bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidural Blood Patch in a Patient with a Hematological Malignancy
Authors: Barman Ross , McHugh Jack , O’Mara Thomas , Pittelkow Thomas , D’Souza Ryan S.
Published: February 2023

Postdural puncture headache is a frequently encountered complication following procedures such as lumbar puncture, neuraxial anesthesia, or intrathecal drug delivery device implantation. It classically presents as a painful orthostatic headache that is exacerbated when a patient is upright. For treatment, patients are often started on conservative options such as hydration, caffeine, bedrest, and NSAID analgesics; however, certain patients who fail these therapies may require intervention with an epidural blood patch. The epidural blood patch remains the gold standard for treating refractory postdural puncture headache. Contraindications to epidural blood patch include severe coagulopathy, patient refusal, or infection at the intended site of entry. There are no clear consensus recommendations regarding patients with a hematological malignancy and potential risk that autologous blood may seed malignant cells into the neuraxis. In this case report, we present a patient with acute myeloid leukemia who developed a postdural puncture headache after receiving subarachnoid administration of antineoplastics. The patient was refractory to conservative therapy, prompting multidisciplinary consultation and discussion with the patient about the risks and benefits of proceeding with an epidural blood patch. Ultimately, the patient elected to proceed with the offered epidural blood patch which led to complete resolution of his painful headaches and did not cause any spread of malignant cells into his neuraxis or cerebral spinal fluid.
Delayed Diagnosis of Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis as the Cause of Unexplained Skin Rash: A Case Report
Authors: Alshurafa Awni , Abu-Tineh Mohammad , Ibrahim Feryal A. , Petkar Mahir , Yassin Mohamed A.
Published: February 2023

Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous group of disorders in which mast cells exhibit clonal proliferation that infiltrates one or more organs. In cutaneous mastocytosis, the mast cells infiltrate the skin only, whereas systemic mastocytosis is diagnosed when at least one extra-cutaneous site is involved, with or without the skin being affected. Given the rarity of mastocytosis and the fact that skin rash can be a manifestation of different conditions and many clinicians are not familiar with this disorder, an accurate diagnosis may be delayed. We report a delayed diagnosis of indolent systemic mastocytosis in a 40-year-old gentleman who had been complaining of an unexplained skin rash for 6 years.
Evaluation of Therapies for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Associated with Vitamin D Insufficiency in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Strugnell Stephen A. , Csomor Philipp , Ashfaq Akhtar , Bishop Charles W.
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Parathyroid hormone-lowering responses after administration of three different therapies capable of raising serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) were evaluated in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), vitamin D insufficiency (VDI), and stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Sixty-nine adult subjects with intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) ≥85 and <500 pg/mL and VDI (25OHD <30 ng/mL) were randomized after ≥4-week washout to 2 months of open-label treatment with: (1) extended-release calcifediol (ERC) 60 μg/day; (2) immediate-release calcifediol (IRC) 266 μg/month; (3) high-dose cholecalciferol (HDC) 300,000 IU/month; or (4) paricalcitol plus low-dose cholecalciferol (PLDC) 1 or 2 μg and 800 IU/day, used as reference hormone replacement therapy. Serum 25OHD, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), plasma iPTH, and adverse events were monitored weekly. No clinically significant differences were observed at baseline between treatment groups. Results: Sixty-two subjects completed the study per protocol (PP; 14–17 per group). Mean (SD) 25OHD and iPTH at baseline were 20.6 (6.6) ng/mL and 144.8 (90) pg/mL, respectively. Mean 25OHD increased at end of treatment (EOT) to 82.9 (17.0) ng/mL with ERC (p < 0.001) and 30.8 (11.6) ng/mL with HDC (p < 0.05), but remained unchanged with IRC and PLDC. EOT 25OHD levels reached ≥30 ng/mL in all subjects treated with ERC and in 44% with HDC. All subjects attained EOT 25OHD levels ≥50 ng/mL with ERC versus none with other therapies. iPTH response rates at EOT (≥10, 20 or 30% below baseline) were similar for ERC and PLDC; rates for IRC and HDC were much lower. No significant changes from baseline were observed in ionized or corrected total Ca or P in any group. One episode of hypercalcemia (>10.3 mg/dL) occurred with PLDC. Hyperphosphatemia (>5.5 mg/dL) occurred once with ERC, eight times with HDC, 3 times with IRC, and twice with PLDC. Conclusion: ERC was highly effective in both raising serum 25OHD and decreasing iPTH in patients with SHPT, VDI, and stage 3 or 4 CKD. iPTH-lowering response rates with ERC were similar to daily PLDC, the reference therapy; rates with IRC or HDC were significantly lower. ERC is an attractive alternative to vitamin D hormone therapy in CKD patients.
A Trans-Season Out-of-Phase Relationship of Tropical Cyclogenesis between the Western North Pacific and South China Sea
Authors: Cao Xi , Wu Renguang , Xu Liangtao , Wang Zhibiao , Sun Ying , Dai Yifeng , Chen Sheng
Published: February 2023

The present study investigates the relationship of tropical cyclone (TC) genesis between the western North Pacific (WNP) and South China Sea (SCS) from 1979 to 2020. A significantly out-of-phase variation is found between spring [March–May (MAM)] TC genesis over the WNP and the following summer–fall [June–November (JJASON)] TC genesis over the SCS. More TCs over the WNP in MAM are followed by fewer TCs over the SCS in the succeeding JJASON. Composite analysis and numerical model experiments show that negative sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies during MAM in the tropical central-eastern Pacific (CEP) and southeastern Indian Ocean work together to induce a lower-level cyclonic circulation over the WNP, with the latter more important. The positive specific humidity and ascending motion favor the TC genesis over the WNP in MAM. In the following JJASON, the SST anomalies are reversed in the tropical CEP. The positive precipitation anomalies over the western-central Pacific induced by positive SST anomalies further stimulate an anomalous zonal overturning circulation with anomalous descending motion and boundary layer divergence over the SCS. In addition, the persistent negative SST anomalies around the Maritime Continent (MC) induce an anomalous anticyclone to the west. Both processes lead to negative genesis potential index (GPI) anomalies and thus inhibit the TC genesis over the SCS. This out-of-phase relationship of TC genesis between the WNP and SCS also exists when the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) transition years are removed. This finding may be helpful to improve the seasonal prediction of the SCS TC activity over the peak TC season.
Land and Atmosphere Conditions prior to Extreme Great Plains Low-Level Jets
Authors: Matus Sean A. , Dominguez Francina , Ford Trent W.
Published: February 2023

The warm season in the United States Great Plains (GP) is characterized by frequent nocturnal low-level jets (LLJs). The GPLLJ serves as a major mechanism of atmospheric moisture transport, contributing to severe weather and precipitation in the region. A combination of synoptic and regional forcing modulates GPLLJ frequency and intensity. The GPLLJ has primarily been studied at the diurnal scale. We hypothesize that, due to the memory of the land surface, longer time scale variability associated with surface moisture also modulates GPLLJ intensity. This work identifies GPLLJ days from ECMWF Reanalysis v5 (ERA5) wind data and isolates extremes using a peaks-over-threshold approach. Extreme GPLLJs are classified by geographic region and synoptic state. Composites of daily soil moisture anomalies show a preference for extreme GPLLJs to occur over anomalously dry soil. Critically, antecedent soil moisture anomalies emerge weeks before the extreme jet occurrence. The dry soil moisture signal coexists with clear skies and drying of the surface at the synoptic time scale. A diurnal PBL heat accumulation, which intensifies the buoyancy oscillation, is also present. The identification of a subseasonal dry anomaly suggests that, although the GPLLJ is generated by diurnally varying oscillations and intensified by synoptic-scale processes, the memory of the land surface can modulate the GPLLJ far beyond the diurnal and synoptic scale. Additionally, the location of the antecedent soil moisture anomalies corresponds with the eventual GPLLJ. The spatiotemporal characteristic of these antecedent anomalies suggests the potential for improved prediction of the GPLLJ activity.
Smartphone Use During the Adolescent Visit
Authors: Nasab Arian , Lazebnik Rina
Published: February 2023

As smartphone use in the office becomes more commonplace in medical practice, it is important to navigate this issue with grace, all while considering the legal, medical, and social implications, as well as the effect our behavior plays on our perceived bedside manner.
Book review: Aniket Aga. 2021. Genetically Modified Democracy: Transgenic Crops in Contemporary India
Authors: Flachs Andrew
Published: February 2023

Aniket Aga. 2021. Genetically Modified Democracy: Transgenic Crops in Contemporary India. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. 328 pp. Notes, references, index. $65 (hardback—ISBN: 9780300245905)
Wages, Price, and Profit: Protection and Value Capture in the Mercosur Automotive Industry
Authors: Fitzsimons Alejandro , Guevara Sebastián
Published: February 2023

The expansion of the automotive industry in Argentina and Brazil and its regional integration can be attributed to determinants that differentiate them from other contemporary regionalization processes. Their limited scales of production, outmoded technology, and lower productivity levels than the average in the world market and the inward orientation of regional industry are shared characteristics of the two national processes of capital accumulation, which are still organized around the appropriation by industrial capital of a portion of the substantial ground rent available.

La expansión de la industria automotriz en Argentina y Brasil, así como su integración regional, pueden atribuirse a determinantes que las diferencian de otros procesos de regionalización contemporáneos. Sus limitadas escalas de producción, la tecnología anticuada y niveles de productividad más bajos que el promedio en el mercado mundial, así como la orientación interna de la industria regional, son características compartidas por ambos procesos nacionales de acumulación de capital, los cuáles todavía se encuentran organizados en torno a la apropiación, por parte del capital industrial, de una parte de la renta sustancial disponible.
Young Tzeltal Migrants from the Ejido to California’s Cities
Authors: Cruz-Salazar Tania
Published: February 2023

The meaning of “youth” is changing among young Tzeltal migrants from Chiapas, Mexico, living in the U.S. state of California. Migration improves young people’s condition in terms of work, leisure time, and cultural consumption. A study based on ethnographic data, interviews, questionnaires, and participant observation undertaken in 2011, 2013, and 2016 shows how the material resources to which these migrants have access are directed toward building a unique youth style based on aesthetics and language that can be called the “Tzeltal jungle cowboy.”

El significado del concepto “juventud” está cambiando entre los jóvenes migrantes tzeltales de Chiapas, México, que viven en el estado de California en Estados Unidos. La migración mejora las condiciones de vida de los jóvenes debido a su acceso al trabajo, tiempo libre y consumo cultural. Un estudio hecho en base a datos etnográficos, entrevistas, cuestionarios y observación participante realizado en 2011, 2013 y 2016 nos muestra cómo los recursos materiales a los que tienen acceso estos migrantes se dirigen a construir un estilo juvenil único basado en la estética y el lenguaje que podría denominarse el “vaquero tzeltal de la selva”.
Territorial Dispossession in Mexico: Mining and the New Latifundism
Authors: Tassinari Aideé
Published: February 2023

Three multibillionaire-owned consortia in Mexico—Carlos Slim Helu’s Minera Frisco, Germán Larrea’s Grupo México, and Alberto Baillères’s Industrias Peñoles—have played a leading role in the process of accumulation through dispossession by perpetrating violence against indigenous and peasant communities in the form of the expulsion of thousands of people from their land, attacks on their security, health and ways of life, environmental depredation, fraud, criminalization, and murder. Examination of media reports of the most recent socio-environmental conflicts and corporate documents reveals the tension between profit accumulation through dispossession and territorial depredation in mining and various forms of resistance.

Los consorcios multimillonarios mexicanos—Minera Frisco de Carlos Slim Helu, Grupo México de Germán Larrea e Industrias Peñoles de Alberto Baillères—han desempeñado un papel protagónico en el proceso de acumulación a través del despojo efectuado a través de la perpetración de actos de violencia contra las comunidades indígenas y campesinas. Esto se ha manifestado en la expulsión de miles de personas de sus tierras, ataques a su seguridad, salud y formas de vida, así como depredación ambiental, fraude, criminalización y asesinato. Un análisis de los informes hechos por los medios de comunicación en torno a los conflictos socioambientales más recientes así como de documentos corporativos revela la tensión existente entre la acumulación de ganancias a través del despojo y la depredación territorial en el rubro de la minería, al igual que diversas formas de resistencia.
Reducing the pressures of outpatient care: the potential role of patient-reported outcomes
Authors: Aiyegbusi Olalekan Lee , Hughes Sarah E , Peipert John Devin , Schougaard Liv Marit Valen , Wilson Roger , Calvert Melanie J
Published: February 2023

The global demand for hospital treatment exceeds capacity.The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue, leading to increased backlogs and longer wait times for patients. The amount of outpatient attendances undertaken in many settings is still below pre-pandemic levels and this, combined with delayed referrals, means that patients are facing delays in treatment and poorer health outcomes. Use of digital health technologies, notably the use of remote symptom monitoring systems based on patient-reported outcomes (PROs), may offer a solution to reduce outpatient waiting lists and tailor care to those in greatest need. Drawing on international examples, the authors explore the use of electronic PRO systems to triage clinical care. We summarise the key benefits of the approach and also highlight the challenges for implementation, which need to be addressed to promote equitable healthcare delivery.
Dynamic event-triggered consensus for discrete-time hidden Markov multi-agent systems with partially unknown probabilities
Authors: Ding Pengcheng , Li Ziwei , Li Feng , Wang Jing , Shen Hao
Published: February 2023

This paper addresses the consensus problem of Markov jump multi-agent systems under dynamic event-triggered communication. In order to utilize the limited network resources reasonably and improve the efficiency of data transmission, a dynamic event-triggered method is adopted. Considering the challenge of obtaining system mode information, a hidden Markov model is introduced. On this basis, because of the limitation of mode information acquisition, the case with partially unknown probabilities both exist in the transition probability matrix and the observation probability matrix is discussed, which makes the conclusion realistic. Moreover, a sampled-data consensus protocol is proposed, and based on the Lyapunov stability theory, several sufficient conditions are derived to ensure the consensus of the system under specified [Formula: see text] performance. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed protocol.
Feeding the Dead as a Complementary Practice to Worshipping Yahweh: Deuteronomy 26:14 Revisited
Authors: Setio Robert
Published: February 2023

Within Christian tradition, particularly Protestant, the ritual of making offerings to the dead (i.e., feeding the dead) is often seen as contrary to Christian faith. Justification for this view is often taken from Deuteronomy 26:14. This verse details a pledge to avoid making offerings to the dead out of loyalty to Yahweh. Thus, I review the academic literature on the rationale behind this pledge to explore whether feeding the dead is contrary to the worship of Yahweh. To this end, I will discuss several studies regarding the ritual of feeding the dead in ancient Israelite society that use archaeological and textual evidence. This paper concludes that feeding the dead and worship of Yahweh are not mutually exclusive, but complementary.
The impact of epigenetic mechanisms in migraine: Current knowledge and future directions
Authors: Gallardo Víctor José , Vila-Pueyo Marta , Pozo-Rosich Patricia
Published: February 2023

Background

Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, microRNAs and histone modifications, may modulate the genetic expression in migraine and its interaction with internal and external factors, such as lifestyle and environmental changes.

Objective

To summarize, contextualize and critically analyze the published literature on the current state of epigenetic mechanisms in migraine in a narrative review.

Findings

The studies published to date have used different approaches and methodologies to determine the role of epigenetic mechanisms in migraine. Epigenetic changes seem to be involved in migraine and are increasing our knowledge of the disease.

Conclusions

Changes in DNA methylation, microRNA expression and histone modifications could be utilized as biomarkers that would be highly valuable for patient stratification, molecular diagnosis, and precision medicine in migraine.
Outcomes Among People With Schizophrenia Participating in General-Population Smoking Cessation Treatment: An Observational Study
Authors: Veldhuizen Scott , Behal Anjali , Zawertailo Laurie , Melamed Osnat , Agarwal Mahavir , Selby Peter
Published: February 2023

Objective

People with schizophrenia are much more likely than others to smoke tobacco, raising risks of disease and premature mortality. These individuals are also less likely to quit successfully after treatment, but the few existing clinical and observational studies have been limited by small sample sizes, and have generally considered specialized treatment approaches. In this analysis, we examine outcomes, service use, and potential explanatory variables in a large sample of people with schizophrenia treated in a general-population cessation program.

Method

Our sample comprised 3,011 people with schizophrenia and 77,790 controls receiving free nicotine replacement therapy through 400 clinics and health centres. We analysed self-reported 7-day abstinence or reduction at 6-month follow-up, as well as the number of visits attended and self-reported difficulties in quitting. We adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and health variables, and used multiple imputation to address missing data.

Results

Abstinence was achieved by 16.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.5% to 17.8%) of people with schizophrenia and 26.4% (95% CI, 26.0% to 26.7%) of others (absolute difference = 10.2%; 95% CI, 8.5% to 11.9%; P < 0.001). After adjustment, this difference was reduced to 7.3% (95% CI, 5.4% to 9.3%; P < 0.001). Reduction in use was reported by 11.8% (95% CI, 10.3% to 13.3%) and 12.5% (95% CI, 12.2% to 12.8%), respectively; this difference was nonsignificant after adjustment. People with schizophrenia attended more clinic visits (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.12% to 1.18%, P < 0.001) and reported more difficulties related to “being around other smokers” (odds ratio [OR] = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.11% to 1.47%; P = 0.001).

Conclusion

There is abundant demand for tobacco cessation treatment in this population. Outcomes were substantially poorer for people with schizophrenia, and this difference was not explained by covariates. Cessation remained much better than for unaided quit attempts, however, and engagement was high, demonstrating that people with schizophrenia benefit from nonspecialized pharmacological treatment programs.
Removal of lithium from aqueous solutions by solid-phase extraction using sawdust loaded with magnetite nanoparticles and study of apoptosis, MDA and 8-OHdG caused by lithium toxicity in fish brain
Authors: Öter Çiğdem , Çilingir Yeltekin Aslı , Ammer Abbas El-Tekreti Sama
Published: February 2023

Lithium, which has a high industrial value, is an environmental pollutant of concern to those who work with lithium in industry as well as to the general public. Biological parameters such as MDA, 8-OHdG, apoptosis (caspase-3), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were studied to determine the toxic effects on the brain tissue of the model organism ( Carassius auratus) exposed to high dose lithium. According to the results obtained, it was found that lithium exposure caused oxidative stress with an increase in MDA level over time and, accordingly, DNA damage and apoptosis occured in brain tissue. It was also found that a decrease in AChE activity was observed, and the high levels of MDA, 8-OHdG, and caspase-3 activity obtained in brain tissue supported this result. The solid phase extraction (SPE) method was used to effectively remove lithium, which has unfavorable effects on living organisms, from aqueous solutions. In this method, a sawdust loaded with magnetite nanoparticles (MNLS) was prepared as an adsorbent for solid phase extraction by a simple method, and it was characterized. Optimal conditions for the SPE process were defined and it was found that lithium could be removed from solution onto the MNLS surface with a high yield of about 96%. The results of the study are crucial for proposing a simple and applicable high performance method.
The Paralympics on YouTube: Alternative content creation and the digital consumption of the Paralympics
Authors: Petersen-Wagner Renan , Lee Ludvigsen Jan Andre
Published: February 2023

This article aims to explore the digital consumption of the Paralympic Games on the video-sharing platform YouTube to understand how the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) engages consumers in a digital setting, enabling an ‘alternative’ consumption of the event. Using YouTube Data Tools, we have automatically scraped data from 17,701 YouTube videos from Paralympic Games’ channel. After data manipulation and consolidation, statistical analyses were performed in order to understand how the IPC has adapted to the algorithm logic of platforms. Our findings demonstrate that YouTube should be comprehended as complementing and substituting television as the traditional medium of sport consumption. Thus, the digitalisation of the sport industry adapts and continues, rather than revolutionises, the symbiotic sport/media relationship. Whilst digital revolution allows the IPC to reach wider audiences by bypassing a traditional media editorial logic, it does so within the algorithmic logic of platforms resulting from the unpaid digital labour of users.
When the war is over: Accounting for people with disabilities
Authors: Nikidehaghani Mona , Cortese Corinne
Published: February 2023

We assess the extent to which accounting discourse was used during the aftermath of the Second World War as a way of reconceptualising the notion of a person with disabilities from welfare recipient to income earner. Drawing on Foucault's notion of pastoral power, we interpret archival documents from this important period in the development of disability policy in Australia, which is so far unexplored in the accounting literature. We reveal the role of accounting in rationalising and operationalising government initiatives and programs assembled to address the ‘problem of disability’. We show that accounting terminology and techniques were mobilised as a way of justifying the transference of people with disabilities into sheltered workshops, a process that aimed to transform them into income earners who could contribute to the national economy.
Hospital Days Reduced for Moderate and Severe COVID-19 Patients Through a Home Monitoring Program With Oxygen
Authors: Martinez Jessica A. , Ehsan Ariana , Mellady Mary , Goldberg Lisa , Martinez Ryan A.
Published: February 2023

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain the healthcare system, it has also expanded telemedicine. There is a subset of hospitalized moderate to severe COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen but no other intervention. This is a retrospective study of patients ≥18 years with moderate to severe COVID-19 that participated in a home monitoring program with supplemental oxygen (HMP-O2) ( N = 25). For study outcomes, HMP-O2 participants were compared to patients meeting the same inclusion criteria but did not participate in the program ( N = 60). On average, the HMP-O2 patients spent 5.8 days (±5.5 days) in the hospital compared to 8.12 days (±5.5 days) for non-program patients. This resulted in 19% cost-savings for HMP-O2 patients. Lessons learned from this program can be applied to future HMPs for either COVID-19 or other conditions that would benefit from telecare.
Outcomes of Keller Gap Arthroplasty for Plantar Hallux Interphalangeal Joint Ulcers in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Periasamy Madhu , Muthukumar Vamseedharan , Mali Reddy Radhika , Asokan Kumanan , Sabapathy S. Raja
Published: February 2023

Background:

Hallux ulcers are known for their recurrence and associated risk for future amputations. Traditional nonsurgical external offloading methods have poor compliance rates, and the data is sparse on surgical offloading of hallux ulcers. We performed this study to analyze the outcomes of Keller excision gap arthroplasty of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in patients with a neuropathic plantar hallux interphalangeal joint (IPJ) ulcer in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Methods:

A retrospective study of 105 diabetic patients with a plantar hallux IPJ ulcer who underwent a Keller excision gap arthroplasty between December 2014 and June 2020 was done. A total of 122 great toes had been operated upon for hallux IPJ ulcers. We studied the long-term wound healing rates from patient records and then did a prospective survey of the postreview period.

Results:

All the hallux IPJ ulcers healed well in the immediate postoperative period. Six patients reported a recurrence of the ulcer at the original site during a mean follow-up period of 30 months. For these 6 patients, the mean time to recurrence of ulcer after operation was 2.5 years.

Conclusion:

At an average of 30 months, we found the Keller gap arthroplasty for treatment of noninfected and nonischemic diabetic foot hallux IPJ ulcers was associated with an ulcer recurrence rate of 5%.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, cohort study.
Contraceptive Use Among Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion: The Moderating Role of PTSD and Depression
Authors: Zemlak Jessica L. , Marineau Lea , Willie Tiara C. , Addison Helena , Edwards Gabrielle , Kershaw Trace , Alexander Kamila A.
Published: February 2023

Women experiencing reproductive coercion (RC) report more unintended pregnancies and mental health symptoms that can influence contraceptive use patterns. We examined associations between RC and contraceptive use among intimate partner violence (IPV) exposed women aged 18–35 ( N = 283). We tested depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and co-morbid depression and PTSD as effect modifiers. Though no association was found between RC and contraception, PTSD significantly modified this relationship. Among Black women ( n = 112), those reporting RC and either PTSD or comorbid PTSD and depression were less likely to use partner-independent contraception compared to those reporting RC without mental health symptoms. PTSD could be a barrier to contraceptive choice among this population.
Nonfinancial Reporting and Real Sustainable Change: Relationship Status—It’s Complicated
Authors: Hahn Rüdiger , Reimsbach Daniel , Wickert Christopher
Published: February 2023

The relationship between nonfinancial reporting and real sustainable change within and beyond organizations is fraught with complication. Furthermore, all facets of the relationship have not been examined equally. The contributions of this special issue made substantive progress in this regard and draw our focus to several remaining complications—in particular, the societal impacts of nonfinancial reporting. With this introduction, we seek to move the conversation forward by proposing a framework that disentangles the linkages between nonfinancial reporting and real sustainable change at multiple levels of analysis. We highlight the distinction between sustainability-related outputs and outcomes that typically materialize at the firm level, and eventually lead to sustainable impact at the societal level. Future research should advance this distinction and scrutinize the impact of real sustainable change beyond firm-level outputs, study the organizational change processes from antecedents to impacts, and examine the interrelationships between different instruments to foster real sustainable change.
Outbreak management of multidrug-resistant Bordetella bronchiseptica in 16 shelter-housed cats
Authors: Rodriguez Lisa , Berliner Elizabeth A
Published: February 2023

Case series summary

This case series describes an outbreak of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Bordetella bronchiseptica in 16 shelter-housed cats with infectious respiratory disease. Four cats presented with acute dyspnea on the same day, each with a history of previous upper respiratory disease that had resolved with treatment. Early diagnostic testing and culture and sensitivity allowed for targeted antimicrobial therapy and environmental interventions. A case definition based on exposure and clinical signs identified 12 additional presumptive cases, including the likely index case. Comprehensive outbreak management included diagnostic testing, risk assessment, vaccination, use of isolation and quarantine, increased surveillance and review of biosecurity practices. The outbreak resolved in 26 days.

Relevance and novel information

Management of an MDR B bronchiseptica outbreak in shelter-housed cats has not been previously described. Along with standard population and environmental measures, early and appropriate use of necropsy, PCR and bacterial culture allowed rapid and appropriate use of effective, second-line antibiotics. Shelters are resource-challenged population centers. Veterinarians working in animal shelters can play an important role in helping to develop cost-efficient and effective antimicrobial stewardship practices for companion animal settings. Outbreak management expertise and funding for diagnostic testing, as well as application of the principles of antimicrobial stewardship, are essential components of shelter medicine practice.
Ocular complications of plasma cell dyscrasias
Authors: Singh Rohan Bir , Singhal Sachi , Sinha Shruti , Cho Junsang , Nguyen Anne Xuan-Lan , Dhingra Lovedeep Singh , Kaur Snimarjot , Sharma Vasudha , Agarwal Aniruddha
Published: February 2023

Plasma cell dyscrasias are a wide range of severe monoclonal gammopathies caused by pre-malignant or malignant plasma cells that over-secrete an abnormal monoclonal antibody. These disorders are associated with various systemic findings, including ophthalmological disorders. A search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane databases was performed in March 2021 to examine evidence pertaining to ocular complications in patients diagnosed with plasma cell dyscrasias. This review outlines the ocular complications associated with smoldering multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, plasmacytomas, multiple myeloma, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, systemic amyloidosis, Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy and Skin changes (POEMS) syndrome, and cryoglobulinemia. Although, the pathological mechanisms are not completely elucidated yet, wide-ranging ocular presentations have been identified over the years, evolving both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Moreover, the presenting symptoms also help in early diagnosis in asymptomatic patients. Therefore, it is imperative for the treating ophthalmologist and oncologist to maintain a high clinical suspicion for identifying the ophthalmological signs and diagnosing the underlying disease, preventing its progression through efficacious treatment strategies.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes using SGLT2 Inhibitors
Authors: Almazrouei Raya , Afandi Bachar , AlKindi Fatima , Govender Romona , Al-Shamsi Saif
Published: February 2023

Background:

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) use is associated with an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Objective:

This study evaluated and compared the DKA characteristics and outcomes of users and non-users of SGLT2i.

Methods:

We retrospectively studied patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) admitted with DKA to Tawam Hospital, Al Ain City, UAE between January 2017 and March 2021. Demographic data, clinical, and laboratory findings were extracted from the electronic medical records.

Results:

A total of 55 patients with T2DM (62% UAE nationals, 50% women) were admitted with DKA. The average age was 54.0 ± 18.9 years and average diabetes duration of 15.7 ± 15.1 years. Seventeen patients (31%) were using SGLT2i. Infection was the main precipitating factor for DKA in (8 out of 17) SGLT2i users. Compared to non-users, SGLT2i users had lower systolic blood pressure (119.9 vs 140 mmHg; P = .012) and serum glucose levels (16.2 vs 24.9 mmol/L; P < .001) and higher Na level (137.5 vs 132.6 mmol/L; P = .005). Additionally, 56.3% of SGLT2i users had euglycemic DKA compared to 2.6% of nonusers ( P < .001). Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurred more in SGLT2i users compared to non-users (94.1% vs 67.6%, P = .043). Further analysis revealed that SGLT2i users were about five times more likely to have prolonged hospital length of stay (⩾14 days) when compared with non-users (adjusted OR: 4.84; P = .035). Overall, there was no difference between the two groups with regards to DKA complications and mortality.

Conclusions:

SGLT2i related DKA is associated with lower blood glucose levels, lower SBP, worse hypovolemia, increased risk of AKI, and longer hospital stay when compared to non SGLT2i related episodes. Since the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors far outweigh potential risks, there is a need to raise healthcare professionals and patients’ awareness about this potential association.
Cyber Nuts and Bolts: Effective Participatory Online Learning, Theory and Practice
Authors: Barnard Josie
Published: February 2023

This article presents emergent findings from an empirical research study conducted during Covid lockdown with 52 undergraduate students at a UK university November 2020–April 2021. The research study, which adopts a teacher-practitioner stance, builds on a 2012–2019 programme of research (represented by publications including Barnard 2019) which explores the potentials and dangers that digital technologies hold for pedagogy and education. It is located in the field of Creative Writing and uses the discipline’s pedagogical practice of ‘workshopping’ as a case study. The Creative Writing workshop centres on the exchange of information and critically informed comment by participating students (generally in small groups), and, as such, has similarities with seminars in other disciplines. Hence it is hoped that this article will be of benefit both in the home discipline and more widely. The contention of this article is that, to maintain quality in the delivery of participatory online teaching, it is necessary to ensure an ongoing feedback loop between individuals’ bodily existence ‘IRL’ (‘In Real Life’) and the section of cyberspace that they carve out and inhabit collaboratively during virtual seminar groups. It considers how the cliché of the ‘digital native’ can inhibit learning and the role of affect in enabling productive online and engagement. In taking initial steps towards development of a pedagogy of affect in which a ‘neutral terrain’ is established that enables students to apply and develop close reading skills in an online environment, it presents a new theoretical position on what constitutes effective pedagogy in the context of participatory virtual classrooms.
The impact of altruism on the emotions and English summary writing skills of L2 learners: An intervention study in light of positive psychology
Authors: Zare Javad , Aqajani Delavar Khadijeh , Derakhshan Ali
Published: February 2023

According to positive psychology (PP), positive emotions contribute to language learning by helping learners recognize their strengths and overcome obstacles. One form of PP is altruism (altruistic teaching), which requires teaching without self-focus. The present study aimed to investigate how altruism affects the emotions and second language (L2) summary writing skills of Iranian L2 learners, drawing on an experimental (comparison group, pretest–posttest) design within a sequential explanatory design. The participants of the study were 130 Iranian learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) with B1 general English language proficiency who were assigned to one intervention and one comparison group, and underwent the intervention and control intervention, respectively. Both the intervention and control intervention involved an instructional program of 12 sessions on summary writing with one teacher. What distinguished the intervention from the control intervention was that each student in the intervention group was supposed to teach for one hour one peer what they learned about English summary writing out of altruism. Analysis of the data showed that altruism has a positive instructional influence on the L2 summary writing skills of L2 learners by promoting their self-esteem, gratitude, connectedness and community, happiness, and compassion. The article ends with implications for research and practice in second language acquisition (SLA) and PP.
Minority representation in the streaming era: An analysis of Jewish identity in competing subscription video on-demand platforms
Authors: Sienkiewicz Matt , L. Wayne Michael
Published: February 2023

This article considers how three competing subscription video on-demand services (SVODs) – Jewzy, ChaiFlicks, and IZZY – attract American Jewish subscribers via content selection, platform design, and marketing rhetoric. Although these three SVODs offer similar catalogs, they nonetheless foreground distinct elements of Jewish life, history, and practice. This process of commercial framing, the paper argues, creates unique brand identities for the three services that align with three different approaches to the construction of American Jewish identity. The article goes on to show that these SVODs offer an opportunity to revisit core assumptions embedded within Jewish screen studies and minority screen representation studies more broadly. Minority identity on screen is most often studied through the interpretation of key instances of minority representation. These SVODs instead emphasize the dynamics of interpellation, as they hail viewers by appealing to limited, pre-constructed concepts of cultural identity while offering entire platforms worth of representations.
Identification and Development of a 4-Gene Ferroptosis Signature Predicting Overall Survival for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Wu Huitao , Zhang Junyan , Fu Li , Wu Rilige , Gu Zhenyang , Yin Chengliang , He Kunlun
Published: February 2023

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a well-differentiated disease, which makes the diagnosis and therapeutic strategy a difficult problem. While ferroptosis, as an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, it plays an important role in causing several types of cancer. This study is aimed at exploring the prognostic value of ferroptosis-related genes in DLBCL. Methods: In our study, mRNA expression and matching clinical data of DLBCL patients were derived from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. First, multivariate cox regression model and nomogram which can predict the DLBCL patients’ prognosis were built and validated. The multigene signature was constructed and optimized by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) cox regression model. Also, ferroptosis-related subtypes were developed by consistent cluster. Last but not least, we explored the association between categories of infiltrating immune cells and model genes’ expression. Results: Our results showed that 27 gene expressions were correlated with overall survival (OS) in the univariate cox regression analysis. A 4-gene signature was constructed through these genes to stratify patients into high-low risk groups using risk score derived from model (model 1:gene expression model). The OS of patients in the high-risk group was shorter than that of patients in the low-risk group in the TNM stage and clinically distinct subtypes (activated B cell [ABC], germinal center B cell [GCB]) ( P < .001). Furthermore, it was shown that the risk score was an independent factor in clinical cox regression model for OS (model 2:clinical model) (HR>1, P < .010). Besides, in consistent cluster analysis, ferroptosis prognosis status was different among 3 subtypes. Moreover, the correlation analysis between 4-gene with immune cells showed dendritic cells may be significantly associated with DLBCL. Conclusion: This research constructed an innovative ferroptosis-related gene signature for prognostic estimation of DLBCL patients. Solutions targeting ferroptosis could be an important therapeutic intervention for DLBCL.
A Systematic Review of Cognitive Functioning and its Relationship to Outcomes Following Amputation Secondary to Vascular Etiology
Authors: Dawes Erinn , Hewitt Lyndel L. , Bliokas Vida V. , Wilson Val J.
Published: February 2023

Amputation is a major life event, impacting on all aspects of daily living, and has the goal of achieving maximal patient mobility and independence. The level of cognitive function of those patients who are assigned a prosthesis is an important consideration in the rehabilitation process. Therefore we set out to understand the relationship between cognitive functioning and functional and/or health outcomes following amputation secondary to a vascular condition. This systematic review searched five databases: PsycINFO, Cumulative index to nursing and allied health literature (CINAHL), Scopus, MEDLINE, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed English language articles that met the inclusion criteria. Two authors independently assessed suitability for inclusion, determined biases (Cochrane risk of bias assessment) and extracted data. Results are presented as associations determined on the balance of probabilities. A total of 14 studies were included, with a total of 6891 participants across six domains. Evidence of an association between cognitive function and prosthetic use, mobility and activities of daily living (ADLs) were found. Evidence revealed 83.3% association for cognition and mobility, 66.7% for cognition and ADL, and 62.5% for cognition and prosthetic use. The evidence was indeterminate for an association between cognitive function and living/discharge destination. There was insufficient weight of evidence to determine an association between cognitive function and general health or social participation. The associations found between cognitive function and prosthetic use, mobility and ADL highlight the need for cognitive assessment to form part of the postoperative pathway for vascular amputees.
Design a new control algorithm AFSP (Adaptive Fuzzy – Sliding Mode – Proportional – Integral) for automotive suspension system
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Anh
Published: February 2023

When a vehicle is driving, the most significant source of oscillations is the irregularities in the surface of the road. An active suspension is utilized to enhance the vehicle’s stability and ride comfort. In this work, the dynamic model with multi variables is considered to simulate vehicle oscillations based on four excitation cases from the road surface. In addition, this research also established the AFSP complex control solution for an active suspension system. This is a completely novel algorithm with many outstanding advantages. The final control signal of the system is synthesized from the signals of the linear controller PI (Proportional – Integral) and the nonlinear controller SMC (Sliding Mode Control). The controller’s parameters will change continuously depending on the established fuzzy rule. According to simulation outcomes, the vehicle body displacement and acceleration dramatically declined when the AFSP algorithm directed an active suspension. The values of acceleration and displacement do not exceed 80% and 20%, compared to the scenario in which the vehicle just utilized the typical passive suspension system. Besides, a phenomenon of “chattering” also does not appear when combining the controllers. Overall, the efficiency of this algorithm is high. This algorithm can be applied to more complex models.
Physical testing and strength and conditioning practices differ between coaches working in academy and first team soccer
Authors: McQuilliam Stephen J , Clark David R , Erskine Robert M , Brownlee Thomas E
Published: February 2023

Scientific guidelines exist regarding strength and conditioning (S&C) best practice, for both first team and academy level soccer. However, it is not known if these research-informed guidelines are followed in such applied settings. The aim of this study was to investigate current S&C practice in first team and academy level (men's and women's) soccer, in multiple countries/continents. A total of 170 participants, who were involved with the delivery of S&C support at their soccer club, completed a comprehensive survey, describing their training methods. Data were analysed using Pearson's chi-square test of independence and independent t-tests. Statistical significance was set to p < 0.05. A greater proportion of academy compared to first team coaches assessed acceleration/sprint (92% vs. 83%, p=0.026), jump (95% vs. 83%, p=0.023) and change of direction performance (77% vs. 61%, p=0.031). The weekly training structure differed between groups, particularly within women's squads, with women's academy coaches reporting the lowest session frequency of all groups (1.59 ± 0.62 session per week, 44 ± 17 min duration). A greater proportion of academy (54%) versus first team (35%) coaches prioritised bodyweight training ( p=0.031), despite a similar distribution of movement patterns trained. Overall, 44% S&C coaches reported using training intensities below strength training guidelines (≥80% 1RM). To conclude, there were many differences in S&C practice between S&C coaches working with first team and academy squads but particularly noteworthy was the greater proportion of academy coaches prioritising bodyweight training compared to first team coaches, which may limit physical development in academy players.