bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delegation, capture and endogenous information structures
Authors: Lefebvre Perrin , Martimort David
Published: July 2022

A substantial literature has been devoted to analyzing how legislators delegate regulatory power to a more knowledgeable agency. Yet, much less attention has been paid to understand how this delegation process is shaped by the environment in which this agency operates, and more specifically by the actions of interest groups. We propose a model of regulatory capture to assess how the distribution of information across interest groups and agencies impacts optimal delegation. Whether an interest group and his agency share information or not determines the scope for capture and how much discretion should be left to this agency in response. Whether asymmetric information reduces or increases discretion depends on the biases of the group and the agency vis-à-vis Congress. Groups that are more aligned with Congress collect politically relevant information, while more extreme groups remain poorly informed. The information structure that endogenously emerges increases discretion under broad circumstances.
Les musulmanes de Soumission face au marché cognitif
Authors: Alaya Seghair Sana
Published: July 2022

Presumably guilty of an “ increasing visibility”, the ostentatious presence of Muslim women in the streets of France participates, in Michel Houellebecq's novel Soumission, in this fashionable jeremiad announcing the slow and painful decadence of France and the West. In burqa, veiled or naked, they are the actors of an insidious implementation of a new word in the old one which does not go without leaving scares. Arab women painted as both conquerors and submissive would be the translation of a French historical awareness marked by a surrender to a creeping islam. In the light of the sociological work of Gérald Bronner, this article proposes to think and evaluate the stereotypical representation of the Muslim woman as pernicious contribution to a cognitive market where the most risky beliefs are competing.
A confusion of tongues: Trauma, fantasy, and dissociation in Lacanian theory and the imperative for social change
Authors: Logan Jenny
Published: July 2022

Discussions of treatment and recovery from child sexual abuse often focus on the therapeutic aspects of speech and witness. Using concepts from Lacanian theory and from Sandor Ferenczi’s account of child sexual trauma, this article argues that speech and witness are not, in themselves, sufficient to facilitate recovery. While misogyny and violence are embedded within the available symbolic contexts within which survivors must attempt to recover, social and political change is needed to enable recovery for survivors of sexual abuse. Implications for recovery from other socially sanctioned traumas, such as racial trauma, are explored.
Rural Entrepreneurship through Khadi and Village Industries
Authors: Supekar Shobha , Dhage S. K.
Published: July 2022

In India, about 70% population lives in villages. Village industries play a very crucial role in the country’s economic development as well as rural development. Rural entrepreneurship is not only important for generating employment opportunities in the rural areas with low capital cost and raising the real income of the people, but it also contributes to the development of agriculture. Rural entrepreneurship is one of the solutions to eradicate poverty, stop migration, minimise economic disparity, solve unemployment problem and develop rural and backward areas. Khadi and village industries play an important role in promoting rural entrepreneurship.

The present article is based on secondary data. It explains the concept of rural entrepreneurship and role of khadi and village industries in promoting rural entrepreneurship.
Divisiveness, splintering, and the rational interpretation of text
Authors: Joslyn Jacqueline
Published: July 2022

In a historical case study, this paper explores the mechanisms by which the rational interpretation of written text can produce divisiveness and splintering. The mechanisms of division are derived from theories of organizational rationality, cultural logics, organizational memory, and group conflict. The propositions are explored in an analysis of common sense rationality with a focus on the 19th century Stone-Campbell movement. When emotions are not adequately integrated into the culture of rational interpretation, group conflict can arise. The material characteristics of written text combined with a high-diffusion, low-hierarchy, highly recorded and publicized, and proactively contentious, emotionally triggering environment creates a breeding ground for division. The analysis paints a multi-dimensional picture of division and splintering from a sociomaterial standpoint.
Complex Disease Individual Molecular Characterization Using Infinite Sparse Graphical Independent Component Analysis
Authors: Rincourt Sarah-Laure , Michiels Stefan , Drubay Damien
Published: July 2022

Identifying individual mechanisms involved in complex diseases, such as cancer, is essential for precision medicine. Their characterization is particularly challenging due to the unknown relationships of high-dimensional omics data and their inter-patient heterogeneity. We propose to model individual gene expression as a combination of unobserved molecular mechanisms (molecular components) that may differ between the individuals. Considering a baseline molecular profile common to all individuals, these molecular components may represent molecular pathways differing from the population background. We defined an infinite sparse graphical independent component analysis (isgICA) to identify these molecular components. This model relies on double sparseness: the source matrix sparseness defines the subset of genes involved in each molecular component, whereas the weight matrix sparseness identifies the subset of molecular components associated with each patient. As the number of molecular components is unknown but likely high, we simultaneously inferred it and the weight matrix sparseness using the beta-Bernoulli process (BBP). We simulated data from a double sparse ICA with 10/30 components with specific sparseness structures for 100/500 individuals and 500/1000/5000 genes with different noise variance levels to evaluate the reconstruction of the latent structures by our model. For all simulations, the isgICA was able to reconstruct with higher accuracy than 2 state-of-the-art methods ( ica and fastICA) the number of components, the weight and source matrix sparsenesses (correlation simulated/estimated >.8). Applying our model to the expression of 1063 genes of 614 breast cancer patients, the isgICA identified 22 components. According to the source matrix, 7 of these 22 components seemed to be specifically related to 3 known molecular pathways with a prognostic effect in early breast cancer (immune system, proliferation, and stroma invasion). This proposed algorithm provides an insight into individual molecular heterogeneity to better understand complex disease mechanisms.
Support for Native-Themed Mascots and Opposition to Political Correctness
Authors: Burns Mason D. , Granz Erica L. , Williams Kipling D.
Published: July 2022

Despite the well-documented harmful effects of Native-themed mascots, Native-themed mascots have many supporters who decry the politically correct efforts to remove these mascots. Although ostensibly unrelated to race/racism, we reasoned that invoking anti-PC attitudes allow prejudiced people to indirectly support Native-themed mascots while minimizing the appearance of being biased. Three studies ( N = 587) found that anti-Native bias predicted anti-PC attitudes and, in turn, Native-themed mascot support. In Studies 2 and 3, participants varying in anti-PC attitudes considered a university changing their Native-themed mascot for PC or non-PC reasons. Anti-PC attitudes predicted opposition to changing Native-themed mascots in both conditions. However, the effect of anti-PC attitudes was stronger in the PC condition where social justice norms were salient. These results suggest that, for many, anti-PC attitudes reflect more than just opposition to political correctness and are used by prejudiced people to indirectly defend controversial mascots without appearing prejudiced.
How Brand Innovativeness Generates Positive Word of Mouth
Authors: Cuong Pham Hung , Nguyen-Le Xuan-Doanh , Ngo Liem Viet , Nguyen Nguyen Phong
Published: July 2022

Prior research offers little guidance on how competence-based brand factors can help transmitting positive word of mouth (PWOM). Building upon signaling theory, we propose that a brand’s efforts into innovativeness reinforce the message that “we have the competence to deliver what promised,” which in turn generates PWOM. We collected longitudinal survey data using two measurement waves with a 4 week interval among respondents from an online customer panel. The results indicate that brand innovativeness has an indirect positive relationship with PWOM, mediated by perceived brand expertise. We also find that altruism positively moderates the relationship between perceived brand expertise and PWOM. The theoretical contributions and managerial implications are also discussed.
‘Say it in Swedish!’: Babies, belonging and multilingualism in an integration initiative activity in Sweden
Authors: Paul Enni , Adams Lyngbäck Liz
Published: July 2022

The aim of this article is to critically examine ideas about language and integration in a non-governmental integration programme targeting parents of small children in Sweden. Through ethnographic and netnographic fieldwork of parenting experiences it is revealed that monolingual ideologies conflate with iconic figures reproducing and reinforcing language norms. Some parents – i.e. non-white non-Swedish speaking – are made into ‘language projects’ when the white Swedish parents take on the role of the ‘integration teacher’ acting as language and parenting role models. The Others' multilingualism is celebrated from within Swedishness, with multilingualism treated as a commodity. This contrasts with the risk of loss - experience of multilingualism by parents with migration background. The inscription of the harms of segregated society on non-white, non-Swedish mothers shows the powerful mechanisms obscuring that integration initiatives operate from monolingual norms within a neoliberal workfare model which creates programs which have unintended effects.
A Case-Series Study Examining Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Experiential Avoidance-Related Mixed Anxiety and Depression in a Telehealth Platform
Authors: Spencer Samuel D. , Meyer Monet S. , Masuda Akihiko
Published: July 2022

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a process-based, transdiagnostic approach to treatment that seeks to increase values-based, adaptive functioning (i.e., engaged living [EL]) in part through attenuating the impact of experiential avoidance (EA). The present case-series study examined EL and EA as mechanisms of change within a 10-week course of individual ACT delivered via a telehealth platform. Participants were two adult women with mental health concerns associated with clinically elevated EA. Throughout the study, we collected (a) daily self-monitored clinically relevant behaviors, (b) daily and weekly measures of EL and EA, and (c) pre-, mid-, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up measures of psychopathology, quality of life, and ACT-related outcome variables. Results showed support for the efficacy of ACT, with both participants demonstrating slight improvements in clinically relevant behaviors, along with expected improvements in EL and EA. These favorable results were most pronounced for Participant 1. Results are discussed in the context of COVID-19-related adaptations (including telehealth), and within the framework of process-based ACT and its transdiagnostic applicability to a range of mental health concerns.
Sex hormone-related polymorphisms in endometriosis and migraine: A narrative review
Authors: van der Vaart Joy-Fleur , Merki-Feld Gabriele Susanne
Published: July 2022

Some evidence indicates endometriosis and migraine have a common genetic predisposition in sex-hormone genes, which could have important implications for the treatment of these two heterogenous conditions. To date, the genes responsibility remains unknown. Based on the biological hypothesis that polymorphisms of genes involved in sex-hormone pathways may influence estrogen levels and phenotypes of both disorders, we did a literature search for candidate sex-hormone genes and genes involved in the metabolism of estradiol. The aim was to review the evidence for shared sex-hormone-related polymorphisms between endometriosis and migraine and provide an exhaustive overview of the current literature. We included case-control studies investigating associations between candidate sex-hormone-related genes and the disorders endometriosis and migraine, respectively. Results showed three overlapping sex-hormone-associated polymorphisms in estrogen receptor genes that are associated with both conditions. To confirm possible associations with other sex-hormone genes, larger studies are needed.
Comprehensive analysis of MET mutations in NSCLC patients in a real-world setting
Authors: Ai Xinghao , Yu Yongfeng , Zhao Jun , Sheng Wang , Bai Jing , Fan Zaiwen , Liu Xuemei , Ji Wenxiang , Chen Rongrong , Lu Shun
Published: July 2022

Background:

Aberrant mesenchymal–epithelial transition/hepatocyte growth factor (MET/HGF) regulation presented in a wide variety of human cancers. MET exon 14 skipping, copy number gain (CNG), and kinase domain mutations/arrangements were associated with increased MET activity, and considered to be oncogenic drivers of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs).

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed 564 patients with MET alterations. MET alterations were classified into structural mutations or small mutations. MET CNG, exon 14 skipping, gain of function (GOF) mutations, and kinase domain rearrangement were defined as actionable mutations.

Results:

Six hundred thirty-two MET mutations were identified including 199 CNG, 117 exon 14 skipping, 12 GOF mutations, and 2 actionable fusions. Higher percentage of MET structural alterations (CNG + fusion) were detected in advanced NSCLC patients. Moreover, MET CNG was enriched while exon 14 skipping was rare in epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI)-treated advanced NSCLC patients. Ten of the 12 MET GOF mutations were also in EGFR-TKI-treated patients. Fifteen (68.1%) of the 22 patients treated with crizotinib or savolitinib had a partial response. Interestingly, one patient had a great response to savolitinib with a novel MET exon 14 skipping mutation identified after failure of immune-checkpoint inhibitor.

Conclusions:

Half of the MET alterations were actionable mutations. MET CNG, exon 14 skipping and GOF mutations had different distribution in different clinical scenario but all defined a molecular subgroup of NSCLCs for which MET inhibition was active.
Predicting osteoarthritis in adults using statistical data mining and machine learning
Authors: Bertoncelli Carlo M. , Altamura Paola , Bagui Sikha , Bagui Subhash , Vieira Edgar Ramos , Costantini Stefania , Monticone Marco , Solla Federico , Bertoncelli Domenico
Published: July 2022

Background:

Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been considered a disease of older adults (⩾65 years old), but it may appear in younger adults. However, the risk factors for OA in younger adults need to be further evaluated.

Objectives:

To develop a prediction model for identifying risk factors of OA in subjects aged 20–50 years and compare the performance of different machine learning models.

Methods:

We included data from 52,512 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; of those, we analyzed only subjects aged 20–50 years ( n = 19,133), with or without OA. The supervised machine learning model ‘Deep PredictMed’ based on logistic regression, deep neural network (DNN), and support vector machine was used for identifying demographic and personal characteristics that are associated with OA. Finally, we compared the performance of the different models.

Results:

Being a female ( p < 0.001), older age ( p < 0.001), a smoker ( p < 0.001), higher body mass index ( p < 0.001), high blood pressure ( p < 0.001), race/ethnicity (lowest risk among Mexican Americans, p = 0.01), and physical and mental limitations ( p < 0.001) were associated with having OA. Best predictive performance yielded a 75% area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Conclusion:

Sex (female), age (older), smoking (yes), body mass index (higher), blood pressure (high), race/ethnicity, and physical and mental limitations are risk factors for having OA in adults aged 20–50 years. The best predictive performance was achieved using DNN algorithms.
Food Allergies and Anaphylaxis in the Community: The School Nurse’s Role
Authors: Keller Aimee , Morse Brenna , Conroy Michelle
Published: July 2022

Food allergy prevalence in the United States has been increasing among school-aged children. Many community-based pediatric caregivers (e.g., camp staff, sports coaches) are not trained to prevent, recognize, or manage allergic reactions due to a lack of available training and standard policies on this topic. Epinephrine is the first-line of treatment for severe allergic reactions and delayed administration of this medication can result in poor health outcomes and death. School nurses may use their knowledge and expertise to educate community-based pediatric caregivers on allergy topics. Professional practice projects can be utilized by school nurses to help improve allergy and anaphylaxis confidence and knowledge among community-based pediatric caregivers. By educating community members on anaphylaxis management, it can improve health outcomes for children of the school community and result in saved lives.
Single-shot spinal diamorphine for laparoscopic nephrectomy: A retrospective study
Authors: Vicary-Watts R , Hall K , Passmore-Szilagyi O , Zelhof B
Published: July 2022

Single-shot spinal diamorphine is becoming common practice in urological surgery to aid post-operative pain; however, its safety and efficacy require investigation. This study is a retrospective analysis of 113 laparoscopic or robotic-assisted nephrectomies over 4 years under one consultant urologist. Data were collected on demographic, pre-operative scores, anaesthesia, surgical information, post-operative outcomes and opioid consumption. Two main groups were established: no spinal diamorphine (NSD) and spinal diamorphine (SD). Four subgroups were then created, separating those who received patient-controlled anaesthesia (PCA) or not: Group 1 [general anaesthetic (GA)]; Group 2 [GA and PCA]; Group 3 [GA and spinal diamorphine] and Group 4 [GA, spinal diamorphine and PCA]. Ninety-eight eligible patients were identified. At 6 hours, pain scores were significantly higher for all non-spinal groups ( p < 0.05); at 9 h, pain scores were significantly higher in NSD patients compared to SD ( p = 0.026); at 12 h, pain scores were significantly higher for NSD patients compared to SD ( p = 0.024), and Group 1 compared to Group 3 ( p = 0.023). Total opioid consumption in the first 24 h post-surgery was higher in Group 1 compared to Group 3 ( p = 0.024). There was no higher incidence of urinary retention, or any neurological complications reported within the SD patients. The study found a reduction in post-operative pain scores with the use of spinal diamorphine prior to laparoscopic and robotic-assisted nephrectomies. The findings may also suggest that pre-operative spinal diamorphine use can reduce the total volume of opioids administered via other routes in the first 24 h post-operatively. It recommends its routine administration but encourages prospective investigation.
Ethnic and gender trends at the annual British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) meeting: A review of BAUS programmes over a 13-year period (2009–2021)
Authors: Massella Virginia , Sinha Mriganka , Pietropaolo Amelia , Geraghty Robert , Cresswell Miss Jo , Philip Joe , Shrotri Nitin , Somani Bhaskar K
Published: July 2022

Objective:

In this paper, we wanted to review the annual British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) programme to analyse the female and ethnic minority (EM) representation and find out whether there is ethnic and gender disparity, and if it does reflect the reality of the workforce.

Methods:

To investigate gender and EM representation, we requested data for BAUS annual meetings over a 13-year period (2009–2021). All speakers and chairpersons for all four sub-sections including Endourology, Oncology, Andrology and Female, Neurological and Urodynamic urology (FNUU) were collated. We also looked at the geographic distribution of the speakers (London area, rest of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales). Data were analysed separately before and after the COVID-19 pandemic (cut-off March 2020), as in the latter 2 years, the meeting was held virtually.

Results:

A total of 2569 speakers (range: 135–323 speakers/year) were included in our analysis and 2187 (85%) speakers were from the United Kingdom. Of the UK speakers, more than three-quarters (76.6%, n = 1676) were males and females of White ethnicity and (23.4%, n = 511) were EM. The vast majority of speakers throughout the years were males (86%, n = 1891) with only 14% ( n = 296) females regardless of their origin and ethnicity. The presence of EM females was only 1.9% ( n = 43). The percentage of female representation rose consistently over time from 6.7% ( n = 8) in 2009 to 21.1% ( n = 44) in 2020, suggesting an upward trend. Regional distribution showed 31%, 63%, 3.6%, 1.6% and 0.2% from London, Rest of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively. Both gender and EM representation doubled in the last 2 years during the pandemic ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Annual BAUS meetings have seen a higher proportion of ethnic and gender representation in recent years. However, considering the workforce within urology, more needs to be done to address this historical disparity. Hopefully, the BAUS 10-point programme will provide a framework for addressing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues related to this bias.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable.
Bots Amplify and Redirect Hate Speech in Online Discourse About Racism During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Uyheng Joshua , Bellutta Daniele , Carley Kathleen M.
Published: July 2022

Online talk about racism has been salient throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet while such social media conversations reflect existing tensions in the offline world, the same discourse has also become a target for information operations aiming to heighten social divisions. This article examines Twitter discussions of racism in the first and sixth months since COVID-19 was accorded pandemic status by the World Health Organization and uncovers dynamic associations with bot activity and hate speech. Humans initially constituted the most hateful accounts in online conversations about racism in March, but in August, bots dominated hate speech. Over time, greater bot activity likewise amplified levels of hate speech a week later. Moreover, while discourse about racism in March primarily featured an organic focus on racial identities like Asian and Chinese, we further observed a bot-dominated focus in August toward political identities like president, Democrat, and Republican. Although hate speech targeting Asian groups remained present among racism discussions in August, these findings suggest a bot-fueled redirection from focusing on racial groups at the onset of the pandemic to targeting politics closer to the 2020 US elections. This work enhances understanding of the complexity of racism discussions during the pandemic, its vulnerability to manipulation through information operations, and the large-scale quantitative study of inorganic hate campaigns in online social networks.
Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in the Complex Environment of Megaprojects: Implications for Practitioners and Project Organizing Theory
Authors: Wijayasekera Sachindra Chamode , Hussain Syed Asad , Paudel Amrit , Paudel Bhuwan , Steen John , Sadiq Rehan , Hewage Kasun
Published: July 2022

This article articulates the prospect of improving megaproject execution and performance via digital project delivery. Various digitalization options, such as cloud computing, automation, artificial intelligence, information modeling, and data analytics and their recent usage in megaprojects, are critically reviewed. Prospective future developments and forthcoming challenges of digitalization in megaprojects have also been identified based on the current progress of these technologies. In terms of theory, we suggest information economics and organizational economics as a starting place to develop a research approach to artificial intelligence and megaprojects.
A phase 1 trial utilizing TMI with fludarabine-melphalan in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing second allo-SCT
Authors: Tran Misha C. , Hasan Yasmin , Wang Amy , Yenice Kamil , Partouche Julien , Stock Wendy , Larson Richard A. , Kosuri Satyajit , LaBelle James L. , Kline Justin , Riedell Peter A. , Artz Andrew S. , Weichselbaum Ralph , Bishop Michael R. , Aydogan Bulent , Liu Hongtao
Published: July 2022

Relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) remains the primary cause of treatment failure. A second SCT can result in long-term survival in a subset of patients, but the relapse rate remains high. We conducted a single-center, phase 1, modified 3 + 3 dose-escalation study of the feasibility of combining intensity-modulated total marrow irradiation (IM-TMI) with fludarabine and melphalan for conditioning. Between December 2015 and May 2020, 21 patients with relapsed hematologic disease undergoing second or greater allo-SCT were treated with IM-TMI doses of 6 Gy, 9 Gy, or 12 Gy. Dose-limiting toxicity was defined as a grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse event; mucositis was the primary dose-limiting toxicity. The median times to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 10 and 18 days, respectively. The 1-year cumulative incidence of graft-versus-host disease was 65% (95% confidence interval CI, 38-83). The nonrelapse mortality at 2 years was 17% (95% CI, 4-39). Cumulative incidence of relapse at 2 years was 35% (95% CI, 13-58). Two-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 48% and 50%. We conclude that combining IM-TMI with fludarabine-melphalan is feasible. We recommend 12 Gy of IM-TMI with fludarabine-melphalan for second SCT, although 9 Gy may be used for older or underweight patients.
Recombinant truncated latency-associated peptide alleviates liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo via inhibition of TGF-β/Smad pathway
Authors: Song Xudong , Shi Jiayi , Liu Jieting , Liu Yong , Yu Yang , Qiu Yufei , Cao Zhiqin , Pan Yu , Yuan Xiaohuan , Chu Yanhui , Wu Dan
Published: July 2022

Background

Liver fibrosis is a progressive liver injury response. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is oversecreted during liver fibrosis and promotes the development of liver fibrosis. Therapeutic approaches targeting TGF-β1 and its downstream pathways are essential to inhibit liver fibrosis. The N-terminal latency-associated peptide (LAP) blocks the binding of TGF-β1 to its receptor. Removal of LAP is critical for the activation of TGF-β1. Therefore, inhibition of TGF-β1 and its downstream pathways by LAP may be a potential approach to affect liver fibrosis.

Methods

Truncated LAP (tLAP) plasmids were constructed. Recombinant proteins were purified by Ni affinity chromatography. The effects of LAP and tLAP on liver fibrosis were investigated in TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 cells, AML12 cells and CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mice by real time cellular analysis (RTCA), western blot, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence and pathological staining.

Results

LAP and tLAP could inhibit TGF-β1-induced AML12 cells inflammation, apoptosis and EMT, and could inhibit TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 cells proliferation and fibrosis. LAP and tLAP could attenuate the pathological changes of liver fibrosis and inhibit the expression of fibrosis-related proteins and mRNAs in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mice.

Conclusion

LAP and tLAP could alleviate liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo via inhibition of TGF-β/Smad pathway. TLAP has higher expression level and more effective anti-fibrosis activity compared to LAP. This study may provide new ideas for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Going digital – a commentary on the terminology used at the intersection of physical activity and digital health
Authors: Herold Fabian , Theobald Paula , Gronwald Thomas , Rapp Michael A. , Müller Notger G.
Published: July 2022

In recent years digital technologies have become a major means for providing health-related services and this trend was strongly reinforced by the current Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As it is well-known that regular physical activity has positive effects on individual physical and mental health and thus is an important prerequisite for healthy aging, digital technologies are also increasingly used to promote unstructured and structured forms of physical activity. However, in the course of this development, several terms (e.g., Digital Health, Electronic Health, Mobile Health, Telehealth, Telemedicine, and Telerehabilitation) have been introduced to refer to the application of digital technologies to provide health-related services such as physical interventions. Unfortunately, the above-mentioned terms are often used in several different ways, but also relatively interchangeably. Given that ambiguous terminology is a major source of difficulty in scientific communication which can impede the progress of theoretical and empirical research, this article aims to make the reader aware of the subtle differences between the relevant terms which are applied at the intersection of physical activity and Digital Health and to provide state-of-art definitions for them.
Codon usage of host-specific P genotypes (VP4) in group A rotavirus
Authors: Wu Han , Li Bingzhe , Miao Ziping , Hu Linjie , Zhou Lu , Lu Yihan
Published: July 2022

Background

Group A rotavirus (RVA) is a common causative agent of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. RVA P genotypes, determined by VP4 sequences, have been confirmed to infect humans and animals. However, their codon usage patterns that are essential to obtain insights into the viral evolution, host adaptability, and genetic characterization remained unclear, especially across animal hosts.

Results

We performed a comprehensive codon usage analysis of eight host-specific RVA P genotypes, including human RVA (P[4] and P[8]), porcine RVA (P[13] and P[23]), and zoonotic RVA (P[1], P[6], P[7] and P[19]), based on 233 VP4 complete coding sequences. Nucleotide composition, relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), and effective number of codons (ENC) were calculated. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on RSCU values was used to explore the codon usage patterns of different RVA P genotypes. In addition, mutation pressure and natural selection were identified by using ENC-plot, parity rule 2 plot, and neutrality plot analyses. All VP4 sequences preferred using A/U nucleotides (A: 0.354-0.377, U: 0.267-0.314) than G/C nucleotides across genotypes. Similarly, majority of commonly used synonymous codons were likely to end with A/U nucleotides (A: 9/18-12/18, U: 6/18-9/18). In PCA, human, porcine, and zoonotic genotypes clustered separately in terms of RSCU values, indicating the host-specific codon usage patterns; however, porcine and zoonotic genotypes were partly overlapped. Human genotypes, P[4] and P[8], had stronger codon usage bias, as indicated by more over-represented codons and lower ENC, compared to porcine and zoonotic genotypes. Moreover, natural selection was determined to be a predominant driver in shaping the codon usage bias across the eight P genotypes. In addition, mutation pressure contributed to the codon usage bias of human genotypes.

Conclusions

Our study identified a strong codon usage bias of human RVA P genotypes attributable to both natural selection and mutation pressure, whereas similar codon usage bias between porcine and zoonotic genotypes predominantly attributable to natural selection. It further suggests possible cross-species transmission. Therefore, it warrants further surveillance of RVA P genotypes for early identification of zoonotic infection.
Giant subcutaneous bronchogenic cyst in the intergluteal cleft region of an adult: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zheng Chuang-Yi , Su Shu-Yan , Huang Rui-Bin
Published: July 2022

Background

Bronchogenic cysts (BCs) are generally detected in the mediastinum, along the tracheobronchial tree, or in the lung parenchyma. Subcutaneous BCs are rare, but, when found, are usually small (< 3 cm) and detected in children.

Case presentation

In an unusual adult case, we treated a 52-year-old woman who presented with a mass in the left intergluteal cleft region. Ultrasonography showed a well-circumscribed hypoechoic lesion with posterior enhancement and internal echogenic foci within the mass. Color Doppler images showed no signals. Computed tomography showed the mass as a homogeneous, 6.8- × 6.3- × 5.1-cm soft tissue-attenuation lesion lodged in subcutaneous fatty tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic lesion of similar dimensions with heterogeneous hyperintensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images. No contrast enhancement, solid components, or restricted diffusion foci were apparent. The cyst was completely excised, and histopathological evaluation indicated it was a BC. The patient’s recovery was uneventful.

Conclusions

BCs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all subcutaneous cystic masses, regardless of their location and size and the patient’s age.
Association between triglyceride-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and three-month outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a second analysis based on a prospective cohort study
Authors: Han Yong , Huang Zhiqiang , Zhou Jinsong , Wang Zhibin , Li Qiming , Hu Haofei , Liu Dehong
Published: July 2022

Objective

Evidence regarding the relationship between serum triglyceride-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) ratio and outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients is still mixed. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to explore the link between the TG/HDL-c ratio and unfavorable outcomes in patients with AIS.

Methods

This was a second analysis based on a cohort study. The study population was 1764 patients with AIS collected from January 2010 to December 2016 at a hospital in South Korea. We used a binary logistic regression model to assess the linear association between the TG/HDL-c ratio and unfavorable outcomes for AIS patients. A generalized additive model (GAM) and smooth curve fitting (penalized spline method) was conducted to explore the nonlinear relationship between TG/HDL-c ratio and unfavorable outcomes for AIS patients. Additionally, we compute the inflection point using a recursive algorithm and then build a two-piece binary logistic regression model on both sides of the inflection point. A log-likelihood ratio test was used to determine the most appropriate model describing the association of TG/HDL-c ratio and unfavorable outcomes in patients with AIS.

Results

The incidence rate of unfavorable outcomes was 28.2%, and the median TG/HDL-c ratio was 2.130. After adjusting covariates, the results of the binary logistic regression model suggested that the relationship between the TG/HDL-c ratio and the risk of unfavorable outcomes for AIS patients was not statistically significant. However, there was a nonlinear relationship between them, and the inflection point of the TG/HDL-c ratio was 3.515. On the left side of the inflection point, each 1-unit increase in the TG/HDL-c ratio was associated with a 22.6% lower risk of unfavorable outcomes (OR = 0.774, 95%CI:0.656 to 0.914, p = 0.002). On the right side of the inflection point, the effect size (OR) was 1.195 (95%CI:1.004 to1.423, p = 0.003).

Conclusion

There is a nonlinear relationship and threshold effect between the TG/HDL-c ratio and 3-month unfavorable outcomes in AIS patients. When the TG/HDL-c ratio is lower than 3.515, the TG/HDL-c ratio is significantly negatively related to the risk of unfavorable outcomes. When the TG/HDL-c ratio is greater than 3.515, the TG/HDL-c ratio was positively associated with the risk of unfavorable outcomes in AIS patients. This provides a reference for optimizing lipidemia intervention and promoting clinical communication in patients with AIS.
Spectrum of ophthalmic diseases in children hospitalized in a tertiary ophthalmology hospital in China from 2010 to 2019
Authors: Zhang Xia , Li Fan , Rao Jiaming , Fang Hao , Zhu Wei
Published: July 2022

Background

Describing the pattern of pediatric eye diseases is necessary for appropriate eye care in children. This study explored the spectrum and characteristics of pediatric ophthalmic diseases in a typical tertiary ophthalmology hospital in China.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary ophthalmology hospital between 2010 and 2019 in Guangzhou, China. This study included 44,552 inpatients who were younger than 18 years old. Demographic and diagnostic data were collected from the electronic medical record system. Multiphase regression analysis was used to estimate trends in the annual percentages of ten common ophthalmic diseases.

Results

From 2010 to 2019, 44,552 inpatients met the inclusion criteria. The majority were male (61.9%), aged 7 to 12 years (30.3%) and self-paying (56.6%). The top ten conditions were refractive error (41.2%), strabismus (36.1%), cataract (13.6%), trauma (11.8%), congenital ptosis (8.8%), tumor (8.1%), amblyopia (7.1%), glaucoma (7.0%), entropion and trichiasis of eyelid (7.0%), and retinal detachment (6.5%). The annual percentage changes (APCs) for refractive error, strabismus, and retinal detachment were 9.3% (95% CI, 8.1–10.5%), 4.7% (95% CI, 3.8–5.6%) and − 2.8% (95% CI, − 5.1% to − 0.4%) respectively. For trauma, the average APC (AAPC = -9.2%, (95% CI, − 12.1% to − 6.2%) decreased gradually from 2010 to 2015 (APC = -4.2% (95% CI, − 8.8-0.7%)) and decreased rapidly from 2015 to 2019 (APC = -15.1% (95% CI, − 21.0% to − 8.7%)).

Conclusions

Pediatric ophthalmic diseases are common in China. Preventive strategies and health education aimed at the prevention of refractive error, strabismus, and entropion and trichiasis of eyelid will be crucial in reducing the burden of pediatric ophthalmic diseases on health care systems and human development.
Web-based treatment for depression in pregnancy: a feasibility study of Mum2BMoodBooster
Authors: Gemmill Alan W. , Oliva Jessica Lee , Ericksen Jennifer , Holt Charlene , Holt Christopher J. , Milgrom Jeannette
Published: July 2022

Background

Depression in pregnancy is prevalent, under-treated, and has serious impacts on the wellbeing of women and on child development. Internet programs can reach women who may not access traditional treatments due to distance, stigma or concern about taking medication. We adapted our online postnatal depression program, MumMoodBooster, for antenatal use. We aimed to trial feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of the new Mum2BMoodBooster intervention with depressed pregnant women.

Methods

Twenty-seven pregnant women with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score > 11 used the program in a feasibility trial. Twenty-one had current diagnoses of major or minor depression on the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV. Assessment of symptoms occurred at screening/baseline, post-test (8 weeks post-enrollment), and at follow-up (3 months postpartum) using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21).

Results

In this feasibility trial, depression scores on both the PHQ-9 and the DASS-21, showed significant reductions representing large effects, with average symptom scores reduced by > 50%, and maintained in the ‘minimal or no depression’ range at 3 month follow-up. Anxiety scores also decreased significantly. Program usage was high with 74% of women visiting all six sessions. Program acceptability ratings were moderate to high.

Conclusions

Findings paralleled the magnitude of symptom reductions seen in randomised trials of the postnatal MumMoodBooster program, suggesting that Mum2BMoodBooster is an effective treatment for depressed pregnant women. Effective internet therapies are likely to become increasingly important as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to make face-to-face access to health care problematic during ‘lockdowns’.
Preliminary study of the social withdrawal (hikikomori) spectrum in French adolescents: focusing on the differences in pathology and related factors compared with Japanese adolescents
Authors: Hamasaki Yukiko , Pionnié-Dax Nancy , Dorard Géraldine , Tajan Nicolas , Hikida Takatoshi
Published: July 2022

Background

Social withdrawal (hikikomori) has become an internationally recognized phenomenon, but its pathology and related factors are not yet fully known. We previously conducted a statistical case-control study on adolescent patients with hikikomori in Japan, which revealed the non-specificity of pathology in patients with hikikomori. Further, environmental factors, such as the lack of communication between parents and Internet overuse, were found to be significant predictors of hikikomori severity. Here, we aimed to conduct a similar preliminary case-control study in France and to compare the results with those from the study conducted in Japan.

Methods

Parents of middle school students who underwent psychiatric outpatient treatment for hikikomori (n = 10) and control group parents (n = 115) completed the Child Behavior Checklist to evaluate their child’s psychopathological characteristics and the Parental Assessment of Environment and Hikikomori Severity Scales, as in our previous study in Japan. We compared the descriptive statistics and intergroup differences in France with those from the previous study conducted in Japan. In the multiple regression analysis to find predictors of hikikomori severity in French and also Japanese subjects, the same dependent and independent variables were chosen for the present study (both differed from the previous study). These were used in order to make accurate intercountry comparisons.

Results

The comparisons revealed no differences in the pathology of hikikomori between Japan and France. Specifically, both studies found similarly increased scores for all symptom scales, with no specific bias. However, the statistical predictors of hikikomori severity in France (lack of communication between parents and child and lack of communication with the community) differed from those in Japan (lack of communication between parents).

Conclusion

Hikikomori in Japan and France could be considered essentially the same phenomenon; moreover, our findings demonstrated the universal non-specificity and unbiasedness of the hikikomori pathology. This suggests that hikikomori is not a single clinical category with a specific psychopathology; instead, it is a common phenotype with various underlying pathologies. However, different strategies may be required in each country to prevent the onset and progression of hikikomori.
Utilization of T1-Mapping for the pelvic and thigh muscles in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: a quantitative biomarker for disease involvement and correlation with clinical assessments
Authors: Peng Fei , Xu Huayan , Song Yu , Xu Ke , Li Shuhao , Cai Xiaotang , Guo Yingkun , Gong Lianggeng
Published: July 2022

Background

Little is known about the disease distribution and severity detected by T1-mapping in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Furthermore, the correlation between skeletal muscle T1-values and clinical assessments is less studied. Hence, the purposes of our study are to investigate quantitative T1-mapping in detecting the degree of disease involvement by detailed analyzing the hip and thigh muscle, future exploring the predicting value of T1-mapping for the clinical status of DMD.

Methods

Ninety-two DMD patients were included. Grading fat infiltration and measuring the T1-values of 19 pelvic and thigh muscles (right side) in axial T1-weighted images (T1WI) and T1-maps, respectively, the disease distribution and severity were evaluated and compared. Clinical assessments included age, height, weight, BMI, wheelchair use, timed functional tests, NorthStar ambulatory assessment (NSAA) score, serum creatine kinase (CK) level. Correlation analysis were performed between the muscle T1-value and clinical assessments. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted for the independent association of T1-value and motor function.

Results

The gluteus maximus had the lowest T1-value, and the gracilis had the highest T1-value. T1-value decreased as the grade of fat infiltration increased scored by T1WI (P < 0.001). The decreasing of T1-values was correlated with the increase of age, height, weight, wheelchair use, and timed functional tests (P < 0.05). T1-value correlated with NSAA (r = 0.232-0.721, P < 0.05) and CK (r = 0.208-0.491, P < 0.05) positively. T1-value of gluteus maximus, tensor fascia, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, and adductor magnus was independently associated with the clinical motor function tests (P < 0.05). Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis and Bland-Altman plots showed excellent inter-rater reliability of T1-value region of interest (ROI) measurements.

Conclusion

T1-mapping can be used as a quantitative biomarker for disease involvement, further assessing the disease severity and predicting motor function in DMD.
Effect of traction direction and pressure load on the palatal plate on retentive force
Authors: Yamane Kunihito , Sato Yuji , Furuya Junichi , Kitagawa Noboru , Ikemura Naoya , Shimodaira Osamu
Published: July 2022

Background

Recently, a denture adhesive that is easy to clean and contain moisturizing ingredients have been developed for patients with dry mouth. Although the retentive force produced by conventional denture adhesives and oral moisturizers have been compared on models, no study has reported their comparison in the oral cavity. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effects of different directions of traction and loads at the time of pressure contact on the retentive force on a palatal plate made from a dentulous jaw model.

Methods

A palatal plate was fabricated with thermoplastic resin on a dentulous jaw model, and a loop-shaped traction device was attached to the centre of the palate. The test samples were a cream-type denture adhesive, a denture adhesive for dry mouth, an oral moisturizer, and a denture moisturizer. The specimens were applied to the inner surface of the plate, which was then mounted under vertical pressure. Then, the retentive force was measured, using a digital force gauge, while the plate was pulled in different directions and with different loads.

Results

No significant difference in retentive force was observed in any of the test samples when the direction of traction was between 45° and 60°. The retentive force of the denture adhesive for dry mouth was significantly higher with a direction of traction of 90° than that of 45° or 60°. The retentive force when oral moisturizer was used was significantly higher in the 90° traction direction than in the 45° direction. There was no significant difference between a force of 4.0 kgf or 5.5 kgf when using a denture adhesive for dry mouth. Comparing the four load size conditions, the larger the load, the higher was the retentive force. Similar results were obtained for the cream-type denture adhesive and denture moisturizer. Significantly higher retentive force was observed for larger loads when oral moisturizer was used.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the direction of traction and the pressure load affect the retentive force on a palatal plate.