bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A modified Gritti-Stokes amputation technique as a solution for recurring aseptic loosening of a knee arthroplasty: A single-patient case study
Authors: van Rooij Willemijn MJ , Maas-van Weert Karin CM , van Kempen Robin WTM , de Laat Fred A , Geertzen Jan HB
Published: September 2020

Case Description:

A 56-year-old man with persistent knee pain and poor physical functioning due to recurring loosening of a (revised) total knee arthroplasty, was treated with a modified Gritti-Stokes amputation.

Objectives:

to describe the modified Gritti-Stokes amputation technique as an ultimate therapy for failed total knee arthroplasty and to assess the functional outcome for one patient 1 year post-surgery.

Study design:

a single patient case study.

Treatment:

a modified Gritti-Stokes amputation, with removal of the overlying cartilage and subchondral surfaces of both the patella and femur after removing the total knee arthroplasty.

Outcomes:

After rehabilitation, the patient has a fully end-bearing residual limb, is able to walk without pain (with a prosthesis) and perform his daily activities.

Conclusions:

In cases of recurring loosening of a (revised) total knee arthroplasty, a modified Gritti-Stokes amputation can create an end-bearing residual limb without pain and with good functional outcome.
Preoperative Lymphocyte to Monocyte Ratio Can Be a Prognostic Factor in Arthroscopic Repair of Small to Large Rotator Cuff Tears
Authors: Sun Yaying , Lin Jinrong , Luo Zhiwen , Chen Jiwu
Published: September 2020

Background:

Complete arthroscopic repair can treat small to large rotator cuff tears (RCTs) with good outcomes; however, the repair might be compromised by inflammation.

Purpose:

To investigate the prognostic value of preoperative lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), a marker of systemic inflammation before surgery, in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Between January 2014 and January 2016, primary small to large RCTs without stiffness, significant muscle fatty infiltration, or atrophy were completely repaired in 110 consecutive patients and followed. Preoperative LMR was obtained from blood routinely examined 1 day before surgery. Descriptive data and pre- and intraoperative variables were collected. Correlation analysis and multivariable linear regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between preoperative LMR and recovery including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant-Murley score, Fudan University Shoulder Score (FUSS), visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, and range of motion (ROM). Poor recovery was defined as ASES score <80, shoulder stiffness as external rotation ≤20°, and pain as VAS score >3. The predictive value of preoperative LMR was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results:

A total of 99 patients (101 shoulders) were followed for 2.88 ± 0.43 years. Overall, mean ASES, Constant-Murley, FUSS, and VAS scores were significantly improved at the final follow-up; however, 27 cases had either ASES <80, shoulder stiffness, pain, or a combination of these. Correlation analysis and multivariable linear analysis showed that preoperative LMR was the only factor independently associated with functional recovery, pain, and ROM. Patients with poor recovery had lower preoperative LMR than those with good recovery. Based on the ROC curve, the cutoff value of preoperative LMR was 4.760. Patients with preoperative LMR <4.760 had significantly inferior clinical outcomes compared with their counterparts. The corresponding specificity was 0.542, and sensitivity was 0.779.

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic repair for small to large RCTs yielded good outcomes; however, some patients still had inferior functional scores, shoulder stiffness, or pain, which correlated with the level of preoperative systemic inflammation. As a marker of systemic inflammation, preoperative LMR could be prognostic for rotator cuff repair.
Understanding Postsecondary Education Enrollment of First-Generation Students From a Social Cognitive Perspective
Authors: Xing Xue , Rojewski Jay W.
Published: September 2020

Data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 were used to describe and compare postsecondary education enrollment patterns of first- and continuing-generation students. Social cognitive career theory was used to explain the processes of educational and career pursuit and attainment, as well as personal, behavioral, and contextual/environmental factors influencing these processes. Postsecondary educational self-efficacy (i.e., a belief or confidence in future educational success) had a significant positive influence on establishing higher postsecondary educational goals for all adolescents. Postsecondary educational self-efficacy and goals, together, also had a substantial positive influence on postsecondary enrollment patterns of both groups. Self-efficacy exerted a stronger total effect for first-generation students. Contextual supports and barriers directly influenced students’ goals but played different roles depending on generational status.
Does polypharmacy affect treatment outcomes of people living with HIV starting antiretroviral therapy?
Authors: Khawcharoenporn Thana , Tanslaruk Vitsaroot
Published: September 2020

Polypharmacy poses risks associated with drug-drug interactions, increased adverse effects, pill burden, poor compliance and unfavorable treatment outcomes. Whether polypharmacy affects treatment outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is largely unknown. A prospective study was conducted among PLHIV followed-up at a tertiary-care clinic of an academic medical center during January 2012 to December 2017. The clinic provided comprehensive HIV care with multidisciplinary team approach focusing on treatment adherence. Polypharmacy was defined as concurrent use of 5 or more non-antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for at least one year. Of the 248 PLHIV included, 23 (9%) received polypharmacy. PLHIV with polypharmacy were older (median age 45 vs. 36 years), were more likely to have underlying diseases (65% vs. 18%) and had lower median initial CD4 counts (40 vs. 214 cells/mm3). The rates of virologic suppression at 12 months after ARV therapy were 96% and 92% in polypharmacy and non-polypharmacy groups, respectively (P = 0.70), while the median CD4 cell count increase was higher among the non-polypharmacy group at 12 months (207 vs. 403 cells/mm3; P < 0.001). There were no differences in rates of adverse effects and experienced drug-drug interactions. Hospitalization due to HIV-related diseases within 12 months after ARV initiation [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 11.63, P = 0.004] and lower 3-item score for ARV adherence (aOR 0.49, P = 0.01) were independently associated with failure of virologic suppression at 12 months. These findings suggest that polypharmacy did not affect the virological outcomes among our PLHIV. Patients with the characteristics associated with virological failure should be closely monitored.
The Journal of Emerging Market Finance: A Bibliometric Overview (2002–2019)
Authors: Kumar Satish , Madhavan Vinodh , Sureka Riya
Published: September 2020

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the prominent trends and thematic structure of the Journal of Emerging Market Finance ( JEMF). The article uses bibliometric methodology and in doing so, considers measures such as, but not limited to, h-index, annual publications and citation structure, total citations, citation per publication ratio, most productive authors, institutions and countries, and keyword analysis. The thematic structure of the journal is identified using bibliometric coupling analysis of JEMF articles. Findings suggest that there is an increasing trend in JEMF’s count of publication and citation per year. Researchers from India, UK and the USA are frequent contributors to the journal. Issues mostly addressed in the journal include bank penetration, stock price volatility, calendar anomalies, credit default swaps, market efficiency, asset pricing models, and enterprise risk management. This study will be useful for the readers to gain a quick snapshot of the leading trends of the journal and its recent areas of interest. Finally, the study’s findings would aid the editorial team in taking stock of the journal, its past trajectory, and the road ahead, keeping in view contemporary developments in financial markets in general and emerging markets in particular.

JEL Codes: G01, G10, G20
Interrogating Patriarchy: Transgressive Discourses of ‘F-Rated’ Independent Hindi Films
Authors: Devasundaram Ashvin Immanuel
Published: September 2020

Since its inception at the Bath Film Festival 2014, the ‘F-Rating’ has been adopted as a yardstick to foster equitable representation of women in film. The rise of a new sub-genre of Hindi ‘Indie’ cinema (Devasundaram, 2016, 2018) has been augmented by an array of bona fide Female-rated independent films. These films fulfil the triune criteria for F-Rating, featuring women both behind and in front of the camera – as directors, actors and scriptwriters. I argue that these distinct female voices in new independent Hindi cinema have engendered discursive filmic spaces of resistance – alternative articulations that transgress India’s patriarchal national master narrative. Indian cinema thus far has been presided over by Bollywood’s hegemonic bastion of male-dominated discourses. The mainstream industry continues to propagate gender-based wage disparity and hypersexualised representations of the female body via the serialised song and dance spectacle of the ‘item number’. The increasing presence of F-Rated Hindi films on the international film festival circuit and through wider releases, gestures towards these films’ melding of the global and local. Drawing on my curation work with the UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF) and discursive analyses of seminal F-Rated films, this essay highlights the pivotal role played by F-Rated Hindi Indie films in opening up transdiscursive dimensions and creating national and global conversations around issues of gender inequities in India.
A Pilot Test to Analyse the Differences of Pedestrian Thermal Comfort Between Locals and Internationals in Malacca Heritage Site
Authors: Manteghi Golnoosh , Mostofa Tasneem , Lamit Hasanuddin Bin
Published: September 2020

The present study aims to establish a correlation between the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and subjective thermal sensation in the Tropics, assessing their impact on local as well as international pedestrians. The pilot test was conducted in six scenarios in the Malacca region of Malaysia. The RayMan model calculated the PET, which is further used to synthetically evaluate the thermal environment for six scenarios, each with a different river width and pavement material. The independent t-test and regression analysis determined the correlation between human thermal comfort acceptability and the thermal environment indices of outdoor spaces. Most of the outdoor thermal comfort assessments have been carried out focusing on local urban residents, while the same assessments on tourists are limited. This research provides necessary insight into the perception of outdoor microclimatic conditions in the Malacca heritage area and also identifies the perception on a few important psychological factors of these two demographic groups. An awareness of such issues would be fruitful for architects, planners and urban designers engaged in the process of designing and planning tourist destinations.
Implications of Food Price Shocks on Availability of Food: Evidences from the Indian Economy
Authors: Laha Arindam , Sinha Subhra
Published: September 2020

In the backdrop of liberalized trade of agricultural commodity in post WTO regime, reform measures is reflected in the change of domestic prices vis-à-vis international prices of food articles. Physical availability of food is purposively selected as a food security indicator in this paper due to its conceptual linkages of food price movement and domestic food supply. A declining trend in the per capita availability of food grains in the post reform period suggests a net export of food grains. Government intervention in procurement and distribution of food grains helps in insulating the shock of food prices in post food crisis situation. Empirical evidences also suggest that there exists a bi-directional causality in between relative price and net export, or food grains production, or government procurement of foodgrains. A responsive change in foodgrains production, net imports, foodgrains procurement and change in the government stock is followed by food price shocks.
Blood Pressure Changes in a Chinese Population Have a Greater Impact on Short-Term Outcomes Rather Than Long-Term Outcomes of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Xu Qianyi , Wang Yali , Xie Yanxia , Zheng Jia , Guo Rongrong , Dai Yue , Sun Zhaoqing , Xing Liying , Zhang Xingang , Ruan Shikai , Zheng Liqiang , Sun Yingxian
Published: September 2020

The purpose of our study was to explore the association of blood pressure (BP) changes on short-and long-term outcomes of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in rural China. This study was designed to learn the effects of BP changes (2004-2008) on short-term (2008-2010, within 2 years of the initial examination) and long-term (2008-2017) outcomes of MACE, including 24 285 and 27 290 participants, respectively. In this study, 423 (short-term) and 1952 (long-term) MACEs were identified. For prehypertension to hypertension, the risk of long-term stroke was increased (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.18 [1.00-1.39]). For hypertension to prehypertension, the short-term MACE risk (0.65 [0.47-0.90]), short-term stroke risk (0.45 [0.26-0.76]), and long-term stroke risk (0.83 [0.70-0.99]) all decreased. Short-term outcomes conferred a stronger impact than long-term outcomes (Fisher Z test, measured as the difference of β coefficients, all P < .05).
Facts Upon Delivery: What Is Rhetorical About Visualized Models?
Authors: Lindgren Chris A.
Published: September 2020

What expectations should professionals and the public place on visuals to communicate the uncertainties of complex phenomena? This article demonstrates how charts during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic articulated visual arguments yet also required extended communicative support upon their delivery. The author examines one well-circulated chart comparing COVID-19 case trends per country and highlights its rhetoric by contrasting its design decisions with those of other charts and reports created as the pandemic initially unfolded. To help nonexpert audiences, the author suggests that professional communicators and designers incorporate more contextual information about the data and notable design choices.
Effect of a breathing crack on the damping changes in nonlinear vibrations of a cracked beam: Experimental and theoretical investigations
Authors: Kharazan Masoud , Irani Saied , Noorian Mohammad Ali , Salimi Mohammad Reza
Published: September 2020

The attempts to identify damping changes in a cracked beam can improve the accuracy of the nonlinear crack identification method. For the purpose of this aim, a parametric nonlinear equation of motion is obtained using the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and parametric nonlinear breathing crack assumptions. Several experiments were conducted to identify the effect of breathing cracks on changing the damping value in nonlinear vibrations of a cracked beam. Experimental tests have revealed that increasing the crack depth and the level of excitation enlarges the damping coefficient in a vibrating beam. For this reason, the effects of the excitation force and crack depth on the structural damping coefficient are investigated. The obtained results indicated that considering the nonlinear response of a cracked beam and measuring the value of the damping changes can significantly improve the accuracy of the nonlinear crack identification method.
An Outcome Study on the Naloxone Education/Dispensing Program for Departure Patients at Cermak Health Services of Cook County
Authors: Leung Tony C. , Colyer Stefanie , Zehireva Svetozara
Published: September 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utilization of the naloxone nasal spray kit provided to patients after discharge from Cermak Health Services of Cook County (CHS). During May and June 2018, the records of currently incarcerated CHS patients were reviewed to identify patients who (1) received the naloxone education and nasal spray kit upon previous discharge from CHS and (2) were then readmitted to the facility. Of the 76 potential participants, 60 interviews were conducted. This study has shown that 38.3% of patients utilized the nasal sprays provided to them upon discharge. Of those who reported using the nasal spray, 95.7% achieved positive outcomes. This study showed the positive impact the Naloxone Education/Dispensing Program had on patients discharged from CHS. In addition to identifying success in the number of lives saved, the study recognizes the long-term effect on patient safety that emerges from the program.
The Ongoing Debate on Chinese Primary Education: A Framing Analysis of Malaysian Newspapers
Authors: Wen Ong Sheau , Chibundu Ihediwa Samuel , Chua Siah Poh
Published: September 2020

In Malaysia, Chinese vernacular education has been a highly contested and much debated political issue in the mass media. This study examines how Malaysian newspapers framed Chinese primary education for a 3-year period (2015–2017) which is before the 2018 election. Findings showed that, the proximity of election has led to a surge in news reporting about Chinese primary education. Political considerations remain central in mainstream newspapers’ reporting in which official sources are dominant in shaping public understanding of the issue. Alternative newspapers serve as a counter-establishment platform through active participation of readers in public debate. A responsibility frame dominates the news coverage of Chinese primary education in both types of newspapers. Nevertheless, the alternative newspapers tend to focus on the conflict aspect of the issue by foregrounding discord between ruling and opposition politicians as well as intra- Barisan Nasional (BN) disputes. Through human interest frame, the mainstream newspapers emotionalize the issue to obtain readers’ attention. This study concludes that varying reporting strategies adopted by Malaysian newspapers can impact readers’ evaluation of education policy issues. The implications of the findings and the limitations of the study are also discussed.
Bearing Witness: A Pacific Climate Crisis Documentary and Journalism Development Project
Authors: Robie David , Marbrook Jim
Published: September 2020

A three-year Pacific climate research and storytelling documentary and journalism project has contributed to a disruption and renewal theme in Pacific Island Countries development. Focused initially on Fiji, the project has involved three pairs of postgraduate students engaging with climate crisis challenges. Responding originally to the devastation and tragedy wrought in Fiji by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016, the Pacific Media Centre embarked on the Bearing Witness journalism project by sending two postgraduate students to Viti Levu to document and report on the impact of climate change (Robie & Chand, 2017). Their main component was a multimedia report on Daku village in the Rewa River delta area. This was followed in 2017 with a series of reports leading to a multimedia package on the relocation of the remote inland village of Tukuraki (Robie, 2018). The third episode focused far more strongly on documentary with reports on waka navigation and climate change, the ‘ghost village’ of Vunidogoloa and a ‘homecoming’ short feature about the Banaban people of Rabi and the impact on them caused by climate change. The project explores Friere’s notions of ‘critical consciousness’ as they might relate to teaching documentary-making and also draw on the concept of talanoa journalism.
Students as ‘Animal Laborans’? Tracing Student Politics in a Marketised Higher Education Setting
Authors: Raaper Rille
Published: September 2020

This article examines the widespread policy discourses that have constructed the notion of student as consumer in English higher education, and it questions the implications of such fabrications on students’ political engagement. In particular, it explores the extent to which students have been forced into a position of an ‘animal laboran’ whose primary function is to focus on immediate necessities in highly pressurised university environments. By drawing on Arendt, the article will first consider the shift towards representative practices in student politics, characterised by professionalisation of students’ unions. Second, the article will draw on Foucault to investigate the ways in which more personalised forms of students’ political participation related to private interest and single-issue campaigns can emerge in neoliberalised universities and society more broadly.
‘I just rolled up my sleeves’: Mothers’ perspectives on raising girls on the autism spectrum
Authors: Fowler Karen , O’Connor Cliodhna
Published: September 2020

Little previous research has elucidated the everyday experiences of autistic girls or their families. This study used qualitative in-depth interviews to explore mothers’ experiences of the diagnosis, presentation and impact of caring for a daughter with autism. Nineteen women with autistic daughters (aged between 7 and 18) participated in the research, which took place in Ireland. Thematic analysis identified six themes: What’s Going On?; Road to Acceptance; Beyond the Stigma of Autism; Autism: Like a Girl; Mothers Holding It All Together; and Mothers Roll Up Their Sleeves. The analysis suggests that the path of autism in girls in Ireland is marked by diagnostic delays, social stigma, interpersonal difficulties, mental health comorbidities and parental stress. However, these challenges were offset by the resilience of mothers, buttressed by pride in their daughters and support from other women. Results will inform the development of policy and practice that is sensitive to the lived realities of autistic girls and their families.

Lay abstract

Autism in boys has been well researched but very little is known about the everyday experiences of autistic girls or their families. Mothers’ views and insights can be very helpful in increasing knowledge around the unique demands of raising a daughter with autism. This study conducted interviews with Irish mothers to examine their own experiences regarding (a) getting an autism diagnosis for their daughter, (b) their daughters’ personal characteristics and (c) the impact of caring for a daughter with autism. The study suggests that the route to an autism diagnosis for girls in Ireland is made more difficult by delays and missed diagnoses, and often followed by inadequate supports. Mothers described autistic girls as presenting with social challenges and mental health difficulties. Many mothers experienced judgement from other parents and family members, acute stress and mental health struggles. However, these challenges were offset by mothers’ resilience, pride in their daughters and support from other women. The findings of this study highlight the importance of specific support for autistic girls and their families.
Social media, rituals, and long-distance family relationship maintenance: A mixed-methods systematic review
Authors: Abel Susan , Machin Tanya , Brownlow Charlotte
Published: September 2020

For families with limited opportunities for face-to-face interaction, social media can be a vital communication medium to help shape the family identity, maintain bonds, and accomplish shared tasks. This mixed-methods systematic review of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method empirical studies published between 1997 and 2019 uses a convergent data-based framework to explore how long-distance families engage in family practices using various modes of social media. Fifty-one papers were synthesized into four domains: (1) doing family in a social media environment, (2) performing family through stories and rituals, (3) the nature of online communication practices, and (4) privacy, conflict, and the quality of family relationships. Given the value of patterned routines to families, research into the role of family kinkeepers is suggested. Finally, families use chat (messages) extensively for both assuring behaviour and conflict resolution so further investigation of the impact of this asynchronous mode is recommended.
Quantitatively linking long-term monitoring data to condition ratings through a reliability-based framework
Authors: Flanigan Katherine A , Lynch Jerome P , Ettouney Mohammed
Published: September 2020

The holy grail of structural health monitoring is the quantitative linkage between data and decisions. While structural health monitoring has shown continued growth over the past several decades, there is a persistent chasm between structural health monitoring and the ability of structure owners to make asset management decisions based on structural health monitoring data. This is in part due to the historical structural health monitoring paradigm cast as a problem of estimating structural state and detecting damage by monitoring changes in structural properties (namely, reduced stiffness). For most operational structures, deterioration does not necessarily correspond to changes in structural properties with structures operating in their elastic regimes even when deteriorated. For structures like bridges, upkeep decisions are based on federally mandated condition ratings assigned during visual inspection. Since condition ratings are widely accepted in practice, the authors propose that condition ratings serve as lower limit states (i.e. limit states below yielding) with long-term monitoring data used to quantify these lower limit states in terms of the reliability index. This article presents a method to quantify the reliability index values corresponding to the lower limit states described by existing condition ratings. Once the reliability index thresholds are established, the data-driven reliability index of the in-service asset can be monitored continuously and explicitly mapped to a condition rating at any time. As an illustrative example, the proposed framework for tracking structural performance is implemented with long-term monitoring data collected on a pin-and-hanger assembly on the Telegraph Road Bridge, which is a highway bridge located in Monroe, MI. The successful implementation of the proposed method on the Telegraph Road Bridge results in a human-independent and truly data-driven decision-making strategy that is synergistic with the state of practice, eliminates risks associated with infrequent visual inspections, and expands condition ratings to encompass the entire measurable domain of damage that may exist in an asset.
Diverse perspectives of migrant student teachers in early childhood education
Authors: Rana Lata
Published: September 2020

As a result of rapid demographic changes in today’s globalised world, more student teachers come from different cultural backgrounds. New Zealand too has seen an influx of international students in the early childhood sector. In this article the author reports on a research study that explores the perspectives of a group of eight Indian student teachers. It explores their identity within New Zealand as Indian teachers and how they have enculturated themselves in the local context. This study focuses on the discourse of difference and diversity to understand the identity of global teachers in the local context. It critically analyses some assumptions and issues related to diversity and difference in early childhood education.
MicroRNA-92a Inhibits the Cell Viability and Metastasis of Prostate Cancer by Targeting SOX4
Authors: Liao Guolong , Xiong Haiyun , Tang Jiani , Li Yamei , Liu Ying
Published: September 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) was confirmed to play an active role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa). The expression and biological function for miR-92a in PCa remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that miR-92a expression was decreased in PCa tissues and cells lines. Overexpression miR-92a inhibited the cell viability, migration and invasion of PC-3 while inhibition of miR-92a led to opposite alteration of cell viability and metastasis of DU-145 cells. Mechanically, we confirmed that miR-92a interacted with 3’-UTR of SOX4 through the complementary sequences by luciferase reporter assay. qRT-PCR and western blot confirmed that miR-92a inhibited the expression of SOX4 in PCa cells. Moreover, overexpression of SOX4 reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-92a overexpression on PC-3 cell viability, migration and invasion, while knockdown of SOX4 suppressed the promoting effects of miR-92a knockdown on these biological functions of DU-145 cells. Therefore, our study indicates that miR-92a inhibits the growth and metastasis of prostate cancer by targeting SOX4, and can potentially serve as a biomarker and treatment target for PCa patients.
Ten Proposals on Values
Authors: Heinich Nathalie
Published: September 2020

This article offers a summary of the book Des valeurs. Une approche sociologique ( Values: A sociological approach) (Gallimard, 2017) through a discussion of 10 controversial issues. It thereby allows the dismissal of various reductive notions of value, in particular those found in classical or neo-classical economics, the quantitative sociology of values, and most philosophical theories.
How Can the Field of Value Be Made More Pragmatic?
Authors: Quéré Louis
Published: September 2020

This article is about Nathalie Heinich’s proposals for a sociology of values. It criticises some of them: e.g. her anti-naturalism, her refusal to take religion as a relevant frame for thinking about values, her separation of values and ethics, and her conception of the field of value as including only attachments and evaluative acts and value judgements. It tries to clarify others: e.g. the connection between values and emotions, the nature of values as principles and the characterisation of values as ultimate. The methodological point of view taken up is John Dewey’s ‘adverbialism’, which consists of viewing values as ways of doing and means of conduct. Such a point of view, it is argued, makes it possible to take further Nathalie Heinich’s pragmatic turn, which is mainly inspired by linguistic pragmatics.
Deaths Associated With Community Donation Bins: A Ten-Year Retrospective Review Describing Five Cases in British Columbia and Ontario
Authors: Hickey Tyler Bruce Malcolm , Dmetrichuk Jennifer , Morin Jason , Orde Matthew
Published: September 2020

Introduction:

Community donation bins have become more common in the urban setting over the past several years. Many nonprofit organizations use these sturdy metal enclosures for unobserved collection of various donated items such as clothing, books, and household items. Although the donated items are often of low individual value, donation bins may become a target of individuals in low socioeconomic situations seeking desired items for personal use or resale, or for personal shelter within the bin.

Methods:

To identify donation bin-associated deaths, we reviewed cases taken under the jurisdiction of the coroner for investigation in the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario, Canada, over the years 2009 to 2019.

Results:

We present the circumstances and postmortem findings of five deaths that occurred in British Columbia and Ontario (Canada) between 2009 and 2019, wherein the decedents were each believed to have been reaching into donation bins and became caught within the door mechanism and died as a consequence of compression asphyxia involving the chest and/or neck.

Discussion:

Donation bins have the potential for harm when individuals attempt to access the bin contents through the entry portal. We advocate for greater attention and changes in the placement location and/or design of these potentially dangerous devices.
Incident arterial vascular events in a cohort of Puerto Ricans with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: González-Meléndez Ariana , Fred-Jiménez Ruth M , Arroyo-Ávila Mariangelí , Díaz-Correa Leyda , Pérez-Ríos Naydi , Rodríguez Noelia , Ríos Grissel , Vilá Luis M
Published: September 2020

Objective:

The increased morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis has been linked to traditional and nontraditional factors. However, these factors vary among different ethnicities. Few studies have described these features in Hispanic populations. Thus, we determined the clinical correlates of arterial vascular events in Hispanics from Puerto Rico.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was performed in a cohort of 405 Puerto Ricans with rheumatoid arthritis. Demographic parameters, health-related behaviors, clinical manifestations, disease activity (per Disease Activity Score 28), functional status (per Health Assessment Questionnaire), comorbidities, and pharmacotherapy were compared in patients with and without incident arterial vascular events. The latter was defined as the occurrence of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, vascular procedures for coronary artery disease, stroke, or peripheral artery disease. Study groups were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analyses.

Results:

Of the total study population, 87.2% were woman. The mean age at study visit was 56.1 ± 13.9 years, and the mean disease duration was 15.0 ± 13.2 years. Arterial vascular events occurred in 43 patients (10.6%). In the multivariate analysis adjusted for age and sex, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, extra-articular manifestations, higher Health Assessment Questionnaire score, and number of hospitalizations were associated with arterial cardiovascular events.

Conclusion:

In this cohort of Puerto Ricans with rheumatoid arthritis, traditional and nontraditional factors, particularly extra-articular manifestations and functional disability, were associated with arterial vascular events. Awareness of these associations may help to implement clinical strategies in this group of rheumatoid arthritis patients at risk of arterial vascular events.
Did local civil rights protest liberalize whites’ racial attitudes?
Authors: Biggs Michael , Barrie Christopher , Andrews Kenneth T.
Published: September 2020

Mazumder investigates the long-term effect of protest on political attitudes. He finds that whites have more liberal views on race and are more likely to be Democrats in counties where Civil Rights protest was reported in the early 1960s. The analysis omits a crucial predictor of protest and of racial attitudes: college education. We include the proportion of adults with a college degree and the number of college students at the county level. The inclusion of these variables, along with some other contextual variables from the original dataset, cuts the effect of protest by about half. Protest is no longer statistically significant in eight out of nine combinations of outcome variables and protest measures. The size of the effect remains trivial when we shift analysis from the county to the individual level. Even accounting for the individual’s own education, the county’s proportion of college graduates is strongly associated with racial liberalism. This finding emphasizes the importance of education as a contextual variable. Our conclusion highlights two methodological lessons. First, causal inference should be paired with sustained historical inquiry that specifies plausible mechanisms. Second, statistical tests for sensitivity can induce complacency about the risk of confounding.
Who Is the Geriatric Trauma Patient? An Analysis of Patient Characteristics, Hospital Quality Measures, and Inpatient Cost
Authors: Konda Sanjit R. , Lott Ariana , Mandel Jessica , Lyon Thomas R. , Robitsek Jonathan , Ganta Abhishek , Egol Kenneth A.
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was 2-fold: 1) to investigate the age-related frequency, demographics and distribution of the middle-aged and geriatric orthopedic trauma population and 2) to describe the age-related frequency and distribution of hospital quality measure outcomes and inpatient cost.

Methods:

All patients > 55 years of age who required orthopedic, trauma, or neurosurgery consults at 3 hospitals within an academic medical center from 2014 to 2017 were prospectively followed. On initial evaluation, each patient’s demographics, injury severity, and functional status were collected. Patients were grouped into low and high-energy mechanism cohorts and divided into 5 groups based on age. Hospital quality measures including length of stay, complications, discharge location, and cost of care was compared between age groups. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Chi-square tests.

Results:

A total of 3965 patients were included in this study of which 3268 (82%) sustained low-energy trauma and 697 (18%) sustained high-energy trauma. With increasing age, more patients had more comorbidities, were less likely to be community ambulators, and more likely to use assistive devices (p < 0.05). Patients in older age groups had longer lengths of stay, more complications, were more likely to need ICU level care, and were less likely to be discharged home (p < 0.05). Rates of mortality were also greater in patients of more advanced age in both low and high-energy cohorts, and the calculated risk triage tool (STTGMA) score increased with each age bracket (p < 0.05). Total cost of care differed between age groups in the low-energy cohort (p = 0.003).

Conclusion:

This epidemiological study provides a clear picture of the frequency and distribution of demographic, physiologic characteristics, outcomes, and cost of care in a middle-aged and geriatric orthopedic trauma population as evaluated by the STTGMA risk tool. Risk profiling of geriatric trauma patients allows for the establishment of baseline norms.
Ruminative Inertia and Its Association With Current Severity and Lifetime Course of Depression
Authors: Bean Christian A. L. , Heggeness Luke F. , Kalmbach David A. , Ciesla Jeffrey A.
Published: September 2020

Rumination has been consistently shown to play a critical role in the severity and course of depression. Relatively understudied, however, is the nature of rumination across time and how individual differences in the temporal dynamics of rumination may be related to depression. In this study, we investigated the association between ruminative inertia (the degree to which rumination levels are resistant to change from day to day) and both current and past depression in a clinical sample. Participants ( N = 71) completed daily-diary surveys for 3 weeks. Ruminative inertia was positively associated with current depressive symptoms and negatively associated with the number of past depressive episodes. These findings suggest that more severe depressive symptoms are associated with rumination that is more resistant to change over time, whereas a greater number of past depressive episodes is related to less ruminative inertia. Additional research is needed to explore the directionality of these effects.
A simvastatin-releasing scaffold with periodontal ligament stem cell sheets for periodontal regeneration
Authors: Zhao Bingjiao , Chen Jing , Zhao Liru , Deng Jiajia , Li Qiang
Published: September 2020

Simvastatin (SIM) has been documented to induce the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). To establish an efficient release system for periodontal regeneration, a polycaprolactone (PCL) membrane scaffold containing SIM was electrospun and evaluated. The obtained PCL–SIM membrane scaffold showed sustained release up to 28 days, without deleterious effect on proliferation of PDLSCs on the scaffolds. PDLSCs were seeded onto scaffolds and their osteogenic differentiation was evaluated. After 21 days, expressions of collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase and bone sialoprotein genes were significantly upregulated and mineralized matrix formation was increased on the PCL–SIM scaffolds compared with the PCL scaffolds. In a heterotopic periodontal regeneration model, a cell sheet–scaffold construct was assembled by placement of multilayers of PDLSC sheets on PCL or PCL–SIM scaffolds, and these were then placed between dentin and ceramic bovine bone for subcutaneous implantation in athymic mice. After 8 weeks, the PCL–SIM membrane showed formation of significantly more ectopic cementum-like mineral on the dentin surface. These findings demonstrated that the PCL–SIM membrane scaffold promotes cementum-like tissue formation by sustained drug release, suggesting the feasibility of its therapeutic use with PDLSC sheets to improve periodontal regeneration.
Surgical Tracheostomies in COVID‐19 Patients: Indications, Technique, and Results in a Second‐Level Spanish Hospital
Authors: Zuazua‐Gonzalez Alejandro , Collazo‐Lorduy Teresa , Coello‐Casariego Guadalupe , Collazo‐Lorduy Ana , Leon‐Soriano Elena , Torralba‐Moron Angel , Onrubia‐Parra Tomas , Gomez‐Martin‐Zarco Jose‐M , Echarri‐SanMartin Rosa , Ripolles‐Melchor Javier , Martinez‐De‐la‐Gandara Amalia , Domingo‐Carrasco Carlos
Published: September 2020

Objective

The main purpose of this work is to describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of intensive care unit (ICU) patients in a second‐level hospital in Madrid, Spain, focusing in those who underwent surgical tracheostomy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. The surgical technique and associated complications are also detailed.

Study Design

Observational and historical cohort.

Setting

Single center.

Methods

Eighty‐three intubated COVID‐19 patients were analyzed. Thirty bedside surgical tracheostomies had been performed following our safety protocol.

Results

Data from 83 patients admitted to the ICU in Infanta Leonor University Hospital were collected; 74.7% were male. The average age was 59.7 years. The main comorbidities found were hypertension in 51.8%, diabetes mellitus in 25.3%, asthma in 7.2%, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 3.6%. A surgical tracheostomy was carried out in 36.1% of patients who needed a prolonged intubation. The most frequent complication of the surgical procedure, bleeding, occurred in 30%, but the majority were mild and ceased with compression only. The most relevant complication was local infection, which occurred in 26.7% of patients. There were statistically significant differences in the time from the beginning of mechanical ventilation until weaning between tracheostomized and nontracheostomized patients. The mortality rate of patients who underwent tracheostomy was 56.7%. Despite severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 being highly contagious and tracheostomy being considered a high‐risk procedure, our rate of infected ear, nose, and throat specialists was only 11.8%.

Conclusion

In our experience, bedside surgical tracheostomy is a safe procedure in COVID‐19 patients when safety protocols are followed.
Genetic inhibition of NFATC2 attenuates asparaginase hypersensitivity in mice
Authors: Rathod Sanjay , Ramsey Manda , Finkelman Fred D. , Fernandez Christian A.
Published: September 2020

The family of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors plays a critical role in mediating immune responses. Our previous clinical pharmacogenetic studies suggested that NFATC2 is associated with the risk of hypersensitivity reactions to the chemotherapeutic agent L-asparaginase (ASNase) that worsen outcomes during the treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We therefore hypothesized that the genetic inhibition of NFATC2 would protect against the development of anti-ASNase antibodies and ASNase hypersensitivity. Our study demonstrates that ASNase-immunized NFATC2-deficient mice are protected against ASNase hypersensitivity and develop lower antigen-specific and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels compared with wild-type (WT) controls. Furthermore, ASNase-immunized NFATC2-deficient mice develop more CD4+ regulatory T cells, fewer CD4+ interleukin-4–positive (IL-4+) cells, higher IL-10/TGF-β1 levels, and lower IL-4/IL-13 levels relative to WT mice. Basophils and peritoneal mast cells from ASNase-immunized, but not naïve, NFATC2-deficient mice had lower FcεRI expression and decreased IgE-mediated mast cell activation than WT mice. Furthermore, ASNase-immunized, but not naïve, NFATC2-deficient mice developed less severe shock than WT mice after induction of passive anaphylaxis or direct histamine administration. Thus, inhibition of NFATC2 protects against ASNase hypersensitivity by impairing T helper 2 responses, which may provide a novel strategy for attenuating hypersensitivity and the development of antidrug antibodies, including to ASNase.
Marker Assisted Development and Characterization of Herbicide Tolerant Near Isogenic Lines of a Mega Basmati Rice Variety, “Pusa Basmati 1121”
Authors: Grover Nitasha , Kumar Aruna , Yadav Ashutosh Kumar , Gopala Krishnan S. , Ellur Ranjith Kumar , Bhowmick Prolay Kumar , Vinod K. K. , Bollinedi Haritha , Nagarajan M. , Viswanathan C. , Sevanthi Amitha Mithra V. , Singh Nagendra Kumar , Mohapatra Trilochan , Singh Ashok Kumar
Published: September 2020

Background

Direct-seeded rice (DSR) is a potential technology for sustainable rice farming as it saves water and labor. However, higher incidence of weed under DSR limits productivity. Therefore, there is a need to develop herbicide tolerant (HT) rice varieties.

Results

We used marker assisted backcross breeding (MABB) to transfer a mutant allele of Acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS) gene, which confers tolerance to imidazolinone group of herbicides from the donor parent (DP) “Robin” into the genetic background of an elite popular Basmati rice variety, Pusa Basmati 1121 (PB 1121). Foreground selection was done using the AHAS gene linked Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) marker RM6844 and background selection was performed using 112 genome-wide SSR markers polymorphic between PB 1121 and Robin. Phenotypic selection for agronomic, Basmati grain and cooking quality traits in each generation was carried out to improve the recovery of recurrent parent phenome (RPP). Finally, a set of 12 BC4F4 near isogenic lines (NILs), with recurrent parent genome (RPG) recovery ranging from 98.66 to 99.55% were developed and evaluated. PB 1121-HT NILs namely 1979-14-7-33-99-10, 1979-14-7-33-99-15 and 1979-14-7-33-99-66 were found superior to PB 1121 in yield with comparable grain and cooking quality traits and herbicide tolerance similar to Robin.

Conclusion

Overall, the present study reports successful development of HT NILs in the genetic background of popular Basmati rice variety, PB 1121 by introgression of mutated AHAS allele. This is the first report on the development of HT Basmati rice. Superior NILs are being evaluated in the national Basmati trials, the release of which is likely to provide a viable option for the adoption of DSR technology in Basmati rice cultivation.