bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plain Language Summary: Tympanostomy (Ear) Tubes in Children
Authors: Rosenfeld Richard M. , Keppel Kristina L. , Vaughan William K. , Monjur Taskin M.
Published: February 2022

This plain language summary explains tympanostomy tubes, also known as ear tubes, to patients and families. The summary applies to children aged 6 months to 12 years with tympanostomy tubes or children being considered for tympanostomy tubes. It is based on the “Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tubes in Children (Update),” published in 2022 as a major update to the original guideline from 2013. This plain language summary is written explicitly for consumers, patients, and families as a companion publication to the full guideline, which provides greater detail for health care providers. A primary purpose is to facilitate insight and understanding that foster shared decision making regarding ear tubes. Guidelines and their recommendations may not apply to every child, but they do identify best practices and quality improvement opportunities that can help you and your child benefit most from ear tubes.
SIRT1 mediates hypoxic postconditioning- and resveratrol-induced protection against functional connectivity deficits after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Clarke Julian V , Brier Lindsey M , Rahn Rachel M , Diwan Deepti , Yuan Jane Y , Bice Annie R , Imai Shin-ichiro , Vellimana Ananth K , Culver Joseph P , Zipfel Gregory J
Published: February 2022

Functional connectivity (FC) is a sensitive metric that provides a readout of whole cortex coordinate neural activity in a mouse model. We examine the impact of experimental SAH modeled through endovascular perforation, and the effectiveness of subsequent treatment on FC, through three key questions: 1) Does the endovascular perforation model of SAH induce deficits in FC; 2) Does exposure to hypoxic conditioning provide protection against these FC deficits and, if so, is this neurovascular protection SIRT1-mediated; and 3) does treatment with the SIRT1 activator resveratrol alone provide protection against these FC deficits? Cranial windows were adhered on skull-intact mice that were then subjected to either sham or SAH surgery and either left untreated or treated with hypoxic post-conditioning (with or without EX527) or resveratrol for 3 days. Mice were imaged 3 days post-SAH/sham surgery, temporally aligned with the onset of major SAH sequela in mice. Here we show that the endovascular perforation model of SAH induces global and network-specific deficits in FC by day 3, corresponding with the time frame of DCI in mice. Hypoxic conditioning provides SIRT1-mediated protection against these network-specific FC deficits post-SAH, as does treatment with resveratrol. Conditioning-based strategies provide multifaceted neurovascular protection in experimental SAH.
Talaromyces spp. infections in dogs from the Southern United States
Authors: Bacon Rebecca L. , Lovell Stephanie A. , Rodrigues Hoffman Aline , Fratzke Alycia P.
Published: February 2022

Talaromyces spp. are soil-dwelling fungi sporadically reported to cause disease in humans and dogs. This study summarized the clinical presentations, histologic findings, and Talaromyces sp. involved in 5 dogs diagnosed through the panfungal polymerase chain reaction service (PCR) at Texas A&M University, with a review of previously reported cases. Of the 5 cases, 3 were Labrador Retrievers, 2 were male, and 3 were female. Three of 5 involved the musculoskeletal or lymphatic systems, and 2 of 5 dogs presented with meningoencephalitis. Talaromyces helicus, Talaromyces aurantiacus, and Talaromyces boninensis were identified based on panfungal PCR, showing 99% to 100% sequence matches in combination with morphologic features. Three of 5 dogs had static disease at the time of publication, 1 was euthanized, and 1 was lost to follow-up. This study describes Talaromyces spp. as a cause of meningoencephalitis in dogs, identifies 2 novel Talaromyces spp. involved in infections, and adds to the existing knowledge of clinical presentations and outcomes.
The struggle against corporate encroachment in Indian agriculture
Authors: Kaur Navpreet , Saratchand C.
Published: February 2022

The repeal of the Three Farm Laws by the Union Government of India is the first consequential setback to the neoliberal project in India after 2014. The struggle was largely carried out by peasants in alliance with workers. The Left in India played a decisive role in crafting this setback to the neoliberal project by working towards the building of a tendential working alliance between peasants and workers. The popular resistance that has been engendered by the upsurge of peasants and workers will need to nurture this alliance, renew its focus on combatting gender and caste oppression, and engage in an authentic effort to build solidarity among the various constituents of the democratic movement in India.
Near Surface Pavement Response Using a Numerically Approximated Tire Contact Pressure From Inverse Analysis
Authors: Stache Jeremiah
Published: February 2022

Current military flexible pavement design is based on a mechanistic–empirical methodology, in which the mechanistic response is sometimes computed using a layered elastic analysis (LEA) approach. The assumption in most LEA computer programs is that the load is applied uniformly over a circular contact area. In most cases where subgrade rutting failures are expected, this assumption provides satisfactory results when the responses are computed in the subgrade far from the applied load. But in the case of thin asphalt structures with marginal base materials, base failures could potentially occur and the effects of nonuniform tire contact pressure could be more prominent. This study presents a numerical approximation method of obtaining a possible nonuniform, noncircular tire contact pressure distribution using the LEA framework. The iterative procedure attempts to match the true contact area and satisfies the requirements of static equilibrium using inverse analysis. The results showed that the numerical approach provided more reasonable near surface responses compared with the uniform contact pressure assumption and was noticeably more efficient than its finite element counterpart. The findings suggested that the numerical procedure could provide a sound mechanistic alternative for designing thin asphalt pavements with marginal base materials where base failures are likely to occur.
Judicial independence and refugee flights
Authors: Ulasoglu Imamoglu Saadet
Published: February 2022

Recent studies suggest that a lack of judicial independence increases the risk of violent action, diminishing the incentives to solve disputes peacefully. However, violent action is not the only option when judiciaries are under the control of the executive. I argue that individuals become refugees in countries with non-independent judiciaries, losing their hope that violations of rules by the executive or privileged groups will be tried fairly. Using data from 181 countries over the 1976–2015 period, I find evidence that the lack of judicial independence leads countries to produce more refugees than others.
Determinants of Emotional Intimate Partner Violence against Women and Girls with Children in Mexican Households: An Ecological Framework
Authors: Torres Munguía Juan Armando , Martínez-Zarzoso Inmaculada
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this paper is to identify the risk factors for emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) against women and girls with children in Mexico from an ecological perspective. To that end, we generate a dataset with 35,004 observations and 42 covariates, to which we apply an additive probit model estimated with a boosting algorithm to overcome high-dimensionality and simultaneously perform variable selection and model choice. The dataset integrates 10 information sources, allowing us to properly characterize the four levels of the ecological approach, which is the first contribution of this paper. In addition, there are three key contributions. First, we identify a number of factors significantly linked to emotional IPV against women with children: age, age at sexual initiation, age at marriage (or cohabitation), autonomy regarding professional issues, social support networks, division of housework, the community’s Gini index, women’s economic participation in the municipality, and the prevalence of crime against males in the region. Second, we discuss some risk factors whose effects have not been examined or have been underexplored for Mexico; these include women’s decision-making autonomy, social support networks, distribution of housework, the community’s economic inequality, and criminality. Third, we identify specific risk subgroups that are generally overlooked: women who had their first sexual intercourse during childhood and women who got married (or moved in together with a partner) late in life. The main results suggest that strategies aiming to promote women’s social and economic empowerment and reduce criminality should also incorporate a gender component regarding emotional violence against women with children in the context of intimate relationships.
Centering Racialized Educators in Collaborative Teacher Education: The Development of the Intersectionally Conscious Collaboration Protocol
Authors: Boveda Mildred , Weinberg Andrea E.
Published: February 2022

The intersectionally conscious collaboration protocol for teacher educators (ICC-TE) expands on existing models of collaboration by drawing from intersectionality as conceptualized by Black feminist theorists, collaborative teacher education, and frameworks for stakeholders to establish and maintain ethical, student-centered relationships. The ICC-TE promotes approaches that honor sociocultural differences, model collaboration, and support the development of these practices in preservice teacher education. The authors analyzed the responses of four Latina teacher educators at a predominately white teacher preparation program and teaching artifacts created while using the ICC-TE as they co-taught a special education course. As a result of this study, the researchers refined the protocol. All participants indicated the need for more training on intersectionality, for both teacher educators of color and their white colleagues. A connecting thread across all sources of data was how institutional culture and faculty morale shaped collegiality.
Research on optimal driving behavior decision method based on multi-objective optimization
Authors: Fei He , Xin Guan , Yongshang Chen , Xin Jia
Published: February 2022

Aiming at the coupling of traffic laws and traffic participants in the current smart car decision-making process, and the lack of systematic processing of traffic laws, this paper proposes an optimal driving behavior decision-making method based on multi-objective optimization. This paper uses a multi-objective optimization method to establish macro path following indicators, collision risk indicators, traffic efficiency evaluation indicators, and driving burden evaluation indicators to solve the problem of convergence to local solutions and divergence when the existing methods are solved. In addition, the evaluation of the macro path followability is established to ensure that the selected area meets the macro path. In the collision risk assessment, the method based on the hidden Markov model is used to identify the driving intention of the target car, and establish lane occupancy characteristics to determine the risk of collision and the possibility of movement based on the statistical characteristics of the driving habits of object cars. After verification and comparison with existing methods, the optimal driving behavior decision method proposed in this paper is effective and performs well.
Moral injury and psychiatrists in public community mental health services
Authors: Maguire Paul A , Looi Jeffrey CL
Published: February 2022

Objectives

This study aims to provide a clinical update on moral injury from the perspective of a public sector community psychiatrist, and to outline approaches to addressing the issues raised.

Conclusions

Although not considered a mental illness, moral injury is an important condition for psychiatrists to have an awareness of, as it is associated with psychological distress and/or impairments in emotional, social or behavioural functioning. Potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) for community psychiatrists may include staff shortages and deficient resources rendering it difficult to provide an acceptable standard of professional care; time constraints negatively impacting teaching, supervising and mentoring medical students; cost-prohibition regarding preferred medication choices; lack of gender and cultural diversity of available psychiatrists; and work environments not conducive to psychiatrists speaking out about their concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated PMIEs for some community psychiatrists. Whether or not a PMIE transitions to a moral injury may be influenced by the individual’s resilience and the quality of emotional, psychological and administrative support they receive before, during and after the potentially precipitating event. Preventative strategies to mitigate susceptibility to a moral injury may be implemented at both a systems level and individual level, and include collective healthcare advocacy action.
Family Planning Research in African Immigrant and Refugee Women: A Scoping Review
Authors: Agbemenu Kafuli , Mencia Jessica J. , de Rosa Cristina , Aidoo-Frimpong Gloria , Ely Gretchen
Published: February 2022

Introduction:

African immigrants are a vulnerable population who are seldom seen in the literature, however, the scant research available reports that they experience increased challenges when making family planning decisions. A robust understanding of their specific family planning practices is imperative to providing appropriate, culturally congruent care. Considering this disparity, a scoping review was conducted to synthesize empirical knowledge and identify gaps in the literature around family planning in African immigrant populations in the United States.

Methods:

Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, EMBASE, Global Health Database, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and PubMed were searched for literature regarding family planning topics such as decision-making and health care access among African immigrant women in the United States in June 2020.

Results:

The small number of retrieved studies for the literature review clearly highlights a dearth of research. Available evidence indicates stark disparities in health care access, unmet individual needs, and unacknowledged preferences.

Discussion:

Ignoring cultural considerations for the growing African immigrant population perpetuates the divide in family planning practices.
Real-time hybrid simulation for a base-isolated building with the transmissibility-based semi-active controller
Authors: Rabiee Ramin , Chae Yunbyeong
Published: February 2022

The transmissibility-based semi-active (TSA) controller was developed in the existing study by the authors, which can effectively enhance the performance of base-isolated buildings under both strong long- and short-period earthquake ground motions. Since the performance of the TSA controller was only evaluated with numerical simulation in the existing study, this paper further validates its performance experimentally by conducting real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS). A three-story base isolated building was designed based on a simplified design procedure, where the base isolation system of the building consisted of three different devices, that is, a magneto-rheological (MR) damper, rubber bearing, and linear bearings. The base isolation system was experimentally tested with the MR damper controlled by the TSA controller, and the building superstructure was analytically modeled. It was shown that the TSA controller makes the system damping high under long-period ground motions and low under short-period ground motions, which performed uniquely as intended. As a result, the isolator displacement was effectively reduced under long-period ground motions, while the story drift and acceleration responses were also reduced under short-period ground motions, all of which are difficult to achieve at the same time using passive damping only.
Breathe Deep, Boys: Voices of the McIntyre Powder Project Miners
Authors: Martell Janice , Guidotti Tee
Published: February 2022

Northern Ontario gold and uranium miners represent the largest cohort of industrial laborers who were historically exposed to daily nonconsensual industrial medical treatments involving the inhalation of finely ground aluminum dust known as McIntyre Powder. The daughter of one of those miners founded the McIntyre Powder Project in 2015 to document health issues in exposed miners, in an effort to determine whether her father's Parkinson's was related to aluminum inhalation. In response, 553 miners registered with the McIntyre Powder Project between 2015 and 2021 either directly or by their next-of-kin. This paper compiles their lived experiences of being subjected to McIntyre Powder, which contrasts starkly with the official narrative of the northern Ontario mining industry, which licensed its use globally. Additionally, this paper illuminates concerning industrial practices that emerged from the miners’ disclosures, involving incentivized claims suppression, and raising serious questions about the effectiveness of medical screening and regulatory enforcement.
Predictors of Effective Self-care Interventions Among Jordanians With Heart Failure
Authors: Alkouri Osama , Hendriks Jeroen M , Magarey Judy , Schultz Tim
Published: February 2022

Jordanians are more at risk for heart failure now than in years prior. However, there are few studies addressing heart failure self-care in Jordanians. Identifying predictors that promote heart failure self-care among Jordanian patients is crucial in providing comprehensive care. This study aimed to identify predictors of self-care behaviors among Jordanians with heart failure. A cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 300 Jordanian patients was performed in an educational hospital in the north of Jordan. Differences in the level of self-care between selected sociodemographic and clinical variables were identified using univariate statistics, and multiple regression was used to adjust estimates for covariates. The predictors of self-care were insomnia ( p ≤ .001) and marital status ( p = .018). Identifying factors influencing self-care can assist with addressing the causes of insomnia to ensure effective treatment, providing patients with social support, and eventually promoting heart failure self-care.
The Appointment of Men as Representatives to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
Authors: Brannon Elizabeth L.
Published: February 2022

The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was one of the first international bodies devoted to gender issues and has played a foundational role in the promotion of gender equality globally. In this article, I explore representational patterns at the CSW and question when and why states choose to send men representatives. Novel data shows that while the commission was composed entirely of women representatives in its early decades, men’s representation has steadily increased—reaching parity in 2000. This paper argues that appointment choice can be explained by domestic levels of women’s political empowerment. The empirical results demonstrate a non-linear relationship between women’s political empowerment and appointment. States with higher levels of women’s political empowerment are more likely to appoint women representatives, until a threshold. At the highest levels of empowerment, states become again more likely to appoint men. I argue that this reflects a positive trend, in which men are taking a more active role in deconstructing pervasive gender inequalities. This paper has relevant implications for understandings of women’s representation in international institutions.
Posteromedial Accessory Incision for Posterior Capsular Release and Retractor Placement in a Total Ankle Replacement
Authors: Stoops T. Kyle , Sanders Roy W.
Published: February 2022

The standard approach for performing a total ankle replacement (TAR) is the anterior approach as this offers good direct visualization of the tibiotalar joint. Irrespective of implant system used, most commonly, bone cuts are made in the anterior to posterior direction and may potentially injure the posterior neurovascular structures and tendons running close to the ankle joint. Careful consideration must be taken to ensure these structures are protected. We introduce a new intraoperative technique of protection for the posteromedial soft tissues and neurovascular structures and include the early results of 60 consecutive patients where the described technique was employed. There were no technique-related complications, or evidence of injury to the PTT, FHL, flexor digitorum longus (FDL), or neurovascular bundles.
Productivity loss among people with early multiple sclerosis: A Canadian study
Authors: Rodriguez Llorian Elisabet , Zhang Wei , Khakban Amir , Patten Scott , Traboulsee Anthony , Oh Jiwon , Kolind Shannon , Prat Alexandre , Tam Roger , Lynd Larry D
Published: February 2022

Objectives:

To analyze work productivity loss and costs, including absenteeism (time missed from work), presenteeism (reduced productivity while working), and unpaid work loss, among a sample of employed people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) in Canada, as well as its association with clinical, sociodemographic, and work-related factors.

Methods:

We used cross-sectional data collected as part of the Canadian Prospective Cohort Study to Understand Progression in MS (CanProCo) and information from the Valuation of Lost Productivity questionnaire.

Results:

Among 512 pwMS who were employed, 97% showed no or mild disability and 55% experienced productivity loss due to MS in the prior 3 months. Total productivity time loss over a 3-month period averaged 60 hours (SD = 107; 23 from presenteeism, 19 from absenteeism, and 18 from unpaid work), leading to a mean cost of lost productivity of CAD$2480 (SD = 4282) per patient, with an hourly paid productivity loss greater than the wage loss. Fatigue retained significant associations with all productivity loss outcomes.

Conclusion:

Unpaid work loss and productivity losses exceeding those of the employee alone (due to teamwork and associated factors) are key additional contributors of the high economic burden of MS. Workplace accommodations and treatments targeted at fatigue could lessen the economic impact of MS.
Co-designing a dementia-specific education and training program for home care workers: The ‘Promoting Independence Through Quality Dementia Care at Home’ project
Authors: Goh Anita MY , Doyle Colleen , Gaffy Ellen , Batchelor Frances , Polacsek Meg , Savvas Steven , Malta Sue , Ames David , Winbolt Margaret , Panayiotou Anita , Loi Samantha M , Cooper Claudia , Livingston Gill , Low Lee-Fay , Fairhall Anne , Burton Jason , Dow Briony
Published: February 2022

Undertaking co-design with the end users of services has rapidly evolved as the best-practice approach to program design, development and implementation. Increased interest in using participatory co-design in dementia care has drawn attention to the need for evidence-informed methods for facilitating the meaningful involvement of people with dementia and their family carers in co-design activities. The aim of this paper is to describe the co-design framework used in the co-design of a dementia specialist training program for home care workers. The Promoting Independence Through quality dementia Care at Home program is a successful example of co-design methodology used across multiple project stages and with various stakeholder groups, including people living with dementia, family carers, home care workers, managers and researchers. Co-design methods were tailored to each stage, purpose, and stakeholder group, and to facilitate the involvement of people living with dementia. Findings provide unique insights into optimising input from co-design partners, including people living with dementia; the methodology, conditions and requirements for participants to co-design and implement ideas; and perspectives on the enablers and challenges of using co-design in this population. In this paper, we present a comprehensive approach for involving people living with dementia as active and equal contributors in inclusive and meaningful participatory co-design.
Novel immersive virtual reality experiences do not produce retroactive memory benefits for unrelated material
Authors: Quent Jörn Alexander , Henson Richard N
Published: February 2022

The experience of novelty can enhance memory for information that occurs close in time, even if not directly related to the experience—a phenomenon called “behavioural tagging.” For example, an animal exposed to a novel spatial environment shows improved memory for other information presented previously. This has been linked to neurochemical modulations induced by novelty, which affect consolidation of memories for experiences that were encoded around the same time. Neurophysiological research in animals has shown that novelty benefits weakly encoded but not strongly encoded information. However, a benefit that is selective to weak memories seems difficult to reconcile with studies in humans that have reported that novelty improves recollection, but not familiarity. One possibility is that the novelty increases activity in hippocampus, which is also associated with processes that enable recollection. This is consistent with another prediction of behavioural tagging theory, namely that novelty only enhances consolidation of information that converges on the same neuronal population. However, no study has directly explored the relationship between encoding strength and retrieval quality (recollection versus familiarity). We examined the effects of exposure to a novel immersive virtual reality environment on memory for words presented immediately beforehand, under either deep or shallow encoding tasks, and by testing both recall memory immediately, and recognition memory with remember/know instructions the next day. However, Bayes factors showed no evidence to support the behavioural tagging predictions: that novelty would improve memory, particularly for shallowly encoded words, and this improvement would differentially affect familiarity versus recollection.
Comparing mnemonic effects of iconic gestures and pictures on word memory
Authors: Sánchez-Borges Iván , Álvarez Carlos J
Published: February 2022

Previous studies using intermodal semantic priming have found that gestures improve language memory. In the present study, we ask whether the inherent characteristics of representative gestures (iconic gestures) facilitate word memory, or it is simply the semantic content shared with the words. Two analogous experiments were carried out presenting iconic gestures, pictures, or null primes to target words (nouns and action verbs). In Experiment 1, participants performed a free word recall task. In Experiment 2, the task was one of recognition. The results showed that participants recalled (Experiment 1) an equivalent number of words preceded by gestures or pictures compared with words alone, with no prime. However, a significantly higher number of words were recognised (Experiment 2) when they were primed by iconic gestures compared with the other two conditions, an advantage also found in reaction times (RTs) and both effects being larger in verbs than in nouns. These findings are discussed regarding the differences between recall and recognition processes as well as the particular characteristics of representative gestures.
A Network Pharmacology Study to Uncover the Mechanism of FDY003 for Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Authors: Lee Ho-Sung , Lee In-Hee , Kang Kyungrae , Park Sang-In , Jung Minho , Yang Seung Gu , Kwon Tae-Wook , Lee Dae-Yeon
Published: February 2022

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the deadliest gynecological tumors responsible for 0.21 million deaths per year worldwide. Despite the increasing interest in the use of herbal drugs for cancer treatment, their pharmacological effects in OC treatment are not understood from a systems perspective. Using network pharmacology, we determined the anti-OC potential of FDY003 from a comprehensive systems view. We observed that FDY003 suppressed the viability of human OC cells and further chemosensitized them to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Through network pharmacological and pharmacokinetic approaches, we identified 16 active ingredients in FDY003 and their 108 targets associated with OC mechanisms. Functional enrichment investigation revealed that the targets may coordinate diverse cellular behaviors of OC cells, including their growth, proliferation, survival, death, and cell cycle regulation. Furthermore, the FDY003 targets are important constituents of diverse signaling pathways implicated in OC mechanisms (eg, phosphoinositide 3-kinase [PI3K]-Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK], focal adhesion, hypoxia-inducible factor [HIF]-1, estrogen, tumor necrosis factor [TNF], erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog [ErbB], Janus kinase [JAK]-signal transducer and activator of transcription [STAT], and p53 signaling). In summary, our data present a comprehensive understanding of the anti-OC effects and mechanisms of action of FDY003.
Chronic Adaptations of Shoulder Muscle Synergies in Healthy Baseball Players
Authors: Wambold Morgan , Taylor Chris , Tucker Carole A. , Paul Ryan W. , Thomas Stephen J.
Published: February 2022

Background:

Previous research has demonstrated that muscle synergy structure can adapt owing to training and injury; however, muscle synergies have not been evaluated in baseball players.

Hypothesis:

The throwing arm would have a similar muscle synergy structure but different levels of individual muscle activity within each synergy, relative to the nonthrowing arm.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study in a controlled laboratory setting.

Methods:

Fourteen healthy competitive baseball players were included. Participants were tested bilaterally during a center-out planar reaching task using the KINARM robot, where kinematic data and surface electromyography data from 14 glenohumeral and scapular muscles were synchronized. Principal component analysis was used to extract muscle synergies, the variance accounted for (VAF) of each synergy, and individual muscle coefficients. The dominant (DOM) arm was compared with the nondominant (NDOM) arm using paired t tests for all dependent variables.

Results:

The same number of muscle synergies were extracted on the DOM and NDOM arms, along with no differences in VAF. In the first synergy, the infraspinatus (DOM 0.798 vs NDOM 0.587, P = 0.038) and lower trapezius (DOM 0.872 vs NDOM 0.480, P = 0.005) muscle coefficients significantly increased on the DOM arm. The second synergy had a significantly increased anterior deltoid (DOM 0.764 vs NDOM 0.374, P = 0.003) and a significantly decreased posterior deltoid (DOM −0.069 vs NDOM 0.197, P = 0.041) muscle coefficient on the DOM arm.

Conclusion:

The DOM shoulder exhibits a higher proportion of infraspinatus and lower trapezius muscle activation during the external rotation and abduction synergy. Also, the DOM shoulder has increased muscle activation of the teres major and latissimus dorsi during the internal rotation synergy, and increased muscle activation of the pectoralis major during the cross-body adduction synergy, compared with the NDOM shoulder.

Clinical Relevance:

By exploring these neuromuscular adaptations, the improved understanding of muscle synergy adaptations in baseball players will help optimize injury prevention and rehabilitation techniques.
Higher education expansion and the changing college wage premium in Hong Kong, 1976–2016
Authors: Wu Xiaogang , Guo Maocan
Published: February 2022

This article examines the trends and patterns of returns to college education in Hong Kong in the context of educational expansion. Using the data from nine waves of population censuses/by-censuses from 1976 to 2016, we employ age–period–cohort models to investigate the trends in college wage premium in Hong Kong. The descriptive statistics show that, for those aged 22–26, college wage premium declined over time. In addition, there are substantial variations in college wage premiums among different birth cohorts, which cannot be explained by age and period main effects. More specifically, college wage premiums declined almost monotonically for those born after 1950, and two younger birth cohorts (1975–1979 and 1980–1984) experienced cumulative disadvantage in terms of the college premium over the life course. We discuss social and political ramifications of these findings.
Environmental Entrepreneurial Orientation and Firm Performance: The Role of Environmental Innovation and Stakeholder Pressure
Authors: Guo Ying , Wang Lifang
Published: February 2022

In response to the deterioration of the global environment, more and more firms are adopting eco-friendly strategies such as an environmental entrepreneurial orientation. We use the resource-based view of the firm and stakeholder theory to examine how environmental entrepreneurial orientation improves firm performance. We construct and test a moderated mediation model using survey data from 416 Chinese firms and find that environmental innovation mediates the positive effect of environmental entrepreneurial orientation on firm performance, stakeholder pressure positively moderates the influence of environmental entrepreneurial orientation on environmental innovation, and environmental entrepreneurial orientation influences firm performance through environmental innovation. This study makes theoretical contributions to the literature and provides management insights.
Differences in Clinical and Functional Outcomes Between Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation and Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation for the Treatment of Focal Articular Cartilage Defects
Authors: Matthews John R. , Chauhan Kashyap , Brutico Joseph M. , Abraham Daniel T. , Heard Jeremy C. , Tucker Bradford S. , Tjoumakaris Fotios P. , Freedman Kevin B.
Published: February 2022

Background:

Articular cartilage pathology can result from a spectrum of origins, including trauma, osteochondritis dissecans, avascular necrosis, or degenerative joint disease.

Purpose:

To compare the differences in clinical and patient-reported outcomes after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) versus osteochondral allograft transplantation (OCA) in patients with focal articular cartilage defects without underlying bone loss.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A retrospective review identified patients who underwent ACI or OCA between 2008 and 2016 for isolated grades 3 and 4 articular cartilage defects without underlying bone loss. Outcome measures included the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS JR), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation, and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey–Physical Component (SF-12-P) scores. Defect location, size, complications, and rate of subsequent surgery were determined.

Results:

Overall, 148 patients were included: 82 (55%) underwent ACI and 66 (45%) underwent OCA. The mean age at the time of surgery was 31.2 years within the ACI cohort and 37.7 years within the OCA cohort ( P < .001); the mean follow-up for both cohorts was 6.7 years ( P = .902). Within the ACI group, 28 (34%) patients had multifocal defects, 21 (26%) had defects confined to the femoral condyles, and 33 (40%) had defects in the patellofemoral region. Within the OCA group, 23 (35%) patients had multifocal defects, 30 (46%) had confined femoral condyle lesions, and 13 (20%) had patellofemoral defects. When comparing by lesion location, there were no significant differences in KOOS JR, and IKDC scores between the ACI and OCA cohorts ( P < .05). There was, however, a significant difference for SF-12-P scores for FDD trochlear lesions. In both cohorts, traumatic patellofemoral pathology demonstrated lower patient-reported outcomes and higher failure rates than degenerative lesions. The overall rate of failure, defined as graft failure with revision surgery and/or conversion to arthroplasty, was significantly greater in the OCA group (21% vs 4%; P = .002).

Conclusion:

Study results indicated that ACI provides similar outcomes to OCA with or without concomitant procedures for the treatment of symptomatic articular cartilage defects in all lesion locations and may have a lower revision rate for multifocal and condylar lesions.
The Role of the ACR TI-RADS Scoring System to Evaluate Solid and Cystic Thyroid Nodules Compared With Those Solid Nodules With or Without Echogenic Foci and Their Cytology Results
Authors: Aher Pritish , Juliano Adriana , Donato Francisco
Published: February 2022

Objective:

The American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) is a reporting system for thyroid nodules detected with sonography and proposed by the ACR. The scoring of punctate echogenic foci (PEF) increases the TI-RADS score and leads to a biopsy of many thyroid nodules, otherwise found clinically. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of malignancy for mixed and solid nodules, with and without PEF, and cytologic correlation.

Materials and Methods:

Thyroid sonograms and ultrasound-guided thyroid biopsies were performed, at a University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics for 105 patients, during July 2019 to June 2020. All these retrospective clinical studies were reviewed against the cytologic examinations.

Results:

Based on the 189 thyroid nodule biopsies reviewed, 82.5% were benign compared with 17.5% malignant lesions. A solid nodule composition was noted in 35.2%, and had a higher risk for malignancy, compared with 7.7% of the mixed nodules. There was a 33.3% incidence of malignancy for solid nodules with PEF, compared with 35.8% of lesions lacking PEF. For mixed nodules, 6.2% nodules demonstrated PEF and 7.7% of nodules, without PEF, were malignant.

Conclusion:

In this cohort, solid nodules had a higher risk of malignancy than mixed nodules. PEF did not increase the risk of malignancy in either solid or mixed thyroid nodules, in these patients. These findings would suggest that existing guidelines may overestimate the value of PEF in scoring, as well as determining which thyroid nodules require biopsy.
Management ofMycobacterium aviumcomplex andMycobacterium abscessuspulmonary disease: therapeutic advances and emerging treatments
Authors: Kumar Kartik , Daley Charles L. , Griffith David E. , Loebinger Michael R.
Published: February 2022

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) remains a challenging condition to diagnose and treat effectively. Treatment of NTM-PD is prolonged, frequently associated with adverse effects and has variable success. In this review, we consider the factors influencing clinicians when treating NTM-PD and discuss outcomes from key studies on the pharmacological management ofMycobacterium aviumcomplex pulmonary disease andM. abscessuspulmonary disease. We highlight issues relating to treatment-related toxicity and provide an overview of repurposed and emerging therapies for NTM-PD.
Genetic engineering of novel yellow color african violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) produced by accumulation of Aureusidin 6-O-glucoside
Authors: Rajabi Amir , Fahmideh Leila , Keykhasaber Mojtaba , Omran Valiollah Ghasemi
Published: February 2022

Background

Flower color is one of the main characteristics of ornamental plants. Aurones are light yellow flavonoids produced in the petals of a limited number of plant species including snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus). As a commercially-recognized species, African violet can be found in various colors except yellow. This research, aiming at changing the petals’ color of African violet from white to yellow, was conducted using the simultaneous expressions of chalcone 4’-O-glucosyltransferase (4’CGT) and aureusidin synthase (AS1) genes without the need for silencing anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway genes via both transient and stable transfer methods.

Results

The transient gene transfer among transgenic plants led to a clear change of petals’ color from white to light yellow. This occurs while no change was observed in non-transgenic (Wild type) petals. In total, 15 positive transgenic plants, produced via stable gene transfer, were detected. Moreover, since their flower color was yellow, both genes were present. Meanwhile, the corresponding transformation yield was determined 20-30%. The transformation, expression and integration of genes among T0 transgenic plants were verified using the PCR, qRT-PCR and Southern blotting techniques, respectively. Furthermore, the probable color change of petals’ cross-section and existence of Aureusidin 6-O-glucoside (AOG) compound were determined using a light microscope and HPLC-DAD-MSn analysis, correspondingly.

Conclusions

Generally, the creation of aurones biosynthesis pathway is only viable through the simultaneous expression of genes which leads to color change of African violet’s petal from white to yellow. This conclusion can lead to an effective strategy to produce yellow color in ornamental plant species.
Early clinical and microbiological predictors of outcome in hospitalized patients with cryptococcal meningitis
Authors: de Oliveira Lidiane , Melhem Marcia de Souza Carvalho , Buccheri Renata , Chagas Oscar José , Vidal José Ernesto , Diaz-Quijano Fredi Alexander
Published: February 2022

Background

Cryptococcal meningitis causes high mortality in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. The objective of this study was to identify early predictors of clinical outcome, available at the first days of hospitalization, in patients with cryptococcal meningitis in a tertiary center in Brazil.

Methods

Ninety-six cases of cryptococcal meningitis with clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data, and identification and antifungal susceptibility of the strains were analyzed. Quantitative CSF yeast counts were performed by direct microscopic exam with a Fuchs-Rosenthal cell counting chamber using an institutional protocol. Univariable and multiple analyses using logistic regression were performed to identify predictors, available at the beginning of hospitalization, of in-hospital mortality. Moreover, we performed a secondary analysis for a composite outcome defined by hospital mortality and intensive care unit transfer.

Results

The species and the antifungal susceptibility were not associated with the outcomes evaluated. The variables significantly associated with the mortality were age (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.15), the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) yeasts count (OR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.20–2.27), systemic arterial hypertension (OR = 22.63, 95% CI 1.64–312.91) and neurological impairment identified by computed tomography (OR = 41.73, 95% CI 3.10–561.65). At the secondary analysis, CSF yeast count was also associated with the composite outcome, in addition to the culture of Cryptococcus spp. from bloodstream and cerebral toxoplasmosis. The associations were consistent with survival models evaluated.

Conclusions

Age and CSF yeast count were independently associated with in-hospital mortality of patients with cryptococcal meningitis but Cryptococcus species identification and antifungal susceptibility were not associated with the outcomes. Quantitative CSF yeast counts used in this study can be evaluated and implemented in other low and middle-income settings.
Colorectal cancer community engagement: a qualitative exploration of American Indian voices from North Dakota
Authors: Redvers Nicole , Wilkinson Mia , Fischer Courtney
Published: February 2022

Background

American Indians (AI) in North Dakota present with higher rates of advanced-stage disease for screening detectable colorectal cancers and have lower overall baseline colorectal cancer screening rates than non-AIs. We sought to identify the perceived barriers and facilitators for the engagement with colorectal cancer prevention within North Dakota tribal communities.

Methods

Twelve semi-structured interviews were carried out across four tribal reservation communities in the state of North Dakota with American Indian adults between the ages of 30 and 75 years. We utilized purposive sampling to ensure maximum variation in age, sex, and tribal community until data saturation was achieved. The interviews were transcribed, and thematic analysis was carried out to identify consistent themes rooted within the data. Ethical approval was gained for this project from all relevant institutional review boards.

Results

Four main themes were identified as barriers for the engagement with colorectal cancer prevention, including: colorectal cancer screening barriers, focused on other health problems, lack of colorectal cancer tailored health promotion, and socio-cultural factors affecting colorectal cancer prevention. Three main themes were identified as facilitators for the engagement with colorectal cancer prevention, including: reasons for getting colorectal cancer screening, role of culture, and getting out into the community.

Conclusion

There is need for more community-rooted, strengths-based approaches to colorectal cancer prevention activities in AI communities in North Dakota. Socio-cultural factors, such as the use of storytelling, and the use of traditional knowledge have been demonstrated to be an important element of consideration for colorectal cancer tribal community engagement and prevention planning in the state.
Low-grade inflammation in survivors of childhood cancer and testicular cancer and its association with hypogonadism and metabolic risk factors
Authors: Ekedahl Henrik , Isaksson Sigrid , Ståhl Olof , Bogefors Karolina , Romerius Patrik , Eberhard Jakob , Giwercman Aleksander
Published: February 2022

Background

In childhood (CCS) and testicular cancer (TCS) survivors, low-grade inflammation may represent a link between testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) and risk of metabolic syndrome. We aimed to study levels of inflammatory markers in CCS and TCS and the association with hypogonadism and future cardio-metabolic risk factors.

Methods

Serum levels of inflammatory markers and testosterone were analyzed in CCS (n = 90), and TCS (n = 64, median time from diagnosis: 20 and 2.0 years, respectively), and in controls (n = 44). Differences in levels between patients and controls were calculated using univariate analysis of variance. T-test and logistic regression were applied to compare levels of cardio-metabolic risk factors and odds ratio (OR) of hypogonadism and metabolic syndrome in low and high inflammatory marker groups after 4–12 years of follow up. Adjustment for age, smoking, and active cancer was made.

Results

TCS and CCS, as compared to controls, had 1.44 (95%CI 1.06–1.96) and 1.25 (95 CI 1.02–1.53) times higher levels of IL-8, respectively. High IL-6 levels were associated with hypogonadism at baseline (OR 2.83, 95%CI 1.25–6.43) and the association was stronger for high IL-6 combined with low IL-10 levels (OR 3.10, 95%CI 1.37–7.01). High IL-6 levels were also associated with higher BMI, waist circumference, insulin, and HbA1c at follow up. High TNF-α was associated with higher diastolic blood pressure. No individual inflammatory marker was significantly associated with risk of metabolic syndrome at follow up. High IL-6 combined with low IL-10 levels were associated with risk of metabolic syndrome (OR 3.83, 95%CI 1.07–13.75), however not statistically significantly after adjustment.

Conclusion

TCS and CCS present with low-grade inflammation. High IL-6 levels were associated with hypogonadism and cardio-metabolic risk factors. Low IL-10 levels might reinforce the IL-6 mediated risk of developing metabolic syndrome.