bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of ruptured intracranial aneurysms using the aneurysm-specific prediction score in patients with multiple aneurysms with subarachnoid hemorrhages- a Chinese population based external validation study
Authors: Zhang Xue-hua , Zhao Xiao-yan , Liu Lan-lan , Wen Li , Wang Guang-xian
Published: June 2022

Background

For patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs) and multiple intracranial aneurysms (MIAs), a simple and fast imaging method that can identify ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIAs) may have great clinical value. We sought to use the aneurysm-specific prediction score to identify RIAs in patients with MIAs and evaluate the aneurysm-specific prediction score.

Methods

Between May 2018 and May 2021, 134 patients with 290 MIAs were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had an SAH due to IA rupture. CT angiography (CTA) was used to assess the maximum diameter, shape, and location of IAs to calculate the aneurysm-specific prediction score. Then, the aneurysm-specific prediction score was applied to RIAs in patients with MIAs.

Results

The IAs with the highest aneurysm-specific prediction scores had not ruptured in 17 (12.7%) of the 134 patients with 290 MIAs. The sensitivity, specificity, false omission rate, diagnostic error rate, and diagnostic accuracy of the aneurysm-specific prediction score were higher than those of the maximum diameter, shape, and location of IAs.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that the aneurysm-specific prediction score has high diagnostic accuracy in identifying RIAs in patients with MIAs and SAH, but that it needs further evaluation.
Association between time of residence and self-perception of distress, interpersonal relationships, and social role in Venezuelan immigrants in Lima, Peru 2018–19: mixed-methods study
Authors: Delgado-Cáceres Frank Milton , Silva-Parra Kevin Angel , Torres-Slimming Paola A.
Published: June 2022

Background

Immigrants arriving in a new country face changes that affect their social, employment, and migratory status. We carried out a mixed-methods study in the rapidly growing Venezuelan immigrant population in Lima, Peru. The objective was to determine whether there was an association between time in Peru and self-perception of symptom distress (SD), interpersonal relationships (IR), and social role (SR).

Methods

The quantitative central component consisted of a cross-sectional study, surveying 152 participants using the Outcome Questionnaire 45.2 (OQ-45.2). The qualitative component, based on phenomenology, explored experiences and challenges during the migration process. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted in 16 informants.

Results

An association that was observed was the increase in the risk of clinically significant SR score with additional years of age. All informants mentioned having witnessed or experienced xenophobia in Peru. Every informant stated that significant labor differences existed between the countries. The most reported somatic symptoms were symptoms of anxiety and alterations of sleep. Additionally, no informant expressed a desire to remain in Peru long term.

Conclusions

A minority of participants registered a clinically significant total score and in each of the three domains of SD, IR, and SR. No association between months in Lima and the self-perception of distress was found. However, this could be due to the short amount of time spent in Peru and any change in self-perception might only be perceived after years or decades spent in Peru. This study is one of the first to use mixed-methods to explore the mental health of the immigrant Venezuelan population.
Standardised 3D-CT lung volumes for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Tanaka Yuko , Suzuki Yuzo , Hasegawa Hirotsugu , Yokomura Koshi , Fukada Atsuki , Inoue Yusuke , Hozumi Hironao , Karayama Masato , Furuhashi Kazuki , Enomoto Noriyuki , Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Nakamura Yutaro , Inui Naoki , Suda Takafumi
Published: June 2022

Background

The assessment of lung physiology via pulmonary function tests (PFTs) is essential for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, PFTs require active participation, which can be challenging for patients with severe respiratory failure, such as during moments of acute exacerbation (AE) of IPF. Recent advances have enabled the re-construction of 3-dimensional computed-tomography (3D-CT) images. This study established a standardisation method and quantitative analysis of lung volume (LV) based on anthropometry using 3D-CT images.

Methods

This is a retrospective multi-center cohort study. The standardised 3D-CT LV in patients with IPF at diagnosis (n = 140) and during AE (cohort1; n = 61 and cohort2; n = 50) and those of controls (n = 53) were assessed.

Results

The standardised 3D-CT LVs at IPF diagnosis were less than those of control patients, especially in the lower lung lobes. The standardised 3D-CT LVs were correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC) and validated using the modified Gender-Age-Physiology (GAP) index. The standardised 3D-CT LVs at IPF diagnosis were independently associated with prognosis. During AE, PFTs were difficult to perform, 3D-CT analyses revealed reduced lung capacity in both the upper and lower lobes compared to those obtained at diagnosis. Lower standardised 3D-CT LVs during AE were independently associated with worse outcomes in the two independent cohorts. In particular, volume loss in the upper lobe at AE had prognostic values.

Conclusions

A novel image quantification method for assessing pulmonary physiology using standardised 3D-CT-derived LVs was developed. This method successfully predicts mortality in patients with IPF and AE of IPF, and may be a useful alternative when PFTs cannot be performed.
Crumbotti and rose petals in a ghost mountain valley: foraging, landscape, and their transformations in the upper Borbera Valley, NW Italy
Authors: Fontefrancesco Michele F. , Zocchi Dauro M. , Cevasco Roberta , Dossche Rebekka , Abidullah Syed , Pieroni Andrea
Published: June 2022

Background

The abandonment of mountain areas in Europe is a process that started during industrialisation and whose traces are still present nowadays. Initiatives aimed at stopping this decline and preserving the local biological and cultural diversities reflect the crucial issue of fostering sustainable rural development. This article contributes to the ongoing debate in assessing and preserving local ecological knowledge (LEK) in a highly marginalised mountain community in the Piedmontese Apennines to support local development. In so doing, it continues a larger project assessing how local botanical knowledge and landscapes evolve over time, in order to understand in more depth which factors affect how LEK is shaped, eroded, and re-created, and how this could be revitalised.

Methods

We compared information about the current gathering and use of local wild plants in the upper Borbera Valley (Carrega Ligure municipality, NW Italy), elicited via 34 in-depth open and semi-structured interviews, with the findings of a field study conducted in the same location, most likely carried out at the end of the 1970s and published in 1981.

Results

There were remarkable quantitative and qualitative differences between the two ethnobotanies. The gathering and use of some wild medicinal plants growing in meadows, woodlands, and higher mountain environments (Achillea, Centaurea, Dianthus, Ostrya, Picea, Polygonum, Potentilla, and Thymus) seems to have disappeared, whereas the collection of plants growing in more anthropogenic environments, or possibly promoted via contacts with the “reference” city of Genoa (the largest city close to Carrega and historically the economic and cultural centre to which the valley was mostly connected), has been introduced (i.e. ramsons, safflower, bitter oranges, black trumpets) or reinvigorated (rose petals). This trend corresponds to the remarkable changes in the local landscape ecology and agro-silvo-pastoral system that took place from the first half of the twentieth century, dramatically increasing woodland and secondary vegetation, and decreasing coppices, plantations, grasslands and segregating cultivated land.

Conclusion

The findings show a very difficult rearrangement of the LEK, as most of the areas the local actors still know are within their villages, and they no longer have daily experience in the rest of the abandoned woodland landscape (except for mushrooming and gathering chestnuts). This situation can be interpreted in two ways: as the start of the complete abandonment of the valley, or as a starting residual resilience lynchpin, which could possibly inspire new residents if the larger political-economic framework would promote measures for making the survival of the mountain settlements of this municipality possible, and not just a chimera.
Novel bilateral symmetrical congenital transverse upper and lower limb deficiencies in siblings in Ethiopia: two case reports
Authors: Melaku Amen Samuel , Bekele Fiker Tadesse , Dires Yilkal Muchie , Wicks Laurence
Published: June 2022

Background

Transverse congenital limb deficiency is a common limb deficiency where there is normal limb development until a certain point, beyond which no anatomical structure exists. Typically, this presents as an isolated and spontaneous abnormality as a result of arrest during limb bud development. Transverse bilateral deficiency in both upper and lower limbs is not well described.

Case presentation

We report the cases of two female Ethiopian amhara siblings, aged 6 years and 5 months, respectively, from Ethiopia with similar transverse bilateral upper and lower limb deficiencies. The sisters were born from the same parents and have similar phenotypic presentations. Neither of them have other syndromic features or systemic manifestations. The siblings are currently on follow-up and are receiving assistance by specialist orthotists, who are working to improve walking and also providing adaptive equipment to facilitate self-care and feeding.

Conclusion

The relationship of the patients and the similarity of phenotypical presentations suggests a strong genetic link.
Fairness in classroom assessment: development and validation of a questionnaire
Authors: Rezai Afsheen
Published: June 2022

Although fairness in assessment practices has gained noticeable attention over the recent years, there has been a long-lasting study to design and validate a questionnaire to measure it from a psychometric perspective. Thus, this study aims to develop and validate a questionnaire with adequate psychometric properties to measure fairness in classroom assessment. Using a random sampling method, two samples of male and female university students for the first pilot (n = 128) and the second pilot (n = 360) were selected from Ayatollah Borujerdi University and Lorestan University. Drawing on the past literature, a pool of items (n = 118) were extracted and subjected to a 12-step systematic procedure, including content analysis and sampling; creating an item bank; running the first pilot; creating item pool one; expert judgment to evaluate the sub-scales; running an interview and think-aloud protocol; running Cronbach’s alpha; running the second pilot; running exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach’s alpha; creating item pool two; expert review; and translation and translation quality check. Findings yielded a 110-item questionnaire with 10 sub-scales: learning materials and practices (18 items); test design (24 items); opportunities to demonstrate learning (8 items); test administration (21 items); grading (11 items); offering feedback (6 items); tests results interpretation (5 items); decisions based on tests results (3 items); test results consequences (4 items); and students’ fairness-related beliefs and attitudes (10 items). The hope is that this questionnaire can serve research and educational purposes.
Genome and transcriptome analysis of rock-dissolving Pseudomonas sp. NLX-4 strain
Authors: Wu Yanwen , Kameshwar Ayyappa Kumar Sista , Zhang Bo , Chen Feifei , Qin Wensheng , Meng Miaojing , Zhang Jinchi
Published: June 2022

Microbial weathering processes can significantly promote soil properties and reduce rock-to-soil ratio. Some soil-inhabiting bacteria exhibit efficient rock-dissolution abilities by releasing organic acids and other chemical elements from the silicate rocks. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved during bacterial rock-dissolution is still limited. In this study, we performed silicate rock-dissolution experiments on a Pseudomonas sp. NLX-4 strain isolated from an over-exploited mining site. The results revealed that Pseudomonas sp. NLX-4 strain efficiently accelerates the dissolution of silicate rocks by secreting amino acids, exopolysaccharides, and organic acids. Through employing genome and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), we identified the major regulatory genes. Specifically, 15 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding for siderophore transport, EPS and amino acids synthesis, organic acids metabolism, and bacterial resistance to adverse environmental conditions were highly up-regulated in silicate rock cultures of NLX-4 strain. Our study reports a potential bacterial based approach for improving the ecological restoration of over-exploited rock mining sites.

Graphical Abstract
Economic feasibility of interventions targeted at decreasing piglet perinatal and pre-weaning mortality across European countries
Authors: Stygar Anna H. , Chantziaras Ilias , Maes Dominiek , Aarestrup Moustsen Vivi , De Meyer Dimitri , Quesnel Hélène , Kyriazakis Ilias , Niemi Jarkko K.
Published: June 2022

Background

Piglet perinatal and pre-weaning mortality is a welfare problem causing economic losses in pig production. In this study, the effects of housing and management interventions on the economic result of sow enterprises representing six European countries (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands and Spain) were tested. Interventions concerned: (1) installing mechanical ventilation, (2) re-designing of the gestation unit, (3) drying and warming newborn piglets, (4) providing enrichment for gestating sows, including high-fiber dietary supplementation and point-source objects, and (5) music provision and backscratching of sows in the farrowing unit. A bio-economic model was used to determine the effects of interventions on economic outcomes during the nursery phase and to calculate a maximum cost of 1%-point reduction in perinatal and pre-weaning mortality, irrespective of the intervention type. Biological parameters were set according to previous observational and experimental studies. Interventions 1–4 were expected to decrease perinatal mortality, defined as stillbirths and deaths occurring within the first 48 h of postnatal life. Intervention 5 was expected to decrease pre-weaning mortality. Interventions increased fixed (1–3) and variable costs (3–5). We hypothesized that housing and management interventions would have a positive economic effect.

Results

Piglet mortality can be decreased in various ways. Interventions concerning ventilation and re-designing of the gestation unit (1 and 2) were the most beneficial in countries with low housing costs and high perinatal mortality. Drying and warming newborn piglets (3) resulted in varying economic results, with the highest increase in profits obtained in a country with low labor costs and high litter size. Interventions providing sows with enrichment and human–animal interaction (4 and 5) were effective across varying conditions. Regardless of intervention type, policies aiming at 1%-point reduction in perinatal and pre-weaning mortality could cost from €0.2 to €0.5 (average €0.4) and from €0.4 to €0.5 (average €0.5) per piglet, respectively, depending on productions conditions.

Conclusions

To decrease piglet mortality, farmers should consider low input interventions, such as those targeting appropriate behavior. Our results suggest that providing enrichment or increasing human–animal interaction pays off and brings positive economic result even when piglet mortality is marginally reduced.
Implementation of physical activity on prescription for children with obesity in paediatric health care (IMPA): protocol for a feasibility and evaluation study using quantitative and qualitative methods
Authors: Bernhardsson Susanne , Boman Charlotte , Lundqvist Stefan , Arvidsson Daniel , Börjesson Mats , Larsson Maria E. H. , Lundh Hannah , Melin Karin , Nilsen Per , Lauruschkus Katarina
Published: June 2022

Background

Physical inactivity is a main cause of childhood obesity which tracks into adulthood obesity, making it important to address early in life. Physical activity on prescription (PAP) is an evidence-based intervention that has shown good effect on physical activity levels in adults, but has not been evaluated in children with obesity. This project aims to evaluate the prerequisites, determinants, and feasibility of implementing PAP adapted to children with obesity and to explore children’s, parents’, and healthcare providers’ experiences of PAP.

Methods

In the first phase of the project, healthcare providers and managers from 26 paediatric clinics in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, will be invited to participate in a web-based survey and a subset of this sample for a focus group study. Findings from these two data collections will form the basis for adaptation of PAP to the target group and context. In a second phase, this adapted PAP intervention will be evaluated in a clinical study in a sample of approximately 60 children with obesity (ISO-BMI > 30) between 6 and 12 years of age and one of their parents/legal guardians. Implementation process and clinical outcomes will be assessed pre- and post-intervention and at 8 and 12 months’ follow-up. Implementation outcomes are the four core constructs of the Normalization Process Theory; coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, and reflexive monitoring; and appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility of the PAP intervention. Additional implementation process outcomes are recruitment and attrition rates, intervention fidelity, dose, and adherence. Clinical outcomes are physical activity pattern, BMI, metabolic risk factors, health-related quality of life, sleep, and self-efficacy and motivation for physical activity. Lastly, we will explore the perspectives of children and parents in semi-structured interviews. Design and analysis of the included studies are guided by the Normalization Process Theory.

Discussion

This project will provide new knowledge regarding the feasibility of PAP for children with obesity and about whether and how an evidence-based intervention can be fitted and adapted to new contexts and populations. The results may inform a larger scale trial and future implementation and may enhance the role of PAP in the management of obesity in paediatric health care in Sweden.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT04847271, registered 14 April 2021.
Manipulation of the Bitcoin market: an agent-based study
Authors: Fratrič Peter , Sileno Giovanni , Klous Sander , van Engers Tom
Published: June 2022

Fraudulent actions of a trader or a group of traders can cause substantial disturbance to the market, both directly influencing the price of an asset or indirectly by misinforming other market participants. Such behavior can be a source of systemic risk and increasing distrust for the market participants, consequences that call for viable countermeasures. Building on the foundations provided by the extant literature, this study aims to design an agent-based market model capable of reproducing the behavior of the Bitcoin market during the time of an alleged Bitcoin price manipulation that occurred between 2017 and early 2018. The model includes the mechanisms of a limit order book market and several agents associated with different trading strategies, including a fraudulent agent, initialized from empirical data and who performs market manipulation. The model is validated with respect to the Bitcoin price as well as the amount of Bitcoins obtained by the fraudulent agent and the traded volume. Simulation results provide a satisfactory fit to historical data. Several price dips and volume anomalies are explained by the actions of the fraudulent trader, completing the known body of evidence extracted from blockchain activity. The model suggests that the presence of the fraudulent agent was essential to obtain Bitcoin price development in the given time period; without this agent, it would have been very unlikely that the price had reached the heights as it did in late 2017. The insights gained from the model, especially the connection between liquidity and manipulation efficiency, unfold a discussion on how to prevent illicit behavior.
Understanding humanitarian localization in Latin America—as local as possible: but how necessary?
Authors: Lucatello Simone , Gómez Oscar A.
Published: June 2022

This paper questions the pertinence of the humanitarian aid localization agenda in Latin America, at least in the narrow sense embraced by the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit. Localized support has been the standard practice in the region for decades, thanks to at least two correlated factors: the Monroe Doctrine limiting intervention to the USA and regional efforts to resist such intervention. Instead, humanitarian action in the region is an example of a particular way of understating localization, mainly specialized support to specific issues, no distinction between humanitarian or development divisions, and coexistence of different response approaches, synthesizing international and local experiences that intermingle with community practices and traditions, under national government leadership. Governments, together with NGOs, civil protection, and other relevant actors from international cooperation and development, engage in crises based on a long-standing tradition of risk management at national and regional levels. Fears of abuses hidden behind the non-interference principle, human rights activism, and disaster risk management approaches to emergencies created a complex ecosystem for humanitarian localization.
A scoping methodological review of simulation studies comparing statistical and machine learning approaches to risk prediction for time-to-event data
Authors: Smith Hayley , Sweeting Michael , Morris Tim , Crowther Michael J.
Published: June 2022

Background

There is substantial interest in the adaptation and application of so-called machine learning approaches to prognostic modelling of censored time-to-event data. These methods must be compared and evaluated against existing methods in a variety of scenarios to determine their predictive performance. A scoping review of how machine learning methods have been compared to traditional survival models is important to identify the comparisons that have been made and issues where they are lacking, biased towards one approach or misleading.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of research articles published between 1 January 2000 and 2 December 2020 using PubMed. Eligible articles were those that used simulation studies to compare statistical and machine learning methods for risk prediction with a time-to-event outcome in a medical/healthcare setting. We focus on data-generating mechanisms (DGMs), the methods that have been compared, the estimands of the simulation studies, and the performance measures used to evaluate them.

Results

A total of ten articles were identified as eligible for the review. Six of the articles evaluated a method that was developed by the authors, four of which were machine learning methods, and the results almost always stated that this developed method’s performance was equivalent to or better than the other methods compared. Comparisons were often biased towards the novel approach, with the majority only comparing against a basic Cox proportional hazards model, and in scenarios where it is clear it would not perform well. In many of the articles reviewed, key information was unclear, such as the number of simulation repetitions and how performance measures were calculated.

Conclusion

It is vital that method comparisons are unbiased and comprehensive, and this should be the goal even if realising it is difficult. Fully assessing how newly developed methods perform and how they compare to a variety of traditional statistical methods for prognostic modelling is imperative as these methods are already being applied in clinical contexts. Evaluations of the performance and usefulness of recently developed methods for risk prediction should be continued and reporting standards improved as these methods become increasingly popular.
Skin model for improving the reliability of the modified Rodnan skin score for systemic sclerosis
Authors: Pongkulkiat Patnarin , Thinkhamrop Bandit , Mahakkanukrauh Ajanee , Suwannaroj Siraphop , Foocharoen Chingching
Published: June 2022

Background

The gold standard for skin thickness assessment in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS); however, inter- and intra-rater variation can arise due to subjective methods and inexperience. The study aimed to determine the inter- and intra-rater variability of mRSS assessment using a skin model.

Methods

A comparative study was conducted between January and December 2020 at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Thirty-six skin sites of 8 SSc patients underwent mRSS assessment: 4 times the first day and 1 time over the next 4 weeks by the same 10 raters. No skin model for mRSS assessment was used for the first two assessments, while one was used for the remaining three rounds of assessments. The Latin square design and Kappa statistic were used to determine inter- and intra-rater variability.

Results

The kappa agreement for inter-rater variability improved when the skin model was used (from 0.4 to 0.5; 25%). The improvement in inter-rater variability was seen in the non-expert group, for which the kappa agreement rose from 0.3 to 0.5 (a change of 66.7%). Intra-rater variability did not change (kappa remained at 0.9), and the long-term effect of using a skin model slightly decreased by week 4 (Δkappa 0.9–0.7).

Conclusions

Using a skin model could be used to improve inter-rater variation in mRSS assessment, especially in the non-expert group. The model should be considered a reference for mRSS assessment in clinical practice and health education.
Recommendations for evaluation and diagnosis of extra-glandular manifestations of primary sjogren syndrome: results of an epidemiologic systematic review/meta-analysis and a consensus guideline from the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (articular, pulmonary and renal)
Authors: Trevisani Virginia Fernandes Moça , Pugliesi Alisson , Pasoto Sandra Gofinet , Lopes Maria Lucia Lemos , Guedes Lissiane Karine Noronha , Miyamoto Samira Tatiyama , Fernandes Marilena Leal Mesquita Silvestre , Fialho Sonia Cristina de Magalhães Souza , Pinheiro Aysa César , dos Santos Laura Caldas , Appenzeller Simone , Fidelix Tania , Ribeiro Sandra Lúcia Euzébio , de Brito Danielle Christinne Soares Egypto , Nayara Libório-Kimura Tatiana , Santos Maria Carmen Lopes Ferreira Silva , Cantali Diego Ustárroz , Gennari Juliana D’Agostino , Civile Vinicius Tassoni , Pinto Ana Carolina Pereira Nunes , Rocha-Filho César Ramos , Oliveira Fabiola Reis , da Rocha Aline Pereira , Valim Valeria
Published: June 2022

Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands and other organs, associated with sicca syndrome but also with systemic involvement with varying degrees of severity. Despite their importance, these systemic manifestations are not routinely evaluated and there is no homogenous approach to their diagnosis or evaluation. To close this gap, a panel of experts from the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the identification of epidemiologic and clinical features of these manifestations and made recommendations based on the findings. Agreement between the experts was achieved using the Delphi method. The first part of this guideline summarizes the most important topics, and 11 recommendations are provided for the articular, pulmonary, and renal care of SS patients.
A new understanding of radiographic landmarks of the greater trochanter that indicate correct femoral rotation for measurement of femoral offset
Authors: Tatka Jakub , Delagrammaticas Dimitri , Kemler Bryson R. , Rosenberg Samuel I. , Brady Alex W. , Bryniarski Anna R. , Dornan Grant J. , Matta Joel M.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To establish and validate a novel method for aligning femoral rotation to accurately measure femoral offset for preoperative templating and component sizing, and to identify the physical location of two radiographic lines utilized in the described method.

Materials and methods

Cadaveric proximal femurs were skeletonized and mounted to a biaxial load frame. Two radiographic lines along the greater trochanter were identified fluoroscopically. The femurs were rotated, and images were taken when the lines appeared superimposed, then in 2-degree increments to 10° of internal and external rotation, and at 30°. Radiographic femoral offset was calculated at each angle, and the maximum and aligned offsets were compared. Bone was removed until the radiographic lines disappeared, then a metal wire was inserted in place of the bone to confirm that the lines reappeared.

Results

The physical locations of the radiographic landmarks were on the anterior and posterior aspects of the greater trochanter. The mean true femoral offset was 38.2 mm (range, 30.5–46.3 mm). The mean aligned femoral offset was 37.3 mm (range, 29.3–46.3 mm), a 2.4% underestimation. The mean angle between aligned and true offset was 3.6° of external rotation (range, 10°ER-8°IR). Intra-rater intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.991.

Conclusion

Alignment of the radiographic lines created by the anterior and posterior aspects of the greater trochanter is a reliable and accurate rotational positioning method for measuring true femoral offset when using plain films or fluoroscopy, which can aid surgeons with preoperative templating and intraoperative component placement for total hip arthroplasty.
Insomnia and sleep quality among women during the perinatal period
Authors: El-Sherbeeny Nagla , El Tantawy Ashraf , Ibrahim Omneya , Elsayed Mona , El-Okda Noha , Hassan Haydy
Published: June 2022

Background

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder affecting sleep quality and quality of life among women during the perinatal period. The aim of the study is to study the frequency of insomnia and sleep quality among perinatal women and their effect on quality of life: 131 participants; 64 perinatal and 67 control groups from the outpatient clinics of Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt. DSM-5 criteria were used to diagnose insomnia. Sleep quality was assessed using PSQI, and SF-36 questionnaire was used for assessment of health-related quality of life.

Results

Insomnia was statistically significant higher among the perinatal group than the control; 28.1% and 10.4%, respectively (P < 0.05). The perinatal women had poor sleep quality as compared with the control group with a higher mean global PSQI score; 8.02 ± 2.97 and 4.97 ± 2.45, respectively (P < 0.05). The quality of life in the perinatal group was lower than the control group with scores of 54.96 ± 14.63 versus 62.34 ± 14.63, respectively.

Conclusions

Insomnia and poor sleep quality are found in higher frequency in perinatal women than their counterpart control. The study also showed a significant impact of these changes on maternal HRQoL.
Acquired childhood bladder melanosis
Authors: Varik Roma Subhash , Al-Adhani Mudher , Taghizadeh Arash
Published: June 2022

Background

Bladder melanosis is rare. It has previously been described only in the fifth decade of life or beyond; it has not been described in childhood. Previous descriptions have generally been case reports, and so the natural history is poorly understood. Urinary symptoms present at the time of cystoscopy have frequently been attributed to bladder melanosis. A possible suggested aetiology is aberrant migration of melanocyte migration during embryogenesis.

Case presentation

We present the first case of bladder melanosis in a child. He had been under our care since the age of 5 years with urinary incontinence and at that time, had undergone cystoscopy demonstrating normal bladder mucosa. A diagnosis of idiopathic detrusor overactivity with underactive voiding had been made. After other unsuccessful treatments, intravesical botulinum toxin was proposed. At the age of 13, repeat cystoscopy prior to botulinum toxin, demonstrated widespread pigmented areas in the bladder mucosa. Histology showed bladder melanosis. Our finding is important for several reasons. This is the first reported case of bladder melanosis to affect a child. The previous normal cystoscopy in our patient would refute the explanation that bladder melanosis is a congenital condition. Furthermore, the development of melanosis on the background of stable symptoms raises the possibility that the condition may be asymptomatic.

Conclusions

This unique finding of bladder melanosis in a child has provided further insight into this rare and poorly understood condition.
Extragonadal germ cell tumor presenting with spinal cord compression: a case report and literature review
Authors: Farah Roula A. , Matta Judy K. , Metri Aida A. , Bejjani-Doueihy Noha A. , Saikali Ibrahim C.
Published: June 2022

Background

Yolk sac tumor or endodermal sinus tumor is an uncommon malignant germ cell neoplasm. This tumor usually presents in childhood or young adulthood as a testicular or ovarian mass. Extragonadal sites such as mediastinal, intracranial, and sacrococcygeal have been described. A review of the literature revealed limited related cases. The clinical presentation, radiographic characteristics, operative findings, and patient outcomes are discussed.

Case presentation

We report the occurrence of a primary paraspinal germ cell tumor in a 28-month-old boy who presented with thoracic spinal cord compression. The patient presented with pain, weakness, paraplegia, and bowel and bladder disturbances.

MRI was done and showed a retroperitoneal and paravertebral mass invading the left diaphragmatic crus, the lateral neural foramen, and the posterior paravertebral muscles. Morphologic and immunohistochemical features were consistent with a germ cell tumor, namely an endodermal sinus tumor (yolk sac) of the epidural area. The final diagnosis was determined to be stage IV extragonadal germ cell tumor. The patient underwent emergency surgery consisting of T10–12 laminectomy and epidural mass resection with the release of the spinal cord compression and received chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, bleomycin, and etoposide. After six cycles of chemotherapy, follow-up MRI showed complete resolution of the tumor. The patient has been in complete remission 16 years from his initial diagnosis. He still, however, has mild residual weakness in both lower extremities and some detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia.

Conclusion

Extragonadal germ cell tumors presenting with spinal cord compression are rare; however, they should be included in the differential diagnosis of every child younger than 3 years old who does not present with the typical features. Germ cell tumors are sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy, and surgery should only be performed for spinal cord compression and for obtaining tissue biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. The sooner the decompression is done, the better neurological outcome is achieved. Long-term remission, and possibly cure, can be achieved with a multidisciplinary treatment strategy.
Pediatric biliary calculus disease: clinical spectrum, predisposing factors, and management outcome revisited
Authors: Addagatla Rajashekar , Kundal Vijay Kumar , Divya Gali , Debnath Pinaki Ranjan , Meena Atul Kumar , Kemwal Aarushi , Sen Amita
Published: June 2022

Background

Biliary calculus disease (BCD) is one of the most prevalent diseases and poses a significant burden to the health care system in adults. The prevalence of BCD in children and adolescents is about 0.1% and 0.6%, respectively. Although many factors have been attributed to BCD in children, exact etiopathogenesis is not clear. BCD has been extensively studied in adults, but not much literature is available in children. The current review was undertaken to study BCD in children focusing on the objectives like predisposing factors, various modes of presentation, and management outcome of BCD in children in the northern part of India.

Results

Out of 42 children, two children had a history of ceftriaxone therapy. Two underwent ileal resection. The mean reticulocyte count was 1.79%. None had G6PD deficiency or abnormal osmotic fragility test. Clinical presentation was right upper quadrant pain (n = 42, 100%), calculous cholecystitis (n = 8, 19.0%), and jaundice (n = 3, 7.14%). The majority (n = 26, 61.92%) were overweight. Only 16.6% (n = 7) children had normal body mass index (BMI), and 9.3% (n = 4) were obese. The mean BMI was 26.3 kg/m2. 85.5% of children frequently consume junk foods. The majority of calculi were GB calculi accounting for 92.8% (n = 39) whereas 7.1% (n = 3) children had CBD calculi. Thirty-five were managed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy, three were managed by non-operative management, and one was managed by open cholecystectomy; among the three cases of CBD calculi, two were managed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), stenting, and CBD exploration and one was managed by ERCP sphincterotomy.

Conclusion

Diet and overweight both appear to be important risk factors for pediatric BCD. Drug-induced calculi can be safely observed.
Complications of surgical port-a-cath implantation in paediatric patients: a single institution experience
Authors: Al Hindi Saeed , Khalaf Zahra , Tan Abigail K. L. , Haider Fayza
Published: June 2022

Background

Implantable vascular access devices (IVADs) provide durable routes for administering long-term treatments in patients. However, their associated complications pose a problem. One technique variation that can influence complication rates is the method of securing the IVADs, which is either by ligation or a purse-string suture.

Objective

To compare the two port-a-cath securing techniques, ligation and purse string, in terms of complication rates and types.

Study design

We prospectively included 67 paediatric patients who had port-a-cath insertions secured either by ligation or a purse-string suture at Salmaniya Medical Complex in Bahrain from January 2018 to June 2021. We recorded demographics, diagnoses, port-a-cath site of insertion and securing technique, operative time, follow-up duration, and complications. Patients who had previous port-a-cath insertions or other chemotherapy lines were excluded.

Results

Port-a-caths were secured by ligation in 35 cases and by a purse-string suture in 32 cases. There were 58.9% males and 41.8% females; sex was not correlated with complications (P = 0.11). Patients’ ages ranged from 2 months to 13 years. The overall complication rate of port-a-cath insertions was 16.42%. Complications occurred in 25.7% of ligation-secured port-a-caths and 6.3% of purse-string-secured port-a-caths. In the ligation-secured IVADs, complications included malfunction, infections, removal difficulty and blockage, malposition, and haematoma. Meanwhile, only leakage occurred in the purse-string-secured IVADs.

Conclusion

The port-a-cath securing technique was significantly correlated with complication rates. The complication types and rates in purse-string-secured catheters were lower than those reported in the literature. Leakage was the only complication that occurred in purse-string-secured port-a-caths.
Perioperative use of antibiotics in full-thickness rectal biopsies for Hirschsprung’s disease
Authors: Schiellerup Nicolai Skov , Bjørn Niels , Linneman Anders , Ehlers Peter , Möller Sören , Qvist Niels , Ellebæk Mark Bremholm
Published: June 2022

Background

There is no consensus on the use of perioperative antibiotic in full-thickness rectal biopsies (FTB) in children suspected for Hirschsprung disease. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effect of perioperative antibiotics on infectious and overall complications rate in FTB performed in children under the age of 1 year.

Methods

A retrospective chart review. Two time periods were compared—one with and one without the routine use of perioperative antibiotics. The treatment included cefuroxime 100 mg/kg and metronidazole 20 mg/kg administered intravenously at anesthesia induction followed by peroral administration of amoxicillin 50 mg/kg with Clavulanic acid 12.5 mg/kg three times a day t.i.d. for 3 days postoperative.

Results

In the group with perioperative antibiotics the infectious complications rate was 3.3% compared to 13.4% in the group without (p = 0.03) with fever as the most common. The overall complication rate was 11.3% and 15.2%, respectively (p = 0.43).

Conclusion

Perioperative antibiotics significantly reduced the rate of infectious complications, but not the rate of overall complication rate after a full thickness rectal biopsy in children under the age of 1 year.
Physics-guided deep autoencoder to overcome the need for a starting model in full-waveform inversion
Authors: Dhara Arnab , Sen Mrinal K.
Published: June 2022

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is a popular technique to obtain high-resolution estimates of earth model parameters using all information present in seismic data. Thus, it can provide important information about the subsurface. The FWI algorithm is formulated as a data-fitting minimization problem that iteratively updates an initial velocity model using the gradient of the misfit until an acceptable match is obtained between the real and synthetic data under a tolerance level based on noise in the data. The inversion is computationally expensive and can converge to a local minimum if the starting model used is not close enough to an optimal model. Here, we propose an alternative approach using a combination of machine learning and the physics of the forward model. Unlike conventional supervised machine learning, known answers are not required to train our network. The shot gathers are input to a convolutional neural network-based autoencoder, the output of which is used as the velocity model that is used to compute synthetic seismograms. The synthetic data are compared against observed input data, and the misfit is estimated. The gradient of the misfit with respect to the velocity model parameters is calculated using the adjoint state method. The adjoint state gradient is then used to update the network weights using the automatic differentiation technique. Once the misfit term converges, the neural network can generate velocity models consistent with the observed data. We observe that the neural network can capture spatial correlations at different scales and thus can introduce regularization in our inverse problem. Experiments with the Marmousi model and SEG Advanced Modeling Corporation Phase 1 salt model suggest that the proposed method can overcome local minima, requires no starting model, and produces robust results in the presence of noise and complex salt body structures.
Geophysics Bright Spots
Authors: Behura Jyoti
Published: June 2022

Welcome to the latest installment of Geophysics Bright Spots. There are a number of interesting research articles in the last two issues of Geophysics. Here is a list of what piqued the editors' interests.
Reviews
Authors: Green William
Published: June 2022

Roadside Geology of Oklahoma, by Neil H. Suneson, ISBN 978-0-878-42697-3, 2020, Mountain Press, 400 p. Viscoelastic Waves and Rays in Layered Media, second edition, by Roger D. Borcherdt, ISBN 978-1-108-49569-1, 2020, Cambridge University Press, 450 p.
Seismic Soundoff: Field safety leadership with Kevin Bohacs
Authors: Geary Andrew
Published: June 2022

This episode features Kevin Bohacs discussing his course, “Introduction to field safety leadership.” Bohacs shares why safety is not a priority, why hardships are a nuisance, the most dangerous aspect of all fieldwork, and more. Hear the full episode at https://seg.org/podcast/post/14747 .
The role of neuropsychiatry in the care of children and adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: Hauptman Aaron J. , Barkoudah Elizabeth
Published: June 2022

Neuropsychiatric symptoms are commonly reported in cerebral palsy. These symptoms interact in complex ways with the core motoric features of cerebral palsy, and require specialised care. We argue for increased awareness of these symptoms by clinicians, and the need for greater integration of neuropsychiatric specialists into the core teams involved in multidisciplinary care for individuals with cerebral palsy and their families.
Pertuzumab Plus Trastuzumab for Treatment-Refractory HER2-Amplified Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Comparison of the MyPathway Trial With a Real-World External Control Arm
Authors: Narita Yusuke , Yoshimoto Takuya , Namai Tomoyuki , Asakawa Takashi , Kawakami Satoe , Gower-Page Craig , Reyes-Rivera Irmarie , Patel Arisha , Nakamura Yoshiaki
Published: June 2022

PURPOSE

We compared overall survival (OS) in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 ( HER2)–amplified, treatment-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) receiving pertuzumab plus trastuzumab (PER-HER) in the phase IIa MyPathway multibasket study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02091141 ) with OS in those receiving routine clinical care in an electronic health record–derived external control arm.

METHODS

A noninterventional study was conducted using patient-level data from MyPathway participants receiving PER-HER and real-world patients with HER2-amplified treatment-refractory mCRC receiving routine clinical care. This study used a deidentified US-based clinico-genomic database (CGDB). For patients in the CGDB who met study eligibility criteria at multiple index dates (treatment initiation dates in the treatment-refractory setting), all eligible index dates were used for the analysis. Standardized mortality ratio weighting on the basis of propensity score derived a pseudopopulation (postweighting population) balancing key prognostic variables between arms. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used for estimation of the hazard ratio (HR) in the primary OS analysis. A series of sensitivity analyses were conducted to investigate the robustness and consistency of the primary analysis.

RESULTS

The PER-HER arm comprised 57 patients enrolled in the MyPathway study by August 1, 2017 (data cutoff); the external control arm comprised 18 patients (27 index dates) with HER2-amplified mCRC who met the major MyPathway eligibility criteria in CGDB collected between 2011 and 2019. The estimated HR for OS from the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model in the postweighting population was 0.729 (95% CI, 0.184 to 3.900). The results of sensitivity analyses were consistent with the primary analysis in terms of the point estimate of HR.

CONCLUSION

Despite a small sample size, these findings suggest that PER-HER could have a potential OS benefit for this population.