bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in perioperative cardiovascular outcomes in elderly male and female patients undergoing intra-abdominal surgery: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chu Song-Yun , Li Pei-Wen , Han Xiao-Ning , Liu Lin , Ye Xiao-Jin , Wang Jie , Zhao Jing , Ding Wen-Hui
Published: January 2021

Objective

Perioperative cardiovascular events constitute the majority of complications in noncardiac surgery. Older and female patients have been less investigated. We aimed to evaluate differences in perioperative cardiovascular outcomes by age and sex.

Methods

We enrolled 1079 patients (57.5 ± 17.0 years, 42.6% women) undergoing intra-abdominal surgery from July 2007 to June 2008 and compared occurrence of perioperative cardiac events by age (≥65 vs. <65 years) and sex. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate associations between age, sex, and outcomes.

Results

Age ≥65 years was associated with perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) (odds ratio [OR] 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3–6.6) and total cardiovascular events (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.3–4.2). Age ≥65 years was associated with higher perioperative MI risks in men (OR 4.7, 95% CI: 1.3–17.6) than in women (OR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.2–8.3). Advanced age was associated with heart failure in women (OR 13.9, 95% CI: 1.7–110.5). Female sex was a risk factor for heart failure in elderly patients (OR 4.2, 95% CI: 1.1–15.7).

Conclusions

Advanced age appeared to be associated with increased perioperative cardiac risk but differed by sex. Tailored strategies should be considered with respect to the patient’s sex.
Dietary chlorogenic acid ameliorates oxidative stress and improves endothelial function in diabetic mice via Nrf2 activation
Authors: Wang Dan , Hou Jixin , Wan Jindong , Yang Yi , Liu Sen , Li Xiaoqing , Li Wenzhang , Dai Xiaozhen , Zhou Peng , Liu Weihua , Wang Peijian
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is an antioxidant dietary factor. We investigated the effects of CGA on endothelial cell dysfunction in diabetic mice and the mechanistic role of nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the antioxidant effect of CGA.

Methods

Diabetic (db/db) mice were fed normal chow or chow containing 0.02% CGA for 12 weeks. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mouse aortas were treated with normal or high glucose.

Results

CGA treatment induced upregulation of Nrf2 in HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. CGA pretreatment prevented reactive oxygen species generation and preserved nitric oxide bioavailability in HUVECs and aortas from wild-type but not Nrf2−/− mice. CGA improved endothelium-dependent relaxation in high glucose-treated aortas from wild-type and db/db mice, but not Nrf2−/− mice. Dietary CGA improved endothelium-dependent relaxation in db/db mice.

Conclusions

CGA ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in diabetic mice through activation of the Nrf2 anti-oxidative pathway.
Awake fiberoptic orotracheal intubation: a protocol feasibility study
Authors: Ma Yuanyuan , Cao Xue , Zhang Hong , Ge Shengjin
Published: January 2021

Objective

To assess the feasibility of an awake fiberoptic intubation (AFOI) protocol.

Methods

We enrolled 40 patients with simulated difficult intubation. The protocol consisted of conscious sedation (midazolam, 0.03 mg/kg and sufentanil, 0.1 µg/kg), regional anesthesia, and intubation. The time, first-attempt intubation success rate, hemodynamic parameters, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), intubation amnesia rate, patient satisfaction, and relative complications were recorded.

Results

AFOI was completed in all patients. The average total AFOI time was 14.17 ± 1.47 minutes, and the time to placing the landmark-guided bilateral superior laryngeal nerve block was 1.24 ± 0.42 minutes. The first-attempt intubation success rate was 97.5%, and patient satisfaction was 90%. Blood pressure changed (<20%) briefly after administering conscious sedation. Heart rates did not change significantly, and SpO2 remained stable and ≥95%. Three patients had a sore throat, which resolved on postoperative day 1 without other complications. On postoperative day 1, 82.5% (33/40) of the patients had no recall of AFOI, and 17.5% (7/40) had only an indistinct memory.

Conclusions

The protocol was feasible with a high first-attempt intubation success rate and low complications rate. Hemodynamic parameters and respiration remained stable, with high patient satisfaction and effective amnesia.
Hot Wind to the Body Can Facilitate Vection Only When Participants Walk Through a Fire Corridor Virtually
Authors: Yahata Ryotaro , Takeya Wataru , Seno Takeharu , Tamada Yasuaki
Published: January 2021

Vection has been reported to be enhanced by wind, as long as the wind is a normal temperature and not hot. However, here we report that a hot wind can facilitate vection, as long as it is natural and consistent with the visual stimulus. We created a fire-corridor stimulus that was consistent with a hot wind and a control stimulus composed of cubes, which were irrelevant to a hot wind. We compared the vection strength induced by a fire-corridor (fire condition) visual stimulus with that induced by geometric cubes (no-fire condition) visual stimulus. There were three wind type conditions: a normal temperature wind, hot wind, and no wind. The results showed that a normal temperature wind facilitated vection and that a hot wind (but not a normal wind) highly enhanced vection when a fire-corridor stimulus was presented. These results suggest that vection is highly affected and modulated by high-level cognitive processes.
The Fork-and-Knife Illusion
Authors: Balas Blaise , Balas Benjamin
Published: January 2021

We describe a transparency illusion that can be observed with an ordinary metal knife and fork. Placed in the correct configuration relative to the fork, the metal knife appears transparent, with some observers experiencing a bistable percept in which transparency alternates with reflective appearance. The effect is related to other illusory percepts that follow from careful placement of mirrored surfaces, but to our knowledge, it is unique in that the key feature of the illusion is how the mirrored surface (in this case, the knife) is perceived rather than how a mirror induces altered perception of other objects and surfaces. We describe conditions that do and do not affect the strength of the illusion and point out its connections to previously reported phenomena.
Sociology of a disciplinary bifurcation: Bruno Latour and his move from philosophy/theology to sociology in the early 1970s
Authors: Lamy Jérôme
Published: January 2021

This article analyzes Bruno Latour’s transition from theology to sociology between the late 1960s and the mid-1970s. The study cross-analyzes the philosophical field of the 1970s with the progress of interaction rituals specific to disciplinary integration. By examining his Master’s degree in philosophy and a lecture carried out during his thesis, plus the report of his stay in Ivory Coast, it is possible to identify several stages of a disciplinary bifurcation. First anchored to the metaphysical sector of the philosophical field, Latour – like his masters André Malet, Jean Brun and Claude Bruaire – tried to dissolve the boundary between philosophy and theology. Nourished with Rudolf Bultmann’s hermeneutics – which generates a particularly powerful emotional energy –, the young philosopher drew from the new theological resources provided by Vatican II Council the instruments for a conversion to sociology. Before that, following in the Council’s focus on prayer as the very core of the practice of believers, he had tried to turn prayer into an adequate mode of litany for analyzing texts. He then drew on the post-colonial opening of Vatican II to engage in the field of sociology, the Council having exhausted classical metaphysical questions. His discovery of the effects of colonial domination also played a fundamental role in mobilizing once again some emotional energy. Latour’s disciplinary reclassification just before beginning his laboratory ethnography in California is based on a reassessment of the epistemological possibilities born from the theological innovations of Vatican II.
Transient liquid phase bonding of Cu and Al using metallic particles interlayers
Authors: Zaheri Alireza , Farahani Mohammadreza , Sadeghi Alireza , Souri Naser
Published: January 2021

The bonding strength, and microstructures of Cu and Al couples using metallic powders as interlayer during transient liquid phase bonding (TLP bonding) were investigated. The interfacial morphologies and microstructures were studied by scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. First, to explore the optimum bonding time and temperature, nine samples were bonded without interlayers in a vacuum condition. Mechanical test results indicated that bonding at 560°C in 20 min returns the highest bond strength (84% of Al). This bonding condition was used to join ten samples with powder interlayers. Powders were prepared by mixing different combinations of Cu, Al (+Fe nanoparticles) and Zn. In the bonding zone, different Cu9Al4, CuAl, and CuAl2 intermetallic co-precipitate. The strongest bonding is formed in the sample with the 70Al (+Fe)-30Cu powder interlayer. Powder interlayers present thinner and more uniform intermetallic layers at the joint interface.
Effects of the staggered blades on unsteady pressure pulsations and flow structures of a centrifugal pump
Authors: Zhang Ning , Gao Bo , Li Chao , Ni Dan , Li Guoping
Published: January 2021

Effects of the staggered blades on unsteady pressure pulsations of a centrifugal pump with a specific speed ns=147 are investigated by the numerical simulation method. The obtained results are compared with the original blades. To clarify the resulting effects, eight monitoring points are used to extract pressure signals at three typical working conditions, and component at the blade passing frequency fBPF is emphasized. Results show that the pump efficiency and head will be reduced by the staggered blades, and at the nominal flow rate, the reduction is about 1.5% from comparison with the original blades. For all the eight points, the staggered blades contribute to the reduction of pressure amplitudes at fBPF when the pump works at three flow rates. The averaged reduction is 15.5% at the nominal flow rate. However, the negative effect on the second harmonic of fBPF will be caused by the staggered blades, and the corresponding pressure amplitude will increase at 2fBPF. It means that the pressure pulsation energy will be redistributed among the discrete components in pressure spectrum by the staggered blades. From the TKE distribution, it is found that the TKE values on the blade pressure side will be significantly affected by the staggered blades.
Covid-19, ethical nursing management and codes of conduct: An analysis
Authors: Newham Roger , Hewison Alistair
Published: January 2021

The conduct of nurse managers, and health service managers more widely, has been subject to scrutiny and critique because of high-profile organisational failures in healthcare. This raises concerns about the practice of nursing management and the use of codes of professional and managerial conduct. Some responses to such failures seem to assume that codes of conduct will ensure or at least increase the likelihood that ethical management will be practised. Codes of conduct are general principles and rules of normative standards, including ethical standards, and guides for action of agents in particular roles. Nurse managers seem to stride two roles. Contra some accounts of the roles of a professional (nurse) and that of a manager, it is claimed that there is no intrinsic incompatibility of the roles though there is always the possibility that it could become so and likewise for codes of conduct. Codes of conduct can be used to support nurse managers in making practical decisions via an ‘outside in’ approach with an emphasis on the use of principles and an ‘inside out’ approach with an emphasis on the agent’s character. It is claimed that both approaches are necessary, especially as guides to ethical action. However, neither is sufficient for action because judgement and choice will always be required (principles always underdetermine action) as will a conducive environment that positively influences good judgement by being supportive of the basic principles and values of healthcare institutions. The response to the Covid-19 pandemic has created a unique set of circumstances in which the practical judgement, including ethical judgement, of nurse managers at all levels is being tested. However, the pandemic could be a turning point because staff and institutions (temporarily) freed from managerialism have demonstrated excellent practice supportive of ethical and other practical decision making. Organisations need to learn from this post pandemic.
The Interplay Between Sentiment and MAX: Evidence from an Emerging Market
Authors: Gupta Nilesh , Jacob Joshy
Published: January 2021

Investors with lottery preferences are known to concentrate on stocks with rare but extreme past returns. We investigate the extent to which lottery preference, measured by the MAX variable, varies with the market-wide irrational sentiment. We find that the high-MAX stocks have higher overpricing in a high-sentiment market and earn a lower alpha, compared to the low-sentiment market. Accordingly, the poor returns earned by a long-short portfolio of stocks with extreme MAX values are primarily due to the overvaluation of the high MAX-portfolio during the high sentiment phase. The higher stock volatility in India also magnifies the lottery preference of investors.

JEL Classification: G4, G12, G41, G11
The Mind-Body Well-being Initiative: a better lifestyle for people with severe mental illness
Authors: Lalley Nikela A , Manger Sam H , Jacka Felice , Rocks Tetyana , Ruusunen Anu , Barron Linda
Published: January 2021

Objective:

This article aims to describe ‘The Mind-Body Well-being Initiative’, a residential mental health treatment model based on the Lifestyle Medicine paradigm, which comprises a mind and body well-being programme. In people with severe mental illness (SMI), particularly for those experiencing psychotic illness, the physical health and mortality gap is significant with greater presence of chronic disease and a 15–20-year life expectancy gap.

Conclusions:

Our AIM Self-Capacity model of care attempts to address the physical and mental health care needs for the promotion of our patients’ recovery.
Diabetes Beliefs, Culturally Influenced Self-Management Practices, and Interventions Among Vietnamese Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nguyen Anna T. , Jones Emily J.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) incidence is rising among Asian Americans, including Vietnamese, and is associated with increasing rates of urbanization, population aging, and overweight/obesity. We examined literature targeting diabetes self-management (DSM) beliefs, practices, and culturally informed interventions specific to Vietnamese adults.

Methods

Using PRISMA systematic review guidelines, we searched CINAHL, Ovid, and Medline databases for research articles published from 2001 to 2019 examining DSM beliefs, practices, and/or interventions among Vietnamese adults with T2DM and/or family members.

Results

Of the 971 articles identified, 12 articles representing 11 studies ( N = 2,628) met inclusion criteria. Cultural knowledge and beliefs influence Vietnamese health practices and nutrition-based interventions that infuse traditional dietary norms are common. Two studies incorporated digital technology and community health workers in interventions.

Discussion

Appreciating unique health beliefs and practices of Vietnamese adults is critical to designing and testing culturally congruent interventions. Further research involving community-centered approaches to enhance DSM is warranted.
“They Were Laughing”: Congressional Framing of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s Sexual Assault Allegations on Twitter
Authors: Wright Jamie M. , Clark Jennifer Hayes , Evans Heather K.
Published: January 2021

Allegations of sexual assault and violence engulfed the confirmation hearings surrounding President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee (and now Justice) Brett Kavanaugh. Our work examines congressmembers’ communication concerning sexual assault and #MeToo during this critical time of the Kavanaugh hearing and how this relates to perceptions of gender and partisanship today. While previous research demonstrated a strong role of gender in influencing which members discussed #MeToo, we show that partisanship played a much larger role in discussions of sexual assault during this hearing. The findings highlight the shifting narrative surrounding the #MeToo movement and how the multiple identities of members of Congress, namely partisanship and gender, can be activated and produce changes in how elites communicate about the issue, which may have broader policymaking implications.
Combining Preferred Activities With Peer Support to Increase Social Interactions Between Preschoolers With ASD and Typically Developing Peers
Authors: Hu Xiaoyi , Lee Gabrielle T. , Watkins Laci , Jiang Yitong
Published: January 2021

This study evaluated the effects of using preferred activities with peer support on the social interactions of preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their typically developing peers. Two preschool-age children with ASD and six peers in an inclusive classroom participated in this study. A multiple-probe single case experimental design across three peers was employed. Results indicated that the participants’ social initiations and responses, as well as the percentage of time engaged in social play, increased following the preferred activity. Gains were also demonstrated across social interactions and time engaged in the preferred activity plus peer support condition. Increases in social interaction behaviors in typically developing peers were also observed, and positive intervention gains were maintained during 5-week follow-up sessions. Implications for research and practice for improving interaction between children with and without ASD in inclusive preschool settings are discussed.
Marketing China to U.S. travelers through electronic word-of-mouth and destination image: Taking Beijing as an example
Authors: Ran Li , Zhenpeng Luo , Bilgihan Anil , Okumus Fevzi
Published: January 2021

The tourism industry in China has grown significantly over the last two decades. Most of the growth, however, is fueled by domestic tourism. As one of the biggest tourism markets in the world, U.S. tourists might be reluctant to travel to China due to reasons such as unfamiliarity, cultural differences, visa requirements, and long flights. Building on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with relevant constructs, this research proposes that building a strong destination image via eWOM may influence the attitude and intention of U.S. travelers to visit Beijing. More specifically, the current research aims to examine the impact of eWOM and destination image on travel intention of tourists. This study used a quantitative research method and online data collection was conducted through Qualtrics. A total of 413 valid responses from U.S. residents were collected. The statistical software SPSS 21.0 and Mplus 7.0 were used to analyze the data. Study results show a strong relationship between eWOM utilitarian function and eWOM credibility, and eWOM credibility has a significant influence on destination image. Although there was no direct impact of destination image on tourists’ future travel intention, destination image plays a mediating role between eWOM credibility and perceived behavioral control (and tourists’ attitudes as well). Finally, perceived behavioral control and tourists’ attitudes mediate the impact of destination image on travel intention.
A review of pro-arrest, pro-charge, and pro-prosecution policies as a response to domestic violence
Authors: Ryan Cary , Silvio Dominic , Borden Tara , Ross Nancy M
Published: January 2021

The focus of this scoping review was to understand the overall state of research activity related to pro-arrest, pro-charge, and pro-prosecution policies in Canada. The review identified 295 articles, academic (47.5%) and gray literature (52.5%) published between 1983 and 2018 that reported on these policies as a response to domestic violence in Canada.

Findings

The findings acknowledged growing concerns over the ineffectiveness of these policies as a response to domestic violence. In fact, over half of the articles (57.6%) either failed to support these policies or recommended significant revisions; only a small number of articles (1.0%) favored these policies in their current form. Themes related to the effectiveness of these policies included criminalization and public awareness, survivor satisfaction, standardized police response, removal of burden from survivor to charge, and better than nothing. Themes related to the ineffectiveness included disconnect between policy and practice, revictimizes survivors, one-size fits all approach, have not adequately reduced domestic violence in Canada, lack of understanding training and education for all, failure to address structural and systemic factors, lack of trust in the criminal justice system, and success has been difficult to measure.

Applications

The deconstruction of these policies in this review points to the need for future research to address identified gaps in the literature and to explore alternatives that serve their intended emancipatory effect.
Parent book choices: How do parents select books to share with infants and toddlers with language impairment?
Authors: Daniels Debora , Salley Brenda , Walker Corinne , Bridges Mindy
Published: January 2021

Book-sharing with young children is an established vehicle for promoting early language development and pre-literacy skills. Although parents are widely encouraged to read to their child and existing interventions provide instruction on book-sharing strategies, there is a prominent lack of guidance for parents on how to choose the book itself. Importantly, there is a foundational lack of knowledge on the factors that parents take into consideration when choosing books to share with their young child. While understanding that parent book-choice is important for all children, it may be particularly important for those with language-impairment (LI), since book-sharing is an evidence-based intervention approach and widely recommended to promote language for LI populations. This qualitative study examines parents’ book selection choices, and the elements they consider, when choosing books to share with their infants and toddlers with LI. Participants included 13 parents of young children aged 19–29 months (9 males, 4 females; mean age = 25 months) receiving Part C services. Parent responses indicated that the most common themes considered included physical aesthetics, text difficulty, physical properties, educational considerations and content; the relative importance of these themes varied depending on context. Results are framed in the context of research on parent-child book-sharing interactions. Recommendations for practitioners working with parents and young children with LI during book-sharing are also highlighted.
A new fault diagnosis method based on adaptive spectrum mode extraction
Authors: Wang Zhijian , Yang Ningning , Li Naipeng , Du Wenhua , Wang Junyuan
Published: January 2021

Variational mode decomposition provides a feasible method for non-stationary signal analysis, but the method is still not adaptive, which greatly limits the wide application of the method. Therefore, an adaptive spectrum mode extraction method is proposed in this article. The proposed method is mainly composed of spectral segmentation, mode extraction, and feedback adjustment. In the spectral segmentation part, considering the lack of robustness of classical scale space in a strong noise environment, this article proposes a method of fault feature mapping, which solves over-decomposition of variational mode decomposition guided by classical scale space. In the mode extraction part, for insufficient self-adaptability of the single penalty factor in the variational mode decomposition method, this article proposes a method of spectral aggregation factor, which solves multiple penalty factors that conform to different intrinsic modal functions. In the feedback adjustment part, this article proposes the method of transboundary criterion, which makes the result of variational mode decomposition within a preset range. Finally, using dispersion entropy and kurtosis indicators, intrinsic modal function components containing fault frequencies are extracted for envelope spectrum analysis to extract fault characteristic frequencies. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, the proposed method is applied to simulation signals and bearing fault signals. Comparing the decomposition results of different methods, the conclusion shows that the proposed method is more advantageous for the fault feature extraction of rolling bearings.
Parents and children during the COVID-19 quarantine process: Experiences from Turkey and China
Authors: Toran Mehmet , Sak Ramazan , Xu Yuwei , Şahin-Sak İkbal Tuba , Yu Yun
Published: January 2021

This paper reports Turkish and Chinese parents’ experiences with their 3–6 year-old children during the COVID-19 quarantine process. Thirteen Turkish and 11 Chinese parents participated in a study that employed semi-structured interviews to examine participant self-perceived experiences. Findings show that the study revealed many commonalities in the experiences of Turkish and Chinese parents with their children during the COVID-19 quarantine process. Cultural differences between parents did not appear to significantly reflect the responses of parents during this extraordinary period. Parents mostly described difficulties with home quarantine. Most parents stated that their daily schedule and routines had changed as a result of home quarantine. Parents also said that they were unaware of their children’s developmental progress and the extent to which their children had grown up before the quarantine. Parents shared both positive and negative experiences during the process. Since the quarantine process is an extraordinary experience for all family members, parents should be encouraged to put those positive experiences and acquisitions into their future life.
Development of John Dewey’s educational philosophy and its implications for children’s education
Authors: Ye Yan–Hong , Shih Yi-Huang
Published: January 2021

This study explores the role of John Dewey’s educational philosophy before and after World War I. Before World War I, Dewey’s educational philosophy emphasized individualized and socialized development for learners, importance of children’s education, and encouragement of diverse and creative educational measures. Although these views did not change significantly after World War I, Dewey reflected on the connection between education and social life to allow teachers to fulfill their social responsibilities and to integrate various social issues into teaching regimes to inspire children and create a habit of exploring experience. This study concludes that a democratic education allows children to participate in the problem–solving process, that continuous use of real social issues enhances democratic literacy for children, and that the quality of children’s education depends on teachers’ commitment to social responsibility.
lncRNA LINC00460 Functions as a Competing Endogenous RNA and Regulates Expression of BGN by Sponging miR-149-5p in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ruan Tingyan , Lu Shourong , Xu Junying , Zhou Ju-Ying
Published: January 2021

Background and Aim:

There are an increasing number of studies indicating the important roles served by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the development of different types of cancer. LINC00460 is a novel identified lncRNA that was found to be upregulated in colorectal cancer. However, the biological roles of LINC00460 in colorectal cancer have yet to be fully elucidated. This study was aimed to investigate the functions and molecular mechanisms of LINC00460 on colorectal cancer metastasis.

Methods:

Expression of LINC00460 and biglycan (BGN) in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines were quantified by real time PCR or western blotting assay. Cell migration and invasion assays were performed to determine the effect of LINC00460 on tumor metastasis in vitro. The binding interaction between microRNA-149-5p and LINC00460 was revealed by luciferase reporter assay.

Results:

In the present study, lncRNA LINC00460 was shown to be upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues, and overexpression of LINC00460 significantly promoted metastasis of colorectal cancer in vitro. Furthermore, miR-149-5p interacted with LINC00460, and they negatively regulated expression of each other. Transfection of miR-149-5p mimics partially counteracted the tumor metastasis-promoting effects induced by LINC00460 overexpression. Finally, overexpression of LINC00460 upregulated the expression levels of biglycan, a target gene of miR-149-5p, which has also been identified as an oncogenic driver in colorectal cancer.

Conclusion:

Taken together, the present study demonstrated that LINC00460 promoted metastasis of CRC by sponging miR-149-5p and thereby affecting biglycan expression levels.
The Doctor Will See You After Your Workout
Authors: Bonnet Jonathan P. , George Aaron E.
Published: January 2021

Novel approaches to deliver lifestyle medicine that are convenient and accessible to patients are needed. Patients generally seek medical care when they are not well, reinforcing the notion of a “sick” care health system. Conversely, health clubs represent beacons of wellness amid the mire of chronic disease. Many individuals visit health clubs with the goal of becoming or remaining healthy. Expanding health care access to these health club populations creates opportunities to engage those who do not typically seek medical care, and may also attract those who are highly motivated to make lifestyle changes to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic disease. Health club clinics could be expanded with in-person or virtual offerings that go beyond traditional models. Such offerings would stand to improve health and be mutually beneficial for the provider and health club. By decreasing the barrier to access such care and meeting highly motivated patients where they are, providers may be more successful in their efforts to deliver lifestyle medicine to patients who are ready, willing, and able to make lifestyle behaviors changes.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on neuroimaging scan volumes at a teaching hospital
Authors: Ginat Daniel Thomas , Kenniff James
Published: January 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a widespread socioeconomic shutdown, including medical facilities in many parts of the world. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact on neuroimaging utilisation at an academic medical centre in the United States caused by this shutdown.

Methods

Exam volumes from 1 February 2020 to 11 August 2020 were calculated based on patient location, including outpatient, inpatient and emergency, as well as modality type, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. 13 March 2020 was designated as the beginning of the shutdown period for the radiology department and 1 May 2020 was designated as the reopening date. The scan volumes during the pre-shutdown, shutdown and post-shutdown periods were compared using t-tests.

Results

Overall, neuroimaging scan volumes declined significantly by 41% during the shutdown period and returned to 98% of the pre-shutdown period levels after the shutdown, with an estimated 3231 missed scans. Outpatient scan volumes were more greatly affected than inpatient scan volumes, while emergency scan volumes declined the least during the shutdown. In addition, the magnetic resonance imaging scan volumes declined to a greater degree than the computed tomography scan volumes during the shutdown.

Conclusion

The shutdown from the COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial but transient impact on neuroimaging utilisation overall, with variable magnitude depending on patient location and modality type.
Prevalence and associated factors of diabetic foot ulcers among type 2 diabetic patients attending chronic follow-up clinics at governmental hospitals of Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia: A 5-year (2013–2017) retrospective study
Authors: Tola Assefa , Regassa Lemma Demissie , Ayele Yohanes
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

Diabetic foot disease is a growing major public health problem and the leading cause of prolonged hospital admission, health-related costs, and reduced quality of life for diabetes patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and its associated factors among type 2 diabetes patients in Harari Region, East Ethiopia.

Methods:

An institution-based retrospective study was conducted from 28 March to 30 April 2018, among type 2 diabetes patients diagnosed between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2017, at three government hospitals of Harari Region. Data were collected using a standard checklist format. Data were entered into Epi Info Version 7 and analyzed using SPSS 24. Binary and multiple logistic regression models were used to determine the associated factors. Odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals was used to determine level of association.

Result:

A document of 502 type 2 diabetes patients was reviewed and included in the final analysis in this study. The prevalence of DFU among type 2 diabetes patients was 21.1%. Being currently married decreased the odds of DFU by 60% (adjusted odds ratio = 0.40; 95% confidence interval: 0.17–0.96). Factors associated with increased diabetes ulcers chance were physical inactivity 2.29 (adjusted odds ratio = 2.29; 95% confidence interval: 1.17–4.48), starting treatment with insulin 4.43 times (adjusted odds ratio = 4.43; 95% confidence interval: 1.84–10.67), obesity 27.76 (adjusted odds ratio = 27.76; 95% confidence interval: 13.96–55.23), delay to start follow-up 2.22 (adjusted odds ratio = 2.22; 95% confidence interval: 1.03–4.82), history of infection 3.50 (adjusted odds ratio= 3.50; 95% confidence interval: 1.83–6.69), and hypertension 3.99 (adjusted odds ratio = 3.99; 95% confidence interval: 2.08–7.65).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of DFU among type 2 diabetes is substantially high as more than one in five patients have this complication. Moreover, marital status, physical activity, baseline medication, obesity, delay for follow-up, infection history, and hypertension were significantly associated with the development of DFU.
Case report: Manual therapies promote resolution of persistent post-concussion symptoms in a 24-year-old athlete
Authors: Kratz Susan Vaughan
Published: January 2021

This case report illustrates the treatment outcomes of a collegiate athlete presenting with an 18-month history of post-concussion syndrome who received a series of mixed manual therapies in isolation of other therapy. Persistent symptoms were self-reported as debilitating, contributing to self-removal from participation in school, work, and leisure activities. Patient and parent interviews captured the history of multiple concussions and other sports-related injuries. Neurological screening and activities of daily living were baseline measured. Post-Concussion Symptom Checklist and Headache Impact Test-6™ were utilized to track symptom severity. Treatments applied included craniosacral therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and glymphatic techniques. Eleven treatment sessions were administered over 3 months. Results indicated restoration of oxygen saturation, normalized pupil reactivity, and satisfactory sleep. Post-concussion syndrome symptom severity was reduced by 87% as reflected by accumulative Post-Concussion Symptom Checklist scores. Relief from chronic headaches was achieved, reflected by Headache Impact Test-6 scores. Restoration of mood and quality of life were reported. A 6-month follow-up revealed symptoms remained abated with full re-engagement of daily activities. The author hypothesized that post-concussion syndrome symptoms were related to compression of craniosacral system structures and lymphatic fluid stagnation that contributed to head pressure pain, severe sleep deprivation, and multiple neurological and psychological symptoms. Positive outcomes over a relatively short period of time without adverse effects suggest these therapies may offer viable options for the treatment of post-concussion syndrome.
School or Guidance Counselor: How the Title Influences Public Perception
Authors: Baker Emily , Zyromski Brett , Granello Darcy Haag
Published: January 2021

School counselors are one of the few professions that remain split on their professional title. We replicated a previous study to determine whether the results of the original study measuring the impact of language on perceptions of school counselors’ competency were replicable by surveying a sample of the general population. Participants who completed the surveys with the term “guidance counselor” were statistically less likely to believe that school counselors were able to perform the 25 tasks assessed on the survey. Results suggest that the title impacted participants’ perceptions of the competence of school counselors.
Play Therapy Courses in School Counselor Training: A Content Analysis of Syllabi From CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Programs
Authors: Shin Sang Min , Na GoEun
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to conduct a content analysis of the syllabi of play therapy courses offered by school counseling programs that hold accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. We collected and analyzed 27 course syllabi to (a) identify trends in the content of these courses and (b) examine whether course objectives are consistent with the American School Counselor Association School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies.
The economics of precision health: preventing air pollution-induced exacerbation in asthma
Authors: Mohammadi Tima , Sadatsafavi Mohsen , Carlsten Chris
Published: January 2021

The demonstrable value of precision medicine, in the context of common environmental exposures, has scarcely been explored. This study evaluated the cost effectiveness of a preventive personalised intervention to reduce the adverse effect of air pollution in the context of asthma.

A decision–analytic model was used to conduct a cost-utility analysis of prevention interventions in case of acute exposure to air pollution in mild asthma. Three different strategies, as follows, were compared: no preventive intervention; precision health strategy based on information from genotype testing, followed with treating high-risk patients; and prescribing additional medication to all mild asthmatics as a preventive intervention. The costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in the base case and alternative scenarios were obtained through probabilistic analysis.

The results showed that the precision prevention intervention (anticipatory intervention for asthmatics, guided by relevant genetic abnormality, in the face of acute air pollution) is a cost-effective strategy compared with no such intervention, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of CAD 49 555 per QALY. Furthermore, this strategy is a dominant strategy compared with an intervention that prescribes medication indiscriminately to all asthmatics.

The incorporation of genomic testing to stratify risk of asthmatics to pollution-driven exacerbations, and then tailoring a preventive intervention accordingly, may be cost effective relative to untailored methods. These results lend plausibility to the use of precision medicine for limiting asthma exacerbation in the context of air pollution and, potentially, other exposures.
Predictive factors for orchiectomy in adult’s spermatic cord torsion: a case‐control study
Authors: Kabore Fasnéwindé Aristide , Kabore Klovis Klifford , Kabore Moussa , Kirakoya Brahima , Yameogo Clotaire , Ky Bienvenue Désiré , Zango Barnabé
Published: January 2021

Background

Spermatic cord torsion (SCT) is a surgical emergency. Any delay in diagnosis or treatment may compromise the vital and functional prognosis of the testicle. The orchiectomy rate remains very high in the literature; it can even reach 50 % in certain series. Several factors have been reported in the literature as being significantly correlated with the risk of orchiectomy: duration of symptoms, the number of turns, the younger ages, etc. The objective of this study has been to analyse the predictive factors of orchiectomy in adult SCT in our context.

Results

During the study period, 74 cases of SCT were included. Orchidopexy was performed in 43.2 % (32/74) versus orchiectomy in 56.8 % (42/74) of cases. The patients’ median age was 22 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 18–26.75 years). The duration of symptoms (p = 0.009), the previous medical management (p < 0.001), performing a scrotal ultrasonography (p = 0.004) were statistically significant at univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis only the previous medical management was statistically significant (p = 0.017).

Conclusions

The orchiectomy rate was very high in our cohort. The previous medical management was the only significant predictive factor of orchiectomy on multivariate analysis. Our findings demonstrated that the delay in diagnosis is the determining factor in testicular loss in our context.
Assessment of mitochondrial genomes for heterobranch gastropod phylogenetics
Authors: Varney Rebecca M. , Brenzinger Bastian , Malaquias Manuel António E. , Meyer Christopher P. , Schrödl Michael , Kocot Kevin M.
Published: January 2021

Background

Heterobranchia is a diverse clade of marine, freshwater, and terrestrial gastropod molluscs. It includes such disparate taxa as nudibranchs, sea hares, bubble snails, pulmonate land snails and slugs, and a number of (mostly small-bodied) poorly known snails and slugs collectively referred to as the “lower heterobranchs”. Evolutionary relationships within Heterobranchia have been challenging to resolve and the group has been subject to frequent and significant taxonomic revision. Mitochondrial (mt) genomes can be a useful molecular marker for phylogenetics but, to date, sequences have been available for only a relatively small subset of Heterobranchia.

Results

To assess the utility of mitochondrial genomes for resolving evolutionary relationships within this clade, eleven new mt genomes were sequenced including representatives of several groups of “lower heterobranchs”. Maximum likelihood analyses of concatenated matrices of the thirteen protein coding genes found weak support for most higher-level relationships even after several taxa with extremely high rates of evolution were excluded. Bayesian inference with the CAT + GTR model resulted in a reconstruction that is much more consistent with the current understanding of heterobranch phylogeny. Notably, this analysis recovered Valvatoidea and Orbitestelloidea in a polytomy with a clade including all other heterobranchs, highlighting these taxa as important to understanding early heterobranch evolution. Also, dramatic gene rearrangements were detected within and between multiple clades. However, a single gene order is conserved across the majority of heterobranch clades.

Conclusions

Analysis of mitochondrial genomes in a Bayesian framework with the site heterogeneous CAT + GTR model resulted in a topology largely consistent with the current understanding of heterobranch phylogeny. However, mitochondrial genomes appear to be too variable to serve as good phylogenetic markers for robustly resolving a number of deeper splits within this clade.
Horizontal gene transfer and recombination analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genes helps discover its close relatives and shed light on its origin
Authors: Makarenkov Vladimir , Mazoure Bogdan , Rabusseau Guillaume , Legendre Pierre
Published: January 2021

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is one of  the greatest  global medical and social challenges that have emerged in recent history. Human coronavirus strains discovered during previous SARS outbreaks have been hypothesized to pass from bats to humans using intermediate hosts, e.g. civets for SARS-CoV and camels for MERS-CoV. The discovery of an intermediate host of SARS-CoV-2 and the identification of specific mechanism of its emergence in humans are topics of primary evolutionary importance. In this study we investigate the evolutionary patterns of 11 main genes of SARS-CoV-2. Previous studies suggested that the genome of SARS-CoV-2 is highly similar to the horseshoe bat coronavirus RaTG13 for most of the genes and to some Malayan pangolin coronavirus (CoV) strains for the receptor binding (RB) domain of the spike protein.

Results

We provide a detailed list of statistically significant horizontal gene transfer and recombination events (both intergenic and intragenic) inferred for each of 11 main genes of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Our analysis reveals that two continuous regions of genes S and N of SARS-CoV-2 may result from intragenic recombination between RaTG13 and Guangdong (GD) Pangolin CoVs. Statistically significant gene transfer-recombination events between RaTG13 and GD Pangolin CoV have been identified in region [1215–1425] of gene S and region [534–727] of gene N. Moreover, some statistically significant recombination events between the ancestors of SARS-CoV-2, RaTG13, GD Pangolin CoV and bat CoV ZC45-ZXC21 coronaviruses have been identified in genes ORF1ab, S, ORF3a, ORF7a, ORF8 and N. Furthermore, topology-based clustering of gene trees inferred for 25 CoV organisms revealed a three-way evolution of coronavirus genes, with gene phylogenies of ORF1ab, S and N forming the first cluster, gene phylogenies of ORF3a, E, M, ORF6, ORF7a, ORF7b and ORF8 forming the second cluster, and phylogeny of gene ORF10 forming the third cluster.

Conclusions

The results of our horizontal gene transfer and recombination analysis suggest that SARS-CoV-2 could not only be a chimera virus resulting from recombination of the bat RaTG13 and Guangdong pangolin coronaviruses but also a close relative of the bat CoV ZC45 and ZXC21 strains. They also indicate that a GD pangolin may be an intermediate host of this dangerous virus.