bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for recurrence after Bankart repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Mingtao , Liu Jiaxin , Jia Yaofei , Zhang Guangrui , Zhou Jianping , Wu Ding , Jiang Jin , Yun Xiangdong
Published: February 2022

Background

The aim of this literature review was to identify preoperative risk factors associated with recurrent instability after Bankart repair.

Methods

The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for potentially eligible articles. Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts using prespecified criteria. Articles were included if they clearly stated the risk factors for recurrence after Bankart repair. Data on patient characteristics and recurrence rate were collected from each study. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis and the statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software.

Results

Nineteen studies that included 2922 participants met the inclusion criteria. The overall pooled prevalence of recurrent instability was 15.3% (range 6.9–42). The mean follow-up duration was 40.5 months (18–108). Twenty-one risk factors were identified, 10 of which were explored quantitatively. Statistically significant risk factors for recurrent instability following a Bankart procedure were age under 20 years (odds ratio [OR] 4.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8–96.23, p < 0.00001), a Hill-Sachs lesion (OR 3.61, 95% CI 2.06–6.33, p < 0.00001), a glenoid bone lesion (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.96–4.01, p < 0.00001), shoulder hyperlaxity (OR 4.55, 95% CI 2.19–9.44, p < 0.0001), and an off-track lesion (OR 5.53, 95% CI 2.21–13.86, p = 0.0003). There was moderate evidence indicating that male sex (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.07–2.37, p = 0.02) and playing contact sports (OR 1.54, 95% CI 0.96–2.45, p = 0.07) were further risk factors. Dominant side, a superior labrum from anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesion, and more than five preoperative dislocations were not found to be risk factors.

Conclusions

Patients younger than 20 years of age, a Hill–Sachs lesion, a glenoid bone lesion, shoulder hyperlaxity, and an off-track lesion appear to be significant predictors of recurrent instability following a Bankart procedure. Factors such as male sex and playing contact sports were associated with recurrent instability. Dominant side, a SLAP lesion, and more than five preoperative dislocations were not significant risk factors.
An evaluation of the feasibility of implementing a novel tobacco dependence treatment program for high-risk individuals into clinical practice within a community mental health center
Authors: Hogan Tory H. , Quisenberry Amanda , Breitborde Nicholas , Moe Aubrey , Ferketich Amy
Published: February 2022

Background

Individuals with serious mental illnesses experience deaths related to smoking at a higher prevalence than individuals without a psychotic-spectrum disorders. Traditional smoking cessation programs are often not effective among individuals with chronic mental disorders. Little is known about how to implement a tobacco cessation treatment program for this at-risk population within a community health center. The current study used qualitative methods to examine the factors that may enhance or impede the delivery of a novel tobacco cessation treatment for smokers with a psychotic-spectrum disorder diagnosis in an integrated care community health center.

Methods

Using a case study design, we conducted 22 semi-structured interviews with primary care providers, mental health providers, addiction counselors, case managers, intake specialists, schedulers, pharmacists, and administrative staff employed at the organization. Interviews were transcribed and themes were identified through a rich coding process.

Results

We identified environmental factors, organizational factors, provider factors and patient factors which describe the potential factors that may enhance or impede the implementation of a smoking cessation program at the integrated care community health center. Most notably, we identified that community mental health centers looking to implement a smoking cessation program for individuals with chronic mental health disorders should ensure the incentives for providers to participate align with the program’s objectives. Additionally, organizations should invest in educating providers to address stigma related to smoking cessation and nicotine use.

Conclusions

The findings of our study provide valuable insight for administrators to consider when implementing a smoking cessation program in an integrated care community health center. Our findings provide public health practitioners with potential considerations that should be discussed when designing and implementing a smoking cessation program for individuals with chronic mental disorders.
Fine-mapping of a putative glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene responsible for yellow seed colour in flax (Linum usitatissimum)
Authors: Young Lester , Akhov Leonid , Kulkarni Manoj , You Frank , Booker Helen
Published: February 2022

Objective

The brown seed coat colour of flax (Linum ustiatissimum) results from proanthocyanidin synthesis and accumulation. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), such as the TT19 protein in Arabidopsis, have been implicated in the transport of anthocyanidins during the synthesis of the brown proanthocyanidins. This study fine mapped the g allele responsible for yellow seed colour in S95407 and identified it as a putative mutated GST.

Results

We developed a Recombinant Inbred Line population with 320 lines descended from a cross between CDC Bethune (brown seed coat) and S95407 (yellow seed) and used molecular markers to fine map the G gene on Chromosome 6 (Chr 6). We used Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to identify a putative GST was identified in this region and Sanger sequenced the gene from CDC Bethune, S95407 and other yellow seeded genotypes. The putative GST from S95407 had 13 SNPs encoding, including four non-synonymous amino acid changes, compared to the CDC Bethune reference sequence and the other genotypes. The GST encoded by Lus10019895 is a lambda-GST in contrast to the Arabidopsis TT19 which is a phi-GST.
Assessing the impact of different penalty factors of the Bayesian reconstruction algorithm Q.Clear on in vivo low count kinetic analysis of [11C]PHNO brain PET-MR studies
Authors: Ribeiro Daniela , Hallett William , Howes Oliver , McCutcheon Robert , Nour Matthew M. , Tavares Adriana A. S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Q.Clear is a Bayesian penalised likelihood (BPL) reconstruction algorithm available on General Electric (GE) Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-Computed Tomography (CT) and PET-Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanners. This algorithm is regulated by a β value which acts as a noise penalisation factor and yields improvements in signal to noise ratio (SNR) in clinical scans, and in contrast recovery and spatial resolution in phantom studies. However, its performance in human brain imaging studies remains to be evaluated in depth. This pilot study aims to investigate the impact of Q.Clear reconstruction methods using different β value versus ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) on brain kinetic modelling analysis of low count brain images acquired in the PET-MR.

Methods

Six [11C]PHNO PET-MR brain datasets were reconstructed with Q.Clear with β100–1000 (in increments of 100) and OSEM. The binding potential relative to non-displaceable volume (BPND) were obtained for the Substantia Nigra (SN), Striatum (St), Globus Pallidus (GP), Thalamus (Th), Caudate (Cd) and Putamen (Pt), using the MIAKAT™ software. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), repeatability coefficients (RC), coefficients of variation (CV) and bias from Bland–Altman plots were reported. Statistical analysis was conducted using a 2-way ANOVA model with correction for multiple comparisons.

Results

When comparing a standard OSEM reconstruction of 6 iterations/16 subsets and 5 mm filter with Q.Clear with different β values under low counts, the bias and RC were lower for Q.Clear with β100 for the SN (RC = 2.17), Th (RC = 0.08) and GP (RC = 0.22) and with β200 for the St (RC = 0.14), Cd (RC = 0.18)and Pt (RC = 0.10). The p-values in the 2-way ANOVA model corroborate these findings. ICC values obtained for Th, St, GP, Pt and Cd demonstrate good reliability (0.87, 0.99, 0.96, 0.99 and 0.96, respectively). For the SN, ICC values demonstrate poor reliability (0.43).

Conclusion

BPND results obtained from quantitative low count brain PET studies using [11C]PHNO and reconstructed with Q.Clear with β < 400, which is the value used for clinical [18F]FDG whole-body studies, demonstrate the lowest bias versus the typical iterative reconstruction method OSEM.
Health-related quality of life of COVID-19 two and 12 months after intensive care unit admission
Authors: Demoule Alexandre , Morawiec Elise , Decavele Maxens , Ohayon Raphaelle , Malrin Roxane , Galarza-Jimenez Maria Alejandra , Laveneziana Pierantonio , Morelot-Panzini Capucine , Similowski Thomas , De Rycke Yann , Gonzalez-Bermejo Jesus
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and dyspnea of COVID-19, 2 and 12 months after an intensive care unit (ICU) stay.

Methods

Patients discharged from the ICU between April and June 2020 and subsequently transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility were assessed 2 months and 12 months after ICU admission. HRQoL was assessed by the EuroQoL EQ-5D-3L (visual analog scale and time trade-off normalized to the French population algorithm) and dyspnea was assessed by the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale.

Results

We enrolled 94 patients. Median EQ-5D-3L time trade-off was 0.80 (interquartile range, 0.36–0.91) at 2 months and 0.91 (0.52–1.00) at 12 months (P = 0.12). EQ-5D-3L visual analog scale was 70 (60–85) at 2 months and 70 (60–85) at 12 months (P = 0.07). The mMRC dyspnea scale was 3 (2–4) at ICU discharge, 1 (0–2), P < 0.001 at 2 months and 1 (1–2) at 12 months. At 12 months, 68 (76%) patients reported at least one symptom that was not present prior to ICU admission and 27 (61%) of the 44 patients who were previously working had returned to work. On multiple linear regression, factors associated with EQ-5D-3L were body mass index on ICU admission, tracheostomy, male gender and active smoking.

Conclusions

Twelve months after ICU admission for COVID-19 and subsequent rehabilitation, a substantial proportion of patients reported alterations of HRQoL, dyspnea and symptoms that were not present prior to admission and a substantial proportion of these patients had not returned to work. Factors associated with a risk of poorer 12-month quality of life, may help to identify at-risk patients.
Range-Doppler domain spatial alignment for networked radars
Authors: Cong Xiaoyu , Han Yubing , Sheng Weixing , Guo Shanhong , Sun Hui
Published: February 2022

An important prerequisite for the radar network detection is that the measurements from local radars are transformed to a common reference frame without systematic or registration errors. For the signal level alignment, only partial signals are available for global decision-making due to power and bandwidth limitations. In this paper, a low-communication-rate spatial alignment in range-Doppler domain is proposed for networked radars without the prior spatial information (positions and attitudes) of radars, which is different from the existing methods in the trajectory domain or echo domain for alignment. To reduce the radar-to-fusion-center communication-rate, the method of initial constant false alarm rate detection is used to censor the signals in range-Doppler domain from local radars. Based on the spatial alignment model for the networked radars in geometry, a maximization problem is formulated. The objective function is the cross-correlation between the range-Doppler domain signals from different local radars. The optimization problem is solved by a genetic algorithm. Simulation results show that the rotation matrix and translation vector are estimated, and the detection probability of the proposed algorithm is improved after alignment and fusion compared with state-of-art methods.
Increasing loss of mature boreal forests around protected areas with red-listed forest species
Authors: Määttänen Aino-Maija , Virkkala Raimo , Leikola Niko , Heikkinen Risto K.
Published: February 2022

Background

Protected areas (PA) are central to biodiversity, but their efficiency is challenged by human-induced habitat loss and fragmentation. In the Fennoscandian boreal region, forestry with clearcutting is a threat to biodiversity causing the loss of mature forest elements and deterioration of ecological processes in forest landscapes, ultimately affecting PAs via declined structural connectivity. This paper aims to (1) determine PAs with high, red-listed species concentrations; (2) estimate the change in forest habitat around these PAs on different spatial scales; and (3) determine if forest management intensity is higher around biologically most valuable PAs. Occurrences of red-listed forest-dwelling species in Finland were used to identify PAs harbouring these species and to produce site-specific importance indices. CORINE landcover data was used as a baseline for the distribution of forests to assess the cover of clear-cuttings from 2001 to 2019 with the Global Forest Change (GFC) data set in three buffer areas around the PAs with occurrences of red-listed species.

Results

The largest proportion of clear-cuts occurred in 1 km and 10 km buffers around the PAs in the southern and middle boreal zones, being ca. 20%. This indicates that the forest habitat is degrading fast at regional and landscape levels. On the positive side, the change in forest cover was lower around the biologically most important PAs compared to other PAs with red-listed species.

Conclusions

Open and free satellite-data based assessments of the cover and change of forests provide reliable estimates about the rates at which mature and old-growth forests are being converted into young managed ones in Finland mainly via clear-cuts on different scales around PAs. The rate of clear-cuts was lowest in adjacent buffer areas next to the most species-rich PAs, which provides opportunities for biodiversity conservation efforts to be targeted to the remaining mature and old-growth forests found in the vicinity of these areas.
Finding the context indigenous innovation in village enterprise knowledge structure: a topic modeling
Authors: Kusumastuti Retno , Silalahi Mesnan , Asmara Anugerah Yuka , Hardiyati Ria , Juwono Vishnu
Published: February 2022

Indigenous people have deep local knowledge of environmental sustainability and natural resource utilization, which are sources of innovations that often are drivers for economic growth in rural areas. This study explores the knowledge structure of indigenous innovation in village enterprises through content analysis of research publications. The resulting knowledge structure can be used to set up a roadmap for the studies on village enterprise and in a broader context to build metadata as a foundation for an evaluation system of village enterprise. The authors deploy topic modeling and co-word analyses to scrutinize 775 village enterprise research articles from the Scopus database and 665 paper from ScienceDirect. In the topic modeling, topic models village enterprises are setup. The topics found are local ownership (such as market and property), land, services (housing, health care), economy and public policy, financial service micro-credit, environmental pollution control, local business sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and household income, bioenergy based electrification, and bumdes management. Four sectors of the natural resource-based indigenous economy were identified: traditional food production, bio-energy for fuel and electricity, agriculture, and tourism. The topic models are used to comprehend knowledge structure in the village enterprises, whereby the focus is to uncover the context of indigenous village enterprise and its states of the art.
The OxyR and SoxR transcriptional regulators are involved in a broad oxidative stress response in Paraburkholderia xenovorans LB400
Authors: Méndez Valentina , Rodríguez-Castro Laura , Durán Roberto E. , Padrón Gabriel , Seeger Michael
Published: February 2022

Background

Aerobic metabolism generates reactive oxygen species that may cause critical harm to the cell. The aim of this study is the characterization of the stress responses in the model aromatic-degrading bacterium Paraburkholderia xenovorans LB400 to the oxidizing agents paraquat and H2O2.

Methods

Antioxidant genes were identified by bioinformatic methods in the genome of P. xenovorans LB400, and the phylogeny of its OxyR and SoxR transcriptional regulators were studied. Functionality of the transcriptional regulators from strain LB400 was assessed by complementation with LB400 SoxR of null mutant P. aeruginosa ΔsoxR, and the construction of P. xenovorans pIZoxyR that overexpresses OxyR. The effects of oxidizing agents on P. xenovorans were studied measuring bacterial susceptibility, survival and ROS formation after exposure to paraquat and H2O2. The effects of these oxidants on gene expression (qRT-PCR) and the proteome (LC–MS/MS) were quantified.

Results

P. xenovorans LB400 possesses a wide repertoire of genes for the antioxidant defense including the oxyR, ahpC, ahpF, kat, trxB, dpsA and gorA genes, whose orthologous genes are regulated by the transcriptional regulator OxyR in E. coli. The LB400 genome also harbors the soxR, fumC, acnA, sodB, fpr and fldX genes, whose orthologous genes are regulated by the transcriptional regulator SoxR in E. coli. The functionality of the LB400 soxR gene was confirmed by complementation of null mutant P. aeruginosa ΔsoxR. Growth, susceptibility, and ROS formation assays revealed that LB400 cells were more susceptible to paraquat than H2O2. Transcriptional analyses indicated the upregulation of the oxyR, ahpC1, katE and ohrB genes in LB400 cells after exposure to H2O2, whereas the oxyR, fumC, ahpC1, sodB1 and ohrB genes were induced in presence of paraquat. Proteome analysis revealed that paraquat induced the oxidative stress response proteins AhpCF and DpsA, the universal stress protein UspA and the RNA chaperone CspA. Both oxidizing agents induced the Ohr protein, which is involved in organic peroxide resistance. Notably, the overexpression of the LB400 oxyR gene in P. xenovorans significantly decreased the ROS formation and the susceptibility to paraquat, suggesting a broad OxyR-regulated antioxidant response.

Conclusions

This study showed that P. xenovorans LB400 possess a broad range oxidative stress response, which explain the high resistance of this strain to the oxidizing compounds paraquat and H2O2.
Approach to the Patient With Moderate Hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Subramanian Savitha
Published: February 2022

Hypertriglyceridemia is a common lipid disorder encountered in clinical practice. Plasma triglycerides are a marker for the concentration of triglycerides carried in chylomicrons and very low-density lipoprotein particles. A fasting triglyceride level <150 mg/dL is accepted widely as the upper limit of normal range. Guidelines for hypertriglyceridemia are variable without a global consensus on classification and goals for triglyceride levels. A general classification of hypertriglyceridemia is mild < 200 mg/dL, moderate = 200 to 500 mg/dL, moderate to severe = 500 to 1000 mg/dL, and severe > 1000 mg/dL. Because moderate hypertriglyceridemia does increase atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, it is important to determine the underlying etiology to guide appropriate and timely management. This article provides stepwise recommendations on the diagnosis and management of moderate hypertriglyceridemia, based on 3 common scenarios encountered in clinical practice. Initial steps in management include evaluating for secondary contributors, especially diabetes mellitus. Based on patient characteristics, appropriate management decisions include lifestyle adjustments aimed at weight loss and decreasing alcohol consumption and use of statin and nonstatin therapies.
Impaired Metabolic Health and Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness Independently Associate With Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Obesity
Authors: Lehn-Stefan Angela , Peter Andreas , Machann Jürgen , Schick Fritz , Randrianarisoa Elko , Heni Martin , Wagner Robert , Birkenfeld Andreas L , Fritsche Andreas , Schulze Matthias B , Stefan Norbert , Kantartzis Konstantinos
Published: February 2022

Context

For a given body mass index (BMI), both impaired metabolic health (MH) and reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) associate with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Objective

It remains unknown whether both risk phenotypes relate to CVD independently of each other, and whether these relationships differ in normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects.

Methods

Data from 421 participants from the Tübingen Diabetes Family Study, who had measurements of anthropometrics, metabolic parameters, CRF (maximal aerobic capacity [VO2max]) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), an early marker of atherosclerosis, were analyzed. Subjects were divided by BMI and MH status into 6 phenotypes.

Results

In univariate analyses, older age, increased BMI, and a metabolic risk profile correlated positively, while insulin sensitivity and VO2max negatively with cIMT. In multivariable analyses in obese subjects, older age, male sex, lower VO2max (std. ß −0.21, P = 0.002) and impaired MH (std. ß 0.13, P = 0.02) were independent determinants of increased cIMT. After adjustment for age and sex, subjects with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) had higher cIMT than subjects with metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW; 0.59 ± 0.009 vs 0.52 ± 0.01 mm; P < 0.05). When VO2max was additionally included in this model, the difference in cIMT between MHO and MHNW groups became statistically nonsignificant (0.58 ± 0.009 vs 0.56 ± 0.02 mm; P > 0.05).

Conclusion

These data suggest that impaired MH and low CRF independently determine increased cIMT in obese subjects and that low CRF may explain part of the increased CVD risk observed in MHO compared with MHNW.
Very late-onset of inflammatory bowel disease. A case report
Authors: Rycyk Anna , Kasztelan-Szczerbinska Beata , Cichoz-Lach Halina
Published: February 2022

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in most cases is classified into Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). It appears in 25-35 years of age and the second peak is after fifties. It is very rare to recognize it in the elderly.
Case presentation
We present a case of a 79-year-old female patient who was admitted to the Chair and Department of Gastroenterology with Endoscopic Unit at the Medical University of Lublin in December 2018 with an acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage and dyselectrolytemia. Additionally, she suffered from atrial fibrillation. She has been treated with an anticoagulant therapy and has been receiving dabigatran for many years. After 16 days of diagnostic research and intensive treatment the patient was discharged home with no previous symptoms. After the next 12 days at home our patient returned to the hospital with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain and after fainting episode. Digital rectal exam was positive and laboratory test showed anemia again. Colonoscopic findings on admission showed proximally to the splenic flexure blood signs, on Bauhin’s valve a flat ulcer. The histopathological report confirmed the inflammatory bowel disease. After diagnosis of IBD, an effective treatment with mesalazine and prednisone was started.
Conclusions
Despite the newest clinical trials are more and more common in Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the elderly patients are mostly excluded from them because of the other accompanying diseases and their burdensome side effects. Choosing the right therapy becomes the main problem in these patients after setting a proper diagnosis which can take years and many unnecessary hospitalizations.
Construction of the Character Assessment Instrument for 21st Century Students in High Schools
Authors: Mistiani Wiwin , Istiyono Edi , Syamsudin Amir
Published: February 2022

The study of character becomes a very important discussion in the 21st century. So that the integration of character values is very important both in the process and in educational assessment. The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the character assessment instrument for 21st-century high school students. The research approach used was quantitative with a sample of 200 high school students. Data analysis carried out includes validity and reliability tests. The test results of the instrument showed that the construct of the student character assessment instrument was declared valid and reliable. The content validity test shows the value of Aiken's > .80 in the high category. In the construct validation test with EFA, all variables have a loading factor > .5. In the CFA test, the model is declared fit with the estimated standard loading value of .40 and the t-count value > 1.96. Meanwhile, while in testing the reliability of the instrument obtained composite > .70 Cronbach's Alpha reliability > .70 which means reliable. So that this instrument is declared valid and reliable to measure the character of students in high school.
Effect of Korean Medicine Treatments for Fat Pad Syndrome of Knee Joint: A Case Report
Authors: Lee June-Haeng , Lee Soo-Kyung , Park Eun-Yeong , Kang Sun-Woo , Won Yoon-Jae , Ha Jae-Joon , Yang Myeong-yeol
Published: February 2022

Fat pad syndrome is a knee joint condition/disease where acute or chronic inflammation occurs in the fat pad of the knee joint, and it is a cause of anterior knee pain. Fat pad syndrome usually occurs concurrently with other conditions/diseases to collectively cause anterior knee pain. No study to date has reported the treatment of anterior knee pain solely due to fat pad syndrome. Here, we report a case of fat pad syndrome of the knee joint as the sole cause of anterior knee pain in a 49-year-old woman who received integrated Korean medicine treatments (pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, herbal medicine, deep fascial meridian therapy, and chuna). Using patient-reported pain scale scores, the level of the patient’s pain was relieved, and her mobility improved. Integrated Korean medicine treatments could be effective for patients who have fat pad syndrome of the knee joint.
Effects of Korean Traditional Medicine Treatment on Spontaneous Osteonecrosis of the Knee: A Case Report
Authors: Lee Soo-Kyung , Park Eun-Young , Lee June-Haeng , Kang Sun-Woo , Won Yoon-Jae , Yang Myeong-Yeol , Ha Jae-Joon
Published: February 2022

Spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) is a common form of osteonecrosis of the knee and mainly affects the medial condyle due to localized vascular insufficiency. We report a case of SONK in a 65-year-old woman who had severe knee pain in her left knee whichimpeded her capacityto walk beyond 10 minutes. Bilateral knee X-rays revealed degenerative osteoarthritis of both knees and magnetic resonance imaging revealed R/O SONK in the lateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle, as well as a medial meniscal posterior horn root tear, and a Grade 1 medial collateral ligament injury. She was hospitalized at Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine for 21 days and receivedcombination therapy includingacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine. Patient-reported scales indicated that her pain and physical functional limitations were alleviated. Combination therapy consisting of Korean traditional medicine may bean alternative non-operative treatment approach for patients with SONK.
Sacral Acupuncture for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Park Jiwon , Chun Se-Eun , Park Min-Cheol , Jo Eun-Heui
Published: February 2022

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with storage, voiding, and post-micturition reduce quality of life and cause mental health problems. In traditional medicine, Baliao points have been empirically used to treat urinary system diseases. In this review, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using sacral acupuncture on Baliao points with sham treatment, other remedies, or other acupoints were retrieved from 8 electronic databases up to June 2021. Sixteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was assessed using a risk-of-bias (ROB) tool. Most of the evaluation indicators used in the included RCTs showed that sacral acupuncture had a significant therapeutic effect compared with the sham control intervention groups, and other remedies. However, all studies using acupoints (other than the Baliao points) as a control intervention had a “high” ROB and only reported secondary processed information, making it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of sacral acupuncture treatment for LUTS. No serious adverse effects were reported for sacral acupuncture, and only a low number of minor side effects were observed. These results suggest that sacral acupuncture could be considered as an alternative to existing treatments, with the added benefit of low cost. Large-scale, long-term RCTs are required in the future.
Delayed Diagnosis of a Tibial Stress Fracture Associated with Glucocorticoid and Methotrexate Therapy in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report
Authors: Shin Hye Jeong , Lim Yi Gun , Lee Gi Hyang , Lee Hyun Seok , Song Beom Yong , Choi Yoo Min
Published: February 2022

The risk of stress fractures is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which can aggravate bone loss. We report the case of a patient who was on long-term medication for RA presenting with lower extremity pain on the left and swelling without trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging and plain radiographs at the previous hospital showed no signs of fracture, but radiographs performed later, revealed a stress fracture of the left distal tibia. The stress fracture may have occurred due to multiple reasons such as long-term use of methotrexate and glucocorticoids, active RA, postmenopausal state, and immobility. Suspicion of a stress fracture should not be ruled out especially in RA patients with persistent pain, even if the radiographical findings are normal. Additional imaging and follow-ups are essential. The patient’s pain was relieved with Korean medicine treatments, which suggests their potential application for stress fractures in RA patients.
Comprehensive Korean Medicine Treatment for Benign Essential Blepharospasm in a Patient Responding Poorly to Botulinum Toxin Treatment
Authors: Ha Seojung , Kim Sung A , Lee Suji , Choi Sungwoon , Lee Sanghoon
Published: February 2022

Benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) is a condition/disease which involves involuntary muscle contractions causing the eye to repetitively close, making it impossible for the patient to perform daily activities. This study reports Korean medicine treatment of a rare case BEB in a 34-year-old male patient whose symptoms showed minimal improvement following botulinum toxin injection (the standard treatment). Acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine treatment for 11 days resulted in clinical improvement for all symptoms as assessed by using the Jankovic Rating Scale, Blepharospasm Disability Index, numerical rating scale, duration of spasms lasting more than 1 hour per day, and number of spasms lasting less than 1 minute per day. This case report suggests that comprehensive Korean medicine treatment could be a treatment option for BEB in patients who do not respond well to botulinum toxin injection.
Facial Chuna Manual Therapy and Acupuncture Treatment for the Sequelae of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy: Two Clinical Cases
Authors: Choi Ga-Young , Park Yu-Kyeong , Woo Sang Ha , Lee Jung Hee , Lee Yun Kyu , Lee Hyun-Jong , Kim Jae Soo
Published: February 2022

Two patients with sequelae of peripheral facial nerve palsy were treated with Facial Chuna Manual Therapy (FCMT) and acupuncture over 6 months. The House-Brackmann (HB) scale, facial nerve grading system 2.0 (FNGS), the scale of Peitersen, the scale of Murata, and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) were used to assess the effects of treatment. The HB scale, FNGS and NRS scores showed improvement for both patients (Case 1: HB scale 5 to 3, FNGS 4 to 2, NRS 10 to 5; Case 2: HB scale 5 to 3, FNGS 4 to 3, NRS 10 to 2.5) following 6 months of treatment. The scores for the Peitersen and Murata scales showed improvement over 6 months in Case 1 (Peitersen 2 to 1, Murata 10 to 7), but there was no change in Case 2 over the test period (4 months). FCMT and acupuncture may help patients with sequelae of facial palsy.
Adverse Events of Thread Embedding Acupuncture for the Musculoskeletal Conditions and Diseases: A Narrative Review of Clinical Studies
Authors: Lee Ji Sun , Oh Yoona , Kim Yeonhak , Lee Byung Ryul , Yang Gi Young , Kim Eunseok
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to analyze the status of adverse events (AEs) in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions/ diseases using thread embedding acupuncture (TEA). Five electronic databases were searched to retrieve data on clinical studies published in the last 5 years (2016 to 2021). Of the 151 studies retrieved, 22 studies analyzed AEs and were selected for this review. There were no AEs reported in 6 studies (27.3%); of the remaining 16 studies, 4 studies (18.2%) reported AEs that were not related to TEA. The most common AEs reported in the Chinese studies were redness of skin with/without swelling and tingling sensation, and in the Korean studies they were stiffness, a foreign body sensation, and bruising. The percentage of patients with AE experience was 5.1% in the Chinese studies and 19.9% in the Korean studies. The discrepancies between the findings in the Chinese and Korean studies may be attribute to differences in the diameter of needles, thread materials, TEA treatment procedure, and evaluation methods for AEs. Most of the reported AEs were of a mild status and did not last for a long time. However, further research on the clinical course after TEA treatment is needed.
Usage Status and Regional Variations of Acupotomy in a Korean Medicine Clinic: A Single-Center, Retrospective Analysis of Medical Records
Authors: Kang Kyungho , Hwang Jihyeon , Chu Hongmin , Lee Young-ung , Chae Hyocheong , Lee Jeong-youn , Lim Kwanghwan , Jung Sehun , Park Seongjun , Choi Seong-Hun , Mun Ju hyeon , Kim Jaehyo , Ryu Myungseok
Published: February 2022

Background: Acupotomy is a type of acupuncture where a scalpel-shaped needle (miniscalpel needle) is used instead of a normal acupuncture needle to exfoliate adhesion sites or to relax entrapped regions. This study aimed to identify the descriptive characteristics of patients who received acupotomy treatment at a single Korean Medicine Clinic.Methods: This retrospective review analyzed the medical charts of patients who had received acupotomy at least once from August 2017 to December 2019 at a single Korean Medicine Clinic. The demographic characteristics, chief complaints, acupotomy treatment sites, and principal diagnosis codes were analyzed.Results: We identified 551 outpatients; the average age was 52 ± 14.26 years and 49.9% were male. The patients underwent an average of 8.47 sessions of acupotomy. Altogether, 35.91% of the acupotomy treatments were administered to the spinal regions, of which 60.01% were in the lumbar region. The codes related to the lumbar spinal condition/disease which were used most frequently. The chief complaints were dizziness, lumbar spinal stenosis, and Dupuytren’s contracture in patients over 60 years of age.Conclusion: This is the 1st analysis of acupotomy treatment patterns in Korea to date. Acupotomy is primarily administered in the treatment of spinal conditions/diseases, especially for those involving the lumbar region. Future studies are necessary to determine the clinical outcomes of patients who receive acupotomy treatment and the safety of this treatment.
Bee Venom Within Liposomes Synergistically Inhibit Atopic Dermatitis in Mice
Authors: Kim Joan , Song Ho Sueb
Published: February 2022

Background: This study was performed to determine the effects of liposome-encapsulated bee venom (BV) treatment of inflammatory factors in atopic dermatitis (AD) compared with BV treatment.Methods: AD was induced by phthalic anhydride in mice and the effects of BV liposomes were measured. Using Leica Application Suite, thickened epidermis and dermis were measured after BV liposome treatment (0.05 and 0.1 μg/mL). The number of stained mast cells and the concentration of immunoglobulin (Ig)E were measured. Serum IgE concentration was analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, and IL-6 inflammatory cytokines were measured. The levels of messenger ribonucleic acid expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, was analyzed on western blot. To measure the transcriptional activity (NF-κB inhibition by BV liposomes), western blots (p65, p-IκB, p50, and IκB) were also performed.Results: The weight of lymph nodes, serum IgE concentrations, morphological changes in the skins from the backs of the mice, and mast cell numbers in inflamed tissues were noticeably lower in the BV liposome treatment group compared with the BV treatment group. The concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-4, IL-6) and chemokines (TSLP, CCL22) were also reduced. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-ERK and p-p38), and transcriptional activity (p65, p-IκB, p50, and IκB) was strongly suppressed in the BV liposome group.Conclusion: BV liposomes may have a better therapeutic effect than BV for the treatment of AD.
Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Scoliosis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Choi Seong-Kyeong , Jo Hyo-Rim , Moon Jeong-Hyun , Jang Jung-Eun , Park Seo-Hyun , Sung Won-Suk , Geum Dong-Ho , Kim Eun-Jung
Published: February 2022

Scoliosis is a 3-dimensional change of the spine, presenting 10° above Cobb angle. Various acupuncture methods are being increasingly performed to correct scoliosis. However, no systematic review has been published. Therefore, we report on the effectiveness of acupuncture on mild scoliosis in this systematic review. We searched various databases for acupuncture treatment for scoliosis published before June 2021. The primary outcome was Cobb angle, and the secondary outcomes were patient-centered scores. Six studies were identified. RCTs that compared combination therapy with acupuncture, and other treatment methods and showed significant improvement in the Cobb angle, and effective rate, but, with low quality evidence. Acupuncture monotherapy resulted in significant improvement in the Cobb angle and had high heterogeneity compared with other treatment methods, but no significant improvement in the effective rate was observed, and the quality of evidence was low. Regardless of the type of scoliosis, acupuncture monotherapy or combination therapy with acupuncture showed significant improvement in the Cobb angle, and the quality of evidence was moderate. No serious adverse events were observed in the 6 studies reviewed. Acupuncture is considered safe, and it is more effective when performed with other conventional treatments.
An interpretive perspective on co-production in supporting refugee families’ access to childcare in Germany
Authors: Siede Anna , Münch Sybille
Published: February 2022

The arrival of large numbers of refugees in Germany since 2015 has led to unprecedented levels of civic participation in service delivery. This is supported in integration policy, including through local coordination. We connect this empirical case with the conceptual debate on co-production, adopting an interpretive approach. We explore how volunteers and local coordinators interpret encounters between civic and state actors in the context of co-producing support received by refugee families in gaining access to childcare. Based on 20 interviews, we distinguish three types of experiences: collaborating towards common aims, where both sides value collaboration based on complementary abilities; contesting exclusion, where volunteers confront state actors in cases of conflict; replacing services, where volunteers feel obliged to perform tasks they interpret as the state’s responsibility. Our findings illustrate the value and limitations of co-production in practice, including in relation to establishing adequate sharing of work between civil and state actors.
Engaging refugee women and girls as experts: co-creating evidence on sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian crises using creative, participatory methods
Authors: Potts Alina , Fattal Loujine , Kolli Harriet
Published: February 2022

Background:

Humanitarian evidence is produced in settings of heightened power imbalances between research stakeholders. Yet evidence production processes often lack explicit reflection of who is shaping the questions asked and making meaning of the answers.

Aims and objectives:

Empowered Aid is participatory action research that seeks to mitigate sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) perpetrated by aid actors. Refugee women and girls in Uganda and Lebanon, as experts on SEA risk, are engaged co-researchers in generating evidence on how to make aid distributions safer.

Methods:

Diverse creative processes are utilised to co-produce knowledge about SEA risks and strategies to reduce them. These same processes are used to reflect on power dynamics within the research process itself, local gender power dynamics, and structural power dynamics between aid actors and those receiving aid.

Findings:

Fifty-five Syrian and South Sudanese refugee women and girl co-researchers used ethnographic methods to document their and their peers’ lived experiences of SEA risks while accessing humanitarian aid. Creative methods including drawing, drama, storytelling, community mapping, and body mapping were applied during data collection and qualitative analysis, as well as in reflection and action analysis workshops. SEA was reported across all the types of aid studied, and these findings are being used to adapt aid distribution processes.

Discussion and conclusions:

Creative and participatory practices can address the barriers, such as illiteracy (including computer illiteracy) and lack of training, often cited as limiting researchers’ ability to share power with affected communities, and allow for greater co-production of knowledge and evidence.
Facilitators of, and barriers to, personalisation in care homes in England: evidence from Care Quality Commission inspection reports
Authors: Damant Jacqueline , Ettelt Stefanie , Perkins Margaret , Williams Lorraine , Wittenberg Raphael , Mays Nicholas
Published: February 2022

The personalisation of residential care services is based on three broad principles of valuing personal identity, empowering resident decision-making and fostering care relationships. We analysed 50 Care Quality Commission care home inspection reports to identify factors that the reports indicate facilitate or hinder the delivery of personalised residential care in England. Findings suggest that the provision of personalised services is affected by staff skills, attitudes and availability, as well as the quality of care home leadership. Future care policy should consider addressing external pressures facing the care home sector, including inadequate funding and too few staff, to mitigate barriers to delivering high-quality, personalised care.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on reporting of rape, serious sexual offences, and domestic abuse in one English police force
Authors: Spence Ruth , Horvath Miranda A.H. , Dalton Charlotte T. , Davies Kari
Published: February 2022

Research suggests that during the COVID-19 pandemic reports of rapes and serious sexual offences to the authorities have declined while calls to domestic violence helplines have soared. This article focuses on the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on reporting to the police in cases of rape, serious sexual offences and domestic abuse in one police force in England. Data from the force’s crime reporting system was provided from 2018 to 2021, including over 10,000 reports of rapes and serious sexual offences and over 5,000 reports of domestic abuse. An Interrupted Time Series analysis was used to evaluate the impact of lockdown on reporting rates, with segmented regression to measure the changes in reporting before and after the start of the pandemic in March 2020. This article is the first of its kind to explore the impact of COVID-19 on sexual and domestic violence at more than an aggregate level, demonstrating how COVID-19 has had a variable impact on different groups of victims, and how stay at home orders specifically have impacted on reporting rates. These data provide novel and valuable insights into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the reporting of sexual violence and domestic abuse.
Therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the quality of life of patients with rheumatic diseases
Authors: Polishchuk E. Yu. , Karateev A. E. , Amirdzhanova V. N.
Published: February 2022

The modern strategy for the treatment of rheumatic diseases (RD) involves the fastest possible achievement of remission or low disease activity. However, even with the use of the most modern technologies and after a pronounced decrease in the inflammatory activity of the disease, it is not always possible to achieve a complete and stable remission. In such a situation, an important goal of treatment is to maximize the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Pain is one of the leading predictors of a decrease in QoL in patients with RD. At the same time, effective pain control can improve not only the course of individual symptoms of the disease, but also life prognosis as a whole. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most popular drugs for the symptomatic treatment of RD. At the same time, the administration of NSAIDs with a favorable safety profile can improve the quality of life of patients. Meloxicam is the first predominantly selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX) 2, which appeared in the arsenal of practitioners in the late 90s and has a strong evidence base for efficacy and safety.
Important aspects of osteoarthritis therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lila A. M. , Chuchalin A. G. , Torshin I. Yu. , Gromova O. A.
Published: February 2022

Chronic systemic inflammation, which is significantly exacerbated by COVID-19 or in conditions of induced physical inactivity, has a great negative effect on the condition of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Conversely, diseases associated with chronic inflammation (OA, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, bronchial asthma, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, deficiency of essential micronutrients, etc.) are the background for a more severe course of coronavirus infection. In patients with this comorbid background, infection with SARS-CoV-2 exacerbates chronic systemic inflammation through activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome with the involvement of toll receptors (TLRs). Inflammasome activation is the central mechanism for the formation of the so-called cytokine storm, which leads to pyroptosis of various cell types and the development of multiple organ pathologies characteristic of COVID-19. In addition, induced physical inactivity (immobilization stress) contributes to the development of sarcopenia and increased pain in OA. The chondroprotectors chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, undenatured collagen inhibit TLR and inflammasome activation, inhibit muscle mass loss, and may exhibit a direct antiviral effect (inhibit the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus).