bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Systematic Holistic Nursing Combined with Narrative Nursing Intervention for Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer on Complications and Negative Emotions
Authors: Lu Hui , Zhu Lingyun , Tan Chunxiao
Published: July 2022

Objective. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of systemic holistic nursing combined with narrative nursing on the postoperative complications and negative emotions in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Methods. A total of 120 patients with advanced gastric cancer admitted to our hospital between February 2020 and February 2021 were recruited and assigned to receive systemic holistic nursing combined with narrative nursing (experimental group) or systemic holistic nursing (control group) according to order of admission, with 60 cases in each group. The outcome measures included the incidence of postoperative complications, negative emotion score, quality of life score, self-efficacy score, self-care ability score, and nursing satisfaction. Results. The experimental group had a significantly lower incidence of complications and lower negative emotion scores than the control group (

P
<
0.001

). Systemic holistic nursing plus narrative nursing resulted in significantly higher life scores, self-efficacy scores, and self-care ability scores in the experimental group after nursing than in the control group (

P
<
0.001

). Patients of the experimental groups were more satisfied with the nursing in contrast to those in the control group (

P
<
0.001

). Conclusion. Systematic holistic nursing plus narrative nursing alleviates the negative emotions of patients, improves their self-efficacy scores, lowers the incidence of complications, and enhances quality of life.
The Mechanisms of Action of Tumor Treating Fields
Authors: Moser Justin C. , Salvador Ellaine , Deniz Karina , Swanson Kenneth , Tuszynski Jack , Carlson Kristen W. , Karanam Narasimha Kumar , Patel Chirag B. , Story Michael , Lou Emil , Hagemann Carsten
Published: July 2022

Tumor treating fields (TTFields), a new modality of cancer treatment, are electric fields transmitted transdermally to tumors. The FDA has approved TTFields for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme and mesothelioma, and they are currently under study in many other cancer types. While antimitotic effects were the first recognized biological anticancer activity of TTFields, data have shown that tumor treating fields achieve their anticancer effects through multiple mechanisms of action. TTFields therefore have the ability to be useful for many cancer types in combination with many different treatment modalities. Here, we review the current understanding of TTFields and their mechanisms of action.
Neoantigen Identification and Response to Adoptive Cell Transfer in Anti–PD-1 Naïve and Experienced Patients with Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Levi Shoshana T. , Copeland Amy R. , Nah Shirley , Crystal Jessica S. , Ivey Gabriel D. , Lalani Almin , Jafferji Mohammad , White Bradley S. , Parikh Neilesh B. , Leko Vid , Krishna Sri , Lowery Frank , Prickett Todd D. , Gartner Jared J. , Jia Li , Li Yong F. , Sachs Abraham , Sindiri Sivasish , Robinson Welles , Gasmi Billel , Yang James C. , Goff Stephanie L. , Rosenberg Steven A. , Robbins Paul F.
Published: July 2022

Purpose:

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) agents and adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are prominent immunotherapies used for the treatment of advanced melanoma. Both therapies rely on activation of lymphocytes that target shared tumor antigens or neoantigens. Recent analysis of patients with metastatic melanoma who underwent treatment with TIL ACT at the NCI demonstrated decreased responses in patients previously treated with anti–PD-1 agents. We aimed to find a basis for the difference in response rates between anti–PD-1 naïve and experienced patients.

Patients and Methods:

We examined the tumor mutational burden (TMB) of resected tumors and the repertoire of neoantigens targeted by autologous TIL in a cohort of 112 anti–PD-1 naïve and 69 anti–PD-1 experienced patients.

Results:

Anti–PD-1 naïve patients were found to possess tumors with higher TMBs (352.0 vs. 213.5, P = 0.005) and received TIL reactive with more neoantigens (2 vs. 1, P = 0.003) compared with anti–PD-1 experienced patients. Among patients treated with TIL ACT, TMB and number of neoantigens identified were higher in ACT responders than ACT nonresponders in both anti–PD-1 naïve and experienced patients. Among patients with comparable TMBs and predicted neoantigen loads, treatment products administered to anti–PD-1 naïve patients were more likely to contain T cells reactive against neoantigens than treatment products for anti–PD-1 experienced patients (2.5 vs. 1, P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

These results indicate that decreases in TMB and targeted neoantigens partially account for the difference in response to ACT and that additional factors likely influence responses in these patients.

See related commentary by Blass and Ott, p. 2980
AmplifiedEPOR/JAK2Genes Define a Unique Subtype of Acute Erythroid Leukemia
Authors: Takeda June , Yoshida Kenichi , Nakagawa Masahiro M. , Nannya Yasuhito , Yoda Akinori , Saiki Ryunosuke , Ochi Yotaro , Zhao Lanying , Okuda Rurika , Qi Xingxing , Mori Takuto , Kon Ayana , Chiba Kenichi , Tanaka Hiroko , Shiraishi Yuichi , Kuo Ming-Chung , Kerr Cassandra M. , Nagata Yasunobu , Morishita Daisuke , Hiramoto Nobuhiro , Hangaishi Akira , Nakazawa Hideyuki , Ishiyama Ken , Miyano Satoru , Chiba Shigeru , Miyazaki Yasushi , Kitano Toshiyuki , Usuki Kensuke , Sezaki Nobuo , Tsurumi Hisashi , Miyawaki Shuichi , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P. , Ishikawa Takayuki , Ohyashiki Kazuma , Ganser Arnold , Heuser Michael , Thol Felicitas , Shih Lee-Yung , Takaori-Kondo Akifumi , Makishima Hideki , Ogawa Seishi
Published: July 2022

Acute erythroid leukemia (AEL) is a unique subtype of acute myeloid leukemia characterized by prominent erythroid proliferation whose molecular basis is poorly understood. To elucidate the underlying mechanism of erythroid proliferation, we analyzed 121 AEL using whole-genome, whole-exome, and/or targeted-capture sequencing, together with transcriptome analysis of 21 AEL samples. Combining publicly available sequencing data, we found a high frequency of gains and amplifications involving EPOR/JAK2 in TP53-mutated cases, particularly those having >80% erythroblasts designated as pure erythroid leukemia (10/13). These cases were frequently accompanied by gains and amplifications of ERG/ETS2 and associated with a very poor prognosis, even compared with other TP53-mutated AEL. In addition to activation of the STAT5 pathway, a common feature across all AEL cases, these AEL cases exhibited enhanced cell proliferation and heme metabolism and often showed high sensitivity to ruxolitinib in vitro and in xenograft models, highlighting a potential role of JAK2 inhibition in therapeutics of AEL.

Significance:

This study reveals the major role of gains, amplifications, and mutations of EPOR and JAK2 in the pathogenesis of pure erythroleukemia. Their frequent response to ruxolitinib in patient-derived xenograft and cell culture models highlights a possible therapeutic role of JAK2 inhibition for erythroleukemia with EPOR/JAK2-involving lesions.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 369
A Phase I Study of Pelabresib (CPI-0610), a Small-Molecule Inhibitor of BET Proteins, in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Lymphoma
Authors: Blum Kristie A. , Supko Jeffrey G. , Maris Michael B. , Flinn Ian W. , Goy Andre , Younes Anas , Bobba Suresh , Senderowicz Adrian M. , Efuni Sergey , Rippley Ronda , Colak Gozde , Trojer Patrick , Abramson Jeremy S.
Published: July 2022

Purpose:

NF-κB, a transcription factor essential for inflammatory responses, is constitutively activated in many lymphomas. In preclinical studies, pelabresib (CPI-0610), an investigational (BET) bromodomain inhibitor, downregulated NF-κB signaling and demonstrated antitumor activity in vitro. Here we report the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary clinical activity from the first-in-human phase I study of pelabresib in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphomas (NCT01949883).

Experimental Design:

Sixty-four patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma (median of 4 prior lines of therapy) were treated with either capsule (6, 12, 24, 48, 80, 120, 170, 230, 300 mg) or tablet (125, 225 mg) doses of pelabresib orally once daily on a 14 days on, 7 days off schedule.

Results:

The MTD was determined as the 225 mg tablet daily. The most frequent adverse events were fatigue, nausea, and decreased appetite. Thrombocytopenia, a class effect for all BET inhibitors, was dose-dependent, reversible, and noncumulative. Pelabresib exhibited dose-proportional increases in systemic exposure, rapid absorption, and a half-life of approximately 15 hours (supporting once daily dosing). The bioavailability of the tablet formulation was 60% greater than the capsules. Pelabresib suppressed IL8 and CCR1 mRNA at doses above 120 and 170 mg, respectively. Four patients (6.2%) had an objective response (2 complete response and 2 partial response) and 5 patients had prolonged stable disease.

Conclusions/Discussion:

Pelabresib is capable of BET target gene suppression in an exposure-dependent manner with an acceptable safety profile leading to the recommended phase II dose of the 125 mg tablet once daily.

Significance:

BET proteins inhibition can potentially modify the pathogenic pathways which contribute to many diseases including malignancies. Pelabresib (CPI-0610), a potent and selective small molecule BET proteins inhibitor, has a MTD of 225 mg once daily for 14 days with a 7-day break, clear pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship, and manageable clinical safety profile. These findings are part of the foundation for the ongoing pivotal study of pelabresib in patients with myelofibrosis.
Virgílio de Lemos e a invenção das ilhas: percursos poéticos pelos espaços moçambicanos
Authors: Leal Luciana Brandão
Published: July 2022

Este ensaio apresenta análises de poemas de Virgílio de Lemos, considerando temáticas importantes na escrita desse poeta moçambicano, especialmente, os seus percursos pelas ilhas moçambicanas e pelas águas do Oceano Índico. Em sua lírica, sobressaem metáforas que remetem às migrações e aos deslocamentos, configurando um percurso identitário pelos espaços e pelos labirintos da memória do poeta.
Entre a vida rural e a vida urbana: os embates culturais vividos por Aku-nna
Authors: Oliveira Jéssica França de , Rocha Enilce do Carmo Albergaria
Published: July 2022

Em Preço de noiva (2020), temos como pano de fundo a trajetória de Aku-nna sendo forçada a se mudar da capital da Nigéria para a região rural. Portanto, o objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar como o deslocamento da personagem a coloca em constantes embates culturais, levando-a a confrontar o patriarcalismo tanto nas esferas tradicionais quanto coloniais. Sob revisão bibliográfica, o quadro teórico é formado por teóricos como: Homi Bhabha (1998), Patricia Hill Collins (2000), Edward Said (2011) e Édouard Glissant (2013). Depreende-se que a obra ilustra as diversas formas de violência a que estão submetidas as mulheres e como elas buscam por estratégias de enfrentamento e resistência.
Incidence and Risk Factors of Pulmonary Hypertension After Venous Thromboembolism: An Analysis of a Large Health Care Database
Authors: Lutsey Pamela L. , Evensen Line H. , Thenappan Thenappan , Prins Kurt W. , Walker Rob F. , Farley Joel F. , MacLehose Richard F. , Alonso Alvaro , Zakai Neil A.
Published: July 2022

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a devastating potential complication of pulmonary embolism, a manifestation of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The incidence of and risk factors for PH in those with prior VTE are poorly characterized.

Methods and Results

International Classification of Diseases
(
ICD
) codes from inpatient and outpatient medical claims from MarketScan administrative databases for years 2011 to 2018 were used to identify cases of VTE, comorbidities before the VTE event, and PH occurring subsequent to the VTE event. Cumulative incidence and hazard ratios (HR), and their 95% CI, were calculated. The 170 021 VTE cases included in the analysis were on average (±SD) 57.5±15.8 years old and 50.5% were female. A total of 5943 PH cases accrued over an average follow‐up of 1.94 years. Two years after incident VTE, the cumulative incidence (95% CI) of PH was 3.5% (3.4%–3.7%) overall. It was higher among older individuals, among women (3.9% [3.8%–4.1%]) than men (3.2% [3.0%–3.3%]), and among patients presenting with pulmonary embolism (6.2% [6.0%–6.5%]) than those presenting with deep vein thrombosis only (1.1% [1.0%–1.2%]). Adjusting for age and sex, risk of PH was higher among patients with VTE with underlying comorbidities. Using the Charlson comorbidity index, there was a dose–response relationship, whereby greater scores were associated with increased PH risk (score ≥5 versus 0: HR, (2.50 [2.30–2.71])). When evaluating individual comorbidities, the strongest associations were observed with concomitant heart failure (HR, 2.17 [2.04–2.31]), chronic pulmonary disease (2.01 [1.90–2.14]), and alcohol abuse (1.66 [1.29–2.13]).

Conclusions

In this large, real‐world population of insured people with VTE, 3.5% developed PH in the 2 years following their initial VTE event. Risk was higher among women, with increasing age, and in those with additional comorbidities at the time of the VTE event. These data provide insights into the burden of PH and risk factors for PH among patients with VTE.
Use of Clinical Pathway Simulation and Machine Learning to Identify Key Levers for Maximizing the Benefit of Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Stroke
Authors: Allen Michael , James Charlotte , Frost Julia , Liabo Kristin , Pearn Kerry , Monks Thomas , Everson Richard , Stein Ken , James Martin
Published: July 2022

Background:

Expert opinion is that about 20% of emergency stroke patients should receive thrombolysis. Currently, 11% to 12% of patients in England and Wales receive thrombolysis, ranging from 2% to 24% between hospitals. The aim of this study was to assess how much variation is due to differences in local patient populations, and how much is due to differences in clinical decision-making and stroke pathway performance, while estimating a realistic target thrombolysis use.

Methods:

Anonymised data for 246 676 emergency stroke admissions to 132 acute hospitals in England and Wales between 2016 and 2018 was obtained from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme data. We used machine learning to learn decisions on who to give thrombolysis to at each hospital. We used clinical pathway simulation to model effects of changing pathway performance. Qualitative research was used to assess clinician attitudes to these methods. Three changes were modeled: (1) arrival-to-treatment in 30 minutes, (2) proportion of patients with determined stroke onset times set to at least the national upper quartile, (3) thrombolysis decisions made based on majority vote of a benchmark set of hospitals.

Results:

Of the modeled changes, any single change was predicted to increase national thrombolysis use from 11.6% to between 12.3% to 14.5% (clinical decision-making having the most effect). Combined, these changes would be expected to increase thrombolysis to 18.3%, but there would still be significant variation between hospitals depending on local patient population. Clinicians engaged well with the modeling, but those from hospitals with lower thrombolysis use were most cautious about the methods.

Conclusions:

Machine learning and clinical pathway simulation may be applied at scale to national stroke audit data, allowing extended use and analysis of audit data. Stroke thrombolysis rates of at least 18% look achievable in England and Wales, but each hospital should have its own target.
A new species of Ilyobius Enderlein, 1910 (Megaloptera: Sialidae) from a threatened region in the Mantiqueira Mountain range (Brazil)
Authors: MENDES GABRIELA CAROLINE , NASCIMENTO JEANE MARCELLE CAVALCANTE DO , FUSARI LÍVIA MARIA , SANTOS MIREILE REIS DOS , HAMADA NEUSA
Published: July 2022

A new species of Ilyobius Enderlein, 1910 (Megaloptera: Sialidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is described based on male, female, and larva. Ilyobius erebus sp. nov. is the 11th species in this genus, and the fourth reported in Brazil. In addition, male and female genitalia of I. hauseri (Contreras-Ramos, Fiorentin & Urakami, 2005) are redescribed based on the holotype and newly collected specimens at the type locality. Based on the current classification system, I. erebus sp. nov. is placed in the I. chilensis group, which was supported by male and female genital structures. The type locality of the new species is threatened by human impacts, and conservation of its habitat is needed.
Description of a new species of crayfish in the genus Faxonius (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Lower Ohio River Drainage, with evidence of glacial influence on the distribution of some crayfish species throughout the Ohio River basin
Authors: COUCH ZACHARY L. , HAYES DAVID M.
Published: July 2022

Variation in morphology of Faxonius jeffersoni has been documented since the 1960’s. However, a taxonomic review of the species had not been conducted. In order to clarify if F. jeffersoni exhibited a variety of character traits, or was comprised of multiple taxa, genetic and morphological analyses were conducted. As a result, we revealed that F. jeffersoni sensu lato was comprised of two non-sister taxa. A new species of crayfish, Faxonius elix n. sp., is described herein. Further analysis shows evidence of glacial influence on the distribution of crayfish species of the genus Faxonius throughout Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana along the glacial maximum.
Impact of El Niño–Southern Oscillation on the Benguela Upwelling
Authors: Rouault M. , Tomety F. S.
Published: July 2022

The impact of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the southern African climate is well documented and provides skill in the seasonal forecast of rainfall, but less is known about the impact of ENSO on the Benguela Current west of southern Africa. There is a significant weak correlation between ENSO and the Benguela Current upwelling sea surface temperature (SST) in austral summer. Correlation is positive for southern Benguela and negative for northern Benguela. A significant correlation exists with up to 8 months lag when ENSO leads. The impact of ENSO is due to weaker-than-normal upwelling favorable southeasterly winds during El Niño in southern Benguela, leading to warmer-than-normal coastal SST. In contrast, during La Niña, stronger-than-normal southeasterly winds lead to cooler-than-normal SST. The opposite effect applies to northern Benguela. The coastal wind change is part of an ENSO large-scale basinwide perturbation in the tropical and South Atlantic. However, non-ENSO-related SST variation in the Benguela upwelling can be as important as ENSO-related SST perturbation, and some ENSO events do not lead to the expected changes. Changes in the Benguela upwelling are linked to changes in the intensity of the trade winds associated with a change of the South Atlantic anticyclone intensity and position. In southern Benguela, changes are also associated with variations in midlatitude low pressure systems and associated upwelling unfavorable westerly winds. La Niñas favor the development of Benguela Niños in Angola and Namibia. This study shows the potential for SST seasonal predictability in the Benguela upwelling due to the leading lag correlation between ENSO and the Benguela upwelling SST.
Dynamics of eddying abyssal mixing layers over sloping rough topography
Authors: Drake Henri F. , Ruan Xiaozhou , Callies Jörn , Ogden Kelly , Thurnherr Andreas M. , Ferrari Raffaele
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT: The abyssal overturning circulation is thought to be primarily driven by small-scale turbulent mixing. Diagnosed watermass transformations are dominated by rough topography “hotspots”, where the bottom-enhancement of mixing causes the diffusive buoyancy flux to diverge, driving widespread downwelling in the interior—only to be overwhelmed by an even stronger up-welling in a thin Bottom Boundary Layer (BBL). These watermass transformations are significantly underestimated by one-dimensional (1D) sloping boundary layer solutions, suggesting the importance of three-dimensional physics. Here, we use a hierarchy of models to generalize this 1D boundary layer approach to three-dimensional eddying flows over realistically rough topography. When applied to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the Brazil Basin, the idealized simulation results are roughly consistent with available observations. Integral buoyancy budgets isolate the physical processes that contribute to realistically strong BBL upwelling. The downwards diffusion of buoyancy is primarily balanced by upwelling along the sloping canyon sidewalls and the surrounding abyssal hills. These flows are strengthened by the restratifying effects of submesoscale baroclinic eddies and by the blocking of along-ridge thermal wind within the canyon. Major topographic sills block along-thalweg flows from restratifying the canyon trough, resulting in the continual erosion of the trough’s stratification. We propose simple modifications to the 1D boundary layer model which approximate each of these three-dimensional effects. These results provide local dynamical insights into mixing-driven abyssal overturning, but a complete theory will also require the non-local coupling to the basin-scale circulation.
Second Victim Syndrome in Trauma Practitioners and Other Ancillary Staff
Authors: Bakshi Arjun S. , Hardy Sierra L. , Moore Erica , Nicely Kelly Wiltse , Koganti Deepika , Hanos Dustin , Thompson Alexis N. , Grant April , Nguyen Jonathan , Sola Richard , Williams Keneeshia N. , Sciarretta Jason D. , Dente Christopher J. , Castater Christine A. , Smith Randi N.
Published: July 2022

In health care, second victims are traumatized clinicians involved in unanticipated or untoward patient events. Programs that address second victim syndrome are sparse and its diagnosis often goes unrecognized. Consistently, literature has identified gaps in support resources, leading to compromised patient care and provider health. This project evaluates the need for second victim resources in trauma care providers at a tertiary public level 1 trauma hospital by electronically implementing a validated second victim survey over 5 weeks. Our results illustrate that second victim syndrome is prevalent among 57.1% of trauma care providers, of which 22.9% agree that second victim syndrome results in some form of undesirable work intentions.
Spontaneous Adverse Event Reporting by COVID-19 Vaccinated Healthcare Professionals Through an Electronic Form Implemented by the Hospital Pharmacy
Authors: da Cruz João Paulo Garcia Lopes , de Carvalho Cristina da Conceição Ribeiro , da Cruz Silva Paula Alexandre , Guerreiro Luis Filipe Campos , Bento Tatiana Vedes , Costa Leila Vanessa Carmo Cardoso Martins , Simões Raquel Filipa Miguel Margarido Duarte , Marques Rui Pedro Pinheiro Gonçalves , Castro Fernandes Ana Cristina , Galaio Luís Miguel Costa de Mendonça , Correia Ana Isabel B. , Leite Resende Ema Maria S. , Gonçalves João Manuel Braz
Published: July 2022

Aim: Implementation of a web-form based pharmacovigilance plan for the spontaneous notification of adverse events to the Comirnaty® COVID-19 vaccine during its administration to hospital healthcare professionals. Methods: An electronic pharmacovigilance form was developed containing 8 pre-defined event options, an open answer option for the description of other events and/or symptoms, and a question about the overall intensity of symptoms. The adverse events reports were standardized according to physiological and pathological condition. Results: A total of 4119 adverse events notifications were obtained with a 45% rate of electronic notification. The most clinically relevant events reported were:tachycardia (n = 19), dyspnea (n = 7), chest pain (n = 6), facial/labial edema (n = 6), lipothymia (n = 5), bronchospasm (n = 2), herpetic infection (n = 2), vasculitis (n = 2), arrhythmia (n = 1), difficult to control arterial hypertension (n = 1), gastritis (n = 1), and spontaneous abortion (n = 1). Regarding the intensity of symptoms (n = 2928), 70.0% were reported as mild, 25.8% as moderate, and 4.27% as severe, with higher intensity in the second dose compared to first dose. The highest frequency of severe events were reported in the groups from 40 to 59 years in both vaccination periods. During the vaccination process, no hospitalizations and no deaths were notified and/or recorded. Conclusion: In this real world study, comparing with Comirnaty clinical trials program, it was observed a higher frequency of adenomegaly and gastrointestinal disorders. Noteworthy, the notification of a case of miscarriage. The use of hospital pharmacy pharmacovigilance electronic forms, seemed to be relevant to notification adherence and to obtain a greater and faster knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine safety profile
Role of Information and Communication Technologies in the Metamorphosis of Justice Administration in India: A Legal Study
Authors: Rattan Jyoti , Rattan Vijay
Published: July 2022

The Internet and the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have entirely changed the way governments function and have revolutionised legal governance as well all over the globe. At the international level for initiating such a gigantic change, to begin with, the Model Law on Electronic Commerce (MLEC), put forward by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and adopted on 12 June 1996 had played a commendable role. Subsequently, Model Law on Electronic Signatures (MLES), was adopted. The Information Technology Act 2000 amended in 2008 contains the provisions for e-governance thus legally recognising the use of ICTs in judicial administration in India.
“How reliable an ally?”: Surveying American power and credibility after the fall of Saigon—and Kabul
Authors: McKercher Asa
Published: July 2022

The withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, and the subsequent collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government in August 2021, raised doubts in the United States and abroad about the limits and credibility of American power. For some observers, the situation seemed to parallel the fall of the South Vietnamese regime in April 1975. Given the comparisons being drawn between Saigon and Kabul, this brief paper examines a series of Canadian diplomatic reports produced in the wake of the events in South Vietnam. Addressing the question of how reliable the United States was as an ally, the conclusions drawn in these reports should give some pause to doomsaying about US security commitments. Although the contemporary situation differs from that of the mid-1970s, Canadian observers recognized that American power rested on a firm foundation.
Measuring Urbanisation, Growth of Urban Agglomeration, Urban Growth Sustainability and Role of Urban Primacy in India
Authors: Sarkar Raju , Lakshmana C. M.
Published: July 2022

An attempt is made to critically study the measuring urbanisation, recent urban growth patterns, Urban Growth Sustainability (UGS) and addresses the question of how the primate city impacts urban growth. The methods of Urban-Rural Growth Differential (URGD), Composite Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) and Index of Primacy (PI) have been used to understand recent urban growth, impact of primate cities in India based on Census. The top-heavy nature of India’s metropolitan structure has a negative impact on the country’s balanced regional growth. The study recommends that more infrastructure capacity should be granted for the primate cities due to increases in the city’s population.
Culturally Relevant Frames Increase Individuals’ Motivation to Contribute to Carbon Emissions Offsets
Authors: Lau Ee Hwee , Rattan Aneeta , Romero-Canyas Rainer , Savani Krishna
Published: July 2022

We theorized that culturally-relevant frames—language that invokes valued cultural concepts without changing the communicated information—can increase people’s willingness to engage in environmental action. Across eight experiments ( N = 10,294) in two national contexts, we adjusted the language of a carbon offset request that people received as part of a simulated flight purchase. We investigated the role of five constructs that are valued across cultures but vary in their importance: choice, economic growth, social change, moral responsibility, and sanctity. We found that the social change, moral responsibility, and sanctity frames did not differ from the control condition in either culture. Invoking the concept of economic development increased Indians’ willingness to contribute to a carbon offset compared to the control frame, whereas invoking the concept of choice increased US Americans’ willingness. If these simulated decisions translate into actual actions, the findings suggest that framing environmental requests using culturally-relevant frames have the potential to promote sustainable behavior. More generally, the findings highlight the importance of paying attention to culture to motivate environmental action.
Narrative and the “Art of Listening”: Ricoeur, Arendt, and the Political Dangers of Storytelling
Authors: Alfaro Altamirano Adriana
Published: July 2022

Using insights from two of the major proponents of the hermeneutical approach, Paul Ricoeur and Hannah Arendt—who both recognized the ethicopolitical importance of narrative and acknowledged some of the dangers associated with it—I will flesh out the worry that “narrativity” in political theory has been overly attentive to story telling and not heedful enough of story listening. More specifically, even if, as Ricoeur says, “narrative intelligence” is crucial for self-understanding, that does not mean, as he invites us to, that we should always seek to develop a “narrative identity” or become, as he says, “the narrator of our own life story.” I offer that, perhaps inadvertently, such an injunction might turn out to be detrimental to the “art of listening.” This, however, must also be cultivated if we want to do justice to our narrative character and expect narrative to have the political role that both Ricoeur and Arendt envisaged. Thus, although there certainly is a “redemptive power” in narrative, when the latter is understood primarily as the act of narration or as the telling of stories, there is a danger to it as well. Such a danger, I think, intensifies at a time like ours, when, as some scholars have noted, “communicative abundance” or the “ceaseless production of redundancy” in traditional and social media has often led to the impoverishment of the public conversation.
Survival Outcomes Related to Treatment Modalities in Patients With Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Cheng Danni , Rao Yufang , Qiu Jianqing , Song Yao , Pang Wendu , Qiu Ke , Dong Yijun , Liu Qiurui , Zhao Yu , Liu Jun , Xu Wei , Ren Jianjun
Published: July 2022

Background

More patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in Eastern countries receive surgically inclusive treatment (SIT), while most patients in Western countries receive nonsurgical treatment (NST). The optimal treatment modality for OPSCC patients remains controversial.

Methods

A total of 153 consecutive OPSCC cases diagnosed between 2009 and 2019 in West China Hospital (WCH) and 15,400 OPSCC cases from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2000–2017) were obtained. Clinical characteristics, treatments, and survival outcomes were retrospectively collected. We constructed Kaplan–Meier curves and performed univariate (UVA) and multivariate (MVA) analyses to compare the prognosis of OPSCC patients among the WCH, SEER Asian, and SEER all ethnic populations by different treatment modality, human papilloma virus (HPV) infection status, age, and tumor stage.

Results

Overall, the proportions of patients with younger age, advanced tumors and HPV-negative status, and receiving SIT in WCH population were higher than those in the SEER all ethnic population, while the proportions in the SEER Asian population were between those of the other two populations. We observed consistent beneficial effects of SIT on the overall survival (OS) in OPSCC patients in all three populations (SEER Asian: MVA, hazard ratio (HR): 0.2, p < .001; SEER all ethnic: MVA, HR: 0.46, p < .001; WCH: UVA, HR: 0.62, p = .071), and HPV-negative Asian patients showed greater benefits from the SIT than HPV-positive Asian patients (HPV Negative: HR: 0.16, p = .005; HPV positive: HR = 0.28, p = .059). Male was a risk factor for reduced OS in OPSCC patients in the WCH population (HR: 3.17, p = .043), but was a protective factor in the SEER population (HR: 0.8, p = .002), which might be related to the differences of HPV infection status.

Conclusions

Even though differences in patient characteristics existed between the Chinese, American, and Asian American populations, our ten-year real-world data and SEER data suggested that patients with OPSCC who received SIT had a better prognosis than those who received NST.
Normative foundations of media welfare: Perspectives from the Nordic countries
Authors: Jakobsson Peter , Lindell Johan , Stiernstedt Fredrik
Published: July 2022

What does media welfare mean from a normative perspective? The notion of media welfare and “the media welfare state” has mainly been used descriptively, to depict the particular way in which the media are organized in the Nordic welfare states. In this article, we explore media welfare from a normative perspective. Our intention is to open up a discussion about the normative and political implications of the notion of media welfare and to bring the concept into the contemporary discussion on normative perspectives regarding the media.
Development of a Pictorial Patient Education Handout on Tracheostomy Care: A Mixed-Method Study
Authors: Wang Tongyao , Mazanec Susan R. , Schiltz Nicolas , Chhabra Nipun , Rezaee Rod , Voss Joachim G.
Published: July 2022

This article describes a qualitative and quantitative approach to the development and iterative revision process of producing valid, user-friendly pictorial patient education handouts (infographics) on tracheostomy care. An iterative user-centered design with health professional, patient, and family caregiver panels was used. The authors first developed a new evaluation tool for pictorial education handouts, the Perceived Infographics Usability Measurement (PIUM). The patient education handout, consisting of three A3-size posters with illustrations on key steps of daily tracheostomy care, reached a high consensus among health professional experts (88.3%) and patients and family caregivers (89.1%) on PIUM usability indexes. Patients and family caregivers expressed that the patient education handout would be an understandable teaching tool and procedure reminder, which would help alleviate fears about tracheostomy care. The PIUM demonstrated satisfactory content validity and reliability properties and was a quality tool to guide the transformation of text-based content to a pictorial patient education handout.
Dose-dependent influence of red blood cell transfusion volume on adverse outcomes in cardiac surgery
Authors: Zhang Qiaoni , Gao Sizhe , Diao Xiaolin , Yan Weidong , Yan Shujie , Gao Guodong , Qi Jiachen , Zhang Yanming , Ji Bingyang
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is associated with adverse outcomes, but there are few studies on the RBC volume. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between intraoperative RBC volume and postoperative adverse outcomes for on-pump cardiac surgery.

Methods

Adult patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018 were included. Those transfused with more than 6 units of RBC were excluded. The clinical characteristics of four groups with various RBC volume were compared. We analyzed the relationship between RBC volume and adverse outcomes through multivariable logistic regression.

Results

12,143 patients were analyzed, of which 3353 (27.6%) were transfused with 1–6U RBC intraoperatively. The incidence of death, overall morbidity, acute kidney injury and prolonged mechanical ventilation were increased stepwise along with incremental RBC volume. After adjusting for possible confounders, patients transfused with 1–2U were associated with a 1.42-fold risk of death (99% CI, 1.21–2.34, p = 0.01) compared with patients without RBC, patients with 3–4U were associated with a 1.57-fold risk (99% CI, 1.32–2.80, p = 0.005) and patients with 5–6U had a 2.26-fold risk of death (99% CI, 1.65–3.88, p < 0.001). Similarly, the incidence of overall morbidity, acute kidney injury and prolonged mechanical ventilation increased several folds as the RBC numbers increased.

Conclusions

There was a significant dose-dependent influence of incremental intraoperative RBC volume on increased risk of adverse outcomes for on-pump cardiac surgery patients. Patient blood management practice should aim to reduce not only transfusion rate but also the volume of blood use.
Markov Cohort State-Transition Model: A Multinomial Distribution Representation
Authors: Iskandar Rowan , Berns Cassandra
Published: July 2022

Markov cohort state-transition models have been the standard approach for simulating the prognosis of patients or, more generally, the life trajectories of individuals over a time period. Current approaches for estimating the variance of a Markov model using a Monte Carlo sampling or a master equation representation are computationally expensive and analytically difficult to express and solve. We introduce an alternative representation of a Markov model in the form of a multinomial distribution. We derive this representation from principles and then verify its veracity in a simulation exercise. This representation provides an exact and fast approach to computing the variance and a way of estimating transition probabilities in a Bayesian setting.

Highlights

A Markov model simulates the average experience of a cohort of patients. Monte Carlo simulation, the standard approach for estimating the variance, is computationally expensive. A multinomial distribution provides an exact representation of a Markov model. Using the known formulas of a multinomial distribution, the mean and variance of a Markov model can be readily calculated.
Development and validation of the Music Cognitive Test: A music-based cognitive screening test
Authors: Mangiacotti Anthony , Cipriani Giovanna , Ward Emma , Franco Fabia , Biasutti Michele
Published: July 2022

Specific tools to measure the cognitive benefits of music therapy and music-rehabilitation training available to music therapists are few and empirically weak: they are mostly psychometrically unrefined or based on unclear tasks and scoring protocols; they do not take into consideration distinct cognitive functions or are based on exclusively observational protocols. To overcome these limitations, we developed a 15-min cognitive screening tool suitable for music therapists, Music Cognitive Test (MCT), which assesses cognitive abilities stimulated by music-making activities (e.g., attentional, verbal, and executive functions, short- and long-term memory) by including music-based items. MCT was validated with 335 participants (aged 18–100 years old) presenting a range of cognitive levels, from healthy cognition to severe impairment. MCT correlated strongly and positively with well-known tests: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Severe Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE). MCT also displayed excellent sensitivity in identifying impaired individuals according to both MMSE and MoCA diagnostic criteria (99.4% and 93.0%, respectively), and excellent specificity in identifying healthy participants based on MMSE (93.5%) and MoCA (97.8%) criteria. Overall, results highlight the reliability of this novel brief music-focused cognitive screening test, to enable music therapists to independently and consistently monitor the effectiveness of their intervention on cognitive functions.
Comparison of oncological, surgical, and functional outcomes between radical retropubic and radical perineal prostatectomy: A multi-institutional study
Authors: Moussa Mohamad , Abou Chakra Mohamad , Peyromaure Michael , Barry Delongchamps Nicolas , Bailly Hugo , Duquesne Igor
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

To investigate the safety, oncologic, surgical, and functional outcomes of RPP and RRP for localized prostate cancer (Pca), especially focusing on RPP.

Materials and methods:

From March 2005 to January 2021, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 685 patients undergoing RPP ( n = 320) or RRP ( n = 365) for localized Pca. Surgical and functional outcomes, and complications were compared. Oncological outcomes were also compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

Results:

A higher biochemical recurrence rate were noted in RRP than in RPP group (28.8% vs 21.6%, respectively; p = 0.03). A local recurrence was detected in a few numbers of patients (4.4%) with no statistically significant differences by surgical groups ( p = 0.71). No significant differences were observed in the cancer-specific survival and the overall survival according to the surgical approach. Positive surgical margins were similar in the two techniques. In comparison to RRP, patients undergoing RPP have less postoperative pain, decreased transfusion rate, and less catheterization time. Complete continence was achieved in 96.9% of the RPP group at 18 and 24 months versus 91.8% and 92.3% in the RRP group at 18 and 24 months, respectively ( p = 0.005 and p = 0.01, respectively). At 18 months of follow-up, the nerve-sparing technique was performed equally between the two groups, the mean of erectile function domain improved more in RPP than RRP (12.71 vs 10.42 respectively, p < 0.001). Medical and surgical complication rates were higher for RRP than RPP.

Conclusions:

RPP showed acceptable oncologic outcomes and excellent functional outcomes when compared to RRP.
The Ego Resiliency Scale-Revised: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Models
Authors: Denovan Andrew , Dagnall Neil , Drinkwater Ken
Published: July 2022

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Ego Resiliency Scale-Revised (ER89-R). Though support exists for a multidimensional conceptualisation using classical test theory approaches (i.e., a higher-order model comprising Openness to Life Experiences and Optimal Regulation factors), this measure has not been subjected to Rasch analysis. Accordingly, this paper evaluated the higher-order model via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) before assessing Openness to Life Experiences and Optimal Regulation components using Rasch analysis. CFA, using a general population sample ( N = 2009), supported the higher-order factor structure. Openness to Life Experiences and Optimal Regulation scales met Rasch model assumptions. Specifically, good item/person fit and item/person reliability, and evidence of unidimensionality. Moreover, most items displayed gender invariance. Overall, findings supported the higher-order conceptualisation of the ER89-R, and indicated that the Openness to Life Experiences and Optimal Regulation scales are relatively useful measures of ego resiliency components in a general population sample.
Examining Predictors of Latinx Adults’ Attitudes Toward Different Forms of US National Anthem Protests Against Police Brutality and Racial Injustice
Authors: Atouba Yannick C.
Published: July 2022

The most recent national anthem protests, which were initiated by Colin Kaepernick in 2016, have elicited a variety of reactions from people and deeply split public opinion. Previous research regarding the perceptions of these protests has identified race as a significant factor. In this study, I take a fresh look at the role of race by examining attitudes toward the national anthem protests among Latinx American young adults. Additionally, the study also examines the impact of perceptions of police, perceptions of injustice, and political engagement on Latinx perceptions of the national anthem protests. The results of the study surprisingly and interestingly show that race did not play a significant role in shaping attitudes toward the protests. However, perceptions of police, perceptions of injustice, and political engagement were all significantly related to attitudes toward various forms of national anthem protests. The meaning, the significance, and the implications of these results are discussed.
Perceptions of School Life and Academic Success of Adolescents With Asthma
Authors: Schneider Tali , Wolgemuth Jennifer R. , Bradley-Klug Kathy L. , Bryant Carol A. , Ferron John M.
Published: July 2022

Adolescents spend approximately one-third of their day at school. With the growing prevalence of adolescent asthma, 1 in every 10 adolescents copes with asthma throughout the day, including in the school environment. Yet, little is known about the school experiences of adolescent students with asthma. Guided by the social-ecological model, this study aimed to explore the links between asthma and school experiences in middle and high school as perceived by students with asthma. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 adolescents with asthma aged 12 to 17 who attended middle or high school around the mid-west area of Florida. Students shared insights on their school experiences and academic performance. Data were analyzed and interpreted using thematic analysis. Four overarching and intertwined themes shaped the school experiences of students with asthma: 1. Asthma control and management; 2. Social support; 3. Asthma knowledge and awareness; and 4. Accommodation of health and academic needs. Study findings suggest addressing the school disparities of adolescent students with asthma through a comprehensive, multi-level approach. Schools should create asthma education opportunities, improve the school system and environmental accommodations, enhance asthma control, and increase continuous social support by peers and school personnel.
Study of lead-induced neurotoxicity in cholinergic cells differentiated from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Jafarzadeh Emad , Soodi Maliheh , Tiraihi Taki , Zarei Mohammadhadi , Qasemian‐Lemraski Mehdi
Published: July 2022

The developing brain is susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of lead. Exposure to lead has main effects on the cholinergic system and causes reduction of cholinergic neuron function during brain development. Disruption of the cholinergic system by chemicals, which play important roles during brain development, causes of neurodevelopmental toxicity. Differentiation of stem cells to neural cells is recently considered a promising tool for neurodevelopmental toxicity studies. This study evaluated the toxicity of lead acetate exposure during the differentiation of bone marrow–derived mesenchyme stem cells (bone marrow stem cells, BMSCs) to CCholinergic neurons. Following institutional animal care review board approval, BMSCs were obtained from adult rats. The differentiating protocol included two stages that were pre-induction with β-mercaptoethanol (BME) for 24 h and differentiation to cholinergic neurons with nerve growth factor (NGF) over 5 days. The cells were exposed to different lead acetate concentrations (0.1–100 μm) during three stages, including undifferentiated, pre-induction, and neuronal differentiation stages; cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Lead exposure (0.01–100 μg/ml) had no cytotoxic effect on BMSCs but could significantly reduce cell viability at 50 and 100 μm concentrations during pre-induction and neuronal differentiation stages. MAP2 and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) protein expression were investigated by immunocytochemistry. Although cells treated with 100 μm lead concentration expressed MAP2 protein in the differentiation stages, they had no neuronal cell morphology. The ChAT expression was negative in cells treated with lead. The present study showed that differentiated neuronal BMSCs are sensitive to lead toxicity during differentiation, and it is suggested that these cells be used to study neurodevelopmental toxicity.