bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of recreational cannabis on testicular function in primary infertile men
Authors: Belladelli Federico , Fallara Giuseppe , Pozzi Edoardo , Corsini Christian , Cilio Simone , Raffo Massimiliano , d'Arma Alessia , Boeri Luca , Capogrosso Paolo , Eisenberg Michael , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea
Published: July 2022

Background

Male factor contributes to up to 50% of cases of couples experiencing infertility. Cannabis is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs, and its effects on the reproductive system have been largely debated in the literature.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of recreational cannabis use on total T (tT) levels, gonadal status, and sperm parameters in a cohort of primary infertile non‐Finnish, white‐European men.

Materials and methods

Data of 2074 white‐European men visited for primary couple's infertility were analyzed. Lifestyle factors and cannabis use were investigated in all participants. Semen analyses were based on the 2010 World Health Organization reference criteria. Serum hormones were evaluated, and patients were subdivided based on their gonadal status. Health‐significant comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were used to test the association between cannabis use, sperm parameters, and hormonal levels. Logistic regression analyses tested potential predictors for abnormal sperm parameters and gonadal status.

Results

Of 2074, 225 (10.9%) patients reported cannabis use in their lifetime. Total Testosterone levels were lower in cannabis users compared to nonusers (p = 0.03). In a multivariable linear regression analysis, cannabis use was inversely associated with tT levels (ß = −0.372 ng/ml; p = 0.005) but not with follicle‐stimulating hormone nor with luteinizing hormone levels. Conversely, at multivariable logistic regression model cannabis use was not associated with the type of hypogonadism. At multivariable linear regression analysis, cannabis use was inversely associated with sperm morphology (p = 0.007), while not with both sperm concentration and sperm motility. Similarly, at adjusted logistic regression analysis cannabis use resulted associated with teratozoospermia (p = 0.039) but not with oligo‐, astheno‐, and azoospermia.

Conclusions

Infertile men using cannabis are at higher risk of having lower testosterone levels and altered sperm morphology as compared with nonusers.
Identifying neuroimaging biomarkers for psychogenic erectile dysfunction by fusing multi‐level brain information: A resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Guan Min , Chen Xin , Zhang Peiming , Wu Jia , Zhang Xiangsheng , Dong Minghao
Published: July 2022

Background

Psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED) patients who are under their 40s in China consist of a major component of erectile dysfunction. Existing neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that pED is a functional disorder with aberrant neural representations on the local level, the regional level, and the global level, respectively. Therefore, it is reasonable to incorporate brain information from all these levels simultaneously into consideration when identifying neuroimaging biomarkers for pED. However, no such endeavors have been made in previous studies to fully disclose the central mechanism of pED.

Method

To incorporate multi‐level brain features to fully explore the neural representation of pED, a novel machine learning framework was proposed in the current study. Specifically, we used amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation, regional homogeneity, and degree centrality as indices for local, regional, and global brain activity, respectively. A fully data‐driven method, that is, support vector machine (SVM) with recursive feature elimination analyses, was used to investigate discriminative brain map between 48 pED patients and 39 healthy control subjects for resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) data.

Results

By fusing multi‐level brain features, our method led to a superb classification accuracy of 95.12% between two groups. Interestingly, the right anterior cingulate gyrus and the left precuneus showed abnormal representations at different levels simultaneously in pED patients, which also explicated highest discriminative power between groups. Moreover, the right insular, the left fusiform gyrus, the right inferior temporal gyrus, the right superior frontal gyrus, the right precentral gyrus, the bilateral parahippocampal gyrus, and the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus were discriminative for pED. Also, correlation analysis explicated that several core brain regions were associated with the clinical manifestations in pED patients.

Conclusion

This is one of the first study investigating brain alterations on different levels simultaneously in pED patients. Our results suggested that pED involves multi‐level aberrant brain representations in multi‐dimensional neurobehavioral components, which closely interrelated with cognitive and psychosocial factors, that is, attention, appraisal, emotion, and sensorimotor. Our findings are likely to help foster new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of pED and the aberrant brain regions may serve as potential therapeutic targets for targeted therapy for brain.
Consumer engagement and patient reported outcomes in perioperative clinical trials in Australia: a systematic review
Authors: Wallace Sophie K. A. , Goulding Karen R. , Myles Paul S.
Published: July 2022

Background

Consumer engagement in clinical research is increasingly being prioritized by major funders such as the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search of the Cochrane library, Embase, CINAHL PubMed and Medline to identify randomized clinical trials in surgery with perioperative outcomes conducted in Australia. All publications underwent review and thematic analysis to identify levels of consumer engagement and the inclusion of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMS).

Results

From 5373 records, the full texts of 809 articles were retrieved, of which 41 clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. PROMS were identified in 63% of the trials as a primary or secondary outcome. Despite multiple available checklists and analysis tools, less than 2% of studies documented any consumer engagement apart from PROMS.

Conclusion

There was very little consumer engagement in formulation, management, conduct and dissemination of the trial findings.
A novel approach to managing ruptured umbilical hernias in cirrhosis
Authors: Seppey Romain , Benjamin Aditya , Lambrakis Paul
Published: July 2022

Background

Ruptured umbilical hernias in patients with ascites (Flood Syndrome) is an uncommon problem with high morbidity and mortality. The treatment of patients experiencing Flood Syndrome is controversial, with a multitude of different treatments being proposed.

Method

This paper presents our experience in treating Flood syndrome, and presents a standardized way of treating these patients.

Results

Six consecutive patients with Flood syndrome were treated with the same standardized management and surgical technique. All patients had Cirrhosis (Child B and C). All were treated as open emergency operations, with no recurrence or post‐operative complications.

Conclusion

Though there is a lack of level I or II evidence, the data suggests that ruptured umbilical hernias in cirrhotic patients are a surgical emergency that can be optimally managed with operative management. We present a standardized technique for the repair of these hernias which is simple, reliable and appears to have reproducible results. The technique aims to provide a hermetic seal immediately peri‐operatively and is supported by medical optimization of the post‐operative period. Our small case series represents effective and safe management in appropriately selected patients.
Not sleeping soundly in early infancy is not bad
Authors: Nakagawa Atsuko , Naruse Marika , Heutchy Mika , Miyachi Taishi
Published: July 2022

Aims

This study sought to determine whether not sleeping soundly in early infancy predicted poor development. This complemented earlier studies of children aged 12 months or older.

Methods

Sleep/wake patterns of 35 Japanese infants (23 males) with a gestational age of 37< weeks were recorded at home using actigraphy. Families were registered with a laboratory‐based database for infant research. Follow‐up recordings were conducted at 3, 4, 6, 12, and 24 months. Crawling was rated by mothers at 12 months and used to create regular and irregular crawling groups. Temperament was scaled using the Japanese Infant Behaviour Questionnaire‐Revised Questionnaire and the Japanese Early Childhood Behaviour Questionnaire.

Results

At 4 months, infants with regular crawling style had shorter night‐time sleep than infants with irregular crawling style. However, at 12 months, the former had longer motionless sleep at night compared to the latter. Before 6 months, infants with regular crawling style showed lower sleep efficiency, especially during the day, compared to those with irregular crawling style. In addition, the amount of night‐time active sleep at 3 and 4 months were positively correlated with day‐time activity, but not at 6 months.

Conclusion

Short fragmental sleep in early infancy did not always predict poor development.
Sublingual immunotherapy may be effective in reducing house dust mite allergies in children with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Kim Minju , Lee Eun , Yoon Jisun , Jung Sungsu , Song Kun B. , Choi Eom J. , Kim Jeong‐Hoon , Yu Jinho
Published: July 2022

Aim

We evaluated the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy for children aged 5–17 years with atopic dermatitis who were allergic to house dust mites.

Methods

This open‐label, controlled, randomised trial from June 2015 to February 2018 comprised 60 subjects from a specialist allergy centre in South Korea. Half received sublingual immunotherapy for 12 months and the other half formed the control group. The subjects were evaluated using specialist scores and specific immunoglobulin and skin prick tests.

Results

Sublingual immunotherapy significantly decreased the mean Scoring Atopic Dermatitis measurements in the sublingual group from baseline (30.2 ± 10.7) to 3 months (20.7 ± 8.5) and the effects persisted at 12 months (21.5 ± 12.4). However, the control group only showed a significant difference between baseline (30.4 ± 11.9) and 12 months (24.3 ± 10.2). The levels of Dermatophagoides farina‐specific immunoglobulin G4 significantly increased in the treatment group from baseline (0.6 ± 0.5) to 12 months (1.0 ± 0.7), with no significant changes in the control group. New sensitisations to two or more allergens between baseline and 12 months were significantly lower in the sublingual group (21.4%) than controls (54.2%).

Conclusion

Sublingual immunotherapy improved disease severity and prevented new sensitisations in children with atopic dermatitis who were allergic to dust mites.
2 Materializing Memory and Building Community: Contemporary Landscape Archaeology of a Nineteenth‐Century Bahamian Plantation
Authors: Sesma Elena
Published: July 2022

The Millars Plantation on Eleuthera, Bahamas was first established in 1803 as a cotton plantation and remained in operation through the 1830s. After emancipation, the formerly enslaved community continued to live on and work the plantation acreage and surrounding areas, until 1871 when Ann Millar formally left the 2000 acre‐property to the descendants of her former slaves and servants. That descendant community still upholds their right to this land today, despite a series of legal challenges by Bahamian and foreign investors who seek to develop new tourism‐based economies in the area. In the process of documenting the historical landscape of the Millars Plantation through oral histories, ethnographic interviews, and landscape survey, the research revealed ways that residents today have materialized memory—piecing together object, story, and space—on a living landscape that has too often been framed as empty or relegated to the past. This chapter investigates the ways in which memory becomes rooted in the materiality of the South Eleuthera landscape. When read side‐by‐side, the archaeological and contemporary social stratigraphy of South Eleuthera illustrate this historical landscape's ongoing site formation and the ways in which community members use the memoryscape as a tool for community building and local advocacy.
3 All‐Black Towns in Oklahoma: Forgotten Archaeologies and The Power of Membered Storytelling
Authors: Oliver Elisha , Cox Derrell W.
Published: July 2022

Oklahoma's history books make little mention of the sociocultural significance and impact of all‐Black towns within the state. There is scant information in Oklahoma's historical and archaeological records that discuss the roles of women in all‐Black communities. The town of Dorason was an all‐Black town settlement in Western Oklahoma. It was nestled between two all‐Black towns within an American Indian tribal district. Miles away, the bustling railroad town of Elwat would later become home to many descendants from the all‐Black towns we discuss in this chapter. Very little remains in these mostly forgotten spaces and places. Through a process of ethnohistorical investigation and several trips to field sites, our research places descendant community narratives within Black Feminist archaeological scholarship. Our purpose in privileging narratives is two‐fold: 1) to fill in the gaps between the archaeology of storytelling and space and place literature; and 2) to illustrate the ways in which storytelling situated within archaeological frameworks is empowering. The inclusion of these narratives creates an understanding of empowerment through all‐Black town space and placemaking. We argue that intimate space, storytelling within spaces, and strong social networks are and were critical elements of self‐empowerment and emancipatory practices in contentious spaces.
4 Decolonizing Research for My Diné (Navajo) Community: The Old Leupp Boarding School Historic Site
Authors: Two Bears Davina R.
Published: July 2022

The Old Leupp Boarding School (OLBS) was a Federal Indian Boarding School in operation from 1909–1942 on the southwest Navajo Reservation. It currently exists as a historical archaeology site, and it is an important place to the local Navajos of Leupp and Birdsprings, Arizona. Due to the nature of cultural resource management projects on the Navajo Reservation, which occur prior to development, in‐depth research of Navajo archaeological sites and collaboration with the Navajo public does not usually occur. With the support of local Navajo communities, my decolonizing research documents the history of the OLBS from a Diné (Navajo) perspective, as I explore Diné survivance and resistance within the context of this school. I argue that children utilized their Diné traditional cultural foundations to survive and resist assimilation imposed upon them by the U.S. government at Leupp. In keeping with Navajo cultural norms, I incorporate non‐destructive research methods including oral history interviews with Navajo elders, who attended the OLBS in the early twentieth century, and archival research to investigate the history of the OLBS. My research contributes to decolonizing and post‐colonial anthropological/archaeological research, Navajo Studies, and Native American and Indigenous Studies.
5 Reconstructing Russell City, California's Past: “The City May Be Gone, But the Memories Live On”
Authors: Wilkinson Megan
Published: July 2022

Russell City, California was once a small farming settlement located near San Francisco Bay. Its population increased and demographics changed during the 1940s, when African American and Latinx families migrated to the area and became the town's majority. The hamlet was never incorporated and lacked basic utilities, yet Russell Cityans self‐governed, provided civic safety services, established churches and businesses, and sealed financial deals between neighbors. In the 1950s, however, surrounding areas began considering Russell City a blight. Newspaper articles reinforced this idea, while simultaneously detailing governmental attempts to impede Russell City's improvement efforts. In 1963, Alameda County began the forced relocation of Russell's tenants via a redevelopment project. Residents protested to no avail, and by 1968 the town was destroyed. The area is now an industrial park.

Contemporary archaeology methods like archival research, oral history, material analysis, photography, and mapping are essential to understand Russell City's past. Using these approaches also enables former residents to cognitively bridge past and present, contributes to forming individual identities, fortifies community solidarity, and exposes the paradox of how living in Russell City was experienced by townspeople compared to how it was viewed by those outside its perimeters. Lastly, documenting Russell Cityans’ experiences and mapping the town are acts that confront the race and class‐based systems that not only shaped their lives as well as others in similar communities across the United States, but continue to affect marginalized peoples today.
7 Home(less) Place and Home‐Making at the Albany Bulb
Authors: Danis Annie
Published: July 2022

Archaeological research of dismantled homes at the Albany Bulb in the San Francisco Bay, California, prompted me to rethink the category of “homelessness” and the temporal boundaries of archaeological research. This paper treats the history of people who called this landfill‐turned‐park home as part of broad processes of redevelopment and displacement in the Bay Area and beyond. Archaeological and artistic research provide a critical methodology through which I reflect on contemporary struggles for homeless rights and conflicts over who needs to be “cleaned up.”
8 Hidden In(site): Meritocratic Stewardship and the Materiality of Volunteering
Authors: Lorenc Marc
Published: July 2022

The Dr. James Still Historic Office and Homestead—home to a nineteenth century, self‐educated, African American doctor, born to formerly captive parents, who would go on to become the third largest landowner in a predominantly White rural community in Southern New Jersey—has been the focus of the Dr. James Still Community Archaeology Project (DJSCAP) since 2013. This paper, however, shifts the target of archaeological exploration and asks what we can glean from the actors in and around the site. Using data collected by DJSCAP, this chapter critically examines how a community comes to understand and commemorate their efforts to protect and preserve Dr. Still's meritocratic narrative via a material engagement with the site. Reflecting on the simultaneous navigation of the past, present, and future via objects, the chapter explores how “things” such as donations and donor plaques do the social work of volunteering, informing perceptions of effort, talent, memory, and entitlement around the site. Using materiality theory and an archaeological lens attuned to nowness, this chapter identifies key instances in which the articulation of bodies, ideas, objects, and labor generate fascinating insights into the theorization of meritocracy as a moral economy that underpins volunteering. This contemporary archaeological approach uncovers the materiality of austerity, informing how communities navigate systemic failures in heritage site management through individual and collective efforts that I call meritocratic stewardship.
9 Resisting and Remaking Heritage Work: An Archaeology of the Surface in Acre's Old City
Authors: Taylor Evan
Published: July 2022

The Old City of Acre (‘Akka) is home to a predominantly Palestinian community within the larger Israeli municipality of Acre. Bounded by late eighteenth and early nineteenth century land and sea walls, the Old City's dense mix of Ottoman and Crusader‐era architecture sits on a peninsula less than one square kilometer in area on the Mediterranean coast. In 2001, the World Heritage Committee designated the Old City as a UNESCO World Heritage site, intensifying the Israeli state project of developing the city as an international tourist attraction. This chapter examines contemporary interventions on the surfaces of the Old City by way of photographic surface survey. Documented surface interventions include residents’ deposition of bread for animals to eat and fishermen to use as bait and surface adornments that reflect local aesthetic values. An archaeological analysis draws attention to an expansive repertoire of local care practices. Residents selectively appropriate the language and work of “heritage” to represent their own histories and serve their own aspirations against the grain of the state project, offering an alternative theorization of heritage that insists on maintaining ‘Akka as at once a historic and livable space.
10 Living in the Past for a Better Future
Authors: Wilkie Laurie A.
Published: July 2022

This chapter provides a review of the papers focused on developing the ways that Contemporary Archaeologies in Old Places provides a framework for understanding ongoing processes of dispossession, displacement, and disenfranchisement historically experienced by marginalized and economically vulnerable populations. At the same time, through community‐engaged praxis, the authors also demonstrate the ways that contemporary archaeological research can contribute to issues of sustainability and social justice, particularly through the use of methodologies that are easily reproduceable by non‐experts. The author tests this assertion by, in the context of recent protests against Anti‐Black police violence, taking a contemporary archaeological perspective to the old place in which she lives, Bushrod, Oakland, where the Black Panther Self‐Defense party was founded and engaged in its early social justice work.
Real‐world experience of switching from intravenous to subcutaneous vedolizumab maintenance treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Volkers Adriaan , Straatmijer Tessa , Duijvestein Marjolijn , Sales Amber , Levran Amit , van Schaik Fiona , Maljaars Jeroen , Gecse Krisztina , Ponsioen Cyriel , Grootjans Joep , Hanzel Jurij , Tack Greetje , Jansen Jeroen , Hoentjen Frank , de Boer Nanne , van der Marel Sander , Dijkstra Gerard , Oldenburg Bas , Löwenberg Mark , van der Meulen Andrea , D′Haens Geert ,   IBD center Amsterdam and the Dutch Initiative on Crohn and Colitis
Published: July 2022

Background

Subcutaneous (SC) vedolizumab is effective in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) when administered after induction with two infusions.

Aim

To assess the effectiveness, safety and pharmacokinetics of a switch from intravenous (IV) to SC maintenance vedolizumab in patients with IBD

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, patients with IBD who had ≥4 months IV vedolizumab were switched to SC vedolizumab. We studied the time to discontinuation of SC vedolizumab, adverse events (AEs), changes in clinical and biochemical outcomes and vedolizumab concentrations at baseline, and weeks 12 and 24.

Results

We included 82 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 53 with ulcerative colitis (UC). Eleven (13.4%) patients with CD and five (9.4%) with UC discontinued SC vedolizumab after a median of 18 (IQR 8–22) and 6 weeks (IQR 5–10), respectively. Four patients with CD switched to a different drug due to loss of response, nine switched back to IV vedolizumab due to adverse events, and three due to needle fear. Common AEs were injection site reactions (n = 15) and headache (n = 6). Median clinical and biochemical disease activity remained stable after the switch. Median serum vedolizumab concentrations increased from 19 μg/ml at the time of the switch to 31 μg/ml 12 weeks after the switch (p < 0.005).

Conclusions

Switching from IV to SC vedolizumab maintenance treatment is effective in patients with CD or UC. However, 9% of patients were switched back to IV vedolizumab due to adverse events or fear of needles.
Can you feel the excitement? Physiological correlates of students' self‐reported emotions
Authors: Ketonen Elina E. , Salonen Visajaani , Lonka Kirsti , Salmela‐Aro Katariina
Published: July 2022

Background

This study explored the physiological correlates of students' self‐reported emotions in ecologically valid settings by combining biosignal data (on physical and cardiac activity) and experience sampling method (ESM) data.

Aims

The aim was to examine the concurrent associations between self‐reported excitement, calmness, anxiety, and boredom (adopted from the dimensional model of emotions) and students' heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) (indicators of physiological arousal and the activation of the autonomous nervous system). Students' physical activity was controlled in the models via the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) values (actigraphy data). A second objective was to explore how to combine the information stored by these three sources of ambulatory assessment.

Sample

The study comprised 136 high school students with multiple repetitive data points.

Methods

For three consecutive days, students wore biometric sensors and wristbands collecting their HR, HRV, and MET signals, and answered the ESM questionnaires five times a day on smartphones.

Results

When MET values were controlled for, self‐reported excitement was related to higher HR as well as lower HRV during a specific moment, indicating stronger sympathetic activity (i.e., physiological arousal/activation). Self‐reported boredom was related to lower HR but was unrelated to HRV. Self‐reported calmness and anxiety were unrelated to HR and HRV after controlling for MET.

Conclusions

A 5‐min time window with a Gaussian weighted mean seemed to be an appropriate data processing method for capturing the physiological arousal (or abate) of self‐reported excitement and boredom. The findings suggest that the physiological stimulus of elevated HR could be interpreted by students as an adaptive state of excitement. Combining the experience sampling approach and the physiological measures revealed how the mind and body function in interplay and can therefore provide objective evidence of emotional and motivational processes as they unfold in students' daily lives.
Current and future therapies for haemophilia—Beyond factor replacement therapies
Authors: Nogami Keiji , Shima Midori
Published: July 2022

Some non‐factor products that work by facilitating the coagulation pathway (emicizumab) and blocking the anticoagulant pathway (fitusiran, concizumab and marstacimab) for patients with haemophilia (H) have been developed, and clinical trials using these products are currently ongoing. Prophylaxis using non‐factor products by subcutaneous administration provides marked reductions of bleeding episodes in patients with HA or HB, regardless of the presence of inhibitor. Emicizumab has already been approved globally. Emicizumab alters the phenotype of patients with HA from severe to mild by maintaining trough levels of equivalent factor VIII activity (15–20 iu/dl). Phase 3 clinical trials and long‐term observations assessing emicizumab revealed tolerable safety and efficacy. However, thrombotic events have occurred in patients receiving these non‐factor products. Furthermore, monitoring of the haemostatic function of these products with concomitant therapy is also required in clinical practice. These products have promising haemostatic efficiency, but wider clinical experience is needed to provide optimal therapeutic strategies in the future.
How does working‐time flexibility affect workers' productivity in a routine job? Evidence from a field experiment
Authors: Boltz Marie , Cockx Bart , Diaz Ana Maria , Salas Luz Magdalena
Published: July 2022

We conducted an experiment in which we hired workers under different types of contracts to evaluate how flexible working time affects on‐the‐job productivity in a routine job. Our approach breaks down the global impact on productivity into sorting and behavioural effects. We find that flexible arrangements that allow workers to decide when to start and stop working increase global productivity by as much as 50%, 40% of which is induced by sorting, and 60% represents a motivational effect, mainly driven by more effective working time, with workers reducing the length of their breaks. Our findings also suggest that part‐time contracts can enhance global productivity, – though not significant at conventional levels –, and that this effect is also driven by a significant drop in the length of breaks taken. We hence contribute to the literature providing causal evidence of flexibility in routine jobs leading to higher productivity.
Warmth, competence, and subtle dehumanization: Comparing clustering patterns of warmth and competence with animalistic and mechanistic dehumanization
Authors: Kuljian Olivia R. , Hohman Zachary P.
Published: July 2022

The way in which people dehumanize may vary based on perceptions of social outgroups. This study explores how outgroups may be more animalistically or mechanistically dehumanized based on perceived stereotype content. This work compares competing theoretical perspectives regarding the relationship between the dual model of dehumanization with dimensions of warmth and competence. We predicted that participants would dehumanize high warmth, low competence outgroups more animalistically, and dehumanize low warmth, high competence outgroups more mechanistically. Results instead supported the stereotype content view of dehumanization, such that graded dehumanization occurred with the removal of warmth and competence. This work helps to clarify previous research and provides insight into way in which people evaluate outgroup stereotype content and the dehumanization of such outgroups. Implications and limitations of the work are discussed.
FDI inflows, economic growth, and governance quality trilogy in developing countries: A panel VAR analysis
Authors: Saidi Yosra , Ochi Anis , Maktouf Samir
Published: July 2022

This study provides evidence of the triangular relationship between governance quality, foreign direct investment, and economic growth. Unlike previous studies in the governance—foreign direct investment—growth literature, this study employed the panel vector autoregressive model to examine the impact of governance quality and foreign direct investment on economic growth. Moreover, we used the impulse response function tool, which was developed in the same context, to better understand the reaction of the two main variables of interest, foreign direct investment, and economic growth, after shocks to the governance quality variable. Finally, the analysis was completed by the variance decomposition of all variables. These analyses were conducted for 102 developing countries from 1996 to 2014. Overall, the results show that inward foreign direct investment has a significant impact and can strongly encourage economic growth. These results indicate that the quality of governance in developing countries does not affect foreign direct investment and economic growth.
The expansion of early childcare and transitions to first and second birth in Germany
Authors: Schuss Eric , Azaouagh Mohammed
Published: July 2022

We use quasi‐experimental expansion of publicly funded childcare slots for children under the age of three from Germany and exploit regional variations of this large‐scale expansion to account for endogenous and selective fertility decisions. To account for left and right censoring, we implement this quasi‐experimental framework into the setting of the semiparametric Cox hazard model. By using spatial data on childcare provision at the level of counties and microdata from the German Socio‐Economic Panel (SOEP) from 1998 to 2012, we find a significant increase in the transition probability to first birth by 11.9% for native childless couples who were in the labor force before childbearing. With regard to transition to the second birth, however, no significant effect is found from the increase in childcare slots. With a particular focus on the transition to first birth, the effects are demonstrated not to be driven by selective residency choices and internal migration patterns. Furthermore, a large set of robustness checks is applied to show that highly educated mothers react the most, while effects are not attributable to the upper decile of income distribution.
Commentary: Bringing together lived experience, clinical and research expertise – a commentary on the May 2022 debate (should CAMH professionals be diagnosing personality disorder in adolescence?)
Authors: Hartley Samantha , Baker Charley , Birtwhistle Michael , Burgess Jennifer L. , Chatburn Eleanor , Cobbaert Laurence , Howley Maddie , Huggett Charlotte , MacKenzie‐Nash Charlie , Newton Alice , Parry Sarah , Smith Jee , Taylor Christopher D. J. , Taylor Peter James , Timoclea Robyn
Published: July 2022

Background

There is a wealth of evidence to suggest that the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD, or similar Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, EUPD) construct is harmful. We provide a commentary on the ideas expressed in the May Debate issue, highlighting both concerns and alternatives.

Method

We bring together lived experience, clinical and research expertise. This commentary was written collaboratively drawing on all these sources of evidence.

Results

We outline evidence that the BPD construct is invalid, harmful, not necessary for effective treatment and a potential block to the development and evaluation of alternatives.

Conclusions

We ask readers to consider these concerns, perspectives and ideas.
Debate: Oppositional defiant disorder is a real disorder
Authors: Burke Jeffrey D. , Evans Spencer C. , Carlson Gabrielle A.
Published: July 2022

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a valid mental health disorder, characterized by negativistic defiant behavior and angry, irritable mood. The very low and stable prevalence rate over development from early childhood into adulthood suggests that ODD does not erroneously medicalize normative childhood behavior. ODD is associated with significant impairments across multiple contexts and raises risks for other future psychopathology. Although simplistic tropes often suggest that ODD is merely the product of bad parenting, substantial evidence shows that it is instead influenced by a variety of factors, including genetic and neurobiological factors. Individuals with ODD evoke negative interactions with peers, teachers, coworkers, romantic partners, and parents. ODD is often misunderstood as being a mild form of conduct disorder (CD). Rather, in stark contrast to ODD, CD reflects a pattern of aggressive behaviors, violations of laws or status offenses, and psychopathic features. Mounting evidence for their distinction led to diagnostic changes distinguishing ODD and CD nearly a decade ago. Empirically supported treatments are available and help caregivers to develop specific parenting practices to meet the needs of children with ODD. Minimizing and mischaracterizing ODD increases the likelihood that families who are suffering may not seek the treatment that they need.
Comparison of molecular responses and outcomes between BCR::ABL1 e14a2 and e13a2 transcripts in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Su Yi‐Jiun , Kuo Ming‐Chung , Chen Tsai‐Yun , Wang Ming‐Chung , Yang Youngsen , Ma Ming‐Chun , Lin Tung‐Liang , Lin Tung‐Huei , Chang Hung , Teng Chieh‐Lin Jerry , Hsiao Pei‐Ching , Chen Chih‐Cheng , Wang Po‐Nan , Shih Lee‐Yung
Published: July 2022

Several studies have compared the molecular responses between e14a2 and e13a2 BCR::ABL1 transcripts in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients treated with front‐line imatinib, but there were very limited studies on nilotinib or dasatinib‐treated patients. We retrospectively analyzed the molecular responses in 1124 CML patients with the e14a2 or e13a2 transcript receiving front‐line imatinib, nilotinib or dasatinib treatment. Patients with the e14a2 transcript had higher optimal response rates than those with the e13a2 transcript at 12 months in the imatinib‐treated group, and 6 and 12 months in the nilotinib‐treated group. The optimal response rates were not significantly different between the two transcripts in the dasatinib‐treated group at landmark molecular responses. With a median follow‐up time of 48.4 months, higher cumulative incidences of BCR::ABL1 International Scale ≤1% and major molecular response were observed in patients with the e14a2 rather than the e13a2 transcript receiving front‐line imatinib or nilotinib treatment, but not in dasatinib‐treated patients. The progression‐free survival and overall survival did not differ between the two transcripts in all three treatment groups. In view of the speed and depth of molecular responses, BCR::ABL1 transcript subtypes might provide helpful information in selecting a front‐line tyrosine kinase inhibitor for individual young patients with future potential treatment‐free remission.
Influence of the number of implants in the edentulous mandible on chewing efficacy and oral health‐related quality of life—A within‐subject design study
Authors: Passia Nicole , Chaar Mohammed Sad , Krummel Anna , Nagy Andreas , Freitag‐Wolf Sandra , Ali Shurouk , Kern Matthias
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To investigate the chewing efficiency and oral health‐related quality of life of edentulous patients wearing complete dentures, successively supported by one, two, and three implants in the mandible.

Methods

Thirteen (13) edentulous patients of at least 50 years of age received three implants in the mandible. After a conventional submerged healing period, the central implant was uncovered and connected to the denture base using a stud attachment. Two months later, chewing efficacy was evaluated, and the two lateral implants were uncovered and connected to the denture base. The central retention element was replaced by a short healing abutment with no connection to the denture base. Chewing efficiency was evaluated two months later. Afterward, the healing abutment of the central implant was replaced by a stud attachment and again connected to the denture base. Two months later, chewing efficacy was evaluated again. Oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) was measured at each recall visit using the summary score of the oral health impact profile. For statistical analysis of chewing efficacy, the changes from baseline (with no implants) to one, two, and three implants were used and tested by analysis of variance with repeated mesurements.

Results

Chewing efficacy clearly increased after implant loading, with a significant increase when two implants were loaded (p ≤ .05), compared to the chewing efficacy with no implants. OHRQoL also significantly improved after implant loading.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of the present clinical trial regarding the number of patients, chewing efficacy as well OHRQoL of edentulous patients improve after implant placement in the mandible, irrespective of the number of implants. The best chewing efficacy was achieved with two implants.
Automated interpretation of the pulmonary function test by a portable spirometer in Chinese adults
Authors: Zhou Jun , Wang Ping , Guo Leixin , Cao Jin , Zhou Min , Dai Ranran
Published: July 2022

Introduction

A portable spirometer is a promising alternative to a traditional pulmonary function test (PFT) spirometer for respiratory function evaluation.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of automated interpretation of the PFT measured by a portable Yue Cloud spirometer in Chinese adults.

Methods

The PFT was performed to evaluate subjects prospectively enrolled at Ruijin Hospital (n = 220). A Yue Cloud spirometer and a conventional Jaeger MasterScreen device were applied to each patient with a 20‐min quiescent period between each measurement. Pulmonary function parameters, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal expiratory flow at 25%, 50%, and 75% of the FVC (MEF25, MEF50, and MEF75, respectively), and maximal mid‐expiratory flow (MMEF), were compared by correlation analyses and Bland–Altman methods. The Yue Cloud spirometer automatically interpreted the PFT results, and a conventional strategy was performed to interpret the PFT results obtained by the Jaeger machine. Concordance of the categorization of pulmonary dysfunction, small airway dysfunction, and severity was analyzed by the kappa (κ) statistic.

Results

Significantly similar correlations of all variables measured with the two spirometers were observed (all p < 0.001). No significant bias was observed in any of the measured spirometer variables. A satisfactory concordance of pulmonary function and severity classification was observed between the automated interpretation results obtained with the Yue Cloud spirometer vs. a conventional spirometer interpretation strategy (all κ > 0.80).

Conclusion

The portable Yue Cloud spirometer not only yields reliable measurements of pulmonary function but also can automatically interpret the PFT results.
First‐in‐human, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, dose escalation trial of the anti‐herpes simplex virus monoclonal antibody HDIT101 in healthy volunteers
Authors: Blank Antje , Hohmann Nicolas , Dettmer Marlen , Manka‐Stuhlik Anette , Mikus Gerd , Stoll Felicitas , Stützle‐Schnetz Marlies , Thomas Daniel , Exner Evelyn , Schmitt‐Bormann Beate , Schaller Torsten , Laage Rico , Schönborn‐Kellenberger Oliver , Arndt Michaela , Haefeli Walter E. , Krauss Jürgen
Published: July 2022

HDIT101 is a first‐in‐class humanized monoclonal antibody recognizing a conserved epitope in glycoprotein B, a target present on the surface of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV‐1) and HSV‐2 particles as well as on virus‐infected cells. This was a first‐in‐human, single‐center, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial in 24 healthy volunteers, randomized 3:1 (placebo:active) in each of the six dose levels with escalating doses up to 12,150 mg HDIT101. HDIT101 was administered intravenously, to study safety, pharmacokinetics (PKs), and immunogenicity. HDIT101 was well‐tolerated in all recipients and no serious or severe adverse events, no infusion‐related reactions, and no events suggestive of dose limiting off‐target toxicity occurred. The mean serum exposure (area under the curve from zero to infinity [AUC0‐∞]) of HDIT101 showed a linear increase from 4340 h*μg/ml at a dose of 50 mg to 1,122,247 h*μg/ml at a dose of 12,150 mg. No immunogenic effects following HDIT101 exposure were observed at any of the applied doses. HDIT101 demonstrated the expected PK properties of a monoclonal antibody was well‐tolerated, and could be safely administered even at excessively high doses that may be required for treatment of patients with septical HSV spread.
Performance of breast fine needle aspiration as an initial diagnostic tool: A large academic hospital experience
Authors: Chen Zhengshan , Salibay Christine , Elatre Wafaa , Naritoku Wesley Y. , Ma Yanling , Martin Sue Ellen , Wang Tiannan
Published: July 2022

Background

The clinical performance of the Yokohama reporting system for breast cytology remains uncertain.

Methods

In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 318 breast fine needle aspirations (FNABs) from Los Angeles County Hospital over a five‐year period, analysing data for breast cytology, histology, and radiology.

Results

Among 318 breast FNAB cases, 78.3% (249/318) were benign and 5.3% (17/318) malignant. Of 83 cases with follow‐up histology, 14.5% (12/83) were insufficient, 66.3% (55/83) were benign, and 16.9% (17/83) were malignant. Of 55 benign cases, 61.8% (34/55) were fibroadenoma and 9 (9/55, 16.4%) were fibrocystic changes. Two cases were diagnosed as “atypical” but confirmed “benign” on core needle biopsy (CNB). No “suspicious” cases were found. Seventeen malignant cases were confirmed by CNB, including 70.6% (12/17) invasive ductal carcinoma, 11.8% (2/17) invasive lobular carcinoma, and one malignant phyllodes tumour. Receptor studies on cell blocks of three malignant cases showed concordant results with CNB results. In addition, 82.2% (148/180) of lesions with Breast Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) scores of 2 or 3 were benign and 92.3% (12/13) BI‐RADS score 5 lesions were malignant on FNAB. Finally, 90% (67/74) of BI‐RADS 4a lesions were benign, and 97% (36/37) of fibroadenomas were BI‐RADS score 4a.

Conclusion

This, by far the largest U.S. breast cytology study, showed 93.3% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, and 98.2% negative predictive value for breast FNAB. Women with breast lesions of BI‐RADS score 3 or less have a low risk of malignancy; FNAB would contribute to the reduction of excisional biopsies. FNAB can be considered as an initial diagnostic tool for BI‐RADS 4 mass/lesions and satellite lesions, as well as for triaging patients.
Prospective study of a new endoscopic duodenal–jejunal bypass sleeve in obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (with video)
Authors: Ren Mengting , Zhou Xinxin , Yu Mosang , Cao Yang , Xu Chengfu , Yu Chaohui , Ji Feng
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new endoscopic duodenal–jejunal bypass sleeve (DJBS) in obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), while in situ for 3 months, and at 6 months postexplantation.

Methods

Patients with obesity and NAFLD were enrolled in this single‐center, prospective study, wherein the TONGEE DJBS (Tangji Medical, Hangzhou, China) was implanted for 3 months. Primary outcomes were weight loss and changes in hepatic steatosis. Secondary outcomes included changes in liver enzymes, glycemic control, and lipid profile and device safety.

Results

Twenty‐six patients (age 35.2 ± 7.2 years; 61.5% women) underwent DJBS implantation. At 3 months, bodyweight change from baseline was −8.0 ± 3.6 kg (P < 0.001), corresponding to 8.9 ± 4.0% of total bodyweight. Hepatic steatosis significantly improved based on controlled attenuation parameter, hepatic steatosis index, and fatty liver index (P < 0.001). Liver enzymes, insulin resistance, and metabolic parameters were also improved. At 6 months postexplantation, weight loss and improvements in hepatic steatosis and liver enzyme levels remained statistically significant. Only one patient had a serious adverse event, namely, upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Three‐month TONGEE DJBS implantation resulted in significant weight loss and improvement in hepatic steatosis, liver enzymes, insulin resistance, and metabolic parameters in obese patients with NAFLD. Randomized controlled trials are required to further elucidate these initial findings.