bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children with cancer based on self-regulation shift theory
Authors: Pan Xiaorong , Mo Lin , Liu Qian , Guo Xiaoli , Zhang Shiqun
Published: March 2022

Objective

The objective is to investigate the factors influencing emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children with cancer and to provide a scientific basis for developing predictive intervention strategies.

Methods

We recruited 375 preschool children with cancer, from March 2019 to February 2020, via convenience sampling. The self-regulation shift theory was implemented as a theoretical framework and a structural equation model was applied to construct and validate this framework and to analyze the relationships among various influencing factors.

Results

Children’s effortful control, parent–child attachment, the family environment, family upbringing, parents’ marital quality, parents’ education level, and social support significantly affected children’s emotions and behaviors. Additionally, children’s effortful control and parent–child attachment mediated the effect of the family environment, family upbringing, and parents’ marital quality on children’s emotions and behaviors.”

Conclusion

This study identified several factors that influence children’s emotions and behaviors, which should be considered while developing predictive intervention strategies to promote children’s rehabilitation and improve parents’ education, thus offering improved support for children with cancer.
System reliability assessment of ductile frame structures using methods of moment
Authors: Lu Zhao-Hui , Hu Dong-Zhu , Zhao Yan-Gang
Published: February 2022

Reliability assessment of ductile frame structures in a systematic manner has remained a challenging issue because of the difficulties in searching for important failure modes and evaluating the system probability of failure stemmed from these important modes. In this paper, based on the Box-Cox transformation, a new failure mode independent performance function with the probability distribution of weak non-normality is proposed for the system reliability assessment of ductile frame structures. An efficient approach is then developed for estimating the failure probability of the proposed performance function, which includes two steps: first, the point-estimate method based on hybrid dimension-reduction integrated with structural limit analysis is developed to evaluate the first four central moments (i.e., mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) of the proposed performance function; next, the system probability of failure corresponding to the proposed performance function is then estimated using the moment-based reliability method. Three numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method, where the method of subset simulation is employed for comparison. It can be concluded that the developed methodology successfully overcomes the two difficulties including the identification of important failure modes and the evaluation of system probability of failure stemmed from these important modes in system reliability assessment of ductile frame structures.
Sharing and social media: The decline of a keyword?
Authors: John Nicholas
Published: March 2022

This article revisits claims made a decade ago about the importance of the word “sharing” in the context of social network sites (SNSs). Based on an analysis of the home pages of 61 SNSs between the years 2011 and 2020, the findings incontrovertibly show that “sharing” has lost its central place in the terminology employed by social media platforms in their self-presentation. Where in the mid-2000s SNSs relied heavily on a rhetoric of sharing to promote their services, by 2020, this rhetoric had been almost entirely dropped. The research reported here implies that social media platforms no longer feel a need or desire to be associated with these cultural beliefs. Given this, questions are raised as to whether “sharing” remains a keyword for social media.
Ideological manipulation in political news translation: An actor-network perspective
Authors: Daghigh Ali Jalalian , Amini Alireza
Published: February 2022

News translation, and particularly political news translation, is part of a complex recontextualization process in which the target text is often manipulated ideologically to meet the socio-political norms and dominant ideologies of the target society. Many studies have addressed this phenomenon using different textual and discursive approaches, including critical discourse analysis. However, these studies have mostly tackled the ideological manipulation in news translation as an end-product, and the process—particularly from a sociological perspective, including the interactions among human and non-human actants within their networks in news agencies—has remained largely under-researched. The present study is an attempt to shed light on this less-researched part of the phenomenon and analyze the actants and their interactions in political news translation in the Iranian news agencies in light of Actor-Network Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis. The data are gathered through in-depth interviews as well as observation of practices in newsrooms. The results reveal that the manipulation process consists of different stages, each of which involves human and non-human actants, forming a complicated hierarchical but circular network. The ideological manipulation is practiced in line with the socio-political requirements of the Iranian context which directly or indirectly influences the involved actants.
Challenges to “going local”: Lessons from direct food sourcing initiatives in Cusco, Peru
Authors: Blare Trent , Donovan Jason
Published: March 2022

Restaurants can improve the quality and reliability of their input supplies and gain favor with consumers through direct sourcing while also contributing to development goals around sustainable production and income generation. However, limited evidence exists on the willingness of restaurants to invest in direct sourcing, the implications of these linkages, and the options to achieve scale. We interviewed 46 restaurants to examine their preferences and experiences in sourcing local foods and analyzed three cases that link local production to the tourist sector in Cusco, Peru. Results suggest that the interventions succeeded in providing a few restaurants with high value food. However, the interventions failed to deliver impact at scale. Bottlenecks included low business capacities in farmer organizations, limited support from NGOs and the government, and weak incentives for restaurants. We conclude with a discussion on the changes needed in the business and policy environment for achieving greater impact at scale.
Job satisfaction and potential opportunities for career growth among hotel employees: The case of Oman
Authors: El-Said Osman , Aziz Heba
Published: March 2022

As with other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Oman is attempting to increase the number of citizens employed in its hospitality sector. Although several government initiatives have been launched to address this issue, the number of Omanis employed in the hospitality sector continues to be low. The current study aims to determine the causes for this disinterest within the hotel industry. Under the premise that the industry’s negative image stems from the experiences of existing Omani hotel employees, the current study investigates their job satisfaction, work-related challenges, and commitment to hotel employment. A mixed methods study was conducted among Omani employees of four- and five-star hotels in Muscat using focus-groups and a structured questionnaire. The results reveal strong dissatisfaction with financial compensation and the limited growth opportunities. The authors conclude that government intervention is required and, beyond improving entrance to hospitality employment, local authorities should be concerned with the growth and development of employees. Further theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Motivational factors to participate in conferences and gender differences
Authors: López-Bonilla Jesús Manuel , Monroy-Rodríguez Sandra , López-Bonilla Luis Miguel , Granados-Perea Concepción
Published: February 2022

Conference tourism is of growing importance for destinations, although has been severely impacted by the travel and venue capacity restrictions caused by COVID-19. The main aim of this study is to analyse the motivation of conference tourism demand from a gender-based perspective. Data were gathered using an online survey instrument developed on the basis of a literature review. A total of 265 responses received were subjected to exploratory factor, ANOVA and logistic regression analyses. The sample was composed of 52.5% men and 47.5% women and the average age of respondents was 44.25 (SD = 9.87). The results indicated five motivating factors for attending conferences: Destination and leisure, academic and professional development, networking, travelability and cost. Significant gender differences were found in the first four factors. Female attendees at conferences considered these factors more important than male attendees did. The implications of these findings for conference organisers are discussed.
Max Weber and Charles Taylor: On normative aspects of a theory of human action
Authors: Raza Sebastian
Published: March 2022

This paper seeks to make two distinctive sets of contributions through a supplementary reinterpretation of Max Weber in the light of Charles Taylor’s expressivist-hermeneutical theory of human agency. First, it offers a reinterpretation of Weber’s work. Focussing on the concept of stance, the paper highlights that Weber’s theorising on values and their relation to cognition, action and identity is less underpinned by subjectivism, representationalism, emotivism and decisionism than is typically thought. Instead, Weber sets values within a non-naturalist dimension where agents find their bearings and are constituted as such. In this dimension, orientation to meaning takes place; identity, action and thought are constituted; and normative experiences (such as freedom, or responsibility) are made possible. Weber recognised that this non-naturalist dimension has variegated modes, but seemingly studied them in their purest and most logical form (the ‘ideal type’), hence his focus on explicit belief systems and world-images. Second, there is a prospective supplementation of Weber’s theory through Taylor’s notion of expression. For Taylor, we take a stance and orient ourselves expressively through the domain of strongly valued meanings. The notions of strong evaluation and articulation prove central to understanding embodied, symbolic and representational meaning-orientation in the non-naturalist dimensions of values. This supplementary reading places Weber as a central figure in current American, British and French debates about, respectively, the normative nature of human agency; the question of culture, meaning and their different forms and modes of operation; and the question of how to examine identity-formation.
The scalar politics of difference: Researching consumption and marketing outside the west
Authors: Sandikci Ozlem
Published: February 2022

This paper explores the relationship between knowledge hierarchies and sociospatial ordering of the world and, in doing so, to problematize the ways we study and understand consumption and marketing outside the West. By sociospatial ordering of the world, I refer to scalar divisions that organize and mobilize hierarchical perceptions of the world. Adopting a view of scale as a way of knowing and apprehending the world, I trace the origins, uses and effects of three scales – Third World, non-Western and emerging markets – that organize and inform research about marketing and consumption outside the West. Each of these scales indicates an imagined distance from an assumed central point and mobilizes visions that order and organize not only places, but knowledge produced in and about these places. I show that these scalar configurations are neither neutral nor transparent designations, but politically charged, sociospatial constructions that privilege certain representations, meanings and identifications over others. In the process, they shape knowledge production, permitting particular forms of difference – absence, plurality and excess – to take shape, circulate and gain legitimacy. I conclude by discussing the possibility of a notion of difference that does not rest on a negative comparison between two entities but is generative, affirmative and non-hierarchical.
Far-Right Local Governments and Civil Society: Findings from France and Italy
Authors: Kim Seongcheol
Published: March 2022

The rise of far-right parties across Europe and their entrance into government at the local, if not regional or national, levels pose challenges for established civil society actors. This article draws on early findings from an ongoing research project in order to present two case studies of far-right local governments in small industrial towns in France and Italy: Hayange and Sant’Agata Bolognese. Keying in on these local administrations’ approaches to civil society and drawing on semi-structured interviews with local politicians and trade union actors, the article identifies preliminary patterns in far-right local government relations with civil society organizations (including trade unions), including a bypassing or outright attacking of established associations deemed hostile (especially left-wing ones) in favor of those deemed politically more palatable. This exclusionary and partisan approach to civil society notably coexists alongside other aspects of far-right local governance centered on a performatively enacted claim to serve the entire community, most notably with the highly visible provision of non-excludable public goods such as public fountains and rotaries. These considerations provide a basis for ongoing and future work on far-right interventions in different areas of civil society, in different countries, and in light of a broader spectrum of actor perspectives.
Comparative Clinical Efficacy of ‘Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and Anlotinib’ Than CCRT in Patients with Locally Advanced ESCC
Authors: Wang Gang , Beeraka Narasimha M. , Xiao Wenjing , Zhang Yaowen , Xue Nannan , Chen Gongan , Liu Junqi , Liu Yang
Published: March 2022

Objective: Radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy has been preferred as the clinical therapeutic modalities to combat locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of this retrospective study is to ascertain combinatorial efficacy of anlotinib with concurrent radiotherapy (CCRT) rather than CCRT alone. Methods: Locally advanced ESCC patients registered between August 2018 to April 2019 in the third People's hospital of Zhengzhou, the First affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University, Anyang Cancer Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were selected for this retrospective study; and these patients segregated into two groups subsequently who received combinatorial regimen with CCRT and anlotinib compared for treatment-related toxicity, response rates, safety, survival outcomes, than CCRT alone. Results: Progression free survival (PFS) was 0.577 (95% CI, 0.333-0.902, P  =  0.014); the median overall survival time was 5 months (95% CI, 4.1-7.5) for the CCRT group, whereas 9 months (95% CI, 7.3-18.0) for the group received ‘anlotinib with CCRT’ (HR  =  0.578, 95% CI, 0.337-0.924, P  =  0.021). Overall objective response rates were considerable with a statistical difference between the two groups at 6 months (P1  =  0.027, P2  =  0.015) and 12 months (P1  =  0.012, P2  =  0.027). Overall adverse events are mitigated in combinatorial regimen than CCRT alone except the incidence of hypertension, which was higher in ‘anlotinib with CCRT’ group than CCRT group (P  =  0.023). Total 13 patients exhibited hand-foot skin reactions in the group that received anlotinib in combination with CCRT. Anlotinib in combination with CCRT enhanced the overall survival (OS) rates, whereas incidence of treatment-related toxicity is minimized than CCRT alone. Conclusion: Combinatorial regimen of anlotinib with CCRT significantly enhanced clinical efficacy, safety and may benefit for treating the locally advanced ESCC patients.
Combination of ShuangDan Capsule and Sorafenib Inhibits Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Via PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 Pathway
Authors: Ding Wenbo , Chen Xiuwei , Yang Licheng , Chen Yaping , Song Jie , Bu Weiquan , Feng Bin , Zhang Meng , Luo Yi , Jia Xiaobin , Feng Liang
Published: March 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a high mortality liver cancer. The existing treatments (transplantation, chemotherapy, and individualized treatment) with limitations. However, drug combination provides a viable option for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. A Chinese patent medicine, ShuangDan Capsules (SDC), has been clinically prescribed to hepatocellular carcinoma patients as adjuvant therapy and has shown good antitumor activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether SDC could improve the anti-cancer effect and mitigate adverse reactions of sorafenib on HCC in vivo. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), immunohistochemistry, and western blot were executed to reveal the potential mechanisms of the combination of SDC and sorafenib on HCC. Tumors appeared hyperintense on T2 sequence images relative to the adjacent normal liver in MRI. Combination of SDC and sorafenib inhibited the progression of DEN (Diethylnitrosamine)-induced HCC. In the HepG2 xenografts model, sorafenib plus SDC exhibited greater suppression on tumor growth than individual treatment accompanied with decreased expression of VEGF, VEGFA, Ki67, CD31 and increased expression of caspase-3. Furthermore, PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 pathway was inhibited by co-administration. Sorafenib monotherapy elicited hepatotoxicity for specific expression in the up-regulated level of aspartate transaminase (AST) and AST/glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) ratio, but the co-administration could remedy this adverse effect. These dates indicated that the combination of SDC and sorafenib might offer a potential therapy for HCC.
Unique Case of Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome with Arterial Compression in Patient with Bilateral Cervical Ribs and Osteochondroma of the Ribs
Authors: German Zachary A. , Strickland Adam G. , Pranikoff Thomas , Hughes Michael , Freischlag Julie A.
Published: February 2022

Background: Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome typically presents with paresthesia, pain, and impaired strength in the neck, shoulder, and arm, and is typically a diagnosis of exclusion. This condition is caused by compression of the brachial plexus, typically by a bony or soft tissue anomaly present congenitally and influenced by repetitive motion or significant trauma. Treatment typically involves removal of the first rib and anterior scalene to decompress the thoracic outlet and relieve stress to the brachial plexus if the patient has failed conservative treatment with physical therapy and lifestyle modifications. Case Presentation: We present a case of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome with arterial compression treated surgically via a transaxillary first rib and cervical rib resection in a patient with bilateral cervical ribs and osteochondromas of the ribs.
Closing
Authors: Phillips Laura
Published: March 2022

These pages summarise my feelings about being a guest editor on this special issue, as a white settler of British ancestry taking up space on stolen lands. I share my thoughts on where this volume fits into the bigger picture of decolonizing work taking place in museums and in our daily lives.
Laparoscopic Extraperitoneal Approach for Lateral Pelvic Node Dissection in Rectal Cancer: Techniques and Short-Term Outcomes
Authors: Kim Ji-Seon , Kim Jin , Baek Se-Jin , Park Hyunmi , Kwak Jung-Myun , Kim Seon-Hahn
Published: March 2022

Background

Lateral pelvic lymph node dissection has been performed selectively in rectal cancer cases; however, it involves highly skilled techniques because of the complex adjacent anatomical structures.

Materials and Methods

Laparoscopic EP-LPND was performed in Korea University Anam Hospital from June 2018, and short-term surgical outcomes were analyzed from June to December 2018. Among the patients with histologically diagnosed rectal adenocarcinoma, patients who were suspected Lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis at magnetic resonance imaging were selected for this procedure.

Results

Seven patients underwent laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach for lateral pelvic lymph node dissection in the study period. The mean number of retrieved lymph node was 4.57, and metastatic lymph nodes were identified in 3 patients (42.8%). All of the lymph nodes with suspected metastasis preoperatively were removed in postoperative images. There was no immediate postoperative complication beyond the moderate grade associated with lateral pelvic lymph node dissection. The median follow-up was 9 months, and there were no local recurrence nor complications related to sexual and voiding functions.

Conclusions

The laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach might be an efficient way to perform lateral pelvic lymph node dissection using the same principles as the conventional method without violation of the peritoneum.
Exploring the use of activity-based group therapy in increasing self-efficacy and subjective well-being in acute mental health
Authors: Ngooi Bi Xia , Wong Su Ren , Chen Janice Dehui , Yin Koh Vanessa Shi
Published: March 2022

Background/Objectives

Self-efficacy is a key component in mental health recovery and improvement in well-being. Mental illness is often resultant of environmental stressors, highlighting the importance of coping skills. Occupational therapists commonly utilise activity-based group therapy to encourage use of activities as coping strategies. However, there has been little research concerning these groups and their role in enhancing self-efficacy in behavioural-based coping skills. This study aimed to explore factors that affect behavioural-based coping self-efficacy during activity-based group therapy in an acute mental health ward. It investigates the relationships between (1) behavioural-based coping self-efficacy with overall mental health self-efficacy and (2) mental health self-efficacy and subjective well-being.

Methods

Immediately after the first group, participants completed a post-group questionnaire. Participation level was also rated. At discharge, the participants were asked to complete the UK Office of National Statistics subjective well-being tool and the Mental Health Self-Efficacy Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests and one-way analysis of variance were done to examine possible covariates and confounders of all outcome variables. General linear models were then conducted.

Results

Post-group questionnaire reflected moderate-high self-efficacy (M = 6.92, SD = 2.48) and positive well-being with higher happiness scores (M = 7.42, SD = 2.20) and lower anxiety scores (M = 3.79, SD = 2.85). Coping self-efficacy significantly predicted overall mental health self-efficacy ( p = .014), which in turn significantly predicted positive domains of well-being.

Conclusions

Performing behavioural-based coping strategies in groups can enhance coping self-efficacy and positive well-being, with possible positive influence on mental health self-efficacy and well-being at discharge.
Engaging Stakeholders in Realist Programme Theory Building: Insights from the Prospective Phase of a Primary Care Dementia Support Study
Authors: Griffiths Sarah , Weston Lauren , Morgan-Trimmer Sarah , Wheat Hannah , Gude Alex , Manger Lorna , Oh Tomasina M. , Clarkson Paul , Quinn Cath , Sheaff Rod , Clark Mike , Sherriff Ian , Byng Richard
Published: February 2022

‘Dementia - Personalised Care Team’ (D-PACT) is a five-year NIHR funded programme, using realist methods to develop and evaluate a complex, person-centred intervention for people with dementia and their carers. During the early project stages, we engaged with multiple stakeholders, including people with dementia and their carers, to develop an initial programme theory (IPT) – into an elaborated programme theory (EPT), by helping to uncover intervention mechanisms leading to outcomes in specific contexts. Realist research methods for developing programme theories are under-reported. In addition, there is a paucity of practical guidance on how to engage underserved and vulnerable populations in complex interventions programme theory development. We attend to these gaps, providing a worked example of how we meaningfully engaged people living with dementia and carers, alongside field experts, as stakeholders in this process. Our IPT theory building included multi-stakeholder primary research exercises and meetings with PPI contributors and an Expert Reference Group. We adapted interview schedules, and used visual resources and scenario-based activities, to support stakeholders to think in a ‘realist’ way. Using realist and thematic analyses led to hypothesis-building of causal mechanisms. Sharing findings with stakeholders led to further refinement of the intervention design, ready for testing in a subsequent feasibility study. We found that, despite the cognitive challenges associated with dementia, innovative methods of engagement can enable this stakeholder group to understand the realist approach and provide a platform through which to share their experiences. Taking a highly flexible and unhurried approach, led to novel insights into the complexities of person-centred dementia support. We argue for more detailed methodological guidance, based on realist principles, on how to collaborate with underrepresented populations to rigorously gain insights as to what is likely to make a difference and refine initial programme theory.
Analysis and prediction of double-carriage train wheel wear based on SIMPACK and neural networks
Authors: Wang Shuwen , Guo Hao , Zhang Siyuan , Barton David , Brooks Peter
Published: March 2022

Wheel and rail wear seriously affects the safety and reliability of train operations. In this study single-carriage and double-carriage models considering the connecting unit of a high-speed train are developed to investigate the normal forces, lateral forces, and lateral displacements of wheelsets. Based on the results from these models, the Archard wear model is employed to predict the wheel wear. In addition, based on the daily measured data, a nonlinear autoregulatory (NAR) model and a wavelet neural network (WNN) model are developed to predict the wheel wear over a longer time period. The simulation results show that, compared with the single-carriage model, the normal forces, lateral forces, and lateral displacements of the wheelsets close to the connecting unit in the double-carriage model increase to a certain extent dependent on the speed. The wheel wear predictions show that the wheel wear on the wheelsets near the connecting unit is slightly larger than on the wheelsets far from the connecting unit. Based on the mean square error, the NAR model has somewhat better performance in the wheel wear prediction than the WNN model. The research results represent an important contribution to the maintenance and safe operation of high-speed trains.
Bearing failure of reciprocating compressor sub-health recognition based on CAGOA-VMD and GRCMDE
Authors: Song Meiping , Wang Jindong , Zhao Haiyang , Li Yanyang
Published: March 2022

The bearing vibration signal of reciprocating compressor has complex, non-stationary, nonlinear, and feature coupling characteristics. A method for sub-health recognition of sliding bearings based on curve adaptive grasshopper optimization algorithm optimize the parameters of variational mode decomposition (CAGOA-VMD) and generalized refine composite multiscale dispersion entropy (GRCMDE) is used. First, the CAGOA was used to search the best influence parameter combination of the VMD algorithm, and determine the bandwidth parameters and the number of decompositions that need to be set by the VMD algorithm, decompose the bearing fault signal to obtain a series of IMF. Then, the kurtosis and correlation coefficient criteria are used to select a group of components that contain the most information, and the fault signal is reconstructed on this component, and then the reconstructed signal is analyzed by GRCMDE to form a fault eigenvector. Finally, KPCA is used for dimensionality reduction to select input features and input into KELM for classification and recognition. The experimental results show that this method can effectively extract the bearing fault features of reciprocating compressors, and the eigenvectors have good separability, and realize the sub-health recognition of bearing fault features of reciprocating compressors.
Mid-term outcomes of the use of endoanchors during thoracic endovascular aortic repair in multicentre analysis
Authors: Reyes Valdivia Andrés , Milner Ross , Heijmen Robin , Riambau Vicente , Rousseau Hervé , Tinelli Giovanni , Kotelis Drosos , Zanabili Al-Sibbai Ahmad A , Pitoulias Georgios , Zúñiga Claudio Gandarias , de Beaufort Hector W L , Panagiotis Doukas , Chaudhuri Arindam
Published: February 2022

Objective

To describe mid-term outcomes of the use of EndoAnchors as an adjunct for arch and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).

Methods

A retrospective multicentre series from nine centres using the Heli-FX EndoAnchor System (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, USA) at TEVAR over May 2014–May 2019 is presented. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with number NCT04100499. The primary outcome was freedom from Type I endoleak at EndoAnchors deployments; secondary outcomes included evaluation of aortic wall penetration (AWP) at first computed tomography scan, EndoAnchor-related issues and mortality.

Results

54 high-risk patients (35 males/19 females, age 73 ± 11 years) with arch, thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysmal disease (3 chronic post-dissection and one patch pseudoaneurysm), with a mean neck length 19.7 ± 6.6 mm that were treated with multiple hybrid and endovascular techniques were included. A total of 329 EndoAnchors were used with a mean of 6.1 ± 2.5 per patient. Overall adequate AWP was 86%, whereas arch (Ishimaru’s zones 0–2) deployments achieved 80.6% when compared to 87.3% in descending thoracic aorta (dTA); although there was no statistical significance. Freedom from type I endoleaks was 88% at 2 year follow-up, due to 4 type IA endoleaks, two of them successfully treated, one with conservative treatment due to complexity of repair and remaining patient died 1 year later due to endograft infection. There were reported five EndoAnchor-related issues; four losses and one renal stent-graft was crushed due to catheter deflection solved with balloon reinflation. None of the losses had clinical significance. Overall mortality is described for 7 (9.5%) patients, one of them aneurysm-related.

Conclusions

The adjunctive use of EndoAnchors in TEVAR and complex TEVAR procedures achieved acceptable outcomes at midterm in a high-risk series with hostile seal zones. Still, they should be still judiciously used as there is lack of data to suggest a more liberal use; therefore, the landing zone should not be compromised in favour of their use.
Multiple concomitant arterial aneurysms in Behçet’s disease
Authors: Hersant Jeanne , Maurel Blandine , Espitia Olivier
Published: February 2022

Background

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a rare form of systemic vasculitis that affects small to large vessels. It is characterized by mucocutaneous, pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neurological manifestations. Large vessel involvement may occur in a third of cases. Veins are usually more affected than arteries. Furthermore aneurysms are the most frequent arterial complication.

Case presentation

A 41-year-old man presented with multiple arterial aneurysms. He had previous medical history of a right popliteal aneurysm treated with a reversed femoro-popliteal venous bypass, long-term steroids and immunosuppressive treatment. On admission, diagnostic computed tomography angiography revealed multiple aneurysms, including an 87 mm aneurysm of the femoro-popliteal bypass and an abdominal aortic and left common iliac artery aneurysm. He received an intensification of medical treatment with methylprednisolone and infliximab intravenous infusion. Aorto iliac artery aneurysms were treated by infrarenal bifurcated stent graft implantation. The aneurysm of the venous femoro-popliteal bypass was treated by explantation and prosthetic repair. One month later, he presented with acute right limb ischemia related to occlusion of the right limb of the stent graft despite anticoagulation which was treated by mechanical thrombectomy.

Conclusions

Vascular BD can worsen the vascular outcome after surgery. Except in an urgent context, BD must be controlled before surgery. This case report illustrates the importance of combined medical and surgical management, with first BD activity control with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive treatment, then surgical or endovascular treatment.
Prevalence of antinuclear antibodies in inflammatory bowel disease and seroconversion after biological therapy
Authors: García María José , Rodríguez-Duque Juan Carlos , Pascual Marta , Rivas Coral , Castro Beatriz , Raso Sandra , López-Hoyos Marcos , Arias-Loste María Teresa , Rivero Montserrat
Published: March 2022

Background:

Estimates of detectable antinuclear antibodies (ANA) prevalence vary widely, from 6% in healthy populations to 50–80% in patients with autoimmune disease. However, there is a lack of evidence about the overall prevalence in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and ANA seroconversion after the beginning of biological therapy.

Objectives:

The aim of the study was to investigate the overall prevalence of ANA in IBD patients, their relationship with different treatments, clinical outcomes and the seroconversion rate of ANA in patients treated with biological therapy.

Methods:

Ambispective observational study including all consecutive IBD patients was carried out. Information about the presence of ANA, disease phenotype, duration, activity, complications, and past and current treatments were transversally collected. Retrospectively, in patients with detectable ANA, data regarding previous ANA detection and the diagnosis of lupus-like syndrome (LLS) was gathered.

Results:

A total of 879 IBD patients were included. We observed a detectable ANA prevalence of 13.6%. The presence of ANA was frequently associated with biological therapy (36/118) and decreased when immunomodulators were combined to this therapy (7/32). Of 78 patients with ANA prior to the beginning of biological therapy, a seroconversion rate of 28.8% was observed after a mean of 3.14 years. Only 1 patient suffered LLS.

Conclusion:

Our study showed a prevalence of detectable ANA higher than the expected in healthy population. The presence of ANA was lower when immunomodulator therapy is associated. The ANA seroconversion rate is relevant after the initiation of biological treatment nevertheless, the risk of LLS appeared to be marginal.
The benefits of agile digital transformation to innovation processes
Authors: Palfreyman John , Morton Josh
Published: March 2022

Digital transformation drives sustained business value through the use of digital technology. However, there is often confusion regarding what steps organisations should follow to achieve digital transformation, including to benefit innovation processes. In this study, we outline seven steps in a conceptual model – the digital transformation loop – which organisations can adopt for what we call ‘agile digital transformation’. We use the UK health care sector as a case example, which is central to social and economic infrastructures, yet faces continued innovation challenges. Our aim is to offer a compelling and accessible conceptualisation that illustrates challenges faced by the health care sector and poses questions that all organisations need to reflect upon to realise innovation benefits that arise from the agile adoption of digital technology. We argue that agile digital transformation must be part of achieving a clear strategic vision and should drive sustained and demonstrable business value.
Health and Well-being at the Transition to Adulthood: Examining Unmet Social and Health Needs Among Young Women
Authors: Ballard Parissa J. , Debinski Beata , Woodruff Rachel
Published: February 2022

The present study examined the assets and unmet social and health needs of young women at the transition to adulthood in a particular area of a small city in North Carolina. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 participants who identified as women (age 18–29). Using a deductive thematic analysis approach, we identified three themes and 13 sub-themes across the topic areas of interest in our interview: First, childhood experiences and familial histories created disparate physical and mental health needs in emerging adulthood. Second, new responsibilities and/or traumatic experiences led to recognition of mental health as a critical factor. Third, young women found support for their health and well-being from family and friends, with room for improvement among community institutions and structures. Implications are discussed for young women, health care providers, and social systems in which young women are embedded.
Reoperations After Percutaneous Endoscopic Transforaminal Decompression for Treating Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Incidence and Predictors
Authors: Wang Tianyi , Wang Aobo , Zang Lei , Fan Ning , Wu Qichao , Lu Xuanyu , Yuan Shuo
Published: February 2022

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives

The main purpose of the present study was to report the incidence and identify predictors of reoperation in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) treated with percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal decompression (PETD).

Methods

This study retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with LSS who underwent PETD at our center between January 2016 and July 2020. The incidence of reoperations was calculated. We then designed a surgical period-matched case-control study to identify predictors among demographic data, clinical baseline data, and imaging parameters.

Results

This study identified 496 eligible patients. 33 (6.7%) patients underwent reoperation with a mean follow-up of 3 years, consisting 22 (4.4%) at the index level and 11 (2.2%) at the adjacent levels. There were significant differences in age and age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (AACCI) between the two groups, with younger age (P = .004) and lower AACCI (P = .019) in reoperation group. Age was identified as the sole independent predictor (P = .006). The duration of symptoms ≥12 months (P = .034) and the presence of heart problems (P = .012) were recognized as specific predictors among patients younger than 65 years.

Conclusions

In a mean follow-up of 3 years, the incidence of reoperation in LSS treated with PETD was 6.7%. A younger age was the independent predictor for reoperation. Younger patients with the duration of symptoms ≥12 months or without heart problems were more likely to undergo a second operation. Prospective randomized controlled trials are required to confirm these findings.
Total Quality Management in Local Governments of Kerala, India: Some Insights for Replication
Authors: Rajan J. B. , S. K. Biju
Published: March 2022

This article discusses the initiation and implementation of a total quality management (TQM) approach in local governments (LGs) in Kerala, India, with a view to promote its replication in similar contexts. Drawing on the secondary data and authors’ experiences of and reflections on conceptualising and implementing the TQM, it presents the initial process of TQM on pilot basis, the front office management (FOM) and scaling up of the FOM, and experience to implement TQM involving 14 steps in LGs. Their observations and reflections suggest that the TQM approach in LGs enhances citizens’ satisfaction and engagement. However, physical infrastructure aspect of the TQM is relatively easier to achieve than the soft aspects of the TQM. It argues that though TQM is important, it is a means and not an end. Continuous capacity building, simultaneous focus on hard and soft elements, presence of change agent and peer learning are necessary in LGs to ensure quality service delivery and citizen satisfaction. Experiences and insights shared in this article may be of help to enhance quality service delivery and citizen satisfaction in similar LG contexts and communities.
Longitudinal trajectories of treatment burden: A prospective survey study of adults living with multiple chronic conditions in the midwestern United States
Authors: Eton David T , Anderson Roger T , St Sauver Jennifer L , Rogers Elizabeth A , Linzer Mark , Lee Minji K
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Determine whether there are different longitudinal patterns of treatment burden in people living with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and, if so, explore predictors that might reveal potential routes of intervention.

Methods

We analyzed data from a prospective mailed survey study of 396 adults living with MCC in southeastern Minnesota, USA. Participants completed a measure of treatment burden, the Patient Experience with Treatment and Self-management (PETS), and valid measures of health-related and psycho-social concepts at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months. Latent class growth mixture modeling (LCGM) determined trajectories of treatment burden in two summary index scores of the PETS: Workload and Impact. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify independent predictors of the trajectories.

Results

LCGM supported a 2-class model for PETS Workload, including a group of consistently high workload ( N = 69) and a group of consistently low workload ( N = 311) over time. A 3-class model was supported for PETS Impact, including groups of consistently high impact ( N = 62), consistently low impact ( N = 278), and increasing impact ( N = 51) over time. Logistic regression analyses showed that the following factors were associated with patterns of consistently high or increasing treatment burden over time: lower health literacy, lower self-efficacy, more interpersonal challenges with others, and worse subjective reports of physical and mental health (all p < .05).

Conclusions

Different longitudinal patterns of treatment burden exist among people with MCC. Raising health literacy, enhancing self-efficacy, and lessening the effects of negative social interactions might help reduce treatment burden.
Impact of former smoking exposure on airway eosinophilic activation and autoimmunity in patients with severe asthma
Authors: Klein Ditte K. , Silberbrandt Alexander , Frøssing Laurits , Hvidtfeldt Morten , von Bülow Anna , Nair Parameswaran , Mukherjee Manali , Porsbjerg Celeste
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Severe eosinophilic asthma is characterised by frequent exacerbations and a relative insensitivity to steroids. Experimentally, smoking may induce eosinophilic airway inflammation, but the impact in patients with severe asthma is not clear.

Objective

To investigate the association between smoking exposure in patients with severe asthma, and eosinophilic inflammation and activation, as well as airway autoimmunity and steroid responsiveness.

Methods

Patients with severe asthma according to European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society criteria were assessed with sputum samples, analysed by cell differential count, and for the presence of free eosinophil granules (FEGs), autoantibodies against eosinophil peroxidase (EPX) and macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO). A subgroup of patients with eosinophilic airway inflammation was re-assessed after a 2-week course of prednisolone.

Results

132 severe asthmatics were included in the study. 39 (29.5%) patients had ≥10 pack-years of smoking history: 36 (27.3%) were former smokers and three (2.3%) current smokers; and 93 (70.5%) had <10 pack-years exposure. Eosinophilic airway inflammation was more prevalent among patients with ≥10 pack-years (66.7%), compared to patients with <10 pack-years (38.7%, p=0.03), as was the level of FEGs (p=0.001) and both anti-EPX and anti-MARCO (p<0.05 and p<0.0001, respectively). Omitting current smokers did not affect these associations. Furthermore, prednisolone reduced, but did not normalise, sputum eosinophils in patients with a ≥10 pack-year smoking history.

Conclusion

In patients with severe asthma, a former smoking history is associated with eosinophilic airway inflammation and activation and relative insensitivity to steroids, as well as airway autoimmunity.
Integrative analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics to reveal the melanogenesis pathway of muscle and related meat characters in Wuliangshan black-boned chickens
Authors: Dou Tengfei , Yan Shixiong , Liu Lixian , Wang Kun , Jian Zonghui , Xu Zhiqiang , Zhao Jingying , Wang Qiuting , Sun Shuai , Talpur Mir Zulqarnain , Duan Xiaohua , Gu Dahai , He Yang , Du Yanli , Abdulwahid Alsoufi Mohammed , Li Qihua , Rong Hua , Cao Weina , Su Zhengchang , Zhao Guiping , Liu Ranran , Zhao Sumei , Huang Ying , te Pas Marinus F. W. , Ge Changrong , Jia Junjing
Published: March 2022

Background

Melanin is an important antioxidant in food and has been used in medicine and cosmetology. Chicken meat with high melanin content from black-boned chickens have been considered a high nutritious food with potential medicinal properties. The molecular mechanism of melanogenesis of skeletal muscle in black-boned chickens remain poorly understood. This study investigated the biological gene-metabolite associations regulating the muscle melanogenesis pathways in Wuliangshan black-boned chickens with two normal boned chicken breeds as control.

Results

We identified 25 differentially expressed genes and 11 transcription factors in the melanogenesis pathways. High levels of the meat flavor compounds inosine monophosphate, hypoxanthine, lysophospholipid, hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, and nicotinamide mononucleotide were found in Wuliangshan black-boned chickens.

Conclusion

Integrative analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed the dual physiological functions of the PDZK1 gene, involved in pigmentation and/or melanogenesis and regulating the phospholipid signaling processes in muscle of black boned chickens.