucity of traditional healers, difficulty accessing plants and cost, therefore most would look for a substitution or alternative treatment.

Conclusion

Even though the access to these TM in New Zealand was a challenge for the majority of the participants, they are still considered the first-line treatment for the majority. This study provided dental practitioners an insight into the different sort of TM used by the population. By understanding and acknowledging the use of TM, dental practitioners could create a supportive environment for patients to disclose their use of TM and allow them to educate patients on the use of TM.
Effect of health education on knowledge and attitude of menopause among middle-age teachers
Authors: Gebretatyos Helen , Ghirmai Lidia , Amanuel Soliana , Gebreyohannes Ghidey , Tsighe Zemenfes , Tesfamariam Eyasu H.
Published: October 2020

Background

Adequate knowledge and positive attitude toward menopause are important for women to tackle changes related to menopause. Even though all women experience menopause at some stage in their life, teachers face more difficulties more than other female employees due to the nature of their roles do. In Eritrea, menopause has been given little attention hence gaps exist concerning women’s knowledge, attitude, and the effects of health education on the same subject. This study aimed at assessing the effect of health education on knowledge and attitude of menopause among middle-aged teachers in elementary, junior, and secondary schools of Asmara, Eritrea.

Method

A semi-experimental design with pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and three-month follow up test was used in this study. The data was collected from 99 middle age teachers using stratified random sampling. The intervention was done using lectures, group discussions, brochures, and handouts. Data on socio-demographics, knowledge, and attitude was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. The effect of educational training at the three-time points was evaluated by repeated measure ANOVA using SPSS version 22.

Results

The mean scores of correct knowledge at pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and 3-months follow-up were 12.3/22 (SD = 3.06), 17.3/22 (SD = 3.21), and 16.5/22 (SD = 2.52) respectively. A significant difference in scores of knowledge at the three-time points was observed due to the educational intervention with a statistical significance of (p <  0.0001). Post-hoc analysis revealed that knowledge score immediately after intervention was significantly greater than that of pre-intervention (p <  0.0001), and 3-months follow-up (p = 0.004). The mean scores of attitude at the three-time points were 27.9/45 (SD = 5.14), 28.3/45(SD = 5.25), 28.32/45(SD = 5.12). The educational intervention had brought a change in the mean scores of attitude at the three-time point with a statistical significance of (p < 0.0001). Post-hoc analysis revealed that attitude scores at immediate post-intervention were also significant (p = 0.001) with the 3-months follow up at (p < 0.0001) were higher than that of pre-intervention.

Conclusion

The structured educational intervention was beneficial to the studied women in intensifying their knowledge and tuning them toward a positive attitude. Hence, proper health education programs regarding menopause are strongly recommended.
“It is this very knowledge that makes us doctors”: an applied thematic analysis of how medical students perceive the relevance of biomedical science knowledge to clinical medicine
Authors: Dickinson Bonny L. , Gibson Kristine , VanDerKolk Kristi , Greene Jeffrey , Rosu Claudia A. , Navedo Deborah D. , Porter-Stransky Kirsten A. , Graves Lisa E.
Published: October 2020

Background

Intensive study of the biomedical sciences remains a core component of undergraduate medical education with medical students often completing up to 2 years of biomedical science training prior to entering clerkships. While it is generally accepted that biomedical science knowledge is essential for clinical practice because it forms the basis of clinical reasoning and decision-making, whether medical students perceive an expanded role for their biomedical science knowledge remains to be examined.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative research study to explore how medical students in the first clerkship year perceived the relevance of biomedical science knowledge to clinical medicine during this pivotal time as they begin their transition from students to physicians. To identify previously unidentified perspectives and insights, we asked students to write brief essays in response to the prompt: How is biomedical science knowledge relevant to clinical medicine? Ten codes and four themes were interpreted through an applied thematic analysis of students’ essays.

Results

Analysis of students’ essays revealed novel perspectives previously unidentified by survey studies and focus groups. Specifically, students perceived their biomedical science knowledge as contributory to the development of adaptive expertise and professional identity formation, both viewed as essential developmental milestones for medical students.

Conclusions

The results of this study have important implications for ongoing curricular reform efforts to improve the structure, content, delivery, and assessment of the undergraduate medical curriculum. Identifying the explicit and tacit elements of the formal, informal, and hidden curriculum that enable biomedical science knowledge to contribute to the development of adaptive expertise and professional identity formation will enable the purposeful design of innovations to support the acquisition of these critical educational outcomes.
A multi-method exploratory study of health professional students’ experiences with compliance behaviours
Authors: Violato Efrem , King Sharla , Bulut Okan
Published: October 2020

Background

Research in healthcare, including students as participants, has begun to document experiences with negative compliance, specifically conformity and obedience. There is a growing body of experimental and survey literature, however, currently lacking is a direct measure of the frequency at which health professional students have negative experiences with conformity and obedience integrated with psychological factors, the outcomes of negative compliance, and students’ perceptions.

Methods

To develop empirical knowledge about the frequency of negative compliance and student perceptions during health professional education a multi-methods survey approach was used. The survey was administered to health professional students across ten disciplines at four institutions.

Results

The results indicated students regularly experience obedience and conformity and are influenced by impression management and displacement of responsibility. Moral distress was identified as a consistent negative outcome. Student self-reported experiences aligned with the empirical findings.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study demonstrate the pervasiveness of experiences with negative compliance during health professional’s education along with some attendant psychological factors. The findings have educational and practical implications, as well as pointing to the need for further integration of social and cognitive psychology in explaining compliance in healthcare. The results are likely generalizable to a population level however replication is encouraged to better understand the true frequency of negative compliance at a health professional population level.
What is the impact of restricted access policy on workplace violence in general hospital? A before-after study in a CHINESE tertiary hospital
Authors: Jia Haonan , Chen Ruohui , Wei Lifeng , Zhang Gangyu , Jiao Mingli , Liu Chao , Sha Zhuowa , Zhou Shuang , Wang Yameng , Li Jingqun , Jia Xiaowen , Ismael Omar Yacouba , Mao Jingfu , Wu Qunhong
Published: October 2020

Background

To evaluate the impact of a restricted access policy on workplace violence in a healthcare setting.

Methods

We surveyed healthcare workers before and after the implementation of a restricted-access policy at a tertiary hospital in north-eastern China. Data were collected in April 2017 and January 2019. Fisher’s exact test were used to compare the difference in workplace violence prevalence between responses to two surveys. Survey 1 (S1) collected data from 345 healthcare professionals who had worked in the inpatient ward for at least 12 months. Survey 2 (S2) included 338 healthcare workers from the same ward who had been employed for more than two years. The effective response rates for the two studies was 79.31 and 83.25%, respectively. All 18 female security guards were included in the investigation in S2.

Results

The prevalence of psychological violence was 62.03% in S1 and 34.62% in S2, the difference in prevalence showing statistical significance (P = 0.000), while the prevalence of physical violence was 3.77 and 4.73% respectively, showing no statistical significance (P = 0.573). The change in the rate of injury caused by physical violence was also statistically significant at 76.92 and 31.25% (P = 0.025), respectively. Security guards were at high risk of workplace violence under the policy. Most healthcare professionals thought this policy ameliorated treatment order, the sense of security, anxiety about workplace violence, and so forth, but one-third of the respondents thought that it caused patient dissatisfaction.

Conclusion

While the restricted access policy may be effective for healthcare professionals in avoiding or dealing with violence, such policy could contribute to new problems regarding the safety of security guards and the potential dissatisfaction of patients. The policy should be further developed to alleviate this phenomenon.