bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is early full weight bearing safe following locking plate ORIF of distal fibula fractures?
Authors: Zyskowski Michael , Wurm Markus , Greve Frederik , Pesch Sebastian , von Matthey Francesca , Pflüger Patrick , Crönlein Moritz , Biberthaler Peter , Kirchhoff Chlodwig
Published: February 2021

Background

In the modern western world appraisal of economical points such as treatment and disability after trauma present a financial burden. In this context open reduction internal fixation techniques allowing for early full weight bearing might not only improve the clinical outcome but also shorten the period of disability in working life. The aim of the study was to analyze whether ORIF of ankle fractures using either a standard semitubular plate or a new polyaxial locking plate system result in a better clinical outcome.

Methods

In this prospective study, all patients with distal fibula fractures (AO 44 B1.1, B1.2, B1.3), with indication for surgery were included. Patients were randomized to either the DePuy Synthes® one-third semitubular plate (Group I) or NEWCLIP TECHNICS, Active Ankle® polyaxial locking plate (Group II). Primary outcome parameter was function of the ankle joint, assessed by the Olerud and Molander ankle score, Foot and Ankle outcome score and Karlsson and Peterson Scoring System for Ankle function. Secondary outcome parameter were postoperative complications. Superficial wound infection, delayed wound healing, mechanically prominent implant, skin irritations were considered as minor and deep wound infection, material loosening, loss of reduction were regarded as major complications requiring revision surgery. Clinical and radiological follow-up were performed 6 and 12 weeks, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively.

Results

Fifty-two patients (31 W/21 M) with a mean age of 43 yrs. (range 22–64 yrs.) were enrolled. Seven patients (13.5%) were excluded, so that 45 patients were available for follow up. Twenty-five patients were treated with DePuy Synthes® one-third semitubular plate (55.6%; group I) while 20 patients received an anatomically preformed polyaxial locking plate (44.4%, group II). Four minor complications occurred in Group I (16%) compared to two minor complications in group II (10%). Significant better clinical results regarding OMAS (p < 0.02, < 0.04), KPSS (p < 0.04) and FAOS (p < 0.02, < 0.03) were observed 6 and 12 weeks after surgery in group II.

Conclusions

The results of the presented study demonstrate a significant better clinical functional outcome in the early postoperative follow-up in patients treated with a polyaxial locking plate. Furthermore, our data show that ORIF using polyaxial locking plates in combination with an early postoperative weight bearing presents a safe, stable treatment option for ankle fractures so that patients benefit especially in the early stages of recovery.

Trial registration

Registered 20 April 2020, retrospectively onClinicalTrails.gov(NCT04370561).
Generalized joint hypermobility, scoliosis, patellofemoral pain, and physical abilities in young dancers
Authors: Steinberg Nili , Tenenbaum Shay , Zeev Aviva , Pantanowitz Michal , Waddington Gordon , Dar Gali , Siev-Ner Itzhak
Published: February 2021

Background

Many young girls with generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) choose to participate in dance because their bodies are suited for this activity. Scoliosis tends to occur often in thin girls, who also are more likely to choose dance. Both anomalies (GJH and scoliosis) may be related to reduced abilities such as diminished strength and insufficient postural balance, with increased risk for musculoskeletal conditions. The main objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of dancers with GJH, the prevalence of dancers with scoliosis, and the prevalence of dancers with these two anomalies; and, to determine differences in physical abilities and the presence of patellofemoral pain (PFP) between young female dancers with and without such anomalies.

Methods

One hundred thirty-two female dancers, aged 12–14 years, were assessed for anthropometric parameters, GJH, scoliosis, knee muscle strength, postural balance, proprioception ability, and PFP.

Results

GJH was identified in 54 dancers (40.9%) and scoliosis in 38 dancers (28.8%). Significant differences were found in the proportion of dancers with no anomalies (74 dancers, 56.1%) and dancers with both anomalies (34 dancers, 25.8%) (p < .001). Dancers with both anomalies had reduced dynamic postural balance in the anterior direction (p = .023), reduced proprioception ability (p < .001), and weaker knee extensors (p = .036) and flexors (p = .040) compared with dancers with no anomalies. Among dancers with both anomalies, 73.5% suffered bilateral PFP, 17.6% suffered unilateral PFP, and 8.8% had no PFP (p < .001).

Conclusions

A high prevalence of young girls participating in dance classes had GJH, as the increased joint flexibility probably provides them with some esthetic advantages. The high prevalence of scoliosis found in these young dancers might be attributed to their relatively low body mass, their delayed maturation, and the selection process of dancers. Dancers with both GJH and scoliosis had decreased muscle strength, reduced postural balance, reduced proprioception, with higher risk of PFP. The main clinical implications are the need to reduce the risk of PFP among dancers by developing appropriate strength and stabilizing exercises combined with proprioceptive and postural balance training, to improve the correct alignment of the hyperextended and hypermobile joints, and to improve their supporting muscle strength.
Predictive factors for failure of the levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system in women with heavy menstrual bleeding
Authors: Beelen Pleun , van den Brink Marian J. , Herman Malou C. , Geomini Peggy M. , Duijnhoven Ruben G. , Bongers Marlies Y.
Published: February 2021

Background

This study was conducted to identify factors that are associated with failure of treatment using the levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in women with heavy menstrual bleeding.

Methods

For this study, data of a cohort of women treated with an LNG-IUS was used. Women who suffered from heavy menstrual bleeding, aged 34 years and older, without intracavitary pathology and without a future child wish, were recruited in hospitals and general practices in the Netherlands. Eight potential prognostic baseline variables (age, body mass index, caesarean section, vaginal delivery, previous treatment, anticoagulant use, dysmenorrhea, and pictorial blood assessment score) were analyzed using univariable and multivariable regression models to estimate the risk of failure. The main outcome measure was discontinuation of the LNG-IUS within 24 months of follow up, defined as removal of the LNG-IUS or receiving an additional intervention.

Results

A total of 209 women received the LNG-IUS, 201 women were included in the analyses. 93 women (46%) discontinued LNG-IUS treatment within 24 months. Multivariable analysis showed younger age (age below 45) (adjusted RR 1.51, 95% CI 1.10–2.09, p = .012) and severe dysmenorrhea (adjusted RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.01–1.82, p = .041) to be associated with a higher risk of discontinuation.

Conclusions

High discontinuation rates are found in women who receive an LNG-IUS to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. A younger age and severe dysmenorrhea are found to be risk factors for discontinuation of LNG-IUS treatment. These results are relevant for counselling women with heavy menstrual bleeding.
Rejecting the myth of equal opportunity: an agenda to eliminate racism in nursing education in the United States
Authors: Iheduru-Anderson Kechinyere C. , Wahi Monika M.
Published: February 2021

Background

Unfortunately, racism and discrimination against Ethnic minority (EM) has been globalized, universally infecting industries worldwide, and the field of nursing has not been spared. In the United States (US), overt and institutionalized racism (IR) still permeates the fields of nursing, nursing leadership, and nursing education. Programs to address these disparities, and efforts by nursing professional societies and nursing education policymaking bodies to address racism in the nursing field, specifically with nursing leadership and education, have met with little success.

Objective

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the existence and magnitude of racism and its impact on the fields of nursing, nursing leadership, and nursing education, and to make evidence-based recommendations for an agenda for reforming nursing education in the US.

Methods

A narrative literature review was conducted with a focus on pulling together the strongest evidence on which to base policy recommendations.

Results

Based on the available literature, we put forth five recommendations aimed at modifying nursing education in the US as a strategy to counter IR in the US in the nursing field.

Conclusions

Recommendations to address IR in nursing focus on nursing education, and involve implementing programs to address the lack of opportunity for both EM students and faculty in nursing, developing an anti-discriminatory pedagogy, and incorporating diversity initiatives as key performance indicators (KPIs) in the process of approval and accreditation of nursing programs.
Oxidative stress induction in woodworkers occupationally exposed to wood dust and formaldehyde
Authors: Ghelli Federica , Bellisario Valeria , Squillacioti Giulia , Grignani Elena , Garzaro Giacomo , Buglisi Martina , Bergamaschi Enrico , Bono Roberto
Published: February 2021

Background

Many workers are exposed to wood dust (WD) and formaldehyde (FA), whose carcinogenic activity is supposed to be oxidative stress-mediated. This study aims to assess to what extent the occupational exposure to WD and FA, albeit within regulatory limits, could result in OS induction in a woodworkers’ population.

Methods

The sample population consisted of 127 woodworkers from 4 factories and 111 unexposed controls. Individual exposure was assessed by personal air-samplers. Each participant enrolled in the study filled out a questionnaire and provided a urinary sample to quantify OS biomarkers, namely 15-F2t-IsoProstane (15-F2t-IsoP) and 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGuo). The main confounding factor for OS, i.e. tobacco smoking exposure, was assessed by measuring cotinine in urine samples.

Results

Woodworkers were exposed to significantly higher amounts of WD and FA as compared to controls (p < 0.001). Among OS biomarkers, 15-F2t-IsoP showed statistically significant higher values in woodworkers compared to controls (p = 0.004). A significant, positive correlation was observed between 15-F2t-IsoP and 8-oxo-dGuo (p = 0.005), cotinine (p = 0.05), FA (p < 0.001) and WD (p = 0.01); 8-oxo-dGuo was significantly correlated with cotinine (p = 0.001) and WD (p = 0.004). In addition, WD and FA were significantly correlated each other (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The study confirms that WD and FA may induce OS in woodworkers, and highlights that even the compliance with occupational exposure limits can result in measurable biological outcomes.
Reference-based QUantification Of gene Dispensability (QUOD)
Authors: Sielemann Katharina , Weisshaar Bernd , Pucker Boas
Published: February 2021

Background

Dispensability of genes in a phylogenetic lineage, e.g. a species, genus, or higher-level clade, is gaining relevance as most genome sequencing projects move to a pangenome level. Most analyses classify genes as core genes, which are present in all investigated individual genomes, and dispensable genes, which only occur in a single or a few investigated genomes. The binary classification as ‘core’ or ‘dispensable’ is often based on arbitrary cutoffs of presence/absence in the analysed genomes. Even when extended to ‘conditionally dispensable’, this concept still requires the assignment of genes to distinct groups.

Results

Here, we present a new method which overcomes this distinct classification by quantifying gene dispensability and present a dedicated tool for reference-based QUantification Of gene Dispensability (QUOD). As a proof of concept, sequence data of 966 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions (Ath-966) were processed to calculate a gene-specific dispensability score for each gene based on normalised coverage in read mappings. We validated this score by comparison of highly conserved Benchmarking Universal Single Copy Orthologs (BUSCOs) to all other genes. The average scores of BUSCOs were significantly lower than the scores of non-BUSCOs. Analysis of variation demonstrated lower variation values between replicates of a single accession than between iteratively, randomly selected accessions from the whole dataset Ath-966. Functional investigations revealed defense and antimicrobial response genes among the genes with high-dispensability scores.

Conclusions

Instead of classifying a gene as core or dispensable, QUOD assigns a dispensability score to each gene. Hence, QUOD facilitates the identification of candidate dispensable genes, associated with high dispensability scores, which often underlie lineage-specific adaptation to varying environmental conditions.
Clarifying the relationship between pulmonary langerhans cell histiocytosis and Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: McCarthy Cormac , Bugnet Emmanuelle , Benattia Amira , Keane Michael P. , Vedie Benoit , Lorillon Gwenaël , Tazi Abdellatif
Published: February 2021

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is a rare, smoking related, progressive diffuse cystic lung disease that occurs primarily in smokers. The aim of this study was to determine if there was an increase in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficient alleles or phenotypes in a large series of PLCH patients and whether serum alpha-1 antitrypsin levels correlated with markers of disease severity. Fifty PLCH patients, 24 with a diffuse cystic lung pattern and 26 with a typical nodulo-cystic pattern on imaging were included. The mean alpha-1 antitrypsin levels were in normal range for both the population with diffuse cystic lung pattern population (1.39 g/L ± 0.37) and the nodulo-cystic pattern group (1.41 g/L ± 0.21). Deficiency alleles PiZ and PiS were 1% and 2% respectively in the entire study population of 50 patients, demonstrating no increased incidence of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in PLCH. Alpha-1 antitrypsin levels showed no correlation with lung function parameters or extent of cystic lesions on lung computed tomography.
Causal relationships between genetically determined metabolites and human intelligence: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yang Jian , Zhao Binbin , Qian Li , Gao Fengjie , Fan Yanjuan , He Xiaoyan , Ma Qingyan , Yang Lihong , Yan Bin , Wang Wei , Ma Xiancang
Published: February 2021

Intelligence predicts important life and health outcomes, but the biological mechanisms underlying differences in intelligence are not yet understood. The use of genetically determined metabotypes (GDMs) to understand the role of genetic and environmental factors, and their interactions, in human complex traits has been recently proposed. However, this strategy has not been applied to human intelligence. Here we implemented a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using GDMs to assess the causal relationships between genetically determined metabolites and human intelligence. The standard inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used for the primary MR analysis and three additional MR methods (MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO) were used for sensitivity analyses. Using 25 genetic variants as instrumental variables (IVs), our study found that 5-oxoproline was associated with better performance in human intelligence tests (PIVW = 9.25 × 10–5). The causal relationship was robust when sensitivity analyses were applied (PMR-Egger = 0.0001, PWeighted median = 6.29 × 10–6, PMR-PRESSO = 0.0007), and repeated analysis yielded consistent result (PIVW = 0.0087). Similarly, also dihomo-linoleate (20:2n6) and p-acetamidophenylglucuronide showed robust association with intelligence. Our study provides novel insight by integrating genomics and metabolomics to estimate causal effects of genetically determined metabolites on human intelligence, which help to understanding of the biological mechanisms related to human intelligence.
Propofol suppresses cell viability, cell cycle progression and motility and induces cell apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells through suppressing MEK/ERK signaling via targeting circVPS13C/miR-145 axis
Authors: Lu Huan , Zheng Guanlin , Gao Xiang , Chen Chanjuan , Zhou Min , Zhang Longxin
Published: February 2021

Background

Propofol is a kind of common intravenous anaesthetic agent that plays an anti-tumor role in a variety of cancers, including ovarian cancer. However, the working mechanism of Propofol in ovarian cancer needs further exploration.

Methods

The viability and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells were assessed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and transwell assays. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the cell cycle and apoptosis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to examine the abundance of circular RNA vacuolar protein sorting 13 homolog C (circVPS13C) and microRNA-145 (miR-145). The target relationship between miR-145 and circVPS13C was predicted by circinteractome database and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and RNA-pull down assay. Western blot assay was used to detect the levels of phosphorylated extracellular regulated MAP kinase (p-ERK), ERK, p-MAP kinse-ERK kinase (p-MEK) and MEK, in ovarian cancer cells.

Results

Propofol treatment suppressed the viability, cell cycle and motility and elevated the apoptosis rate of ovarian cancer cells. Propofol up-regulated miR-145 in a dose-dependent manner. Propofol exerted an anti-tumor role partly through up-regulating miR-145. MiR-145 was a direct target of circVPS13C. Propofol suppressed the progression of ovarian cancer through up-regulating miR-145 via suppressing circVPS13C. Propofol functioned through circVPS13C/miR-145/MEK/ERK signaling in ovarian cancer cells.

Conclusion

Propofol suppressed the proliferation, cell cycle, migration and invasion and induced the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells through circVPS13C/miR-145/MEK/ERK signaling in vitro.
Recent advances on biomass-fueled microbial fuel cell
Authors: Moradian Jamile Mohammadi , Fang Zhen , Yong Yang-Chun
Published: February 2021

Biomass is one of the most abundant renewable energy resources on the earth, which is also considered as one of the most promising alternatives to traditional fuel energy. In recent years, microbial fuel cell (MFC) which can directly convert the chemical energy from organic compounds into electric energy has been developed. By using MFC, biomass energy could be directly harvested with the form of electricity, the most convenient, wide-spread, and clean energy. Therefore, MFC was considered as another promising way to harness the sustainable energies in biomass and added new dimension to the biomass energy industry. In this review, the pretreatment methods for biomass towards electricity harvesting with MFC, and the microorganisms utilized in biomass-fueled MFC were summarized. Further, strategies for improving the performance of biomass-fueled MFC as well as future perspectives were highlighted.
The importance of implementing inpatient virtual coverage in an endocrinology practice: lessons learned thus far from the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Griebeler Marcio L. , Pantalone Kevin M. , Gambino Ron , Shewmon David , Morrow Jay , Mendlovic Daniel , Makin Vinni , Hamaty Marwan , Hasan Sana , Lansang M. Cecilia , Zhou Keren , Burguera Bartolome
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly changed the landscape of medical care and the healthcare system needs to quickly adapt in order to continue providing optimal medical care to hospitalized patients in an efficient, effective, and safe manner. Endocrinology diseases are commonly present in patients with COVID-19 and often are major risk factors for development of severe disease. The use of electronic consultation and telemedicine have already been well-established in the outpatient setting but yet not commonly implemented in the inpatient arena. This type of remote medical care has the potential to provide a reliable delivery of endocrine care while protecting providers and patients from spreading infection. This short review intends to provide the initial steps for the development of an inpatient telemedicine endocrine service to patients with endocrine diseases. Telehealth will become part of our daily practices and has a potential to provide a safe and efficient method of consultative service.
Activity patterns of the soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus throughout the year in southern Norway
Authors: Frafjord Karl
Published: February 2021

Background

Most temperate bats are regular hibernators in the winter. Knowledge about the length of their active season and how they adjust their nightly activity throughout the season, is critical to conservation. The characteristics of these are likely to vary with climate as well as latitude. This study investigated the flight activity of the soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus in Frafjord, a small valley in the south-western corner of Norway (58° 50′N 6° 18′E) with an oceanic climate.

Results

Activity was recorded with an ultrasound recorder throughout April 2018 to June 2019 at one site, with supplemental recordings in March to June 2020, i.e., covering all months of the year. Recordings at other nearby sites were made in the summers (June–August) of 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020, as well as some of the last days in December 2019 to the first days of January 2020. Overall, soprano pipistrelles were recorded flying in all months of the year, but very few in December–March. Regular activity was recorded from late April or early May until late October, and some recordings were also made in November. The highest numbers of recordings were made in August and September. Social calls, i.e. male song flights, were recorded from April to November, with the vast majority in August and September. Nearly all recordings were made between sunset and sunrise.

Conclusions

The soprano pipistrelle in this region showed regular activity through 6–7 months of the year. It adjusted its activity to the changing night length throughout the year, closely following sunset and sunrise. It was rarely recorded flying before sunset and almost never after sunrise. Most activity was recorded in the middle of the night, and social calls also followed this trend closely. Harems in late summer and autumn were confirmed in a bat box, which was also used for winter hibernation.
Interplay Between Class II HLA Genotypes and the Microbiome and Immune Phenotypes in Individuals With PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome
Authors: Jia Margaret , Sangwan Naseer , Tzeng Alice , Eng Charis
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE

We evaluate potential contributors to the development of autoimmunity and other phenotypes consistent with immune dysregulation in individuals with germline mutations in the tumor suppressor gene PTEN in this observational report.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Illumina sequencing of bacterial and fungal microbes was carried out on patient-donated fecal samples in a cohort of 67 patients with pathogenic germline PTEN mutations, including 41 individuals with autoimmunity and/or phenotypes consistent with immune dysregulation (cases) and 26 individuals without (controls). From these data, we measured differences in alpha and beta diversity between cases and controls and identified differentially abundant bacterial and fungal taxa using phyloseq and MicrobiomeSeq packages in R. We analyzed correlations between these taxa and specific HLA genotypes, along with correlations between HLA diversity and microbial diversity, by conducting high-resolution HLA genotyping at four class II loci (DRB1, DRB345, DQA1, and DQB1).

RESULTS

We found that alpha diversity distributions for both bacterial and fungal genera were statistically different between cases and controls. We identified differentially abundant bacterial and fungal taxa between cases and controls. Network analysis of differentially abundant bacterial taxa revealed some co-varying bacterial genera. We additionally found significant correlations between certain HLA genotypes and certain taxa and significant correlations between HLA diversity and alpha diversity.

CONCLUSION

PTEN-associated immune phenotypes might be influenced by the gut microbiome, and class II HLA molecules, in part, crosstalk with the gut microbiome. These preliminary observations should lay the groundwork for future studies to ultimately derive clinical measures, which could use gut microbiome and HLA molecule biomarkers to predict, and perhaps prevent, immunity and inflammation in patients predisposed to cancer because of germline PTEN mutations.
Hearts in the Hometown: Diaspora Consciousness and Literature of the Tang and Song
Authors: Hor Wendy
Published: February 2021

Originating in the experience of geographical dispersion and survival, the concept of diaspora (lisan 離散) can be extended to diaspora consciousness (lisan yishi 離散意識) and its correlate, return consciousness (huigui yishi 回歸意識). The famous group of Tang and Song intellectuals who were forced to leave hometown political/cultural centers and dream, perennially, of return constitutes the early Chinese embodiment of diaspora-return consciousness. For many “hometown” (guxiang 故鄉) came to mean not just their homeland but their ideal destination or spiritual home, as in Su Shi's 蘇軾 (1037–1101) “wherever my heart is at peace is my home.” The layered features of this diaspora-return (lisan-huigui 離散—回歸) consciousness led to a unique literary style and the development of tropes that would shape Chinese writing for a millennium. Political banishment yielded an unintended yet undeniable cultural value.
The Art of Chinese Prose: A Critical Introduction
Authors: Cai Zong-qi
Published: February 2021

This article opens with a reflection on the extrinsic and intrinsic causes of the neglect of Chinese prose in sinological literary studies, followed by the construction of a patterning-based scheme for codifying Chinese prose forms. An in-depth analysis of eight famous texts, drawn from antiquity through the Qing, reveals how continual innovations in extratextual patterning and textual patterning have given rise to manifold and inherently related prose forms over the millennia. The close reading also sheds light on these prose forms' distinctive artistic features, as well as their symbiotic relationships with the three types of genres (narrative, descriptive, and expository) and with broad sociopolitical and cultural developments. It is hoped that these findings will generate serious interest in prose studies among literary sinologists.
Mitigating Malicious Insider Attacks in the Internet of Things using Supervised Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Ahmad Mir Shahnawaz , Shah Shahid Mehraj
Published: February 2021

The interconnection of large number of smart devices and sensors for critical information gathering and analysis over the internet has given rise to the Internet of Things (IoT) network. In recent times, IoT has emerged as a prime field for solving diverse real-life problems by providing a smart and affordable solutions. The IoT network has various constraints like: limited computational capacity of sensors, heterogeneity of devices, limited energy resource and bandwidth etc. These constraints restrict the use of high-end security mechanisms, thus making these type of networks more vulnerable to various security attacks including malicious insider attacks. Also, it is very difficult to detect such malicious insiders in the network due to their unpredictable behaviour and the ubiquitous nature of IoT network makes the task more difficult. To solve such problems machine learning techniques can be used as they have the ability to learn the behaviour of the system and predict the particular anomaly in the system. So, in this paper we have discussed various security requirements and challenges in the IoT network. We have also applied various supervised machine learning techniques on available IoT dataset to deduce which among them is best suited to detect the malicious insider attacks in the IoT network.
Autorrevelación docente: una revisión de la literatura.
Authors: Peña Froment Facundo Alberto , García González Alfonso Javier , Bohórquez Gómez-Millán María Rocío
Published: February 2021

To maximize student learning, teachers intentionally exhibit certain behaviors to build interpersonal relationships with students. One of the behaviors that teachers incorporate in their teaching to clarify and improve students’ understanding of the course content is self-disclosure. However, when it is used inappropriately, it may damage student learning opportunities. Thus, the purpose of this research was to establish the state of the art on teacher self-disclosure through a systematic review of the existing literature, establishing itseffect on the teaching-learning process. A bibliographic search was carried out in different national and international databases, selecting 39 scientific articles for the revision, published between 1982 and 2019, that met the established inclusion criteria. Regarding the effect of teacher self-disclosure on the teaching-learning process, 6 categories weredetermined: cognitive learning, affective learning, academic motivation, participation and interest, teacher-student out-of-class communication and perceptions and evaluations of the teacher, including in each of them the main results of the articles included in the analysis. Based on the obtained results, it is highlighted the need that, in order to promote student learning, teacher self-disclosure must be moderate, relevant and positive.
Caracterizando la construcción de espacios metodológicos-organizativos en Educación Infantil.
Authors: Conde Vélez Sara , Delgado García Manuel , García Prieto Francisco Javier
Published: February 2021

Research focused on ECE (Early Childhood Education) stage teachers brings to light multiple models for classroom management associated with different didactic-pedagogical strategies, ranging from models close to management styles (predominant in the Spanish context) to others in which unplanned or free time predominates. Our investigation is based on the opinion of 1.350 ECE teachers in Andalusia (Spain) on positivist method principles, with an exploratory and correlational intention and the support of an ad hoc designed questionnaire, we try to identify and explore the possible correlations between methodological-organisational aspects, as well as their influence or degree of determination on the interactions that take place in the ECE classroom. The results obtained after a structural equations analysis confirmed the positive influence of some methodological-organisational aspects implemented by the teacher on the type of interactions that arise when working with learning corners in the ECE. We conclude that in order to dynamise the classroom environment it is necessary to diversify the methodological-organisational aspects that accompany teaching work, overcoming the reluctance detected in part of the teaching staff and inviting them to reflect upon training in positive attitudes towards change.
From Black Hole to the Pearl of the Mediterranean: A New Idea of Nation for Independent Montenegro
Authors: Violante Antonio
Published: February 2021

After the separation from Serbia following a referendum in 2006, the Republic of Montenegro started rebuilding its international image by reinventing its past and present. In fact, through an extensive campaign in both foreign and domestic media, the government attempted to change the perception of Montenegro’s history, focusing especially on the difference between Serbs and Montenegrins. This is understandable considering the minimal numeric superiority of those in favour of the independence, where the national factor was the main determinant. The image of the new Montenegrins, also in light of Montenegro’s route to joining the EU, must be detached from Serbia’s problems (– such as Kosovo) and must divert attention from the ever‑growing problem of international criminal traffic. One of the most emblematic examples of such recreation of virtue are the commercials for Montenegrin tourism, inviting to explore ancient forests, enjoy traditional food and experience “Montenegrin hospitality”: the aim is to send a positive message of non‑nationalistic, Europe‑friendly ethnicity. The purpose is also for Montenegro to be perceived as serene, as opposed to the ex‑partner country, seen largely as wildly nationalistic and ethnically obsessed: therefore, a new form of “soft” ethno‑cultural image has been introduced, incorporating only the best and cleverly minimizing the “non‑acceptable” aspects of its culture and history.
Ethnopolitics as Co‑operation and Coexistence: The Case‑Study of the Jewish Autonomous Region in Siberia
Authors: Vitale Alessandro
Published: February 2021

It would be a mistake to assume that ethnopolitics is only a matter of confrontation between different ethnic groups. On the contrary, there is a range of examples where it is pursued in a spirit of compromise and co‑operation. One of them is the case of the Jewish Autonomous Region of Birobidzhan, in Post‑Soviet Russia. Often ethnic groups realize that co‑operation and cultural coexistence are more profitable than conflict. Beginning in 1928 the Soviet Union set aside a territory the size of Belgium for Jewish settlement, located some five thousands miles east of Moscow along the Soviet‑Chinese border. Believing that Soviet Jewish people, like other national minorities, deserved a territorial homeland, the regime decided to settle an enclave that would become the Jewish Autonomous Region in 1934. In fact, the establishment of the JAR was the first instance of an officially acknowledged Jewish national territory since ancient times. But the history of the Region was tragic and the experiment failed dismally. Nevertheless, Birobidzhan’s renewed existence of today is not only a curious legacy of Soviet national policy, but after the break‑up of the Soviet Union and the definite religious rebirth, represents an interesting case‑study in respect to interethnic relations.
Louiz Zamperini's American Dreams as Reflected in the Film Unbroken
Authors: Khairiah Masruriati
Published: February 2021

In this undergraduate thesis describes about American dream and motivation theory. This is aiming at analyzing motivation’s role in human life to fulfill their needs by focusing to the main character. The concept of American dream can be seen in Louis Zamperini as the main character of this film in principle of life. Hence, this undergraduate thesis has two main objectives to describe the Louis Zamperini’s dreams and to analyze Louis Zamperini’s motivation in his survival as the prisoner of Japan as reflected in the film Unbroken.This research is under a descriptive qualitative method. Therefore, library research is used for compiling both primary data and secondary data. The primary data is adopted from the film, meanwhile the secondary data refer to some sources, such as books, journals, articles, and on-line data from internet. Method of American studies as an interdisciplinary approach is also applied along with theories to analyze the problem formulation in this research. After the data are collected, they are analyzed by using the psychological study approach, and focuses on theory Hierarchy Needs of Abraham Maslow. Maslow’s theory explained the description of motivation based on needs. The hierarchy dividing to physiological needs, safety needs, love needs, esteem needs, and needs for self-actualization. Then, the writer uses American dream concept such as the dream of good life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.The results of this research, the researcher found that Louis Zamperini as the main character what he did in life, there is a motivation that supports him to reach his dream like other immigrants who came to America using this concept in general. The American dream and motivation are still adopted in some American films as popular culture. Hence, it proves that American dream still exists with different style like media of film.
The personality of Krystal Weedon in J.K Rowling’s the casual vacancy : a psychoanalysis study
Authors: Sutrisno Selvie M.S.
Published: February 2021

The writer discuss about the personality of the main character, Krystal Weedon, in The Casual Vacancy. The writer focuses on the personality of Krystal Weedon by using psychoanalysis approach. In this research, the writer used qualitative research method. Quality refers to the what, how, when, and where of a thing its essence and ambience. This novel described a unique personality of Krystal Weedon as a teenager that has many problems in her life. By means of the background above, the writer would like to analyze the novel The Casual Vacancy using psychoanalysis study to reveal the personality of the main character in this novel.
The Impact of divorce on the main male character, Steve Miller, as reflected in Nicholas Sparks’s the last song
Authors: Kusumaningrum Nur Fitrah
Published: February 2021

The Last Song written by Nicholas Sparks is a novel that tells about family conflict that begins from the divorce between the parents and involves their children. The children must face the reality about their parents’ divorce when they are at the age of ten and seventeen. Not only for their children, but the divorce also brings an impact to the main male character, Steve Miller, in this novel. There is misunderstanding at the beginning in children’s comprehension about the causes of the divorce in their family. But after they know, especially the daughter, everything has changed between the main male character and his children. The aims of this study are to analyze the cause of the divorce and the impact of divorce on male male character, Steve Miller, as reflected in Nicholas Sparks’s The Last Song. The writer uses psychological approach to analyse the cause and the impact of the divorce on the main male character, Steve Miller, as reflected in Nicholas Sparks’s The Last Song. The writer also uses qualitative research method. The primary data are taken from the copy of novel The Last Song (2010) in the form quotation, phrase, and clauses or in the form of sentences that are related to the points discussed in this research. While, the secondary data are taken from all the analysis and criticism related to the novel. This secondary data of this research are also taken from some library documents and internet sources. The result of this study shows that the cause of the divorce in Nicholas Sparks’s The Last Song is because the male main character’s wife had affair with the stranger that he does not know before. It makes the communication with his wife is rarely done. It also involves their children and makes the relationship between father and daughter is broken. Not only to the relationship between the family members, but this divorce also give effects to the main character’s psychological and physical states.
The laparoscopy in emergency general surgery (LEGS) study: a questionnaire survey of UK practice
Authors: Heywood N , Parmar KL , Stott M , Sodde P , Doherty DT , Lim J , Sharma A ,   On behalf of the LEGS Study Group* and the North West Research Collaborative
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Recent consensus guidelines suggest that the laparoscopic approach may be a useful, safe and feasible approach in emergency general surgery. Despite this, the UK National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) suggests the rate of laparoscopy is low (9% fully laparoscopic) and slow to increase over time. A European survey found uptake to be variable. This UK survey was therefore undertaken to establish current UK practice and to determine factors affecting implementation.

Materials and methods

A questionnaire survey of currently practising UK consultant general surgeons was carried out by the North West Surgical Research Collaborative, using a secure web-based database maintained by the North West Surgical Trials Centre.

Results

A total of 151 completed questionnaires were returned from 22 UK centres; 18% of respondents were unaware that laparoscopic cases should be reported to NELA. Appendicectomy (97%) and cholecystectomy (87%) were routinely performed laparoscopically. Laparoscopy was infrequently used in perforation, ischaemia or obstructed hernias. There appears to be equipoise regarding laparoscopic compared with open surgery in small-bowel obstruction among all subspecialty emergency general surgeons, in perforated peptic ulcer among upper gastrointestinal surgeons and in Hinchey III diverticulitis among colorectal surgeons.

Conclusion

Uptake of laparoscopy in UK emergency general surgery is influenced by surgeon preference, subspecialty, patient and operative factors. Further research into outcomes may help to identify areas of greatest potential benefit. The rate of laparoscopy reported by NELA may be an underestimate due to the 18% of surgeons unaware that laparoscopic cases should be reported, which may affect the validity of analyses performed from this dataset.
The provision of a time-critical elective surgical service during the COVID-19 Crisis: a UK experience
Authors: Burden EG , Walker RW , Ferguson DJ , Goubran AMF , Howell JR , John JB , Khan F , McGrath JS , Evans JP
Published: February 2021

Introduction

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, all elective surgery was temporarily suspended in the UK, allowing for diversion of resource to manage the anticipated surge of critically unwell patients. Continuing to deliver time-critical surgical care is important to avoid excess morbidity and mortality from pathologies unrelated to COVID-19. We describe the implementation and short-term surgical outcomes from a system to deliver time-critical elective surgical care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

A protocol for the prioritisation and safe delivery of time-critical surgery at a COVID-19 ‘clean’ site was implemented at the Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital, an independent sector hospital in the southwest of England. Outcomes to 30 days postoperatively were recorded, including unplanned admissions after daycase surgery, readmissions and complications, as well as the incidence of perioperative COVID-19 infection in patients and staff.

Results

A total of 128 surgical procedures were performed during a 31-day period by a range of specialties including breast, plastics, urology, gynaecology, vascular and cardiology. There was one unplanned admission and and two readmissions. Six complications were identified, and all were Clavien-Dindo grade 1 or 2. All 128 patients had preoperative COVID-19 swabs, one of which was positive and the patient had their surgery delayed. Ten patients were tested for COVID-19 postoperatively, with none testing positive.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated the implementation of a safe system for delivery of time-critical elective surgical care at a COVID-19 clean site. Other healthcare providers may benefit from implementation of similar methodology as hospitals plan to restart elective surgery.
Safe surgical tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19: key clinical considerations
Authors: Maity A , Panesar H , Kajekar P , Singh P , Panesar J
Published: February 2021

Surgical tracheostomy is a high aerosol-generating procedure that is an essential aid to the recovery of patients who are critically ill with COVID-19 pneumonia. We present a single-centre case series of 16 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who underwent tracheostomy. We recommend that the patient selection criteria for achieving a favourable outcome should be based on fraction of inspired oxygen together with prone-position ventilation. As with any challenging situation, the importance of effective communication is paramount. The critical modifications in the surgical steps are clearly explained. Timely tracheostomy also leads to an earlier freeing up of ventilator space during a period of a rapidly escalating pandemic. The outcomes in terms of swallow and speech function were also assessed. The study has also helped to remove the anxiety around open a tracheostomy in patients who are COVID-19 positive.
Is there a ‘weekend effect’ in elective lower limb arthroplasty?
Authors: Higgins M , Nightingale J , Sehat K
Published: February 2021

Introduction

The weekend effect has been defined as a real or perceived decline in patient care provided on weekends and that provided on weekdays. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the association between day of surgery and length of stay for patients receiving elective lower limb joint arthroplasty in a large NHS teaching hospital.

Materials and methods

Data were obtained from a prospectively collected database of consecutive patients undergoing elective primary total knee and hip arthroplasty. Patient and clinical variables were collected alongside length of hospital stay. Data were anonymised and analysed using a multiple linear regression model.

Results

A total of 3,544 knee and 3,277 hip replacements were included. No association was found between length of stay and day of surgery for either procedure. A significant association was noted between longer length of stay and increasing age, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists grade and male compared with female gender.

Discussion

No evidence of a weekend effect was identified. Certain patient factors predicted longer hospital stay and focussing additional resources on these patient groups may prove a useful strategy in reducing overall length of stay.

Conclusions

Length of stay reduced across the time period included in this review while maintaining equality between the days of the week, which represents the successful management of weekend services.
Low immunogenicity of common cancer hot spot mutations resulting in false immunogenic selection signals
Authors: Claeys Arne , Luijts Tom , Marchal Kathleen , Van den Eynden Jimmy
Published: February 2021

Cancer is driven by somatic mutations that result in a cellular fitness advantage. This selective advantage is expected to be counterbalanced by the immune system when these driver mutations simultaneously lead to the generation of neoantigens, novel peptides that are presented at the cancer cell membrane via HLA molecules from the MHC complex. The presentability of these peptides is determined by a patient’s MHC genotype and it has been suggested that this results in MHC genotype-specific restrictions of the oncogenic mutational landscape. Here, we generated a set of virtual patients, each with an identical and prototypical MHC genotype, and show that the earlier reported HLA affinity differences between observed and unobserved mutations are unrelated to MHC genotype variation. We demonstrate how these differences are secondary to high frequencies of 13 hot spot driver mutations in 6 different genes. Several oncogenic mechanisms were identified that lower the peptides’ HLA affinity, including phospho-mimicking substitutions inBRAF, destabilizing tyrosine mutations inTP53and glycine-rich mutational contexts in the GTP-bindingKRASdomain. In line with our earlier findings, our results emphasize that HLA affinity predictions are easily misinterpreted when studying immunogenic selection processes.